The Celtics Poised for an Eventful Draft Night

Will Celtics GM Danny Ainge (left) make Brad Stevens' job easier on draft night? The former Celtics guard will certainly have plenty of assets to work with, as the C's boast eight picks in the 2016 NBA Draft.

By Adam Lowenstein (@StatsAdam)

Thursday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, sixty players will enter the National Basketball Association in the 70th NBA draft.

There are three teams with three picks in the first round – the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. In the first NBA draft, the NBA was known as the Basketball Athletic Association (BAA), and the Celtics also had the third pick in that draft.

The only team other than Boston to keep its city and name from the inaugural draft in 1947, the New York Knicks, do not have a first-round pick in the 2016 draft. For the second time in three years, and the third time in the last five years, Carmelo Anthony’s squad is unable to bolster the team’s talent with a selection in the first round.

Neither New York team owns a first-round selection, as the other Atlantic Division teams took advantage of them. The Toronto Raptors’ ninth selection is from the Knicks, and the Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett trade is still paying dividends for the Celtics, who have improved their record by 23 wins over the last two seasons.

The Celtics, The Draft Lottery, And Time Loops

The Celtics are re-building around Rajon Rondo. But what if they change their plans?

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

"Time is a flat circle. Everything we've ever done or will do, we're going to do over again." -Nietzsche

In 2007, the Boston Celtics finished 24-58, the second-worst record in the league. Waiting for them in the draft that summer were Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, widely considered to be among the best 1-2 in any draft in over a decade. The Celtics had roughly a 39 percent chance at a top-two pick (which seems ridiculous, considering they had the 2nd-worst record, but that's beside the point). We all know what happened. Three teams (Portland, Seattle, and Atlanta) jumped Memphis (who had the worst record) into the top three, and Boston was left with the 5th pick.

The Celtics at the time had a rather disgruntled star in Paul Pierce. The Celtics had made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002, but hadn't had nearly as much success since - they're playoff record over the next five years was 7-14, and they missed the playoffs in both 2006 and 2007. Pierce would turn 30 during the 2007-2008 season, so the Celtics decided a full-scale rebuild wasn't an option - by the time their young players were ready, Pierce would be too old to carry them. So instead of building for the future, they flipped the pick to Seattle for Ray Allen. A few weeks later, they traded their youngest, most valuable asset (Al Jefferson, who averaged a 16/11 in 2007) for Kevin Garnett. They had their "big three" and the rest, as they say, is history.

Why Tanking isn't Such a Bad Thing

The 76ers have no hope for this year, but with surprising rookie Michael Carter-Williams and the promise of a high pick in the loaded 2014 NBA Draft, Philly fans can dream of a better future.

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

This time of year, so many people are talking about "tanking," and how it's ruining the NBA.

True, it is no fun when your favorite team is seemingly losing games on purpose now, so that it can be better later. But, is it really the worst thing in the world that teams like Philadelphia and Milwaukee are being realistic, tossing short-term goals out the window in favor of long-term ones?

I for one don't think so. In fact, I'm quite the fan of tanking, and here's why.

Wheeling Out The NBA Draft Lottery

A recent proposal would get rid of ping pong balls as the NBA's method of determining the draft order.

By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

Earlier today, Grantland's Zach Lowe outlined a proposal submitted to the league by an unnamed team official which would abolish the NBA Draft Lottery and replace it with a "Wheel" of 30 draft slots, visualized below.

Taking You To School Podcast: Scola to Indiana and The Bucks Continue To Buck

Will Brandon Jennings be back for the Bucks? What will his impact be?

By SuiteSports Staff 

Joe Parello was joined by Jeremy Conlin and Kels Dayton to discuss the NBA's off-season news from the week. 

Luis Scola was traded from Phoenix to Indiana, and the gang discusses what type of impact he'll have for the Pacers. Are they good enough to knock of the Heat now? Also, Milwaukee signed Gary Neal to a two-year contract. What effect will that have for Brandon Jennings? Is there any way he leaves Milwaukee? 

Plus, the guys discuss the upcoming rookie class. Who will have the best rookie season? And who will have the best career?

Listen to internet radio with RF Sports Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Re-Building the New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans are re-building themselves in a very unique way

By Jeremy Conlin   @jeremy_conlin

Here are the facts:

•    The New Orleans Pelicans (formerly the Hornets) traded the rights to Nerlens Noel and a 2014 first-round pick (with top-5 protection) to Philadelphia for Jrue Holiday.

•    The New Orleans Pelicans (still formerly the Hornets) signed Tyreke Evans to a 4-year, $44 million offer sheet. In the subsequent sign-and-trade agreement with Sacramento (Evans’ former team) and Portland (a cooperating 3rd party), New Orleans surrendered Robin Lopez and Greivis Vasquez (two serviceable starters).

Taking You to School Podcast: NBA Draft Recap

"You get used to the boos kid..."

By SuiteSports Staff

Join SuiteSports' Jeremy Conlin and host Joe Parello as they break down the best and worst moves from one of the craziest drafts in recent memory. Who will be the best player from this class, which rookie fits in best with his new team, and which moves left us scratching our heads?

Plus, what's next for the Celtics in the wake of losing Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce? That and more on this week's edition of "Taking You to School," brought to you by RFSportsRadio.

 

Listen to internet radio with RF Sports Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Studs and Duds: Stern Forever

NBA Commissioner or 80s Sitcom Dad?

By Jeremy Conlin and Joe Parello

Studs and Duds is a weekly feature on Suite Sports. Who had a good week? Who had a bad week?

Studs

David Stern

The NBA's lovably hate-able commissioner submitted one of his finest performances ever at Thursday's NBA draft, drinking in the hate from all the (seemingly) ill-wishing fans, egging them on, before dropping the line, “We've had to explain to our international audience that the boo is an American sign of respect," before delivering his final coup de grace before the 27th pick:

Eight Weird Moments from The 2013 NBA Draft

The Cavaliers surprised everyone by taking Anthony Bennett with the first overall pick (flickr)

By Jeremy Conlin

Here are eight of the weirdest moments from the weirdest NBA draft I can remember:

1. The Cavaliers select Anthony Bennett first overall

All day and in the week leading up, the Cavs had been engaging in some savvy misinformation. Various reports were getting leaked that they were either shopping the pick (to Minnesota, Portland, New Orleans, to name three) or that they were still undecided who they were going to take if they kept the pick.

2013 Normative Mock Draft

I know it's not 2006, don't send me angry mail.

By Jeremy Conlin

In economic terms, a normative statement expresses a judgment of something that ought to be. This is different from a positive statement, which concerns what is, was, or will be, with no expression of approval or disapproval.

For example (and I'll put this in basketball terms so it will hopefully be easier to understand), "Ray Allen makes a high percentage of his three-point attempts" is a positive statement. It simply describes a part of reality as it exists. Conversely, "Ray Allen should attempt more three-point shots" is a normative statement.

Most mock drafts are based on positive statements, with information gleamed from various sources in front offices and scouting staffs. I have no interest in assembling a mock draft this way. This is partly because I have no sources of my own, so the only information I'd be able to offer would be akin to throwing darts at a draft board and hoping I hit the right names.

So I'm ditching that idea. I'm doing a normative mock draft. I am not concerned at all with who the teams are rumored to pick, I only care about two things - what the pressing need(s) of the team is, and how various players address those needs.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Need: Rim protection, rebounding, wing depth

This one is pretty easy - Cleveland needs shotblocking and rebounding, and the presumed best player in the draft is a shotblocker and rebounder (and could develop into a nice pick-and-roll partner for Kyrie Irving).

The Pick: Nerlens Noel; F/C; Kentucky

Taking You To School Podcast: NBA Finals & NBA Draft

Is Victor Oladipo a future star?

By SuiteSports Staff 

This week on "Taking You To School," Joe and Jeremy recap the crazy NBA Finals. Was this the best Finals series ever? And how weird was it that every game seemed to have a new player stepping up? Also, what's next for the Heat and the Spurs - will they be back next year?

Also this week, a preview of the NBA draft. Joe and Jeremy discuss Nerlens Noel, Ben McLemore, Otto Porter, Victor Oladipo, Trey Burke, Anthony Bennett, and Alex Len. Who is the safest pick? And who has the most upside? All that and more on this week's episode.

Listen to internet radio with Real Fans Sports Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Pre-Combine NBA Mock Draft

(Editor's Note: The following mock draft is a joint venture between SuiteSports.com's Jeremy Conlin and RoundballDaily.com's Kels Dayton. If you don't know about RoundballDaily, you need to axe somebody. 

Well, since you axed, it is one of the best hoops blogs on the net run by our buddy Kels (who chats with us every week on our "Taking You to School" podcast). RoundballDaily tackles college and pro hoops, all with a sense of humor and appreciation of the game. -Joe)

By Kels Dayton and Jeremy Conlin

(Additional Editor's Note: My only contribution to this entire process was convincing Kels that Cleveland would take Otto Porter over Anthony Bennett at #3. Seriously, that's it. But my name is on the byline for some reason. Take it up with Joe if you don't like it. -Jeremy)

Mothers sobbing hysterically!! Giant teenagers in expensive suits!! Awkward handshakes with Commissioner Stern!! It can only mean one thing…the NBA Draft! We spoke to scouts, coaches, trainers and agents to come up with this, the most accurate mock draft you'll find anywhere from year to year. Picks, of course, are subject to change, but here's a pre-combine, pre-lottery look at what each team might do. Official draft lottery will be set on May 21.  

1. Orlando- Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky. Noel is probably the best talent in the draft and should go No. 1 no matter who wins the lottery because big men like him are hard to find. He is a freakish athlete and defensive dynamo, and has small forward-speed.  

The Anti-Decision: Andrew Wiggins and the Biggest Basketball Signing of a Generation

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

Everybody remembers "The Decision."

In about five seconds, LeBron James pissed off 29 cities (Nearly bringing the apocalypse to Cleveland) and coined the phrase "Taking my talents to…"  It is a preface that every Blue Chip college football/basketball player now uses when they commit to a program.

It was a decision so Earth moving that ESPN gave it a damn hour special, a ridiculous idea considering we all tuned in to hear one sentence. But LeBron was a special, once in a generation type of player, so we allowed him to grab the spotlight and hold it as long as he pleased.

Andrew Wiggins is a little bit different.

Stupid Indiana is Fun to Watch and Should Win It All

My God, those stupid pants.

By Joe Parello

I hate Indiana.

Not the state. Not the university, or its athletic department as a whole, but man do I hate that basketball program.

A few years ago, when Kelvin Sampson illegally phone called them into a nuclear winter, nobody was happier than I was.

I'm a Boilermaker, and hating the Hoosiers is what we do at Purdue.

The NBA's Age Limit Doesn't Even Make Sense for the NBA Anymore

Nerlens Noel's torn ACL served as a reminder to many of the stupidity of the NBA's age limit.

By Joe Parello

Kentucky freshman sensation Nerlens Noel tore his ACL in Tuesday night's big game against Florida, and with that ligament likely went the Wildcats' chance to make a run in March.

But, more importantly, it got people talking about the NBA's age limit, or what sports fans casually call the "one and done rule."

To enter the NBA Draft, you have to be 19-years old, or out of high school for at least one year. On its face, that seems like an arbitrary number. In the United States, where all but one of the NBA's 30 teams reside, you become a legal adult when you turn 18. You then become a "real" legal adult when you turn 21 and can consume alcohol, but that's neither here nor there.

So why, in a nearly entirely American professional sports league, do we choose the age of 19, and not 18 or 21?