1-on-1 With Ainge

I think this interview is as straight forward as you can get. He answered all the questions and the things he wouldn’t comment on were reasonable things to not comment on. But someday I wish he would, but I know he won’t because it could be too personal for other people. I think the answer to Doc’s extension is also implied if the two can reach an agreement on the terms.

Last night even when the Heat were not playing all their reserves we did fine.

Ainge has a balls of steel in this interview I will say that. I also agree that this draft is deep. I think there are a lot of potential all stars in the draft. The reason everybody is sweating 1 and 2 is bec these two players are being compared to Hall of Famers which might be unfair to these pups whom are coming out.

Here is question, C-Billups is available. Do you make him a Celtic again and hinder Rondo’s growth?

West is clearly, clearly a 2. The point guard position is or should be Rondo’s to lose.

Jefferson should not be traded unless KG is the target. He is also becoming a leader which is absolutely critical because next year is critical to see if Pierce stays or not. If we are way sub 500 by Feb Pierce is gone.

Trade Jefferson? No way! Ainge said he’s looking for consistency, Jefferson has given us that. The age difference alone is reason enough not to trade Jefferson for KG. Even if Ainge WANTED to trade Jefferson, do we have the “bolt” cutters to pry him loose from the C’s?
Jefferson wants to remain a Celtic so bad he said he’d “chain himself” to stay put.

Ainge intimated that there were other talented players in this draft that were more NBA ready than Oden or Durant. Except for Acie Law, which would be quite a reach at 3 or 4, Ainge must be looking across the ocean.

I think he means Yi

Oh, doesn’t this just beg for a follow up question: “How might you speed up the players’ development?” Is he talking more/different coaches? Most of the players already work here in the off-season as it is. Maybe he’d just fall back into “we need to do an even better job coaching” or “the players need to do a better job developing, just as I need to do better as a GM.” Oh well.

Pierce is the only guy I’ve heard—other than Payton or Walker, Peter May or half-informed national columnists—to strongly say that that is not a viable strategy. After seeing Danny’s trades to date, I can see Wyc backing the stand-pat and develop approach.

We are a playoff team with no changes? Yet we have one Center…HAHHAHAHAHHAHA Please after this draft get somebody sane in this GM office. I hung in there for Danny for the first 3 years even after the 1st few bad trades he made. All he has going for him is Drafting Big Al, and somehow having Pierce not commit suicide yet….Other than that we have been swapping horrible contracts for more horrible ones, and players that can’t defened or step on the court. People need to realize this is Danny’s first GM job, i don’t understand why so many people defend him as if he’s got some lengthy, proven GM resume……BTW, he says the “maybe i will trade the pick, maybe i won’t” schpeel every year……Randy Foye for Sebastian “My defense is as broke as” Welfair? Sorry, i just don’t trust Danny Strainge anymore.

Well, I guess as one of the “uninformed” I’ll just have to continue to call for the canning of Rivers based on what I see on the court, starting with the abysmal won lost record. I blame the players for bad shots, bonehead plays, lack of defensive effort and missed assignments. I blame the coach for the poorly designed offensive schemes, the team’s failure to run, mismanagement of end game situations, the inability to attack a zone or to defnd the pick and roll, etc. etc. These are things that good high school teams comprised of 16 and 17 year-olds routinely do better than the Celtics. Sorry for being such a broken record.

As for the draft Ainge is 100% right. And you don’t have to go overseas to find more NBA-ready players than Oden or Durant, although Tiago Splitter and Rudy Fernandez certainly are. For starters there are going to be 2-3 “Josh Howard” type players in this draft: guys who just know how to play but who got overlooked in the hype surrounding Oden and Durant and because they are coming out as juniors and seniors. I’m talking about guys like Morris Almond, Derrick Byars, Alando Tucker, Jeff Green (not my favorite player but others like him), Acie Law, Al Thornton and Nick Young.

He couldn’t mean Splitter if he was thinking MULTI-TALENTED! Splitter has an excellent defensive game but even with his experience, he’s underdeveloped at the offensive end, where his offensive talents seem rudimentary by comparison. There was a good reason Splitter pulled out of previous drafts. He couldn’t get a commitment from a team in the top 15.

danny is not going to tip his hand to the press or anyone. i think even though he has blundered, he is smart, i think learns from mistakes and does take chances. i just don’t get his affiliation with doc. other than playing against each other, where have they been where danny is so loyal to him and made him his big choice for coach? for you splitter people, can you give me some info on him, height,skills, age,stats. tia.

Danny has proven himself an excellent evaluator of talent. If he says that there are other very ( nearly equally?) talented players in this draft (besides Oden and Durant) who among us has the expertise to challenge him? I doubt that his comment is one of “posturing” or sending a “smokescreen”. While unexpected, Danny could be thinking of TRADING DOWN for multiple picks if our turn comes and the next 10-12 players on the board are of comparable interest to the Cs. It could also mean moving some of our present players to facilitate the impact of adding multiple players. That scenario has worked well for some NFL teams. It would be a BOLD move and on the surface appear suicidal, but as Poe might say, the end result is ….all in the hands of the GOD’S….as in mythology.

Truth be told….as bloggers we have NEVER been privy to what goes on behind the scenes nor to the particulars of “the corporate blueprint”. I thought that the end of the playing season would leave a “blogger void” but, in retrospect, speculation about future events has no endpoint!

Jeff, your comment about “damage control” has merit EXCEPT that this draft has been TOUTED as the best in 10 years! If true, then perhaps Danny (while trying to control panic) is being candid about drafting beyond 1 or 2. Brick’s comment about “Josh Howard” rang true as I wondered about the Celtic’s lack of interest after having read Josh’s predraft bio….something about a “jack of all trades but master of none”….or “does everything well but nothing spectacular”. There are several players in this draft with a similar bio who could be the next “josh Howard”……

I think Danny is right about the draft. There are some really good players in the draft beyond the top two. No one here mentions Corey Brewer. I think he is more NBA ready than Oden or Durrant. He will be a top flight defender from day one in the NBA.

Even if the Celtics get a 3 through 5 they should think long and hard about trading the pick. I would hate to give up a 21 year old all-star in return for a max contract guy whose best days may have already happened.

Has anyone considered the possibility of the Bucks winning the lottery? They spent a number one pick on a center two years ago. Granted, Bogut is no Oden but he isn’t bad and if you draft Oden you have to trade Bogut for a lot less than an number one over all pick. If hte Bucks win the lottery, Durant might be the number one pick.

Ainge isn’t the only draft expert out there. Every GM and scout who knows his stuff is saying the same thing. This draft is deep, and that at the end of the day, the best player could be someone other than Oden or Durant.

Oden and Durant merit the first two picks on potential, but the overhyping of these two by little journalistic minds who don’t actually watch players but instead parrot what someone else thought or said, has been excessive.

I paste a link with some info about Spliter
http://www.acb.com/jugador.php?id=B5P

and the same thing with Rudy Fernández
http://www.acb.com/jugador.php?id=B0X

of course both are in Spanish (sorry).
Personally, I believe Rudy has more potential altough he unlikely will go to the nba next year. In my opinion he is as good as Gerald Green and, for sure, more mature than GG. Anyway, He is not the guy the Celtics need now (another SG).
Spliter is a great defensive player (and almost 7 feet) but, despite he plays in one of the best European teams (Tau Vitoria) since he was 17; and he was trained by the best-hard European coach (Ivanovic), he never was more than a solid PF in Spain. I would not draft him before 10-15.

In response to previous bloggers, Corey Brewer’s name has been frequently mentioned, of late, on this board as a viable #3 selection.

In response to the overall #1 pick, there has been previous speculation in the media about Durant being the #1 pick in the event that the team choosing first has the center position covered, as in the case of the Bucks or Philly etc.

Jefferson and KG were mentioned above. Jefferson is now untouchable. If he weren’t there’s no way I’d trade Al for KG (forgetting all the financial stuff that goes along with it). And speaking of Al, I think next year is his option year. There’s been no talk of extending Al, but I bet it will be looked into and done before next season. I think there’s a $10 mill limit of what he can be paid (not sure), but if Dampier and Dalembert are getting $10 mill, this is the number we’re talking about. Another example of how stupidity of other owners jack up the price for someone who might be gotten for less (not sure that this is true for Al). I believe Al is a $10 mill player in today’s market. Arguably he’s the best low-post player in basketball with possible exceptions of Shaq and Duncan.

Does anybody know if there is a team out there with a multiple picks (with one being top 10)other than Phoenix?

Philadeplphia has muitple picks, including within the top ten

With such a deep draft expected, look for many players and draft picks changing hands this June.

I wouldn’t be surprised if many elite players change teams, especially teams in the middle of the standings trying to improve.

Many teams will be looking to acquire draft picks.

One note, the Second round might be more exciting considering certain types of players dropping lower that would have gone higher in other years.

Roy,

How long are you willing to wait? At best, Wright becomes a player who can fill it up like Pierce… But we already have Pierce and he is in his prime right now.. not to mention Big AL.. at what point do you take off the training wheels???

Waiting for Brandon Wright means wasting Paul Pierce. I would much rather see them trade a 3-5 pick for someone who can play now. This team could be one or two small moves away from contending, adding another project absolutely kills that possiblity.

On a team that can’t play defense, I would think that a guy like Brewer would be a great addition. Drafting Brewer would then make trading Tony Allen or Gerald a whole lot less painful. Gerald Green and Tony Allen and Theo’s contract would probably fetch a decent vet.

“And right now Iâ€â"¢m at the stage where I think almost all the mistakes that are being made on the court are more related to the players than they are to the coach.””

This is one huge aspect where i’am displeased with Ainge. First dumb statement as you never take sides in an org and second players respond to great coaches and players don’t respond to mediocre one

Yes the team is still young but doc has to assert himself better and gain more respect out of his players

Other than that, i found it reassuring he doesn’t have the immense pressure to get 1 or 2. Yes it would be nice but realistically a 38 chance to get 1 or 2 is not the greatest. Like danny said there is alot of good talent 3-5, i think he will take READY guys like he stated which includes (hibbert, horford, brewer, hibbert, julian wright and jianlian)

Brewer at 3 ? in a draft that is big man loaded you want a SG/SF ? to me perkins is a career bench player , a good one at that but he wont amount to anything more. Hell he would probably fecth us only a second round draft pick if anything..

It’s the nature of the beast….as in all draft scenario’s, and especially in a STRONG draft, potential is valued higher than demonstrated production. What? It means that it’s more difficult to pry a draft choice AWAY from a team by trading existing players who have already reached their potential. The draft selectee has “unlimited” potential until he has an opportunity to demonstrate otherwise.

Trading high draft choices (those at the top of a strong draft) creates ulcers for management in that a “potential” Michael Jordan might be given away too cheaply. While this is rarely the case, fans and media usually get caught up in the predraft hype and fall in love with a “media darling”, in this case Oden or Durant or Brewer…….While some Bloggers have strong convictions about previous management decisions, this could be a draft where management vindicates some of their past “sins”….and so goes the hype and speculation about draft choices that could save a franchise…..

Havlicekstoretheball how about brewer at 5? you see i stated 3 to 5

Brewer i think is a huge darkhorse in this draft. 6’9 guy with his skills, honestly he reminds me of a tall Rondo the way he influences the game on both ends

But 3-4 i definitely see Danny not taking many chances and going with Horford, or even a darkhorse like jianlian. Maybe B wright will be a fine player one day, but like he stated the word READY he definitely won’t take him imo

Havilchekstoletheball,

How many times have teams passed on skilled SG/SF types for stiffs because of the whole, “you an only get big men at the top of the draft” canard? Too many times. I gaurentee you that at least one or maybe more of the C PFs in this draft will turn out to be underachieving stiffs. I would hate to get stuck with a stiff when you could have had a SG who can play some point and is a defensive stopper from the first day of camp.

Would any blogger trade the #1 or #2 selection, straight up, for O’Neal? That opportunity may certainly be there come draft time. While the choice seems to be a NO BRAINER, is it?

Triboy : will he bring us over the finishing line ? doubt it.

johnck great pt. michael jordan proves your theory a billion times over

Honestly at this time i would even trade away Gerald Green and Gomes if we draft Brewer. He rebounds, steals, plays hard defense, has underrated offense, shot is decent even extended to the 3 but can be refined, and his block on oden was awsome during the finals

nbadraft states about brewer

"Approaches the game with a blue collar attitude and does all the dirty work with a smile on his face "

i would to have a player like that on the team

btw havlicokstoletheball, what do you propose then?? we have to think about contingent plans in case we don’t get 1 or 2. There isn’t as well many viable big mans we can trade for . So whats your take then?

I dont think Horford is a stiff but dude .. at no 3 i would take him in a heartbeat.

Thanks Danny for the clarification! I can’t tell you how many times I saw lineups like, for example, Tony Allen, Delonte West, Rajon Rondo and Sebastian Telfair surrounding a Ryan Gomes at center and thought “Gee, Doc’s a genius, but these players will find a way to mess up this beautiful lineup. If those slackers would just play well, the other team would never get a rebound.”

Brewer is the only other player besides Oden and Durant worth taking for the Celtics. None of the other guys will be able to have an impact to help take this franchise to the next level…at least not in the next 3-5 years.

Horford will be a good pro—maybe really good—but he will not be on Big Als level, and is not a good complement for Jefferson.

Danny will take who he thinks will be the best ultimately at #3 (Horford or Brewer)not bigvs small

I don’t think Hortford will be a stiff either, but what do I know? One other thing to consider; it takes big men longer to develop an NBA game than wing players. If you want an impact player next year out of the number 3 through 5 picks, you are more likly to get it out of a wing player than a big man. If you think about the rookies not named LaBron who have torn it up in the last few years, they have two things in common, they are wing players who were proven players in college.

Al Horford=Armon Gilliam. Armon was a serviceable pf who played 12 yeara in the league and averaged 14 ppg and 7 rpg for his career. In his best year he was 17-9. He was an average defender. That’s all perfectly acceptable, but it’s not exactly exciting.

That’s what Horford will be. He’s late lotto talent, but not top ten talent.

Hey, a small comment on Ainge and this idea being tossed around that he only has AJ on his record as something positive.

1.Despite the Telfair disaster last year, he makes a deal with Phoenix and gets Rondo. Very strange to grab two point guards. Pretty obvious he wanted to get at least one out of draft and trade the other. He deserves kudos that he hasn’t gotten for getting Rondo

2. Tony Allen and D West. Both late first round picks yet Allen had turned the corner at the time of his injury and D West will at least be a solid back up somewhere for years

3. Al Jefferson

4. Green, Gomes. Two different deals but Gomes can play and is turning himself into a 3. This guys was a second rounder. And gerald is a work in progress but he may even now in a trade have very good value

He did all this, 6 players, with only once having a lotto pick

I think a fair assessment is he has been very good at the draft, if not superb.

Its also fair to say his trades have been poor, although this is also a work in progress because of the market cap maneuvers. He can improve his record by keeping the kids signed or getting a free agent.

Finally, his free agent moves have been damn awful.

I grade him A, D, F in the three categories. He has a chance in the next two years to turn this into A, C, B, by getting a good free agent, and making no trades and not blowing the draft and getting Minnesota’s first pick.

If YI were playing in the US so we could watch him more would he be right there in that top 5 for sure?! Look at players like Nowitzki. Danny is a good talent evaluator and maybe sees something we don’t have the ability to due to location. I can’t believe he has been there multiple times if he wasn’t pretty high on him. Maybe a trade #1 picks scenario down the board accompanied with a veteran is in the works to be able to pick up this kid?!
Brewer also has some thought as well, although I still think you can’t pass on Brandan Wrights talent, in the fact that he is the shut down defender we need. You have to be able to make it tough on players like Wade and Kobe, etc. Prediction here is that TA will never return to his old self and Delonte and Wally are our only 2’s. Delonte is a hustler but a little undersized to play these guys. Wally is just slow… Brewer wouldn’t be a bad choice…

well I must be drowned in kool aid becauise I think two ROSTER moves away gets us contending for a title: Drafting Oden, getting a free agent or trading GG in a probably Large package for a good vet.

Oden, Al, PP, Allen, Rondo start. Camby, Wally, West, Gomes off the bench.

One other thing to consider about Brewer. Imagine a lineup with Rondo, Allen and Brewer on the wings. Granted you could only do that for the ten minutes or so of Pierce being on the bench, but that lineup would give a lot of people a lot of problems. Even when Pierce is in, Rondo Brewer and Pierce would really be able to defend.

Brickowski – im sorta shady on relying on your talent scouting after wanting Boris diaw on this team. a contract year player if i ever saw one.

Go back and visit the thread again. Several others have a similar view of Diaw, whose numbers wnet down because (a) he was hurt earlier in the year, and (b) Amare Stoudamire came back.

I watch Phoenix every chance I get and Diaw is playing as well as he did last year. Great passer too.

“Brewer also has some thought as well, although I still think you can’t pass on Brandan Wrights talent, in the fact that he is the shut down defender we need.”

I could easily pass on Wright, ESPECIALLY for Corey Brewer…who I think will be the best All-Around player in this draft. Wright just isnt that good.

uncn33 – based on what?! Almost every “expert” out there has him in the top 5 with supposedly one of the top drafts in a long time. I have seen the guy play in person, watched a lot of games of his on local TV and he has as much talent and ability as anyone in this draft. He took the back seat a bit to Tyler Hansborough who is one of the most agressive players out there, but if you watched many of his games he was the reason that this young team got a number one seed. He was extremely consistent in his scoring and averaged almost 2 blocks a game. Just saying “he just isn’t that good” is rediculous. You may not like him over Brewer, and I am willing to say that it is worthy of a discussion, but to claim he isn’t very good is just an unfounded comment.

dont sleep on noah

Rondo, allen, brewer and pierce backcourt would be a terribly tough defensive lineup for anyone to play against . Remember also Brewer cannot only defend quicker sg but also guys like nowitski, jamieson thats how versatile of a defender he is.

Jefferson, Brewer, Pierce, Allen, Rondo to me looks like a winning lineup. The key guy will be brewer since he can defend multiple positions, is a great weakside defender, good at double teaming,(though i do us needing to use perk on a guy like shaq), and exceptional rebounder and shot blocker

If we get brewer we could trade GG (though i will miss his shooting and dunk ability from time to time) for a decent big guy like Etan Thomas, Dan Grudzic type of big guy(package deal of course)

I would draft Brewer only if they plan or trade Pierce or if they do not think Tony Allen can come back from his injury. Nice player though.

After Oden and Durant, the guys in this draft who will have the most impact in the NBA, the really “special” players, are Mike Conley, Jr. and Rudy Fernandez. (Yi Jianli may be that type of player but I’ve simply never seen him.) The guy who is a sure bet to step right in and do a man’s job in the frontcourt is Tiago Splitter. He won’t make too many highlight reels but he will shut guys down in the paint.

So figure out what you think the team needs and go from there.

Brick you make a good point about Conley. He could be a Chris Paul type PG. If the Celtics get the fifth pick and all of the sure thing big guys are gone, Conley would be a very nice pick. It take the pressure off of Rondo allowing him to be a defensive specialist off the bench. I think Conley and Rondo would solidify the PG position for a very long time.

At this point, I think the Celtics FO should go about their business assuming Tony Allen will provide no help in the future. Im not saying he is done, and would be more than happy if he was able to come back and be effective…but he is/was a player that relied so much on his athleticism, and after tearing so many parts of his knee, who knows how much of his athleticism he will ever regain?

Brandan Wright has as much talent and potential as anyone in this draft without question—hence, many people predicting him to be a top 5 pick. But whenever I have seen him, I have never been that impressed. I understand that he was a freshman this year, but whenever the game was on the line, he always seemed to disappear on both ends (this is when he actually was in late in close games). He certainly has the physical attributes to be a bigtime player (length, height, and athleticism), but his offensive game…and at times his heart…leave much to be desired.

And one more thing about Wright: I understand that it takes much longer for big men to develop…especially offensively. He is already a plus defender with the potential to be much more than that, but he is a looonnnggg ways away from being a major impact player on the offensive end. Im just not sure the Cs can afford to use their lottery pick on a project offensive player.

Im a big fan of Conley—particularly after watching him this tournament—but I dont think he has the playmaking ability of Chris Paul. He is a tremendously gifted offensive player, and one of those rare guys that had that takeover ability and mindset from day 1, but I dont see him as a dramatic improvement of Rondo.

And besides, if the Cs were to draft Conley, it may even cut into Telfairs much needed minutes ;)

I thought Wright looked pretty passive too, particularly in contrast to Tyler Hansborough. Marvin Williams redux.

I’d rather trade the pick for Josh Smith than draft Brandan Wright. Smith is a jerk with a low BBIQ but at least he plays with some fire in his belly.

I hate Brenden Wright. The guy is so talented he should have dominated college ball on talent alone. He didn’t. It is the same question I always ask about players; if he won’t play hard and dominate before the draft when doing so can get him millions, why on earth would you beleive that he will play hard and dominate once he has those millions? To me Brenden Wright is one of those guys who will do just enough to stay in the league and make millions and not one thing more. I would be shocked if he isn’t the bust of the top ten this year.

Frank,

Splitter isn’t any better than Perk is he?
We don’t have a 2nd round pick this draft?
Nick Young or Byrnes from Vandy?
Fazekas another Van Horn?
Rudy Fernandez any better than Delfino?
Julian Wright or Corey Brewer?
Trade the pick for Devin Harris?

Those comments about Brandan Wright some eerily similar to pre-draft comments about Joe Johnson.

1. Splitter is much better than Perk. He’s perk’s equal defensivey (not quite the bulk but much more lateral quickness). Splitter will take a charge and block shots. His rebounding technique is excellent. He always boxes out and controls a side of the floor. He’s not as wide as Perk, though; I’d guess he goes at around 240-245.

Offensively he’s ten years ahead of Perk. Ambidextrous down low, has a decent midrange jumpshot, and runs the floor really well for a 7 footer. Not a dunker, uses the glass. Can finish on the break. Like Perk, he’s an excellent passer. Smart, experienced.

2. We have pick #32

3. Derrick Byars is from Vanderbuilt. Nick young is from USC. Who is Byrnes?

4. Fazekas is bleh.

5. Rudy Fernandez is better than Delfino.

6. Corey Brewer

7. No.

At this point in time with Pierce about ready to explode and demand a trade and with the team suffering through two lottery bound seasons watching young guys develop, I don’t see how the Celtics could possibly Wright, a six foot ten PF who weighs 210 lbs and will get muscled around for at least a year before he is any where near strong enough to defend in the NBA over someone like Brewer or Conley or Noah who is ready to contribute immediately. Unless you are going to trade Pierce and start completely over, I can’t see how Wright is a good pick.

I think Splitter is significantly better than Perkins (speaking about basketball, not weightlifting)and for sure Rudy Fernández is better than Delfino (in two years he could be some close to Ginobili when rookie).
The problems with Rudy are: his buyout, the fact that he did not win any title in Europe yet (and he wants to win at least one), and more important, he can get great contracts in Europe before going to the States.
Additionally, I would like to have Devin Harris in this team. But I´m sure we are going to draft Oden so…

If the Celtics picked Noah with a top 5 pick, I would most certainly demand a trade if I were Pierce. While he is the complete opposite of Wright in regards to his heart, energy, enthusiasm, etc, I expect him to have similar, mediocre production in the NBA. He would make for a great backup at either post position, but (like Wright) unless he improves a lot—make that A LOT on the offensive end, he is not what the Celtics need to help take them to the next level (and the Celtics are already 2 major levels away from being a championship contender).

Acie Law is the sleeper of this draft…

UNC33,

Then why not take Brewer or Conlie? Each of them address a huge need on the team (PG and defense) and each of them are ready to contribute right now and have huge upside. That sounds a lot better to me than a big guy who may or may not turn out to be better than Perkins and Al.

I have stated in several of my posts this past week that after Oden or Durant, Brewer is the guy that I would take in a heartbeat over anyone else. While he may not be the perfect complement for Pierce offensively, he literally does EVERYTHING on the basketball court on BOTH ends of the floor. I think he will be an All-Star and the best all around player in this draft…and I truly believe he could end up being the BEST player in this draft.

I like Conley a lot, but I still have some skepticism about his ability to run a team, and how much of an improvement he would actually be over Rondo. He is a tremendously talented player—particularly offensively—and is one of those rare guys that is willing to take over a game..even as a freshman in the NCAA tournament. I think he could be a great player for some team, but Im not sure it would be on the Celtics.

Frank,

I meant Byers, couldn’t remember the name. Glad to hear we have #32. Someone told me we traded it. So Fezekas is another Van Horn. Bleeehhh. Since we can’t decide on which “big” to take hows about we trade with Sacremento for Brad Miller and their pick and then select Brewer or Conley. Miller & Conley/Brewer. yep!!!!

B. wright is a player i do not want. He is passive against tough competition. How many times has this kid been told this through media, scouting report and he still doesn’t get mad and act up. If national comment won’t change your play what will, i dunno(mark blount syndrome). Like the other commenter said he will just stroll by but thats about it(one stat i can’t believe is that he is 6’10 with 7’4 reach and got 10 rebounds only three times the whole year). Not hating on the guy, but with his potential, he should be DOMINATING big time

Tiago Splitter got rocked by Marc Gasol which basically frogleaped gasol. Splitter is too skinny rite now to be effective in the nba

I would not draft conley jr, because we already got rondo. Conley jr will be an above avg pg in the nba but nothing spectacular. Even rondo has a higher ceiling in my opinion

Honestly i have my money on that 3-5 danny will take brewer. Think about ainge type of players such as banks, allen, west, rondo all hard working guys, good defenders and fundemental sound(cept banks which was a risk). Brewer and Horford for sure are high on his list.

  Bah, nobody mentioned Hibbard and if Oden and Durant are gone, I’d take him in a heartbeat. Mutombo with an offense! However, I also know nada about Yi except the Danny went at least TWICE to look at him.

ucn33- don’t trip there backpedaling so fast. It is a big shift from “he’s just not that good” to “he has as much talent and potential as anyone in this draft”… You don’t have to think he is the pick for them, but don’t make a rash statement that the guy is no good just to try and elevate Brewer. I think Brewer will be a very solid player and wouldn’t be upset if we picked him. He will never be an all-star caliber player in my opinion though, so if we have the chance to get a future potential superstar you do that. 2-3 guards are a dime a dozen. A player who is a big 3 and could eventually be great and be the replacement for Pierce is something you shouldn’t pass on. To do what he did as a freshman against the caliber of players he played against says something. If he takes 2-3 years to become great then that is perfect timing as Pierce goes out the door. Oden and Durant are likely the only players with the ability to step in and dominate from the start and even they are not guarantees.

JohnCK – Why would you consider Wright a PF. He is a 3 for his career. He will never weigh the 250-260 he needs to have on him to play that position. We are already set with Big Al there. I see him as a Tayshaun Prince type player. He is 6-9 and 215. I’d trade a lot for Prince. He does so much for the Pistons. His defensive help from the weakside, his shotblocking and steals. He doesn’t need plays run for him but scores 14.5 per game. He is a big reason they won championships. Doesn’t get the glory, but crucial. That’s the role Wright played with UNC last year. He’d make us a much better team and has more upside than Prince. He also was a freshman this year. I don’t think anyone would say that Oden exactly dominated this last year either… Durant did, but not Oden. ( I still take either one of them though if they are available.)

forgot about Hibbert. guess if you want to got he can’t teach size route.

I like Hibbert a lot, but I dont think hes the guy to take in the top 5. He obviously has great height (hes a legit 7’2), he is very skilled for a big man (ever seen a guy his size shoot FTs so well?!), and his is an exceptional passer from the post. He is also a hardworker who seems to improve every time he steps foot onto the basketball court (ever see how attrocious he was as a frosh?!).

But he is also extremely slow and unathletic, and his talent and ability would only be utilized to its fullest extent if her were to plain in a structured system (aka definitely not a team coached by Doc). While I think he could make a very solid center for a contending NBA team, I dont think hes the best pick for the Cs…as his limited upside would not make him the player that would help take the Celtics to the next level.

As Ive said before, its Oden, Durant, Brewer, or TRADE!

Right now, I just dont think Wright is that good. He most certainly has the potential to be, but he hasnt shown the heart or work ethic during games (or from what Ive read about him during practice) that indicates he will drastically improve during his tenure in the NBA.

And usually small forwards are capable of shooting, dribbling, passing, and some of those other basic basketball abilities. Wright doesnt possess much of any of those. He will play for most of his career (except for occasional instances when he fills in at the 3 or 5)…and a career which I dont think will be very good…at the power forward position.

On the other hand, I DO think Brewer will be an All-Star…and while the Tyshaun Prince comparison is most certainly a good one, I think Brewer has more upside and is more polished at this time than Prince was at this stage of his career. Im not looking at Brewer as being a replacement for Pierce, but someone who can slide right in the lineup alongside Paul (and we can use GG to bring in a legitimate center—no knock on Perk, who will be a real solid player and who works as hard as he can to get everythying he can get out of his physical ability). Brewer would do all the little things and dirty work that Pierce cannot…and he may be a pretty good scorer in the future as well!

I think Hibbert is every bit the prospect Andrew Bogut was. Bogut went for 12 and 8 last year and shot 55% from the floor. I think Hibbert would give you at least that and be a better defender. As far as him not being athletic, he is huge, has great body control and a real back to the basket game. That is better than a lot of big men in the NBA right now. Yeah, he won’t be the next Hakeem, but he will be pretty good. I can see how someone would want him over Hortford or Noah.

I’ve always like Noah. have slowed a bit on him though lately. But whoever said that Danny could be looking at him as a running big to go with Rondo, etc. could have a point. He would provide D and effort. If there’s a way we can get Varajo realistically then i would probably forget about drafting Noah.

   Unless there is a major shakeup, the Celtics need a PF or C. All this talk about about Brewer being the pick is silly. We have at least 4 guys who can play the 3 and barely 1 that can be a center. Many of these college players, I only saw in the tournament, and Hawes I didn’t see at all, but at 3,4, and 5 there will many big men available. Somebody on Celtics Stuff Live said he’d take Hawes if he were the Celtics with the 3rd pick. I’ve heard people say Hibbert is a stiff, but he’s huge, and is a very intimidating presence in the paint, and he showed some surpising offensive quickness in the tournamnet. That certainly sounds like a guy we could use.
   Whatever the pick, I think most of us will trust Ainge to make a good pick. Any pick lower than #1 should put Pierce in play. I think there is going to be more than a couple multi team deals this summer, as teams get more fiscally responsible, and others think they are close to contending

JohnK, I dont disagree with anything you have said. Hibbert would be the perfect pick in the 10-15 range, and I certainly think he could be the starting center for the Celtics. However, if the Cs have a top 3-5, Im not sure how you can justify picking a player with as limited upside as Hibbert. If Ainge made a trade with a team to get Hibbert in the later lottery, then I would be all for it!

Why is talking about picking Brewer silly, considering he could be 3 times the player than any of the current 3s the Celtics have (Pierce excluded if you count him as a small forward).

I dont post on here that often (I read a lot) and I dont know if anyone has said this yet. But. Dont you think that by stating his belief that this team as constituted is a playoff team next year. Is Ainge’s subtle way of saying that he may draft for potential again? If the lottery plays out that he has to?

I really believe that with Al Wally and Paul that we can be a low end playoff team next year. Without adding any major veterans.

That said I would hate to pass up the chance to acquire a high end talent that would need a coupe of years to develop. Unless we could acquire an MVP type player in return.

I will not be very upset to see them make the selection at 3-5 and keep the kid they get. I think this team is on the way up as constituted and would hate to see them make a rash move.

The Celtics need a wing who can defend who is 6-7 or better AND a frontcourt player who can defend and who is 6-10 or better. Hopefully they can fill one need in the draft and the other via trade. The don’t need any more scorers who can’t defend. They’ve got too many of those already, starting with Zoolander.

Wallys better days (if there was actually better days for that stiff) are done. That knee isnt gonna get a whole lot better, and while its usually relaistic to think that the ankles should heal over the offseason, one can only wonder if the ankle injury will have a lingering effect on one or both of his ankles.

It was good to hear that Danny is sofetening the expectation of 1 or 2; 40% odds is not as good as 60% not getting 1 or 2.
the media does that every time; Media: there are only 3 fanchise players in the draft, then Bosh at 4 looks pretty good to me. In football, Media: if we don’t get the first 2 defensive lineman then that is it, then the Pats take Seymour as the third one; Media: only 5 top defensive lineman in this draft, Pats take Warren as the 6th; NBA – Nash at 17, Bryant at 13, Nowitski at 9, 3 of the best players on this planet. Every drat has the same sampling.
1 or 2 could be a blessing for value that the Celts did not expect prior to the season starting and Oden looks to be a keeper, but if they don’t get them, do get a big guy like Yi, Horford, or splitter. They have good hands and big (can’t coach them to be big)can play a high post for Al’s low post; you would also have a nice 3 big man rotation which is a major weakness right now.

I think the Celtics will draft the kid from China with the #3 pick – the kid Ming predicts is going to be even better than him.

I hope (if he’s still available, and I doubt he will be)the Celtics pick the stud from Vandy – SEC player of the year nobody really seems to mention much

there ya go

Three trips to China? Like it or not, China isn’t exactly around the corner. Must be a 22 hour flight to get there. Question: Why would Danny go to such extremes if he wasn’t interested? The answer has got to be that he is interested and the number of trips suggests that he’s gauging his “level of interest”. I expect he’s in Danny’s top 5.

I know from Mike Gorman’s comments that the Celtics also like Brewer. A second player was mentioned by Mike but my wall clock started to chime just as Mike mentioned the name and I didn’t hear who the third player was.

Danny appears to be covering all options based on where we pick. I’m assuming that we’d take either Oden or Durant if the opportunity presented.

As for other players mentioned on this blog, while they are talented and might look good in a Celtic’s uniform, until we hear that Danny is casting his eyes in their direction, smart money goes with those mentioned above (add the player’s whose name I didn’t get to hear).

What’s all this favorable sh*t about 3rd and 4th best draft picks?

Whatever happened to the bloggers I used to know? Where’s the pessimism, huh? Where’s the bitterness?

When there is a 60% statistical chance that we won’t be picking 1st or 2nd, logic demands that we prepare ourselves to select 3, 4, or 5. Thus the blogger’s preoccupation with likely selectees at 3, 4, or 5.

The bitterness and disappointment at possibly not selecting 1st or 2nd is lessened by the quality of remaining players still on the board. The true star in this draft won’t necessarily be taken 1st or 2nd and that possibility keeps everyone guessing.

Moskqq, I was only kidding.

You’re one of the regulars; don’t you think this thread has been remarkably positive for the guys around here?

I think you’ll get the bitterness after we find out we’re picking 3rd or 4th! VT Bill, I agree the C’s need a big but I’d rather see them take a wing who will be a top level talent vs a so-so player but taken just cause he’s a “big”. Hawes may be a possibility but if Brewer can defend at the NBA level like he’s shown in college he would be a huge help to us. Our wings aren’t really that good of defenders with the exception of Allen and we don’t know how he will bounce back. All that said I think Julian Wright will turn out to be one of the, if not the best, players taken out of this draft.

Re no kidding…Yes, the tenor on this drafting subject, although spirited, lacks the bitterness and subjectivity previously directed at management and is a welcome RELIEF!

I agree with Danny we are a playoff team next year if healthy. Thus the playere we select if not 1 or 2 can have talent with lots of potential. So we should take the best player available if drafting 3-5. Wright and Brewer are my two choices right now.

I suspect if we take back Marcus Banks and kurt Thomas we might be able to get phoenix pick in a trade if atlanta is not in the top three. Phoenix wants to cut payroll and bank and the pick would do the trick but we would have to give up a second rounder this year and a first next year. plus gomes telfair For my part I would do it and trade banks later if i had to. he could get the message the second time around. with Phoenix pick we could have both Wright and Brewer. Wow!

Brewer? Wow!

Wright? Why?!

Enjoy! Bloggers, enjoy! I move to Dubai in Oct and as I understand it the Celtics play some pre-season in Italy so I will go watch. Until then every scenario seems to get more and more aggravating. So I will read but wait to comment until after May 22nd.

Truth be told there are only two sports I enjoy, Football and basketball therefore on the day of the Lottery I will be at the evil empire’s home watching some baseball as my last baseball game for about four years.

Enjoy! Good luck Celts!