2010 NBA Draft

One of my favorite times of the year is the draft. It is the time when everyones record is back to 0-0, a fresh start for all. Despite being at the same record, there is still an amazing difference in the approach to the draft for each respective team. You have teams that are in complete rebuilding mode, teams that are looking for that one piece to complete the puzzle, and teams that are teeter tottering between rebuilding and making one more run. The Celtics are the former of those categories. Tonight is a huge night in the 2010-2011 NBA season as far as the Celtics are concerned. Tonight is the night that we really get that first domino to drop which tells us whether we aregoing for full on rebuilding mode, or if Danny Ainge thinks we can make one last run with this core. While he has already hinted at this through numerous interviews and press releases, we can't be too sure until actions are taken. So with the

NBA draft upon us tonight here is a preview of what to expect tonight, who to look for as potential picks, and opinions on the numerous trade rumors that have been released in recent days.

Trade Rumors

PG Rajon Rondo and #19 Pick to New Orleans for PG Chris Paul

Don't worry folks, this has as much of a chance at happening as Scalabrine for Brandon Jennings. New Orleans really doesn't want to trade away Paul with the team for sale at this moment. Though it does raise an interesting thought. If the Celtics were to trade away Rondo for Paul and Paul is rumored to be the link that will bring Lebron in. As long as Pierce were to opt out, we could potentially see a lineup of

Perkins

KG

Lebron

Ray

Paul

Can't argue with that lineup much, but again I don't see this happening.

Kendrick Perkins and #19 to Memphis for #12 pick.

As much as I love Perkins' defense, he isnt much valuable other than that. He has hands of stone, hardly any offensive game, and really no big man instincts. I think the Celtics would HAVE to include Perk in a deal to move up. I really like this move because at this point you are moving into the cream of the crop for this draft. You have the potential to get a very talented player at this pick and can find a serviceable Center in Free Agency or in your own system. Don't forget that the Celtics drafted 7 footer Semih Erden last y

ear who played in Turkey throughout 2009-2010 and played quite well. He could be brought in next year during training camp and possibly make the team or even start if Perk is traded. I think this trade is worth looking at and could improve the team greatly.

The Draft:

The Draft itself as we all know is very unpredictable. But holding a high 1st round pick and a decent 2nd round pick here is who I expect the Celtics to take long hard looks at:

Wings

James Anderson-6'6''Oklahoma State

James was the leader of a very good Oklahoma State team. James lead the

team in scoring as well as shot a very high percentage. A very rare feat for someone in that situation. This tells us that Andersons offense is

the real deal, the question comes down to how his defense will fit in with the Celtics. I expect him to be gone by the time the Celtics pick at 19 but this could be someone they try to move up and get.

Damion James-6'7''- Texas

Bringing good rebounding and scoring to the table Damion seems to be hitting his stride. The major question on him though is his outside shot. James could compliment Paul Pierce and give him a break as well as learn the ropes from one of the best SF in the game. The Celtics have been rumored to like James very much.

Devon Ebanks-6'8''West Virginia

Ebanks has always been a favorite of mine. He is an explosive player who was one of the leaders on a very goo

d West Virginia team. Ebanks can score, that goes without saying, he is an excellent transition player and defender. Ebanks is pegged to go in the second round but I would have no issue taking him at 19 with the talent this young man brings to the table.

Big Men

Larry Sanders-6'9''-VCU

Labeled as a "freak" by many experts, that label isn't necessarily a bad thing at this position. Sanders has a tremendous wingspan and a solid frame. Sanders speed is a major factor in his game which could blend in well with a speedy guard in Rondo who likes to push the ball up the floor whereas guys like Perkins clog the lane and prevent this from happening. There has not been many knocks on Sanders, he is a good finisher, has a decent shot and a high IQ. Look to have him go early but I would push to obtain him if I am Danny Ainge.

Daniel Orton-6'10''-Kentucky

Orton's knees are the only question here. Complaining of sore knees at numerous workouts, that could be a huge red flag. High risk, high reward type pick here. Orton is athletic and has a great wingspan which would solve many of the Celtics issues as highlighted in the NBA Finals. Could be a 2nd round pick for Boston.

Devastated

Devastated... This is the only way one can describe the feelings of a Celtics fan around 12:20AM Friday morning following the conclusion of the NBA Finals. Four points is all that separated the city of Boston from celebration and disappointment. Now two days separated from the heartbreaking end to the season its time to look back on the season and what lies ahead for the team that we love.

First of all, there should be no hard feelings what so ever with this team. Yes they were that close to the championship but how many of you quit on this team during the regular season after losses to teams like New Jersey and Washington among others? How many said there was no way they would get past Cleveland, Orlando, even Miami? The majority of fans had quit on this team at one point in the season, even booed the team off the court at times, even in the playoffs. Many of you forgot about the team that cruised through the NBA until Christmas and thoughts of 70 wins danced in our heads. Those of us that didn't forget about that team didn't stop believing in this team and knew where they deserved to be in the end. Think about it in hindsight; the Celtics knocked off three of the NBA's First Team members: Dewayne Wade, Lebron James, and Dwight Howard; as well as facing a fourth in Kobe Bryant. Not to mention facing other complimentary players such as Shaq, Jameer Nelson, and Vince Carter. This team faced the best of the best and showed to the world that they deserved to be there. Despite coming as close to a championship as a team can possibly get it is safe to say I've never been more proud of this team than I am at this point. They showed heart throughout the postseason and it was that "never say never" attitude that got them as far as they did.

So where do we go from here? There are many question marks coming into the offseason. I will attempt to address the majority of these and potential moves the Celtics could make to return back to the promised land.

Ray Allen

The Celtics have a tough decision to make on Sugar Ray AKA Jesus Shuttlesworth. A guy who has openly expressed his desire to stay in Boston, who has been a key contributor to this team the past three years and been an all around good citizen. But the facts are the facts with Ray. You cant look past his age; turning 35 this July Allen isnt in his prime anymore. He has had the tendency to go on long cold streaks at any given time. The 2008 playoffs and the majority of the 2010 Finals stand out as his most troubling streaks. Allen's representatives have openly admitted they are seeking in the $8-10 Million per year range at around 2-3 years. This could be far more than the Celtics are willing to spend. I think the Celtics best option with Ray Allen is to seek out a sign and trade with a willing partner. This would give them a chance to get younger and open a slightly larger window of opportunity for the team.

Tony Allen

After last season this would have been a no brainer for most of us. During the first part of this season most had still called for Tony to be traded. But after his display throughout the 2010 playoffs playing the role of stopper to the biggest names in the game Tony has earned a spot on next years team where he will hopefully continue to progress into a key member of the team and hopefully eventually a decent offensive game

Nate Robinson

Nate is another interesting decision. Its going to come down to whether he wants to be here on the bench or if he wants to start for a bad team and make his money. His comments to the media sound as if he would want nothing more than to be back here, but at what price? Id rather not pay him what I think he is going to demand on the open market, or even what he was making this season. If he is willing to take a pay cut then I'd love to have him back, if not then bring Eddie back

As for the other minor guys up for contract:

Marquis Daniels- I would resign he is very talented and just didnt get the floor time to show it

Shelden Williams-Resign, he is an A+ rebounder and has a decent mid range shot...even though that is about it he can still be valuable to this team. Dont forget he provided some good performances at the beginning of the season when BBD was injured.

Scal-See ya, if you are even the slightest bit disappointed about this then you were in the group that cheered for him every time he touched the floor just because he was a redhead white guy on the Celtics. Give me a break.

Last but not least, what would be best for this organization in the Doc Rivers situation? Really it comes down to what route Danny Ainge wants to go with this team. Does he want to try and retool around the same core four or go younger, more athletic. If we keep this same core than obviously Doc is the way to go, but if Ainge wants to get this team younger, Doc will only hamper the future of this team. Doc has consistently been reluctant to play young guys such as Bill Walker and even Rajon Rondo. Doc had to essentially be forced to give Rondo the starting

job. If we are going to draft young talent they need to play and progress and if that is what they need Doc is not the guy for that job. While it may result in guys such as KG and Paul wanting to leave it may be best for our long term success.

For those of you that have dreams of the team magically finding money to pay for guys like Bosh, Joe Johnson, and even Lebron; dont count on it. Even if Rasheed retires, Ray walks, and Paul opts out; the Celtics would still hardly be in a place to even be a realistic option to be in the sweepstakes for any big guns. A more realistic approach would be sign and trades. I would love nothing more than to sign and trade Ray for a guy like Rudy Gay. It is safe to say though that the future of this team lies in the hands of what happens in the Ray Allen situation, and even safer to say that this will surely be an offseason to remember.