Danny Ainge Finds a Diamond in the Rough in Lester Hudson

Prior to the NBA draft their were various trade rumour involving anyone on the Celtics not named Pierce and Garnett.  Media outlets were quick to portrait Rajon Rondo as hot headed and a rebel.  Ainge had to call a news conference to keep the damage control to a minimum.

Some sources even went as far as to say that the trade rumours about Rondo were to either prove to Rondo that he wasn't a max player or to get him to get with the company line.

Regardless it was a shrewd move on Danny's part, because the draft was saturated with guards.  With players such as Brandon Jennings, Stephen Curry, Johnny Flynn and Ricky Rubio teams saw no need to go after Rondo. 

Ainge has possibly produced a perfect storm for another championship.  Rondo will be in the Celtics fold for next season and the Celtics will have their starting five intact for the first time since the 2007-08 season.  Rondo will have the bitter taste of this off-season and will want to prove that he is part of the elite guard of the NBA.

Ainge knows that he has dodged a bullet with Eddie House being his only source of outside shooting off the bench.  House is barely 6-foot tall and has a slight build.  Danny knows that he cannot depend on Eddie much longer as his primary offensive threat off the bench. 

Danny Ainge has had the knack for finding NBA players in the second round fodder of the NBA draft.  The last NBA player drafted in the second round with the 58th pick was Don Reid.  He was a serviceable backup for 10 years with career averages of 3.6 ppg and 2.9 RPG.  Reid wasn't known for his scoring prowess.

Ainge has found such players as Ryan Gomes, Leon Powe, Glen Davis and now possibly Lester Hudson.

Hudson was the NCAA's  second leading scorer behind Stephen Curry.  At 6'3'' he averaged 27.5 ppg, 4.2 assists, 7.9 rebounds and shoots three pointers at a 37 percent clip.

In his only game against national powerhouse Memphis; Lester more than held his own.  This prompted Rick Pitino to heap praise on the youngster because Lester was scoring at will.

The question is what did Ainge see in Lester Hudson that caused him to draft him with the 58th pick.  I dare say it wasn't what he saw on the court but with whom he equated  him with when he saw Hudson.

Those of you who remember the bad boy era may recall  a 6' 2'' guard from Baylor University called Vinnie Johnson.  He was such a prolific scorer himself that the Boston Celtics gave him his monniker the "Microwave".  Johnson was the 6th man for the Pistons and needed little time to get started before he would rain jumpers on his opponents.  Ainge more often than not found himself on the receiving end of these forays.

Hudson and Johnson share similar stories they both started out at junior college then transfered to a traditional four year school.  Johnson averaged 25 ppg and Lester 27 ppg in college.  Lester though is a little bit taller and probably a better passer than Johnson. They both share the same body type and can play defense on bigger guards because of their solid build and low center of gravity.

Ainge will invite Lester to camp and summer league, with hopes he has found his new "microwave". 

Statistically speaking Hudson only has a three percent chance of making the team.  But if Ainge's track record holds true to form Lester may find his name being called on opening day as the 2009-10 Celtics are being introduced.