OFFICIAL NBA DRAFT THREAD. C's pick 21, 22.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Fab Melo is another one of those "I play basketball because I'm tall and because everyone says I should" type of guys. Steer clear.

[Elrod is Back]

BfB-- I missed much of this thread...please don't be gone for long. Your posts are must reading.

I teach at the UofI so I have seen a lot of Leonard. He should go in the top 10, and arguably the top 5. A legit 7 footer with superb athletic ability, speed and coordination. Can shoot. Only question, as with other big men, is how much of a competitor he is, how much he loves the game.

Last year Leonard played on a dysfunctional team without a point guard. It was pathetic. If he was playing with Rondo it would be absolutely frightening for the opposition.

The sky is the limit for him. Most upside in the draft after Davis.

Come back, BfB.

[peachbucket]

BfB-- I missed much of this thread...please don't be gone for long. Your posts are must reading.

I teach at the UofI so I have seen a lot of Leonard. He should go in the top 10, and arguably the top 5. A legit 7 footer with superb athletic ability, speed and coordination. Can shoot. Only question, as with other big men, is how much of a competitor he is, how much he loves the game.

Last year Leonard played on a dysfunctional team without a point guard. It was pathetic. If he was playing with Rondo it would be absolutely frightening for the opposition.

The sky is the limit for him. Most upside in the draft after Davis.

Come back, BfB.

I watched all his games this year and I'm with you. I have him at number 2 overall. His passing ability is really exceptional for a guy his size. I see a Gasol/Aldridge type of player 4 years from now.

[Avalanche]

I know Danny likes to cover all his bases, but it definitely seems like this year more than previous ones we are talking to the top prospects

Drummond, Barnes, Ross... now apparently we have also met with MKG

Drummond and Kidd-Gilchrist both arent falling out of the top 5, i think that #5 pick from the kings may be Danny's target, somehow


We also met with Fab Melo, obviously a later pick

[GrandTheftRondo]

We need a flat out scorer. Pierce, KG and Allen (if those two come back) cannot do it for us every night like they used to. That's evident. It would be great if there's someone we can get that fits the criteria. If not we'll have to look into the free agents.

[CelticTillDeath]

I know Danny likes to cover all his bases, but it definitely seems like this year more than previous ones we are talking to the top prospects

Drummond, Barnes, Ross... now apparently we have also met with MKG

Drummond and Kidd-Gilchrist both arent falling out of the top 5, i think that #5 pick from the kings may be Danny's target, somehow


We also met with Fab Melo, obviously a later pick

Do you have a source or a link that says we met with MKG? Where did you get that from?

[Gant]

Amick, si.com: • In yet another sign that the teams at the top never stop working, San Antonio (no first-round picks) and Boston (Nos. 21 and 22) requested combine interviews with numerous high-profile prospects whom they have no chance of drafting. Silly though it may seem, the teams see it as their only chance to connect with a promising player who will be a free agent someday.

After mentioning that he had visited with the Celtics, Kidd-Gilchrist said he never considered declining the meeting with a team drafting so low.

"I mean, I just want to get picked, to be honest with you," he said. "I'm just blessed to be in this opportunity, so I don't take it for granted."

The interviews, which are granted by the NBA after the submission of formal requests, last a maximum of 30 minutes with team officials.

also:

• An informal poll of executives after the combine produced the following list of players who helped their causes either through their play or their measurements: Lillard, Ross, Kansas' Robinson, Ohio State power forward Jared Sullinger, St. John's small forward Moe Harkless, Illinois center Meyers Leonard, Syracuse center Fab Melo, Marquette shooting guard Darius Johnson-Odom, Missouri shooting guard Kim English and Norfolk State power forward Kyle O'Quinn.

(That article has some info on Quincy MIller and others as well.)

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/w ... index.html

[max powers]

Looks like Myers Leonard is moving up so likely won't be around when we pick.

If we don't move up a make a play for Drummond I like
Jeffrey Taylor - Except for age 23 guy seems perfect a little tentative on offense (being mentored by PP could help that greatly) super athlete, potential shut down defender who we'll need for years of Wade and LeBron to come. People knock his jump shot but in his senior year he was one of the best 3 point shooters in the nation 42% on 4.3 attempts this is a guy who should be able to contribute from day one also seems to be a good character guy.

Tony Wroten - Another superb athlete with the ability to become a shut down defender (didn't really apply himself on defense in college) a guy athletically who has the tools to stay with Wade, very suspect jumper excellent drive and cross over, with limited ability to use his right hand. Yes he's got some huge question marks and could be a bust but he is a tremendous athlete a natural scorer a slasher who can get to the basket. Rondo, Bradley, Wroten as your guards and Taylor and Green at the 3 give us a hell of a lot of athleticism and fast break potential going forward. If Wroten didn't have major question marks his positives and athleticism would have made him a top 7 pick.

[Gant]

Looks like Myers Leonard is moving up so likely won't be around when we pick.

If we don't move up a make a play for Drummond I like
Jeffrey Taylor - Except for age 23 guy seems perfect a little tentative on offense (being mentored by PP could help that greatly) super athlete, potential shut down defender who we'll need for years of Wade and LeBron to come. People knock his jump shot but in his senior year he was one of the best 3 point shooters in the nation 42% on 4.3 attempts this is a guy who should be able to contribute from day one also seems to be a good character guy.

Tony Wroten - Another superb athlete with the ability to become a shut down defender (didn't really apply himself on defense in college) a guy athletically who has the tools to stay with Wade, very suspect jumper excellent drive and cross over, with limited ability to use his right hand. Yes he's got some huge question marks and could be a bust but he is a tremendous athlete a natural scorer a slasher who can get to the basket. Rondo, Bradley, Wroten as your guards and Taylor and Green at the 3 give us a hell of a lot of athleticism and fast break potential going forward. If Wroten didn't have major question marks his positives and athleticism would have made him a top 7 pick.

I would guess Wroten will be there at 21 and 22. I have no idea if the Celtics want him, but I do know if they get him, Doc will yell at him a lot.

[andy582]

Remember that working out a player doesn't mean we want to draft him- it can just mean we want more information, a look up close, etc. - I think we're only looking at the top tier guys to be prepared and informed in the event of a great trade offer (like Wall/3 for Rondo) or a slip (Drummond or Barnes to 7 or 8) and a good trade offer (7-Drummond + Biedrins for Pierce).

Most likely I think we're bundling 21/22 for a pick in the early teens to draft the big man prospect management favors (Sullinger or Leonard).. and maybe cash or a future pick for an additional first-rounder (Dallas at 17, Memphis at 25?) if they like somebody still on the board.

[Colossus]

Looks like Draft Express has us picking Fab Melo right now at 21 and Quincy Miller at 22, passing on Royce White and Andrew Nicholson.

No bueno? I don't watch college bball.

And NBADraft.net has us picking White and Nicholson at 21/22.

[Rondo2Hondo]

There are so many different ways we could go, trading up, staying put and trading out. It's going to be an interesting few months

[Havlicek17]

The draft is on June 28th...

[Rondo2Hondo]

The draft is on June 28th...

I know - but July and August are free agency. There's more to life than the draft.

[humblebum]

I can't wait for the draft.

I can see Ainge making some really big splashes.

If Ainge comes out of this draft with Wroten/Draymond Green with the 21 and 22 picks he'll be a winner.

But if I'm Ainge I do what I have to do to move up and get either a couple of guys in the draft or a guy in the draft and another young player in the NBA. Drummond, Sullinger, Leonard, Rivers, Ross, Barnes... just a lot of guys who I think are going to have great NBA careers.

The guy you move to do it is Rondo and the reason why is because I believe that Rondo is Doc's masterpiece, or in other words the Celtics will be able to draft and develop guys to be successful playing PG as long as we have Danny and Doc.

I'd be looking to deal with the Kings (especially if you're talking about landing a big man) and try to get the 5 + Evans/Thomas/Fredette/Thompson... one or two of those guys; with Portland go for 6/11 if you can get two guys you really covet. a Barnes/Leonard type combo or maybe Sullinger/Rivers.

Andre Miller, Nash, or even Deron could be targeted in Free Agency as well.