Interesting Forsberg Article on Maker

[jpotter33]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4723275/thon-makers-mark-mystery-man-believes-hes-lottery-pick

Sounds like he did really well for the C's. I really would like to grab this kid, but with him now up to 19 on Ford's Big Board, it might have to be at 16 if we really want him.

[slamtheking]

wouldn't take him at 16.  if there at 23, ok.  would prefer at 31 or 35 but could live with 23.  at 16, I'd prefer someone who's more of a sure thing like Sabonis, Valentine or someone else at that talent tier.

[A Future of Stevens]

wouldn't take him at 16.  if there at 23, ok.  would prefer at 31 or 35 but could live with 23.  at 16, I'd prefer someone who's more of a sure thing like Sabonis, Valentine or someone else at that talent tier.

I guess it matters more on your definition of sure thing. For valentine and Sabonis, I feel both have red (well maybe pink) flags (mostly in regards to aspects of their athleticism or physical measurements) that could make them just role players in the league on a contender.

Maker on the other hand, sure the kid could be a huge bust. However he could also turn into a very high level player in a few years. The thing is, the kid has an amazing attitude, and seems to breath Celtics swagger (hard nosed, tough, friendly.) Usually when we talk about busts, it seems to stem from an elite ability (shooting, etc) coupled with a negative physical profile (looking at you jimmer.) Or the bust comes from someone with seemingly every gift in the world who just has a terrible attitude. (This Is all injury withstanding.)

Maker doesn't really fit either of those projected bust molds. He is a kid with skills that could become great (shooting, rim protecting, mobility, etc.) but that aren't right now. What he does bring is the right attitude. He has this uncanny competitiveness that shines through whenever he speaks. Not to mention that he acknowledges he needs to work on areas, and he has been trying to do that.

[mef730]

wouldn't take him at 16.  if there at 23, ok.  would prefer at 31 or 35 but could live with 23.  at 16, I'd prefer someone who's more of a sure thing like Sabonis, Valentine or someone else at that talent tier.

Agree. My philosophy is you go for broke with any pick 20s or later (+/-). The Celtics don't need another role player, so you pick someone with huge upside and huge downside.

Mike

[PhoSita]

It depends what happens with the other picks. If the Celts have to make a lot of their picks, I dunno if they can afford to use a roster spot on a guy who is a few years away. Already have multiple raw projects on the roster, and the best pick at three may fall in that category as well.

[jpotter33]

It depends what happens with the other picks. If the Celts have to make a lot of their picks, I dunno if they can afford to use a roster spot on a guy who is a few years away. Already have multiple raw projects on the roster, and the best pick at three may fall in that category as well.

True, but I FULLY expect that we AT MOST only use two of those first rounders with guaranteed contracts, unless we plan on cutting Young and/or Hunter. We just don't have the room or need for so many rookies.

I think someone will take a chance on Maker right after the lottery, so I really doubt that we'll have the opportunity with one of the second rounders.

[slamtheking]

wouldn't take him at 16.  if there at 23, ok.  would prefer at 31 or 35 but could live with 23.  at 16, I'd prefer someone who's more of a sure thing like Sabonis, Valentine or someone else at that talent tier.

I guess it matters more on your definition of sure thing. For valentine and Sabonis, I feel both have red (well maybe pink) flags (mostly in regards to aspects of their athleticism or physical measurements) that could make them just role players in the league on a contender.

Maker on the other hand, sure the kid could be a huge bust. However he could also turn into a very high level player in a few years. The thing is, the kid has an amazing attitude, and seems to breath Celtics swagger (hard nosed, tough, friendly.) Usually when we talk about busts, it seems to stem from an elite ability (shooting, etc) coupled with a negative physical profile (looking at you jimmer.) Or the bust comes from someone with seemingly every gift in the world who just has a terrible attitude. (This Is all injury withstanding.)

Maker doesn't really fit either of those projected bust molds. He is a kid with skills that could become great (shooting, rim protecting, mobility, etc.) but that aren't right now. What he does bring is the right attitude. He has this uncanny competitiveness that shines through whenever he speaks. Not to mention that he acknowledges he needs to work on areas, and he has been trying to do that.

I use those 2 as examples of players in that tier.  They're not projected to be superstars or even above average starters but they are projected to be solid pros-- even if it's as bench players.  Maker is not.  I'm not against taking Maker as a project but not that high.  If he wasn't a significant risk to bust, I'd be less reluctant to take him (he'd also be projected higher).

[BlackCeltic]

I want Thon Maker at #16, unless Valentine is still on the board. Thatd be a hard decision for me.

[gift]

My concern with Maker isn't so much that he has a low floor, but that he'll take two years to even reach it. Then you're probably looking at his second contract before he's really an impact player, which I do think he will be eventually.

Guys like Sabonis and Valentine will step into the league at about their floor level and could be finished products by the end of their rookie deals.

[jambr380]

I've been on the Maker bandwagon for a while now and think we can afford to take a risk on him at #16. I know people are using the word, 'bust', as a way to describe him if he doesn't pan out, but I would much rather have a project not work out at #16 than at #3 (Bender).

As Pho mentioned, I am hopeful we do some consolidation of picks and players making Maker a much more exciting (or at least palatable) pick at #16.

[Beat LA]

There are some interesting quotes in that article, starting with -

There have been lingering questions about Maker's age and whether he's truly 19.

Why, just because he was born in Africa?  

"That’s the NBA draft -- we take some guys as projects, and we have before. Sometimes you want the more ready-made guy, but that’s the decision-making process. It’s hard to choose between those types of guys."

No, it's really not.

Added Ainge: "I think with young players, we’re looking at tools, right? You hear it a lot in baseball, but in basketball -- do they have height, length, what’s their skill level, what’s their competitiveness, their drive. We know that they’re not finished products. All young players, college freshmen, high school kids, European youngsters, we’re trying to look at the tools and try to imagine as best we can three or four years from now what they’re going to look like."

Now there's a guy who sounds like he knows what he's doing (sarcasm) . Obviously, Ainge and son value players who have a stellar work ethic and motor, in addition to displaying an aptitude for the game and the skill level necessary to succeed, as evidenced by such recent picks as Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo, KO, Smart, and Young (the jury is still out on this past year's draft class).  Wait...

[RockinRyA]

I dont think you are in a position to say that its not hard to choose between those types of guys.

[BornReady]

Maker is one of the most raw prospects in recent years

A lot of teams are interested in him
Spurs possibly trying to move up to get him

He'll probably be selected in the lottery as this is considered a poor draft so someone will probably take a gamble on him

Problem I have with him is his decision to skip college though he was heavily recruited
As he possibly knew his skill level would not be at a high enough level to compete at the college level
And likely see his draft chances fall

[dreamgreen]

Kid is an interesting prospect I'm very interested in seeing where he is picked and if Danny picks him or how many times he passes on him.

[Beat LA]

I dont think you are in a position to say that its not hard to choose between those types of guys.

Why not?  To my untrained eye, regardless of how old someone is, you take the guy who can actually play who also has the work ethic, motor, and intelligence to succeed, as opposed to drafting a guy because he has better measurables, etc., imo.  I just don't think that you should ever draft someone hoping that they'll learn how to dribble or work hard, especially because you can't teach the latter.  The guy is either a hard worker or he's not.  Case in point - James Young vs Rodney Hood.  Sure, Young might have better measurables, but he can't even dribble and there's simply nothing upstairs with him; and yet, despite having more information on the two than fans are privy to, Ainge takes the guy who doesn't work hard and dogs it on the court . Huh?