I’m curious about the Bol Bol love in this thread. He doesn’t seem like he’ll hold up physically in the NBA. By that I mean he’ll likely always be an injury risk and he’s going to have a much harder time defending stronger players (everyone from Eric Gordon to Embiid) and quicker players (an even bigger bucket). Yeah, the shooting is nice, but when is he ever going to be able to actualize that skill?
I would not be excited about that pick, even at 22. I think there are a lot more reasonable two-way contributors who could be available in the early 20s. Am I missing something with Bol?
He's a huge risk physically, no question (though a lot less of one than Johntay Porter, given the family genetics there---isn't it two brothers and two sisters none of whom have functionining bodies?) And he doesn't fit anyone's picture of any particular role right now, which is obviously a question. But what I find interesting is a couple things, which look to be elite skills/tools you don't often find after the top few picks:
1. He is an elite shot-blocker. He's going to need to get stronger to be a good post defender in NBA, but weakside help counts too.
2. He is an elite 3 point shooter. That's huge, and a fit for the Celtics needs.
3. He is freakishly quick for his height. So is Thon Maker, and it's useless wtih him but it's a tool and if he's healthy (obviously a big if) it's a lot easier to see him playing a real role given the overall athleticism than it would be without it
There's huge questions physically and in terms of how he'll play in the NBA. It's not clear he knows how to pass, either. But he has more elite tools/skills than anyone likely to be picked behind him, and that matters too. This is, to me, a situation where you gotta think hard about what a guy is and not just what he isn't.
In my mind, the Celtics don't need three solid rotation players, they need to get one impact guy from this draft. That doesn't necessarily mean "take three throws at the dartboard" but I'll be disappointed if they don't take at least one shot. Bol Bol is an interesting guy to take a shot on.