7-footer Fab Melo selected by Boston Celtics with the 22nd overall pick – NBA Update
The Boston Celtics got their hands on some size and strength with the acquisition of Syracuse centre Fab Melo in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Celtics, who picked power forward Jared Sullinger with the 21st pick, got Fab Melo with the 22nd as they clearly focused on addressing the weaknesses in their frontcourt.
Melo averaged 5.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game at Syracuse last season, not to mention 7.8 points per game. The 7-foot, 255-pound player though is seen by many as too raw and Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers admitted that much work will have to be done in order to make Melo a viable centre for the Celtics.
"We have to teach him the Celtics way," Rivers said. "We have to teach him how to work and understanding playing as a winner. There's a lot of work that has to be done, but I love starting with size and potential. He has both of those things and if he has great character then we have a chance."
It’s true that Melo has his shortcomings. His academic troubles kept him out of the NCAA tournament and he didn’t exactly light the court on fire in the season before that either. The player though has some serious potential. He has the size and strength required to play in the NBA, and he has a game that could fit right in with the Celtics philosophy.
Fab plays defence. He set some records for blocking on his way to being named Big East defensive player of the year as a sophomore. He showed marked improvement from his freshman year and had it not been for his lack of playing time, he could have gone higher in the draft.
As Rivers put it, the Celtics got a pretty good deal.
"For us to get a 7-footer at that pick is a good pick for us."
With Shaquille O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal and Kendrick Perkins all leaving Boston in the last two years, the Celtics were crying out for a centre. Their rebounding numbers were also one of the worst in the NBA, and veteran forward Kevin Garnett was put under immense stress due to a lack of bodies in the front line.
With their selections in the draft, Boston have gone a long way to redress that.
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