Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo and Kris Joseph - Boston Celtics draft picks have a lot to learn about NBA
The Boston Celtics recently introduced their draft picks this year during a press conference at the Jackson/Mann School in Allston, which was a part of their community outreach program.
Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo and Kris Joseph are the three draft picks of the Boston Celtics this year and they have the opportunity of playing for one of the most decorated basketball franchises in NBA history, alongside the likes of Kevin Garnett, Paul Peirce and Rajon Rondo.
However, the road will not be an easy one as Doc Rivers sent them a message about the future that awaits them, saying that their first practice will be h**l.
Fab Melo will have the most difficult time making adjustments, as he moved to Florida five years ago from Brazil, and is still getting used to life in his new home. He has only been playing basketball for 2 years, and now finds himself in one of the finest and toughest basketball leagues in the world.
Besides basketball, Melo will be learning many other things including speaking English. He was declared academically ineligible in March and had to sit out while his Syracuse teammates competed in the NCAA tournament.
“I’m a very coach-able guy. I think if they show me what to do, I will do it. I think my reaction is pretty good. I can protect the basket. I’m not worried about that. Just show me how to do it and I will do it,” said Melo.
Melo and his Syracuse teammate Kris Joseph will both need to quickly learn man to man defence after playing 2 3 zone in college. It will be a difficult transition that they will need to make quickly.
”I’ve definitely played man in my lifetime. I know the basics,” said Joseph.
“We’ve got to remember that there’s three seconds on defence now, too,” added Sullinger.
Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge has said that he is looking to put all three draft picks in a crash course to get them ready to play NBA basketball as soon as possible.
The Boston Celtics are looking to welcome the three picks to the lineup as soon as possible, particularly centre Fab Melo and power forward Sullinger in order to give veteran Kevin Garnett rest during games. But the duo has a long way to go before they can play regular minutes for the Celtics in NBA games.
Their first trial will come during the offseason training camp and the summer league in Las Vegas where they will look to learn as much as possible.
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