Is Fab Melo the Best Option For the C’s?

Throughout the past week or so, Fab Melo has been brought up in every conversation involving the Celtics and their first round draft picks. I, like everyone, bought into the hype of drafting Melo, but after looking at a few other players, I think there may be other options besides the 7 foot center from Syracuse.

As I’ve looked over Fab Melo’s game, I honestly don’t think he’d be the greatest fit. The Celtics need rebounding and post defense the most, but just because Melo is 7 feet, its not certain that he’ll be a great rebounder. If that were the case, Ryan Hollins should be getting at least 10 rebounds a night, but what it all comes down to is desire.

Two other players that I am very intrigued with are Arnett Moultrie and Andrew Nicholson. While Moultrie is projected to go early in the draft, around 15-20, Andrew Nicholson could possibly get drafted in the lower to mid 20′s in the first round.

Why I’m Skeptical On Fab Melo

From what I hear, he is a work in progress. Seeing that the Celtics are on the fringe of either staying intact for next season, or rebuilding, I’m not sure drafting a project is the best way to go.

Being the size Melo is, (7’0″ 250 lb) I was really surprised when I saw he only averaged 6 rebounds a game. That’s concerning to me. The Celtics need rebounding, not another 7 footer who just clogs the lane, and is pretty much nonexistent in the game.

He’s not really a great offensive player either. He only averaged around 8 points a game, and again, for someone his size that’s quite surprising.

He does show flashes of brilliance, and has potential. Seeing that he’s only a sophomore, its expected that his game needs to be polished. Ultimately for me it comes down to 2 things: he’s going to be a project, and he’s not that good of a rebounder. Those factors right there are why I’d be very hesitant to draft him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKyP3Por3xI

Arnett Moultrie

Moultrie may be a sleeper in this year’s draft. He’s a decent outside shooter, runs the floor extremely well for a power forward, and is a rebounder.

According to people who were at the combine, he has a tireless work-ethic. Even when he wasn’t playing in the NBA combine, he did workouts with trainers. Players like this don’t come around that often, especially in this era. The Celtics need a guy who just works, like they had in Kendrick Perkins.

Moultrie’s stats this year at Mississippi State were 16.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Thats impressive, considering he’s actually playing out of position. He originally played small forward when he was at UTEP, but since transferring to Mississippi State, he’s played power forward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8zBajaMUw8

Andrew Nicholson

Being a player from St. Bonaventure, I never really saw him play. According to a lot of draft previews, and player reviews, Nicholson sounds like a good offensive threat. He can shoot 3 point shots, play in the interior, and has moves to create himself some easy shots.

He has length, which allows him to play bigger than he really is. For his size (6’9″ 240 lb) he’s a good rebounder, averaging 8 rebounds a game.

What I also like about Nicholson is that he can score. In is Junior year, he averaged 20 points a game, and in his senior year he averaged 18.5 points a game. In all 4 years at St. Bonaventure, Nicholson never had a shooting percentage lower than 50%. For a power forward who can shoot from anywhere on the court, thats very impressive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAQ9ZqcYFKI

Its going to be interesting to see what the Celtics do on draft night. Right now, I’d be looking at players we’re not hearing about. It always seems like the sleepers in the draft are the ones who have successful NBA careers.