Sowing The Seeds Of #17

Not so long ago, Timberwolves Head of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale laid down his philosophy on how to run a front office in the NBA. "Sometimes," he said, "the best deals are the ones you don't make." Now McHale wasn't the first HoBA or GM to ever utter that phrase, but any time I can drop the name of the single greatest post player in NBA history, I'm gonna take it.

Prior to last night's draft, the internets had been abuzz with a rumoured deal between Portland and Boston that would have sent Nick Van Exel and the #3 overall pick to Portland in exchange for Celtics superstah Paul Pierce (the only NBA player whose jersey I currently own). Supposedly we would have used that pick on HS stud Gerald Green. Danny Ainge is no dummy and decided to stay put. Good thing to, because thanks (again!) to the Toronto Raptors, the Celtics sat back at pick #18 and watched Green drop right into their lap. To say Green, an athletic small forward, has superstar potential is an understatement. Kendrick Perkins, himself a high school pick by the C's two years ago, who played against Green when he grew up in Texas, reportedly started jumping up and down at the C's draft party once it was clear that Green would fall to Boston.

The entire scenario was eerily reminiscent of the 1999 draft in which Paul Pierce (easily the second or third most talented player in the draft) fell all the way to the Celtics at pick #10. Needless to say CelticNation was pleased with our rosy future as we all settled into bed last night. We just drafted a possible conerstone of the franchise (to go along with stud PF Al Jefferson) and his last name is Green! The stars were aligned for us last night.

Even The Sports Guy's dad loved this pick. So sayeth TSG: "Just a satisfying three minutes all around. I get to root for Big Al and G-Money for the next 15 years. What could be better than that?"

Now let's be clear, Danny Ainge is no genius for drafting Gerald Green. He was easily the most talented player on the board at 18. Much like TSG's dad, I was praying New Mexico SF Danny Granger would be our choice, but Larry Bird made sure he didn't drop past #17, one pick before us. Granger is gonna be a player. Book it. He could have helped the C's tremendously next year, instead we have to (get to?) wait a few years and see if Green (aka G-Money) really is the next Tracy McGrady. Hey, I'm a patient man.

Danny does get props for drafting Ryan Gomes at #50 though. Gomes is easily a first round talent. Both Detroit and San Antonio strongly considered drafting him late in the first. I was surprised the Spurs passed on him, Gomes has Spur written all over him. Instead Danny tabbed the big SF his team needs so desperately just 10 picks before the end of the draft. I'll be shocked if Gomes isn't in our regular rotation two months into the season. Ainge took unheralded PG Orien Greene from LaFayette with pick #53. Again with the Greene! I'm not so sure he'll make the squad, but will be watching him in the summer leagues.

Many thanks to Tien for the photo from last night. He took some others too.