Full Court Press: 6/2/05 NBA Draft Preview Part I: The “Big 3″
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 Paytons almost certain departure require a new Point Guard of the future? With Walkers 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 Pierces long-term future with the franchise, so even the shooting guard spot isnt 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 todays 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 wont 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 Ainges 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 arent the greatest, but when Pierce dominates the ball this may not be much of a problem. Unfortunately, Grangers stock has risen over the past month to the point where he projects as a low lottery pick, but if were to fall, hed be an excellent selection.
Joey Graham: Like Tony Allen, Graham is yet another hard nosed defender to come out of Eddie Suttons Oklahoma State program. Graham is 6-7 225 lbs of chiseled muscle mass and would also fill Bostons 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, Hakims 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, Im 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. Websters 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.
