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| The Celtics added two major pieces to the rebuilding process Thursday night, selecting Purdue teammates JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore in the first and second round of the NBA Draft. |
Danny Ainge has a plan.
Kicking the tires on any possible blockbuster deals, Boston's mad scientist head honcho instead took a different approach Thursday night at the NBA Draft.
While much of the spotlight fell on the rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers selecting point guard Kyrie Irving of Duke with the first overall pick, Ainge patiently waited until the tail end of the first round to make a big-time splash for the transitionary-minded Celtics.
While much of the spotlight fell on the rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers selecting point guard Kyrie Irving of Duke with the first overall pick, Ainge patiently waited until the tail end of the first round to make a big-time splash for the transitionary-minded Celtics.
Initially, Boston selected Providence College star MarShon Brooks with the 25th overall pick, inciting great applause from many New Englanders familiar with the incendiary Friar point guard (he was the nation's second highest scorer last season at 24.6 points per game, behind only BYU sharpshooter Jimmer Fredette).
However, in customary Ainge-fashion, the Celts GM quickly traded Brooks to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for the 27th overall pick and a second round pick in 2012.
Minutes later, Ainge wowed the Newark, New Jersey crowd by using the 27th pick to select center JaJuan Johnson of Purdue.
In Johnson, the Celtics acquire exactly the type of player they have coveted for years: a talented, athletic big man who can score the basketball, grab boards and defend the rim.
"I love that I'm going to Boston," said Johnson after being taken by the Celts. "It's great to be able to learn from all their veteran guys. You have so many NBA All-Stars on that team. Just to be able to play with a great point guard like Rondo and all those guys truly is a blessing."
At 6'11'', 220lbs, Johnson possesses an impressive physical frame similar to Kevin Garnett.
And, like KG, Johnson can play both ends of the floor. Not only did he lead the Boilermakers in scoring last season with 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, but Johnson also blocked 2.3 shots per game on his way to being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
And, like KG, Johnson can play both ends of the floor. Not only did he lead the Boilermakers in scoring last season with 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, but Johnson also blocked 2.3 shots per game on his way to being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Those stats sound like music to Celtics fans ears. After all, ever since the Green traded away beloved center Kendrick Perkins, a major flaw and gaping concern became rebounding.
More closely, despite posting a 56-26 regular season record and reaching the second round of the playoffs before bowing out to the high-flying Heat, Boston ranked 29th in team rebounding in 2010-11, averaging just under 39 boards per game.
More closely, despite posting a 56-26 regular season record and reaching the second round of the playoffs before bowing out to the high-flying Heat, Boston ranked 29th in team rebounding in 2010-11, averaging just under 39 boards per game.
In short, the Celtics got killed on the glass last season.
Johnson will immediately help out in that regard and figures to only get better with time, as he now has the luxury to shadow Garnett and pick his Hall of Fame brain.
In addition, Johnson was a four-year starter at Purdue who showed an uncanny knack for improvement. In fact, his scoring, rebounding, assists and blocked shorts increased every year. And, while his offensive game features springboard-type leaping ability and dunks galore, Johnson isn't relegated to just points in the paint.
"Pick-and-pop, he's a terrific shooter for his size and is extremely athletic," said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. "We've proven we can get bigs shots and, so, we can get him shots and he'll make them."
He also possesses the ability to sink an 18-footer, like KG, which no doubt attracted the Celtics to him.
"He's a confident shooter," added Rivers. "Watching him in the workouts, he kind of knows where his shots come from. It's funny, he didn't stray far away from his spots, and that tell you he's mature enough to understand who he is and how he plays. That's always a plus."
"I hate labeling him, some people say Chris Bosh, or Horace Grant, from my era, would be the guy I picked. But, we'll see."
If Johnson ends up becoming anything close to Bosh, the Celts will have undoubtedly found a diamond in the late-round draft rough.
However, one thing is clear: with just six players under contract for next season (KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rondo, Jermaine O' Neal and Avery Bradley) only two are big men. At the very least, by adding Johnson to the mix the Celts address a glaring need in the front court.
If Johnson ends up becoming anything close to Bosh, the Celts will have undoubtedly found a diamond in the late-round draft rough.
However, one thing is clear: with just six players under contract for next season (KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rondo, Jermaine O' Neal and Avery Bradley) only two are big men. At the very least, by adding Johnson to the mix the Celts address a glaring need in the front court.
With their second and final pick of the draft, the Celtics selected Johnson's Purdue teammate, 6'4'', 191 pound shooting guard E'Twaun Moore with the 55th overall pick. Moore could turn out to be a great steal for the Celts, having averaged 18 points, 5.1 boards and 3.2 assists last season for the Boilermakers.
He is also a sharp-shooter who can hit the three and run the floor. Last season, Moore shot 44.7% from the field and 40% from the three point line.
One more thing to love about Johnson and Moore: they're winners. During their four year stint at Purdue, the dynamic duo posted 107 wins, the most ever for any player in Boilermaker history.
Suddenly, with Johnson and Moore now in the fold, the Celtics' future looks bright again.
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