Current Roster
PG: Isaiah Thomas/Terry Rozier/Demetrius Jackson/Kadeem Allen
SG: Avery Bradley/Marcus Smart/Jabari Bird
SF: Jae Crowder/Jaylen Brown/Jayson Tatum/Semi Ojeleye
PF: -
C: Al Horford/Jordan Mickey/Tyler Zeller
2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
G Gerald Green
F Jonas Jerebko
F Amir Johnson
G James Young
Restricted
C Kelly Olynyk
Who They Drafted
1-3 Jayson Tatum, SF/PF Duke
2-37 Semi Ojeleye, SF/PF SMU
2-53 Kadeem Allen, PG Arizona
2-56 Jabari Bird, SG California
After trading down from number 1, the Celtics drafted Jayson Tatum, who apparently they wanted at number 1 too (sure...). Tatum has a high upside and decent floor offensively, mostly because of his polished mid-range game. He has excellent footwork and touch on his mid-range shots, scoring in classic iso-style, by holding the ball, slowing it down and using many advanced moves to create space for his jumper. Tatum also likes to work in the post, bullying smaller opponents to get to his turnaround jumpshot. While able to get all the way to the rim when he has an opening, that isn't a huge part of his game, and when he gets there Tatum wasn't a great finisher anyways and will need to improve significantly in that area. While he shot the ball okay from three his one year at Duke (.342%) he is definitely more comfortable shooting from closer in and will need to show he can shoot from the further back NBA line. He can get a little myopic offensively and slow down an offensive flow, though when he applies himself he can be a good passer. Tatum's game is a throwback to the last decade of the NBA and not really a tremendous fit in the modern NBA, however his ability to go out and get a bucket has value, even if he will really need to take steps to become an efficient scorer. The biggest question for Tatum, and one that will be crucial for his time with the Celtics, is whether or not he can play power forward in more than just spot minutes in the NBA. While he has the height and reach of a combo big, he will need to get stronger and play with a higher intensity level. On the wing, Tatum could become an average defender, though he isn't particularly physically overwhelming. It will be important for Tatum to play the 4 for the Celtics not only because it will open up their log-jam on the wing a little more but also because he is far more likely to have success playing there. Tatum played at the 4 the majority of the time at Duke, where he almost always had the athletic advantage and still wasn't dominant, and as we've seen with Justise Winslow and Brandon Ingram, playing the 3 in the NBA is a lot tougher than the 4 in college.
Despite the fact that they already have 3/4s Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown, and Tatum on the roster, plus wanting to acquire Paul George and Gordon Heyward, not to mention Al Horford who is probably best at power forward, the Celtics found the value in the second round of Semi Ojeleye (who many thought would go in the first round) too much to pass up. Ojeleye has an extremely strong frame and explosive athletic ability, good enough that he should be able to guard bigs, wings, and guards, the kind of versatility and switching ability that is ideal of modern NBA defenses. One concern with his defense is that for all of his athletic ability, Ojeyele was not a productive defender, averaging just a half a block and steal per 40 minutes. Also his rebounding was very poor even for a small forward (11.8 rebound rate, which would rank 48th among NBA small forwards last season) and downright awful for a power forward. Considering the Celtics were one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the NBA last season, Ojeleye's inability to help isn't ideal. Offensively, Ojeleye's best weapon is his jumper, though he can make plays in transition and off the ball due to his athletic ability. Ojeleye should be a solid role player for the Celtics (though he probably won't play much) because he can guard multiple positions and shoot so well, however his lack of rebounding and impact defensive ability probably cap his upside to backup.
With their last two picks, the Celtics took two Seniors who are unlikely to ever play for them but will probably fill out their G-League roster. Already 24, Arizona guard Kadeem Allen is one of the best guard defenders in college last season, a hardnosed, highly competitive defender that loves to get up and pressure opponents. He also is a solid shooter and can make some plays off the dribble, however he lacks the playmaking ability to be a lead guard and doesn't have the size to play anything else. Allen could be a guard in the Patrick Beverley mold if everything works out just right.
Their other draft pick was Jabari Bird, a highly recruited wing that never lived up to expectations and is frankly a bizarre selection, though Bird is a good (not great) shooter, he doesn't really do much else.
What They Need Going Forward
The Celtics are fishing for the best available talent this summer, and that means Gordon Heyward, Blake Griffin, and Paul George. Though it hasn't been mentioned as often as an option, now that Chris Paul has left the Clippers and Blake Griffin may be on the way out, the Clippers will likely be willing to deal DeAndre Jordan, who would really fix a lot of the Celtics problems and could turn their defense into a monster, especially if paired with Heyward or George on the wing. If, however unlikely, they are unable to land anyone at all, then it makes the most sense for them to keep their power dry and try again at the trade deadline and next summer.
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
Showing posts with label blake griffin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blake griffin. Show all posts
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Monday, June 26, 2017
Los Angeles Clippers Draft Review
Current Roster
PG: Jawun Evans
SG: Jamal Crawford/Austin Rivers/Sindarius Thornwell
SF: Wesley Johnson/Paul Pierce
PF: Brice Johnson
C: DeAndre Jordan/Diamond Stone
2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
G Chris Paul
F Blake Griffin
G JJ Redick
F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (player option)
F Alan Anderson
F Brandon Bass
G Raymond Felton
F Marreese Speights
Restricted
None
Who They Drafted
2-39 Jawun Evans, PG Oklahoma State
2-48 Sindarius Thornwell, SG Los Angeles
The Clippers came into draft night without a draft pick, but bought two picks from the 76ers and Bucks, taking two guard prospects. First, they drafted Jawun Evans, a player that I though should be a lottery pick but slipped, likely because of his size. Evans is, ironically, very similar to Chris Paul when it comes to size and style of play, though Paul is obviously much better. Evans plays with a dynamic speed and quickness while also utilizing change of pace and hesitation moves as well as pure quickness to get by players, he is also a capable shooter and excellent ballhandler. Defensively, he has tools (his wingspan is actually longer than the 6-5 Luke Kennard) but will likely always be at a disadvantage, hopefully in a reduced role he can ratchet up the intensity a little bit. Because the Clippers roster is in such flux, it is unclear who Evans will be playing with but ideally he'll have a big to play pick-and-roll with (I thought he was the best at this in the whole draft) and some shooters around to give him space to operate. The Clippers have cycled through a poo-poo platter of backup guards in the last couple of years, but hopefully in Evans they have finally found a young player that can give them quality minutes and help to alleviate some of the drop off when Paul (assuming he resigns) leaves the floor, something that has plagued them for years.
With their next purchased pick, the Clippers drafted another guard, this time of the off-ball variety. Sindarius Thornwell was one of the best players in college basketball, winning SEC Player of the Year and leading South Carolina to the Final Four. However, he might have been the best player in college basketball last season, at least statistically. Thornwell was the best in college basketball in both offensive and defensive Box Score Plus Minus, as well fifth in Win Shares and second in Win Shares Per 40 and top ten in Defensive Rating. These stats paint a super star picture, and Thornwell isn't that, but they are also representative of his ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. Despite not being a great athlete, Thornwell is a switchable defender with long arms (6-10 wingspan) and strength; he plays with a lot of toughness and intensity, quick on the perimeter but willing to battle into the paint. Thornwell makes plays defensively as well, averaging 2.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per 40. His motor and intensity translates to the glass as well, where he grabbed 12% of available misses, an excellent number for a guard. Due to his lack of elite athletic ability, Thornwell projects as more of a role player overall, but one with a lot of nice little offensive skills. As a shooter he has been up and down in his career, but should end up as a solid 35%-ish shooter that can comfortably handle the ball, even if he lacks dynamism off the dribble, similarly his passing ability is solid, if unspectacular, good enough that he should be a ball mover, provided he is willing to accept a less role in the NBA, something not all college stars are willing to do. For the Clippers, Thornwell makes it easier for them to move on from the bad contracts of Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers (as long as they realize the contracts actually are bad) while also giving them a solid bench option that can fit into their switching defense.
What They Need Going Forward
It seems as if JJ Redick is moving on but the futures of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are very much up in the air and what happens with them will very much dictate any future moves they make. If Paul stays and Griffin leaves, they will have a void at power forward (the only power forward on the roster right now is Brice Johnson, who might not even be and NBA player), a 4 that can shoot better than Griffin would fit with what the Clippers want to do, which isn't to say that they would be able to sign a better player, just a better fit. On the other hand, if Paul leaves and Griffin stays, they could look to acquire a cheaper, veteran point guard to span the gap until Evans is ready to start. If both stay, they won't have much flexibility but will need backup big men and perhaps another body on the wing that could challenge for a starting spot, even if they don't have much money to spend, vets will take less to play in LA. Another shooter to replace Redick is also something they need. If both leave... well then it should be all aboard to Tanksville and DeAndre Jordan should be dealt.
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
PG: Jawun Evans
SG: Jamal Crawford/Austin Rivers/Sindarius Thornwell
SF: Wesley Johnson/Paul Pierce
PF: Brice Johnson
C: DeAndre Jordan/Diamond Stone
2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
G Chris Paul
F Blake Griffin
G JJ Redick
F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (player option)
F Alan Anderson
F Brandon Bass
G Raymond Felton
F Marreese Speights
Restricted
None
Who They Drafted
2-39 Jawun Evans, PG Oklahoma State
2-48 Sindarius Thornwell, SG Los Angeles
The Clippers came into draft night without a draft pick, but bought two picks from the 76ers and Bucks, taking two guard prospects. First, they drafted Jawun Evans, a player that I though should be a lottery pick but slipped, likely because of his size. Evans is, ironically, very similar to Chris Paul when it comes to size and style of play, though Paul is obviously much better. Evans plays with a dynamic speed and quickness while also utilizing change of pace and hesitation moves as well as pure quickness to get by players, he is also a capable shooter and excellent ballhandler. Defensively, he has tools (his wingspan is actually longer than the 6-5 Luke Kennard) but will likely always be at a disadvantage, hopefully in a reduced role he can ratchet up the intensity a little bit. Because the Clippers roster is in such flux, it is unclear who Evans will be playing with but ideally he'll have a big to play pick-and-roll with (I thought he was the best at this in the whole draft) and some shooters around to give him space to operate. The Clippers have cycled through a poo-poo platter of backup guards in the last couple of years, but hopefully in Evans they have finally found a young player that can give them quality minutes and help to alleviate some of the drop off when Paul (assuming he resigns) leaves the floor, something that has plagued them for years.
With their next purchased pick, the Clippers drafted another guard, this time of the off-ball variety. Sindarius Thornwell was one of the best players in college basketball, winning SEC Player of the Year and leading South Carolina to the Final Four. However, he might have been the best player in college basketball last season, at least statistically. Thornwell was the best in college basketball in both offensive and defensive Box Score Plus Minus, as well fifth in Win Shares and second in Win Shares Per 40 and top ten in Defensive Rating. These stats paint a super star picture, and Thornwell isn't that, but they are also representative of his ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. Despite not being a great athlete, Thornwell is a switchable defender with long arms (6-10 wingspan) and strength; he plays with a lot of toughness and intensity, quick on the perimeter but willing to battle into the paint. Thornwell makes plays defensively as well, averaging 2.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per 40. His motor and intensity translates to the glass as well, where he grabbed 12% of available misses, an excellent number for a guard. Due to his lack of elite athletic ability, Thornwell projects as more of a role player overall, but one with a lot of nice little offensive skills. As a shooter he has been up and down in his career, but should end up as a solid 35%-ish shooter that can comfortably handle the ball, even if he lacks dynamism off the dribble, similarly his passing ability is solid, if unspectacular, good enough that he should be a ball mover, provided he is willing to accept a less role in the NBA, something not all college stars are willing to do. For the Clippers, Thornwell makes it easier for them to move on from the bad contracts of Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers (as long as they realize the contracts actually are bad) while also giving them a solid bench option that can fit into their switching defense.
What They Need Going Forward
It seems as if JJ Redick is moving on but the futures of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are very much up in the air and what happens with them will very much dictate any future moves they make. If Paul stays and Griffin leaves, they will have a void at power forward (the only power forward on the roster right now is Brice Johnson, who might not even be and NBA player), a 4 that can shoot better than Griffin would fit with what the Clippers want to do, which isn't to say that they would be able to sign a better player, just a better fit. On the other hand, if Paul leaves and Griffin stays, they could look to acquire a cheaper, veteran point guard to span the gap until Evans is ready to start. If both stay, they won't have much flexibility but will need backup big men and perhaps another body on the wing that could challenge for a starting spot, even if they don't have much money to spend, vets will take less to play in LA. Another shooter to replace Redick is also something they need. If both leave... well then it should be all aboard to Tanksville and DeAndre Jordan should be dealt.
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
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