As has been their wont in recent weeks, the NBA analysts over at our sister site of Hoops Hype have been re-drafting each season of the recent history of the NBA to get each year’s big event “the way it should have been,” most recently putting their analytical expertise to work on doing the 2011 NBA draft over again with the benefit of hindsight.
A draft they have suggested has been underrated with as many as four future Hall of Famers within it, they do their best to right the wrongs of the general managers of that time. And as has been the case in past iterations of the exercise, the authors ( Frank Urbina and Raul Barrigon) have reassessed a number of alumni of the Boston Celtics.
Let’s see where Celtics alumni got taken in this redux.
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Undrafted - MarShon Brooks (actual no. 25)
While he never did much as a member of the Celtics organization, the trade with the Brooklyn Nets that brought him to Boston might not have happened had he not been part of it.
So while he might be an immensely valuable member of this draft for Celtics fans from a CBA-oriented perspective, his performance with Boston and elsewhere in the league likely warrants such a drop.
No. 26 - E'Twaun Moore
Actual position: No. 55
Career earnings: $43,776,960
Career stats: 7.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 45.5 FG%, 38.8 3P%
E’Twaun Moore likewise had his moments but he was never much to write home about,” suggests H/H.
They note he is “providing teams with a solid locker-room presence, spot-up shooting, and good effort.”
No. 15 - Enes Kanter (Freedom)
Actual position: No. 3
Career earnings: $102,454,224
Career stats: 11.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 0.5 bpg, 54.8 FG%, 28.9 3P%
“Due to his overseas career, Enes Freedom wasn’t able to play for the college he committed to, Kentucky, which was a shame as he was a five-star prospect, a center with high-level post-up moves and rebounding acumen, even as a teenager,” suggests H/H.
“Regardless, Freedom bounced back from being declared ineligible, posting a solid NBA career as a big man who could score and rebound (though not defend).”
No. 13 - Tristan Thompson
Actual position: No. 4
Career earnings: $118,643,214
Career stats: 9.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.0 apg, 51.9 FG%, 26.3 3P%
“Tristan Thompson wasn’t a total bust after being the fifth overall pick, playing a major role as a rebounder and pick-and-roll finisher for the Cavaliers team that won the 2016 championship, but he didn’t quite live up to that draft slot, either< observes H/H.
“Still, in his prime, Thompson was one of the league’s best offensive rebounders and a good screen-setter.”
No. 11 - Marcus Morris, Sr.
Actual position: No. 14
Career earnings: $74,496,929
Career stats: 12.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 43.5 FG%, 37.7 3P%
“Coming out of Kansas, Marcus Morris and his twin brother Markieff Morris were billed as solid prospects, with the former Morris winning Big 12 Player of the Year as a junior before declaring for the draft,” writes H/H.
“Marcus currently remains the better player, spacing the floor from the power-forward position and providing the Los Angeles Clippers with face-up scoring.”
No. 7 - Isaiah Thomas
Actual position: No. 60
Career earnings: $32,220,179
Career stats: 17.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.8 apg, 43.4 FG%, 36.2 3P%
“Thomas finished up as a two-time All-Star, peaking with a 2nd Team All-NBA honor in 2016-17 when he put up 28.9 points for the Boston Celtics,” offers H/H.
“Of course, the detractors were somewhat proven right when Thomas’ prime ended quickly soon thereafter that peak due to injuries slowing him down but even so, Thomas had the career of a first-round pick, even if he never finds his way back into the league.”
No. 6 - Kemba Walker
Actual position: No. 9
Career earnings: $161,139,725
Career stats: 19.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 5.3 apg, 41.8 FG%, 36.0 3P%
“A superstar in college who led UConn to a national championship behind an electric run of play, Kemba Walker went ninth overall in his draft class, not going higher due to size-related concerns,” notes H/H.
“His peak ended a lot earlier than the guys who went ahead of him in our re-draft and his best wasn’t as good as some of the names he’s sitting behind but either way, Walker has had a tremendous career, especially for someone who didn’t even go Top 8 in his draft.”
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