What to Expect from Jordan Mickey

The Boston Celtics shocked a lot of people with their draft picks this year but Jordan Mickey brought a great sigh of relief. The Celtics waited until their third pick of the draft to address their most pressing need in rim protection.

Mickey may be undersized but that works really well with the Celtics. He is just as tall as last year’s starting power forward Brandon Bass but he posses significantly more athleticism.

Mar 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Beejay Anya (21) blocks the shot of LSU Tigers forward Jordan Mickey (25) in the second half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Consol Energy Center. The Wolfpack won 66-65. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mickey will give Stevens an opportunity to continue with his small ball lineups while getting a boost in the shot blocking area. Mickey has a lot of developing to do on the offensive end, especially when he is compared to the other power forwards on the Celtics but the potential he brings on the defensive end will certainly give him an opportunity to have an impact on the team.

In order to get a better idea of what to expect from the rookie I went straight to the source at Death Valley Voice and got plenty of insight from their editor Josh Criswell.

Here’s how our Q&A went

1) What area did Jordan Mickey Show the most improvement in his final season at LSU?

It is tough to pick just one area that he improved in because he seemed to improve his game in every aspect except ball control and free throw shooting. If I had to choose, I would have to say his rebounding ability. Mickey was a respectable rebounder during his freshman year, but this past season he emerged as one of the best rebounders in the conference, finishing two rebounds shy of averaging a double double.

2) Do you think there is anything that has happened during his time at LSU that has helped prepare Mickey for playing in a city like Boston?

I think it benefits Mickey a lot that he was relied on as one of the go to guys on the team from the minute he stepped on the court for LSU. It helps that he has experience going up against NBA caliber post players from his match ups against Kentucky and Arkansas. Mickey held his own in those games, as he upset the Wildcats his freshman year and delivered a dominant performance against two lottery picks in a close loss this past season.

3) Were there any teams in particular you thought that Mickey would be best suited for before he was drafted?

The Celtics were actually one of the best fits for Mickey in my opinion and I even projected him going to Boston in our mock draft last week (albeit with the 28th pick). I love that he will be able to not only step in and receive immediate playing time, but also take the rim protector role that Boston has been searching for. Another team that I thought would have been a good fit is the Golden State Warriors because of how much they like to use smaller lineups.

4) In what area do you think Mickey has the most potential to improve?

Ball control, ball control, ball control. Mickey was dominant in nearly every facet of the game last season, but his glaring weakness was his ability to hold onto the basketball. Way too often he would get stripped while backing down opponents in the paint or trying to dive to the basket. The 3+ turnovers per game that he averaged last year was a mixed bag because it coincided with his growth as a scoring threat, an area he saw great improvement in. He also needs to improve his free throw shooting.

5) Do you expect Mickey to succeed with the Celtics or do you think he will have to find success on another team?

I do believe he will succeed in Boston. Due to his shot blocking prowess, he already has carved out a role for himself as the team’s rim protector. I also believe that by the midway point of his second season in the league, he will have solidified a spot in the starting lineup. It is going to be fun to watch Mickey, Brad Stevens and the rest of this young group continue to grow in the NBA.

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