Draft Profiles

["Josh Ozersky" <jozersky1@xxxxxxxxxx>]

A certain website I know published this, and
it's pretty good.

Also, I have a new column up, at http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_3995.shtml

this isn't mine, but I thought you guys might be interested
in it:

Danny Ainge may be messing with the media but the Boston Celtics have had
their name tied to some pretty obscure basketball players as the 2003 NBA
Draft has been rapidly approaching.  The Boston scribes have been tossing
around names like Britton Johnsen, Marcus Banks, Jameer Nelson and Aleksandar
Pavlovic.  If you are a little confused with why the Celtics would be looking
at these guys when they have the No. 16 and No. 20 pick, then you can join the
rest of the Celtic fans that have sent in emails to me at HOOPSWORLD asking
what the heck the Celtics are thinking.

The fans in the Celtic Nation are much more comfortable with hearing names
like Nick Collison, Leandrinho Barbosa, Reece Gaines, David West and Pavel
Podkolzine.  Each of those names commonly have been linked to the Celtics in
most of the mock drafts on the internet.  Those are the players that Celtic
Nation has been chewing the fat over and those are the guys that they are
expecting the Celtics to draft.  The fans want the NCAA All-Americans, the
super-athletic foreign prospect or the 7-foot-5-inch bear from Russia.  They
don't care to take a risk on the underdog with their first round draft picks.

Why are players like Johnsen, Banks, Nelson and Pavlovic's names coming up in
the media?  Well, it could be for a couple of reasons.  Ainge could be taking
a page out of Red Auerbach's book and be trying to enhance the reputations of
players that are borderline first rounders so that another team might bite on
them a little early.  These also could be guys that the Celtics are using as a
smokescreen for the players that they are bringing in but don't want the media
to publicize.  NBA teams have been known to hold top secret workouts.  The
Celtics may also know something about these players or a deal that may change
their draft location that we don't know.

Since these guys are causing such a commotion amongst the diehards in Celtic
Nation, we might as well take an in-depth look at each of them.  We will
explore the positives and negatives of each player and decide if they would be
a good fit for the Celtics and their needs.

Name: Britton Johnsen
NBA Position: Small Forward
Height: 6'9"
Previous Experience: University of Utah

Scouting Notes:  Johnsen started off his career at the University of Utah on a
tear and looks to follow the successful paths of fellow Utes Keith Van Horn,
Andre Miller and Michael Doleac.  He left after his first season at Utah to
complete a two-year Mormon mission but was able to come back to the team and
be more productive.  Johnsen missed some time during his senior campaign
because he was battling  mononucleosis and an enlarged spleen.  Had Johnsen
been healthy, he probably would be making more noise on the draft radar.  He
is an oversized small forward with a skill set much like Van Horn's.  However,
he has many of the same downfalls as Van Horn.  Don't look for Johnsen to be a
defensive stopper or much of a physical presence in the paint.  He can hit the
three or take his man off of the dribble.  He uses his height to his advantage
against smaller defenders on the wing.  Coach O'Brien loves big men with
outside touch but he is a bigger fan of rugged defenders and Johnsen doesn't
fit that mold.

Name: Marcus Banks
NBA Position: Point Guard
Height: 6'1"
Previous Experience: University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV)

Scouting Notes: Banks is a senior point guard with a wealth of experience and
this floor general uses his experience to help him score.  Banks scored 30 or
more points on six occasions for UNLV last season.  He wound up averaging 20.3
points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 5.5 assists per game in 2003.  He only
played at UNLV for his junior and senior seasons because he transferred in
from Dixie State Community College after his sophomore year.  Banks is built
like a brick wall and may not be able to dominate NBA opponents with his
height but think of him as the Charles Barkley of point guards.  Boston has
been rumored to have already committed one of their picks to Banks if he is
available but there has been no confirmation from the Celtics' front office.
The Celtics are in need of a point guard but Banks may not be the floor
general that they are looking for.  Banks is a lot like J.R. Bremer but
without the outside stroke.  Banks, however, is a little bit better at
distributing the ball than Bremer.

Name: Jameer Nelson
NBA Position: Point Guard
Height: 6'0"
Previous Experience: St. Joseph's

Scouting Notes: Nelson is another point guard that can score and he even hung
39 points and five assists on Dayton in a 76-73 St. Joseph's loss.  He dropped
30 or more points on five separate occasions this season for the Hawks.
Nelson was able to counteract a season-low four points against Temple by
dishing out 12 assists and leading his team to a 78-59 victory.  Nelson is a
pure point guard and a bundle of energy.  He was named national freshman of
the year by Sports Illustrated and Dick Vitale.  Nelson finished up his junior
year by averaging 19.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 4.7 assists per
game.  The assist numbers may not be overwhelming but Nelson didn't have a lot
of talent to pass to his junior season at St. Joseph's.  Much like T.J. Ford,
Nelson's height is his glaring weakness but he is exceptionally quick and has
incredible ball control.  His point guard skills, leadership abilities,
uncanny knack to rebound at 6-feet tall and scoring ability should get him
drafted early in the second round or late in the first.  He could be the point
guard that the Celtics target if Barbosa, Gaines, Ridnour and Hinrich aren't
on the board.

Name: Aleksandar Pavlovic
NBA Position: Small Forward
Height: 6'8"
Previous Experience: Buducnost

Scouting Notes: Pavlovic was said to have shot the lights out in his workout
with the Boston Celtics.  Pavlovic reportedly surprised the Celtics by
possessing good athleticism and also by measuring in at 6-feet-8-inches.
Pavlovic was invited back for another workout by the Celtics because the were
so impressed with his performance.  The native Serbian is known in Europe for
his athletic ability, ball- handling and incredible shooting touch.  Palovic,
however, isn't known for his defense or his passing ability.  He reportedly
has the reputation of being a me-first offensive player but he hasn't had
talented players like Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker on the floor with him
either.  While he may not have the reputation for being a solid defensive
player now, Palovic does have really long arms and finds himself in foul
trouble because of his intensity on defense.  He tries to block every shot
that is put up in his vicinity.  He would be a good reserve small forward for
the Celtics and eventually a good replacement for Eric Williams at starting
small forward.  Boston should strongly consider nabbing this kid if he is
available at No. 20.