Brown coming in for a 2nd workout

[Beat LA]

By all reports this guy can't and doesn't know how to play basketball  This is the big draft pick?  Yikes.  Trade it.

In all fairness, Bradley looked like he had no clue how to play basketball his first few seasons here, and he turned out well. It took a while though, and I believe Brown/Bender/Chriss would each take several years to even look useful on the court if we take any one of them.

Bradley was a late pick and turned out as high level role player.   Pretty good, but has never learned how to make a play with the ball.  Expect more from pick 3.  The ability to learn and work to be elite from a low base is questionable.   Elite players seem to always have the feel for the game.  Maybe Brown does have it and the reports where wrong.

Yeah. This is the best pick we've had in a long time. The best piece from the Pierce deal. We've been waiting for this pick all season. Now that it's here and we have the chance, let's go for more than a high level role player.

Avery is a fine basketball player but if this pick become the equivalent of the level of player Avery is, then I'll be disappointed.

Yeah, if our two Nets picks so far turn out to be James Young who is almost out of the league already, and Jaylen Brown who becomes a role player, then we're halfway to blowing the Nets trade completely.

thats what im scared of. what if danny whiffs on all the picks? given the types of guys he likes to draft (hint: non shooters), i could certainly see it as a possibility.

Yep.  I've had this same view for quite some time, unfortunately, really since that trade was made, to be honest.  It just goes to show that no matter how many picks you can get for hall of famers, you'll never get equal value for them, no matter how old they are or how many picks you have, especially if you can't draft.  What if he blows this pick?  Are people then going to argue that 'he's never had a top 2 pick'? Lol.  The highest pick that Bird has ever gotten in the lottery, I believe, was 10, in 2010, when he took Paul George, and that didn't stop him from building a contender.  He's also drafted two other all stars in Granger and Hibbert (okay, he technically traded for him after the draft, iirc, but still, lol) at 17 in their respective drafts, and I'd argue that Lance Stephenson should have been an All Star in 2013-14, who he got at 40 in 2010, as well.  Sure, he's made mistakes, but he's gotten much more with considerably less than Ainge has ever gotten with higher picks.  Myles Turner will probably be an all star one day, as well.  Sigh.

[hpantazo]

By all reports this guy can't and doesn't know how to play basketball  This is the big draft pick?  Yikes.  Trade it.

In all fairness, Bradley looked like he had no clue how to play basketball his first few seasons here, and he turned out well. It took a while though, and I believe Brown/Bender/Chriss would each take several years to even look useful on the court if we take any one of them.

Bradley was a late pick and turned out as high level role player.   Pretty good, but has never learned how to make a play with the ball.  Expect more from pick 3.  The ability to learn and work to be elite from a low base is questionable.   Elite players seem to always have the feel for the game.  Maybe Brown does have it and the reports where wrong.

Yeah. This is the best pick we've had in a long time. The best piece from the Pierce deal. We've been waiting for this pick all season. Now that it's here and we have the chance, let's go for more than a high level role player.

Avery is a fine basketball player but if this pick become the equivalent of the level of player Avery is, then I'll be disappointed.

Yeah, if our two Nets picks so far turn out to be James Young who is almost out of the league already, and Jaylen Brown who becomes a role player, then we're halfway to blowing the Nets trade completely.

thats what im scared of. what if danny whiffs on all the picks? given the types of guys he likes to draft (hint: non shooters), i could certainly see it as a possibility.

Yep.  I've had this same view for quite some time, unfortunately, really since that trade was made, to be honest.  It just goes to show that no matter how many picks you can get for hall of famers, you'll never get equal value for them, no matter how old they are or how many picks you have, especially if you can't draft.  What if he blows this pick?  Are people then going to argue that 'he's never had a top 2 pick'? Lol.  The highest pick that Bird has ever gotten in the lottery, I believe, was 10, in 2010, when he took Paul George, and that didn't stop him from building a contender.  He's also drafted two other all stars in Granger and Hibbert (okay, he technically traded for him after the draft, iirc, but still, lol) at 17 in their respective drafts, and I'd argue that Lance Stephenson should have been an All Star in 2013-14, who he got at 40 in 2010, as well.  Sure, he's made mistakes, but he's gotten much more with considerably less than Ainge has ever gotten with higher picks.  Myles Turner will probably be an all star one day, as well.  Sigh.

That's why I hope we package the pick for someone like Butler or Cousins or Blake Griffin.

[mr. dee]

By all reports this guy can't and doesn't know how to play basketball  This is the big draft pick?  Yikes.  Trade it.

In all fairness, Bradley looked like he had no clue how to play basketball his first few seasons here, and he turned out well. It took a while though, and I believe Brown/Bender/Chriss would each take several years to even look useful on the court if we take any one of them.

Bradley was a late pick and turned out as high level role player.   Pretty good, but has never learned how to make a play with the ball.  Expect more from pick 3.  The ability to learn and work to be elite from a low base is questionable.   Elite players seem to always have the feel for the game.  Maybe Brown does have it and the reports where wrong.

Yeah. This is the best pick we've had in a long time. The best piece from the Pierce deal. We've been waiting for this pick all season. Now that it's here and we have the chance, let's go for more than a high level role player.

Avery is a fine basketball player but if this pick become the equivalent of the level of player Avery is, then I'll be disappointed.

Yeah, if our two Nets picks so far turn out to be James Young who is almost out of the league already, and Jaylen Brown who becomes a role player, then we're halfway to blowing the Nets trade completely.

thats what im scared of. what if danny whiffs on all the picks? given the types of guys he likes to draft (hint: non shooters), i could certainly see it as a possibility.

Yep.  I've had this same view for quite some time, unfortunately, really since that trade was made, to be honest.  It just goes to show that no matter how many picks you can get for hall of famers, you'll never get equal value for them, no matter how old they are or how many picks you have, especially if you can't draft.  What if he blows this pick?  Are people then going to argue that 'he's never had a top 2 pick'? Lol.  The highest pick that Bird has ever gotten in the lottery, I believe, was 10, in 2010, when he took Paul George, and that didn't stop him from building a contender.  He's also drafted two other all stars in Granger and Hibbert (okay, he technically traded for him after the draft, iirc, but still, lol) at 17 in their respective drafts, and I'd argue that Lance Stephenson should have been an All Star in 2013-14, who he got at 40 in 2010, as well.  Sure, he's made mistakes, but he's gotten much more with considerably less than Ainge has ever gotten with higher picks.  Myles Turner will probably be an all star one day, as well.  Sigh.

Nitpicking, I see. While I agree that Bird's drafting resume is quite impressive, he also missed some interesting prospects in the draft. Let's not talk like Ainge is the guy who have misses.

2009 - drafted Hansbrough over Teague and Jrue Holiday
2011 - traded Leonard for George Hill (big mistake, imo)
2012 - drafted Myles Plumlee over Draymond Green


Let's have a comparison of Bird vs Ainge's steals

Bird:

2005 - Danny Granger (All-Star)
2008 - Roy Hibbert (2x All-Star)
2010 - Paul George (3x All-Star, 3x All-NBA 3rd Team, 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team)

Ainge:

2004 - Al Jefferson (All-NBA 3rd Team)
2004 - Tony Allen (3x All-Defensive 1st Team, 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team)
2006 - Rajon Rondo (3x Assist Champ, 4x All-Star, All-NBA 3rd Team, 2x All-Defensive 1st Team), 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team)
2010 - Avery Bradley (All-Defensive Team 1st Team, All-Defensive Team 2nd Team)

Bird have the luxury of using lottery picks (Paul George, while Ainge have to rely on mid to late 1st-rounders. But in the end, championship is only what matters as a GM. So far Ainge has one, Bird has none.

[SCeltic34]

By all reports this guy can't and doesn't know how to play basketball  This is the big draft pick?  Yikes.  Trade it.

In all fairness, Bradley looked like he had no clue how to play basketball his first few seasons here, and he turned out well. It took a while though, and I believe Brown/Bender/Chriss would each take several years to even look useful on the court if we take any one of them.

Bradley was a late pick and turned out as high level role player.   Pretty good, but has never learned how to make a play with the ball.  Expect more from pick 3.  The ability to learn and work to be elite from a low base is questionable.   Elite players seem to always have the feel for the game.  Maybe Brown does have it and the reports where wrong.

Yeah. This is the best pick we've had in a long time. The best piece from the Pierce deal. We've been waiting for this pick all season. Now that it's here and we have the chance, let's go for more than a high level role player.

Avery is a fine basketball player but if this pick become the equivalent of the level of player Avery is, then I'll be disappointed.

Yeah, if our two Nets picks so far turn out to be James Young who is almost out of the league already, and Jaylen Brown who becomes a role player, then we're halfway to blowing the Nets trade completely.

thats what im scared of. what if danny whiffs on all the picks? given the types of guys he likes to draft (hint: non shooters), i could certainly see it as a possibility.

Yep.  I've had this same view for quite some time, unfortunately, really since that trade was made, to be honest.  It just goes to show that no matter how many picks you can get for hall of famers, you'll never get equal value for them, no matter how old they are or how many picks you have, especially if you can't draft.  What if he blows this pick?  Are people then going to argue that 'he's never had a top 2 pick'? Lol.  The highest pick that Bird has ever gotten in the lottery, I believe, was 10, in 2010, when he took Paul George, and that didn't stop him from building a contender.  He's also drafted two other all stars in Granger and Hibbert (okay, he technically traded for him after the draft, iirc, but still, lol) at 17 in their respective drafts, and I'd argue that Lance Stephenson should have been an All Star in 2013-14, who he got at 40 in 2010, as well.  Sure, he's made mistakes, but he's gotten much more with considerably less than Ainge has ever gotten with higher picks.  Myles Turner will probably be an all star one day, as well.  Sigh.

I don't understand how people are deflated over the possibility of drafting busts with great draft position.  Even as someone who admittedly would have accepted a few extra years of seeing the Celtics suck just to see Pierce retire in green, that trade by Danny was an absolute heist.  Three unprotected first rounders and the right to swap 1sts in 2017 for two declining hall of famers?  Absolute no brainer for a team that needed to rebuild.

Indiana were never true contenders.  They never made the finals with their core.

With the exploding cap, draft picks are more valuable than before.  We're in great shape.  If the fear of drafting busts with the picks you own is too daunting, then as a fan quite honestly you shouldn't have any strong opinions on any trades whatsoever, and as a GM you have no place the league.  It's ludicrous to complain about the chance of failure with the third pick in a draft from with another team's pick.  Further, you can use such picks in trades for established talent if you don't like the players that are available.

There's no downside to great draft position.  Nobody wants to draft a bust, but they would not decline the chance of a top three pick in a randomized system such as the NBA lottery either.

[alldaboston]

By all reports this guy can't and doesn't know how to play basketball  This is the big draft pick?  Yikes.  Trade it.

In all fairness, Bradley looked like he had no clue how to play basketball his first few seasons here, and he turned out well. It took a while though, and I believe Brown/Bender/Chriss would each take several years to even look useful on the court if we take any one of them.

Bradley was a late pick and turned out as high level role player.   Pretty good, but has never learned how to make a play with the ball.  Expect more from pick 3.  The ability to learn and work to be elite from a low base is questionable.   Elite players seem to always have the feel for the game.  Maybe Brown does have it and the reports where wrong.

Yeah. This is the best pick we've had in a long time. The best piece from the Pierce deal. We've been waiting for this pick all season. Now that it's here and we have the chance, let's go for more than a high level role player.

Avery is a fine basketball player but if this pick become the equivalent of the level of player Avery is, then I'll be disappointed.

Yeah, if our two Nets picks so far turn out to be James Young who is almost out of the league already, and Jaylen Brown who becomes a role player, then we're halfway to blowing the Nets trade completely.

thats what im scared of. what if danny whiffs on all the picks? given the types of guys he likes to draft (hint: non shooters), i could certainly see it as a possibility.

Yep.  I've had this same view for quite some time, unfortunately, really since that trade was made, to be honest.  It just goes to show that no matter how many picks you can get for hall of famers, you'll never get equal value for them, no matter how old they are or how many picks you have, especially if you can't draft.  What if he blows this pick?  Are people then going to argue that 'he's never had a top 2 pick'? Lol.  The highest pick that Bird has ever gotten in the lottery, I believe, was 10, in 2010, when he took Paul George, and that didn't stop him from building a contender.  He's also drafted two other all stars in Granger and Hibbert (okay, he technically traded for him after the draft, iirc, but still, lol) at 17 in their respective drafts, and I'd argue that Lance Stephenson should have been an All Star in 2013-14, who he got at 40 in 2010, as well.  Sure, he's made mistakes, but he's gotten much more with considerably less than Ainge has ever gotten with higher picks.  Myles Turner will probably be an all star one day, as well.  Sigh.

I don't understand how people are deflated over the possibility of drafting busts with great draft position.  Even as someone who admittedly would have accepted a few extra years of seeing the Celtics suck just to see Pierce retire in green, that trade by Danny was an absolute heist.  Three unprotected first rounders and the right to swap 1sts in 2017 for two declining hall of famers?  Absolute no brainer for a team that needed to rebuild.

Indiana were never true contenders.  They never made the finals with their core.

With the exploding cap, draft picks are more valuable than before.  We're in great shape.  If the fear of drafting busts with the picks you own is too daunting, then as a fan quite honestly you shouldn't have any strong opinions on any trades whatsoever, and as a GM you have no place the league.  It's ludicrous to complain about the chance of failure with the third pick in a draft from with another team's pick.  Further, you can use such picks in trades for established talent if you don't like the players that are available.

There's no downside to great draft position.  Nobody wants to draft a bust, but they would not decline the chance of a top three pick in a randomized system such as the NBA lottery either.

I'm not mad that we got this haul. In fact, I think we got a fantastic haul.

What I'm saying is, we'd better make it count. You're right that it was a heist. But it looks like a heist now. If we mess up the picks? Does it still look like a heist? Nope.

The point is, it's up to Danny to make it a heist. Drafting Brown will (imo) make us look back and say "boy did we mess that up", hence making the deal less of a heist.

[SCeltic34]

By all reports this guy can't and doesn't know how to play basketball  This is the big draft pick?  Yikes.  Trade it.

In all fairness, Bradley looked like he had no clue how to play basketball his first few seasons here, and he turned out well. It took a while though, and I believe Brown/Bender/Chriss would each take several years to even look useful on the court if we take any one of them.

Bradley was a late pick and turned out as high level role player.   Pretty good, but has never learned how to make a play with the ball.  Expect more from pick 3.  The ability to learn and work to be elite from a low base is questionable.   Elite players seem to always have the feel for the game.  Maybe Brown does have it and the reports where wrong.

Yeah. This is the best pick we've had in a long time. The best piece from the Pierce deal. We've been waiting for this pick all season. Now that it's here and we have the chance, let's go for more than a high level role player.

Avery is a fine basketball player but if this pick become the equivalent of the level of player Avery is, then I'll be disappointed.

Yeah, if our two Nets picks so far turn out to be James Young who is almost out of the league already, and Jaylen Brown who becomes a role player, then we're halfway to blowing the Nets trade completely.

thats what im scared of. what if danny whiffs on all the picks? given the types of guys he likes to draft (hint: non shooters), i could certainly see it as a possibility.

Yep.  I've had this same view for quite some time, unfortunately, really since that trade was made, to be honest.  It just goes to show that no matter how many picks you can get for hall of famers, you'll never get equal value for them, no matter how old they are or how many picks you have, especially if you can't draft.  What if he blows this pick?  Are people then going to argue that 'he's never had a top 2 pick'? Lol.  The highest pick that Bird has ever gotten in the lottery, I believe, was 10, in 2010, when he took Paul George, and that didn't stop him from building a contender.  He's also drafted two other all stars in Granger and Hibbert (okay, he technically traded for him after the draft, iirc, but still, lol) at 17 in their respective drafts, and I'd argue that Lance Stephenson should have been an All Star in 2013-14, who he got at 40 in 2010, as well.  Sure, he's made mistakes, but he's gotten much more with considerably less than Ainge has ever gotten with higher picks.  Myles Turner will probably be an all star one day, as well.  Sigh.

I don't understand how people are deflated over the possibility of drafting busts with great draft position.  Even as someone who admittedly would have accepted a few extra years of seeing the Celtics suck just to see Pierce retire in green, that trade by Danny was an absolute heist.  Three unprotected first rounders and the right to swap 1sts in 2017 for two declining hall of famers?  Absolute no brainer for a team that needed to rebuild.

Indiana were never true contenders.  They never made the finals with their core.

With the exploding cap, draft picks are more valuable than before.  We're in great shape.  If the fear of drafting busts with the picks you own is too daunting, then as a fan quite honestly you shouldn't have any strong opinions on any trades whatsoever, and as a GM you have no place the league.  It's ludicrous to complain about the chance of failure with the third pick in a draft from with another team's pick.  Further, you can use such picks in trades for established talent if you don't like the players that are available.

There's no downside to great draft position.  Nobody wants to draft a bust, but they would not decline the chance of a top three pick in a randomized system such as the NBA lottery either.

I'm not mad that we got this haul. In fact, I think we got a fantastic haul.

What I'm saying is, we'd better make it count. You're right that it was a heist. But it looks like a heist now. If we mess up the picks? Does it still look like a heist? Nope.

The point is, it's up to Danny to make it a heist. Drafting Brown will (imo) make us look back and say "boy did we mess that up", hence making the deal less of a heist.

Right, but that's takes hindsight into account. 

The common assessment is as follows: If Ainge drafts 3 busts with the 3 Nets picks, then it was an overreated deal.  If Ainge drafts future stars with these picks, it was a great deal. 

I don't agree with either of these assessments.  At the time, it was fantastic deal, regardless of future moves.  You can criticize him fairly if for each failed individual draft pick if he does pick busts, but you can't look back to the deal with the Nets and diminish its value to the Celtics organization at the time of the trade.  It was a heist either way.  On the opposite side of the coin, ask Brooklyn fans how demoralizing not having their future picks is to their rebuild, independent of who we pick.

[Tr1boy]

Pierce also avg 1.7spg and .8 blocks next year, and his 3p% also skyrocketed to  .465% sophmore year.
 No way Brown improves like that.

Well we don't know.  But likely would of had a much better year 2 in college ball

If his shooting improves nicely + his explosiveness/slashing ability....  That is a fine player

[ManUp]

I feel for Danny this draft is/was basically a crapshoot after 2. There is no clear choice, whoever says otherwise (which i'm sure they will in a year or two) is lying. If Danny picks the wrong guy fans will bury him for it, but looking at his choices he doesn't seem to be working with much.

Murray seems headed for Mediocrity with his slow below the rim game. Bender seems to be a role player at best. Chriss is just as likley to be out of the league as he is to succeed in it. Brown is just as likely to be mediocre as he is to be really good. Dunn has done everything he can to not be drafted by the Celtics. If Danny drafts hield at 3 and he busts he'll look like an idiot for drafting an old one dimensional college scorer. IMO, after pick two it's role players as far as the eye can see.

Whatever decision Danny makes I will understand, even if it doesn't work out. I just hope we don't end up in a situation where we watch a player we passed on become a great player while the one we picked ends up a bust. There's always that one guy mid-late draft that unexpectedly sneaks into an all-star game or two. I hope we get a hold of that player.

[Tr1boy]

I feel for Danny this draft is/was basically a crapshoot after 2. There is no clear choice, whoever says otherwise (which i'm sure they will in a year or two) is lying. If Danny picks the wrong guy fans will bury him for it, but looking at his choices he doesn't seem to be working with much.

Murray seems headed for Mediocrity with his slow below the rim game. Bender seems to be a role player at best. Chriss is just as likley to be out of the league as he is to succeed in it. Brown is just as likely to be mediocre as he is to be really good. Dunn has done everything he can to not be drafted by the Celtics. If Danny drafts hield at 3 and he busts he'll look like an idiot for drafting an old one dimensional college scorer. IMO, after pick two it's role players as far as the eye can see.

Whatever decision Danny makes I will understand, even if it doesn't work out. I just hope we don't end up in a situation where we watch a player we passed on become a great player while the one we picked ends up a bust. There's always that one guy mid-late draft that unexpectedly sneaks into an all-star game or two. I hope we get a hold of that player.

When you are athletic, have a good motor and an above average  IQ ,   worst case , you are still probably a decent player

Look at Derozan.  Took him a few years in the league to get adjusted but now is one of the top SF/SG in the league.  And he still can't shoot.   

Brown for sure won't be as clueless as Kedrick Brown nor Gerald Green when they first came into the league. 

[Beat LA]

By all reports this guy can't and doesn't know how to play basketball  This is the big draft pick?  Yikes.  Trade it.

In all fairness, Bradley looked like he had no clue how to play basketball his first few seasons here, and he turned out well. It took a while though, and I believe Brown/Bender/Chriss would each take several years to even look useful on the court if we take any one of them.

Bradley was a late pick and turned out as high level role player.   Pretty good, but has never learned how to make a play with the ball.  Expect more from pick 3.  The ability to learn and work to be elite from a low base is questionable.   Elite players seem to always have the feel for the game.  Maybe Brown does have it and the reports where wrong.

Yeah. This is the best pick we've had in a long time. The best piece from the Pierce deal. We've been waiting for this pick all season. Now that it's here and we have the chance, let's go for more than a high level role player.

Avery is a fine basketball player but if this pick become the equivalent of the level of player Avery is, then I'll be disappointed.

Yeah, if our two Nets picks so far turn out to be James Young who is almost out of the league already, and Jaylen Brown who becomes a role player, then we're halfway to blowing the Nets trade completely.

thats what im scared of. what if danny whiffs on all the picks? given the types of guys he likes to draft (hint: non shooters), i could certainly see it as a possibility.

Yep.  I've had this same view for quite some time, unfortunately, really since that trade was made, to be honest.  It just goes to show that no matter how many picks you can get for hall of famers, you'll never get equal value for them, no matter how old they are or how many picks you have, especially if you can't draft.  What if he blows this pick?  Are people then going to argue that 'he's never had a top 2 pick'? Lol.  The highest pick that Bird has ever gotten in the lottery, I believe, was 10, in 2010, when he took Paul George, and that didn't stop him from building a contender.  He's also drafted two other all stars in Granger and Hibbert (okay, he technically traded for him after the draft, iirc, but still, lol) at 17 in their respective drafts, and I'd argue that Lance Stephenson should have been an All Star in 2013-14, who he got at 40 in 2010, as well.  Sure, he's made mistakes, but he's gotten much more with considerably less than Ainge has ever gotten with higher picks.  Myles Turner will probably be an all star one day, as well.  Sigh.

Nitpicking, I see. While I agree that Bird's drafting resume is quite impressive, he also missed some interesting prospects in the draft. Let's not talk like Ainge is the guy who have misses.

2009 - drafted Hansbrough over Teague and Jrue Holiday
2011 - traded Leonard for George Hill (big mistake, imo)
2012 - drafted Myles Plumlee over Draymond Green


Let's have a comparison of Bird vs Ainge's steals

Bird:

2005 - Danny Granger (All-Star)
2008 - Roy Hibbert (2x All-Star)
2010 - Paul George (3x All-Star, 3x All-NBA 3rd Team, 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team)

Ainge:

2004 - Al Jefferson (All-NBA 3rd Team)
2004 - Tony Allen (3x All-Defensive 1st Team, 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team)
2006 - Rajon Rondo (3x Assist Champ, 4x All-Star, All-NBA 3rd Team, 2x All-Defensive 1st Team), 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team)
2010 - Avery Bradley (All-Defensive Team 1st Team, All-Defensive Team 2nd Team)

Bird have the luxury of using lottery picks (Paul George, while Ainge have to rely on mid to late 1st-rounders. But in the end, championship is only what matters as a GM. So far Ainge has one, Bird has none.

Did you miss the part where I said, in reference to Bird, that, 'sure, he's made mistakes'?  I know that Larry really liked Kawhi in 2011, but my question regarding that deal is why not make sure that you get San Antonio' first for that year, in addition to George Hill?  Of course this is totally hindsight, here, but say that the Pacers trade 15 for Hill and 29, and take Jimmy Butler with the second to last pick in the first round.  Now that deal looks pretty different, today. doesn't it, and omg, Stephenson, Butler, and George on the same team!? Holy sh1t!  Sigh.  He was so close...

[Beat LA]

By all reports this guy can't and doesn't know how to play basketball  This is the big draft pick?  Yikes.  Trade it.

In all fairness, Bradley looked like he had no clue how to play basketball his first few seasons here, and he turned out well. It took a while though, and I believe Brown/Bender/Chriss would each take several years to even look useful on the court if we take any one of them.

Bradley was a late pick and turned out as high level role player.   Pretty good, but has never learned how to make a play with the ball.  Expect more from pick 3.  The ability to learn and work to be elite from a low base is questionable.   Elite players seem to always have the feel for the game.  Maybe Brown does have it and the reports where wrong.

Yeah. This is the best pick we've had in a long time. The best piece from the Pierce deal. We've been waiting for this pick all season. Now that it's here and we have the chance, let's go for more than a high level role player.

Avery is a fine basketball player but if this pick become the equivalent of the level of player Avery is, then I'll be disappointed.

Yeah, if our two Nets picks so far turn out to be James Young who is almost out of the league already, and Jaylen Brown who becomes a role player, then we're halfway to blowing the Nets trade completely.

thats what im scared of. what if danny whiffs on all the picks? given the types of guys he likes to draft (hint: non shooters), i could certainly see it as a possibility.

Yep.  I've had this same view for quite some time, unfortunately, really since that trade was made, to be honest.  It just goes to show that no matter how many picks you can get for hall of famers, you'll never get equal value for them, no matter how old they are or how many picks you have, especially if you can't draft.  What if he blows this pick?  Are people then going to argue that 'he's never had a top 2 pick'? Lol.  The highest pick that Bird has ever gotten in the lottery, I believe, was 10, in 2010, when he took Paul George, and that didn't stop him from building a contender.  He's also drafted two other all stars in Granger and Hibbert (okay, he technically traded for him after the draft, iirc, but still, lol) at 17 in their respective drafts, and I'd argue that Lance Stephenson should have been an All Star in 2013-14, who he got at 40 in 2010, as well.  Sure, he's made mistakes, but he's gotten much more with considerably less than Ainge has ever gotten with higher picks.  Myles Turner will probably be an all star one day, as well.  Sigh.

I don't understand how people are deflated over the possibility of drafting busts with great draft position.  Even as someone who admittedly would have accepted a few extra years of seeing the Celtics suck just to see Pierce retire in green, that trade by Danny was an absolute heist.  Three unprotected first rounders and the right to swap 1sts in 2017 for two declining hall of famers?  Absolute no brainer for a team that needed to rebuild.

Indiana were never true contenders.  They never made the finals with their core.

With the exploding cap, draft picks are more valuable than before.  We're in great shape.  If the fear of drafting busts with the picks you own is too daunting, then as a fan quite honestly you shouldn't have any strong opinions on any trades whatsoever, and as a GM you have no place the league.  It's ludicrous to complain about the chance of failure with the third pick in a draft from with another team's pick.  Further, you can use such picks in trades for established talent if you don't like the players that are available.

There's no downside to great draft position.  Nobody wants to draft a bust, but they would not decline the chance of a top three pick in a randomized system such as the NBA lottery either.

It has nothing to do with the picks, themselves.  It has everything to do with who is making those picks.  That's the downside, and that's from where the feeling of deflation arises (how's that for an oxymoron, btw? ), imo, and I think that that's fair.

[hwangjini_1]

By all reports this guy can't and doesn't know how to play basketball  This is the big draft pick?  Yikes.  Trade it.

In all fairness, Bradley looked like he had no clue how to play basketball his first few seasons here, and he turned out well. It took a while though, and I believe Brown/Bender/Chriss would each take several years to even look useful on the court if we take any one of them.

Bradley was a late pick and turned out as high level role player.   Pretty good, but has never learned how to make a play with the ball.  Expect more from pick 3.  The ability to learn and work to be elite from a low base is questionable.   Elite players seem to always have the feel for the game.  Maybe Brown does have it and the reports where wrong.

Yeah. This is the best pick we've had in a long time. The best piece from the Pierce deal. We've been waiting for this pick all season. Now that it's here and we have the chance, let's go for more than a high level role player.

Avery is a fine basketball player but if this pick become the equivalent of the level of player Avery is, then I'll be disappointed.

Yeah, if our two Nets picks so far turn out to be James Young who is almost out of the league already, and Jaylen Brown who becomes a role player, then we're halfway to blowing the Nets trade completely.

thats what im scared of. what if danny whiffs on all the picks? given the types of guys he likes to draft (hint: non shooters), i could certainly see it as a possibility.

Yep.  I've had this same view for quite some time, unfortunately, really since that trade was made, to be honest.  It just goes to show that no matter how many picks you can get for hall of famers, you'll never get equal value for them, no matter how old they are or how many picks you have, especially if you can't draft.  What if he blows this pick?  Are people then going to argue that 'he's never had a top 2 pick'? Lol.  The highest pick that Bird has ever gotten in the lottery, I believe, was 10, in 2010, when he took Paul George, and that didn't stop him from building a contender.  He's also drafted two other all stars in Granger and Hibbert (okay, he technically traded for him after the draft, iirc, but still, lol) at 17 in their respective drafts, and I'd argue that Lance Stephenson should have been an All Star in 2013-14, who he got at 40 in 2010, as well.  Sure, he's made mistakes, but he's gotten much more with considerably less than Ainge has ever gotten with higher picks.  Myles Turner will probably be an all star one day, as well.  Sigh.

Nitpicking, I see. While I agree that Bird's drafting resume is quite impressive, he also missed some interesting prospects in the draft. Let's not talk like Ainge is the guy who have misses.

2009 - drafted Hansbrough over Teague and Jrue Holiday
2011 - traded Leonard for George Hill (big mistake, imo)
2012 - drafted Myles Plumlee over Draymond Green


Let's have a comparison of Bird vs Ainge's steals

Bird:

2005 - Danny Granger (All-Star)
2008 - Roy Hibbert (2x All-Star)
2010 - Paul George (3x All-Star, 3x All-NBA 3rd Team, 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team)

Ainge:

2004 - Al Jefferson (All-NBA 3rd Team)
2004 - Tony Allen (3x All-Defensive 1st Team, 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team)
2006 - Rajon Rondo (3x Assist Champ, 4x All-Star, All-NBA 3rd Team, 2x All-Defensive 1st Team), 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team)
2010 - Avery Bradley (All-Defensive Team 1st Team, All-Defensive Team 2nd Team)

Bird have the luxury of using lottery picks (Paul George, while Ainge have to rely on mid to late 1st-rounders. But in the end, championship is only what matters as a GM. So far Ainge has one, Bird has none.

Good homework and good post. Thanks.

A tp for mr. Dee. 

[jambr380]

Ha - imagine if Danny had traded Kawhi Lenoard for George Hill. He would need to have presidential level security to keep him safe from Boston fans.

Re: the Pierce/Garnett deal - this is a case of subjective deprivation. Every other team in the [early] lottery sucks; they desperately need their picks to work out or they will continue on in mediocrity. We haven't even made the pick yet and fans are talking about what a disaster it will be if the FOUR unprotected firsts (one swap) we got from BKN are busts. Worst case scenario is they all max out at current-level James Young (#16 is different than #3, btw). Even if that's the case, these are picks we got for retirement-level Pierce and KG. We are a good team, still with lots of options; the picks are a bonus. We need to chill out!

[Tr1boy]

Cal's coach on Brown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76uDBOdLqUw

[BlackCeltic]

Im all for Brown if we are going to stand pat with our existing back court. We need someone who will attack the basket from the wing position. This team settles for too many jumpers down the stretch.