With the Third Pick in the NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select...

[celticmania]

Just watched some Bender footage. I didn't realize how well he moves for his size. Wow. Its almost freakish. Many people mention athleticism as a weakness but i don't buy it. Maybe he's not elite athletically in terms of explosiveness but he's light on his feet and elevates and runs quickly. He's also terrific defensively and can guard 3-5 and switch onto guards. Reminds me of AK47 with a splash of Joakim Noah and Jonas.

[KG Living Legend]

 If Ainge drafts Jaylen Brown Third, I'm going to put m on my punch him in the face list in a dark Alley. Don't do it Ainge.

 It's Bender, Murray, or Hield  all way.

[chambers]

Just watched some Bender footage. I didn't realize how well he moves for his size. Wow. Its almost freakish. Many people mention athleticism as a weakness but i don't buy it. Maybe he's not elite athletically in terms of explosiveness but he's light on his feet and elevates and runs quickly. He's also terrific defensively and can guard 3-5 and switch onto guards. Reminds me of AK47 with a splash of Joakim Noah and Jonas.

Yeah his agility is excellent and his footwork is amazing when you consider he hasn't grown into his body yet.
His shoulders are broad too which means after 2-3 years in an NBA gym he'll  put on 20 pounds of muscle pretty easily.
Get him working in the post with McHale and utilize his great footwork on post moves adding to his game.

He's certainly drool worthy. I think once he's finished growing he'll be able to get his vertical jump higher too.

[Androslav]

Before the season started all of us would take the no.3 pick in a heartbeat, so I'm grateful for it.
I also dreamt that we would take Bender, my homeboy.
He fills our need at the big position. We can afford to build slowly, if no All stars are available in trades. We are a playoff team building slowly but surely. Remember we have 2-3 years (depending on that Memphis pick) of this potential lottery income coming in.

[Ogaju]

I agree...Bender it should be...

[Celtics4ever]

Whomever, does the best in our workouts.  Depends on the video you watch, I have one of this strengths and weaknesses.   

On Bender:

Weaknesses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhREj9q-UpM

His shot takes forever to wind up on his shot.  Plenty of stuff to be concerned about on the weakness one.   I won't harp on it.


Strengths
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Epg_sBZq4

Does move well, but does not always do solid stuff once he gets there. 

This kid clearly prefers the perimeter play.   We will still need a PF and C if he is the guy.   His poor vertical is pretty bad.   I think he does need to be locked in the Gym.   It would help him to workout with McHale or whomever bigs we get in the draft, we need to sign Kevin ASAP. 

I am not sure that Ainge has the patience to let a guy develop when he is trying to improve the team each year.  Will he take a project when he is trying to win now?  I just do not see it.

[Tr1boy]

Sabonis....  it doesn't matter anymore

3rd, 8th, 11th

Just don't lose this kid

There are more Jamal Murray, Hield type guards you could get later.  For example Brogdon.  h e is a little older but just as well rounded. Fantastic 3 pt shooter. And actually has a better defensive upside than both.   Proper guard size, length, explosiveness

I like jaylen brown and have him going third for now. But you could instead grab blossomgame. Similar type of game/explosive athlete 6'7 , 7'0 wingspan. But blossomgame can shoot the ball.  Better passer too .  Not as strong

[soulman]

I hope we won t draft Dragan Bender, he is highly overratted, i am from europe i know this.

[Tr1boy]

I hope we won t draft Dragan Bender, he is highly overratted, i am from europe i know this.

Yes No to bender

[Surferdad]

Murray is such a good player but we have a ton of guards. I know best player available should always be the choice but our frontcourt is sad and our backcourt is deep (Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, Evan Turner, plus Terry Rozier and RJ Hunter are going to comman minutes next season hopefully). I love to hate on Bender but he may be the most logical choice by default.

It is.  Ainge made that abundantly clear last night.  He should draft Murray (or Heild) and trade some of the existing backcourt for frontcourt help.  Seems pretty simple to me.

[chambers]

Sabonis....  it doesn't matter anymore

3rd, 8th, 11th

Just don't lose this kid

There are more Jamal Murray, Hield type guards you could get later.  For example Brogdon.  h e is a little older but just as well rounded. Fantastic 3 pt shooter. And actually has a better defensive upside than both.   Proper guard size, length, explosiveness

I like jaylen brown and have him going third for now. But you could instead grab blossomgame. Similar type of game/explosive athlete 6'7 , 7'0 wingspan. But blossomgame can shoot the ball.  Better passer too .  Not as strong

Sabonis with #3 ? Are you high man?

[TwinTower14]

Murray is such a good player but we have a ton of guards. I know best player available should always be the choice but our frontcourt is sad and our backcourt is deep (Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, Evan Turner, plus Terry Rozier and RJ Hunter are going to comman minutes next season hopefully). I love to hate on Bender but he may be the most logical choice by default.

It is.  Ainge made that abundantly clear last night.  He should draft Murray (or Heild) and trade some of the existing backcourt for frontcourt help.  Seems pretty simple to me.

You draft the kid that average 20/5 and show 45/41/79 from the field and just turned 19. He is the best player in this draft.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Can't shake the thought that one or both of the Lakers or Philly are gonna rationalize their way into reaching for someone other than Simmons/Ingram.

I would find it hilarious if the Lakers especially reached for a project, who turned out to be  bust, while the one out of Ingram or Simmons that fell to the Celtics wound up a perennial all star.

[TwinTower14]

Can't shake the thought that one or both of the Lakers or Philly are gonna rationalize their way into reaching for someone other than Simmons/Ingram.

I would find it hilarious if the Lakers especially reached for a project, who turned out to be  bust, while the one out of Ingram or Simmons that fell to the Celtics wound up a perennial all star.

I recommend everyone go watch Murray games from last year. Especially Florida and Duke. He is exactly what this team needs.

[Surferdad]

Can't shake the thought that one or both of the Lakers or Philly are gonna rationalize their way into reaching for someone other than Simmons/Ingram.

I would find it hilarious if the Lakers especially reached for a project, who turned out to be  bust, while the one out of Ingram or Simmons that fell to the Celtics wound up a perennial all star.

I recommend everyone go watch Murray games from last year. Especially Florida and Duke. He is exactly what this team needs.

I'm torn between Murray and Heild.

Even the Lakers are not dumb enough to screw this one up.  Yes, they took Russell last year, but the kid may still turn out alright.