Celtics draft report cards

ESPN's Chad Ford gives the Celtics an A-

Analysis: Celtics president Danny Ainge has shown an uncanny ability to find good players later in the draft. He isn't always right (remember Marcus Banks and J.R. Giddens), but he's found a number of terrific players outside the lottery, including Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Tony Allen, Ryan Gomes and Glen Davis, and I think Ainge may have done it again this year.

Just a year ago, Bradley was ranked as ESPNU's No. 1 college prospect coming out of high school. He has all the tools to be a terrific scorer but got stuck in a strange situation at Texas last season. He's not a pure point guard, but the Celtics already have one of those guys. He can slash to the basket and hit the midrange jumper, and what the Celtics really love is his terrific defense on the ball.

Getting Harangody should pay off. Harangody wouldn't make every team, but he reminds me of Brian Scalabrine, who found a measure of success in Boston. While he's far from a sure thing, he really knows how to play and put up huge numbers at Notre Dame.

Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix gives the Celtics a B-

Danny Ainge has had a bit of a man-crush on Avery Bradley for weeks, hoping the explosive combo guard would get to the Celtics at No. 19. While most believed Ainge was targeting a big man to fill in for the injured Kendrick Perkins or the just-retired Rasheed Wallace, Ainge was always after the best player available. Bradley was it. Bradley can back up Rajon Rondo and his slashing ability gives Boston a much-needed punch on what will likely be a revamped bench. Luke Harangody was an overachiever in college, but if he turns out to be a good practice player, Boston will keep him around.

Adi Joseph of NBA Draft.net gives the Celtic a B

There's a lot to like about Bradley teaming with Rajon Rondo in the future. Defensively, you couldn't come up with a much better backcourt. It was important for Bradley to land on a team that didn't need him to play point full-time but would also give him the opportunity to learn the position. Harangody is a value along the same lines as Glen Davis and Leon Powe of previous drafts – a highly productive college player who should be better than Brian Scalabrine, for what that's worth. Neither was a “great” pick, but both were solid and earn a solid grade.

I gave the Celtics a B as well (in the new poll on the right sidebar). How can you not love Bradley's defensive ability? And for all those fans comparing him to Tony Allen... Stop! - He's already a far more polished offensive player.

This draft report card will also be impacted by which center/forward the Celtics land in free agency. If that person fails, then Ainge will be criticized for passing on Hassan Whiteside and other big men.