Ainge preparing for pre-draft camp

BillessuR6 · Post #1 » by **BillessuR6** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:07 pm

To get our mind off the game yesterday a little bit...

"There is a really good chance a player we draft will be in Orlando this year," Ainge said. "Last year, it was a long shot we'd find a player in Orlando. This year, both picks could be in Orlando. You never know. That's why I'll probably be in Orlando instead of [at some playoff games]. We will watch a lot of this Detroit series on TV."

If the Celtics make the NBA Finals, Ainge and his staff could miss some games while they work out prospects at the Celtics' Waltham training facility. Ainge said about 50 players will be worked out, and scheduling is in the works.

Link: http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... raft_camp/

You need some luck, talent, intuition to make a good pick but most of all a lot of hard work! Keep working Danny! Hopefully, he finds another keeper at 30!

Egregious Blunder · Post #2 » by **Egregious Blunder** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:12 pm

psst...

your man is in turkey...not orlando.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcvtM8JqlnY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oe5rLXz ... h_response

Post #3 » by **ParticleMan** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:52 pm

a #30 pick in DA's hands is like a mid-1st.
we should be able to get someone who will definitely help us down the road.

BillessuR6 · Post #4 » by **BillessuR6** » Fri May 23, 2008 4:53 pm

Egregious Blunder wrote:psst...

your man is in turkey...not orlando.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcvtM8JqlnY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oe5rLXz ... h_response

Asik is 22 and can barely get off the bench for Ulker in the Euroleague. And it is not like they have great big men. They have 4 young centers and he isn`t anything special in comparison to them.

If we go for a European center we better draft Pekovic who has been dominating the Euroleague at center position like no big euro man for quite some time. There is no comparison between the two, Pekovic is a much, much better player...

Egregious Blunder · Post #5 » by **Egregious Blunder** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:06 pm

thebirdman wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Asik is 22 and can barely get off the bench for Ulker in the Euroleague. And it is not like they have great big men. They have 4 young centers and he isn`t anything special in comparison to them.

If we go for a European center we better draft Pekovic who has been dominating the Euroleague at center position like no big euro man for quite some time. There is no comparison between the two, Pekovic is a much, much better player...

really?

i havent seen him play, just read and clips.
i thought from the articles that asik was supposed to be a better nba prospect than pekovic... but i trust your opinion, birdman.

BillessuR6 · Post #6 » by **BillessuR6** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:42 pm

Egregious Blunder wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

really?
i havent seen him play, just read and clips.
i thought from the articles that asik was supposed to be a better nba prospect than pekovic... but i trust your opinion, birdman.

Well, Marc Gasol went from an ok player to the best player in spanish league in a matter of one season! So, anything is possible, I guess! Pekovic ceiling isn`t high but the guy can help a team in the NBA now (although he will stay in Europe for at least a year). Asik OTOH at this point is nowhere near Pekovic but if he develops like Marc Gasol he can be better. :lol:

SonicYouth34 · Post #7 » by **SonicYouth34** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:03 pm

The 30th pick is like a lottery pick for Danny. Powe, Davis, Gomes all great 2nd rounders. In DA I trust

Maple Green · Post #8 » by **Maple Green** » Sat May 24, 2008 1:15 am

I trust DA but how I wish a solid back-up or competitor of Perkins

P2 · Post #9 » by P2 » Sat May 24, 2008 5:38 am

I still believe we will trade the pick along with Powe, and as Portland is now looking to trade its #13 pick, I think it could be something like

Powe
Tony S&T
#30

for

Frye
#13 (Randolph, Jordan, McGee)

P2 · Post #10 » by P2 » Sat May 24, 2008 5:41 am

We might also be able to "buy" Seattle's #24 for a future 1st and then trade our #30 along with some other players for a veteran bench player.

CelticFan101 · Post #11 » by **CelticFan101** » Sun May 25, 2008 1:05 pm

I don't see us staying at #30.... For a team like ours, you could make a strong case that it is the worst pick in the entire draft.... I suspect that DA will decide if there's someone in the draft he likes enough to try to move up 8-10 spots to get.... If not, I look for him to trade down to the mid 2nd so as to avoid the 3 year guaranteed contract and save $ and roster space....

If by chance we do stay at 30, I'm on board with the idea of drafting a European Center.... I actually haven't researched any of the options(though on a pure potential standpoint, I'm not sure you can do better than Ajinca), but a Euro Center that we could keep oversees for a couple years definitely makes the most sense.... Other options in our range that I like include Robin Lopez(my ideal pick), Bill Walker, Davon Jefferson, JR Giddens, Mario Chalmers, and Kosta Koufos.... I see a true backup Center and young athleticism as our 2 needs heading into the draft....

Post #12 » by **canman1971** » Sun May 25, 2008 1:16 pm

Not sure who Ainge would have his eye on or what the Cs have to offer but apparently some teams are going to be looking to "sell" their pick. This is from Spears in today's Globe:

An NBA source said that several teams are expected to try to trade their draft picks in an effort to trim financial commitments from the roster. The days of the maximum 15-man roster seem to be a thing of the past for a lot of franchises. The source also said the Bucks are expected to shop their eighth overall pick and could dangle one of their guards as extra bait.

P2 · Post #13 » by P2 » Sun May 25, 2008 4:52 pm

Portland is also looking to trade its pick (#13).

billfromBoston · Post #14 » by **billfromBoston** » Mon May 26, 2008 2:39 am

Guys, I'd love to move up into the lotto and get a player to go with Perk/Powe/Rondo for the future, but I gotta tell you its not going to happen...

This team just doesn't have the assets to get more than into the 20's tops...Glen Davis, Leon Powe, Gabe Pruitt, Scalabrine-these are the trade chips my friends...the GPA trio make too much money and are signed for too many years, so machinations of trading Ray (bad move IMO) aren't going to happen and the other guys just aren't worth much...

We have nothing to offer these clubs...I'd imagine they could package Davis or Powe to move up a couple of spots, but they're not going to be major players in the trade market...

The good news:

There will be a very good player available at 30...JR Giddens has starter/star potential, Bill Walker could offer the same...DeVon Hardin is a quality backup right off the bat...Pat Calathes has high upside IMO....there are a few more...

Ainge is a master at doing his draft prep...the guy he picks will become a very solid pro...

elrod enchilada · Post #15 » by **elrod enchilada** » Mon May 26, 2008 2:44 am

Your analysis is good, BfB.

I think Danny will find a plyer at 30. And I would not be surprised to see him purchase or trade a future pick to get another pick in the 2nd round.

I think Danny probably sticks with a pat hand, but much will be determined over the next three weeks.

Bfb-- can you email me at rwmcches@uiuc.edu. Thanks.

leper-con · Post #16 » by **leper-con** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:18 am

Hi Bill,
I"m trying to get e fell for how the organization "feels", "thinks" about Gabe Pruitt. I know they must value him because he was picked before big baby. Can he be a productive combo gaurd or a rue one. Does he have as much potential as Stucky?

mr_sunshine · Post #17 » by **mr_sunshine** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:50 am

I like Bill "Sky"Walker a lot. That guy has a decent outside touch, and is pretty athletic. He'd have a lot more hype if it weren't for the fairly recent knee injury (I believe?) he suffered.

docudrama · Post #18 » by **docudrama** » Mon May 26, 2008 5:25 am

I've thought that Powe could be a candidate to be moved considering he'd likely want a considerable raise after next season -- he's got brothers and sisters to support. With KG penciled in for 40 minutes a night it, and perhaps a redundant body in Big Baby, maybe this isn't the place for Powe long term.

Perhaps Seattle with 6 picks in the draft might want to consolidate a bit.

Powe, Scal, 30 & a future 2nd for 24, 32, Damien Wilkens, & Adrian Griffin?

With 24 DA could take the highest rated of the CDR, Shan Foster, Brandon Rush, JR Giddens, Wayne Ellington group that still remains on the board and look to add some size early in the second.

An idea.

Just look for Seattle to be very active.

doc.
--

hiphop1 · Post #19 » by **hiphop1** » Mon May 26, 2008 3:54 pm

I like Bill Walker as well. He is what this team needs and athletic 6'6" shooting guard. We also need a post player but I don't see one worth taking at 30.

P2 · Post #20 » by P2 » Mon May 26, 2008 5:18 pm

hiphop1 wrote:I like Bill Walker as well. He is what this team needs and athletic 6'6" shooting guard. We also need a post player but I don't see one worth taking at 30.

If we took him or Douglas-Roberts, they would split time with House (re-signed) at SG.