Top Five Boston Celtics Draft Picks: Post-2000
By Phil Bausk
Apr 25, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson (7) advances the ball during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
1. Joe Johnson – 2001, Round 1, Pick 10
The one exception from the awful 2001 draft class that stunted the growth of a young Boston Celtics team is now a player who gets a lot of criticism for not living up to his mega-contract. There is no doubt that Joe Johnson is the most talented player the Celtics have drafted since 2000, but his Boston career didn’t last long as he was traded for Tony Delk and Rodney Rodgers to help a fleeting playoff run. Johnson has now become an easy target for analysts and fans because he makes an absurd amount of money, but only plays to about 50-60% of it. I don’t blame him for signing on the dotted line, but it would be interesting to imagine what his career may have looked like in Celtic green.