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After a questionable first pick, the Boston Celtics have gotten their last two right. The Celtics addressed yet another need with the the selection of Jordan Mickey in the early stages of the second round. The NCAA leader in blocks per game last year, Mickey will provide a huge boost to a Celtics defense that was the worst in the NBA in terms of blocked shots.
He’s not a prototypical rim protector as he’s considered a bit undersized for his position. However, Mickey’s length, at a 7-foot-2 wingspan, makes him a great shot-blocker. He has great timing and athleticism. Mickey’s instincts and quickness also make him a tremendous help defender. One thing he’ll need to do is pack on some weight and get a little stronger to avoid being dominated in the post.
Mickey is also a great rebounder as he averaged 9.9 rebounds per game, and he crashes the glass on both ends. The Celtics need help in that area as Tristan Thompson dominated them during the first round of the playoffs this past season.
On offense, Mickey made great strides in his sophomore season. He improved his jump shot and post game, and is very aggressive. He’s also not afraid to attack the basket. That’s good news for the Celtics, who currently have a set of bigs who prefer to play on the perimeter and rely on their jump shot.
The Celtics clearly liked what they saw from Mickey as they brought him in for a second workout yesterday. By no means is he the solution to all of the Celtics’ frontcourt problems, but he will certainly help. He also plays with a lot of energy and aggression. Those two characteristics will fit right in with the Celtics.
Derek McVay is a Boston Celtics beat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @mcvay34, or add him to your network on Google.
