Luka’s Corner

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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The most impressive player I’ve seen in this postseason so far has definitely been Baron Davis of the Golden State Warriors. His dominant play had begun to show even in the regular season because nobody expected the Warriors to even make the Playoffs. But, despite everyone’s expectations, it was Davis’ play down the stretch of the regular season that made it clear to everyone that the guys from the Bay Area was serious about their game.

Davis has had one of the best statistical stretches of his career in the the first two rounds of the Playoffs, averaging 26.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 6.0 APG, and 2.0 SPG. The UCLA product has truly shown that he is still one of the top point guards (and players for that matter) in the league. But, it is not Baron’s amazing stats that have surprised me. It is his unique combination of strength and skill. He stands at a solid 6-3 and weighs an incredible 215 pounds (a huge number for a point guard). But, even with his unique physique, Davis still has one of the most fundamentally sound games in the NBA. He has beautiful form on his jump shot, which he can shoot from almost anywhere on the floor, and has that uncanny ability to get into the paint and draw fouls. He is lethal in the open floor because of his speed and can absolutely destroy you in a half-court set because he can just keep on pounding and pounding the opposing PG with his brute force.

Even though Davis’ physical appearance and basketball skill is impressive, it is his play under pressure that really sets him apart from everyone else. He led his team to beat the 67-win Mavericks, favored by many to win the title, and has continued his play in the Warriors’ second round series against the Jazz. In clutch situations, Davis steps up his game even more and refuses to give in. The other team may have a comfortable 15-point lead (like Dallas in Game 5), but it does not feel comfortable at all with Davis slowly hitting shot after shot and chipping away at the margin. The Mavs’ guards could not get anything going offensively against Davis either because of his extremely physical play one-on-one and quick rotations in Golden State’s team defense.

Were it not for injury (which forced Davis to miss significant time in each of his seven seasons in the league), Baron Davis would probably be known as the best all-around point guard in the NBA. His unique mix of brawn and brains has gotten the Warriors winning again and has definitely impressed me the most in these NBA Playoffs so far.

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As I watch the Playoffs, I notice that very few European players are playing a significant role on their NBA team. The few exceptions I’ve seen were Dirk Nowitzki against the Warriors, Andrea Bargnani against the Nets, and Sasha Pavlovic against the Wizards and Nets. This tiny number of European players has gotten me thinking about why such a large group make it to the NBA, but almost never

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