Boston is entering a transition period for the franchise as the team is looking to replace several of their aging veterans. The Celtics entered the 2012 NBA Draft with needs in the front-court and the team used all three of their choices to fill those needs.
In the first round, GM Danny Ainge took Jared Sullinger from Ohio State. The 6'9" power forward has good size, but recent health issues had the youngster drop down draft boards, but with the 21<sup>st</sup> overall choice, he was a steal for the team. Sullinger outplayed Meyers Leonard from Illinois in every game, but falling 10 spots lower in the draft makes little sense and Ainge made a great pick in this spot.
Boston then added center Fab Melo from Syracuse with the 22<sup>nd</sup> overall selection. The seven-footer has great upside and will help defensively and on the boards, but his offensive skills are very raw and some great coaching work will be needed if this youngster is to become a threat on both ends of the floor.
In round two, the team took another Syracuse player in Kris Joseph. The 6'7" small forward has good skills on both ends of the floor and should give Boston some minutes off the bench next season.
All three picks were high ceiling players with plenty of upside and the team filled their need for more size and youth in the front-court. Ainge and his staff get a solid B for their picks in this years NBA Draft and added enough talent to keep this team competitive, even if Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen decide to play elsewhere next season.
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Comments: 1
Melo is more of a project, but he is already more of an asset than Ryan Hollins. His offensive skills are marginal (can catch the lob and dunk, can occasionally hit an open shot close to the elbow, knocks down just over 60% of his free throws, and does a good job on the offensive boards) and he really struggles when he is pressured and forced to think on the offensive end, but Hollins is almost an absolute zero on the offensive end. All he can give you is a dunk off a lob pass. Hollins is a decent defender, but he doesn't grab any boards. On defense Melo has already shown that he is extremely adept at blocking shots and although the zone Syracuse played allowed him not to worry about help defense much, he displayed the good feet that are so typical of anyone with a soccer background. He also is not a demon on the defensive boards, but in the zone he really is confined to his area so his opportunities are somewhat limited. Still, he is a somewhat better rebounder than Hollins on the defensive end, too.
Joseph is a decent college player, but he will only get minutes if Ainge does not sign Jeff Green and Pietrus.