3rd pick isn't really that bad

[mr. dee]

Trading is another option, but looking at the bust-success ratio of 3rd picks, I'd say its pretty good, even in the weaker drafts out there.

Here are some of draft success, coming from the third pick in the past 36 years (sans the 84,96 and 03):

1980 - Kevin Mchale (7× NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team , 3× NBA All-Defensive First Team,3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team )

1981 - Buck Williams (3× NBA All-Star , All-NBA Second Team, 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team, 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team )

1982 - Dominique Wilkins (9× NBA All Star, All-NBA First Team, 4× All-NBA Second Team, 2× All-NBA Third Team, NBA scoring champion )

1989 - Sean Elliot (2× NBA All-Star)

1992 - Christian Laettner (NBA All-Star)

1993 - Penny Hardaway (4x NBA All-Star , 2× All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Third Team )

1994 - Grant Hill (7× NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team, 4× All-NBA Second Team )

1995 - Jerry Stackhouse (2× NBA All-Star)

1997 - Chauncey Billups (Ugh) (NBA Finals MVP, 5× NBA All-Star , All-NBA Second Team, 2× All-NBA Third Team, 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team )

1999 - Baron Davis (All-NBA Third Team, 2× NBA All-Star , 2× NBA steals leader)

2001 - Pau Gasol (6× NBA All-Star , 2× All-NBA Second Team , 2× All-NBA Third Team)

2005 - Deron Williams (3× NBA All-Star, 2× All-NBA Second Team )

2007 - Al Horford (4× NBA All-Star, All-NBA Third Team)

2009 - James Harden (4× NBA All-Star, 2× All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Third Team, NBA Sixth Man of the Year )

I still haven't included the all-time deep drafts like 84,96 and 03. From 1980-2009, thats 16 out of 29. I haven't closed out 2010 onwards because, players from thereon are just starting to reach their primes .Odds are very good. Whether we trade the pick or not, history shows that it will turn out to be a star more often than a bust. The only problem is the fit and time of development. We had a chance with Chauncey, but he became a solid player for other teams, instead.

[alldaboston]

I agree. It sucks that we missed out on the top 2 prospects, but our luck is changing. we didnt even fall this time. next season, we will go up in the lottery.

But for now, i think its good to appreciate the options we have with this pick, and to try and make the best of it.

good post and a TP to you.

[libermaniac]

The reason 3 feels like a disappointment is solely due to the way it is televised.  When they broke for commercial and we have close to a 2/3 chance of getting a franchise changer, losing out on that was a gut punch.

If they just televised pick #1 Philly, pick #2 Lakers, Pick #3 Celtics, we'd be fine with that.  But, that said, it feels like we were so close - when, in reality, that drama was just manufactured.

[mr. dee]

The reason 3 feels like a disappointment is solely due to the way it is televised.  When they broke for commercial and we have close to a 2/3 chance of getting a franchise changer, losing out on that was a gut punch.

If they just televised pick #1 Philly, pick #2 Lakers, Pick #3 Celtics, we'd be fine with that.  But, that said, it feels like we were so close - when, in reality, that drama was just manufactured.

We still have a chance of grabbing franchise changers with the current picks. Some are even out of the top 5 lottery (George, Curry, Kawhi, Kobe, etc.) No need to feel bad with something that is not concrete yet.

[SparzWizard]

Lakers got a Big 3 of Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell, and Brandon Ingram.

They will be dominating for years to come. Yikes. 

[Celtics18]

Lakers got a Big 3 of Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell, and Brandon Ingram.

They will be dominating for years to come. Yikes. 

I'm not shaking in my boots over that "Big 3" just yet.

[Snakehead]

Lakers got a Big 3 of Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell, and Brandon Ingram.

They will be dominating for years to come. Yikes. 

Randle isn't dominating anything.

[dreamgreen]

Lakers got a Big 3 of Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell, and Brandon Ingram.

They will be dominating for years to come. Yikes. 

Randle isn't dominating anything.

He looks pretty good, we would be in a better position right now if we had him over Smart.

[Celtics18]

Lakers got a Big 3 of Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell, and Brandon Ingram.

They will be dominating for years to come. Yikes. 

Randle isn't dominating anything.

He looks pretty good, we would be in a better position right now if we had him over Smart.

Yawn

[slightly biased bias fan]

I was really bummed out when we missed the top 2 picks but then I remembered the luck that got us in the top 3 to begin with; Kidd, Garnett, Pierce, Williams all leave, Jack gets a season ending injury, Hollis-Jefferson misses most of his rookie year, Johnson asks to leave, Nets shut down Lopez and Young for end of season stretch.

If that isn't luck I don't know what is.

[slightly biased bias fan]

I mean a Jason Kidd coached team with zombie Garnett busting skulls of lazy players with a line up of Lopez, Young, Hollis-Jefferson, Johnson, Williams with Jack & Pierce off the bench is a borderline playoff team perhaps 9th-10th in East...so we are very lucky to be in the position we are in.

[Chris22]

I mean a Jason Kidd coached team with zombie Garnett busting skulls of lazy players with a line up of Lopez, Young, Hollis-Jefferson, Johnson, Williams with Jack & Pierce off the bench is a borderline playoff team perhaps 9th-10th in East...so we are very lucky to be in the position we are in.

It could happen again.
And we own their next two first round picks.

[footey]

I was really bummed out when we missed the top 2 picks but then I remembered the luck that got us in the top 3 to begin with; Kidd, Garnett, Pierce, Williams all leave, Jack gets a season ending injury, Hollis-Jefferson misses most of his rookie year, Johnson asks to leave, Nets shut down Lopez and Young for end of season stretch.

If that isn't luck I don't know what is.

Glass half full. Love it. TP..

[The One]

If you would have told me in November, that the 2015-16 Celtics would have won 48 games and also gotten a 2016 top 3 pick...I would have been over the moon.

Nothing has changed...I am very, very happy.

[Rakulp]

I was really bummed out when we missed the top 2 picks but then I remembered the luck that got us in the top 3 to begin with; Kidd, Garnett, Pierce, Williams all leave, Jack gets a season ending injury, Hollis-Jefferson misses most of his rookie year, Johnson asks to leave, Nets shut down Lopez and Young for end of season stretch.

If that isn't luck I don't know what is.

Glass half full. Love it. TP..

You know, I'm beginning to believe that glass is more than half full.

We made the playoffs and went down 4-2 against the Hawks, largely due to the Bradley and KO injuries.  We got our first taste of playoff victory, and you can bet it won't be the last.

Due to a great trade two years prior, we now have the #3 pick in this year's draft.  Sure, I was sad when I read where it landed (kept refreshing the page here at Celticsblog as you guys were keeping me informed...don't have ESPN ).  However, plenty of time to dangle that pick as trade bait and to also consider all draft options.

Seven other picks in the draft...again, trade bait and possible sleeper selections to draft and stash?

...and next year, we have a good chance at another high draft pick...

...and the next.

That glass is more than half full...and I think it's tasting like sweet tea right now!

Rak