Potential Celtic Scouting Report: Rakeem Christmas

 

To be honest, I don’t know for sure if this one is that realistic, I more just want it to be. As a Syracuse fan, I say with confidence that Center Rakeem Christmas will do well in the NBA. The 6’9″ big man from Irvington, New Jersey had an excellent career with the Orange, as he started 35 games in his freshman year. His best season was no doubt his last, when he averaged 17.5 points and 9 rebounds in 31 games played. He received national attention last year as a senior, I can only imagine that he could have carried Cuse deep into March if they didn’t ban themselves.

Christmas had a pre-draft workout with the Celtics already, and it seems to have gone well. Christmas also excelled in the NBA Draft Combine, helping to raise his stock.

I’ve watched Rakeem his whole college career. I can tell you with confidence that he is a scorer. He has the fundamental post moves, the runners, the hooks, the 15-foot jump shots. Within a few years, he could develop into a true 20-point-a-game player on offense. Christmas also averaged 2.5 blocks per game his senior year, proving he can disrupt shots in the post.

The only thing that worries me about XMas is his attitude. I remember Rakeem often pouting on the court when things didn’t go his way, kind of like he developed Lebron syndrome. He seemed to get distracted by a few missed shots and get upset and become inconsistent during games. I believe he needs to mature a bit before getting a role on an NBA team.

But, if he proves me wrong and has the right attitude out on the court, he could be a helpful asset immediately. Perhaps the Celtics will look into Christmas and give him a call on the night of the draft, since they are looking for a big man to help with their rebounding woes.

(P.S. Please be proud of me for not making a Christmas-themed joke once in this blog.)

#GoCeltics

Potential Celtic Scouting Report: Willie Trill Cauley-Stein

I’ll be doing a few blogs on players in this year’s NBA Draft that are drawing interest from the Celtics. As of right now, rumors are spreading about the Celtics wanting to trade up in the draft to grab the big man from Kentucky, Willie Cauley-Stein.

Cauley-Stein, who legally added the nickname “Trill” as a middle name recently, is a 7 foot, 240 pound center who is adept at protecting the rim and grabbing loose boards. His efficiency in rebounding is something that the Celtics definitely need, as Boston finished the year 26th best in opponent’s rebounds per game. The Celtics Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger, and Kelly Olynyk are all strong big men, but rebounding is not their strong suit, and they are not true centers. Bringing in a glass-eater like Cauley-Stein, who averaged 6.4 rebounds per game in 25 mpg last season, may be the first step in the Celtic’s mission to make noise in the playoffs next season.

The only downside to Cauley-Stein, who is considered one of the more prepared big men in this year’s draft, is his lack of offense. However, that may be the least of the Celtics worries for now. Their main focus seems to be snagging a true center who can provide defense inside and make an impact on the boards, and “Trill” just may be that guy.

In most mock drafts, Cauley-Stein is predicted to go to the Sacramento Kings with the 6th overall pick. Luckily for the Celtics, they have several picks that they can use to trade up for Cauley-Stein. Although I feel that Sam Dekker would fit in great with Boston, the Celtics brass obviously have their hearts set on a big man. If they can’t snag Trill, perhaps they will settle for UCLA power forward Kevin Looney, Arkansas big man Bobby Portis, or Texas power forward Myles Turner.

#GoCeltics

 

 

The Daily Buzz – May 20

Hometown Highlights:

• Wade Miley leads the Sox to a 4-3 victory over the Rangers.
  • Miley: 7.0 IP, 7 SO, 2 ER
  • Ortiz (6) & Napoli (4) HR each.
  • Red Sox: 13 hits, 8 batters with at least 1 hit.
  • Pablo Sandoval had to leave the game and had to be helped off in the 7th, after taking a 94 mph fastball off his knee.
• Robert Kraft announced that the Patriots would “reluctantly” accept the Deflategate punishments of 2 lost draft picks (2015 1st, 2016 4th) and the $1 million fine.
  • This does not affect Tom Brady’s appeal process.

Around the Nation:

1. The Minnesota Timberwolves win the1st pick in the NBA Draft lottery, their highest pick in team history.
   • Rest of Draft: 2. Lakers, 3. 76ers, 4. Knicks, 5. Magic, 6. Kings, 7. Nuggets, 8. Pistons, 9. Hornets, 10. Heat.
2. The Warriors overcome a 16pt deficit and take Game 1 from the Rockets, winning 110-106.
3. The Blackhawks level the series at 1-1 with the Ducks, winning a triple OT thriller 3-2 in Game 2 of the WCF.
4. The NFL voted to change the placement of the PAT to the 15 yd line.
   • Defenders can also now return intercepted, fumbled, or blocked 2-pt attempts to score 2 pts for themselves.
   • Rule is only in place for 2015 season, will be voted on for renewal in 2016.

Today’s Buzz:

1. Joe Kelly (1-2, 5.58 ERA) takes the mound for Boston as the Sox face Phil Klein (0-0, 7.71 ERA) and Texas at 7 PM.
2. LeBron James and the Cavaliers face off against Al Horford and the Hawks as the ECF begins in Atlanta at 8:30 PM.
3. The Lightning look to take another game from the Rangers as the two teams face off in Game 3 of the ECF.
   • Series tied 1-1.

***All times EST

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @TheBeantownBuzz

#FreeBrady

Who Should the Celtics Draft in the First Round?

So yeah, it’s not for a while, and the Celtics have the NBA Finals to win first, but it can’t hurt to speculate on what Danny Ainge should do in the NBA Draft on June 2015, now that March Madness is over and college kids are declaring for the draft. Let’s look at some of the team needs.

As of today, the C’s have averaged only 44.3 percent from the field this year, which is good for 20th in the league. This is a shame, since Boston averages the most field goal attempts per game, with 87. If only they could capitalize on that and increase their FG percentage, they would instantly become better.

Also, for the record, this FG percentage was not necessarily made better by Isaiah Thomas coming to town. In his 20 games with the Celtics, Thomas is shooting 42 percent from the field, which is lower than the team average now. Hell of a player, and he’s made the Celtics better overall, but the question remains: How can the Celtics improve on their scoring opportunities and become better on offense?

My answer to that question is this: Sam Dekker.

Dekker came into the national spotlight in this year’s NCAA college basketball tournament. The Sheboygan, Wisconsin native carried the Wisconsin Badgers to the national championship game, only to fall to Duke. The 6’9″ forward made about 64 percent on 2-point field goals this year and averaged 14 points per game playing second fiddle to Naismith Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky. However, Dekker came alive during the Badger’s tournament run, scoring 19 points per game and making ridiculous shot after ridiculous shot.

Maybe this is what the Celtics need: Another contributor on offense. You know how the Celtics like to lose big leads in the fourth quarter (remember the Golden State game)? Maybe that’s where Brad Stevens turns to Dekker. He can provide a little extra offensive firepower and clutchness to help Boston maintain leads late in the game. Not that Thomas can’t do that either, but having two guys who could go off any game can only be beneficial to a team.

There are other ways in which Dekker can help the Celtics next year, too. The Celtics were 27th this year in free throw attempts. On offense, Dekker is an attacker, fearlessly driving to the lane at will. If he can copy this success in the NBA, the Celtics as a whole should be able to generate more easy shots at the charity stripe. Boston is also in the middle of the pack in terms of rebounding with only 43 boards per game. The Celtics usually have Avery Bradley or Evan Turner play small forward, both who are too small for the position. Having a 6’9″ Dekker play small forward could give the C’s a height advantage in that position, helping them to secure more loose balls. Dekker is a scrapper who will fight for any ball he can get his hands on.

As of right now, Dekker is projected to be a mid-round 1st round pick, according to draftexpress.com. The Celtics have the 16th pick in the first round this year, and may be able to land Dekker and have him contribute right away. If Danny Ainge can’t snag Dekker with their first pick, he should look for other scoring options like Jerian Grant from Notre Dame or Devin Booker from Kentucky. Or, the Celtics could use their second first round pick to grab a scorer, and pick up Georgia State’s RJ Hunter, aka the guy who did this.

#GoCeltics