By Jon Duke
June 27, 2005

The wait is nearly over draftniks. After 364 days of breathlessly perusing the latest mock drafts on nbadraft.net or eagerly looking for Chad Ford’s latest next Dirk Nowitski the 2005 NBA Draft is just hours away. The Boston Celtics in the midst of building a perennial winner have placed a great deal of emphasis in improving the roster through the draft. To this point, Danny Ainge and the basketball operations staff have been incredibly successful, with signs of game from each of Ainge’s seven draftees. Now as we enter the third draft of the Ainge regime there is only one thing that you can be absolutely certain of… any information you receive regarding this pick may very well be misinformation. Over the past week, there have been rumors liking the Celtics to Yaroslav Korolev, Andrew Bynum, Roko Leni-Ukic, Ike Diogu, Hakim Warrick, Charlie Villanueva, and, most recently, Luther Head. Got all that? And, don’t forget the much ballyhooed “Pierce to Portland” which would have resulted in the Celtics acquiring the 3rd pick in the draft. It’s enough to make any Celtics fan as confused as Isiah Thomas, but the Full Court Press will forge ahead. While none of us will be able to sit in the Celtics’ “War Room” Tuesday night, here is a start on what the team’s draft board may look like for the 18th pick in the draft and also a handful of names to watch for in the second round.

Yaroslav Korolev: Korolev reportedly has a promise from the Clippers to be chosen with the 12th pick in the draft, but much like promises in drafts gone past, I don’t believe this is true. Last year, it appeared that Phoenix was locked in to draft Martynas Andriuskevicius with the 7th pick. “Marty” dropped out of the draft, and Phoenix traded the pick. As for Korolev, he may never become the next Andrei Kirilenko, but he provides something of a “point forward” which may be a near necessity if the backcourt continues to be helmed by combo guards like Banks and West. Korolev also possesses the high basketball IQ that Ainge has publicly professed a desire for in recent days. Whether Korolev ultimately mans the wing opposite Pierce, Davis, or West; Yaroslav Korolev could very well be amongst the best players to emerge from this draft. Ainge sees this potential and will no doubt select Korolev if he is available at 18.

Roko Leni-Ukic: Like Korolev, Ukic’s available largely depends on one team. If Toronto, who desperately needs a point guard, selects Raymond Felton with their 7th pick then the Celtics should be in fairly good shape to select the 6-5 Croatian guard. Only Indiana, at #17, could possibly go with a point guard that late in the draft, so #7 will be the spot to watch to see if Ukic will be there for the C’s at 18. The great part of Ukic is that he enables Doc play him in the backcourt with West or Banks and not pay a price for it on the defensive end by matching Roko up with the shooting guard. This off-season drips and dribbles of information out of the Celtics camp seem to indicate a willingness to play West as more of a shooting guard, so the selection of Ukic plays right into this scenario. While Roko will need to do some weight training to withstand the rigors of the NBA schedule, he may very well become a productive player from “Opening Night”. Like Korolev, Ukic has been very productive in Europe on some of the highest levels of competition, so unlike other Europeans who have failed in the NBA, Nikolsz Tskitishvili most notably, these two have proven to be capable players on the court rather than impressing scouts in an empty gym during a workout.

Andrew Bynum: Admittedly, this pick has the greatest “boom-bust” potential, but Andrew Bynum is turning heads and making many GM’s take notice of the never-was UConn star. More than anything, Bynum is a shot in the dark, but his quickness and strength cause scouts whisper to each other who he reminds them of…Shaquille O’Neal. Now no one is saying that Bynum will even resemble The Diesel when it is all said and done, but his 33 inch standing vertical jump and 9-6 standing reach are beyond impressive. The problem with Bynum is that he has yet to encounter solid competition in his young life. A couple years at UConn (he’s only 17) could very well have placed him on the road to the #1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, but due to some solid buzz following the high school all star games, Bynum took the plunge. The question with Bynum is whether it is a better pick to take a guy who has a track record against solid competition, or someone with the physical attributes to be amongst the game’s best. Ainge took that gamble last year in selecting Al Jefferson, and I don’t believe he would shy away now with a guy who could form a devastating low post troika with Jefferson and Perkins.

Andray Blatche: Staying with the high school theme, Andray Blatche is what I consider the perfect complement to Jefferson and Perkins. Blatche is a long and lean seven footer who prefers to live on the perimeter and face the basket. Where Jefferson is on his way to becoming amongst the NBA’s best on the low block, Blatche’s 15-20 foot jump shot could clear out the lane for Jefferson and allow him more room to work. Think Mark Blount without the hands of stone and perpetual sour puss. The other main advantage of Blatche is his ability to match up with more athletic big men and match them jump for jump. While Jefferson and Perkins have great potential, neither is on the same level athletically as someone like Amare Stoudemire or Stromile Swift. For the past few seasons, more athletic big men have absolutely dominated the Celtics in the post. Witness Dan Gadzuric’s William Felton Russell-like performances earlier this year. Nuff said. The need is there, the question is whether Ainge will want to replace one player who didn’t play down low enough (Antoine Walker) for another in Blatche.

Ersan Ilyasova: This Turk is yet another European small forward with “freakish” athleticism who can score and rebound with the best of them. The problem with Ilyasova is who those “them” are. Only 18 years old, Ilyasova has yet to compete against the best in European basketball, so his draft stock is based largely on potential given his physical gifts. Unfortunately, Ersan has been bitten by the injury bug often in his young career, but he has used that opportunity to improve his upper body to where he has become a formidable rebounder. Ilyasova can play with his back to the basket, slash to the hole, or utilize his improving jumper. The young Turk can even play some excellent man to man defense, but Doc will require much more out of him to play within Boston’s defensive system. Something that has held Tony Allen back despite his tenacious man to man D. But, with the renewed NBDL, the risk in selecting players with more developing to do has lessened significantly.

After the top five, here are a few that deserve consideration at #18, but I have serious reservations about each of them.

Charlie Villanueva: I’m actually cringing while I type this, but Villanueva could actually be the ideal player to add to the Celtics roster. Charlie’s size gives him the ability to play power forward or center and his athleticism makes him available at the small forward. He could ultimately end up the Super Sub who can come in and fill any role. The problem is that Villanueva seems be the recipient of a million dollar body and a ten cent head, or more aptly heart. Charlie coasts, drifts, and seems entirely disinterested at times on the court. However, he has enough skill and talent to be a lottery pick. Lamar Odom may not be the best comparison, but it is the closest I’ve been able to come up with. While Villanueva is much more of a post player than Odom is, both are unquestioned talents whose intensity have been questioned. But will Ainge want to select a guy who was a cog on a NCAA national champion or avoid the guy who led his team absolutely nowhere for the first two months of this past college basketball season.

Jarrett Jack: For a team that is deficient in playmaking ability, leadership, and basketball IQ; Jarrett Jack could very well be the perfect match. Jack was the heart and soul behind a Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets squad that pulled off a pair of deep runs in the NCAA tournament, including a trip to the national title game in 2004. An absolutely tenacious defender, Jack matched up frequently with other ACC point guard heavyweights as Raymond Felton, John Gilchrist, Daniel Ewing, and Chris Paul; yet seemed to always hold more than his own against more celebrated opponents. Jack doesn’t impress in one particular area, but seems to be very well rounded across the board. Even when Jack would seemingly be overmatched, he would use his intellect and sharp basketball IQ to accomplish whatever task is at hand. However, Jack’s draft status has not taken off because he hasn’t faired all that well during individual workouts prior to the draft, but Jack’s strengths seemingly don’t show through during one on one, or even two on two. Jack is certainly a solid choice at #18, but he doesn’t appear to have the ability to be anything more than solid.

Martynas Andriuskevicius: Much like Blatche, “Marty” has the ability to offer some contrast in the Celtics front court and diversify the number of looks Doc Rivers can bring to the court. The problem with Andriuskevicius is two fold: One, he is painfully weak, so he would need to add approximately as much weight as Perkins lost in his first year. Second, “Marty” has yet to be productive at a high level of competition. Despite working with the best foreign born big man ever, Arvydis Sabonis, “Marty” hasn’t shown the amount of improvement many would expect since last year. Still “Marty” can score inside or out, and is already an adept passer, which should not be much of a surprise given his tutor. The question is whether Ainge feels confident whether his conditioning gurus can pull an “Extreme Makeover” on “Marty’s” body as they did with Perkins. If so, then the rewards could come easily as he racks up experience in the “D League”.

Others who might be available at #18:
Sean May: Kid can absolutely rebound, but how much sense does it make to draft for rebounding when there are other players who are better rounded?
Ike Diogu: As with May, I can’t see drafting a 6-8 PF to sit behind Al Jefferson when so many other positions have needs and talented players at each of those positions. Still Diogu can score and dominate the low bock.
Hakim Warrick: Breathtaking athlete, but far too thin to bang with power forwards and unable to hit a jumper beyond 15 feet. Too much of a “black hole” to overlook weak jumper.
Chris Taft: Early in the year, Taft was a Top 3 pick. But, a bad attitude and no heart can do quite a number on one’s draft stock. The potential is still there, but this kid needs a heart transplant.
Wayne Simien: Yet another 6-8 power forward with great numbers in college, but Simien is also confronted with questions about adjusting his game to the NBA. A solid backup, probably nothing more.
Julius Hodge: Hodge can play small forward and both guard positions, but he needs to add bulk to his frame if he has to transition to small forward full time. If Ainge is looking for intangibles like basketball IQ and intellect, this guy has got it. But do the Celtics need another small forward in a shooting guard’s body?
Luther Head: The latest “hot name” attached to the Celtics; Head played his college career at Illinois at shooting guard due to the presence of Luther Head, not unlike Delonte West’s experience at St. Joe’s. Head was among the best players at the Chicago Pre-Draft camp playing at the point. But, how many combo guards can one team have?
Ryan Gomes: Gomes’ name has been gaining steam over the past few weeks, but it has been difficult to tell if it is due to the fact he is the “local boy” much like Troy Bell two years ago. Gomes is very much like Eric Williams, but with more bulk on his frame. Gomes is excellent on the low block, but his athleticism is not to the point where he can go past any defender.

Last but certainly not least, some names to keep in mind as Russ Granik ascends to the podium and kicks off the second round of the draft. Unlike most years, this draft has an extraordinary number of talented players in the draft pool. Leo Papile claimed the number is nearly over 100, so even at #50 and #53 the Celtics have an excellent chance to pick up solid contributors.

David Lee: Despite playing center and power forward under Billy Donovan at Florida, Lee projects as a small forward in the NBA. A gifted passer, Lee isn’t afraid to take it to the rack or get out in transition and run. Lee will need to work on his defense and rebounding to be anything more than a backup in the pros. Lee is unlike anything the Celtics currently have on their roster, with the potential to be much better.

Jason Maxiell: An absolute freak. Think Brandon Hunter with springs for feet. Maxiell can block shots like every other former Cincinnati big man, but only 6-7 without the necessary quickness to play small forward.

Angelo Gigli: Very much like Walter McCarty, but substitute the three point shooting prowess for slashing and passing abilities. Needs to bulk up, but his basketball IQ and willingness to run could be an asset in a reserve role.

Orien Greene: Greene, like Ukic, is a tall (6-5) pure point guard who likes to push the tempo and utilize his athletic gifts. A tremendous passer and defender, Greene could be the steal of the second round. Another good fit with Delonte West.

Brandon Bass: Another productive 6-8 power forward, but this one may be available some 35 picks after #18. Bass is a tireless worker who while effective rebounding, shot blocking, and scoring; needs time in the “D League” However, Bass has the potential to be an absolute monster after receiving some seasoning.

So, that’s it. The 2005 NBA Draft board by your friends at the Full Court Press. Look for a follow up piece in the next week giving our two cents on the Celtics selections on Tuesday night, as well as any news relating to the signing of free agents or re-signing of Walker and Payton. Until then, I’m off to build my first 2006 mock draft.

By Jon Duke
June 20, 2005

In the world of the NBA, size matters. Throughout much of the nearly 60-year history of the league, winning teams have been led by at least one outstanding big man. From George Mikan’s Minneapolis Lakers through the eleven-time champion Bill Russell’s Celtics reign to Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan today, nothing beats a good post presence. While the all time greats are once in a generation type players, the Detroit Pistons are proof that a stable of good centers and power forwards can push a team to the top of the heap. In addition, Danny Ainge’s “vision” for the Celtics places an emphasis on accumulating as much young talent as possible through the draft and allows that talent to develop and grow together. Therefore, it goes without saying that the Celtics, who already exhibit a thin frontcourt, may be interested in adding yet another young 4/5 to the mix.

There are a number of schools of thought on exactly who the Celtics should look at should they decide to look towards the post as a need to fill through this draft. Some observers tend to believe that Ainge should draft who ever is the best power forward or center available, while others feel the Celtics should draft a player who complements the game of Al Jefferson and even Kendrick Perkins. I fall somewhere in between.

My ideal frontcourt would be one with a number of talented young “bigs” who bring a variety of different skills to the table. Much like the Detroit Pistons of the late 80’s, I’d want jump shooters and low post muscle men. Bangers who hit the boards with glee, athletic freaks who can keep up with the Dan Gadzuric’s of the world, and finesse players who can make tough passes from the high post. Though I hate mixing sports analogies, think of the Patriots defensive line. Richard Seymour is among the best in the business, but they succeed because each member of that line is a talented young player who plays an important role in the overall success of the defense, and the overall team.

Well enough about philosophy… Here are some of the numerous big men who may, or may not be available when the Celtics make their selection at #18. Given the volatility of this draft, some of these players could go as high as #9 or fall out of the first round all together. The 2005 NBA Draft is shaping up to be deeper than anyone expected.

Andray Blatche: In recent years, NBA observers have lamented the dearth of quality American centers, often wondering where they have all gone. Enter Mr. Blatche. Prior to the arrival of Kevin Garnett, Blatche would have been schooled on the in’s and out’s of playing in the low post, but with so many 7 footers playing on the perimeter a guy Blatche is nearly becoming the norm. At 7 feet 230 lbs., Blatche is a jump shooting big man who isn’t afraid to drive on his defender and take him to the hole. Andray’s “face up” game isn’t a problem, but he has a complete lack of any sort of “back to the basket” game. Blatche seems to have plenty of athleticism to play at the next level, but he is lacking in a number of fundamentals. He appears to be a good rebounder, but isn’t much of a position rebounder, instead using his height and jumping ability to get boards. Blatche is a project but the contrast between his game and Jefferson/Perkins offers Doc more options in matching up with opposing teams. An inside-outside game with Blatche and Jefferson could work quite well.

Charlie Villanueva: The #2 high school prospect two years ago, behind Luol Deng, Villanueva finished his brief stay at UConn with a national championship, but without the resume many assumed he would leave with. Villanueva is unquestionably amongst the most talented individuals in this draft, but his intensity and effort have been questionable at best. At 6-11 236 lbs. Villanueva has the size to play either forward position, or even center should the need arise. It is this versatility that is perhaps Villanueva’s best card in this draft, and allows him to be considered for teams with needs at the “3” and “4”. Charlie has a strong skill set and has a very good handle for someone his size, so projecting him, as a small forward in the pro ranks isn’t a concern particularly given his athletic gifts. Villanueva can be an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, but again the question revolves around his desire. Perhaps the term “head case” is too strong, but he is far from being mentally tough. The talent is certainly there, but Danny Ainge would need to be absolutely certain that Doc’s staff could work with Charlie and improve his mental approach to the game of basketball. Certainly a tall order.

Johan Petro: As with Rashad McCants, it is difficult to discuss a French draft prospect with unbelievable athleticism but questionable focus and desire, and not mention the name “Jerome Moiso”. But, unlike other 19-year-old centers, Petro already has an NBA-ready body and has done enough conditioning that he could come into the league now and feel at home with an uptempo style of play. Petro is a devastating shot blocker, as one would imagine given his athleticism, and has some low post game despite the focus overseas of pulling big men from the basket and making them into face up shooters. On the other hand, Petro is EXTREMELY raw. Johan needs coaching desperately, so perhaps his best option is to be selected and play in the revamped NBDL. The NBA’s new minor league system will reported allow the parent teams to provide a coach to work with that team’s prospects, which could greatly benefit someone with as much room to improve as Petro. If you like high risk, high reward… Petro may be your guy.

Ike Diogu: A classic undersized power forward, Ike Diogu has been terrorizing the Pac 10 for the past three years at Arizona State becoming the collegiate ranks best low post scorer. Diogu weighed in at the Chicago Pre Draft camp at 6-8 255 lbs. with a standing reach of 9-1, which is becoming an increasingly important statistic for smallish post players as their reach is a better measure of their true length in the post. Diogu’s measurement is on par with Al Jefferson’s a year ago and 3 inches shorter than Kendrick Perkins’s mark two years ago. Given these measurements, and Diogu’s tremendous production at ASU, perhaps the best question is whether his game is a good fit for an uptempo squad that already has a pair of young big men who also excel in the low post. Is duplication too much of a problem or is the proverbial “best player available” the way to go?

Andrew Bynum: This Garden State product wasn’t on many draftniks radar screens until some impressive performances in high school all star games this spring. Of all the post prospects in this draft, the least may be known about Bynum. A 7-0 280lbs. monster, Bynum appears to be impressing NBA GM’s as he moves around the league through various workouts. Bynum has also put up a series of eye-popping Pre Draft stats (7-6 wingspan, 33 inch standstill vertical jump, 9-4 standing reach, and a 7 foot plus height measurement barefoot) that has scouts drooling, and draft rumormongers saying that Bynum has a promise from the Lakers, Timberwolves, and now possibly the Celtics. Bynum isn’t completely from nowhere, Jim Calhoun signed Bynum to enter UConn in the fall, but as with J.R. Smith last year his stock catapulted off of impressive performances against other top flight high school prospects. The drumbeat on Bynum has gotten considerably louder in recent days; in fact DraftExpress.com recently noted that Bynum’s “Best Case Scenario” was Shaquille O’Neal. I’ll take that with a grain of salt, but it is fair to say that the more NBA scouts have seen this guy, the higher his profile has risen.

Martynas Andriuskevicius: Last spring, Andriuskevicius threw his name into the draft, and undoubtedly left some teams unhappy that he ultimately pulled out. At the time, “Marty” seemed to be a sure fire lottery pick with rumors of a promise from the Phoenix Suns to draft him with the 7th pick. Once “Marty” pulled out, he immediately jumped to the top of early mock draft boards for this season, but following a disappointing season in Europe few thought Andriuskevicius would make the jump into the draft this season. Nevertheless, “Marty” is in and deserves strong consideration for any team with a selection in the top 20. Though measuring 7-3 230 lbs., “Marty” projects as a power forward due to his quickness and inside-outside offensive game. Like most Euro big men, “Marty” is a skilled passer and can drive to the basket if needed. Skills, he has no doubt worked on under the tutelage of his instructor, Arvydas Sabonis. On the downside, like Petro, “Marty” is still quite raw. Andriuskevicius has little low post game to speak of and his overall rebounding fundaments need attention. Now a huge part of improving “Marty’s” rebounding will be including him in a stringent conditioning program to add muscle mass and weight to his slight frame. If “Marty” can receive the necessary attention to these weaknesses, he could become an impact player in the league. Again, like Petro, this is a high-risk high reward situation, but the stakes at 18 are such a team like the Celtics can gamble somewhat with young talent given the amount of players the Celtics have under the age of 24.

Sean May: The unquestioned driving force behind North Carolina’s victory in the NCAA national championship, Sean May had accomplished everything he could on the college level and had to move on to greater challenges. Like Diogu, May is a bit undersized as a power forward at only 6-8 256 lbs., but Sean is also tremendously productive. A great rebounder May knows how to box out and fundamentally put himself in the best position to collect a rebound. May isn’t the scorer Diogu is, particularly with his back to the basket, but he can finish at the basket. Athletically, May leaves many scouts lacking, but who knows what the results could be under the watchful eyes of Celtics workout gurus Walter Norton and Bryan Doo. Certainly they have worked wonders with Kendrick Perkins in short order, and rebounding remains an area of need for the Celtics. But, the question of duplication is one Ainge must answer before considering the selection of Sean May.

Chris Taft: On the other end of the spectrum from Sean May, you have Chris Taft. Taft, coming off a very successful freshman campaign last year, entered this past season with a number of expectations and ended the season with disappointing results. Taft’s Pittsburgh Panthers were ranked high in many preseason college polls, but Pitt faltered early as their star sophomore played completely uninspired ball for the first two months of the season. The term “going through the motions” has been used more than once to describe Taft’s effort on the court, and his game seems to come nearly exclusively from his outstanding athleticism. Athleticism that put him at the top of many mock drafts throughout the winter, despite lackluster performances in the early parts of his season at Pitt. Like Villanueva, Taft has lottery level talent, but his mental approach to the game has been questioned often. And, it appears that Taft has not recognized this issue as his performances in workouts for various teams have perplexed and confused NBA GM’s league wide with his apparent lack of effort on the court.

As those of you who pay incredible attention to the NBA Draft may know, there are a number of other post players who may receive consideration from the Celtics with the 18th pick that I have not profiled here. But here they are, in brief:

Wayne Simien (6-9 255 lbs.): Another Kansas product who can rebound and score inside with anyone, but can he keep up physically with the NBA’s best power forwards?

David Lee (6-9 229 lbs.): Lee might be more of a “Big 3” than a pure power forward in the NBA, but has good athleticism and fundamentals. The questions revolve around where he can play and finding the right system that takes advantage of his skills. The C’s don’t have anyone like him on their roster.

Randolph Morris (6-11 266 lbs.): The only member of last year’s Atlanta trio of NBA prospects to go to college, Morris decided he wanted to join Josh Smith and Dwight Howard in the league. Unfortunately, Morris’s game still needs work, but he has the physical tools to be a successful center in the NBA. But whether he has the work ethic necessary to improve is unknown.

So there you have it, our three-part look at the prospects in the NBA Draft is complete. Look for one last Full Court Press prior to the draft that will give you an idea of how all these prospects appear on the draft board and possibly a look at any hot draft rumors that involve the most decorated franchise in NBA history.

By Jon Duke
June 5, 2005

Welcome back for Part II of the Full Court Press’ look at the 2005 NBA Draft and precisely whom Danny Ainge may be looking at tapping with the Celtics’ 18th overall selection. In Part I, attention was paid to the proverbial “Big 3” that some Celtics have been clamoring for since Eric Williams and his one good eye were patrolling the The Jungle. Part II is a look at the prospects available in the backcourt, and while it may seem that the team is sufficiently stocked with Marcus Banks, Delonte West, Paul Pierce, Tony Allen, and Ricky Davis; in Ainge’s world this doesn’t matter.

Each position’s rotation includes at least one player drafted by Danny Ainge, so bolstering one position over another doesn’t seem to be critical at this point in the Celtics’ maturation. Rather, the key is to increase the overall talent level on the roster, and in this vein, selecting a guard in the June draft doesn’t seem nearly as absurd. Particularly given the weaknesses evidenced in the Indiana series. It would seem that moving the basketball and moving without the ball are critical tenets of Doc Rivers’ system, something that should be done by everyone, from Paul Pierce to Al Jefferson to even Mark “I’m so funky” Blount. Then again, plugging the right backcourt combination into the game often can trigger this type of unselfish play without an entire roster overhaul. Can any of the guards available at 18 fill this bill? Well, let’s take a look…

Roko Leni-Ukic: This kid, desperately in need of a nickname as soon as he comes stateside, is a 21 year old “pure” point guard with the potential to be the in the same company of other great non-American points. Ukic is 6-5 183 lbs. and with more than enough quickness to be able to get to the basket at will, but a year ago this was not enough for him to be considered a lock first round pick. Roko pulled out of the 2004 draft largely because of what NBA scouts felt was a highly inconsistent jumper, and despite dominant performances against many of the prospects in that draft. Sebastian Telfair, in particular, was unable to do anything against Ukic’s defense. Roko’s 6-9 wingspan is part of the reason for this, as he is easily able to poach the passing lanes for steals, when combining his reach and quickness. After the 2004 draft process, Ukic worked hard on his jump shot, and now his shot is consistent as far as the NBA 3 point circle.

An outstanding decision maker, Ukic likes to push the tempo and seems to have a knack for creating solid scoring opportunities for his teammates. It would seem that if Ainge is supportive of utilizing a pair of combo guards in the backcourt, not unlike his own experience playing with Dennis Johnson, a West-Ukic tandem would certainly move the ball and keep up the pace of the game. The downside to that is that Ukic is still quite skinny and could be completely abused in the post if he were matched up with shooting guards on the defensive end.

Rudy Fernandez: When Tom Gugliotta was signed, Bill Simmons broke word of the signing (using his SOSH decoder ring) on the Sons of Sam Horn message board, by teasing the readers in saying that the new signing’s nickname was similar to that of a popular player from the 80’s. Unfortunately for the C’s, Tom Gugliotta wasn’t 1/12th the player Duerod was for the Bird Celtics, and that says something. But, with this 20 year old Spaniard, the TD Banknorth Boston Garden denizens might be able to fill the building with chants of “Ru-u-u-u-u-dy!” for years.

In many ways, Rudy Fernandez’s resume reads very similar to that of Roko Leni-Ukic, but while Ukic is much more of a traditional point guard, Rudy has been used in many more positions on the court. Fernandez projects to be a shooting guard, but his court vision and passing abilities lend themselves to a spot at the point. That said, currently, Rudy is serving as the small forward for his team in Europe because his rebounding is so exceptional for his size. Like Ukic, Rudy is 6-5 185 lbs, and will therefore need to spend some time in the weight room to adequately defend shooting guards. But as with Roko, Rudy is a tireless worker who has shown great work ethic and incredible maturity for his age. While Roko-Leni attempts to make the spectacular no-look pass, Rudy would rather make a simple bounce pass to get the basket.

Jarrett Jack: Jack is a very interesting player, one whose stock has been rated as anywhere from the mid-lottery to the end of the first round. Some scouts seem to like Jack’s leadership and ability to bring his Georgia Tech squad to the national championship game in 2004. Other scouts see Jarrett Jack as a fairly ordinary player who has very little upside who would succeed best in a half court game. Quite the physical specimen at 6-3 202 lbs of chiseled muscle mass, Jack can take weaker opponents (like Duke’s J.J. Reddick, for example) to the post and have his way with them. Defensively, Jack can be a menace and his ability to create turnovers was certainly the catalyst for numerous Is’ mail Muhammad highlight reel dunks on SportsCenter. Jack’s passing ability was somewhat overlooked this year as Will Bynum split time with Jack at the point guard spot and left Jack to do more scoring with B.J. Elder out for much of the season. The other reason Jack’s passing abilities aren’t credited is due largely the number of turnovers he creates. Jack averaged 4.5 assists per game, while producing nearly 3.5 turnovers per game, though I believe that has much more to do with Jack’s increased scoring responsibilities than poor decision making. Jack doesn’t seem to have the ability to improve much beyond the level he has reached, similar to how scouts viewed Jamaal Tinsley prior to the 2001 NBA Draft. Take that statement for what it’s worth…

Monta Ellis: Al Jefferson… Justin Reed… Monta Ellis? If Danny Ainge wants to create his own “Mississippi Mafia” in the Hub then he may want to select Ellis to be his capo. As this draft’s resident Mississippian with absurd stats, Ellis is slightly shorter than the above mentioned foreign players, but built similarly (6-3 175 lbs.). Ellis has not developed the same court vision or innate point guard skills as his European competition, but this kid can score. Blessed with incredible quickness, Ellis’s real skill is his shooting stroke. With range beyond the NBA 3 point line, Monta Ellis could show the same threat from long distance as his distant relative Dale did… Dale Ellis. Of course, Monta’s slashing ability seems to be light years beyond his cousin’s, and Monta is actually quite adept at taking contact to draw a foul. Nbadraft.net calls Ellis “the best high school scorer since Dajuan Wagner” which certainly not the best legacy to follow given Wagner’s thus far disappointing NBA career. Jefferson’s debut in Boston is reason enough to give prospects from back water Mississippi towns a strong look, but it is unknown how open Ainge would be to bringing in a player who appears to want to dominate the ball in his young career. Then again, if the Celtics brass feels this kid is raw enough to be molded into an NBA body, a solid passer, and someone willing to move the ball and move to receive the ball then he could be a steal at #18. Potentially the greatest of the “risk/reward” kids in this draft.

Francisco Garcia: I’m not sure it is still noteworthy to see a Pitino coached player drafted by the Boston Celtics anymore, but Garcia was the absolute heart and soul of Rick Pitino’s Louisville Cardinals club the past two seasons. Garcia could do a bit of everything, but, in particular, he was responsible for getting the big baskets when Louisville needed it. One heck of a shooter, Garcia has great range on his jumper and should have no problems with the transition from the college 3 point line to the deeper NBA mark. Francisco seems destined to be one of those doesn’t do one thing exceptionally well but can do a bit of everything type of players. Scouts knock Garcia for being too weak, too slow, a below average defender, and little athleticism. However, Francisco Garcia is a very smart player with as much desire and determination as any player in this draft. Two areas that Danny Ainge is desperately looking at when determining needs for this draft.

Rashad McCants: Tell me if you’ve heard this one before… There is an undersized shooting guard coming out of the University of North Carolina who can score, but doesn’t appear to have any natural point guard instincts. With Rashad McCants entering his name into the draft after his junior year, the Joe Forte parallels are striking. If McCants shows up to his workout with the Celtics in a Magic Johnson throwback, then I’m not sure we have to worry about McCants becoming the 18th selection in the 2005 draft. However, assuming that McCants does not take after Forte’s nearly non-existent common sense, then Rashad’s abilities may be taken into account. McCants is much more athletic than Forte, and appears to be a more well rounded scorer than the former 2001 NBA Draft pick. McCants is only 6-3 207 lbs., so it appears he will need to improve his point guard skills somewhat or transform himself into the type of defender who can disrupt the game of shooting guards 3 to 4 inches taller than himself. A tall order indeed.

With that ends a somewhat brief look at the guards who may be of interest to the Celtics with the 18th selection. After the lottery, the number of quality guards available drops significantly. Other players may receive consideration, including Julius Hodge, C.J. Miles, and Kennedy Winston. However I’m not sure than anyone other than Ukic and Fernandez would be a better selection amongst the guards on this list, but we will save the overall value judgments for later this month. Next time, in Part III, the Full Court Press will examine the prospects available at the center and power forward positions. Unlike the comparisons amongst the guards, the post players have draft stock that varies widely week to week. Hopefully the closer we get to draft day, the clearer the picture will be of who may be available at 18.

By Jon Duke
June 2, 2005

After a disappointing end to the 2005 season, the Boston Celtics took little time to lick their wounds and instead turned their attention to the expiring contract of Antoine Walker, creating a “code of conduct” for each player, and the 2005 NBA Draft. Despite finishing the season tied with Memphis and Denver, the Celtics won a series of coin flips to secure the 18th pick in the draft. With six draft picks already on the roster, and possibly three more picks in this draft, there are questions aplenty surrounding the Celtics possible needs for their newest first round draft pick. Will Danny Ainge finally fill the need for a “Big 3”? Does Payton’s almost certain departure require a new “Point Guard of the future”? With Walker’s future unknown and Mark Blount regularly Mr. McFeely-type efforts, should the Celtics look to add another young big man to join Perkins and Jefferson? And, of course, numerous questions surround Paul Pierce’s long-term future with the franchise, so even the shooting guard spot isn’t without a need. Luckily, Ainge has traditionally drafted for the proverbial “best player available”, rather than filling a specific positional need. Ainge will be looking for players, who can pass the ball, maintain motion on the offensive end, play tenacious defense, and play within a team concept. In today’s Isolation-laden basketball world, those players hardly grow on trees, and, in most cases, require a lot of time to develop their fundamentals. No matter who the Celtics draft in June, this player likely won’t approach the zenith of their abilities for at least two or three years. Therefore, Danny Ainge is looking for players that Doc can develop and mold in “The Vision.”

So who are the potential parts on Ainge’s “Vision Quest”? Well here are some names to remember and research over the next four weeks of rumor, innuendo, and further Chad Ford pimping of another 17 year old Slavic kid with a ton of “upside.” As a note, I am focusing on players likely to be available with the 18th pick, so as great as Marvin Williams would be on the Celtics, the chances of a deal are Slim Whitman to none. This is Part I of a three part series to look at potential Celtics first round selections, parts II and III will focus on the backcourt and post prospects. Now, without further ado…

Danny Granger: An all around talent who projects as a supreme complementary player in the NBA. At 6-8 225 lbs, Granger has the ability to fill the “Big 3” role, and has the potential to be a very good passer and defender opposite Pierce or Davis. His ball handling and perimeter shooting aren’t the greatest, but when Pierce dominates the ball this may not be much of a problem. Unfortunately, Granger’s stock has risen over the past month to the point where he projects as a low lottery pick, but if were to fall, he’d be an excellent selection.

Joey Graham: Like Tony Allen, Graham is yet another hard nosed defender to come out of Eddie Sutton’s Oklahoma State program. Graham is 6-7 225 lbs of chiseled muscle mass and would also fill Boston’s need for a “Big 3”. Graham is become a very good shooter (54% FG and 88% FT) and he is continuing to extend the range on his shot. A converted PF, Graham shows great low post capabilities, but is only a below average ball handler. Again, another player whose draft stock has risen in recent weeks, Graham may not be available with the 18th pick.

Hakim Warrick: As Hubie Brown once said, “this guy has tremendous upside potential.” No one can be 100% sure what that means, but Warrick fits the bill. Hakim Warrick is a 6-8 210 pound athletic freak who can jump out of the gym and block every shot in sight, theoretically an excellent asset in a up-tempo style of play. However, there are a number of questions about whether Warrick is a power forward or a small forward. Warrick has a wicked low post game, but his frame is too slight to battle Duncan and Garnett every night. However, Hakim’s jumper is only reliable up to 15 feet, so either he needs to bulk up by 30 pounds or starting shooting 18-20 foot jumpers until sunup. Frankly, I’m not sure he is a good fit for the Celtics especially given his propensity for playing like a “black hole.” The ball goes in to him, but never comes out.

Martell Webster: The least heralded of the high school wing players, Webster is an intriguing talent with a lot of maturity for his age but lacking the usually outstanding athleticism accompanying high school wing players entering the draft. Webster’s game reminds me, a bit, of Paul Pierce. Webster is 6-7 235 lbs., with a sweet stroke from anywhere on the court but without breathtaking quickness to get by defenders. Unlike Pierce, Webster has shown a willingness to play within the offense and not become distracted with isolation plays. However, Webster is quite raw and his defense needs a bit of work, as does his quickness and footwork. His draft stock reflects this difficulty as he has been placed anywhere from the low lottery all the way to the end of the first round. Realistically, he would only be a good fit in Boston as a replacement for Pierce.

Nemanja Aleksandrov: The first European player who could potentially be available at the 18th pick, Up until late 2004, Aleksandrov was considered to be a potential top overall pick in the 2005 Draft. A late season ACL tear not only ended those dreams, but coupling this with a somewhat lackluster season in Europe left scouts discounting the stock of the young Serbian. Despite these reservations, Aleksandrov is an incredible talent who can score anywhere on the floor. Whether Nemanja is using his entire 6-11 210 pound frame in the post, or displaying his sweet shooting stroke from the perimeter, this Serb can score. Unlike many Europeans, Aleksandrov has displayed a good amount of athleticism in addition to the usual high basketball IQ and team-centered game, typical of Euroleague veterans. Unfortunately for his potential NBA employers, Nemanja also needs spend time in the weight room before being able to be on par, physically with other NBA small forwards. There is also some question whether Aleksandrov possess the killer instincts necessary to be “the man” on another team. It could be that Nemanja Aleksandrov is best suited to be a supremely talented #2 guy to someone who wants to take the last shot. Someone like Paul Pierce?

Ersan Ilyasova: The first of two players that have declared for this draft who is being compared to Andrei Kirilenko, Ilyasova is a 6-9 small forward whose build has been likened to a slightly heavier Tayshaun Prince. Like Prince and Kirilenko, Ilyasova appears to have significant athletic abilities with a strong base of fundamental play. Unfortunately, Ilyasova still lacks experience and has yet to play significant minutes at the highest levels of European basketball. Then again, Kirilenko was largely an unknown when Utah drafted him in 2001. Ilyasova could be a true diamond in the rough, and though conventional wisdom would lead one to believe the Celtics would want a young developing player like Ilyasova to stay in Europe to develop. However the Celtics should have a number of roster spots to fill on their own roster and even someone as green as Ilyasova could contribute this year. Also, the potential of a true minor league system with arrival of a new collective bargaining agreement may be enough to bring Ilyasova to America now and develop under the watchful eyes of the Celtics basketball operations staff. For someone with as high of a ceiling as Ersan Ilyasova appears to have, this may be a risk worth taking.

Yaroslav Korolev: The other “next Andrei Kirilenko” is also athletically gifted is considered by Draft City as a “point forward” for his prowess passing the basketball. The son of a basketball coach, Korolev is much more of a 6-9 floor general from the forward spot than other small forwards on this list. And like Granger and Graham, Korolev has all the necessary tools to become a very good defender in the NBA. Yaroslav, like other Ilyasova and Aleksandrov, needs to add bulk to his frame to be able to adequately defend the bigger small forwards in the league.

Thus ends Part I of a three part series looking at potential Celtics selections with the 18th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. Coming over the next two weeks will be parts II and III, which will examine the guard and center/power forward prospects. The Full Court Press will rap up its look at the 2005 NBA Draft with a final draft board that highlights who we believe the Celtics should draft, if available, and why.