Ruzious wrote:So, speaking of the 2019 draft, Boston's now saying they were set to take Herro at 14 when he was picked at 13, and they had the 22 pick while Brandon Clarke went 21st. Not to mention they picked Thybulle at 20 and then let Philly have him - so I won't even bring that up. I mean... sometimes trading up is the right thing to do - and Ainge had the assets to do so. I think he subscribes to the Pif theory of trading down - which has worked well.
This is not about trading up or trading down -- it's about the picks you do make & the fact that other people can be smart too.
Not to mention lucky! A lot happens which no one can imagine will happen -- let alone expect!
After all, Ainge could have taken Clarke at 14, then taken & kept Thybulle at 20. He'd still have had #22. As it is, he got the #24 pick & Carsen Edwards for the rights to Thybulle, then he used that #24 to facilitate trading away Aron Baynes's salary -- & he still came away with this year's #30 in that deal!
As to Herro, nobody would have traded up for him! He was good not great as a Freshman. He shot 35.5% on college 3-pointers. Then he shot 38.9% on the tougher NBA 3-pointer.
For that matter, it's not like he had some incredible rookie year overall -- he didn't. He scored 1.5 more points per 40 minutes than an average wing -- but he did it using something over 1.5 more possessions than an average wing. Nothing else stands out.
Don't get me wrong -- that's good for a rookie, & Tyler Herro is a terrific young player with a shot to be really really good. He's only 20 years old! & he is the difference maker for Miami so far -- no question about it!
I certainly had Herro rated well above Rui Hachimura -- though below Clarke, where I still do rate him.
Ruzious wrote:...with Herro and Clarke, (the Celtics would) have swept Miami....
Clarke would have been enough for Boston to beat them. Clarke & Thybulle? No problem. They had no chance to pick Herro.