Elephant in the room: where is our rim protector going to come from

[slightly biased bias fan]

I feel like the Durant, Butler, lottery sweepstakes has distracted us from perhaps the most important improvement on our team going in to next season.

Unless Mickey makes an historic jump, as things stand, we will not have a ready to go rim protector on the team for next season. Amir Johnson is a shot blocker...yes, but he isn't a true rim protector and I don't see where this needed cog is going to come from, as there hasn't been any legitimate link to a Ezeli, Noel, Whiteside, Howard ect.

[beantownboy171]

Hassan Whiteside's an option.

Thon Maker will be available to us. Could he simplify his game to rim protecting and catching alley oops, ala Deandre Jordan?

[Celtics4ever]

Getting rid of Sully and replacing him will help our rim protection.   The trouble is Sully matched up well against power players that push for post position.   We'd lose that.  I am think Diamond Stone will be one of our early 2nd rounders or late firsts.   A guy that like will solve some of these problems.

Getting some athletic bigs would help.   But we need guys who can rebound to start the break and run the floor.   

I think this kid could help us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR_6KeblFBE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atlCqccWzBY

He registered a vertical leap of 40.5 inches, fifth-best at the combine

He is old for a draft pick as he was a senior.

2015-16 (Senior)
Earned Honorable Mention All-American honors and was named Big Sky Conference MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, the only player in Big Sky history to earn those awards in the same season...Became the ninth player in Weber State history to earn Big Sky MVP honors and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second time in his career...Was also a unanimous choice for the Big Sky All-Conference First Team and earned First Team All-District 6 honors from the NABC...Was one of five finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, recognizing the top center in college basketball...Helped lead Weber State to the Big Sky Conference regular season title, the Big Sky Tournament championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament...Played in 33 games for the Wildcats during the season...Finished third in the nation in rebounding, averaging 12.6 per game...Set a new WSU single-season record with 415 rebounds during the season, breaking a WSU record that was set in 1970...Also set a school record with 26 double-doubles during the season, the third most in the nation...Finished second on the WSU team and eighth in the Big Sky in scoring at 17.1 points per game...Scored in double figures in 31 games and scored 20 or more 11 times and 30 or more once...Set a career-high with 34 points in a win at Southern Utah...Had double digits in rebounding in 26 games and reached 20 or more rebounds three times...Recorded 23 rebounds twice during the season, the most rebounds in a game by a Wildcat since 1987...Also finished fourth in the conference in blocks and fifth in field goal percentage and recorded 72 dunks on the year.

http://www.weberstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205709907

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3884285-155/nba-bolomboy-opens-eyes-at-draft

[Who]

Trade Brooklyn pick for Nerlens Noel.

[Celtic Fan Forever]

Hassan Whiteside's an option.

Thon Maker will be available to us. Could he simplify his game to rim protecting and catching alley oops, ala Deandre Jordan?

I'm all for it as long as he makes over 40% of his free throws

[Eddie20]

Mozgov is a good option. He's not going to re-sign with Cleveland and he can definitely protect the rim and is a solid rebounder, among other things he brings to the table. He'll be turning 30 this summer, but he's only logged 6718 career minutes. For comparison, Biyombo, who also could be an option, has logged 1000 more minutes. So I wouldn't have an issue giving Mozgov a 4 year deal considering the low mileage.

[SHAQATTACK]

Europe .......best bet

We will never get a number one draft pick ,   Because Celtics don't tank .


The big A. Davis types always go to the first or second picks.

[Celtics18]

Trade Brooklyn pick for Nerlens Noel.

Yes.

[Csfan1984]

Throw the whole draft at it lol
Simmons at 2. Mobile to be an excellent help guy.
Lab via 16, 23 and 35.
Zubac at 31. Stash year 1 and maybe 2.
Onuaku at 45.
Brimah 51.
Warney 58.

[CFAN38]

With the perimeter defenders the Cs currently have they lesson the desperate need for a rim protector. When the Cs had an older roster and a pg (rondo) who was more prone to defensive lapses this was more of a pressing issue.

I do think this is a role DA will look to do a better job filling but I do not think he get caught up in overpaying for a big like Whiteside or Biyombo because while excellent defenders and rebounds they do not fit the teams system well.

I think what will happen is that DA will look to upgrade from Sully to a better overall player and defender. I also think he will address the athletic rim protecting big man role in this draft. With Poeltl, D Davis, Maker, D Jones, Onuaku, Diallo all being potential longterm solutions in this role.

[Tr1boy]

Celtics team rim protection was good last season

Rim protection is different than. Shot blocking

Preventing is the key.  Taking charges, boxing out. Clogging lanes , getting tot he spot 1st

If a key frontcourt opponent got to his spot, well the Celts treid their beat to double team

Super front court defenders that can both play the team D and also  stop a top guy like downlow is not easy to find.

[hwangjini_1]

Europe .......best bet

We will never get a number one draft pick ,   Because Celtics don't tank .


The big A. Davis types always go to the first or second picks.

one, "not true" chirps ml carr.

two, the celtics dont need to tank to get a number one pick since the nets are sucking in their stead. 

[PhoSita]

Most likely the rim protection next year will come from a combination of twenty-ish minutes of Amir Johnson and twenty-ish minutes of Mickey, a rookie center like Poeltl, or a low-key trade or free agency acquisition like Chandler or Noah.

[Eja117]

I'm a Celtic fan and have largely forgotten what rim protection is.

[billysan]

Most likely the rim protection next year will come from a combination of twenty-ish minutes of Amir Johnson and twenty-ish minutes of Mickey, a rookie center like Poeltl, or a low-key trade or free agency acquisition like Chandler or Noah.

I really hope we dont overpay for one of these two. That said, length is available in this draft if we choose to take it. Especially in the late first and second round.