Boston Celtics: Redrafting the last decade of first round picks
Original pick: Jared Sullinger
New pick: Jae Crowder
The Celtics at the time were looking for a determined player to add some depth and give some rest to the veterans. Jared Sullinger was an excellent option. Sullinger was a projected top-five pick the year before, but stayed at Ohio State, hoping for a national championship.
Scouts started to realize that Sullinger won through his tricks, which helped against the opposition in the NCAA. But as soon as he faced bigger centers and power forwards, he would not be as impactful. Sullinger largely stayed in the post on both ends of the court, although small, he was able to get by college-level defenses.
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Jae Crowder was a Marquette senior forward, known for his strength and athleticism. Crowder learned how to become one of the most impactful off-ball players in college, and become of the most improved players through his college career.
The difference between Sullinger and Crowder was that more of Crowder’s game could be replicated at the next level. In the NBA, the two had very similar career paths, but Crowder has always been more impactful, highlighted by ironically, his years with the Celtics.
Crowder was the perfect fit for the Celtics, who were attempting to make a few more runs at the title before they would have to give up their core of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen to age and free agency. Even though the trio was traded, Crowder would have still become the most impactful Celtic.
Before moving on to the next pick, just a warning, not even the Celtics are perfect. This may be the biggest failure of Celtics’ draft history.