2016 Celtics draft plan: Labissiere , Sabonis, Hart, Ellis

[Celtics4ever]

Skal is 20, Bender is 18. That might not sound like much, but these are crucial developmental years for players, especially bigs.

What if stats do not show any development?  One could argue there is regression in BPG in this case.    What if a guy is not getting bigger and stronger but is still weak and shuns contact and the inside game.  That is exactly what you have in Bender.

Skal was probably the biggest disappointment in college basketball last year. Not sure how anyone can watch him play and think he will be a solid pro.

I would argue that there were more NBA players on Skal's team than on Benders, his practices were better and I would think he played against more future NBA players in the SEC than in Israel.

Skal has a poor year overall, but so did Bender.  His no step vertical of 31" is better than Benders of 24.5"   which quite frankly a poor vertical


http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dragan-Bender-62877/

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Skal-Labissiere-71664/

How in God's green earth do people think that is athletic.  That is a pathetic vertical and not very athletic at all.  The NBA average is 28", His max vertical is not even that high at 27.5" to Skal 35".  His no step vertical even went down last year, how does that happen.

Both of these guys are weak and need to add muscle.  But Skal is a better athlete by far.  Both are long term projects.  I would rather have a guy with the better athletic floor as a project.   Skills can be learned.   

I don't expect you folks who support him, to get this.   Your drunk on potential and refuse to see facts that are large warning signs.   These are numbers, not hype which you seem to favor.  I do not know why I try it is talking to a chronic gambler who thinks he is going to hit roulette despite long odds.

[Tr1boy]

Skal is 20, Bender is 18. That might not sound like much, but these are crucial developmental years for players, especially bigs.

What if stats do not show any development?  One could argue there is regression in BPG in this case.    What if a guy is not getting bigger and stronger but is still weak and shuns contact and the inside game.  That is exactly what you have in Bender.

Skal was probably the biggest disappointment in college basketball last year. Not sure how anyone can watch him play and think he will be a solid pro.

I would argue that there were more NBA players on Skal's team than on Benders, his practices were better and I would think he played against more future NBA players in the SEC than in Israel.

Skal has a poor year overall, but so did Bender.  His no step vertical of 31" is better than Benders of 24.5"   which quite frankly a poor vertical


http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dragan-Bender-62877/

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Skal-Labissiere-71664/

How in God's green earth do people think that is athletic.  That is a pathetic vertical and not very athletic at all.  The NBA average is 28", His max vertical is not even that high at 27.5" to Skal 35".  His no step vertical even went down last year, how does that happen.

Both of these guys are weak and need to add muscle.  But Skal is a better athlete by far.  Both are long term projects.  I would rather have a guy with the better athletic floor as a project.   Skills can be learned.   

I don't expect you folks who support him, to get this.   Your drunk on potential and refuse to see facts that are large warning signs.   These are numbers, not hype which you seem to favor.  I do not know why I try it is talking to a chronic gambler who thinks he is going to hit roulette despite long odds.

Solid points

Also let's not forget skal had some amazing games last season. Especially one vs LSU and Simmons.   

[Tr1boy]

Nor much talk about Hart or Ellis but I think they will be quality role players in the NBA

Hart especially.   Not very explosive but just knows how to play and get his shots off.   Finish through contact.  Can shoot the ball. Versatile defender.  Little he can't do

[Csfan1984]

Nor much talk about Hart or Ellis but I think they will be quality role players in the NBA

Hart especially.   Not very explosive but just knows how to play and get his shots off.   Finish through contact.  Can shoot the ball. Versatile defender.  Little he can't do

I like Hart and Ellis is ok. Kind of a Brogdon fan myself for SG late 1st to early second.

[Csfan1984]

I was thinking if you are sold on Lab why not trade down with Nuggets at 7 and add the 15th pick?

[Smart457]

I was thinking if you are sold on Lab why not trade down with Nuggets at 7 and add the 15th pick?

I wouldn't be surprised if a team took Lab before the 7th pick.

[Tr1boy]

I was thinking if you are sold on Lab why not trade down with Nuggets at 7 and add the 15th pick?

I wouldn't be surprised if a team took Lab before the 7th pick.

I think so too. 

Risky pick but imo has kind of the same risk level as drafting  Zach lavine (who is progressing nicely)

There are def question marks regarding Murray and brown at the next level.  Is Murray a JJ reddick or Devin Booker? Can he guard at the NBA level?

Is brown going to shoot the ball at a respectable level? Can he dribble with his left hand?   Will he  learn to hit the open man vs tunnel vision.   Also at about 6'6.5 , 6'7 is about an inch short (6'8 , good size for NBA forward).  Has a good wingspan but not good reach.    Excellent SG size and just a tad undersized for a sf

[Roy H.]

I have most of the same questions with Labissiere as I do with Bender.  I like the talent, but where is the production?

He scored 5 points or fewer in 19 out of his last 27 games, including 3 points or fewer in 11 of those games.  It's hard to look at a 20 year old kid struggling so much to score in the NCAA, and projecting him to turn into a good NBA starter. 

[TwinTower14]

I have most of the same questions with Labissiere as I do with Bender.  I like the talent, but where is the production?

He scored 5 points or fewer in 19 out of his last 27 games, including 3 points or fewer in 11 of those games.  It's hard to look at a 20 year old kid struggling so much to score in the NCAA, and projecting him to turn into a good NBA starter.

His best games were against NJIT, BU and Wright State? The guy is a stiff. Practice at Kentucky this year was hardly littered with nba talent, especially the bigs.

[86MaxwellSmart]

a few weeks ago, Jackie Mac said the Celtics were drooling over Bender...Kid is 18-1/2 years old...Draft him if we cannot work a trade on draft night--and let the kids grow together...sort of like how G.S. has done.

Link?

Sorry no Link--she was on with Tanguay, when she said it.

[alldaboston]

a few weeks ago, Jackie Mac said the Celtics were drooling over Bender...Kid is 18-1/2 years old...Draft him if we cannot work a trade on draft night--and let the kids grow together...sort of like how G.S. has done.

Link?

Sorry no Link--she was on with Tanguay, when she said it.

Oh, all good. Interesting that the Celtics like Bender. "Drooling". They better not be drooling over him more than they are over Simmons and Ingram.

[Tr1boy]

I have most of the same questions with Labissiere as I do with Bender.  I like the talent, but where is the production?

He scored 5 points or fewer in 19 out of his last 27 games, including 3 points or fewer in 11 of those games.  It's hard to look at a 20 year old kid struggling so much to score in the NCAA, and projecting him to turn into a good NBA starter.

Caliperi on Skal

"I probably screwed this guy up trying to make him Karl Towns," Calipari said. "He's not Karl Towns. He can't play like Karl Towns. He probably shoots better than Karl Towns. Karl would love hearing that. But he's not Karl. Karl had a nasty beast streak in him. He's averaged more rebounds and points in the NBA than he averaged here."

The Wildcats are going to Labissiere less in the post now and trying to get him his shots in the mid-range. While he's had success there—he's making 44 percent of his two-point jumpers, according to Hoop-Math.com—that hasn't been enough to keep him on the floor.

"The issue with Skal, and again, I've probably screwed him up to this point, because now you're seeing, I'm letting him play different, and I'm putting him in different spots, and he looks more confident," Calipari said after the Mizzou game. "But he had no rebounds today. But he had five blocks. The blocks left him in the game.

[Roy H.]

I have most of the same questions with Labissiere as I do with Bender.  I like the talent, but where is the production?

He scored 5 points or fewer in 19 out of his last 27 games, including 3 points or fewer in 11 of those games.  It's hard to look at a 20 year old kid struggling so much to score in the NCAA, and projecting him to turn into a good NBA starter.

Caliperi on Skal

"I probably screwed this guy up trying to make him Karl Towns," Calipari said. "He's not Karl Towns. He can't play like Karl Towns. He probably shoots better than Karl Towns. Karl would love hearing that. But he's not Karl. Karl had a nasty beast streak in him. He's averaged more rebounds and points in the NBA than he averaged here."

The Wildcats are going to Labissiere less in the post now and trying to get him his shots in the mid-range. While he's had success there—he's making 44 percent of his two-point jumpers, according to Hoop-Math.com—that hasn't been enough to keep him on the floor.

"The issue with Skal, and again, I've probably screwed him up to this point, because now you're seeing, I'm letting him play different, and I'm putting him in different spots, and he looks more confident," Calipari said after the Mizzou game. "But he had no rebounds today. But he had five blocks. The blocks left him in the game.

Is that a defense? Having no confidence and no ability to adapt? And having no ability to rebound?

He should adjust well to the NBA.

[Tr1boy]

Skal is very much a PF with a touch of SF vs Center/PF it looks like Calipari was trying to mold him to

Skal is a good rebounder but will need to add weight in order to be dependable.    He doesn't shy away from contact at least and attempts to grab, but was outmuscled by guys he had to play against


For Skal it would of been better to stay another year. But with a weak class,  you can understand why he is jetting. 

Let not forget the guy NBADRAFT is comparing him to(Aldridge) who also did poorly in his 1st season in college.  Had a so so 1st year in the NBA and for the next 2-3 seasons did everything pretty well, except rebound the ball  (mediocre).  But after 5-6 seasons later he has turned out to be one of the best balanced big players in the league

Not stating Skal will turn out to be like this (we can only hope if we pick him) but I like the way he plays.   Plays with energy/chip on his shoulders.  He just has to get the nuts/bolts, consistency down and it will come with added strength (key)

[Tr1boy]

I have most of the same questions with Labissiere as I do with Bender.  I like the talent, but where is the production?

He scored 5 points or fewer in 19 out of his last 27 games, including 3 points or fewer in 11 of those games.  It's hard to look at a 20 year old kid struggling so much to score in the NCAA, and projecting him to turn into a good NBA starter.

Caliperi on Skal

"I probably screwed this guy up trying to make him Karl Towns," Calipari said. "He's not Karl Towns. He can't play like Karl Towns. He probably shoots better than Karl Towns. Karl would love hearing that. But he's not Karl. Karl had a nasty beast streak in him. He's averaged more rebounds and points in the NBA than he averaged here."

The Wildcats are going to Labissiere less in the post now and trying to get him his shots in the mid-range. While he's had success there—he's making 44 percent of his two-point jumpers, according to Hoop-Math.com—that hasn't been enough to keep him on the floor.

"The issue with Skal, and again, I've probably screwed him up to this point, because now you're seeing, I'm letting him play different, and I'm putting him in different spots, and he looks more confident," Calipari said after the Mizzou game. "But he had no rebounds today. But he had five blocks. The blocks left him in the game.

Is that a defense? Having no confidence and no ability to adapt? And having no ability to rebound?

He should adjust well to the NBA.

When you are misused and confidence down the toilet, it is hard to play "free"

As much as the kid needed "molding" he should of be given more freedom to play to his strengths.    Line him up with a PF/C that is a good reobunder, have Skal patrol the paint/help with rebounding (instead of being asked to be the man). 

Listen , Like I stated he is not a "safe" pick.  But who is safe at 3-4 anyways in this draft?    Skal has considerable upside.  I sincerely believe is his lack of strength that failed him to grab those rebounds/vs poor timing, little rebounding skills.   I saw several rebounds grabbed at the highest point in traffic by Skal.    This is not something a poor rebounder can do