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Boston Celtics: Top 10 “Could Have Been’s” Since 1996

By Jamie Gallagher

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the stage before the start of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the stage before the start of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 9: Marc Gasol

Career Averages: 14.3 Points/7.8 Rebounds/1.5 Blocks

Awards: NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2012-13/2x NBA All Star/1x All NBA First Team/1x All NBA Second Team

What do the Celtics absolutely need most right now? The answer: A rim protecting big man. Marc Gasol is that and so much more.

Gasol was the 18th pick in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft (48th overall). The same draft that netted the Celtics Ray Allen and eventually an NBA title. Now imagine if the Celtics had selected Marc Gasol with the 32nd pick in that draft instead of Gabe Pruitt… The C’s could be going for banner number 20 this year instead of still chasing number 18.

Pruitt played in just 62 career games in the NBA before falling off the face of planet. Gasol however, has played in 569 career games for the Grizzlies and has been a major reason as to why the team is able to compete year after year in a tough western conference.

Defensively, Gasol is one of the most feared big men in the league. As demonstrated by winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in the 2012-13 season. But Gasol has also been a forced to be reckoned with on the offensive end. He averages over 14 points per game for his career and shoots over 50% from the field.

Imagine what the Celtics could have done with a starting 5 of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Gasol? I know I’m being a bit greedy here since they did win the championship in 08′, but come on now.. this team could have dominated for a few more seasons. It also would have made the Celtics quite the destination for free agents. Who knows who the Celtics may have been able to pull in had they had Rondo and Gasol both on the roster.

Next: Another Grizzly Miss for the Celtics

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