Tag Archives: Markelle Fultz

Celtics

Which NBA teams should Celtics fans keep an eye on?

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The Boston Celtics will be must-see TV with superstars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning. It will be important for Celtics fans to pay attention to other NBA teams as well because they will determine the placement of Boston’s draft picks at the end of the year.

In order to make mid-first-round draft picks sound exciting, the following is a list of notable Boston Celtics first-round draft selections outside of the lottery: Terry Rozier (No. 16 – 2015), Avery Bradley (No. 19 – 2010), Gerald Green (No. 18 – 2007), Al Jefferson (No. 15 – 2004), Rick Fox (No. 24 – 1991), Reggie Lewis (No. 22 – 1987)

Memphis Grizzlies

Celtics

Mike Conley (11) of the Memphis Grizzlies flexes during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo from TheCommercialAppeal.com)

In 2015, the Celtics, Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans orchestrated a three-team trade sending forward Jeff Green from Boston to Memphis in exchange for Austin Rivers, Tayshaun Prince, and a protected future first-round pick. Rivers would eventually be traded to the Clippers for a second-round pick. Prince went to the Pistons in a three-team deal involving Isaiah Thomas. The Celtics still hold the Grizzlies’ draft pick, which will be protected if it falls in between No. 1 and No. 8 in 2019 or No. 1 and No. 6 in 2020, and will be unprotected in 2021.

Last season, Memphis finished 14th in the Western Conference with a 22-60 record. With the return of Mike Conley from injury, as well as the emergence of former Celtic MarShon Brooks, the Grizzlies may improve. If that is the case, the Celtics may get their hands on a draft pick in the back half of the lottery. Although if the Grizzlies are to struggle, it may be another season or two until the Celtics see any further return on Jeff Green.

Los Angeles Clippers

During the 2016 NBA Draft, the Celtics traded picks 31 (Deyonta Davis) and 35 (Rade Zagorac) to the Memphis Grizzlies for a future 2019 first-round pick from the Clippers. Boston still owns the Clippers pick, which is lottery protected in both 2019 and 2020. If Los Angeles has not conveyed the pick by then, they will instead convey a 2022 second-round selection.

With the Clippers returning to mediocrity, it seems unlikely the Celtics will receive compensation any time soon. Last season, the Clippers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010-11. With the departures of Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan, not one of their remaining players has ever appeared in an All-Star game.

When the Clippers inevitably struggle, it will be detrimental for Boston. Their best-case scenario would be to receive a first-round pick outside of the lottery. Celtics fans should be rooting for Doc Rivers once more, because the more the Clipper lose, the longer the Celtics will have to wait for a return.

Sacramento Kings

Celtics

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) dribbles up court during an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Prior to the 2017 NBA Draft, Danny Ainge made a bold, but brilliant trade, moving the No. 1 draft pick (Markelle Fultz) to the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 3 overall pick (Jayson Tatum) and a future first-round pick in 2018 from the Los Angeles Lakers. Boston would only receive the Lakers pick if it was between No. 2 and No. 5, which it was not, however. So, Philadelphia will send Boston the better of their own or the Sacramento Kings 2019 first-round picks.

Celtics fans should not expect to receive the 76ers pick, as they finished third in the Eastern Conference last season and have two of the NBA’s brightest young talents in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Rather, Celtic’s fans should expect to receive the Kings pick, as they are clearly the inferior team, finishing 12th in the Western Conference last season. It will be important to keep an eye on De’Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings, as they could have a dreadful season, which would drastically assist Boston come draft day.

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Tatum vs. Fultz – Who is the better player right now?

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The 2017 NBA draft class proved rich and full of talent. Two names that echoed throughout the league were Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball. Other prominent names included Josh Jackson, DeAaron Fox, and Dennis Smith Jr. This class overshadowed a player who had all of the assets to be great in the NBA — Jayson Tatum.

The Celtics had the ability to draft Ball or Fultz. Instead, they made the decision to trade with the 76ers for the third overall pick. This resulted in Fultz being drafted first overall with the 76ers, Ball drafted second to the Lakers and Tatum drafted third to the Celtics. This lead to a question that has been and will continue to be asked —  did the Celtics make the right decision in choosing Tatum over Fultz?

As it stands right now, the Celtics did make the right decision. Even their head-to-head matchup had something to say about it.

https://twitter.com/JohnWallGOAT1__/status/921784541823623171

Tatum has cracked the starting lineup

Jayson Tatum began the season in the starting lineup, and was named a starter before Hayward’s injury in the season opener. He has become an essential piece of the number-one seeded team last year. Fultz is coming off of the 76ers bench (who did not make the playoffs last year). Not only is Tatum starting, he is averaging 33 minutes per game, compared to Fultz with 19 minutes per game.

This is significant playing time and experience, especially with the injury to Hayward, because of the accelerated maturation process. Tatum is taking advantage of this role, averaging 14.2 points per game, and shooting 48 percent in a league of grown men. Fultz is averaging six points per game, and shooting 33 percent.

 

Fultz has looked horrendous from the free throw line

Due to shoulder soreness, Fultz’ free throw form has looked worse than a typical big man in the league. This form has led to 50 percent free throw shooting for Fultz, only attempting 12 free throws in four games. Tatum has averaged 86 percent on 22 attempted free throws in five games. Fultz shot 65 percent from the stripe in college, compared to Tatum’s 85 percent.

https://twitter.com/CleverHoops/status/920794733399695360

 

Tatum has been the better defender/rebounder

A big part of the Celtics blueprint has revolved around defense, and Tatum brings excellent defense and rebounding, while having a 6’8 frame. He now has recorded five blocks and six steals, compared to Fultz who has one block and two steals. He also has won the rebounding battle while averaging 6.6 boards, compared to Fultz with 2.3.

Prior to hosting the 76ers in the TD Garden, Brad Stevens spoke about his tremendous defensive efforts.

“I don’t know if surprised is the right word, but Jayson Tatum’s defense is beyond his years,” Stevens said, via masslive.com. “He’s very savvy and very long. He uses his length. His arms are out and he gets his hands on balls and deflects passes and discourages drives just because of his length. I think he’ll continue to get better and better with the other stuff systemically, but he’s done a good job for a young guy so far.”

The season is young, and injury has been the reason lack of production from Fultz. Only time will tell if the Celtics ultimately made the right decision, but at this moment, Tatum is the more complete player.  We’ll see how he does when the Celtics face off against the Spurs tomorrow night.