2012 NBA Draft Grades: Celtics Select Fab Melo

Pick 22: Boston Celtics
Selection: Fab Melo

Bryan Rosa – A Royal Pain

Picking at 21 and 22, you generally hope you’re able to find competent role players but the Celtics somehow lucked into Sullinger and Melo who both should project out to be at worst, rotational players. Melo does have his struggles on the offensive end, but, you’re not expecting much of an offensive game from the former Orangeman as defense is the name of his game. A huge 270lb frame to go with a 7’3 wingspan gives the Celtics two very competent big men at 21 and 22.

Grade: A-

Jack Winter-Saving the Skyhook

Melo is a long-term pick for Boston in the post Garnett-Pierce era. He’s very raw offensively and has some motor and off-court issues to take care of, but is a potential force defensively as an intimidator in the paint. You wonder how he fits with Greg Stiemsma, considering the two present some redundancies on both ends of the floor. Melo won’t help the Celtics much next year, and that’s an issue for a Boston team that needs to win immediately. Perry Jones III isn’t exactly a finished product, but no doubt could have benefited Rajon Rondo and company as a much-needed dose of athleticism offensively.

Grade: C

Quixem Ramirez- Air Alamo

We know what to expect from Sullinger. The same cannot be said for Melo, who is very raw and can’t play a lick of offense. He did block a huge amount of blocks last season, 13% of Syracuse’s possessions to be exact. Boston is subtly bolstering their size which makes sense that either KG or Bass could be on their way out.

Grade: C+

Bryan Wendland-Roberto Gato

Meh. Two straight bigs for the Celtics, and something tells me the Celtics made this move so that Melo would be off the board by the time Miami was on the clock. They could’ve gone so many different routes and I’m not sure they needed to draft another big guy. He’s going to be a space filler next season, but after that, it’s hard to say how good Melo can be.

Grade: C