Jordan Mickey

[IDreamCeltics]

First off, big shout out to Suitednzooted who identified Mickey before the draft as someone the Celtic's might take with #33.

Just wanted to talk a little bit about this player.  To me he looks like a possible upgrade to Brandon Bass, and at the very least should be able to fill the role of hitting mid-range jumpers and rebounding a little in college he was a pretty effective face up shooter out to 17 feet (shooting about 50% on midrange shots).

Defensively he gives the Celtics something that none of their other forwards give them. The first thing everyone will talk about is his shot blocking (I think he averaged almost 4 blocks per 40 minutes in college) , but he also has the agility to guard wings on the perimeter and bother passing lanes.  Additionally, at 6'8 and 240 lbs.  He seems well suited physically to defend the post against a good number of today's NBA forwards.  In a world where Draymond Green is worth a max deal I'd think people would be pretty excited getting Jordan Mickey in the second round.  Seems like a guy who'd be hard to keep off the floor.

 Your thoughts? 

[danglertx]

My thoughts are, we will see.  Blocking college player's shots doesn't always translate to the NBA where players are bigger and more crafty.  NBA defense is more about team defense than coming off the weak side to get blocks.  In the NBA, when you leave your man to go block a shot, your man usually gets a dunk.  He wouldn't be the first person to not succeed if he couldn't get the hang of help defense NBA style. 

Secondly, I think it is going to depend on what he can do on the boards.  If he is an energy guy that is constantly working on the offensive boards, tipping balls back and getting put backs, then he can certainly get minutes.

Fifty percent might be the minimum on wide open 15ft shots in today's NBA.   Contested that is good but it needs to be higher uncontested because you might as well go 1 for 3 from 3pt range if you can't hit 50% on mid range jumpers.  You'd score the same and stretch the defense further for players who can drive.

I'm rooting for the guy but Bass was really good at that mid range shot, he could swap out on some of the best guys defensively, was really good at going up strong with the ball but his weaknesses hurt.  He had terrible hands, couldn't dribble (the scariest thing for me as a Celtic fan was watching Bass dribble on the break, it worked out maybe 20% of the time) and was never a great offensive or defensive rebounder.   

If the swap worked out anywhere near even his first year, I would be thrilled.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

First off, big shout out to Suitednzooted who identified Mickey before the draft as someone the Celtic's might take with #33.

Just wanted to talk a little bit about this player.  To me he looks like a possible upgrade to Brandon Bass, and at the very least should be able to fill the role of hitting mid-range jumpers and rebounding a little in college he was a pretty effective face up shooter out to 17 feet (shooting about 50% on midrange shots).

Defensively he gives the Celtics something that none of their other forwards give them. The first thing everyone will talk about is his shot blocking (I think he averaged almost 4 blocks per 40 minutes in college) , but he also has the agility to guard wings on the perimeter and bother passing lanes.  Additionally, at 6'8 and 240 lbs.  He seems well suited physically to defend the post against a good number of today's NBA forwards.  In a world where Draymond Green is worth a max deal I'd think people would be pretty excited getting Jordan Mickey in the second round.  Seems like a guy who'd be hard to keep off the floor.

 Your thoughts?

We didn't move up, it's impossible for any of our guys to be good players, haven't you heard?


Nah but really, this was an interesting grab, hopefully he does well. I def want to see what he and Holmes has. Of course I want to see what all our guys can do but we have needed bigs who can defend for a while now, I'm very interested in seeing what they can provide.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

My thoughts are, we will see.  Blocking college player's shots doesn't always translate to the NBA where players are bigger and more crafty.  NBA defense is more about team defense than coming off the weak side to get blocks.  In the NBA, when you leave your man to go block a shot, your man usually gets a dunk.  He wouldn't be the first person to not succeed if he couldn't get the hang of help defense NBA style. 

Secondly, I think it is going to depend on what he can do on the boards.  If he is an energy guy that is constantly working on the offensive boards, tipping balls back and getting put backs, then he can certainly get minutes.

Fifty percent might be the minimum on wide open 15ft shots in today's NBA.   Contested that is good but it needs to be higher uncontested because you might as well go 1 for 3 from 3pt range if you can't hit 50% on mid range jumpers.  You'd score the same and stretch the defense further for players who can drive.

I'm rooting for the guy but Bass was really good at that mid range shot, he could swap out on some of the best guys defensively, was really good at going up strong with the ball but his weaknesses hurt.  He had terrible hands, couldn't dribble (the scariest thing for me as a Celtic fan was watching Bass dribble on the break, it worked out maybe 20% of the time) and was never a great offensive or defensive rebounder.   

If the swap worked out anywhere near even his first year, I would be thrilled.

Becoming as good as Bass is for 33rd pick would be nice. Not only for the solid play but because we have to pay him pennies in comparison and he's younger.

[Chief Macho]

Won't even make the team.

[Denis998]

His blocks will translate into the NBA. He doesn't sit the paint to get his blocks.

[Chris22]

Jordan is already the most athletic big man on the team.
We needed that.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Won't even make the team.

Being picked in the 2nd round and not making the team is the norm and wont matter at all!

[PaulAllen]

If he was a 7 footer he would be a top 10 pick easily.. However he has a 7'3" wingspan and led the nation in blocks ... hard nosed kid, not only will he make the team he will be in rotation

[PhoSita]

What examples do we have of 6'8'' shotblocking specialists with no range, limited offensive skill in general, and decent but not dominant rebounding, finding success in the league?

[PaulAllen]

What examples do we have of 6'8'' shotblocking specialists with no range, limited offensive skill in general, and decent but not dominant rebounding, finding success in the league?

Leon Powe

[max215]

He'll make the team. He has athleticism and defensive ability that we don't get from any of our other bigs. Beyond that, no one knows, but he certainly offers a lot of upside and was a steal at #33.

[Who]

What examples do we have of 6'8'' shotblocking specialists with no range, limited offensive skill in general, and decent but not dominant rebounding, finding success in the league?

According to Draftexpress, Mickey took 68 two point jump-shots last year (31 games) and made half of them. So he does have some semblance of a jump-shot. He is not a paint-only PF (thankfully!).

Also, they say he can put the ball on the floor and drive in face up situations (basic drives) which look nice in the highlights. So he is not one of those bigs scared to ever dribble the ball. His assists are low and his assists to turnover ratio is terrible so no joy there. Turnover prone. 

This does not sound like a hopeless offensive player. Below average but he has some utility.

I think a guy like that with decent rebounding and good defensive skills should be able to make a living in the NBA as a bench PF.

[danglertx]

My thoughts are, we will see.  Blocking college player's shots doesn't always translate to the NBA where players are bigger and more crafty.  NBA defense is more about team defense than coming off the weak side to get blocks.  In the NBA, when you leave your man to go block a shot, your man usually gets a dunk.  He wouldn't be the first person to not succeed if he couldn't get the hang of help defense NBA style. 

Secondly, I think it is going to depend on what he can do on the boards.  If he is an energy guy that is constantly working on the offensive boards, tipping balls back and getting put backs, then he can certainly get minutes.

Fifty percent might be the minimum on wide open 15ft shots in today's NBA.   Contested that is good but it needs to be higher uncontested because you might as well go 1 for 3 from 3pt range if you can't hit 50% on mid range jumpers.  You'd score the same and stretch the defense further for players who can drive.

I'm rooting for the guy but Bass was really good at that mid range shot, he could swap out on some of the best guys defensively, was really good at going up strong with the ball but his weaknesses hurt.  He had terrible hands, couldn't dribble (the scariest thing for me as a Celtic fan was watching Bass dribble on the break, it worked out maybe 20% of the time) and was never a great offensive or defensive rebounder.   

If the swap worked out anywhere near even his first year, I would be thrilled.

Becoming as good as Bass is for 33rd pick would be nice. Not only for the solid play but because we have to pay him pennies in comparison and he's younger.

Yep, that is why I'd be thrilled. 

[PhoSita]

What examples do we have of 6'8'' shotblocking specialists with no range, limited offensive skill in general, and decent but not dominant rebounding, finding success in the league?

Leon Powe

That is the comp that came to mind for me, too.


I didn't realize, as Who notes, that he has some semblance of a jumpshot.  Though who knows if he'll be able to translate that to the NBA.

One comp that comes to mind is Amir Johnson, who is a pretty good player.