CELTICS POSSIBLE DRAFT PICK COMCAST NEW ENGLAND & ESPN BOSTON

Potential Celtics pick: Hassan Whiteside

June 21, 2010, 6:52 pm
By A. Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com

With Rasheed Wallace expected to retire and Kendrick Perkins out indefinitely with a torn MCL and PCL in his right knee, the Celtics will surely look to bolster their frontcourt this summer.

Of course they can look to free agency, but they might also look to fill the void via the draft if Marshall's Hassan Whiteside is available when the C's pick at No. 19.

Workouts have Whiteside firmly planted in the middle of the first round, which makes him a player well within the Celtic's reach.

By the numbers: Height: 7-foot. Weight. 235. College: Marshall

Season stats at Marshall: As a freshman, Whiteside averaged 13.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.4 blocked shots per game.

Whiteside's upside: It's hard to imagine a 7-footer playing bigger than his height. But that's exactly the case with Whiteside, who has a 7-7 wingspan. An exceptional shot-blocker, Whiteside runs the floor well and has an offensive game that steadily improved during his lone season in college.

On the other hand…: Like most big men, Whiteside has to get stronger. He also has to improve is passing and develop better range on his shooting touch. In addition, he needs to become a better free throw shooter. He shot 58.8 percent from the line at Marshall.

Role with the C's: Depends heavily on what the Celtics do via free agency. Right now, the only healthy bigs Boston has under contract are Kevin Garnett and Glen Davis. That means Whiteside could come in and potentially be a starter.


Updated: June 21, 2010, 10:19 PM ET
Draftwise, Celtics could triumph
The Green's late-season fall to fourth place could turn out to be a stroke of luck
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By Chris Forsberg
ESPNBoston.com
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Sometimes it's good to be bad. At least for the first 82 games of the season.

One of the unintended benefits of the Celtics' late-season tumble to fourth place in the Eastern Conference is that they've stumbled into a lofty pick with the No. 19 selection in the 2010 NBA draft.

While Boston's four postseason opponents -- the Cavaliers (whose 30th pick is owned by the Wizards), Magic (29), Lakers (whose 28th pick is owned by the Grizzlies) and Atlanta (24) -- all boast selections in the back end of the draft, Boston shimmied all the way up to the teens, securing the best possible position for its record.

Boston benefited from winning a four-way tiebreaker among teams that finished with a 50-32 mark, vaulting from as low as No. 22. The Celtics are fortunate the NBA doesn't enforce the same rule as the NFL, where the two teams in the championship game assume the final two spots in the draft. Especially since this year's pick could be so vital to the success of the 2010-11 squad.

First a roster reset: The Celtics currently have six players under contract for next season in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis.

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Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
Whether Paul Pierce and Rasheed Wallace will be wearing green next season still isn't clear.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers has suggested twice in the past week that Wallace is likely to retire, while Perkins could start the season sidelined as he recovers from impending surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his right knee.

That means the Celtics don't even have enough players currently under contract to field a starting five. And that's assuming Pierce doesn't trigger an early termination option this offseason.

What's more, the Celtics are currently committed to $63.3 million over those six players. Wallace's retirement has potential to clear $6.3 million off the books, depending on how a potential buyout is facilitated. Regardless, if the Celtics need to fill as many as 10 roster spots and plan to pay a similar $87 million as they paid last year, that leaves about $30 million in wiggle room.

Do the Celtics re-sign Ray Allen and at what cost? Will a Western Conference team looking for a so-called Kobe Stopper try to lure away Tony Allen at a price tag that Boston can't match? Does Boston want to bring back Shelden Williams and Brian Scalabrine, and at what cost?

None of this is likely to be sorted out by Thursday's draft, adding a dash of intrigue to how the Celtics proceed. We'll outline three potential scenarios the team could explore below.

But first, let's temper expectations of those hoping to land the next Rajon Rondo (21st pick, 2006 draft). Keep in mind that Boston's track record this century at or around No. 19 isn't stellar and includes Gerald Green (18, 2005), Dahntay Jones (20, 2003) and Joseph Forte (21, 2001).

Boston's past No. 19 picks include Acie Earl (1993) and Dee Brown (1990). So what does this year hold?

SHOOTING STARS: Before Perkins' knee injury, the Celtics' area of greatest need appeared to be a legitimate scorer, ideally someone who could come off the bench and provide instant offense. In fact, if Boston doesn't bring back Ray Allen, the Celtics might be searching for someone to plug in at starting shooting guard, given the lack of a low-cost option on the free-agent market.

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AP Photo/M. Spencer Green
The Celtics might be considering Florida State's 7-foot-1 Solomon Alabi, whose long, athletic body and ability to block shots would add a jolt of youth to the Boston frontcourt.
Boston could set its eyes on Oklahoma State's James Anderson (a wing scorer who could be a quality foil for Tony Allen, who went to the same school), Xavier's Jordan Crawford (athletic scorer renowned for dunking on LeBron James a couple of summers back) or Cincinnati's Lance Stephenson (young, physical guard whose reputation as being selfish might not be a bad thing for an offense-starved second unit).

Trouble here is that those shooters are all projected at late first round, which means the Celtics might find better value looking for a center/forward.

BIG ASPIRATIONS: If Wallace walks away and Perkins isn't ready to start the season, suddenly the Celtics have a frontcourt depth chart featuring just Garnett and Davis.

Boston can add emergency, low-cost big bodies in the mold of Williams through free agency. But a Boston team that got annihilated on the offensive glass during the Finals knows the importance of having quality bigs up front in order to compete for a title.

The Celtics could set their sights on Florida State's 7-foot-1 Solomon Alabi, whose long, athletic body and ability to block shots would add a jolt of youth to the Boston frontcourt. Or the Celtics could hope Marshall's 7-foot freshman Hassan Whiteside slides into the late teens. The Green will probably avoid overseas options like Miroslav Raduljica (Serbia) or Tibor Pleiss (Germany) given their immediate need for a body (Semih Erden, anybody?).

But in the end, the direction they go might be impacted by the 18 teams in front of them.

BEST OF WHAT'S AROUND: How the draft board plays out could influence how the Celtics pick. If Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe slips out of the lottery, do the Celtics dive at the point guard to add depth behind Rondo? Will swingmen like Nevada's Luke Babbitt or Butler's Gordon Hayward still be around at No. 19? Would Washington's Quincy Pondexter make sense at that spot?

Despite a seemingly immediate need for impact players, Boston could ultimately trade down and attempt to lure more picks or players in order to build its roster outside of the draft. That is the path more often taken, considering that -- given Tony Allen's impending free agency -- Paul Pierce (1998) is the only first-round draft pick (made by the team) remaining on the roster of all its first-round selections over the past 12 years.

A closer look: In the coming days, we'll examine some of these names and possibilities in more detail in the Celtics Blog.

112288,

Interesting thought.

Strange things happen in the draft, but if Whiteside were to drop to us it would be hard to imagine passing him up. We need bigs, and apparently a center or two with Perk likely out until sometime into next season and Wallace possibly gone as well.

Monroe and Udoh will almost certainly be gone long before #19. Aldrich could fall further than expected but at 6'9" I'm not sure he's a great candidate to play center in the NBA although he does get some altitude. Cousins may drop a little, but not to 19, and he seems to be a bit of a head case anyway.

One other possibility is Tiny Gallon from OK. Like Aldrich he's only 6' 9", but is something like 300 lbs. There's a guy who could make for a lane filler!

There are several decent small forwards, shooting guards and point guards that might also still be available when we pick, but center looks like the biggest need. If we went the veteran recycled center route like Miller or Chandler, either of whom might have to settle for the MLE, then a tall guard/forward like Quincy Pondexter could be around and might make sense.

We don't pick again until 52, but if Willie Warren from Kansas is still around, he's a 2-guard that can score although not a long-range shooter. He's probably an NBA combo guard though, and might be able to help fill gaps.

It's not unrealistic that we might be able to get a little depth and maybe even emergency starter material in this years draft.

Regards

All the other basketball sites but one has him going below 19th so I think this is like another Perkins in the rough. He so young and can be molded for the next few year with coach Cliff. One thing you cannot teach is shot blocking and this kid brings to it to the table.

112288

NYCelt wrote:112288,

Interesting thought.

Strange things happen in the draft, but if Whiteside were to drop to us it would be hard to imagine passing him up. We need bigs, and apparently a center or two with Perk likely out until sometime into next season and Wallace possibly gone as well.

Monroe and Udoh will almost certainly be gone long before #19. Aldrich could fall further than expected but at 6'9" I'm not sure he's a great candidate to play center in the NBA although he does get some altitude. Cousins may drop a little, but not to 19, and he seems to be a bit of a head case anyway.

One other possibility is Tiny Gallon from OK. Like Aldrich he's only 6' 9", but is something like 300 lbs. There's a guy who could make for a lane filler!

There are several decent small forwards, shooting guards and point guards that might also still be available when we pick, but center looks like the biggest need. If we went the veteran recycled center route like Miller or Chandler, either of whom might have to settle for the MLE, then a tall guard/forward like Quincy Pondexter could be around and might make sense.

We don't pick again until 52, but if Willie Warren from Kansas is still around, he's a 2-guard that can score although not a long-range shooter. He's probably an NBA combo guard though, and might be able to help fill gaps.

It's not unrealistic that we might be able to get a little depth and maybe even emergency starter material in this years draft.

Regards

nycelt,

6'9", 300#? Don't we already have someone like that?

IMO, we need length. Length turns other teams into jumpshooters.

Here's draftexpress's take on the above centers:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Solomon-Alabi-551/

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Hassan-Whiteside-5660/

Solomon shoots 80% from the line; Whiteside, 59%. They are both toothpicks (around 230# each). Whiteside, according to draftexpress, has an outside game.

bob

.

The day before the draft, draftexpress is now projecting Eric Bledsoe as the Celtics' pick at 19.

Playing alongside John Wall, you can both look good and bad. He didn't get to run a team much (so who knows?) and he's not really big enough to play NBA 2.

bob

.

bob

I think I'm in California!!

Quake rumbles buildings, people throughout north country
First published: June 23, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Last modified: June 23, 2010 at 2:08 pm
An earthquake rumbled through the north country at about 1:45 p.m. today, shaking people and buildings in a swath from Watertown to Malone.

"It was substantial. It was like being in California," said former California resident Marion Vandenheuvel, who felt the quake while at work at Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

Police officials in Canton, Potsdam, Massena and many other communities throughout the north country said they were flooded with calls following the quake.

"The phones are ringing off the hook here," said St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Director Martin J. Hassett.


beat

Beat,

I'm glad you're all okay. Do you know what it measured on the Richter Scale?

Sam

Sam

All ok around here. Very minor movement as I was sitting in my chair at work door was swinging a bit couple inches each way for 2-3 seconds.
Here is a web site that explins the magnatude and the epicenter.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/

was sort of interesting. And being on the sixth floor of a seven floor building probably made it feel a bit more. I wonder if I would have even felt it on the street or in a car probably not.

beat

Sam wrote:Beat,

I'm glad you're all okay. Do you know what it measured on the Richter Scale?

Sam

sam,

5.5

That's some serious shakin' goin' on. Especially for a part of the country that has no earthquake building codes.

bob

.

Bob

And a state goverment that is WAY out of touch with about everything.....except raising the tax on cigarettes!

Your right though we don't get those things around here even though the St. Lawrence Valley has a well know fault..........(as does the state of NY but thats another issue all together)

PS Wonder if our blind Gov felt it?

beat

Latest on the quake

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010xwa7.php

beat

beat,

I was driving back to my office and didn't feel a thing, but when I got back my assistant and everyone else in the building said they felt two or three good sized tremors over a period of about 20 seconds.

Regards

bobheckler wrote:

NYCelt wrote:112288,

Interesting thought.

Strange things happen in the draft, but if Whiteside were to drop to us it would be hard to imagine passing him up. We need bigs, and apparently a center or two with Perk likely out until sometime into next season and Wallace possibly gone as well.

Monroe and Udoh will almost certainly be gone long before #19. Aldrich could fall further than expected but at 6'9" I'm not sure he's a great candidate to play center in the NBA although he does get some altitude. Cousins may drop a little, but not to 19, and he seems to be a bit of a head case anyway.

One other possibility is Tiny Gallon from OK. Like Aldrich he's only 6' 9", but is something like 300 lbs. There's a guy who could make for a lane filler!

There are several decent small forwards, shooting guards and point guards that might also still be available when we pick, but center looks like the biggest need. If we went the veteran recycled center route like Miller or Chandler, either of whom might have to settle for the MLE, then a tall guard/forward like Quincy Pondexter could be around and might make sense.

We don't pick again until 52, but if Willie Warren from Kansas is still around, he's a 2-guard that can score although not a long-range shooter. He's probably an NBA combo guard though, and might be able to help fill gaps.

It's not unrealistic that we might be able to get a little depth and maybe even emergency starter material in this years draft.

Regards

nycelt,

6'9", 300#? Don't we already have someone like that?

IMO, we need length. Length turns other teams into jumpshooters.

Here's draftexpress's take on the above centers:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Solomon-Alabi-551/

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Hassan-Whiteside-5660/

Solomon shoots 80% from the line; Whiteside, 59%. They are both toothpicks (around 230# each). Whiteside, according to draftexpress, has an outside game.

bob

.

Bob,

You'e right, we most certainly do...I was merely looking at taking the best available center. Gallon ought to be available, Aldrich maybe and Whiteside, well I doubt it. Both Gallon and Aldrich appear to have a far superior vertical leap to Davis too. Of the bunch I'd take Whiteside (if available) and bet he's our starter by October and until Perk comes back. I like what I saw of his game this year and think he would be a great find at #19. From there he would make a good "big off the bench" and a great tandem with Perk.

Of course that's all conjecture on my part at this point.

Danny never calls to ask...

Regards

NYCelt wrote:beat,

I was driving back to my office and didn't feel a thing, but when I got back my assistant and everyone else in the building said they felt two or three good sized tremors over a period of about 20 seconds.

Regards

NYCELT,

You don't feel earthquakes when you're driving or flying. It's when you stop you do. :-)

Based upon my experience (living in the SF bay area since 1992), 20 seconds is a loooong damn tremor.

Northeastern architecture is based upon brick and unstressed wood. NOT good for earthquakes. Brick is notoriously brittle.

bob

RealGM's draft ideas for the Celtics:

http://celtics.realgm.com/articles/384/20100622/boston_celtics_draft_preview_(19th_52nd_overall)/

bob

.

That's no earth quake. It was confirmed that Shack was doing jump rope.

112288

Bob

How does one STOP in an airplane aside from landing? I hate to think of the alternative cause you won't notice it then either.

beat

beat wrote:Bob

How does one STOP in an airplane aside from landing? I hate to think of the alternative cause you won't notice it then either.

beat

beat,

Back when I learned to fly my instructor, who is also a good friend, gave me this as a simple first rule; "landings should equal takeoffs".

Regards