Roster Focus on Kris Joseph

by **bobheckler** Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:20 am

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2012/09/roster_focus_kr.html

By Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff

We're profiling every player on the Celtics roster before training camp begins. Today it's Kris Joseph.

Kris Joseph
Reserve forward
6-feet-8-inches, 225 pounds, 23-years-old
2012/13 salary: $473, 604

josephfocus.jpgStrengths: There were times during the NCAA Tournament East Regional at TD Garden last March where Joseph looked like the best player on the floor. Joseph was the leading scorer for Syracuse (13.4 points) during his senior season, but he saw teammates Fab Melo and Dion Waiters get picked well before him in the NBA Draft. A four-year player, Joseph could play right away. He's a decent slasher with a knack for putting the ball in the basket.

Room to improve: Joseph doesn't do any one thing exceptionally well. He's projected as a role player in the NBA with the chance to be a solid rotational backup. If he could boost his 34.5-percent 3-point shooting from college and find a niche that way, he could be a valuable commodity.

Outlook: Barring injuries to Paul Pierce and Jeff Green, Joseph will struggle to find the floor for the Celtics. He should spend some time with the Maine Red Claws, which wouldn't be a bad thing at all as he adjusts to the pro game. Joseph could end up being a brilliant pick from Danny Ainge in the mold of Ryan Gomes, a player with college experience who can contribute to an NBA roster. His upside is lower than that of Gomes, but the second round is not a place where superstars are typically drafted.

bob

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