2011 DRAFT blather goes here. Part 3...

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Anyone hear Mike Woebegon interview on 980? He said that Williams wants to play with Wall also, so you've got 2 of the top-5 picks wanting to play in DC

Wow. Considering the history of this franchise that is a pretty strong endorsement of Wall.

I wonder if they would still want to play here is the Wizards drafted Cousins.

I actually was also encouraged to see both Rose and Westbrook struggle at the end n the playoffs. They are great players but IMO their teams ARE NOT THAT MUCH BETTER than the Wizards. Washington is one efficient scoring big, and one composed defender on the wing away from being close.

If the Wizards could land Williams or Kanter, they're right there in terms of competing.

I think the young guys that want to play with Wall know that.

[GhostsOfGil]

wow thats really great news to hear. i think players just like to play with pass first pgs...not to mention the new red and blue threads

[closg00]

Anyone hear Mike Woebegon interview on 980? He said that Williams wants to play with Wall also, so you've got 2 of the top-5 picks wanting to play in DC

What show was it on?

I don't know the name of the show, but it was on between 12-2 I believe. They have archives if you want to check it out.

[Wizardspride]

Anyone hear Mike Woebegon interview on 980? He said that Williams wants to play with Wall also, so you've got 2 of the top-5 picks wanting to play in DC

What show was it on?

I don't know the name of the show, but it was on between 12-2 I believe. They have archives if you want to check it out.

Thats the Sports Fix.

Thanks.

[theboomking]

Thanks closg00. It is nice to hear that future NBA players want to come here. I really feel like we've started to get some momentum. Obviously this has everything to do with John Wall, but there is more to it than that. I think there is a different vibe with the new owner, and, although it sounds silly to say, I actually do think that the new uniforms might make a bit of a difference.

I really think that this is an important offseason. If we can capitalize on this momentum, moving up in the draft for Kanter or Williams, we may really be the apple of the eye of many a free agent. Dwight?

Also, why is everybody so on Leonard's jock. No one on this board ever brought him up as a potential top 10 pick until he started to get some burn on ESPN just prior to the combine. Leonard is a bit longer than Singleton, and a bit younger, but not nearly the athlete and not nearly the defender. Singleton was every bit as important to his team as Leonard to his, and is clearly the more versatile prospect. Am I the only one that would rather have Singleton than Leonard?

[closg00]

i'm lukewarm on both, but i recognize that most likely those two are what we'll have to work with at the 6th. i will say if we take leonard, singleton at 18 is a waste. the difference between the 2 is marginal imo, and if faried or the lesser morris is there, we should be looking PF rather than SF. the 2nd rounder is just icing on the cake. J Williams, J Harper, K Singler, whoever. hopefully there's a combo guard of worth because even with crawford, we're pretty thin at guard.

I agree that if we take Leonard at #6, we should be looking for an offensive-minded big man at #18. Markieff Morris (if he slips) or Vucevic might be good targets.

I agree with the logic here, too.

Offense at 18 if defense is the pick at 6 (or defense at 18 if offense is the pick at 6). I think I'd go Faried at 6 and Brooks at 18, even though draft pundits would disagree. Actually I'd trade down to get those two. As much as a like Leonard, I believe Faried will probably be better at PF because this team is built for speed. I think Brooks will be a better pro than Leonard. Brooks reminds me a lot of Kevin Martin. I thought based on stats Martin should be higher but didn't say much at all because IIRC he went to Western Carolina. Brooks shredded the Big East arguably better than Kemba Walker.

I have said before I like Faried and Brooks. There's other offense/defense combinations I like. Harper and Markieff Morris would be good. Leonard and Charles Jenkins would be good. JaJuan Johnson's offense would be terrific at 34. Isiah Thomas is growing (unfortunately not in height, literally) on me as an offensive pick at 34. Klay Thompson is a great offensive pick at 18. Tristan Thompson would be great defensively at 18, but won't last.

Last, I think the Wizards could draft both Jordans and do fine. Jordan Hamilton is solid and so is Jordan Williams. Both would fill team needs, too.

Sorry for the rant, but this is a fascinating draft IMO.

Lot's of intrigue, who will get that #2 pick from Minny? Will we know before draft night?

[WizarDynasty]

There is a huge difference between Leonard and Singleton in terms of basketball iq. This team desperately needs Basketball IQ and Leonard shows marked improvement in his assists compared to leonard. Also Leonard has consistently been a 70 percent or greater free throw shooter.
If we go after Singleton, expect more Al Thornton when it comes to basketball IQ. Leonard actually shows a positive A/T ratio improvement meaning he has quicker learning curve in terms of diagnosing defenses and making better decisions.

I think it is a mistake to assume these two are close in terms of basketball IQ which is what the wizards sorely lacked in the past. Again, I am slowly coming to the conclusion that Leonard is better fit for us than Vesely and that Leonard can have just as significant and impact for us as Kanter.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

I agree with ccj's post a page or so ago... I'd be pretty satisfied with a double reach of Faried and Brooks.

Because we have two picks and this draft pool is deep but not wide, you can take two pretty high likelihood of success guys. If we could trade back and get the same two guys, so much the better.

Williams and Kanter are both coming here when their rookie deals expire anyway

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I try not to get too impressed with players that are really working hard on their games now and working hard to get in shape.

It's like when you meet a woman you like, and you suddenly start cleaning your apartment and shaving and dressing better. You are trying to impress her. Then once your married you grow a beer gut and go back to being a slob.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I'm seeing more and more speculation that Kanter could be there for us at 6.

If we get Kanter, I really like Singleton at 18. I like the idea of adding a low post rebounder and a lockdown perimeter defender. Faried and Harris are a couple others that interest me there.

At 34 I do like Harper, but I am really liking Trey Thompkins there more and more. In the shooting drills at the combine Thompkins was right there with Harper. He's got good size, and a true back to the basket PF game.

I think my ideal draft would leave us with Kanter providing a legitimate challenge to McGee for the starting center spot, Thompkins adding PF depth and a contrast to Blatche and Booker, and Singleton to back up Lewis at SF.

I'd also love to add Hansbrough... maybe we can buy a 2nd rounder this year instead of selling one??




C - Kanter, McGee, Seraphin
PF- Blatche, Booker, Thompkins
SF- Lewis, Singleton, Young
SG- Young, Crawford
PG- Wall, Crawford

[Ruzious]

Thompkins reminds me of a shorter version of Blatche. He's got skills and length, but also 15.5% body fat, inconsistency, and a rep for being a lazy defender. I'd have no interest.

[theboomking]

This may sound like a stupid question, but should the Wizards trade into the top 2 or 3 for a prospect, when are we likely to find out? When the pick is made? Later in the draft? The next day?

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Thompkins reminds me of a shorter version of Blatche. He's got skills and length, but also 15.5% body fat, inconsistency, and a rep for being a lazy defender. I'd have no interest.

You know, I had that thought about him too reading the mocks and scouting reports. But he caught my attention watching the combine. He seems to interview well and have a good attitude as well. He has more toughness than blatche, more of a low post game and style, but he does have skill and can shoot. He could be more of a Zach Randolph type.

I like that a Kanter, Singleton, Thompkins draft really adds an influx of talent to our frontcourt. I like that each comes in right away with a defined position and role. I like the physicality and size our frontcourt with these additions to our current McGee, Seraphin, Blatche, Booker, Lewis group.

I think the backcourt is pretty set with the 3 G rotation of Wall, Crawford, Young. I'd like to add a 3rd pg behind Wall and Crawford (Hansbrough?), and I'd like to keep Mo Evans as a vet SG/SF, and wouldn't mind seeing Jeffers back to fill out the roster.

At SF a healthy Lewis enters the season as the starter, and provides a solid mentor to Singleton who can come in with more D and uptempo style off the bench. Young can get some action here also to open some time for Crawford at the 2.

PF Blatche looks to get another chance to step up as the starter. Booker will compete and make it hard to keep him off the court. Thompkins I think could be a 2nd round steal with a nice inside out game, and pick and pop ability and can go down low with good size and length. But he will have to earn it from the two in front of him which is a good thing.

Center Kanter as the team's top pick will be given a chance to earn the starting center spot, allowing McGee to come off the bench with his high flying blocks and highlight reel dunks. An ideal scenario. In any case he is a nice contrast to McGee, as well as Blatche, inside for us. A legit low post scorer and rebounder. Seraphin adds depth as the 3rd center, and a developing big man continuing to improve while giving us some hard fouls and hard picks off the bench.

[rl25g]

Washington Sends:
Seraphin, 18, 34

Houston Sends:
Brad Miller, 14, 23

Washington selects Kanter at 6, Singleton at 14, Nolan Smith at 23

Wall/Smith
Young/Crawford/Jeffers
Lewis/Singleton
Blatche/Booker
McGee/Kanter/Miller

[Hoopalotta]

The DX writeup on Klay THompson is interesting

Thompson is constantly moving without the ball and coming around screens, showing a great knack for finding open areas of the floor and being multi-capable once the ball gets in his hands. Making quick decisions and showing good scoring instincts, Thompson doesn't usually have the ball for that long before it leaves his hands.

He's absolutely deadly with his jumper when left open, scoring 1.46 points per shot on uncontested jumpers according to Synergy.

Thompson is at his most comfortable spotting up or coming around screens, showing excellent shooting mechanics with consistent balance and a high and quick release. With many volume shooters entering the NBA, there is a large change in role in terms of how often the ball is in their hands or what types of shots they're getting, but if he lands in a good situation, Thompson's only adjustment will be the number of shots he takes, not the type.

With his highly developed perimeter skill set and feel for the game, Thompson could contribute early in his career, and probably doesn't have a significant upside beyond what he is now due to his physical limitations.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Fin ... mpson-3722

Athleticism is so-so at best and defense might be problematic, but he's a legit 6'7" so we could probably carve out a few minutes at the 3 next year (I know how much everyone loves Flip's 3 guard lineups ). He's also been a bit turnover prone with 0.18 per possession, but he can move the ball.

I'd have to give him a strong look at 18 regardless of Nick Young or what have you.

[Hoopalotta]

Washington Sends:
Seraphin, 18, 34

Houston Sends:
Brad Miller, 14, 23

Washington selects Kanter at 6, Singleton at 14, Nolan Smith at 23

Wall/Smith
Young/Crawford/Jeffers
Lewis/Singleton
Blatche/Booker
McGee/Kanter/Miller

That has us absorbing a lot of salary which is highly unlikely before the CBA is set and I also don't see Houston taking multiple pieces. They're at the point where they aren't going to be able to fit guys onto a 15 man roster.

[tontoz]

Interesting poll on the Minny board.

23% want Kanter
32% want Williams
36% say trade the pick

I voted not sure just to see the results.

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1113302&start=360

I think BB would be a really good fit for them if they plan on keeping Love and Beasley long term.

[dobrojim]

said it before, I'll say it again, if we come out of this
with Kanter and Singleton, I'll be very happy. Nolan Smith
with the 2nd rnd pick would be an absolute steal.

[REDardWIZskin]

Starting to join the Brooks bandwagon, his length really shows on defense on offense, he uses it well. I would ideally want him in a scenario where we can get an additional first pick in a trade back. Not confident to the point where i would reach too far for him.

[closg00]

I agree with Joel Brighams assessment of what the Cavs will do with their 4th pick.

I've seen Jonas Valanciunas going to Cleveland at #4 in a lot of mock drafts, but they're trying to sell the future of their franchise on these two top-four picks, and I don't know that Valanciunas is a guy that puts butts in seats. Enes Kanter seems every bit as promising (if not more so), and could be more convincing as a franchise building block.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?sto ... z1Nf6t0teX

Consensus mock also on the link^