Who do you think Danny Ainge likes in this draft?
Debate the answer with Chad Finn and Boston sports fans at The Sports Q.
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Who do you think Danny Ainge likes in this draft? – Gary D.
It’s heck of a mystery right now, but this much is certain: His opinions on the top prospects aren’t fluctuating like ours are at the moment.
One night, Lonzo Ball looks like a direct point guard descendant of Jason Kidd. The next, he’s getting taken apart by Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox in the Sweet 16.
One night, Josh Jackson looks like a perfect fit for the Celtics, tenacious and well-rounded. The next, he struggles offensively as Kansas is bounced by Oregon.
Thank goodness Ainge’s scouting process begins and his evaluations take detailed shape long before us NBA junkies jump on board for March Madness and pass ourselves off as prospect gurus after seeing a kid three times.
I’m talking about myself there. I have no nuanced idea what to make of Ball, Jackson, Fox, Malik Monk, or Duke’s Jayson Tatum at this point other than this: It’s clear that there are six or seven supremely talented players at the top of the draft this year, and even if the Celtics don’t have any lottery luck, they’re still going to end up with a strikingly appealing prospect with the potential of being a franchise cornerstone.
The funny thing is, the consensus best prospect this year didn’t even make the tournament. Markelle Fultz’s Washington team went 9-22. I assume that’s the player Ainge likes best, because he sounds like the best overall player. But Jackson plays like a Celtic. Ball? He plays like a Laker. It’s going to be great fun to see how it all shakes out. I wish we could move the NFL Draft to June and move the NBA Draft to next month so we could get some answers sooner.
What do you say? Which college player do you think is Danny Ainge’s preferred choice for the Celtics right now? I’ll see you in the comments.
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