Home

Previous Drafts
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004

Rules

Useful links

e-mail

Home Page
 
Boston Celtics

The third pick in the Usenet second round belongs to the Boston Celtics and GM Stanley Novak.  The Celtics traded away their pick to the Phoenix Suns for Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk.  In the real draft, the Celtics have the 50th pick.  

Luis Scola, PF, 6'10", Argentina

Overview

The Celtics returned to the playoffs in style. The not only made the playoffs but entered as the #3 seed. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals by beating defending Conference Champion Philadelphia Seventy- Sixers and defensive powerhouse Detroit Pistons.

Antoine Walker had his coming out in game three of the conference finals. With HIS team down 21 points entering the fourth quarter Antione told his team and Paul Pierce in particular they had to show the Nets what they were made of, it did not matter if they won but they had to show they were not a push over. Lead by Paul Pierce the Celtics went on to out score the Nets 41 - 16 in the final quarter for the win. Unfortunately, the inspired play did not continue to the following games and the Celtics lost the final three games.

The Celtics have several free agents (see below) but due to Pierce's contract extension will not have any cap space this year. Due to a mid season trade that sent Joe Johnson, Milt Palacio and their first round pick to Phoenix for Rodney Rodgers and Tony Delk the Celtics have only their own second round pick this year.


Coaching and Management

Coach Jim O'Brien continued to due a fine job getting his team ready for games. As evidence one need only look at their record. The Celtics record was worst in the second of back to back games and better when they team had time to prepare for an opponent. Perhaps the most important move the team made in the offseason was the hiring of defensive genius Dick Harter as an assistant coach.

GM Chris Wallace continued to undo the mistakes left by Rick Pitino. Wallace had the foresight to realize that the team will be running up on the luxury tax next year. To clear cap room he made the trade mentioned earlier. Also in the off season he traded Jerome Moiso, an apparent bust for Rashone McLeod. McLeod, never played a game for the Celtics the entire season and actual spent the whole season on the injured list. Was it a good trade? Yes, McLeod's contract has expired freeing about 1.1 million.


Draft History

2001: Joe Johnson, Arkansas - Not quite the fall as Paul Pierce, but the Celtics were still glad to get the tall guard at number ten. He began the season as a starter but, as the team maintained its high level of play, Eric Williams and Eric Strickland replaced him in the line-up. At the trade deadline he was a key member of a trade with Phoenix that netted the Celtics Tony Delk and Rodney Rodgers.
Kedrick Brown, Okaloosa-Walton CC - Kedrick was the highest Community college player ever selected. He is raw but shows great athleticism. He may however turn out to be a Moiso (see below) in training. Brown was selected with the eleventh pick overall, a pick they received from Denver. The Celtics had the option of taking the pick in 2002 instead of 2001. The pick was top five protected in 2001 and top three protected in 2002. Had the Celtics waited until this year to exercise the option they would have had the fourth overall pick! If Mike Dunleavey Jr. falls to four, I will be very disappointed. How great would Dunleavey look in Celtic Green? Considering Denver's pick position this year that would have been a wiser idea. Midseason Kedrick started seeing some playing time only to end up on the I.L. Note that the Celtics in need of a Center passed on Brendan Haywood. GM Chris Wallace expects Brown to start this fall.
Joseph Forte, North Carolina - Many (including yours truly) thought the Celtics were lucky to pick up Forte at 21. The Celtics have hopes of transforming the natural shooting guard into a point guard. Jamaal Tinsley, a mid-season rookie of the year candidate, and Tony Parker were both still available. Grade: C

2000: Jerome Moiso, UCLA - In the draft that produced no notable players he was among the more mundane. He, along with Stromile Swift, became the example of inexperience kids riding the pine. Morris Peterson and Courtney Alexander were taken later. He was traded to Phily for Roshown McLeod who spent the entire season on the injured list. Moiso was traded by Phily to the Hornets and is still waiting for playing time. Grade: D.

1999: Kris Clack, Texas - Kris was invited to training camp but failed to make the team. He was a second round pick so it is not that surprising. Of course the reason they had no first round pick is because Pitino traded it to Cleveland for Vitaly "Hands-Of-Stone" Potapenko.

1998: Paul Pierce, Kansas - To the delight of Celtic fans, Paul Pierce fell and fell all the way to number 10. He was named to the All-Star team this year and has improved his scoring, rebounding and assist averages in each of his four seasons in the league. Paul scored more points this season than any other player. He still needs to learn to pass out of double and triple teams, but he is rounding into one of the leagues best player. Although the pick was a no brainer I will still give the brain trust high marks. Grade: A

1997: Chauncey Billups, Colorado and Ron Mercer, Kentucky -- Pitino took the Celtics job thinking he was getting Tim Duncan or perhaps Keith Van Horn. As bad luck had it he got picks three and six overall. He wanted a big point guard, so he drafted a 6' 3" shooting guard, Chauncey Billups, and tried to convert him to the point. He lasted only a half a season then trader Rick sent him to Toronto for Kenny Anderson. With the sixth pick Pitino selected Ron Mercer, a player he had coach while at Kentucky. Mercer proved to be a capable scorer, but Pitino (as usual) over valued Mercer's worth on the market and traded him. All that remains of the Mercer selection and trade is the Brown and Forte. Grade: D

1996: Antoine Walker, Kentucky - The Celtics were happy to get Walker at No. 6. He has become the corner stone of the team. He has already made two all-star teams (starting in 2002) and displays skills possessed by few other power forwards. Grade: A

My (usenet) Draft History

2001: Shane Battier, Duke - Had Shane fallen to the Celtics, I envisioned Chris Wallace knocking over David Stern on his way to the podium to announce the Celtics selection of Battier. Battier actually went #6 to Memphis and was a Rookie of the Year candidate. Grade: A (but it was easy)
DeSagana Diop, Oak Hill High Like Battier, Diop was already off the board by the time the Celtics picked. He went #8 to Cleveland and had a nothing season but what can you expect the first year from a high school center? Plus he was injured much of the season. Brendan Haywood was taken later and had a better season, but Diop still has a nice upside and I stand by the pick. Grade: Incomplete
Omar Cook, St. John's Forte and Tinsly were already off the board in the Usenet draft. So, I selected the next highest ranked point guard. Tony Parker had not yet appeared on the scene when I had to make my selection. Prior to the end of the season the Celtics signed Cook to a ten day contract to start next season. In a way I got this pick right. Gilbert Arenas, who I considered, would have been a better pick. Grade: C


Salary Information

Player		Salary	Signed Through
Antoine Walker	11.25	2004-5
Paul Pierce	10.25	2009-10
Kenny Anderson	 9.2	2002-3
Vitaly Potapenko 5.2	2004-5
Eric Williams	 5.0	2003-4
Tony Battie	 4.0	2005-6
Tony Delk	 2.5	2005-6
Kedrick Brown	 1.5	2004-5
Joe Forte	  .9	2004-5
Omar Cook	  .08	2002 (ten day contract)
Antoine Walker  11.25	2004-5
Walter McCarty	 3.2	2001-2 (Free Agent)
Rodney Rogers	 2.4	2001-2 (Free Agent)
Roshown McLeod   1.2	2001-2 (Free Agent)
Eric Strickland	  .6	2001-2 (Free Agent)
Mark Blount	  .6	2001-2 (Free Agent)

Statistics

PLAYER	          G MIN  PPG  RPG APG OFF TOT AST STL BLK TO
Paul Pierce	 82 3302 26.1 6.9 3.2  83 567 261 154  86 241
Antoine Walker   81 3406 22.1 8.8 5.0 150 714 407 122  38 251
Rodney Rogers	 77 1880 11.9 4.5 1.4 129 348 111  66  29 108
Kenny Anderson	 76 2430  9.6 3.6 5.3  57 275 403 141  10 119
Tony Delk	 63 1447  9.5 3.2 2.1  58 203 132  53  10  59
Erick Strickland 79 1643  7.7 2.7 2.3  22 214 184  56	1  94
Tony Battie	 74 1819  6.9 6.5 0.5 184 481  35  60  67  50
Eric Williams	 74 1747  6.4 3.0 1.5  58 221 109  77	8  95
Vitaly Potapenko 79 1343  4.6 4.4 0.4 167 347  30  37  18  63
Walter McCarty	 56  718  3.8 2.3 0.7  32 128  41  18	7  22
Kedrick Brown	 29  245  2.2 1.7 0.5  11  50  15  18	7   7
Mark Blount	 44  415  2.1 1.9 0.2  26  85  10  16  19  23
Joseph Forte	  8   39  0.8 0.8 0.8	1   6	6   2	0   3

Team Needs

The team hoped to fill its need for a third scorer in last year's draft. With Johnson gone, that burden will fall to Kedrick Brown. Hopefully, he will develop into a reliable third option. In the mean time, the team will continue to rely on Eric Williams and Kenny Anderson for points. The other area of concern for the Celtics has to be the lack of a banger down low. Antione Walker led the team in rebounds. Tony Battie has developed nicely but the Celtics could still use a wide body on the block. They probably will not find a starter in the second round, but if they could find a bench player that could be relied upon to grab rebounds and play solid defense while the starters rest, the draft would be seen as a success.


Team and the Current Roster

Point Guard:
Kenny Anderson when healthy is the starter. Anderson had something of a resurgence this year, playing better than he has in years. It is debatable what was the cause and what was the result, but Anderson's success coincided with the teams resurgence. Erick Strickland was the primary backup until the mid season trade brought in Tony Delk. Delk and Strickland are both combo guards. Strickland is a good defender and can get hot and light it up but Delk is signed long term and I think that contributed to who got the playing time. Joe Forte was drafted with the 21st pick. Although a natural 2 guard the Celtics will try to convert him to the point. At the end of the season the Celtics signed Omar Cook out of St. Johns to a ten day contract. They will try him at the point as well. Just a side note, Cook is the player I selected with the 21st pick in last years USENET Mock draft.

Shooting Guard:
Coach Jim O'Brien prefers to play Paul Pierce at the off guard as opposed to small forward. In the Celtics system the positions are interchangeable. Pierce is a star in the league. He led the league in points scored and was voted to the All-Star team. He can take the ball to the rake and is an excellent three point shooter. Strickland and Delk were the primary backups. Strickland was the only player other than Pierce or Walker to be a game's leading scorer for the Celtics. Rookie Joe Johnson was the starting shooting guard with Pierce at the three, but Johnson cooled and was traded midseason.

Small Forward:
With Pierce moving to the two, Eric Williams became the starting small forward. Williams is a tremendous defender and seems to have learned how to shoot. Williams was backed up by another strong defender in 6' 10" Walter McCarty who can be a good match up for the team. The hope is that rookie Kedrick Brown will grow into the starting role. The one thing I can say about Brown is he can jump, high, very high. On several occasions when he got playing time he would grab a rebound by jumping a foot higher than all the other players.

Power Forward:
Antione Walker is the team's MVP. He is a close second to Pierce in points scored and is the team leader in rebounds, assists, minutes played, and three point shots. Walker, is a prolific three point shooter. In his five year pro-career Walker has already taken more 3 point shots than Larry Bird did his entire career. By taking so many three's Walker spreads the floor. Walker averages 42 minutes per game so there is not much need for a backup. During the six minutes that Walker is not playing Battie, Rogers, and McCarty backed him up.

Center:
Tony Battie had a very nice season, removing the label of "El-Busto" that Dan Issel (of Denver) tagged him with. During the regular season Anderson seemed to take joy in tossing ally-oops to Battie. In the playoff Battie blocked five shots in game two against the Nets. Vitally Potapenko is the other center. He and Battie are signed long term. After his acquisition, Rodney Rogers (listed as a small forward) saw most of his playing time at Center. In the center depleted east this was effective. Like Walker, Rogers can hit the three and farther spread the defense. Rogers is a free agent and will be sorely missed.


Free Agents

The Celtics have several free agents this off-season. Their combined salaries, however, are not sufficient to put the Celtics under the cap and allow the team to be a player in the free agent hunt. With Paul Pierce's salary extension kicking in next season the Celtics will be hard pressed to merely remain under the luxury tax threshold.

Rodney Rogers: The acquisition of Rogers was a key component of the Celtics success this season. Unfortunately he is unlikely to give the Celtics a home team discount and will probably take a bigger deal else where.

Mark Blount: He is the only seven footer on the roster. He has been playing for the minimum and probably did not do enough during the season to entice teams to offer him a significantly larger salary.

Walter McCarty: "I love Waltah!" is a refrain often heard resonating from Celtics color man Tommy Heinson. The fans feel the same way. Walter is making 3 million per season. He will not get that this season. If he is willing to accept the minimum, he will be welcomed back.

Erick Strickland: He came to the Celtics as a minimum contract player. He was a key contributor during the season but saw his playing time dwindle during the playoffs. I think the decrease in playing time was too avoid showcasing his talents in a hope to resign the combo guard. If they can get him back for like money they will do so. Again, that luxury tax looms large.

Rashown McLoed: He was brought in for cap reasons to free up money at the end of the season. He did his job admirably. I think he actually has some talent, but he will just have to show it else where.


The selection

I decision was a balance of many factors not the least of which was need, namely Power Forward. I also believe my selection has the most potential of the players remaining.

Luis Scola, PF, 6'10", Argentina

Power Forward Strong athletic power forward. Not yet a great rebounder, but possesses a veriety of low post moves. He is consided by my European scouts to be the most ready and perhaps the biggest inpact Euro in this draft. Contractual obligations maxy keep him in Europe for an additional year or two.


Others considered (at 31)

Dan Dickau - Gonzaga - 6' 0" Point Guard. The natural comparison is to John Stockton as both played for Gonzaga. However, Steve Nash may be a better comparison. He is a great shooter and a good passer. He has an eye for finding his open teammates. He has a very quick first step which combined with his outside shooting ability makes him quite dangerous. He is not exceptionally tall or strong but his skills should make up for the difference.

TayShaun Prince - Kentucky - 6' 9" Small Forward Prince has good height for the 3 position and the wing span of a seven footer. His long arms should help him defend at the next level. If he falls to the second round he should be a tremendous pickup that late in the draft. He needs more strength and to show more desire but is blessed with great athleticism and is a strong outside shooter.

Fatih Solak - Turkey - 7' 0" Center. He is simply a huge prospect at Center. I hated to pass on him but Scola is ranked much higher. Perhaps the Celtics will be able to pick him up at fifty or as a rookie free agent.

Lazaros Papadopoulos - Greece - 6' 11" Center. With five years of pro-ball under his belt, he may be one of the most experienced players in the draft. He is very skilled for his size. He runs the floor well, but not great. He is very strong in the post from either side of the lane. He cleans the offensive glass. His shot is reliable out to about fourteen feet. Although originally projected as a late second rounder, this draft is the year of the foreigner, and Papadopoulos could climb into the first round.

Juan Dixon - Maryland - 6' 3" Shooting Guard. He is a little small and possibly not as athletic as some other 2's in the league (those are the exact same words I used for Joe Forte last year, he went #21). But he is a tremendous competitor and scorer. Although he does not seem to have point guard skills, the success of Gilbert Arenas last year should guarantee that Dixon is selected late first to early second round. Although I felt required to mention him here, I doubt the Celtics would select him here as they already have Joe Forte.

Aaron McGhee - Oklahoma - 6' 7" Power Forward. McGhee turned in on in the predraft camps. He was named MVP of the Portsmouth camp and played well in Chicago. An East Coast scout described McGhee "Aaron has played extremely well and showed consistency at both camps. He's done damage offensively, shows a perimeter game and runs the floor very well for his size. He's a defensive player with lots of smarts and energy."

Sam Clancy - USC - 6' 7" Power Forward. Clancy is such a hard working, skilled and experience power forward that Leo Papile says "We like him." . Although he shows good strength and has been successful at the college level there are doubts he can succeed at the next level due to his lack of height.

Dan Gadzuric - UCLA - 6' 11" Center. Gadzuric has yet to fulfil his potential. He is still learning the game. At times he has a great game at other times he seems to lose his confidence. He is still very rough and very athletic. He is perhaps the most athletic center in the draft, very quick with great leaping ability. A steal at 31 no way he is there at fifty.

Nenad Krstic - Yugoslavia - 6' 11" Center. He is one of the best kept secrets in the draft. His agent entered his name for this year's draft, but may have just done so just to gain him some exposure. He may withdraw his name before the draft. Currently he shows good athleticism, is active on the offensive glass and shoots well out to fifteen feet. He needs to improve his defense, including adding muscle. He also should improve his free throws. .

Others considered (at 50)

Since this is where the Celtics will really be drafting I will add some names that should be considered in the second half of the second round. If any of the fore mentioned players fall to fifty it is obvious they would be considered here.

Lonny Baxter, Maryland - 6' 8" Power Forward. An absolute beast under the basket. Could be just what the Celtics need as a physical rebounder. Could also be closer to 6' 7" than 6' 8" but finished with 30 points and 12 rebounds in the final game of the Chicago Predraft Camp. He may be considered at 31.

Tito Maddox, Fresno State 6' 4" Point Guard. An explosive attacking point guard. He is also tall for the position. He entered last year's draft then pulled out to return to school only to drop out. He joined the minor leagues and then quit his team to concentrate on the draft. Clearly he is a knuckle head but one with talent. It was thought he could be worth a second round pick where the money is not garenteed but his good showing in Chicago may cause him to move up in the draft.

Casey Jacobson, Stanford - 6' 6" Shooting Guard. Great shooter poor defender. Can hit from almost anywhere on the court, can you say thirty feet? He played well in Chicago.


Who the team will take

Lonny Baxter


Moves in the offseason

Although they have five free agents the Celtics will have no cap space due to the maximum contract extension given to Paul Pierce. Not only does the team not have any cap space available they are up against the luxury tax threshold. This means they can/will not offer contracts greater than the minimum.

Rodney Rogers is one of the teams free agents. The team says he is a priority to resign, but how? With the salary extension to Paul Pierce kicking in next season the Celtics will have no cap space. They Celtics may offer him a one year contract at the minimum but with the promise of more money down the road when Anderson's and William's contracts expire. The other posibility is that the Celtics will do the math, realize that no matter what they will be offer the threshold and figure they might as well resign him.

Walter McCarty and Eric Strickland are two other free agents the Celtics would like to bring beck. Strickland may get more than the minimum else where and bolt. McCarty I doubt can get more than the minimum and may return.

Hopefully the success the Celtics saw last season will help in recruiting free agents in the offseason. Here are the players I would target as Celtics GM. I believe they would give the team a nice combination of youth and experience.

The Celtics will require a third center especially with Potapenko starting the season on the IL. Of the available free agents I like Kevin Willis. He is very experienced or old but can teach the young guys something. If he is unavailable I would also pursue Ike Austin, Vladimir Stepania, Wang Zhi-Zhi and Bruno Sundov.

The Celtics need a tough inside presense. Does any free agent fit that description better than Charles Oakley? He will probably get more than the minimum but is well worth a try. If the Celtics draft a young power forward (Baxter, Clancy) Oakley would be a nice teacher. If the do not draft one they should pick one up in free agencies. Olumide Oyediji the very athletic very raw Nigerian playing for Seatltle would fill the bill.

At Small Forward I would recruit Antonios Fotsis. He is a combo forward who spent last season in Memphis. A European, he has great range and poor defense.

I consider the following a possible midseason trade especial if a certain point guard does not get an extension over the summer and the two other teams are having down years and need to shake things up.

Boston trades Kenny Anderson and a future draft pick to Milwaukee and Eric Williams to New Orleans. The Celtics receive Baron Davis (Yes!) from New Orleans and Anthony Mason and Jason Caffey from the Bucks. Milwaukee would also receive from New Orleans receive Matt Bullard, Stacy Augmon and Jerome Moiso. Milwaukee would send Sam Cassell to New Orleans.


Post Draft Analysis

With the 50 pick the Celtic's drafted Darius Songaila PF 6-9, 248, senior, Wake Forest.  He is both a four year senior and a "Euro".  The Celics did not work out him or any one else.  Chris Wallace said any one they picked they would like to have play a season or two in Europe.  Songaila, however, says he is looking forward to Celtic's training camp.  He is 24, so he should be ready by now.

When Luis Scola continued to slip I thought the Celtics would nab him and give me an exact pick.  I stand by my choice of Scola.  He would be willing to stay in Europe, he is younger and more athletic than Songaila.  If the Celtics really want someone to keep over seas for awhile they should have picked Scola or Fatih Solak.