Shooting Guards: Lots Of Options For Celtics At 17

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Shooting guards: Lots of options 
for Celtics at No. 17



Monday, June 23, 2014 PrintEmailComments
By:  Mark Murphy
 



On June 13 the Celtics hosted what could be called a high level shooting guard summit.

The Celtics are in desperate need of scoring, from any position, and quality shooting guards are naturally going to receive keen consideration. Among other pressures, there is the possibility that their existing undersized “two” guard, Avery Bradley, may leave via unrestricted free agency this summer.

So this prime group, including Oklahoma State point guard Marcus Smart and Louisiana Lafayette point guard Elfrid Payton, was sent onto the floor for one of the most electric pre-draft sessions of the workout season.

From the unsurpassed hops of UCLA’s Zach LaVine to the beautiful shooting stroke of Michigan’s Nik Stauskas, Danny Ainge and his staff had a lot to absorb. One of these names could easily surface when the Celtics turn to their 17th pick. For the purposes of grouping, Smart and Payton will be included in our point guard section.

WHAT IS POSSIBLE AT NO. 17

Jordan Clarkson

(Missouri junior, 6-foot-5, 193 pounds, 17.5 ppg, 3.4 apg, .281 3-pt.)

He’s probably more of a combo guard than a pure shooter, but Clarkson has great size for the position to go along with a great overall sense of the game.






Gary Harris

(Michigan State sophomore, 6-foot-4, 210, 16.7 ppg, .429 FG, .352 3-pt.)

Harris’ shooting numbers dropped as a sophomore, but he is still considered one of the best shooting/scoring guards on the draft board. The Indiana native has great familiarity with Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who gave it the old college try when he tried to lure Harris to Butler. Harris also carries the distinction of being quite possibly the best backcourt defender available — this side of Smart, anyway. But those skills would make him a very logical replacement for Bradley. He’s also expected to be gone by the 17th pick.









Zach LaVine


(UCLA freshman, 6-foot-5, 180, 9.4 ppg, .441 FG, .375 3-pt)

Some feel he could have used another season or two in college, but LaVine is one of the most athletic players in the draft. He’s also a promising shooter who can create space thanks to an explosive ability to get to the rim. His main questions reside in the other end of the floor. There is no evidence, to date, of LaVine’s ability to defend on the next level.





Nik Stauskas


(Michigan sophomore, 6-foot-6, 205, 17.5 ppg, .442 3-pt)

The Big Ten’s reigning player of the year is probably the most ready-made shooter on the draft board. It shouldn’t take long before he’s contributing somewhere, considering the NBA’s metamorphosis into a 3-point-crazed league. But the Celtics probably won’t get him here. Like Harris, Stauskas is expected to go in the late lottery.





Jordan Adams


(UCLA sophomore, 6-foot-5, 220, 17.4 ppg, .356 3-pt., .485 FG)

He’s a solid finisher and scorer who thrived on a team that dominated most opponents on the perimeter. His defensive skills also are considered above average, second perhaps only to Harris in this group in that respect.




C.J. Wilcox

(Washington senior, 6-foot-5, 195, 18.3 ppg)

He hasn’t worked out for the Celtics, but many teams in the vicinity of the 17th pick have had this lanky shooting guard in for a look. His shooting efficiency (.391 3-pt., .453 overall) are off the charts. A 6-foot-10 wingspan projects well for him as a defender.





Jabari Brown

(Missouri junior, 6-foot-5, 214, 19.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

A strong two-guard with solid scoring credentials. Former teammate Phil Pressey can vouch for him.

MY NOTE:  Projected to go #46 by draftexpress.  So, no video and not really an option at #17 either.  Supposedly a great spot-up, catch-and-shoot player.



Nick Johnson



(Arizona junior, 6-foot-3, 200, 16.3 ppg)

Dennis Johnson’s nephew is a tremendous athlete though somewhat undersized to play off the ball. He makes up for it in athleticism.





bob




.

Statements about how players have certain weaknesses but compensate for it in other ways usually bother me.  Short guards are more likely to be strong in giving opponents problems before the opponents get into the halfcourt set.  But they're at a disadvantage in a halfcourt defense, where hands in front of shooters are at a premium.  And the reverse is true.  But, frankly, I don't see more than average halfcourt defense from Avery Bradley.

Sam