Should the Celtics risk drafting Robert Upshaw?

By foxsports
Published

Robert Upshaw has character issues. He was kicked off two separate teams in college, has failed several drug tests and could very well be the next Larry Sanders. 

Those things matter a lot when analyzing potential prospects in the NBA draft. What else matters? The fact that he's a seven-foot defensive monster who was arguably the best shot blocker in college basketball last season (he led the NCAA with seven blocks per 40 minutes).

Those two characteristics clash in a way that makes the decision to select him or not an agonizing one. On one hand, he has a history of being reckless and unstable. On the other, he has the physical ability to anchor some lucky team's defense for the next decade. Robert Upshaw's don't grow on trees.

Right now, the Boston Celtics are one of the teams wrestling with this question. Is Upshaw worth it? MassLive's Jay King tries to come up with an answer right here:

"Gambling on size will always happen. Remember, the Celtics once drafted Fab Melo in the first round. Beyond his basketball flaws, Upshaw's a different type of risk: Is he just a young kid who made mistakes? Will he grow up? Has he grown up? Will his pattern of self-destruction continue? Teams will do plenty of homework to form their opinions of Upshaw's character. Regardless of his past, at some point in the draft the possibility of adding a defensive anchor will become too difficult to resist."

Upshaw could fill a major hole for the Celtics if he's still around when it's their turn at 28. They badly need someone who can intimidate opposing ball-handlers in the paint, rebound and consistently play above the rim. 

This may be their guy.

(h/t: MassLive)

Photo Credit: Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports