Keeping The Pick?

lets just hope we can land AK if we take Yi at the 5th

yea i just read this on espn. It says that Ainge is very poitive that the pick he makes at #5 can come in right away and really help the team next year. To me that means Brewer or Green ,but I really hope that it is yi if we keep the pick

Amen. Is there any way we can get this in writing? Maybe something legal drawn up. I bought into the Celtics “lets build with youth” plan last year. It would be disapointing to throw it all away, and trade for an aging veteran.

Stern: “With the 5th pick, the Boston Celtics select Yi Jianlian from Tsingdao, China.”

This is the best bit of news I have read in the last week. Be patient, fans. By the end of the season, he will be a real contributor to our team. No more small ball.

They shouldn’t pick Brewer or Green unless they’re trading Gerald Green or Paul Pierce. We already have enough depth with Wally, allen, and West. They will either pick Yi or Noah (because Horford will be gone).

mcpu40 said:

"The year to KEEP the pick, Ainge trades it for Telfair.

The year to TRADE the pick, Ainge keeps it and drafts: ?"

This years draft is far better than the last. Besides, as been stated here by many posters, even if Danny had kept the 7th last year, there was a high possibility that he takes Rondo with it.

In other words: “Atlanta has totally stolen whatever leverage my desperation had failed to dissipate, so let’s try this.”

I think Ainge likes Yi and Horford and knows that one or both will be there. He also knows that Pierce has no leverage. I am actually happy about this. Better a good rookie than some aging overpaid vet. Further, Theo’s contract will still be there come the trade deadline. Further, Wally’s contract will almost be an expiring contract in Feburary and unlike Theo, he could actually help a team. This to me just means that the reports of the Celtics panicing are not true. I really resent Bill Simmons for his “the Celtics have paniced and everyone knows it” line he gave during his chat. His “NBA sources” told him that. It would be nice if it in fact turns out that Ainge doesn’t panic and make a stupid deal that Simmons would admit he was wrong. Fat chance.

Would someone please make the room stop spinning??? :o

Why would you resent someone for reporting what nearly anybody can see with their own eyes? Maybe Danny’s had a flight of sanity and decided that while the team might be marginally better with Marion, the cap hit of an aging wingman is just too great to take. But something makes me doubt that.

Although Gibbs (Redskins)once said; never, never, never believe rumors pre-draft from any team in any sport; I will believe Ainge’s latest statement and indulge myself this time in the belief that we will use our 5th pick wisely tomorrow night. God have mercy on us.

He’s going to take Yi, although he should take Noah. Just what we need: a 7 foot small forward who can’t play defense. Time to start thinking about who will declare early for the ’08 draft.

All I can say is they better do a sign and trade for Rashard Lewis if they are keeping the pick because I cannot stand for waiting another 2-3 years because as I recall Danny said he had a 3 year plan and that was 4 years ago. I WANT RASHARD LEWIS because with the Minny pick which will be a great one coming soon we can afford to sign him and at least get to the playoffs and win a round or 2 while we wait for Yi or Jeff Green and Al to develop into a viable 5,4 combo. If the Cs don’t do this and end up missing the playoffs again I am done with this team and since I am moving to Florida in October I will change my allegiance to Miami or Orlando. Good riddance

OJ Mayo will look good in GREEN

well then you’re not really a true fan if you can change your allegiance so easily , dont you remember how great it felt when the red sox won it all in 04 after years of hardship . A true fans sticks it out through thick and thin. You clearly arent a real fan so good riddance to you

Does anyone think this may be some posturing, maybe weak at that, that Danny A. might be taking? Saying he is staying put, to hopefully force some of the other teams to sweeten a deal for him? Just trying to think of all possibilities.

Good to see so many fair weather fans coming out of the woodworks. [/snark]

Rashard Lewis sucks and blows simultaneously.

Seriously, how much cap money do you want to tie into a PF who doesn’t rebound or play D? What has he done in Seattle to prove he can be a key piece to a WINNING team?

He has been the #2 guy on the team with the 5th worst record. What makes you think the Celtics will do any better with him as the #2 guy here?

No thanks. I want winners.

John CK, agreed. I mean who needs a sorry from Simmons but clearly all the info spewed forth from “sources” has to be taken with a grain of salt. From the beginning Danny has drafted and likes to draft so why stop now. Last year’s trade may have even been owner driven. It is amazing to see little blurbs hit the net and CelticsBlog goes crazy with feedback, both positive and negative, on what Ainge is doing. Of course he’s listening to offers and I’m sure his reply today about keeping the pick was to the millionth question he’s taken about it in the last week. He’s staying the course and we will end up with either Yi or Noah (probably if Yi is off the board).

seems to be a sign he’ll take Yi if he’s available. my point being, sounds like we’re picking at five, but could be trading that player in the near future. Yi is by far the most salable of any of the dudes we’re considering…

Has anyone checked out the DraftExpress profile for Yi?

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=44

Pros:
1. Excellent pick ‘n pop shooter from 19’ in
2. Good first step
3. Excellent leaping ability and athleticism

Cons:
1. Lacks strength and was easily pushed around by college players like Anthony Miles (6’-9" from Xavier) and Chris Porter (6’-7" from Auburn) in workouts around the basket
2. Poor rebounder
3. Doesn’t make good decisions on defense

Am I crazy, or does Yi begin to sound like a 7’ Chinese version of Gerald Green?

i don’t know what danny will do but i guess he has a strong idea of who’s available and who he’ll pick if he picks. horford would be nice-doubt if he’s available. yi is a question mark but not as much for danny because he scouted him. brewer is good if he is shopping paul and danny has worked out a full range of players from the top to bottom. i have to give him credit for putting in the work.

He’ll make the pick THEN trade it July 1.

This means nothing…what else can he say…"Ah…gee…I’ve been offered too much for the 5 pick, and until I get a lesser offer, I’m sticking with this piece of _!

McHale has far more pressure on him. Stay patient!

I like a pick of Yi and not to trade him either.

Man, these past couple weeks have been too much. It all makes me painfully aware that I need therapy. I’ve just been hoping and praying that we make it to draft day without having blown up our core/future. For all you impatient ones out there, you must understand that relevancy is relative. If we win, we will be relavent. And you don’t trade a 22 year-old big man who is one of the best young low post scorers in the game (if not the best) for an aging superstar that can opt out in a year. ESPECIALLY when said team has sucked for so long. Big Al is the future, Big Al is hope – the first true bit we’ve had in a very, VERY long time. You don’t trade him for anyone not named “pick 1,” “pick 2,” or “Lebron.”

Now, it would be GREAT to add a good veteran to the mix, but only if the price is right. Why do we have to be the team that MUST make a move? We have a great young core that has been gaining experience and chemistry TOGETHER. If we had a real coach I don’t see why we couldn’t compete for the East next year. If we “need” to make a move, any move, it should be to fire Doc…everything else is just posturing.

I am about as optimistic that Yi will fulfill expectations as I was the Big Al would.

Let’s go with Yi.

7 feet tall, 250, athletic, with an unblockable shot.

Best of all, we don’t have to give anything up to get him!!!!!

MetroGlobe, I hear ya.

Stick to the plan Danny. It isn’t on schedule but it is a solid plan. No rent-a-veterans like Rodney Rogers (oops,Rashard Lewis). No traded away youth-blossoms-into-star like Joe Johnson (oops, Gerald Green). No more lead casket contracts (Raef LaFrentz).
Danny, you’ve done a nice job dealing away our problems (Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, Dan Dickau) but not so good dealing in keepers (Dan Dickau, Sebastian Telfair, Jumaine Jones, Jiri Welsch).

Just once I’d like to see a GM or coach stand in front of the media and tell a player like Pierce to shut his piehole and put him in his place. Let him know publically that he is not the Celtics. He is not the Coach or the GM. He is a player who is paid rediculous amounts of money because he is tall and athletic and is owed nothing other than the contract cash he signed. If he squawks then sit his sorry butt at the end of the bench for a few games until he acts like an adult. If he causes trouble then suspend him for conduct detrimental… and he will quickly straighten up or will lose what he is most interested in… Cash. If he wasn’t, he woudln’t have signed an extension for max money with us way ahead of when he needed to. Don’t bend and trade him. Make him live up to the contract he signed or let him be the highest paid 12th man in the NBA.

No doubt is a good draft to be a part of. Last year Ainge had a healthy Tony Allen and really needed help at the point. This year is very different. Why do people lump Green and Brewer together. With questions about Allen’s recovery and an aging Pierce I think you have to take Brewer who can play 2 or 3. Green has not improved significantly over the last 3 years, what you see is what you get. I hope Doc does not get his way. I say Brewer or Yi and hope that is he takes Yi he can trade up for Young or Thorton.

to be continued….(new website is not so friendly yet)
Danny, stick to your strength…finding value in the draft. It seems to me that Horford plays Al’s position and if one position is filled that’s it. I like Noah’s intangibles. Noah can learn to shoot. Mark Blount did. And he is no Mark Blount otherwise. But if you say Yi then I’m with you.
Pierce is not the headcase, I bet, that the media wants to claim. He’s staring at big bucks and not many other places will take it on so he can be unhappy in Boston or with the program in Boston. I don’t see the Pierce of three years ago anymore. I see a pretty good teamate.

I really hate the beating that Danny has been taking from the media as well as celtic fans. He hasn’t made a single move, yet is criticized for the rumors that are being thrown out there. I truly believe that the Celtics are in much, much better shape today then when he took over. We should be thankful to have him as a GM. I really hope that the draft goes well because even if the pick is average or even above average, people will hang danny. He pretty much has to draft Jordon or LeBron for people to let up. Enough rambling…to sum it up…I’m glad Danny is our GM.

Let’s hope Ainge means it. If he ever traded Al Jefferson, who is probably the fan favorite on the team now ahead of Pierce, and the Celtics did not win the East or come close, Danny might as well hand in his resignation and get out of town before the restless natives string him up.

I’d like to see him take Noah, who plays defense and would be a great compliment to Jefferson, but I can live with Yi, Brewer, Conley or even Brandon Wright. Just don’t come back from NYC with Telfair, part 2 (Shawn Marion).

Yi = Wang Zhi Zhi = bustaroo

B Wright can cause some havic at the 3 with his length … he should be there at 5

Hop on the Chinese Train! Here comes Yi!!!

What this likely means is that McHale and the inexperienced Steve Kerr got greedy, and so did Marion and his agent, so they couldn’t put anything together out in Phoenix.

McHale must be really upset. Instead of getting the real prize (Jefferson), he will have to settle for #3, #11 and a bunch of crap: Kurt Thomas, Marcus Banks, ZaZa, Lorenzen Wright et. al. I hope the picks are worth it lol.

Meanwhile, the Suns lose their second-best player and will pay more rather than less luxury tax in 2008-2009. Way to go Steve Kerr!

People get carried away on draft night. Funny things happen. Ainge has to be ready to pounce when mistakes are made.

Who knows? Maybe McHale drafts Yi at #3, Horford goes at #4 and Ainge comes to his senses and takes Conley. As soon as he does, the phone will ring and Kevin Pritchard will be on the line offering Zach Randolph (which will be refused) and then LaMarcus Aldridge for Conley’s rights. So that pick may make sense even if the Celtics do not plan to keep Conley.

Green has only been with the C’s for 2 years: 1/2 of 1 was spent in the NBDL. Under the current eligibility rules, last year would’ve been Green’s rookie year where he averagd 10.4ppg in 22mpg. Sure he has some things to work on, but there will be quite a few teams doing backflips if the 2/3 guys they pick in this year’s draft manage to have as good a year as GG did last year.

This idea that GG has been on the C’s for a long time and shown no improvement is just wrong.

dobbs is right on the money. s-m-o-k-e-s-c-r-e-e-n, spell it with me now.

I don’t get why people hang on every word Ainge says in these instances. What reason could he possibly have to come out and claim that the Celtics are sticking with #5, other than it being some sort of posturing? Because he wants the fans to be able to sleep at night? Sorry, somehow I don’t think that’s it. Comments like this shouldn’t make you bat even an eyelash, unless what you’re saying to yourself is “hey now, I think he’s trying to throw people off track.” It means very little in relation to reality…just another rumor, as far as I’m concerned.

All that matters is what actually happens tomorrow night (or July 1st).

Brickowski – “Who knows? Maybe McHale drafts Yi at #3, Horford goes at #4 and Ainge comes to his senses and takes Conley. As soon as he does, the phone will ring and Kevin Pritchard will be on the line offering Zach Randolph (which will be refused) and then LaMarcus Aldridge for Conley’s rights.”
 
I don’t know how the Portland GM can be serious when he says they want to keep Randolph but if he really is, Aldridge for Conley at the #5 is such an obvious good deal for both teams. Even if Conley doesn’t turn out better than Jarret Jack, they keep Oden happy. The Celts need that third big (no, Scal does not count) and Portland can’t keep Aldridge happy as he plays the 20 minutes a game Oden and Zach are on the bench.

Mike

Assuming this is NOT a smoke screen:

Let’s draft Yi because:

Yi’s upside is Dirk

&

We’re not trying to win the Atlantic, we are trying to win the Eastern Conference and upset a better Western Conference Team. Therefore drafting a nice player who is ‘ready now to contribute’ would be a mistake.

“Ainge has to be ready to pounce when mistakes are made.” – haha, Brick. That’ll be a case of a tiger chasing his own tail.

I am resigned to us losing either the pick or Jefferson or both. Horford or Conley could slide (and both would help this team immensely) and we’ll have some horrific trade already in place and wind up with some crap-tacular fading veteran to put next to Paul Hog.

This team is such a complete disaster.

Smoke, smoke and more smoke still.

I do not understand this boards infatuation with Yi. Why do the celtics need another scorer who cannot play defense or rebound very well? Before Paul Pierce got injured this team had one major issue, DEFENSE! The C’s are one of the better scoring team’s in the league and have a bunch of solid to very good scorers in: Al, PP, Wally, GG, even Delonte. We have one good to very good defender who happens to be coming back from ACL surgery. I guess Perk is probably an above average man to man defender as well, with maybe the same being said for rondo. Other than that no one else can be considered a good defender. Pick Brewer, or I can’t believe I’m saying this, Noah, or even Green is probably an upgrade defensively over most players on the Team. Not Yi who can’t defend to save his life.

Yi,Noah, Brewer or green, these are four players that can step right in
and contribute immediately.
Wright, conley and Hawes need to sit as rookies
1 Oden
2 Durant
3 Horford or if smart conley
4 conley this is memphis true need
5 yi
wright hawes brewer and noah left on board and thats just the first tier
we really could use one more pick in top 10

You can’t believe anything. These writers are keeping themselves busy and important keeping these dead stories going. The Celtics quickly dismissed the J ONeal for Al and #5, a stupid trade, and yet it kept appearing for 2 days. The KG to PHX trade was treated like Boston was a good will basket. Just take what you need and leave behind what you don’t.

If Yi is as quick and agile as they say, can shoot midrange great, and is 7’ / 245 lbs, why not? It should be Yi or Noah tomorrow night, and Ainge will take the right one. If Yi goes 3, Conley will be there, and Ainge will have a decision to make. Take Conley and flip him, ot take him and sort it out later, or take Noah. #32 will also be a good player. Taurean Green, Zabian Dowdell, and the Finn are all good PG candidates.

Anyone thinking Brewer is going to move right in and be a shut down defender is living on fantasy Island. He’s 6-8 / 185 lbs, with a shot that needs development. He’s no immediate impact either.

I like Yi, but that means we haven’t seen the worst defense that our team can put together.

I’ll bet both Noah and Connely got high grades from the brain doctor. Ainge will pick one of those two. If they are both available, go with Noah.

Make it STOP!!!!!!!!!! I think the waters boiling and the kids need dinner.

I don’t think this is a smokescreen at all. I think it means that Ainge is not close to a deal right now. No big deal involving Garnett is happening before July 1 anyway.

I also think Pierce will keep his mouth shut until training camp. He and his agent both know that a public trade demand will make it harder, not, easier, for the Celtics to trade him, especially to a place that he might want to go. So there may be some ultimatums, but they will be private.

tashaun Prince stepped in as a rookie and played shut down d
brewer can do the same thing

I think pick Green.

I think Jeff Green will be a disappointment.

Jeff Green will be a solid pro, but he really doesn’t excite me. If we were picking a few spots later, I wouldn’t be as blah about him.

Brewer is overrated.

I agree with you Brick that McHale and Kerr were stupid as well as Marion. Boston was perfect spot for Marion. I don’t what the guy wants. A line up of Rondo, Pierce, Marion, Jefferson and Perkins with Wally, West, Allen and Powe off the bench could have been a semifinalist or better in the East. Marion could then have taken 17 million a year from the Celtics next year, the pressure to give him big money after the first decent year the Celtics have had since 2002 would have been tremendous. Meanwhile the Suns and the Wolves would have made out like bandits. As it is, Marion is stuck in Pheonix as the third best player and will not be resigned for max money. He will have to take whatever he can get on the free agent market which is by definition less than what Boston would have paid him. What a moron.

As it is, the Celtics will be better off with an impact rookie this year than Marion and like I said above, by the time the trade deadline rolls around Theo and especially Wally even Pierce will be more valuable than they are today. The Celtics still have a great shot to make a good deal and a lot better deal than they could make right now. Patience.

For those who are comparing Yi to an over-hyped Gerald Green, let me suggest one thing. (And this isn’t to knock Gerald, who may yet develop into a solid player.) But can you imagine Gerald traipsing around China and having a surprising good command of the Chinese language?

You don’t have to be the Brain Doctor to value intelligence.

Pick Noah at Five
Ponytail a whip weapon
Dunk, Joakim, dunk

Everyone says DEFENSE, but the winner is always the one with the most points at the end of the game. We hired Clifford Ray to work with our Bigs. Red Auerbach told Danny sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make.

That being said, even though our guys tried last year with PP out, they couldn’t score any points! I think we need a tall PF/C/SF who can hit the midrange jumper consistency so they can’t double AJ and PP and spread the floor. If that type isn’t available, then he’s likely going for the guy who has the most well rounded game who has consistently shown improvement and a good attitude.

The guys who concentrate on being the best defenders are usually out there to neutralize the other team’s best scorer but if they aren’t an offensive threat themselves, then the team suffers because the other team doubles up your best players. How many times has PP and AJ been double and triple teamed? Yes, get the guy who can put the basketball in the hoop and has a high IQ and is WILLING to LEARN to play defense.

Noah has no offensive game and no true position. I can’t see us taking him – He wasn’t asked to guard Oden, Horford was.

a shawn marion/paul pierce combo isn’t good enough to get us past the second round of the playoff so why bother

— keep the pick and forget about trading for a veteran

— ship out paul and get the best offer available, even if it’s only salary cap relief

Has anyone checked out the DraftExpress profile for Yi?

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=44

Pros:
1. Excellent pick ‘n pop shooter from 19’ in
2. Good first step
3. Excellent leaping ability and athleticism

Cons:
1. Lacks strength and was easily pushed around by college players like Anthony Miles (6’-9" from Xavier) and Chris Porter (6’-7" from Auburn) in workouts around the basket
2. Poor rebounder
3. Doesn’t make good decisions on defense

Am I crazy, or does Yi begin to sound like a 7’ Chinese version of Gerald Green?

lol this sounds like a more amicable version of mark blount

i would love to see the c’s trade #5 for aldridge. we would have to throw in someone. he’s big,can play d, but would portland bite? if the c’s draft conley, watch out.

I’ve had some deep thoughts about this, but I take Spencer Hawes, as a Freshman he has more growing within himself. Tough choice to make with the 5th pick, either that or trade down to 9-11 to grab him.

Right now if you think about it, anyone they grab from this draft is not going to start for this team, the way Doc handles his players, so why not take the chance with someone who is a 7 footer and can do the little things around the basket. He can score and block shots… he needs to improve bulking up his body….

Sorry, but this is my pick….5th or not

I truly believe that the Celtics would have made the playoffs last year (7th or 8th seed) if Paul Pierce, Tony Allen, Wally and Perk had stayed healthy then we would have won 35-38 games. Now we have those guys hopefully coming back, Big Al, Rondo, Gerald Green, and Ryan Gomes got lots of playing time last year. I think with Tony Allen, Perk, and Rondo we have 3 top notch Defensive Players at the 1, 2/3, and 5 spots. If you can get Marion you’re going to become much better than a decent team in the East. Marion can cover every position except Center world class. His shooting doesn’t get enough credit and his numbers without Nash are awesome as well, he averaged his second best PPG 21.2 without him in 2003, and second best assist 2.3, and his rebounds were in line 10 per game (give or take a decimal). Marion is arguably the most underrated player in the game and if we can put him in that defensive lineup of TA, Perk, and Rondo it’ll be as good defensively as any team outside of the Spurs, and Pistons.

This Green talk is making me nervous. Why Green, we have more undersized players at pf than we can manage and sf is packed because Pierce can’t guard a lot of the sg’s. We either need a Cory Brewer, a legit 6’10" pf or a center so Jefferson can play pf. Green is good; but what you see is what you get with him. He has not improved that much over the last few years.

One hates to overrate the aspect of height, but there’s no getting around it. We’re presently a short team. Draft tall.

well, I have no idea what Yi brings to the table. Brewer is skinny skinny. Noah is too much of a role player at #5. I thought Green with his size and skills would be a nice pick up. But he certainly isnt the sexiest choice entertainment wise. That would be Yi, if for no other reason than nobody has any real idea what they are going to get with him. Oh, he played in China. He is here now, but he wont compete against anybody except 5 foot trainers and chairs. Talk about a possible bust! Conley? I think he will be gone by 5. Is it just me or is this draft not as loaded as everyone says it is?

I could say a ton, so I’ll limit it to bullet points. In summary:

• By now we should learn not to believe a word Danny says. Sometimes a good thing, sometimes not.
• That said, I believe Danny will work the phones till the bitter end. Just hope he doesn’t panic.
• I usually agree with Brick on most things. Not this time — except Conley’s my pick.
• That said, go for defense in this draft, in order: Green, Noah, Brewer, Horford, THEN Yi.
  (No Kidding: “Draft tall” brought us Acie Earl, Michael Smith and Jerome Moiso. Easy does it, big fella! LOL.

Amend that statement to say that, if Conley ain’t there, go for those other guys.

If we keep the 5th pick and draft Yi or Brewer, I’ll be lighting up a cigar!

Let’s just not forget that Doc is still the coach … I’m not sure that anything the C’s do in the draft is really going to matter that much next year, as even if the player has Lebron-like ability Doc wouldn’t play him.

I think they’re going to take Noah