Why Didn't The Celtics Draft Tony Parker? Red Auerbach.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/18/why-didnt-the-celtics-draft-tony-parker-red-auerbach/



Why didn’t the Celtics draft Tony Parker? Red Auerbach
Dan Feldman Jun 18, 2014, 12:22 PM EDT



Eighteen teams over 27 picks passed on Tony Parker in the 2001 NBA draft before the Spurs selected him with the final pick of the first round.

Parker – all due respect to Pau Gasol – became the best player in that draft. A four-time NBA champion, four-time All-NBA player and six-time All-Star, Parker has had an incredible career.

There are a lot of teams kicking themselves today.

Nobody passed on him more than the Celtics, who held the Nos. 10, 11 and 21 picks. They used those first two picks on Joe Johnson and Kedrick Brown, and then-Boston general manager Chris Wallace – who now runs the Grizzlies – knew what to do next.


Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com:

Ian O'ConnorVerified account
‏@Ian_OConnor
Chris Wallace wanted Tony Parker at 21 in 01 draft; Red Auerbach banged his cane on floor & said,"I want (Joe) Forte." #Spurs
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Boston, as Auerbach desired, drafted Joe Forte.

That devilish Red Auerbach – always costing the Celtics championships. Will Boston fans ever forgive him?

By the way, why do we never hear about that time a GM really wanted a prospect who didn’t pan out but was ultimately talked out of it?




bob
MY NOTE:  If Red can blow that one maybe we shouldn't be dragging out every player Danny has passed over, like 2nd rounder DeAndre Jordan, either.



.

C's passed on Bryant and McGrady, too, before Ainge's time as GM.

I do think it's fair to note what GMs did and didn't do, just the nature of the game and the same way we judge players, coaches, and ownership.



KJ

I read some where that Popovich was unimpressed with Parker after he worked out for the Spurs but that an assistant coach talked Pop into taking him.


I also read some where that there were plenty of folks in Celtic management who thought that Parker was worth taking a chance on but Red insisted on Joe Forte.

Even the great ones can blow it.  And even the great ones can get lucky.

The spurs have led the way in signing international players. With low draft picks over the last 15-20 yrs they have obviously done their homework in scouting the foreign players and have chosen to rely on them as late round picks. In addition to Parker they picked up Ginobili with the 57TH pick in the 1999 draft.

swish