Basketball & NBA 10 May 2007 09:21 pm
The Future of the Celtics
While most people (including me) are keeping their eyes on the Playoffs at all times, I am also thinking about the future of some lottery teams, such as the Boston Celtics. The Men in Green have the second-worst record in the NBA (only Memphis is worse) and desperately need to change something in either their personnel or team chemistry. The upcoming draft lottery should help provide that change and it will either break or make the Celtics. Here are three possible outcomes of the lottery.
1. The Celtics emerge lucky and get the first overall pick in the draft.
If this is the case, I think that the Celts should look no farther than Greg Oden of Ohio State. They
are in dire need of a pure center, and many say that Oden is the next big thing (literally and figuratively). The only options Boston has for center (if you can even call them options) are Michael Olowakandi, Theo Ratliff, and Kendrick Perkins. All three of these guys have either under-performed in their careers or were not able to perform because of injury. But, if the Celtics can plug in Oden at the starting center spot and have these three for backups, he will be a nice compliment to the emerging Al Jefferson (who I think is the next walking double-double). The Celtic front court would become very deep and intimidating to opposing teams. The Ohio State product is a factor on both ends of the floor and should provide the Celtics with an intimidating shot-blocking presence in the paint.
2. The Celtics grab the second overall pick.
If this happens, the only option the Celtics should consider is Kevin Durant of Texas (if Oden is already taken). I think he will become the next star in the NBA in the latter stages of his career, and if he can compliment his tremendous potential with a durable body, he will become unstoppable. The Celtics are very weak up front and Durant has decent size (he stands at 6-9) to be a solid starting power forward early on. Al Jefferson (who is 6-10) can be shifted to the center spot and if he can improve his shot-blocking, he and Durant could create a scary combination with their unlimited skill. Durant, who averaged 26.0 PPG and 11.3 RPG in his freshman year, would also give Boston a second option on the offensive end and could carry some of the scoring load with Paul Pierce.
3. The Celtics receive the third overall pick or below.
If this takes place, I think that Boston should seriously consider trading away the pick on draft day to receive a solid and experienced player in return. I don’t think that any other players (other than Oden and Durant) could make a big enough impact for the Celtics to turn the franchise around and become a Playoff team. If the Celts trade away the pick, it could be possible to obtain Pau Gasol from Memphis or even Kevin Garnett from Minnesota. Both of these players are superstars and both have great experience in the league and (most importantly) in the postseason. This is considered by many to be one of the deepest draft classes in history and it is not unlikely that either the Grizzlies or Wolves would take the 3rd pick from the Celtics in search for young talent.
I am from Boston so I am praying for the Celtic front office to make the right decision. The future of the franchise depends on this offseason and the right place to start is the NBA draft in June.
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on 20 May 2007 at 9:35 pm 1.b-ball duffus said …
I’m looking at this from a layman’s perspective, so my view may be naive. But I think that there’s a lot to be said about flatness of team chemistry of the Men in Green. On top of that, something doesn’t seem to be right with the management. How else to explain that some players underperform when they play for Celtics and then play reasonably well when they’re sold to other teams (even Walker!). The team just doesn’t seem to be conducive to developing talent. I am seriously worried that in the event if they get Oden, he’ll underperform under the circumstances.
on 25 May 2007 at 4:49 pm 2.Luka said …
I agree.