Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The Boston Celtics had two first-round picks in the 2012 NBA draft, and neither of them were used to select Draymond Green, a transcendent two-way force who’s single-handedly proving how influential a defender can be.
This was a mistake, but isn’t one anyone can fault the Celtics for making when 29 teams did the exact same thing. The Golden State Warriors eventually snatched Green up in the second round (as their third pick of the draft), and the rest is history.
But at this year’s Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston, former Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine revealed that the team’s assistant general manager, Mike Zarren, once had Green ranked third on his draft board. Instead, Boston selected Jared Sullinger at 21 and Fab Melo at 22.
Oh man, ain’t this a kick in the nuts. But let’s be honest, if Danny Ainge had listened to Mike Zarren and drafted Draymond Green with the 22nd pick, Celtics nation would have responded with the same WTF type look we had when Terry Rozier’s name was announced last summer.
Just look at some of Green’s scouting reports:
Tweener, undersized for a physical forward yet lacks the athleticism of a wing … Lacks explosiveness, agility, elusiveness and quickness off the bounce. Under the rim finisher, which is troublesome when you consider his size … Not a threat to shake his defender off the dribble … Minimal upside … Vulnerable defending quicker guards on the perimeter … Could stand to drop some weight …
That doesn’t exactly scream first rounder. Plus, how many versatile, glue-guys in college never amount to anything in the NBA? A lot.
Word of advice to Zarren, next time you identify the a guy like Draymond Green, lock Danny in the storage closet and make the pick yourself.
On page 2, the Celtics need the next Avery Bradley to surface.
Bradley should know. The same thing could have been said about him when he was looking to establish himself in his second season with the Celtics. He’d started to get some minutes as Doc Rivers rested veterans during that lockout-condensed 2011-12 schedule, but Bradley didn’t even get the start when a lingering ankle problem took Ray Allen off the court. Mickael Pietrus opened against the 76ers that March night, but when he suffered a concussion in the second quarter, Rivers had no choice but to play the 21-year-old kid.
Bradley more than doubled his playing time, going from 15.9 to 34.5 minutes the rest of the season. He also went from 4.4 to 15.1 points a night, and, more importantly, his defensive effort awakened his older and more accomplished brethren.
The Celts made it to the conference finals that year, but losing Bradley to shoulder surgery in the second round badly hindered their chances to upset Miami.
The question tonight in Indianapolis and for the next “couple of weeks minimum” is whether there is another Avery Bradley waiting to happen.
It was a lot of fun watching Avery Bradley burst on the scene in 2012. His stuff of Dwyane Wade will never be forgotten. If only he had the chance to play against Miami in the ECF, we might have another banner in the rafters.
Terry Rozier shocked us all the other night. Maybe James Young and his jump shot make an appearance tonight. Or RJ Hunter. I don’t care who, but this team needs someone to ease the burden on Evan Turner.
The rest of the links
ESPN – Celtics slip in Power Rankings | CSNNE – Managing minutes not big concern for young Celtics | Globe – Who will fill Crowder’s role?
