Sleeper pick: Jonathan Issac

[KGBirdBias]

Wow, he can defend 3 positions which means he can switch very easily.

[ssspence]

Not a sleeper pick. It was announced the Cs worked him out a couple of weeks ago. Honestly I feel he's every bit as likely to be the Cs pick (if they make it) as Tatum or Jackson. But I still expect the Cs to trade the 2017 Sixers pick.

[slamtheking]

I originally posted this in another thread, but I see at lot of people misunderstand Isaac's game and potential, so I'm going to repost it here:

I love Isaac, but comparing him to Kevin Durant is so unbelievably irresponsible. Isaac is a low-usage, do-it-all role player. He should be able to be absolutely elite defensively, elite on the boards, a capable catch-and-shoot threat in the half court, and a terror running the floor. He is NOT a take-over-the-game, impose-your-will superstar. If you insist on making an upside comparison, you're picking the wrong Warrior; Isaac is far more comparable, as a superstar role player, to Draymond Green than Kevin Durant. Isaac is an outstanding prospect not because of his superstar upside, but despite it.

interesting.  the comparison's I've heard of Isaac is to KG, not KD.  this seems to be a comparable to what I've heard.  I'd hope he'd  become like KG-lite since he supposedly has the drive of Smart and Brown.

not sure I'd want him at 3 if Tatum and Jackson are still on the board (one of them certainly will be) though Tatum needs work on his D and physique while Jackson needs to develop a shot.  I love Marcus but I really don't want another young player that has issues with their shooting like Jackson.  Isaac may offer a bit of what both Tatum and Jackson offer but with more size (which we really need).  wouldn't have to necessarily rely on Brooklyn sucking next year (which they will) to get that big man prospect.

You can speculate that the trade was designed to get a GOOD big man soon, either in this draft or 2018, or at worst in 2019.  Between the two drafts, Ainge now has 3 "shots on goal" with lottery picks.

that IS the optimist's spin on things.  I just have a bad gut feeling that extra pick won't be as good as anyone hopes for.  I remain certain next year's Brooklyn pick will be top 8 (still leaning towards top 5 but getting 3 top 5 picks in 3 consecutive years would be probably a tad overly hopeful) but I suspect LA will have a pick worse than #6 next year since they have zero incentive to tank at all (no option of keeping their pick) and their team was on a pace to be late lottery before throwing in the towel this year.

Getting the better of the Philly/Sac pick in 2019 except if it's number one really bothers me.  I can see Sac being bad enough to get their pick at #1 while Philly has improved enough in 2 years to crack the playoffs which leaves us with trading away #1 this year for #3 (if Danny even keeps it) and a pick somewhere between 15-18 in 2019 which MIGHT get us a player that could be an end-of-rotation player in a few years. 

if their was no #1 protection for 2019, I'd feel almost ok with the trade. 

[max215]

I originally posted this in another thread, but I see at lot of people misunderstand Isaac's game and potential, so I'm going to repost it here:

I love Isaac, but comparing him to Kevin Durant is so unbelievably irresponsible. Isaac is a low-usage, do-it-all role player. He should be able to be absolutely elite defensively, elite on the boards, a capable catch-and-shoot threat in the half court, and a terror running the floor. He is NOT a take-over-the-game, impose-your-will superstar. If you insist on making an upside comparison, you're picking the wrong Warrior; Isaac is far more comparable, as a superstar role player, to Draymond Green than Kevin Durant. Isaac is an outstanding prospect not because of his superstar upside, but despite it.

By no means am I saying your are wrong but maybe there is more to his upside that Brad and Danny see.  Let's not forget that Giannis was grossly underrated by everyone as a prospect.  I wouldn't rule out the potential that Celtics management sees an even greater ceiling than anyone else is projecting.

That's certainly possible, but he's shown no evidence of having the ability to impose his will in any way on offense, which severely limits his ceiling. Again, though, I absolutely love him as a prospect. He exhibits most of the traits that attracted me to Dragan Bender and offers a few key advantages, like dominant rebounding. Isaac will be a very valuable player.

[max215]

I originally posted this in another thread, but I see at lot of people misunderstand Isaac's game and potential, so I'm going to repost it here:

I love Isaac, but comparing him to Kevin Durant is so unbelievably irresponsible. Isaac is a low-usage, do-it-all role player. He should be able to be absolutely elite defensively, elite on the boards, a capable catch-and-shoot threat in the half court, and a terror running the floor. He is NOT a take-over-the-game, impose-your-will superstar. If you insist on making an upside comparison, you're picking the wrong Warrior; Isaac is far more comparable, as a superstar role player, to Draymond Green than Kevin Durant. Isaac is an outstanding prospect not because of his superstar upside, but despite it.

TP

He is IMO a rim protector with elite defensive potential. Which is a terrific attribute, he an athletic freak and could really dominate at that end.

His other abilities are OK, but he's never going to be an offensive star. Maybe he develops some KG-level shooting, which would be nice, but he won't be slashing to the rim at the end of games for and-1's.

He's my favorite defensive prospect that I've seen (only started seriously following the draft in 2015). There's very legitimate DPOY potential there. Couple that with pretty good shooting, and you have an outstanding piece.

[max215]

I originally posted this in another thread, but I see at lot of people misunderstand Isaac's game and potential, so I'm going to repost it here:

I love Isaac, but comparing him to Kevin Durant is so unbelievably irresponsible. Isaac is a low-usage, do-it-all role player. He should be able to be absolutely elite defensively, elite on the boards, a capable catch-and-shoot threat in the half court, and a terror running the floor. He is NOT a take-over-the-game, impose-your-will superstar. If you insist on making an upside comparison, you're picking the wrong Warrior; Isaac is far more comparable, as a superstar role player, to Draymond Green than Kevin Durant. Isaac is an outstanding prospect not because of his superstar upside, but despite it.

interesting.  the comparison's I've heard of Isaac is to KG, not KD.  this seems to be a comparable to what I've heard.  I'd hope he'd  become like KG-lite since he supposedly has the drive of Smart and Brown.

not sure I'd want him at 3 if Tatum and Jackson are still on the board (one of them certainly will be) though Tatum needs work on his D and physique while Jackson needs to develop a shot.  I love Marcus but I really don't want another young player that has issues with their shooting like Jackson.  Isaac may offer a bit of what both Tatum and Jackson offer but with more size (which we really need).  wouldn't have to necessarily rely on Brooklyn sucking next year (which they will) to get that big man prospect.

He'll never be KG on offense; he just doesn't have that fire in him. I also hate comparing a prospect to one of the greatest defenders of all time, but Isaac has immense defensive potential. If I had to make a comp, it would be prime Serge Ibaka with far better rebounding. That is such an immensely valuable piece, which is why I love Isaac. However, that player is a distinctly complimentary piece, not a superstar, which might make some hesitant to spend a top-5 pick on Isaac.

[Celtics4ever]

Needs to add weight badly and strength, so skinny he will be a project for a few years.  It's a sleeper pick only in that you can go to sleep and we won't be picking him.

[OldSchoolDude]

Here is a good read on Isaac.

Jonathan Isaac is the best big man in this draft class
https://medium.com/@jzmazlish/jonathan-isaac-is-the-best-big-man-in-this-draft-class-4a92c8f53f84

[Jvalin]

Isaac isn't working out for anyone who has a pick below 4 and has worked out for the suns twice.

Isaac is our pick.  That's why we made the deal and aren't worried about the lakers at all.

Jonathan Isaac is your next Boston Celtic.

A couple of days ago I was hoping we would somehow get both Fultz and Isaac and now I have to settle for Isaac and a future pick possibly 2 years down the road.

Ugh...

[mahonedog88]

The talk amongst fans about Isaac seems to be growing slightly.  Personally, this is the kid I want.  I don't watch college ball, but all I know is he's 6'11 with a 7'1 wing span that can guard almost anyone on the floor because of how good he is at switching and moving quickly on his feet...this, AND he hits 3s.  I mean, this literally exactly what this team needs.

I hope it's this kid.  I really really do.  And I can't wait for the uproar

[chambers]

Yeah he's a project but he's oozing potential.

Definitely in play.

Honestly I'd be happy with any of Tatum, Jacko, Isaac if we cant swing trade.

[OldSchoolDude]

I'm starting to get genuinely excited about Isaac and in turn slightly less devastated about the trade.  I really liked Isaac, since even before lasts years draft, but not at #1.  Anyway here is another article to help generate excitement for him at 3.

Why Jonathan Isaac will be much better in the NBA than he was at Florida State
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2017/6/19/15792770/jonathan-isaac-nba-draft-2017-florida-state

In the end, defense will be Isaac’s calling card in the NBA. What separates him from so many of the other tall, skinny wings who have entered the draft in recent years is that his offensive potential isn’t central to his success. It’s merely part of the equation.

If Isaac’s shot proves to be for real and his handle keeps improving, the sky is the limit. Until then, he projects as a star role player who can take any defensive assignment, switch any screen, and give you a little bit on the offensive end.

In today’s NBA, that’s an extremely valuable player.

That endorsement while not screaming transcendent talent speaks to the type of player we need in our front court. 

[loco_91]

Isaac looks great. He doesn't have superstar upside, but it's easy to see him as a top-5 role player in the league.

[cltc5]

Great motor.  Definite 4-6 pick.  Still a chance to move down and get a great pick.  Get Kings 5,10

[Chris22]

Ainge hates to draft bigs.
JR Giddens.