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2012 draft picks Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo and Kris Joseph at the Jackson Mann/Horace Mann Complex in Allston, MA instagram.com/p/MlQe5UGwQs/
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 2, 2012
Some interesting tidbits from the press conference:
It sounds like Danny expects these guys to contribute right away, saying that they'll be on a "speed course." If free agency plays out like Danny wants it to and he can successfully "get the band back together," the rookies will have to use both summer leagues and training camp to catch up with the rest of the team. In pre-draft profiles and scouting reports, Jared Sullinger was always touted as a high-IQ player and it looks like Doc and Danny are looking to capitalize on his versatility, especially on the offensive end. The Celtics were successful in the post-season when they were forced to go small and Danny said today that he envisions Sullinger playing at the 4 and 5 spots. Sullinger downplayed concerns over his reported red flags during the Draft Combine: "Honestly, I don't feel I have any back problems." This is coming from a 20-year-old who still thinks he's invincible, but let's hope he's right. He's a top-five talent when he's healthy who's is already playing the disrespect card: "If you consider going to the Boston Celtics a drop, I'd do it all over again."
After the draft, there were a lot of comparisons between Melo and Kendrick Perkins (defensive center, limited offensive game) and it sounds like KG wants to hit the ground running with him before training camp. Garnett has already contacted the seven-foot Syracuse Orangeman. The Celtics' defense is a complex rotation of switches where you're expected to guard your man and keep tabs on the ball handler simultaneously. Many a big man have come to Boston (Mikki Moore, Patrick O'Bryant) and not been so receptive to KG's tutelage, but it sounds like Melo is saying all the right things right now: "I'm a very coach-able guy. Just tell me how to do it and I will do it." My only surprise is that Melo didn't go with #43 instead of Joseph.