On this day in Boston Celtics history, the Boston Celtics selected two players of note in the 2014 NBA draft, held in Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The first was 6-foot-3 guard Marcus Smart out of Oklahoma State University, taken with the sixth overall pick of the draft. A native of Flower Mound, Texas, Smart fit in well and would make the 2014-15 All-Rookie Second Team in his inaugural season with the Celtics.
Smart’s brand of intense, all-out attack frequently saw the former Cowboy banged up with a litany of minor injuries, and his professionalism and dedication would position the young guard as the “heart and soul” and unofficial captain of the team in just a few short seasons.
Still with the team, he has earned 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2021-22 All-Defensive First Teams honors along with winning the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year award among many other honors.
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Boston also drafted shooting guard James Young out of Kentucky with the 17th overall pick.
Young struggled at the next level despite the Celtics’ patience with him over three seasons, in which the Flint, Michigan native logged 2.3 points and a rebound per game.
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It is also the date of the 2008 NBA draft, held at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
Boston took two players of note, the first being shooting guard J.R. Giddens, taken with the 30th overall pick out of the University of New Mexico.
Giddens spent much of his time with the Utah Flash, the Celtics’ NBA Development League (as the G League was called then) affiliate at the time.
He would be dealt with Bill Walker and Eddie House to the New York Knicks for Nate Robinson and Marcus Landry in 2010, having averaged 1.9 points and 1.4 rebounds per game while with the team over two seasons.
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Boston also drafted Turkish big man Semih Erden with the 60th pick of the draft, and Erden would go on to have a solid start with the Celtics, recording 4 points and 2.9 boards per game with Boston.
He would be traded with Luke Harangody to the Cleveland Cavaliers midseason for draft considerations.
With June being a popular month for the NBA Draft, it is also the date of the 2003 NBA draft, held at The…
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