Realization

It hadn't occurred to me until now... but the Celtics have a high lottery pick coming up!  They're lined up 6th right now, and sinking like a rock.  So joining Al Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins, Delonte West, Tony Allen, Orien Greene, Wayne Gomes and Gerald Green in the youth brigade will be a pick higher than any of them.  Danny Ainge, who has proven downright masterful in the draft, will have a real pick to work with.

I don't buy the hype on the guy, but if the Celts really tank it, or the Knicks or Hawks or Blazers put together a run from beneath them, that pick approaches Adam Morrison territory.  The number of media write-ups on the Morrison/Bird comparisons would be unprecedented.

What's funny is that they need a veteran leadership presence more than anything, something you can't address in the draft.  They need a voice who's more mature than Paul "Aw, C'mon" Pierce; that alone could make them a playoff threat again.  But the youth on this team right now is epic.  They currently have four rookies and three sophs.  Kendrick Perkins, 21, is the second-longest-tenured Celtic.  What?!???!?  They need a grown-up to set them straight; Doc obviously isn't gonna do it.  God knows what he is doing, but leading the youngsters he ain't.