2007 Draft: Fan Feedback

By Peter F. Stringer
Celtics.com
May 17, 2007

Time for even more feedback on the Draft Lottery from Celtics fans. We asked for you to weigh in on the Lottery and the Draft, and the response has been overwhelming.

What follows is a sample of the suggestions, questions, ideas, thoughts and opinions of Celtics fans from all over the country, as well as far corners of the globe. There's plenty of excitement around next Tuesday's Draft Lottery, and Celtics.com fans have plenty to share. Here's a selection of responses.

Got something to add? Send us your thoughts on the Celtics' Draft Lottery hopes.

John Gray
Kennebunk, ME
If not Oden or Durant, then trade down and get the 7'2" monster ROY HIBBERT from Georgetown.

Alberto Ramirez
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Of course, I want us to get Greg Oden. As our late patriarch Red Auerbach used to say, you build around the most important single unit on a basketball team, the center, and nobody that has come in the last 10 years is as potentially great as Oden.

C M Hernandez
Greenland
1. Durant 2. Oden 3. Brandan Wright 4. Horford 5. Hawes

Jason Joyce
Westford, MA
If we don't get the number 1 or 2 pick of Oden or Durant, Boston should go for either Horford or Wright. These two rookies are bound to be All-Star Caliber centers.

Dan Lomboy
Dubai, UAE
Well, hope we get one of the top two picks, if we do, I think I go with Durant. I'm very excited about next season, and the Celtics future. The Celtic faithful is waiting for banner #17... hoping we could hang it soon.

Judy Beardsley
Orleans, MA
Oden looks perpetually fatigued. How will he do in an 80-game season? Durant is just another good shooter. What about Al Horford? Or my personal fave, Joakim Noah -- all heart, smarts, and drive.

Joshua Onsoe
Perth, Australia
I have seen Yi Jianlian play in a China V.S. Australia game in Perth. He runs well for a big man, and he appeared to be the only Chinese player who performed well during the evening. If the Celtics don't get Oden, then I believe Yi is the one to take.

Nilton Monteiro
Cape Verde
I hope that Greg Oden or Kevin Durant land in Boston.

Richard Hutchins
Harrisonburg, VA
Being originally from Vermont, of course the Celts are my team!! Should Oden not be available for the C's, I think Horford should be given consideration. The C's need a center more than any other position and Horford would certainly fit the bill.

Dennis Henkemeier
Germany
I would love to see Oden in green...look at any great Champion in the last decades, they all had the force in the middle...ok, not the Bulls, but they had Jordan, that's the same...

Ozgur Kumanova
Muellheim, Germany
Oden and Rondo would make a defensive powerhouse of the C's for the next years.

Paul Chrisman
Burlington
Greg Oden all the way. The Celtics need a dominant center because they win championships. Al is the man; he could use some support down under.

Rosalie Troy
Waltham, MA
As a long time die hard Celtics fan, my head tells me that they should probably draft Oden, however, my heart keeps telling me that Kevin Durant is going to be a superstar in this league sooner rather than later. Therefore, I will go with Durant!

James Belanger
Nashua, NH
I think this is our year and that the bad luck is over. The Celtics will win the first pick in the upcoming draft and will take Greg Oden. Let the Mystique continue.....

Brian Steverman
Ashaway
I feel the best player in the draft is Mike Conley, Jr.

Joe Donnelly
Merrimack, NH
It'S a no brainer, Oden 1, Durant 2, but I think the C's should also look at Yi, and if they slip further down, Wright from NC would be the sexier pick but Yi would fill a need...

John D'Orlando
Stoughton, MA
I would select Oden as big men in the NBA are hard to come by. He will need 2-3 years to polish his skills and adjust to the NBA type of play. With a core of young improving players, the Celts could be a very good team in the future.

Greg Elwell
Haverhill, MA
I would definitely choose Oden with the #1 pick. I think that he's the type of player that instantly catapults a team into a championship contender. 10 years from now, everyone will talk about this draft the way people talk about the 1997 draft with Tim Duncan.

Ronald Wright
Clearwater, FL
If we don't get the first two picks I think that Georgetown's center Hibbert, who played Oden even, and with his 7'2 size, would be a great pick.

Ryan Bigda
Boston, MA
If Boston gets the first pick, please do not even consider taking Durant. He is undersized (220lbs) and does not have the skills that will make him an immediate impact on a team like the Celtics. Oden, on the other hand, will be a great role player.

Pablo Rivera
Lowell, MA
I think they should go with either one Durant or Oden. Durant I feel is the better choice, leaving Jefferson at center and letting Durant play PF. There are other guys with small frames playing the 4 or 5 in the NBA already. He should be OK.

Josh Maurais
Litchfield, NH
I believe Kevin Durant to be the best overall prospect in this year's draft. Whether the Celtics end up drafting 1st or 2nd, this is a player they cannot pass up. Although Greg Oden will be able to step in and provide a solid 15 and 10 right away too.

May 14, 2007

Munjal Shah
North Andover
In case the Celtics don't get one of the top two picks, what do you think of Yi Jianlian? I've seen assorted videos of him, but how good is he projected to be in the NBA?

Kevin Denver
St. Joseph, MO
Trade the pick and a player for Garnett. Let's give Pierce a legitimate shot at a ring. The Celts could not be more stacked with young talent.

Russell Conn
Newton, MA
I am a 40-year-plus Celtics fan - I had a small transistor radio pressed to my ear when "Havlicek stole the ball." I would pick Durant as No. 1. He has an incredible upside. He reminds me of Magic Johnson, with a dash of Michael Jordan.

Rick Bridenbaugh
Chillicothe
Greg Oden all the way.

Jason Joyce
Westford, MA
If we don't get the number 1 or 2 pick of Oden or Durant, Boston should go for either Horford or Wright. These two rookies are bound to be All-Star-caliber centers.

David Naylor
Melbourne, Australia
We missed out on Duncan, but we aren't going to miss out on Oden!

Jim Hill
Marshfield, MA
If the Celts don't get the first or second pick, then trade it for a veteran presence. If they don't trade it, then use it for Hibbert or Jianlian. They don't need a power forward. They have Al. They don't need a point guard, they have Rajon.

Nathaniel Donovan
Turners Falls, MA
I think that the Celts have to take Oden at #1. But I wouldn't be disappointed if the Celts acquired the #2 pick and took Durant.

Thomas Stillson
Middletown, CT
Being a Celts fan all of 41 years, I would really like to see the Celts draft a SG player like Corey Brewer and then trade for a legit center.

Gil Rodrigues
Boston, MA
If the Celtics get a first overall pick, I think the best prospect would be Oden because the Celtics do not have a true center. He shall be the most dominant center in years to come, I guarantee it.

Nuno Dasilva
Cambridge, MA
I think you should go with Greg Oden if you pick first.

Vin Femia
Northboro, MA
If the Celtics get the first draft pick, please use it to select Greg Oden. If neither Oden nor Durant is available at the Celts' pick, I would suggest Joakim Noah from Florida. For reasons why, see 2006 Final Four tapes.

Wil Kablik
Newington, CT
Oden, Oden, Oden. Durant #2 obviously. #3 or higher....Brewer. This kid is going to be good. A legit defender at the 2 position. Move PP to his more comfortable 3 position, and he won't have to guard the opponents' best player anymore.

Mike B
Orlando, FL
The C's need a man in the middle and defensive stopper so they should without a doubt take Greg Oden if given the chance. Even if they land the #2 pick they should consider trading up.

Bill Barasha
Hazleton, PA
Get Oden... sleeper is Afflalo

Scott Mahan
Bridgewater, CT
I'm hoping that the Celts get the 2nd pick, that way we take Kevin Durant for sure. Don't get me wrong, Oden is and will be a great player, but Durant is this year's Dwayne Wade in my opinion.

Joe Donnelly
Merrimack, NH
I think if the C's end up with Oden they need to trade some of the younger talent on the team to get Mike Conley, Jr. as well. Those two have worked together since they were young and know each other better than any other tandem in the league.

Brendan Colvert
Sterling, MA
This year's upcoming draft is very exciting for the Celtics, because they have a good chance at a high pick. I would really like to see Oden down low with Big Al and Perk. I would also like to see possibly Acie Law IV.

Baris Mutlu
Turkey
I think the Celtics need a good Center like Greg Oden... The Celtics have very good shooters and athletic forwards but they need someone like Greg Oden on the team.