Harry Giles
care to provide a scientific explanation for this choice?
I thought you would never ask.
Earlier, someone else mentioned Ainge pays close attention to High School performance. He tends to draft players that were good High School players. I think that is an accurate analysis.
I think we would all agree Giles would have been picked #1 overall if he wasn't injured or if he came out right after High School.
Now we have to decide if we are dealing with an Joel Embiid or a Greg Oden situation. I think we are dealing with an Embid situation (micro-fracture surgery is usually career ending while players come back from acl injuries). Giles should be fine as long as his cartilage is good.
The biggest thing is the injury risk but all of the Celtics other options are risky too and lack Giles upside.
Tatum is the lowest risk but he may not have the speed and athleticism to play the three then you are left with an undersized below the rim 4. In my opinion Jackson lacks ideal length for the 3 let alone the 4. The best position for him based on his size may be the 2 (like a Steve Smith). Isaac has asthma and seems to have a role player mentality. I think these guys are likely to be good NBA players despite the risks but I wouldn't pass on Fultz for any of them (except maybe Tatum if I am sure he is a 3 and Jackson if I think he will will be a 2 with a good jump shot).
Also, Giles makes more sense if the Cs want to sign Gordon Hayward instead of Blake Griffin.