Celtics apparently really liked their draft strategy from 2014

Last year, the Celtics had two first-round picks.  With their first selection, they took a somewhat unconventional point guard.  A guy not known for his shooting or ball handling, but rather a tough, gritty defender who opposing players fear bringing up the ball against.  With its second choice in the  2014 first round, Boston grabbed a shooting wing known for his excellent three-point stroke.

Fast forward to last night, and what did the C's do with their pair of first-round picks in the 2015 draft?  Basically the same thing.  Terry Rozier and R.J. Hunter feel a lot like Marcus Smart and James Young.  And where are these guys all supposed to play alongside Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas?

It's understandable that Danny Ainge and company thought Rozier was the best player available at No. 16--but it's highly unlikely that any other teams did.  Most mock drafts had Rozier going towards the end of the first round, or even later.  Why not trade down a few picks, see what else you can get, then still draft Rozier?  Was there no market for that (seems doubtful), or did they run out of time after working so hard to trade up?

At this point I'm just going to concede that Ainge and his staff know more than I do and hope their plan works out.

I will say this though, we might be viewing this Boston draft with a more positive attitude had it happened in a different order.  Hunter was considered a possibility at No. 16, and Rozier probably would've pleased fans at No. 28.  Throw in Jordan Mickey with the 33rd pick and it's not a bad haul overall.



Follow Mark Vandeusen on Twitter @LucidSportsFan