CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Narrowing Down the Options

With Horford coming in, it seems as though Doc and Danny have completed their workouts for players they are considering with the 5th pick. In an article on Celtics.com Doc said that he has 2 specific players in mind.

At this point, the draft is next Thursday the team has just one more workout planned for Wednesday, although Ainge said he hopes to bring back a few players who've already worked out for the team for a second look if possible. But as the process draws to a close, what have the Celtics learned about the players who've come in to show their stuff?

"They're really good against Clifford Ray," joked Rivers, who later added that he's got two specific guys in mind from the workouts who have impressed him because of their high basketball I.Q. "I pretty much know who I like, but I still think that's dangerous for coaches. It's limited what we get to see. We're not out there at practices during the season, we don't get to go out on the road and watch them live."
Rivers did say that he and Ainge are on the same page when it comes to the guys with whom they've been impressed. And both noted that all three players from Florida (Horford, Corey Brewer and Joakim Noah) who've worked out with the Celtics carry themselves in a similar, distinct manner that sets them apart.

Reports have Atlanta set to take Horford and Memphis is deciding between Noah and Conley.

If Horford is available, he would probably be our pick, but almost all reports say that Atlanta likes him with the 3rd pick. Of the players that Danny and Doc have worked out, we should have available to us Yi, Brewer, Green, B Wright, Thornton, and maybe Noah. In Chad Ford's article on Yi, he mentions that one of the questions about Yi is is overall basketball IQ. If the players that Doc and Danny have in mind have high basketball IQ, it would seem that Yi is not one of them. Doc and Danny have been high on Al Thornton and he is known for his shooting but hasn't been singled out for his basketball IQ either.

Three players were singled out for their high basketball IQ's during Celtics workouts and those are Brewer, Noah, and Green. If Noah is gone at 4, that leaves Brewer or Green for our pick. I think any one of these 3 would be able to come in and contribute right away. Each one would have a diffrent role.

Noah has tons of energy and enthusiasm. He is athletic and long and can get out and run the floor well. He is a great ball handler for a big man and can grab a rebound and start the fast break on his own. He is a very good passer for a player his size and position and is a great rebounder and shotblocker. He would be a glue guy on any team as he is unselfish, a good motivator, and a natural leader. He knows how to win and as has been said, has a very high basketball IQ.

Brewer greatest strength is as a lock down defende. He can guard multiple positions and do a great job at it. His long arms gets him lots of steals. He is a decent scorer and can get out on the fast break and finish well. He has good range on his jump shot and during the NCAA tournament, he proved that he can take his game to a higher level in big games. He is also a decent rebounder for a wing player. And, he has the prerequisite high basketball IQ.

Jeff Green can do a bit of everything. He is a very good scorer and can shoot, drive to the hoop, or score on the post up. He is a good rebounder and a great passer. He is a very good defender and can defend both big men and smaller players. He can can hit the three and is a tough presence inside along with being a good shot blocker. He also is known for his high basketball IQ.

So, This narrows the pick down to 3 players and if Noah is indeed going to Memphis, it would be between Brewer or Noah. Either would be able to come in and help right away and both promise to be very good players in the league.

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