Game Day: Celtics (40-22) @ Suns (20-42), Sun 3/5/17

[OE32]

A few thoughts:
- You don't pass on a prospect of Fultz's (and maybe Ball's) caliber because you have a PG rotation of Bledsoe/Ulis. That's like Milwaukee passing on Chris Paul because they had TJ Ford.

Agreed, but if there is a prospect at another position who is at the same level as Fultz or Ball then passing on them can be acceptable. I know many don't see it that way, but I think Jackson is on the same level as Fultz and Ball as a prospect.

Maybe I'll get there before the draft, but I'm just not seeing what so many are seeing with Jackson. I have all of Isaac, Ntilikina and Williams over Jackson on my board. If I'm at #3 and Fultz and Ball are off the board, I'm looking to trade down or out. Don't get me wrong - I think this is a good draft class. I just don't think we're in a position to be cashing in on chips. I'd rather just push this value forward if I can. I like the guys on our roster. As a general rule, you want to draft players who will replace vets - not your other recent draft picks!

I actually think McD and I are on the same page about the overall strategy. While I've been in favor of drafting BPA regardless in years past, I'm forced to think positionally with all the young talent on the roster. I think McD will take a positional approach to this draft, based on what I'm reading here: http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /98830564/. Furthermore, I'm pretty sure we all know what position we need to upgrade (center, unless McD thinks Bender can start there in two years... I see him instead as a super-duper sixth playing along the whole front line for now). That makes me optimistic that, just like as McD and I were on the same page with our 2014 and 2015 lotto selections, we'll be on the same page on draft day 2017 - and Robert Williams will be the selection:

[carey]

It would take some cajones for McDonough to select Robert Williams. From what I can tell Williams is an athletic freak that needs serious work on big man fundamentals. He would be an interesting player to pair with Chriss & Bender though. I think in a sense these two videos illustrate where he's at skill wise right now. One, a highlight video versus Kentucky the other night where he finishes a ton of lobs for dunks and looks like a defensive presence. Then the matchup video against U of A earlier in the year where Schultz highlights his lack of fundamentals like boxing out, footwork, positioning etc. All things he'll improve upon at the next level. Intriguing if we fall out of the top 5.

[youtube][/youtube]
[youtube][/youtube]

[OE32]

It would take some cajones for McDonough to select Robert Williams. From what I can tell Williams is an athletic freak that needs serious work on big man fundamentals. He would be an interesting player to pair with Chriss & Bender though. I think in a sense these two videos illustrate where he's at skill wise right now. One, a highlight video versus Kentucky the other night where he finishes a ton of lobs for dunks and looks like a defensive presence. Then the matchup video against U of A earlier in the year where Schultz highlights his lack of fundamentals like boxing out, footwork, positioning etc. All things he'll improve upon at the next level. Intriguing if we fall out of the top 5.

[youtube][/youtube]
[youtube][/youtube]

Your analysis is the consensus and I can't disagree with it. I do think his profile resembles Chriss in that they are both athletic freaks with poor fundamentals. What made Chriss a good pick was his mentality and personality as much as his athleticism, which is why I think it's determinative whether Williams has what it takes mentally. He'll have to learn. He'd probably be glued to the bench for a year while Chandler and Williams hold it down.

[djy2j]

Finally was able to watch the game.

Very happy for the young guys playing the way they did and getting a huge win to show for it. I am thoroughly impressed with how advanced Ulis's playmaking skills are at this point. He's like a little baby Nash.

I like Chriss's sudden development. It seemed like he was developing a littler slow most of the season due to being thrust into a starter role but he's taken big leaps the past few weeks. He's starting to show more flashes of "getting it."

Couldn't have written the ending any better. Having Ulis hit the game winner over Thomas the best ending. Little man vs. little man.

Not to take anything away from Chriss but it looked like Thomas took his eye off the ball, bobbled it into Chriss's leg, and then it caromed of Chriss to Ulis. I'll give credit to Chriss for being there though. Sometimes that's all it takes.

Love the energy this team has had the past couple games.