This is part three in a three-part series about the Boston Celtics' three picks in the 2012 NBA Draft. Kris Joseph is a forward from Syracuse University who was drafted by Boston.
PLAYER: Kris Joseph - (Forward - Syracuse Orange)
DRAFTED: No. 51 Overall, Second Round, Boston Celtics.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: Six feet, seven inches/215 pounds.
BIRTHDAY: December 17, 1988 (Age: 23)
WINGSPAN: Six feet, 11 inches.
NBA COMBINE RESULTS: No step vertical - 28.5. Maximum vertical - 35. Bench Press - 6. Agility - Not Listed. Sprint - 3.46.
SCOUTING REPORT: Joseph was a four-year player at Syracuse and improved in almost every season. Joseph is a multi-faceted offensive player who can hit mid-range jumpers and get to the rack.
COMPARISONS: At best, Gary Forbes. At worst, Carlos Powell. (via Draft Express)
KEY STATS: Averaged 3.4 points in his freshman season, but never dipped below 10.8 points per game in his final three seasons at Syracuse. Posted career highs of 14.3 points per game while shooting 45.6 percent and 5.2 rebounds per game in 2010-11. Joseph's numbers dipped in his senior season, as he averaged 13.4 points and 4.7 rebounds.
CAREER HIGH: Points - 29 points on 6-of-11 shooting vs. Georgetown.
WHAT HE SAID: Quote(s) directly from Joseph are provided below.
"Thank you everyone for the wishes and the love! Specially from my city of MTL. I appreciate you all!! #Celtics" (Joseph on Twitter)
"Looking forward to learning from one of the best wings to play the game!! Paul "The Truth" Pierce." (Joseph on Twitter)
WHAT THEY SAY: Sean Keeley Of Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, SB Nation's Syracuse blog, shared his thoughts and opinions on Joseph's game below.
Kris Joseph is one of those guys who won't go down in the history books but will get a standing ovation anytime he ever goes back to Syracuse. Best qualities are his attitude and work ethic. Great guy, great teammate, loved rooting for him. His worst quality, I suppose, is that he seems to lack that killer instinct we were all waiting for. He peaked as a sophomore (and probably should have gone pro then) and spent the last years trying to meet expectations as Syracuse's next star. He led the team in scoring but never transcended his status.
With Joseph, I always said he was "sneaky good." You wouldn't really be focused on him or his play and then all of a sudden you'd realize he had 12 points, six rebounds and three steals and you don't really know how he did it. He was never amazing at one thing but he became really, really good at lots of things.
My honest guess is that Kris' time with Boston will be short-lived. I don't think Kris is still on the [Celtics] roster at the end of the season and possibly not even by the time the season starts. He seems destined for some NBDL followed by a solid overseas career (as well as appearances with Team Canada).
VIDEO/HIGHLIGHTS:
EXPECTATION: Joseph making the roster for the long terms seems unlikely, but hey, when a guy like Greg Stiemsma carves out a role on this team, who knows? Joseph had a solid college career, but that's a moot point in the NBA. Joseph will have some time to work out the kinks in the preseason, maybe even at the beginning of the season, but will probably join the Maine Red Claws of the NBA D-League at some point, and he may not come back.
For NBA Draft 2012 news, follow our stream. Also visit SB Nation NBA and CelticsBlog.