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Post by Admin on Jun 18, 2019 13:55:29 GMT -5
Here’s why Darius Garland might be worth trading up for in 2019 NBA Draft
By Tom Westerholm AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
Here’s a look at the potential upside, downside and bottom line in a deal for Garland. The UpsideGarland has the potential to be the best point guard in the draft, even though he projects to be the second one taken behind Ja Morant. Garland lost most of his freshman season at Vanderbilt to a torn meniscus, but he’s a knock-down shooter out of the pick-and-roll with deep range that should translate instantly. He’s not a hyper-explosive athlete, but he is an incredibly shifty ball-handler who can attack gaps and split pick-and-rolls at a high level. When defenses honor his 3-point shot, he can punish them by getting into the paint, and while he isn’t an elite finisher yet, he has shown flashes and his touch is undeniable. In the modern game, guards like Garland are at a premium -- players who can warp the defense deep behind the 3-point line in pick-and-rolls create 4-on-3 opportunities consistently, as the Warriors have proven repeatedly. Garland isn’t Steph Curry (nobody is), but his impact could have some intriguing (albeit certainly not equal) parallels. As a passer, he often makes solid reads, although he doesn’t appear to be as instinctual a facilitator as he is a scorer. Still, Boston will have other players who can facilitate as necessary -- Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart are two examples -- and Garland is certainly solid enough to handle the job. For the Celtics, Garland would be a high-level replacement for Kyrie Irving, who is supposed to meet with Boston on Tuesday to discuss his future. Assuming the rumors are true and Irving plans to sign elsewhere, Garland could be a perfect fit next to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and he would fit their timelines nicely. With Smart under contract for three more years, Garland would be able to contribute immediately -- maybe off the bench initially -- while growing into his role as the team’s point guard of the future. The DownsideGarland is not -- and likely never will be -- a plus defender. He’s 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-5 wingspan, and his athleticism likely suggests he will only be able to match up against point guards (or against the other team’s weakest offensive option). The Celtics certainly have the personnel to work around that, but it’s something to keep an eye on. As a finisher, Garland leaves something to be desired -- he’s very shifty, but he needs to add muscle, and he certainly doesn’t seek out contact yet. The Celtics have a strong scouting department and have certainly been aware of Garland for considerably longer than one year (he was No. 16 in his class in the ESPN recruiting rankings, and he was the top-ranked point guard). But the limited sample size in college includes four games against inferior competition -- Winthrop, Alcorn State, Liberty and Kent State. Garland was a little up-and-down in those games, but his collegiate stats isn’t a reliable indicator of his future potential at all, which is both intriguing and a little concerning. Finally, there’s the package. Would the Pelicans consider 14, 20 and 22 for Garland? Almost certainly not, since the Atlanta Hawks are reportedly offering 8 and 10. That likely means Boston would need to include the Memphis pick and (for example) No. 14 to get the job done, and maybe more. The Celtics can do that, but since the Memphis pick represents one of the last very valuable draft assets they have going forward, they would need to feel very good about a young core of Garland, Tatum and Brown as currently constructed. The Bottom LineThis might fade away, like many other potential draft-night trades the Celtics are alleged to have pursued. But a trade up to acquire Garland would be fascinating, and it would lend credence to the idea that Boston has chosen to go all in on Tatum and Brown for the future.
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Post by Admin on Jun 18, 2019 14:13:34 GMT -5
Celtics inviting guard Jalen Lecque for second workoutDavid Banks - USA TODAY Sports By: Justin Quinn
If there’s anything the Boston Celtics did poorly last season, it was taking it to the rack, which just so happens to be a specialty of prep-to-pro prospect Jalen Lecque.That’s likely the main reason Boston is having Lecque back for a second workout, per the New York Post’s Zach Braziller. Lecque is known for his ability to finish through contact, particularly with one of his patented flushes that have made him something of a social media sensation before even setting foot on an NBA court. The Teaneck, NJ point guard hopes to be the latest prospect to make the leap directly from prep school (in his case, Brewster Academy of New Hampshire) to the association. He would likely rank much higher than the late second-round range where most mocks have him currently slotted with more guard skill, but his jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism, quick first step, and punishment of rims are pretty much his only elite skills. He does have a solid handle — earning Russell Westbrook comparisons. Unfortunately, also like Westbrook, he’s not a great shooter and can get lost in traffic if the path to the cup is closed off, as it often will be at the next level. His defense is solid, with excellent lateral motion and with his size (6-foot-4 with a nearly 6-foot-9 wingspan), may be able to play as a rotation player as soon as his rookie year. Nonetheless, he’ll need to improve his passing and shooting if he ever wants to be more than a situational specialist in the NBA. The lack of traditional route to the league has many questioning his mindset after eschewing the NCAAs and overseas options to play post-high school but with players like Thon Maker and Anfernee Simmons making the leap after also waiting until a year removed from high school, teams should be used to players exploring such a path. The downside for such prospects is the limited exposure to both scouts and elite talent alike, and what impact it may have on their draft position. For at least the Celtics, though, Lecque’s exceptional skill at scoring where Boston — who attempted the 22nd-least shots within two feet of the basket and 28th-fewest free-throws attempted in the league last season — has proven so weak seems like a gamble worth exploring if he’s still available when (and if) the Celtics use their 51st overall pick.
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Post by Cabutan on Jun 18, 2019 14:26:59 GMT -5
I'd be happy with either Garland or White if we can move up that high (#4) but from #14 to #4 is an unusually big jump and the cost makes that generally impossible. It does make sense that the Pels & Celtics work together so both teams get what they want/need but I'll believe it when we see it.
Dont know anything about Garland to be honest. Just posted as a news
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Post by Admin on Jun 18, 2019 14:42:07 GMT -5
Doesn't all the Herro talk bother you ... why would C's make it public that they loved his workout? Why hasn't there been any talk of a second workout?
Samanic is a nice PF option I agree but Kabengele has better size and Mutombo bloodline ...
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Post by hedleylamarr on Jun 18, 2019 14:57:02 GMT -5
Doesn't all the Herro talk bother you ... why would C's make it public that they loved his workout? Why hasn't there been any talk of a second workout?
Samanic is a nice PF option I agree but Kabengele has better size and Mutombo bloodline ...
I haven't really studied it too much this year, to be honest.
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Post by elvissurfs on Jun 18, 2019 20:12:52 GMT -5
oh gawd, wake me up when it is over...
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Post by Admin on Jun 18, 2019 23:57:06 GMT -5
Celtics inviting guard Jalen Lecque for second workoutDavid Banks - USA TODAY Sports By: Justin Quinn
If there’s anything the Boston Celtics did poorly last season, it was taking it to the rack, which just so happens to be a specialty of prep-to-pro prospect Jalen Lecque.That’s likely the main reason Boston is having Lecque back for a second workout, per the New York Post’s Zach Braziller. Lecque is known for his ability to finish through contact, particularly with one of his patented flushes that have made him something of a social media sensation before even setting foot on an NBA court. The Teaneck, NJ point guard hopes to be the latest prospect to make the leap directly from prep school (in his case, Brewster Academy of New Hampshire) to the association. He would likely rank much higher than the late second-round range where most mocks have him currently slotted with more guard skill, but his jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism, quick first step, and punishment of rims are pretty much his only elite skills. He does have a solid handle — earning Russell Westbrook comparisons. Unfortunately, also like Westbrook, he’s not a great shooter and can get lost in traffic if the path to the cup is closed off, as it often will be at the next level. His defense is solid, with excellent lateral motion and with his size (6-foot-4 with a nearly 6-foot-9 wingspan), may be able to play as a rotation player as soon as his rookie year. Nonetheless, he’ll need to improve his passing and shooting if he ever wants to be more than a situational specialist in the NBA. The lack of traditional route to the league has many questioning his mindset after eschewing the NCAAs and overseas options to play post-high school but with players like Thon Maker and Anfernee Simmons making the leap after also waiting until a year removed from high school, teams should be used to players exploring such a path. The downside for such prospects is the limited exposure to both scouts and elite talent alike, and what impact it may have on their draft position. For at least the Celtics, though, Lecque’s exceptional skill at scoring where Boston — who attempted the 22nd-least shots within two feet of the basket and 28th-fewest free-throws attempted in the league last season — has proven so weak seems like a gamble worth exploring if he’s still available when (and if) the Celtics use their 51st overall pick.
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham In other news... Brewster Academy’s Jalen Lecque and Campbell’s Chris Clemons will each have their second workout with the Celtics tomorrow in Boston.
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Post by Admin on Jun 19, 2019 0:05:43 GMT -5
Now that we know Tatum & Brown will be the core of the Celltics for years to come, I'm revising my draft pick selections since we no longer need to replace Tatum's offense. That said, I believe Ainge only keeps 1 or 2 of the 3 picks. He'd be well served to trade at least one pick this draft for a higher pick in a future draft that will have more talent. As stated in the report above, it's too difficult to trade a pick & contract for another player having to match contracts when you have few mid-range contracts and the ones you do have are players you want to keep.
Given the situation at PG (Irving going, going, gone ... and Rozier wanting out and not the best qualified to be the starting PG anyone) one might feel pressure to draft a PG in the 1st round but I think the C's will want some experience at that position right now and someone like Rubio makes a lot of sense. We will have a chance at that future PG in round 2 but I admit, if Coby White were to slip some and the C's be able to move up to get him (highly unlikely) that be my first option. Hayes (Center) would also give me pause to make a move though we still have Williams and Baynes at center as well as Horford (PF/C) should his contract be redone as expected. For my book, you can never have enough bigs and rebounding but Ainge has never valued the center position or proven an ability to draft/develop a center unless Williams is given an opportunity and breaks the ice.
So with PG & C out of the equation for pick #14, that brings us to the next couple of needs ... PF & SG.
Clark, Doumbouya, Hachimura & Washington are all intriguing at PF but they are all lacking in length (6'9" or under) and I prefer 6'10" and someone with strength and stamina who won't be pushed around or as Danny would say, "a full grown man."
That limits us to one of two PF's as I see it ... Kabengele or Samanic. Both are 6'10" or 6'11" and 256 lbs/ 227 lbs respectively. #14 is too high for Samanic and maybe Kabengele as well but in this case to beat other teams out we may have to reach some to get him as he probably won't be there with the #20 pick.
If not Kabengele then for SG's we have a few options ... Herro, Keldon Johnson, Alexander-Walker or Jerome (Porter Jr too inconsistent and not worthy of top 15 pick). We all know how talk of the Herro workout for the C's got attention but who let that news get out? Wouldn't the C's want to keep that quiet if Herro were their pick? I'll consider him from all the hoopla but I don't like his stats when compared to the other options. Johnson sounds like a player needing 4-5 yrs to develop while we need someone to fit in with the J-Team now! That leaves Alexander-Walker or Jerome. Walker is a guard somewhat like Rozier in that he could player any wing position in 1-2 yrs and could bust out right away in the SG position and have a top 5 season ... a nice fit for the J-Team with size & athleticism! Jerome as already been written about and is another great fit but he s/b there at #20 or #22.
So either we take Alexander-Walker or Kabengele with #14.
If we are keeping two picks then I go with Kabengele with #14 and Jerome with the other pick (20 or 22) ...
If we move two picks and just keep #14 I suppose Alexander-Walker would be the obvious pick for that slot given team needs and his flexibility of 3 positions. That said, I still like Kabengele and in round 2 another potential J-Team member in Jalen Lecque (PG).
The latest update of the Ringer NBA Draft Guide mock draft has the Celtics selecting Virginia Tech guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Oregon center Bol Bol, and Virginia guard Ty Jerome if they stay put at nos. 14, 20, and 22.
Wow! thr Ringer and I agree on 2-3 picks ... Odd, no?
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Post by Admin on Jun 19, 2019 12:43:48 GMT -5
The Ringer's "Five Players in the 2019 Draft Who Will Not Fail" ... 2 of 5 are my selections above! Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia TechI love players who play hard and have all of the skills required to be a fantastic all-around player. Guys that play for Buzz Williams have to play hard, and I’ve seen some of his guys greatly outperform where they were drafted (Wes Matthews, Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder). Alexander-Walker has a good chance to be the next in that line. At 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, he has great size and can play both guard positions. He is a great passer, and he can drive and finish with both hands. His cousin is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and that pick certainly worked out for the Clippers. He has a great built-in nickname and headline possibility when he makes a game-winning play: NAW. I’m positive that Alexander-Walker will be in the league for a long time. Too much in the toolbox. Ty Jerome, VirginiaJerome is the best example of why I keep this list. Every single NBA exec, scout, college coach, media member, animal, and grandmother whom I talked to loved Ty Jerome. So what the hell is going on? How on earth are there going to be 20-plus guys drafted ahead of Ty Jerome? It is ridiculous. He’s tall, he’s tough, and he has off-the-charts basketball IQ. He is a bona fide winner, a leader, and a big-time competitor. Your team will screw up in the draft because they look at Ty Jerome and concede that he’s good, but then end up gushing over a 19-year-old who was worthless in college and wondering what that kid is gonna look like when he is 22. The answer, 95 percent of the time, will be: not as good as Ty Jerome. Earlier this month, Jerome shot 100 3s at a Celtics workout, and he hit 84 of them. Of course he did. Everyone seems to agree that Jerome is good, that he is going to be good, and that he will go too low. It is appalling. I’m appalled.
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Post by Cabutan on Jun 19, 2019 15:30:21 GMT -5
why cant we use a pick to draft Luka Samanic? Honestly. Someone tall with ball handling skills that can play in and out. We always have to go after shot guys.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2019 16:14:30 GMT -5
Celtics inviting guard Jalen Lecque for second workoutDavid Banks - USA TODAY Sports By: Justin Quinn
If there’s anything the Boston Celtics did poorly last season, it was taking it to the rack, which just so happens to be a specialty of prep-to-pro prospect Jalen Lecque.That’s likely the main reason Boston is having Lecque back for a second workout, per the New York Post’s Zach Braziller. Lecque is known for his ability to finish through contact, particularly with one of his patented flushes that have made him something of a social media sensation before even setting foot on an NBA court. The Teaneck, NJ point guard hopes to be the latest prospect to make the leap directly from prep school (in his case, Brewster Academy of New Hampshire) to the association. He would likely rank much higher than the late second-round range where most mocks have him currently slotted with more guard skill, but his jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism, quick first step, and punishment of rims are pretty much his only elite skills. He does have a solid handle — earning Russell Westbrook comparisons. Unfortunately, also like Westbrook, he’s not a great shooter and can get lost in traffic if the path to the cup is closed off, as it often will be at the next level. His defense is solid, with excellent lateral motion and with his size (6-foot-4 with a nearly 6-foot-9 wingspan), may be able to play as a rotation player as soon as his rookie year. Nonetheless, he’ll need to improve his passing and shooting if he ever wants to be more than a situational specialist in the NBA. The lack of traditional route to the league has many questioning his mindset after eschewing the NCAAs and overseas options to play post-high school but with players like Thon Maker and Anfernee Simmons making the leap after also waiting until a year removed from high school, teams should be used to players exploring such a path. The downside for such prospects is the limited exposure to both scouts and elite talent alike, and what impact it may have on their draft position. For at least the Celtics, though, Lecque’s exceptional skill at scoring where Boston — who attempted the 22nd-least shots within two feet of the basket and 28th-fewest free-throws attempted in the league last season — has proven so weak seems like a gamble worth exploring if he’s still available when (and if) the Celtics use their 51st overall pick.
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham In other news... Brewster Academy’s Jalen Lecque and Campbell’s Chris Clemons will each have their second workout with the Celtics tomorrow in Boston.Why do I feel like he has Kedrick Brown written all over him?
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Post by Cabutan on Jun 19, 2019 20:21:16 GMT -5
Darius Bazley looks intriguing
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Post by Admin on Jun 19, 2019 22:49:13 GMT -5
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham In other news... Brewster Academy’s Jalen Lecque and Campbell’s Chris Clemons will each have their second workout with the Celtics tomorrow in Boston.Why do I feel like he has Kedrick Brown written all over him?
Because of his vertical leap somewhat similar to Kedrick. But this guy can finish at the rim and get there.
Darius Bazley, Jalen Lecque, others brought in for second workout before draft By Tom Westerholm | twesterh@masslive.com
The Boston Celtics brought in several players for a second look one day before the 2019 NBA Draft on Wednesday, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo and Jake Fischer.
Among the most intriguing names: Darius Bazley, Jalen Lecque, LSU guard Tremont Waters and Tennessee guard Jordan Bone.
Bazley and Lecque are particularly intriguing -- both skipped college, although both took very different routes. Lecque was a post-grad senior at Brewster Academy and opted out of college in favor of the draft. A hyper-explosive guard who can handle at a high level, Lecque’s jumper needs work, but he was projected to be a high pick in next year’s class, and he was a reasonably good decision-maker with the ball at the prep level.
Bazley, meanwhile, has a ton of length and versatility at the forward position. A grab-and-go type of ball-handler, he reportedly added muscle to his slender 6-foot-9 frame, and he can pass at a high level for a forward. After taking a year away from competitive basketball to work on his body and his game, Bazley reportedly was excellent in pre-draft workouts and at the combine. He could be a steal for a team willing to gamble on the talent he displayed at the prep level.
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Post by elvissurfs on Jun 19, 2019 22:52:24 GMT -5
Whatever, draft me, at least I have heart...
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Post by elvissurfs on Jun 19, 2019 22:52:56 GMT -5
Even though our genius coach wont play me...
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Post by elvissurfs on Jun 19, 2019 22:55:28 GMT -5
'Geniuses' tend to overthink instead of going with their heart...
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Post by Admin on Jun 19, 2019 23:07:16 GMT -5
Darius Bazley looks intriguing
at the 1:25 mark below ...
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Post by Cabutan on Jun 20, 2019 7:36:55 GMT -5
I tell ya bol looks impressive. I mean guy dribbles like a guard has a nice shot as well. Crazy.
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Post by Admin on Jun 20, 2019 7:37:05 GMT -5
The Euro-Big compared to Nurkic and Vucevic ... a pick #22 swing for the fences if not Bol
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Post by Cabutan on Jun 20, 2019 7:38:57 GMT -5
The Euro-Big compared to Nurkic and Vucevic ... a pick #22 swing for the fences if not Bol not too crazy about this guy. Find him slow and mechanical
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2019 8:54:00 GMT -5
Bol = a top 5 talent (per the video admin posted) only red flag is the first time foot issue this season? Roll the dice and take him. Although he will get bullied down low by NBA bigs, his wingspan gives him plenty of recovery ability against their shot. Him and time lord on the court together after a couple years of seasoning?! And don't forget he SHOT 53% ON THREES last season.
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Post by hedleylamarr on Jun 20, 2019 18:32:36 GMT -5
is this where we're hanging out for the draft
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2019 18:45:18 GMT -5
is this where we're hanging out for the draft I’m here, good to see Zion is such a Humble kid. I am very happy for him and his family.
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Post by hedleylamarr on Jun 20, 2019 18:46:14 GMT -5
is this where we're hanging out for the draft I’m here, good to see Zion is such a Humble kid. I am very happy for him and his family. I love he thanked his Mom
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Post by hedleylamarr on Jun 20, 2019 18:50:54 GMT -5
Ja seems humble, too
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