Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Here’s the interesting part for Celtics fans: This year’s class delivered the highest average draft grade for the top 50 college prospects of any draft since the model began tracking in 2001. That’s seemingly good news for a team armed with eight selections (or 13.3 percent of the entire 60-pick draft).
[…]But the high average draft grade suggests that there’s talent to be found throughout this year’s event, even if it’s not as top heavy as some recent drafts. If Boston is in a tough spot with a not-so-obvious selection at No. 3, then things might be a bit easier navigating from there for a team that also holds picks Nos. 16, 23, 31, 35, 45, 51, and 58.
ESPN Boston – Deep draft projection could help pick-heavy Boston Celtics
There are two sides to this “deep-draft” coin before even considering that this is all just some statistical projection that may or may not become reality when conflating with all of the qualitative characteristics that each individual kid brings to a career in the National Basketball Association:
The first side is that a deep draft is good news for a Celtics team that holds so many picks in both rounds. The Cs can select a mix of seemingly “sure things” — set to help the team in small, but perhaps meaningful ways this year, and boom-or-bust guys who could become also-rans by the time they’re 23, or become a steal of a draft pick. If these projections become reality, then one would think Danny Ainge could hit on one or two guys somewhere in this draft.
The other side is that if other teams believe there is value to be had all over the draft board, it depreciates the value of the number three pick, which wasn’t exactly a crowned jewel to begin with. A. Sherrod Blakely claims the Cs are as aggressive as ever in shopping the pick, which would make sense if Ainge buys into the notion that this draft is deeper than it first appeared.
It’s time to all take a deep breath and absorb the sobering news that a return for the third pick won’t be as high as we all would like. If anything, it seems the Cs could get closer to equal value by trading one of their mid first rounders, or early second rounders, with equal value being a rotation player or a possible higher pick in a draft down the road.
Amid speculation of trades, mock draft updates and projected draft depth, I, for one, cannot wait until next Thursday night so we can stop pontificating and start wading through reality.
On page two: Aw, Nuts! Draymond’s out tonight
“The cumulative points system is designed to deter flagrant fouls in our game,” NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki Vandeweghe said in a statement. “While Draymond Green’s actions in Game 4 do not merit a suspension as a standalone act, the number of flagrant points he has earned triggers a suspension for Game 5.”
Earlier in the postseason, Green was assessed a flagrant 2 and fined $25,000 for kicking Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams between the legs. He received a flagrant 1 for throwing down Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley in the first round.
I’m with John — who stated yesterday that Green’s nut-shot antics are becoming a bit too much and deserve to be punished. Does Steven Adams have a right to be frustrated by the lack of discipline last series? Sure. Do conspiracy theorists have a point in that if this series was tied at 2, Green wouldn’t be suspended? Worth considering. Bottom line, though, Draymond Green is a serial nut-shot artist and he needs to tone down his somewhat intentional flailing of appendages near other players’ nether-regions. Green deserved a flagrant upon review, and when you add it up with the other flagrant fouls he’s received this post-season, it adds up to a suspension.
As an impartial observer of this series, if it gets me more basketball before a long off-season I’m all for it. With that said, Dubs by double figures tonight. Draymond gets to enter the arena post-game, arms and legs flying. Wear a cup, Adam Silver.
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