Reed is a tough selection
WALTHAM -- The Celtics continued to look for toughness in the second round of last night's NBA Draft, and executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge believes he picked up more with Justin Reed. The "power 3," as Ainge calls Reed, played four seasons for Mississippi, earning All-Southeastern Conference honors each year. As a senior, he averaged 18.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.
"He's a Corliss Williamson type," said Ainge. "He's a bigger, stronger [small forward] that we didn't have. I like his toughness. I love his intensity. He can score. He can defend. He can rebound."
According to scouts, Reed is also a hard worker with a very good midrange game and good post moves.
Spot shooting
When it comes to point guards and wing players, the Celtics have an abundance: Paul Pierce, Ricky Davis, Marcus Banks, Chucky Atkins, Jiri Welsch, Delonte West, and Tony Allen. Obviously, there will be competition for minutes come training camp, and there could be some trades.
"Someone is going to be a loser in that category," said Ainge. "There's no question. There's going to be winners and losers as far as minutes played. We think we have an abundance of players at those positions."
Added coach Doc Rivers: "We're a wing team, but we need to be more physical defensively to get to the ball. Bottom line, you're not going to win anything in this league unless you're physical. I want to be more aggressive. I want to attack."
Team history
No. 15 pick Al Jefferson out of Prentiss (Miss.) High School technically became the first high schooler selected by the Celtics. (Boston acquired Kendrick Perkins through a draft night trade with Memphis last year.) But that doesn't mean Ainge is enamored of selecting teenagers.
"It would be better if all high school kids went to college," said Ainge. "We all know that. You have to evaluate those kids and you have to draft them. We think Al Jefferson is a kid that if he went to college would be a high draft pick. It'd be better if it was all college guys in the first round."
