Going into this draft I did not have high expectations. Coming off their 17th title and picking 30th what players of any consequence would be available? When Mario Chalmers and Chris Douglas- Roberts were still available at 30, my thought was ,which one will they take?

 To my surprise and initial outrage, The Celtics took JR Giddens. I rememberd the name, vaguely,from his stint as the "next big thing at Kansas" but have not really seen or heard much about him other than that. So I looked up the history on this kid, Recriuted by Roy Williams ( Roy left for Tar Heels gig shortly thereafter). Played two seasons under the tutaledge of Bill Self at Kansas and showed great promise, if not good judgment. There was no questioning this kids abilities but in the two years there he was considered by many to be a head case with a bad attitude. His problems came to a head in Lawrence when he was stabbed in the leg during an altercation at a club, opening a wound that required 30 stitches. JR transfered to New Mexico in 2005. He was forced to sit out 05-06 as a transfer.   

 2006-07 JUNIOR SEASON
Saw action in 26 games with 22 starts • Led the team in scoring with 15.8 ppg • Second on the team in rebounds with 6.5 rpg • earned honorable mention All-MWC honors • third on the team in assists with 60 • 2006 Las Vegas Classic All-Tournament team with14 points and six rebounds in an upset win over No. 8 Wichita State • MVP of the 2006 Comcast Lobo Invitational...26 points and nine rebounds in the championship game against Pepperdine • Scored 20+ points seven times and had three double-doubles on the year • Shot 44.1% from the floor, 30.1% from 3-pt. range and 59.0% from the FT line.

Giddens was suspended in 06-07 for "attidude problems" ( fighting with teammates).

 In 07- 08 Former Indiana HC Steve Alford took over the reins for the Lobos. This seemed to be just what JR needed as he went on to have his best season ,with no on or off court incedents.

2007-08 • SENIOR Season
Named MWC co-Player of the Year...AP Honorable Mention All-American...USBWA District VIII Player of the Year...NABC 1st Team All-District...CollegeHoops.net 3rd Team High-Major All-American • Started all 33 games • Led the team in scoring (16.3), rebounding (8.8), steals (47) and blocks (39)...2nd in assists (3.1) • Selected to participate in the State Farm Slam Dunk Contest at the Final Four
• MWC Ranking - All Games
- 16.3 ppg - 4th
- 8.8 rpg - 1st...first guard to lead the MWC in rebounds
- 51.6 FG% - 4th (make 5/game to qualify)
- 1.42 spg - T7th
- 1.18 bpg - 3rd
- 3.12 apg - 9th
• MWC Ranking - MWC Games Only
- 18.3 ppg - 1st
- 8.3 rpg - 1st
- 52.9 FG% - 3rd (make 5/game to qualify)
- 3.38 apg - T7th
- 1.50 spg - 6th
- 1.31 bpg - T3rd
- Joined Utah's Andrew Bogut (2005) as the only two players to lead the MWC in scoring and rebounds in league play in the same year
• Only player to rank in the top-5 in scoring and rebounds in MWC games • Only player to rank in the top-10 in points, rebounds, blocks, steals and assists in MWC games • Only player in the MWC with multiple 30-point games in league play...36 vs. Wyoming and 30 vs. BYU • Very efficient on the offensive end... the only player to rank in the top-5 in scoring and FG% in MWC games • Only player in the MWC with at least 100 assists, 30 blocks and 40 steals • Had 103 assists and 73 TOs...first season with more assists that TOs • Set career highs for a season in points, rebounds, FG%, assists, blocks and steals • Led the MWC with 11 double-doubles • 290 rebounds this season is the most by a guard in UNM history...12th all time at UNM overall  (  from http://golobos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/gidde
ns_jr00.htm)

Giddens has all the tools to become a very good NBA player. He is a good shooter, an above average defender, and can post up most two's with his height,length and superior athletic abilities. He also rebounds extremely well. The only thing that can stop him from realizing his potential is his attitude.

 Danny Ainge has a history of finding good talent late in the draft (Tony Allen, Delonte West,Leon Powe,Ryan Gomes). Giddens has the potential to be a better player than any of them. Grabbing KSU's Bill Walker,a Paul Pierce clone(he even looks like him),with a history of knee problems could turn out to be a coup as well. Walker played along side Mike Beasley at KSU and averaged 15pts. and 6rbs.

 A lot of experts are quoted as saying Giddens was a reach at 30. Are there any locks picking that high. Sure it's a risk but these two players have to much "potential to pass on

 If nothing else Ainge,with these picks, gaurantees the Celtics will be properly represented in the tedious NBA slamdunk contest.

 And besides,in Giddens now P-squared has somone to compare knife wounds with.