Celtics Thinking Big, Really Big

We have been talking for awhile now that the Celtics will most likely be looking at big men in the upcoming draft. I don't think any of us were thinking this big...

"The Boston Celtics held their first round on pre-draft workouts on Wednesday in anticipation of the 2011 NBA Draft and apparently replaced Butler's Matt Howard with Matthew O'Donnell, a 6-foot-11 big man from Queen's University in Canada (ridiculousupside.com)."

O'Donnell hasn't played basketball since high school, and has been up in Canada playing football after he was drafted 15 overall in the CFL draft. There are some people that think he is just waiting to get the call from the NFL, which is probably true, but the Celtics thought he was worth a look.

"We don't leave a stone unturned. We cover all the bases," Ainge told A. Sherrod Blakely after Wednesday's workout. "He was definitely the surprise of the workout. He's big. Really big."

It's a 1 in a million chance that this kid would be anything, but it is interesting. With the loss of Shaq (for now), Perkins, and most likely Big Baby the Celtics need a banger. Apparently this kid's athletic testing numbers were impressive enough for the Celtics to be interested, and if they could convince him to get away from football I would totally take a chance on him with a late 2nd round pick. Why not? It's better then drafting from scrawny European that we'll never see. I would also use the first round pick on a big man as well. Because all they have right now is KG and Jermaine O'Neal (who has stated he is coming back) for "big men" on the roster.

Once again, I very much doubt this kid will be anything, but it's certainly is interesting.

Celtics' Options In NBA Draft

The mock drafts are starting to go around, and even though I think this is a pretty weak draft I thought it might be interesting to see who the Celtics could target in the draft. Before we start I want you to know where my heads at in terms of what will happen this offseason.

- Jeff Green will be back
- Big Baby will be gone
- Jermaine O'Neal will be back (too much money)
- Shaq will be back (because he's Shaq)
- Ray Allen will pick up his option (obviously)

We will obviously do more of these lists as the draft gets closer, but here is a couple guys to keep an eye on.

Nikola Vucevic, C USC

Even if Shaq and Jermaine comeback the Celtics have to address their issues at center. That's why you will mostly see big men that I think the Celtics will go after. Vucevic is currently who Chard Ford has the Celtics taking, and I think it would be a steal. He is huge (7 feet and a 7-5 wing span), and he really played well in his last year at USC (17.1 ppg 10.3 rebs). The negatives is that he isn't all that quick, but I think his length and post moves make him worth this pick.

Markieff Morris, C/PF Kansas

I don't think he will fall, but Celticblog pointed him out, so I figured I'd add him to the list. The guy rebounds well (13.6 rebs), and is known as a great defender. He could be a great fill in for Big Baby off the bench. He does lack size (6-9), but like I said he would basically take Big Baby's spot.

Jordan Williams, PF Maryland

He is only 6-9, but he was extremely productive at Maryland last year (16.9 ppg, 11.8 Rebs). He has had conditioning issues in the past, but if motivated could be a beast underneath. He is not a great shooter, but the Celtics could use a banger underneath, since KG for the most part refuses to.

NBA Lottery Tonight

Never liked the NBA lottery system. I get that it kind of stops team from just tanking seasons, but I also feel like there is always rumblings of "fixes". I doubt they are true, but we still have to hear it every year.

This lottery is probably one of the least interesting. This is one of the weakest drafts I can remember, but here is a look at the odds for get the 1st pick for the 14 teams in the lottery.

1. Timberwolves: 25%
2. Cavaliers: 19.9%
3. Raptors: 15.6%
4. Wizards: 11.9%
5. Kings: 7.6%
6. Jazz: 7.5%
7. Pistons: 4.3%
8. Cavaliers (2nd pick): 2.8%
9. Bobcats: 1.7%
10. Bucks: 1.1%
11. Warriors: .8%
12. Jazz (2nd pick): .07%
13. Suns: .06%
14. Rockets: .05%

Breaking News: FUCK!!!!

Freshman Terrence Jones, Brandon Knicht and Junior DeAndre Liggins are declaring for the draft. With all the people returning I assumed at least 2 out of the 3 of these guys were going to stay. All they have left over is Doron Lamb. Good thing they have the number 1 recruiting class.

Harrison Barnes Going Back To UNC

Harrison Barnes announced via a press release on Monday that he will return to North Carolina for his sophomore year and bypass the 2011 NBA draft.

I constantly pound players going pro, but this is kind of awesome. With Barnes/ Perry Jones and Jared Sullinger and some of the Kentucky guys coming back that means I'll actually be interested in college bball next year. Also, that means that the Clippers 2012 pick is going to be super valuable because there will be that much more of an opportunity to draft one of these guys.

Barnes could have gone 1st, same could be said about Sullinger, or Jones so with that included in the 2012 draft, that means someone should be around in the 10-15 area, where the Clippers are probably going to be.

With Barnes and Zeller coming back UNC is going to be a force to be reckoned with next year. This could be something that the NCAA really needs.

Derrick Williams To Enter Draft

Finally, at least one of these guys came to his senses. After the shocking news that Perry Jones is going back to Baylor, Tyler Zeller and maybe Harrison Barnes is headed back to UNC and that Jared Sullinger is headed back to Ohio State, Derrick Williams (who many consider a front runner for the number 1 pick) is headed to the NBA and hiring an agent.

Williams was a beast in the tournament and averaged about 20 points and 9 boards during his sophomore campaign at Arizona. Even though I'm a big fan of players leaving early all these people coming back is going to make college basketball very fun to watch next year. All I need is the Kentucky guys to come back.

The Morris' Are Going To The NBA

Both Marcus and Markieff Morris are foregoing their senior seasons at Kansas and going to the NBA. There is also no turning back as they are hiring agents as well. Marcus, a second-team All-American, averaged 17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds last season, while Markieff was an honorable mention All-American after averaging 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds. The only other Kansas player now is Josh Selby who is in draft limbo. This certainly will hurt Kansas but they have guys who replace them as DeAndre Daniels, a 6-8 forward from Florida and Braeden Anderson, a 6-8, 215-pound forward from Wilbraham and Monson Academy in Massachusetts is coming in.

Which leads me to my next point. I hate twins in sports, especially the NBA. I hated the Collins (Jason and Jarron) and hated the Lopez's (Brook and Robin), but at least these twins didn't go to Stanford. Twins entering the same draft is going to be overhyped and a stupid story, it also makes research that much more difficult when trying to talk about one of them. It's bullshit actually. So from now on I think that twins shouldn't be let in the NBA in the same draft.