Draft prospects

[Thomas Murphy]

Even picking at #7 I think we're deluding ourselves if we think the draftee will be able to come in and help our team right away. At most they will help solidify the bench, which is not insignificant. I suspect that Ainge will continue to do what he has previously, draft the BPA for the long term. But the BPA may not be the most ready to contribute right away, as it seems many are assuming. It could well be the player with the greatest potential for a 'home run' two, three or four years down the line. Certainly that would be the case with a Tyrus Thomas (who apparently has a pledge from Chicago?). And the same could be said of Sergio Rodriguez. I would not expect either of those (or any other draftee) to start right away, but to be groomed behind our current players. That is why you would draft a Rodriguez, not because he can displace Delonte in November, but so that in two to three years time when Sergio *should* be ready to displace Delonte he can - or not, depending on how each player grows. In the meanwhile you upgrade the bench, improve your depth and work to create the synergy between players that can only develop over years of play together. 

I think we all agree it is foolish to look at our team and say "this position is locked - X off drafting anyone who plays here." But in reading the posts I see people are already falling into the trap of thinking this way: we're set at SG with Pierce, we're set at PG with Delonte etc. The draft is really not about next year, it is about several years down the line and providing yourself with *options* so that you are not locked into having only one option at any given position. When viewed that way I think PG (along with the bigs) can certainly be understood to be a primary need. With a top pick like this I suspect Ainge is going to go for the home run rather than the bunt single. Expect him to draft on 'unnnnlimited upppppside potential' rather than playing it relatively safe as he has in previous drafts. Which is not to say expect a Kedrick Brown, but rather someone who clearly has exceptional skills but is also young and has the flaws one expects in a young player, like a Thomas or Rodriguez, rather than a Marcus Williams or a Morrison.

Anyway, my 2 cents - Cheers TomM