The Boston Celtics looked overseas to get some much needed front court help
The Boston Celtics have been getting a lot of backlash from the media over their draft. Many people were disappointed without a trade happening, but what puzzled people the most was selecting Guerschon Yabusele. Yabusele was never expected to be a first round selection, and many believe that even if the Celtics believed in him, he could have been selected later on in the draft.
The Celtics then went for another foreign big man in Ante Zizic. Zizic was definitely not a reach at 23, but the Celtics are risking a lot of draft picks on young players that have only played in europe. Yabusele is just 20 years old and Zizic is even younger at 19. The Celtics are investing a lot in the high end potential of these bigs.
The bottom line is that the Celtics needed to address their front court in this draft, and they did exactly that. Whether or not the Celtics reached for Yabusele does not take away from what could develop into one of the most dynamic front courts.
The Celtics have made it clear that they want their bigs to be versatile athletes. They want players with position versatility that can have an impact on both ends in small ball lineups. Other than Jordan Mickey, the Celtics have very little high end potential in their front court.
With very little competition around them, Yabusele and Zizic will both have an opportunity to be a main contributor in their front court. The Celtics may opt to give both of them another season to develop in Europe, but there is a great possibility that they both could have an impact on day one.
Ainge has remained consistent with drafting for defense. The Celtics have a phenomenal core of defensive guards that could benefit greatly from help in the front court. The hope is that Mickey will be able to have an impact this season, but both Zizic and Yabusele can eventually have an impact on the defensive end. They can both bring some rim protection, while having the mobility needed to guard on the outside.
Yabusele is undersize, making it more difficult for him to have an impact in the interior of the defense. His explosiveness and aggressiveness, however, will go a long ways in making up for the lack of height. Both players play the with kind of defensive activity and aggressiveness that the Celtics flourish with, and that alone is often enough to get playing time from Brad Stevens.
Given their age an inexperience, it is unrealistic to expect either of them to be able to keep up on the defensive end. They need time to develop their bodies and they need time to adjust to the elevated level of play in the NBA. If that can be done, then the Celtics may not be too far away from a front court that can match the defense of their back court.
Throw in that both players have shown the ability to attack in multiple ways on offense, and they can both be the kind of two way players their front court needs. Zizic may not stretch the floor like Yabusele has the potential to do, but both players can attack in the paint.
If they can get comfortable in Stevens’ offense, then they have offensive tools and unique skill sets that can be used in his system. They may not have the potential to run the offense or generate a lot of offense for their teammates, but all they need to prove is that they can adjust to the NBA, and they both have ways of being effective in Stevens’ system.
A lot of people had problems with the players selected, but after doing a great job of building a core of guards, Ainge has finally turned his focus onto the front court. Ainge spent 2 first round picks on guards Terry Rozier and R.J Hunter last year, and this season all three first round picks were forwards.
The Celtics may have to wait a few years before they know for sure what they can get out of their last 2 first round draft picks, but they have shown no indications of rushing their rebuild. The Celtics have done a great job of addressing the long term future of their guards, and this draft presented Ainge with a great opportunity to start that process with the front court.
Jaylen Brown may be the only rookie that can expect any kind of significant role this season, but if Zizic or Yabusele can prove that they can quickly adjust to the NBA, then they should get an opportunity to have an impact off the bench. At the very least, the Celtics desperately need front court depth and two solid versatile athletes can open things up for Stevens in small ball lineups.
Next: Celtics Come Up Big in Round 2
Amir Johnson may not last the second year of his contract, Jared Sullinger may be expecting more money than the Celtics are willing to pay and Tyler Zeller regressed horribly last year. The Celtics know that they need to make significant changes to their front court and the hope is that they can get some immediate help in free agency, while their two internationals prospects develop into the potential that the Celtics believe they have.