ASFN mock draft 2007: #5 (BOS)

[elindholm]

1. (POR) Greg Oden
2. (SEA) Kevin Durant
3. (ATL) Al Horford
4. (MEM) Mike Conley

Tentative deadline for #5: 7:00 a.m. PDT, although if we get a big response early I may try to start one more tonight.

 

[Gaddabout]

*traded* should be an option in this poll. You won't find many who think Boston will keep this pick.

 

[elindholm]

Crap, this is supposed to be for #5, of course. Maybe a moderator can fix it, but I won't bother redoing it.

Anyway, the speculation is rampant that this pick will be traded. But to whom, and for what?

 

[elindholm]

*traded* should be an option in this poll. You won't find many who think Boston will keep this pick.

See the explanation to the first pick thread.

 

[Gaddabout]

See the explanation to the first pick thread.

Well ... I probably should have voted for Brewer since whomever does tend up trading here would be wise to do so. But I voted for Yi because ... well, it just seems like it would fit Ainge's legacy to get stuck with this pick and draft a foreign wildcard.

 

[elindholm]

Okay, I'll say somehow the Suns swing this pick after all and take Noah with it. Don't ask me for details.

 

[Gaddabout]

Don't ask me for details.

I feel ya. I'm tired of details, too.

Noah's not a bad pick here because there are other teams like Dallas believed to be trying to move up to get him.

 

[HooverDam]

I feel ya. I'm tired of details, too.

Noah's not a bad pick here because there are other teams like Dallas believed to be trying to move up to get him.

Other teams wanting an over rated player at this slot doesn't make him a good pick. I would be pretty upset if the Suns moved up this high to get Noah. If he's there between 10-15, go for it, but 5? There are so many better players available there (Brewer/Wright for instance)

I voted for Brandon Wright. I haven't heard enough rumors coming from Boston to know what they are looking for, but a big does seem needed to me.

They could then have a lineup of

Al Jefferson
Brandon Wright
Paul Pierce
Rajon Rondo
Delonte West

Which is better than what they had last year, but still falls short of the playoffs, even in the East. But if Wright can live up to Chris Bosh comparisons a front line of the future of Wright/Jefferson would be fantastic to build a team around.

 

[Gaddabout]

Other teams wanting an over rated player at this slot doesn't make him a good pick.

By good pick I meant in terms of projecting who will go where (why we're doing this exercise), not in terms of value of selection.

 

[carey]

I went with Thornton here. I think Ainge has referred to him as the best scorer in the draft not named Durant.

 

[fordronken]

If the Celtics were to keep it, I see them taking an impact now type of player and I have a feeling that Ainge really likes Noah.

 

[elindholm]

Looks like this one is staying up overnight.

 

[mr_sunshine]

Jeff Green please. The Celts need someone who can play the high post well. Green is an excellent post defender, passer, and can drive and shoot with pretty good proficiency. I'd say Noah is the next best fit honestly, but he lacks the jump shot of Green so it would be hard for him to stretch the defense. Either of these two would be an upgrade over Kendrick Perkins at the high post though.

 

[green machine]

I voted for Noah here. Ainge will want someone that can come in and contribute immediately, and with Pierce doing the scoring outside and Jefferson taking care of the paint, Noah will fit in as a shotblocker-rebounding specialist.

 

[elindholm]

Gotta move on.

The Celtics select Brandan Wright.

(And trade his rights to ... ?)