Does it bother anybody that Ainge apparently wanted Winslow over Porzingis?

[gift]

Winslow was definitely the target at #9, however I heard three different names linked to the rumor for #4 leading up to the draft (Okafor, Winslow and Porzingis). I'm not sure it's ever been confirmed exactly who the target was at #4. Winslow is speculated because we know how much they wanted him at #9. So maybe it's true.

Ainge was high on Porzingis as early as the 2014 draft before he pulled out. So he definitely saw something there early on. It's why I take the Celtics interest in Bender seriously in this draft.

[heyvik]

Also Porzingis obviously went high and was well thought of but no one thought he was going to be this good.  Give me a break.

I did. The record will show this.  Maybe not this quickly, but feel the sky is the limit with this guy in terms of size and talent.  For guys to say that Winslow could eventually prove out to be just as good as Porzingis, I ask you: Do you really think Winslow ceiling is anywhere close to Porzingis?  Porzingis is a more athletic version of Dirk Nowitski.  That's right: If this kid continues on this tragectory, we will refer back to Dirk as a poor man's KP.  This statement will get ridicule, but I don't mind sticking my neck out there in expressing my admiration for this kid and his potential.

I will go out on a limb and say that most European bball players are hyped up so much before the draft but more that 75% don't end up fulfilling their potential. I'm sure you could say that for most domestic/college 1 and done players too.
I'm under the notion and maybe I'm biased but I wouldn't risk a high pick on a Euro player - prime example #2 Darko....need I say more.

[ssspence]

Assuming it's true, yeah, it does kind of point to where Ainge's strengths and weaknesses are as a talent evaluator. 

I think he's really good at picking out guys who will compete and contribute to winning in the NBA.  I'm not sure how good he is at identifying players that have the potential to carry a team, though.

I like that assessment.

Agreed. Ainge has gotten more and more conservative with his picks. Winslow fits the Ainge pick profile to a tee.

It's one reason I was a little surprised he didn't take Portis or Grant over Rozier, who both also fit his pick profile well. I have a funny feeling Portis looked just a little too much like JJJ to Ainge, and that made him nervous.

[gift]

Assuming it's true, yeah, it does kind of point to where Ainge's strengths and weaknesses are as a talent evaluator. 

I think he's really good at picking out guys who will compete and contribute to winning in the NBA.  I'm not sure how good he is at identifying players that have the potential to carry a team, though.

I like that assessment.

Agreed. Ainge has gotten more and more conservative with his picks.

This is interesting, especially considering Ainge is often linked to guys well before the draft who he passes over for someone else at the actual draft (see Giannis--Olynyk). I wonder if it really is a risk assessment issue in the front office. I don't doubt the talent evaluation.

[cltc5]

Danny better do whatever he can to position himself for Ingram.

[PhoSita]

What bothers me about Ainge making "safe" picks is that throughout this rebuild, he's been hoarding draft selections. 

When you have so many picks, why not take bigger risks?  James Young is one guy that counts as a high upside / low floor pick, for sure (though like many I hoped it'd be Capela).

Smart has been a bit of a disappointment but there weren't really any higher upside picks in that part of the draft, as I recall.  Noah Vonleh, maybe, but he looks like a bust, so good thing they stayed away.  A lot of folks missed on Zach Lavine.

[walker834]

Think  about it this way if your team crapped an entire season and is sitting there at 4 would you trade that pick? Ainge offered a bucketload to move up to 9.  How would you feel if the celtics were up there though and traded out? It happens sometimes but it's not easy to move into those spots.

I think to a lot of fans it's easy to say things like this regarding players that we've worked hard to develop. The same can be said for teams that work that hard to be that bad.

[walker834]

The fact DA  had to either deal with phil jackson or Pat Riley says enough as it is.

[tomrod]

Winslow was definitely the target at #9, however I heard three different names linked to the rumor for #4 leading up to the draft (Okafor, Winslow and Porzingis). I'm not sure it's ever been confirmed exactly who the target was at #4. Winslow is speculated because we know how much they wanted him at #9. So maybe it's true.

Ainge was high on Porzingis as early as the 2014 draft before he pulled out. So he definitely saw something there early on. It's why I take the Celtics interest in Bender seriously in this draft.

What interest in Bender? haven't seen anything.

And I like him as a prospect, and If we pick 3rd I think he would be the way to go. But he is a bit of a gamble for sure, maybe even more so than Porzingis was.

[Csfan1984]

I had a few players over Winslow and had DA not picked any of those players over Winslow I would be disappointed but not upset. Now upset was how DA took KO over Gobert and GA. Outrage was when DA took Rozier. Didn't think Rozier was the best player on the board let alone a need so that one got to me. Winslow would have at least been a need at the time.

[aingeforthree]

I had a few players over Winslow and had DA picked any of those players over Winslow I would be disappointed but not upset. Now upset was how DA took KO over Gobet and GA. Outrage was when DA took Rozier. Didn't think Rozier was the best player on the board let alone a need so that one got to me. Winslow would have at least been a need at the time.

Now what though ?  Rozier looks like a beast at 21.  He's got a shot

[nickagneta]

Draft day rumors are so difficult to determine whether there is any truth in them unless someone from a front office actually comes out and admit the rumor had validity. So many rumors we hear leading up to the draft are pure garbage meant to attract attention for the reporter or the reporter's network. There's very few truly plugged in people that know the truth about dealings behind the scenes of the Celtics. Most is pure conjecture.

That said, I have no problem with Ainge's ability to judge talent or draft well for the position he is drafting at. About the only two picks I have had a problem with is the Giddens pick(I thought for sure DeAndre Jordan would be the pick and there was a lot of noise that he would be prior to the draft) and Fab Melo.

And I do not have a problem with him not targeting PorZingas if that NY-BOS rumor was true or the Greek Freak over KO. Its dang difficult to judge these Euro players who are coming off the bench and playing extremely limited minutes in the Euroleagues.

Overall, I think Ainge is an above average drafter, especially given where he has been drafting over the years

[TheReaLPuba]

It hardly matters that most FANS thought KP was gonna suck.

We are talking about professional GMs who are suppose to be pretty good at their jobs.

It's Ainge's job to scout or at least have personnel to scout out in Euro leagues and other International leagues.

If Ainge did have a great sense of talent he would have seen that KP was going to be a stud.

How many 7 footers have 3 point range?

How many 7 footers have handle and run point on a fast break?

And this guy has above average athleticism and very good basketball IQ who can pass the ball.

Sure a lot of GMs weren't banking on him being this good this quick but you still draft this guy for his potential because he's got skills and physical tools you can not find else where.

Phil Jackson was not sold on him. He didn't want to draft him initially because he thought KP needed 3 years to become a star.

But he listened to his personnel and scouts telling him that KP was a "once in a lifetime player" so he could not argue with that.

If Ainge seriously was going to draft Winslow ahead of KP then yes it bothers me a lot.

[wdleehi]

Are we really getting upset over an "if" based on a draft rumor?




Isn't there enough about the team at the moment to be frustrated at without this "what if" issue?

[aingeforthree]

Why would it bother anybody ?  Winslow was a beast in college.  That's a helluva pick.  What is he, 19 still ?

It's not an exact science.  A lot of luck involved.