What the Celts Should do

Finally the NBA Draft is here. Celtic fans have been looking forward to (but now dreading) this day since January, when Boston was in the midst of losing 25 of 27 games and prospects Greg Oden and Kevin Durant were stars in the making at the college level. However, as everyone knows it's better to be lucky than bad, and Boston was awarded the 5th pick for their worst season in 10 years. So trying to shine some light on a very bleak situation, I will give you the top 5 things I WANT/HOPE the Celtics will do in tomorrow night's event. Of course, that doesn't mean that they will.

5. - Joakim Noah. I actually am dreading the fact that the Celtics will take him, because I hated watching his act at Florida go on last season becoming the spokesman for the 2-time National Champs. However, even I will admit he could help Boston in some areas. He hustles, he rebounds, he plays defense, he's smart, and above all he is a very good team player. He may not be a very good offensively skilled player, but that can always develop, and atleast you know he would bring an all out effort every night. Worst case scenario he is Anderson Varejao, best case is that he becomes an ultimate role player that ignites his team with his energy the way Dennis Rodman could. I'm definitely not saying he will be the next Rodman, just comparing his style. Besides, in blowouts Noah might be the only guy that keeps Tommy Heinsohn awake as he breaks the all time record for Tommy Points in a season.

4.- Al Thornton. This may be a surprise to many people, and it is probably too high to pick him at 5, but from watching several Florida State games last season, this guy was DEFINITELY the best kept secret in college basketball a year ago. He improved all four years at FSU capped by averaging almost 20 pts a game, including a 45 point outburst at Miami last season. He is 23, but plays bigger than his muscular 6'7 frame. He can run, he's athletic, can shoot inside and out, and has a fierce passion to take over games in big moments. He's a good rebounder and could play either the small or power forward positions. He is easily one of the top 4-5 guys ready for the NBA right now, and you know that would make Paul Pierce happy.

3.- Al Horford. The power forward/center from Florida would be #1 on my list, but because there is very little chance he slips past Altanta or Memphis, I'll put him here at 3. He has the size and weight to start for the Celtics along side Al Jefferson right now, and averaged 13 points and almost 10 rebounds a game for the Gators last year. Championship experience is always a plus, he can run the floor well, and put up 18 pts and 12 rebs vs Greg Oden in the title game last March. He has a good 12-15 foot jump shot, and is an extremely smart defender (fouled out of only 2 games last year while blocking 1.6 shots per game). That's definitely something you can't say for Kendrick Perkins, and the Celtics and I would love Horford to still be there at number 5.

2. - TRADE the pick. This is probably cheating, but if the player at number 3 or number 1 on my list is not there, this is the second best option. Whether it's packaging the pick with the likes of Gerald Green, Wally Szczerbiak for Shawn Marion or another proven player. Or moving down in the draft to get 2 more picks such as Charlotte's #8 and #22, and even Philadelphia's #12 and #21. The draft is deeper than it has been in years, and you can still get quality players in the mid-late first round such as Thornton, Jeff Green, Nick Young, and even BC's Sean Williams. Although there is probably a better chance that Ainge makes a bad trade as opposed to drafting a bust at #5, it could work out for the better.

1. - Corey Brewer. This is the guy I am praying the Celts take tomorrow night. He immediately becomes the best perimeter defender on the team, and Boston can then match him up on every team's best player. He has versatility, and can shoot well with some room to improve. But Brewer is an excellent slasher, has great leaping ability and can finish very well in transition. He compares to Josh Howard and some scouts even think Jalen Rose. Like every player at Florida, he is unselfish, has a high basketball IQ and is ready to play in the NBA right now. If he can add a little bit of muscle and improve his three point shooting, it will make him even more valuable because of his great defensive skills (averaged 2 steals per game last year). Add him to Rajon Rondo and the Celtics will have a very good defensive back court, and also Brewer can help Pierce and Jefferson scoring on the offensive side.

Now just because I want it to happen, doesn't mean it actually will. A lot of reports say Boston will draft the 7'0 Yi Jianlian from China. While I have seen nice highlights of him scoring at will against other Chinese players, you never really know how he will pan out. Five years ago, there was a 7'0 foreigner taken with the fifth pick. Scouts said he could shoot, handle the ball and if he added some weight could be a more athletic version of Dirk Nowitzki. His name: Nikoloz Tskitishvili. All the players I listed above are ready to play right away, PLEASE don't take a chance on someone you hope will pan out. It's like thinking the 2nd worst record will give you atleast the 2nd pick in the draft. You really just never know.