In time the 2011 NBA draft may be viewed through the prism of history as a strange and curious footnote in an uncertain future for the league. With labor unrest swirling many of the top prospects elected to stay in the safety of their college programs.

That led to a player named Bismack Biyombo rising to the upper half of the lottery and he wasn’t even the rawest of prospects. That would be Chukuwudiebere Maduabum. Or maybe Targuy Ngombo, a player so unheralded he wasn’t even known to the most hard-core of draftniks until he was unearthed by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express earlier in the week.

Against that backdrop the Celtics naturally took two four-year college players from the same program: JaJuan Johnson and E’twaun Moore from Purdue. At least on the surface both players address two major needs for the Celtics: size and shooting. Expect to hear those two words a lot as Danny Ainge seeks to restructure the roster for another championship run.

At 6-foot-10, Johnson adds shot-blocking, athleticism and outside shooting, while Moore averaged 18 points a game for Purdue, while making 40 percent of his 3-pointers.

“We’re very fortunate,” Ainge said. “We got two really good productive college players. Mature kids, great character and attitude. We got some shooting. We got some length and they’ll be a good fit for us.”

Neither player is expected to be a difference-maker. That would have been unrealistic considering where the Celtics were drafting. But in Johnson and Moore, the Celtics added two players who they feel can come in and compete for playing time right away. With last year’s pick Avery Bradley another year older – and healthy – that gives them three young players who they feel can add a positive contribution to a team that is aging rapidly.

“There’s not many rookies that contribute to championship caliber teams,” Ainge said. “We know that going in. We’ve got a lot of veteran players and we’ll add some more veterans to our roster. We’ll have at least three young guys on the roster next year. Maybe one or maybe two will contribute next year. Time will tell.” 

In a cruel twist, the player the Celtics had hoped to take – Boston College guard Reggie Jackson – was chosen one spot ahead of their position by Oklahoma City in what may wind up being yet another coup for OKC general manager Sam Presti. But the Celtics liked Johnson enough to take him ahead of their other target – Marquette forward Jimmy Butler. When Jackson was gone, the Celtics went ahead with Johnson and picked up a second-rounder in 2014 from New Jersey by moving back two spots.

Johnson had a distinguished career with the Boilermakers, capped off by a senior season in which he was named Big 10 Player of the Year, Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year and the Pete Newell Big Man Award after averaging better than 20 points and 8 rebounds per game. He and Moore were part of a class that won 107 games in their four years together and were ably coached by Matt Painter.

While his slight frame kept him out of the upper reaches of the first round, the Celtics love his outside shooting ability and athleticism. Celtics coach Doc Rivers even compared his shooting stroke favorably with a young Kevin Garnett. “He’s not Kevin Garnett,” Rivers quickly added. “At the same time in their lives he’s probably a better shooter. Kevin became a great shooter, so there’s a lot of upside with him.”

“He’s a terrific shooter for his size and is extremely athletic,” Rivers said. “He rebounded well in college and you hope that translates over. We’ve proven we can get bigs shots. If we can get him shots, he’ll make them. The defensive part he comes from a great program. He’s a high character kid. At 25 that’s what you hope for.”

Read More

Blogs

• Fast Break: Another Celtics comeback falls short
• What if the Celtics don’t make a move?

Audio on Demand

• Sean Grande & WWE's Jim Ross
• Doc Rivers & Sean Grande preview Celtics/Mavs

Columns

• As Celtics falter, Danny Ainge's test begins
• The Celtics' maddening mediocrity

Tickets

02/29/2012

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks - TD Garden, Boston, MA
[find tickets]

03/2/2012

Boston Celtics vs New Jersey Nets - TD Garden, Boston, MA
[find tickets]

03/4/2012

Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks - TD Garden, Boston, MA
[find tickets]

Rivers was impressed in his workouts not only by his ability, but also by his awareness.

“He kind of knows where his shots come from,” Rivers said. “He didn’t stray far away from his spots and that tells you he’s mature enough to understand who he is and how he plays.”

The Celtics view him as a four-man, but however he’s classified you may have noticed they don’t have a lot of big man options behind Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal right now. Nenad Krstic is bound for Russia and Glen Davis seems determined to talk Glen Davis into a different situation where he can be Glen Davis.

Johnson at least alleviates some of the concern over the position. He’s increased his scoring and rebounding in each of the four years he was at Purdue and while upside isn’t a word you often hear associated with seniors, the Celtics believe he still has room to grow as a player. He’ll also have the opportunity to learn from Garnett, as long as he’s willing to absorb the lessons.

“It’s the kid’s choice if he wants to follow him,” Rivers said. “Kevin’s a great teacher. The best teacher that I’ve ever coached by far, but if you don’t listen the first time he’ll never teach you again. That’s just how he works. We warn guys of that and some follow and end up being coached by Kevin Garnett and some think they know it all and they’re not.”    

As for Moore, he can score. Ainge noted a 38-point outburst against Ohio State in which Moore knocked down seven 3-pointers. At 6-foot-4 he’s undersized for a two-guard and he didn’t play the point at Purdue, but the league is filled with smallish combo guards who have figured out a way to get on the court and make a living.

If nothing else, Johnson and Moore, along with Bradley give the Celtics three young players who could be part of the short-term solution as well as part of the long-range plan. Rivers believes that one of the factors that hurt them against Miami in the playoffs was their inability to get to so-called 50-50 plays – long rebounds, loose balls and the like. That’s not effort. That’s athleticism and quickness and if any of the three can work their way into the rotation that would be a huge benefit.

The Celtics will have major work to do in free agency, but in the absence of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, no one yet knows how that work itself out. In getting two experienced collegiate players in a draft deep on potential and short on actual production, the Celtics took the initial steps in restructuring a team they still feel can compete for a championship.