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2014 NBA Draft: Grading each team’s draft

By Brad Rowland

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view as basketball fans walk past a sculpture before the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view as basketball fans walk past a sculpture before the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State) waves to the crowd as he leaves the stage after being selected as the number six overall pick to the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State) waves to the crowd as he leaves the stage after being selected as the number six overall pick to the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics

As a self-described Marcus Smart “hater”, it is tough to imagine a scenario in which I love the draft of the team who selected him in the top ten picks, but here we are. Smart almost certainly isn’t a full-time point guard at the next level, but in Boston, he won’t be asked to play there with Rajon Rondo on board, and Brad Stevens can deploy Smart as a defensive stopper who can also get to the rim at will and play with an insane level of competitiveness.

However, Boston’s second pick of the night was the reason they garnered high marks, and the Celtics tabbed James Young with the 17th overall selection. Young was considered a lottery possibility heading into the draft, and at 6-foot-8 with offensive and athletic skills, his upside is virtually limitless. Boston probably shouldn’t expect a great deal from Young as a rookie, but in the middle of the first round, it would be impossible to argue against him.

Grade: B+

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