Collared Greens, Greene Beans, and Gnomes in the City

Gerald Green, was born during halftime of Super Bowl XX.
Picked 18th by Celtics

I love when things work out my way. A post from a while ago had me talking about the wild rumors about trading Pierce to get a higher draft pick, to in my mind, get Gerald Green. Now, I will openly admit that I hardly follow college hoops. So, I usually catch a couple games here and there when nothing is on. Most of the time, I get my opinions from my Financial Advisor V. Then, a few months before the NBA Draft comes up I hit the player bio sites and look for one player I find cool. The guy that seems to have freakish ability, and preferably coming out of high school. Only in America can you go from serving burgers at McDonald's, to serving facials to beautiful women this quickly.

So Gerald Green stuck out to me. Everybody had something good to say about him, and the only negative I read was that he needs to protect his dribble better. Born January 26, 1986 he's from Houston (TX), Gulf Shores Academy High School, and stands at 6'-8" 200lbs. He may not get much playing time this year, or he may pull a Big Al and justify some playing time through his performance in practice. Whatever, he is a freak of nature, and a possible star. Needless to say, I will be getting some summer league tickets to see him, just like I did to see Lebron James. Green wasn't the best player in the draft, but I think he is the best wildcard. The Celtics establishment originally had Ryan Gomes set to go as their number 18th pick, and were ecstatic to see Green fall to them at 18th. To Danny Ainge, that was like getting a 6th round pick at the 18th spot.

Ryan Gomes, used to hang out with "Buddy" Cianci
Pick #50 by the Celtics

In all seriousness, this is a well spoken college senior who broke all kinds of records at Providence. It was amazing that he lasted till 50 seeing as that the Celtics were thinking of grabbing him at 18. Very versatile player who likes to use his 6'-8" and 248 lbs. body to bang into people, and abuse them. The word is, is that he makes his living on the blocks and at the line. A great free throw shooter, and he has improved his perimeter shooting as well. He is a local guy which must be pretty cool for him, and will make him an instant fan favorite when he gets on the floor. The negative on him is that he is like a present day Chris Webber. Not very athletic, and slow foot speed. In a league full of bangers, how is he going to shine from the pack?

Orien Greene, ranked as one of the top 25 point guards for the draft.
Pick #53 by Celtics.

Another college senior from La.-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns. That makes me hungry for some reason. A 6'-4" 208 lbs. point guard, he is listed as having a good ability to find the open man, and can handle the outside shot as well. A gamer with potential at this point in the draft so, what the hey. Quick fact, the Celtics assured Greene they would pick him at 53, but when Amir Johnson, a 6'-10" 210 lbs. High Schooler from Westchester, Los Angels CA was available the Celtics tried unsuccessfully to renege on the promise. Orien Greene was chosen at 53, and Amir Johnson went 56 to the Detroit Pistons.

The Celtics ended off the draft by grabbing some of the un-chosen talent leftover in Taylor Coppenrath, a 6'-9" white boy from Vermont. Nice. Will Bynum, a 6 footer from Georgia-Tech that Danny Ainge thought was better than 25-30 players that were drafted. Jeremiah Massey, a 6'-8" forward from Kansas State and finally Will McDonald, a 6'-10" banger out of South Florida. I think that this draft, combined with last years, equals an A+++. Now some notables from the draft.

I had to study for a final at the same time I was watching the draft. Not an easy task, so I mostly listened until the Celtics were up. Some of the quotes that caught my ear.

"Yeah, my brother was tough on me when we played basketball. He pulled a knife on me one time."

I love how they let these guys talk without preparation. They could say anything, and it would air live.

Another guy said, "Yeah, we would play ball in thunderstorms and my brother would punch me in the ribs, and slam me against the fence to toughen me up."

Now that's a brother that loves you. Nothing but the elite for the NBA.