Bleacher Report: Celtics to take Kris Dunn

[MattyIce]

for those of you interested in hearing more about Dunn , listen to a take from don Maclean on bball breakdown podcast , he talks of his underrated shooting and a little tidbit about his thoughts on James young before he was drafted

[crimson_stallion]

Is Dunn better than Smart? That's what I'm hearing/reading so trade Smart for Noel? Go with a defensive grinding team that can't shoot!

I believe Dunn is on a whole other level compared to Smart - not even close. The only area where Smart has an advantage over Dunn is physical strength.  In every other aspect of the game Dunn is either on par with Smart (defense, rebounding, size) or significantly better (slashing, ball handling, passing, athleticism).

3 years ago Smart was better than Dunn was this year and they are the same age.

Also Id say Smarts a better defender and rebounder and Dunn turns it over at a higher rate.

Their overall stats are similar, but there are a few critical advantages Dunn has over Smart that makes him a far superior prospect for the NBA game:

1) Ball handling ability - it's a strength of Dunn's, and was considered a weakness for Smart

2) Passing ability - a strength for Dunn, and was considered a question mark for Smart

3) Athleticism - Dunn is an explosive athlete, while Smart's athleticism was questioned in 14/15

4) Shooting - Dunn has already put up solid 3PT shooting numbers two years straight, so he's proven he has potential to be at least an average (~ 35%) three point shooter at the NBA level, and he has a quality midrange game.  After two years in the NBA Smart still doesn't look like he'll ever be a capable jump shooter.

These are all key skills for an NBA guard.

Eh I guess that's true. I went back and watched a couple clips of smart in college. He seemed to get by a lot due to pure strength. That (so far) hasn't translated to the NBA. If brown is gonna have a similar non-impact (since he gets by largely on strength, but also athleticism), id rather take the skilled Dunn.

In fact Dunn reminds me a LOT of Gary Payton because Dunn has very similar size, athleticism, ball handling skills, passing skills, and defensive ability - and personality wise he has that that swagger and grit. 

The main difference is that Dunn is a better scorer and outside shooter then Payton was in his early days - Payton took about 4 or 5 years to develop into a respectable three point shooter.  Dunn is also a lot stronger, as Payton was pretty much a stick figure when he entered the league (6'4" / 180lbs).

[HomerSapien]

If we draft Dunn I hope it is to trade him shortly afterwards.  He's the only guy in this draft that even resembles a top PG prospect and that makes me worry that his value is partially being pumped up because of that.  If I look ahead to next year's draft I think there can be at least 5 guys who are better PG prospects than Dunn is this year.

As others have said, I'll trust Danny if he decides to draft Dunn, but my inclination is to add some talent to our front court where it is sorely needed.  Between the 3, 4, and 5 we have exactly one average or above player on our roster (Crowder).  We can't just keep kicking that talent black hole down the road another year and expect our win totals to continue growing.

[Ilikesports17]

Is Dunn better than Smart? That's what I'm hearing/reading so trade Smart for Noel? Go with a defensive grinding team that can't shoot!

I believe Dunn is on a whole other level compared to Smart - not even close. The only area where Smart has an advantage over Dunn is physical strength.  In every other aspect of the game Dunn is either on par with Smart (defense, rebounding, size) or significantly better (slashing, ball handling, passing, athleticism).

3 years ago Smart was better than Dunn was this year and they are the same age.

Also Id say Smarts a better defender and rebounder and Dunn turns it over at a higher rate.

Their overall stats are similar, but there are a few critical advantages Dunn has over Smart that makes him a far superior prospect for the NBA game:

1) Ball handling ability - it's a strength of Dunn's, and was considered a weakness for Smart

2) Passing ability - a strength for Dunn, and was considered a question mark for Smart

3) Athleticism - Dunn is an explosive athlete, while Smart's athleticism was questioned in 14/15

4) Shooting - Dunn has already put up solid 3PT shooting numbers two years straight, so he's proven he has potential to be at least an average (~ 35%) three point shooter at the NBA level, and he has a quality midrange game.  After two years in the NBA Smart still doesn't look like he'll ever be a capable jump shooter.

These are all key skills for an NBA guard.

Very fair. I think Dunn, looking back has a skillset that is much more likely to translate to stardom or something resembling it at the NBA level, while Smarts strengths (strength) and weaknesses(finishing over length, shooting, etc) would make what appeared to be an NBA ready guy a big project on one side of the ball in the NBA.

I more wanted to remind people that many thought Smart would come in and be great immediately. Many thought the FT rate would immediately transfer. He was scene as an NBA ready gaurd and held roughly in the same regard as Dunn. I dont want people to get ahead of themselves projecting Dunn here. He could follow a similar path as Smart where his offense doesnt immediately transfer.

If people expect Dunn to come in and be better than Smart from day one or at any point during year one I think they are gonna be dissapointed and we are gonna start seeing "Danny should have taken [insert player who had a random good game]" threads because people expect the guy ot come in and be Wade.

The issue is that I like both players and think both will be really good players in the NBA. Right now however, its pretty clear Dunn is the one in demand. I think he will be moved and we will forever look at him as the guy we almost had. Hopefully the guy we get is even better.

[Bobshot]

Dunn is already a senior .

I think age is important for Ainge. He wants somebody ready now for this team. One of the guards may be traded for help up front if Dunn is drafted. Certainly the other #1s will be used to draft 4-5s.

[hpantazo]

Dunn is already a senior .

I think age is important for Ainge. He wants somebody ready now for this team. One of the guards may be traded for help up front if Dunn is drafted. Certainly the other #1s will be used to draft 4-5s.

He's a senior who missed most of his first two seasons though due to injury, so developmentally he's basically a sophomore

[Bobshot]

As others have said, I'll trust Danny if he decides to draft Dunn, but my inclination is to add some talent to our front court where it is sorely needed.  Between the 3, 4, and 5 we have exactly one average or above player on our roster (Crowder).  We can't just keep kicking that talent black hole down the road another year and expect our win totals to continue growing.

True. Let's see what he does about that. He knows it, too.

[Evantime34]

Dunn is already a senior .

I think age is important for Ainge. He wants somebody ready now for this team. One of the guards may be traded for help up front if Dunn is drafted. Certainly the other #1s will be used to draft 4-5s.

He's a senior who missed most of his first two seasons though due to injury, so developmentally he's basically a sophomore

I'm not sure if that was meant to be a positive comment. But the idea of drafting a 22 year old sophomore makes his age an even bigger issue.

[Emmette Bryant]

for those of you interested in hearing more about Dunn , listen to a take from don Maclean on bball breakdown podcast , he talks of his underrated shooting and a little tidbit about his thoughts on James young before he was drafted

do you have a url?

[Robb]

As others have said, I'll trust Danny if he decides to draft Dunn, but my inclination is to add some talent to our front court where it is sorely needed.  Between the 3, 4, and 5 we have exactly one average or above player on our roster (Crowder).  We can't just keep kicking that talent black hole down the road another year and expect our win totals to continue growing.

True. Let's see what he does about that. He knows it, too.

Wildly unpopular as an opinion, but it's a fact that both Sully and Kelly Olynyk can be measured at least average for their positions.

[hpantazo]

Dunn is already a senior .

I think age is important for Ainge. He wants somebody ready now for this team. One of the guards may be traded for help up front if Dunn is drafted. Certainly the other #1s will be used to draft 4-5s.

He's a senior who missed most of his first two seasons though due to injury, so developmentally he's basically a sophomore

I'm not sure if that was meant to be a positive comment. But the idea of drafting a 22 year old sophomore makes his age an even bigger issue.

No it doesn't. Player development is not based on age, it is based on experience. Just ask Hakeem the Dream.

You miss two years of college ball , it just means you didn't get enough practice and experience yet. It means he has that much more room to grow. That is why his potential is viewed so much better than Hield's.

[SHAQATTACK]

Taking Dunn

Could that mean increase in chances the one man food wrecking crew could be brought back.....

[hpantazo]

Taking Dunn

Could that mean increase in chances the one man food wrecking crew could be brought back.....

There are plenty of other options out there on the free agent market , and in trades. Plus we have another 5 picks in this draft. I don't think one things affects the other. If we were taking Bender, he won't be ready to even contribute for at least 2 years for example. Drafting a big at #3 wouldn't take away our need for a PF/C. Signing Horford however would. Or trading for Love or Noel with Bradley and a future Nets pick.

[knuckleballer]

Is Dunn better than Smart? That's what I'm hearing/reading so trade Smart for Noel? Go with a defensive grinding team that can't shoot!

I believe Dunn is on a whole other level compared to Smart - not even close. The only area where Smart has an advantage over Dunn is physical strength.  In every other aspect of the game Dunn is either on par with Smart (defense, rebounding, size) or significantly better (slashing, ball handling, passing, athleticism).

3 years ago Smart was better than Dunn was this year and they are the same age.

Also Id say Smarts a better defender and rebounder and Dunn turns it over at a higher rate.

Their overall stats are similar, but there are a few critical advantages Dunn has over Smart that makes him a far superior prospect for the NBA game:

1) Ball handling ability - it's a strength of Dunn's, and was considered a weakness for Smart

2) Passing ability - a strength for Dunn, and was considered a question mark for Smart

3) Athleticism - Dunn is an explosive athlete, while Smart's athleticism was questioned in 14/15

4) Shooting - Dunn has already put up solid 3PT shooting numbers two years straight, so he's proven he has potential to be at least an average (~ 35%) three point shooter at the NBA level, and he has a quality midrange game.  After two years in the NBA Smart still doesn't look like he'll ever be a capable jump shooter.

These are all key skills for an NBA guard.

Eh I guess that's true. I went back and watched a couple clips of smart in college. He seemed to get by a lot due to pure strength. That (so far) hasn't translated to the NBA. If brown is gonna have a similar non-impact (since he gets by largely on strength, but also athleticism), id rather take the skilled Dunn.

In fact Dunn reminds me a LOT of Gary Payton because Dunn has very similar size, athleticism, ball handling skills, passing skills, and defensive ability - and personality wise he has that that swagger and grit. 

The main difference is that Dunn is a better scorer and outside shooter then Payton was in his early days - Payton took about 4 or 5 years to develop into a respectable three point shooter.  Dunn is also a lot stronger, as Payton was pretty much a stick figure when he entered the league (6'4" / 180lbs).

I don't know how you can say Dunn was a better scorer than Payton at the same age.  Payton averaged 25.7 ppg on 50% shooting while Dunn averaged 16.4 ppg on 45% shooting as seniors.  Dunn shot 35% on 3s during his college career on 2.2 shots per game while Payton averaged 37% on 4.0 shots per game.

[Kane3387]

Dunn reminds me of a cross between Mike Conley and Eric Bledsoe.