Jordan Mickey Bringing Exactly What the Celtics Need

The Boston Celtics opted to solidify their core of guards through the draft but they never completely forgot about their most pressing need, rim protection. The Celtics had no legitimate shot blockers and with their tendency to play small ball teams would absolutely dominate them in the paint.

Amongst the three other guards that the Celtics selected they also went with Jordan Mickey, an undersized power forward who was a dominate shot blocker in college. It is just summer league and he has a long ways to go and has a lot of adjustments to make in the NBA but Mickey is showing early signs of helping solve the Celtics’ biggest problem.

Mar 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Jordan Mickey (25) steals the ball from North Carolina State Wolfpack forward BeeJay Anya (right) during the first half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at the CONSOL Energy Center. NC State won 66-65. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mickey averaged an unbelievable 3.6 blocks per game at LSU and he is doing a formidable job of maintaining that pace in the summer league. Mickey is one of the league leaders with 2 blocks per game but that is in just 25 minutes per game. If he kept that pace but played the same amount of minutes as he saw in his final season at LSU, Mickey is averaging 2.8 blocks per game.

Mickey may have already wrapped up the title for best shot blocker currently on the Celtics and even if he doesn’t bring anything else to the table that will be enough to get him playing time. The Celtics will have to take a hit on the offensive end but Mickey allows them to continue to play small ball and even if he won’t excel, Mickey has shown signs that he can contribute on the offensive end too.

In addition to being one of the summer league leaders in blocks, Mickey is also near the top of the list of shooting percentage. Mickey is shooting the ball at a rate of 52% and if he can prove to be a reliable finisher then he will have a great shot at replacing Brandon Bass in the starting lineup.

The Celtics have many options for the power forward position that includes, Jonas Jerebko, Jared Sullinger, David Lee and Amir Johnson. Mickey will be at the bottom of the list offensively but Mickey brings something to the table that none of the others do.

Brad Stevens made the decision to start Marcus Smart at the point guard position even though he was young and unreliable on the offensive end. Mickey has a long ways before he can have the kind of role that Smart does but Brad Stevens will give Mickey an opportunity to carve out a significant role on the team.

Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens and guard Marcus Smart (36) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Celtics defeats the Suns 115-110. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Stevens has a lot of trust in his offensive system and that goes a long way in having the confidence to start the defensive minded Smart. That same mentality could very well wind up getting Mickey in the starting lineup.

If the Celtics are able to keep up on the offensive end with Mickey in the lineup then his potential to shot blocks will be more important than any offensive edge the other power forwards bring. Shooting the ball above 50% while being the top shot blocker will all but guarantee Mickey a spot in the rotation. Stevens will not need him to be anything more than a reliable finisher.

The Celtics need to have an imposing shot blocker on the team and they may have managed to find that in a 6’8 power forward. Mickey’s combination of height and ability to block the ball is truly remarkable and is a feat that no other power forward on the team can bring to the table.

Mickey may need some time before he gets a chance at the starting rotation but Smart was also in a similar situation as he began the season coming off the bench.

Mickey can be the missing piece that allows the Celtics to create a formidable defense. They have great perimeter defenders in Smart, Crowder and Bradley and if they can accompany that with a great shot blocker then defense may no longer be a liability for the Celtics.

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