rim protection: Upshaw, Wood, Christmas, Mickey

[Tr1boy]

Likely none with the 16 unless Danny is amazed by Upshaw in the individual workouts.

All of the guys above have either been interviewed by the Celtics and/or will come in for individual workout.

Danny knows if he can't get a guy like WCS/(can't rely on FA/trades) , we still need to grab a rim protector one way or the other . One of these guys should be available by 28 or 33.


C - Upshaw - has monster size, reach, wingspan. Superb shot blocker. Good mobility , athleticism for size.  The bad is , got kicked out of two schools and does not fight hard enough in the post to deny deep catches, to grab defensive rebounds.     If Upshaw drops to 26 (trade up) or 28, Danny thinks he is a changed person and willing to tackle/improve on his weaknesses, no brainer you choose him 

PF - Wood - elite level wingspan, reach, vertical leap for PF.   Good all around skills. Can even handle the ball and shoot from deep.  But is on the thin side. Might take him a few years to get stronger. JJJ nightmare comesback to mind.   At worse could end up being Hakeem Warrick, at best someone like Henson.  Might drop to 28.  Not a guy to trade up for

PF - Christmas - Same as Wood. But also is 245 pounds.  Looks like could add another 10-15 pounds without losing quickness/explosiveness.    Huge improvements on all aspects of his game from Junior to Senior year.  Excellent from the post and can score with either hands.  He now has added a 15-17 ft mid range J.  Needs to rework his defense fundementals.  Got pushed around in the post (might be solved once he puts on 10-15 pounds).   If Christmas impresses Danny in the invidual workouts, take him at 28.   33 definitely

PF-  Mickey - 6'8 height with excellent wingspan (7'3.5), max vertical leap (37.5).  240 pounds and could add 10-15 more pounds.   Very strong rim protector, good rebounder. Offense mainly consist of tip ins, put backs, dunks, PNR.  Jump shot needs work. If Mickey had a steady jump shot, he would be a 1st round talent for sure.   Danny cant get WCS/Danny does not like some of the guys above/gets other players he wants with the 16,28 picks. Mickey is prob the last resort from the draft we have to grab a rim protector.  Comparable to a Brandan Wright (more weight/strength at the same age)

[Csfan1984]

I nominate Richaun Holmes PF/C to this list 28 or 33.

[Tr1boy]

I nominate Richaun Holmes PF/C to this list 28 or 33.

no. Not with 28, 33. 28 seriously??

Mickey is a better rebounder and has more upside.  Maybe reach for Holmes with the 45 worse case. Decent chance you might be able to bring him in for free (undrafted)

[Tr1boy]

5-5 competitive NBA draft combine

-Christmas -
Day 1 - 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block
Day 2 - 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks   
- Mickey -
Day 1 - 17 points, 8 rebounds, 8 block shots  
Day 2 - 8 points, 9 rebounds, 4 block shots


Both of these guys stock is climbing. 

[Csfan1984]

Want him at 45 but with his #s and workouts won't get him there. 35-41 range pick IMO. Also what if you like him better than other guys 28-30 what does it matter taking him at 28. I do like Mikey but he is strictly a PF to me. Holmes has flexibility that has value.

[Tr1boy]

Want him at 45 but with his #s and workouts won't get him there. 35-41 range pick IMO. Also what if you like him better than other guys 28-30 what does it matter taking him at 28. I do like Mikey but he is strictly a PF to me. Holmes has flexibility that has value.

Holmes is a garbage man that can protect the rim.  If he can't stay on the floor bc he can't understand what is going , provides little on the offensive end (scored only 6 points and 2 points at the 5-5 games, zero assists)  we will have another possible Fab Melo situation.

Mickey is strictly a PF. A little undersized but has very good length, max vertical. You can criticize/nitpick Mickey, but if you were not able to, he would be going in the 1st round.

Mickey is a better prospect than Holmes

[Celts Fan 508]

Triboy, great write up, TP, I do no think Upshaw or Wood last to 28, the Celtics could consider them at 16 depending on who else is available.  Mickey would be a good choice at 28, but I am afraid his value will keep rising and will go before we pick at 28 with his recent 5 on 5 performances. 

[Csfan1984]

Want him at 45 but with his #s and workouts won't get him there. 35-41 range pick IMO. Also what if you like him better than other guys 28-30 what does it matter taking him at 28. I do like Mikey but he is strictly a PF to me. Holmes has flexibility that has value.

Holmes is a garbage man that can protect the rim.  If he can't stay on the floor bc he can't understand what is going , provides little on the offensive end (scored only 6 points and 2 points at the 5-5 games, zero assists)  we will have another possible Fab Melo situation.

Mickey is strictly a PF. A little undersized but has very good length, max vertical. You can criticize/nitpick Mickey, but if you were not able to, he would be going in the 1st round.

Mickey is a better prospect than Holmes

Mikey is slightly better but he may not be there even at 33. Holmes is a good fall back. As you said a rim protector. Get one of those guys early second that can guard PF/C would be nice. On offense all I need from him is to screen, pick and roll.

[Who]

PF - Christmas - Same as Wood. But also is 245 pounds.  Looks like could add another 10-15 pounds without losing quickness/explosiveness.    Huge improvements on all aspects of his game from Junior to Senior year.  Excellent from the post and can score with either hands.  He now has added a 15-17 ft mid range J.  Needs to rework his defense fundementals.  Got pushed around in the post (might be solved once he puts on 10-15 pounds).   If Christmas impresses Danny in the invidual workouts, take him at 28.   33 definitely

I am worried that his only good season came in his senior year when most of the other top players in the country are 2-3 years younger than him. Never averaged more than 5 and 5 in his previous 3 college seasons. He is an old senior too. Already 23 years old. He'll be 24 a third of the way through his rookie campaign. That is a grown man beating up on younger competition.

Seems more like a mid-2nd round pick than a late 1st / early 2nd due to his age.

[Celts Fan 508]

What about Chris McCullough from Syracuse?  I could see him at 33 easy, has rim protection skills, can shoot from 15'-17',seems like he has a lot of potential to me.

[Tr1boy]

What about Chris McCullough from Syracuse?  I could see him at 33 easy, has rim protection skills, can shoot from 15'-17',seems like he has a lot of potential to me.

Project that wont be ready to contribute for next season or two

Stretch 4 or power sf? Danny thinks can be both.

At 28, 33 i would consider picking him.

[Celts Fan 508]

What about Chris McCullough from Syracuse?  I could see him at 33 easy, has rim protection skills, can shoot from 15'-17',seems like he has a lot of potential to me.

Project that wont be ready to contribute for next season or two

Stretch 4 or power sf? Danny thinks can be both.

At 28, 33 i would consider picking him.

I would absolutely take him at 33 irregardless of who we drafted earlier.  He has a ton of potential but will fall in the draft because of ACL surgery.  If he didn't have that surgery we would be talking about him at 16 IMO.  You are right though, he will not contribute until season 2 or 3.

[Tr1boy]

What about Chris McCullough from Syracuse?  I could see him at 33 easy, has rim protection skills, can shoot from 15'-17',seems like he has a lot of potential to me.

Project that wont be ready to contribute for next season or two

Stretch 4 or power sf? Danny thinks can be both.

At 28, 33 i would consider picking him.

I would absolutely take him at 33 irregardless of who we drafted earlier.  He has a ton of potential but will fall in the draft because of ACL surgery.  If he didn't have that surgery we would be talking about him at 16 IMO.  You are right though, he will not contribute until season 2 or 3.

Yup. However risky to grab a guy coming off a major injury and also not willing to stay another season to develop his body and game. 

Still at 33 you need to consider drating him

We do really need more of an immediate rim protecting help next season. We have to get someone. At worst Mickey who can protect , rebound and has some skills

[Beat LA]

Don't you mean 'Mackey' (sarcasm) ?

[Tr1boy]

Jordan Mickey vs Kentucky highlights
http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=78190.msg1886092#new