Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part I

[DANNYLANDOVER]

nice to see Alex Len holding his own against Duke tonight...definitely shut down Plumlee. But my goodness, Maryland doesn't have a guard that can handle the ball under pressure and Seth Curry is a lights out shooter...wonder if he'll go in the first round, could be a good 3rd guard for us

[Earth2Ted]

Definitely some strong work by Len on both ends of the floor. His best games this year have been against KY (ranked #3 at the time) and Duke. You get the feeling that wherever we pick in the draft, he will get snatched one spot in front of us just like Valanciunas did.

Big win for the Terps- pounded Duke 37-14 on the boards, just enough to overcome 25 ugly turnovers.

[Upper Decker]

Plumlee is undraftable in my book. Hes older than prolly a quarter of nba players and has no skills. Vesely a better pro prospect.

[Ruzious]

nice to see Alex Len holding his own against Duke tonight...definitely shut down Plumlee. But my goodness, Maryland doesn't have a guard that can handle the ball under pressure and Seth Curry is a lights out shooter...wonder if he'll go in the first round, could be a good 3rd guard for us

That was probably Len's best game. He really shined.

Curry's not even listed as a 2nd rounder by Draftexpress.com. How does a guy who plays for Duke and has a brother who's a star in the NBA still become maybe the most underrated prospect in the country? It's an anomoly. His jab step then step back 3 pointer is a great weapon. And he made shots over 6'5 Dez Wells and 6'8 Jake Lehman. I'd be happy to see the Wiz get him in the 2nd round.

[mhd]

nice to see Alex Len holding his own against Duke tonight...definitely shut down Plumlee. But my goodness, Maryland doesn't have a guard that can handle the ball under pressure and Seth Curry is a lights out shooter...wonder if he'll go in the first round, could be a good 3rd guard for us

That was probably Len's best game. He really shined.

Curry's not even listed as a 2nd rounder by Draftexpress.com. How does a guy who plays for Duke and has a brother who's a star in the NBA still become maybe the most underrated prospect in the country? It's an anomoly. His jab step then step back 3 pointer is a great weapon. And he made shots over 6'5 Dez Wells and 6'8 Jake Lehman. I'd be happy to see the Wiz get him in the 2nd round.

I'd rather have Reggie Bulluck as an outside shooting specialist. He has a position in the NBA. Curry doesn't. What makes Curry any different then say Salim Stoudimire?

[Ruzious]

nice to see Alex Len holding his own against Duke tonight...definitely shut down Plumlee. But my goodness, Maryland doesn't have a guard that can handle the ball under pressure and Seth Curry is a lights out shooter...wonder if he'll go in the first round, could be a good 3rd guard for us

That was probably Len's best game. He really shined.

Curry's not even listed as a 2nd rounder by Draftexpress.com. How does a guy who plays for Duke and has a brother who's a star in the NBA still become maybe the most underrated prospect in the country? It's an anomoly. His jab step then step back 3 pointer is a great weapon. And he made shots over 6'5 Dez Wells and 6'8 Jake Lehman. I'd be happy to see the Wiz get him in the 2nd round.

I'd rather have Reggie Bulluck as an outside shooting specialist. He has a position in the NBA. Curry doesn't. What makes Curry any different then say Salim Stoudimire?

The difference is - the Wiz have a point guard who can guard shooting guards.

And Bullock probably goes in the 1st round - unless he measures small at the combine - in which case he's really an under-sized 3. In the 2nd round, we're talking about 4th and 5th guards. It's not a deep draft.

[mhd]

I think there will some Euros drafted as strictly draft and stashes in the 20s b/c those teams don't want those contracts on the books. Bulluck could be overlooked b/c teams will draft the younger player 10/10. A guy I have always liked is Soloman Hill. An old-school type with an all-around game.

[nate33]

What makes Curry any different then say Salim Stoudimire?

The difference is - the Wiz have a point guard who can guard shooting guards.

And Bullock probably goes in the 1st round - unless he measures small at the combine - in which case he's really an under-sized 3. In the 2nd round, we're talking about 4th and 5th guards. It's not a deep draft.

Agree with Ruzious. Curry can play. We should consider him with our second round pick. We should definitely take him with the NY pick if he is still available.

In a worst case scenario, there's nothing wrong with having a cheap lights out shooter at the end of the bench. And in the best case scenario, he evolves to become the next J.J. Redick.

[mhd]

What makes Curry any different then say Salim Stoudimire?

The difference is - the Wiz have a point guard who can guard shooting guards.

And Bullock probably goes in the 1st round - unless he measures small at the combine - in which case he's really an under-sized 3. In the 2nd round, we're talking about 4th and 5th guards. It's not a deep draft.

Agree with Ruzious. Curry can play. We should consider him with our second round pick. We should definitely take him with the NY pick if he is still available.

In a worst case scenario, there's nothing wrong with having a cheap lights out shooter at the end of the bench. And in the best case scenario, he evolves to become the next J.J. Redick.

Reddick is 6'4 and quicker than Curry is. Again, if they are drafting a shooter, I'd rather have a wing who is a dynamite shooter vs. a backup PG.

BTW, I'd love to draft Mike Muscala. He'll need time in the weight room, but his stats make him a great looking stretch 4.

[dandrews]

Man just when you rule out Len, he does what he did tonight and completely dominate. Tonight is the reason why he'll be considered for first overall.

I seriously can't make up my mind who I want to draft.

Will Len get better playing with a real NBA point guard? Shabazz is a lights out scorer, but what's his ceiling if he can't do anything else? Speaking of ceilings, what is Otto Porter's if he's good at everything but not great at anything? Will Noel recover from his knee or end up down the career path of Shaun Livigston? And of he does will he be able to score in the NBA? Can Bennett overcome being severely undersized?

I can't remember having this many questions about a draft all these guys are equals to me in terms of draft value, and I'm not even including Smart or McLemore, who are on the same level but won't play a part in our draft plans due to Wall/Beal

Hopefully EG and company are doing their jobs this draft season

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Watching Bennett now on NBCSports channel. He's hit like 4 3's. He is an impressive looking player.

He just had a couple nice blocks also.

[hands11]

Man just when you rule out Len, he does what he did tonight and completely dominate. Tonight is the reason why he'll be considered for first overall.

I seriously can't make up my mind who I want to draft.

Will Len get better playing with a real NBA point guard? Shabazz is a lights out scorer, but what's his ceiling if he can't do anything else? Speaking of ceilings, what is Otto Porter's if he's good at everything but not great at anything? Will Noel recover from his knee or end up down the career path of Shaun Livigston? And of he does will he be able to score in the NBA? Can Bennett overcome being severely undersized?

I can't remember having this many questions about a draft all these guys are equals to me in terms of draft value, and I'm not even including Smart or McLemore, who are on the same level but won't play a part in our draft plans due to Wall/Beal

Hopefully EG and company are doing their jobs this draft season

I would never make up my mind this early. Gotta see what people do in the tournament. Big time players step up on the big stage. Have to add that information to the mix.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

nice to see Alex Len holding his own against Duke tonight...definitely shut down Plumlee. But my goodness, Maryland doesn't have a guard that can handle the ball under pressure and Seth Curry is a lights out shooter...wonder if he'll go in the first round, could be a good 3rd guard for us

That was probably Len's best game. He really shined.

Curry's not even listed as a 2nd rounder by Draftexpress.com. How does a guy who plays for Duke and has a brother who's a star in the NBA still become maybe the most underrated prospect in the country? It's an anomoly. His jab step then step back 3 pointer is a great weapon. And he made shots over 6'5 Dez Wells and 6'8 Jake Lehman. I'd be happy to see the Wiz get him in the 2nd round.

Curry is definitely a player that should be drafted. He looks like a late first round pick to me, if his health holds up.

[stevemcqueen1]

Watched Len, Shabazz, Zeller, McAdoo, and Smart today. Now McLemore.

Len, Shabazz, and Zeller all had very good games but Smart's game was the most impressive by far to me.

He pops off the screen and has the aura of a star player IMO. On potential, he's a poor man's Dwyane Wade. Maybe some Tyreke in his game. With Noel getting hurt, I think he's probably the best player in the class. I can see him being the ROTY.

The big difference between him and DWade is the footspeed and explosiveness. It's a huge difference really. Smart is not that fast and doesn't have the best hops and Wade is an absolute burner with amazing lateral speed that explodes off the floor. So yeah, Smart's probably not going to end up as good as Wade. But he's got so many of the same strengths as Wade.

- Amazing body control.
- Amazing hands.
- Outstanding strength.
- High IQ and the ability to stuff the entire stat sheet.
- Excellent getting to the FT line.

He's got a star makeup intangibly.

The difference between him and Tyreke is the height and length. Again, it's a significant difference. Tyreke can play the three fairly comfortably. Smart is a pure guard.

If Smart were 6'7 he'd be a natural fit as a point forward and he'd be the no-brainer #1 pick. Or if he had Wade's athleticism he'd be the no-brainer #1 pick.

Even still, if I'm a rudderless high lotto team with no star player to build around and I'm looking for an immediate impact player to be my franchise guy and put butts in the seats, I'm drafting Smart.

- If I'm Orlando I take Smart first overall.
- If I'm New Orleans, I probably deal Eric Gordon and draft Smart first overall.
- If I'm Sacramento (Seattle), I deal Tyreke and Isaiah Thomas for something good and take Smart first overall.
- If I'm Charlotte, I take Noel first overall. I know I'm going to blow next year anyway. I take Noel for my big man and then get my franchise perimeter player in next year's top 5.

But if I had to start winning some games next year, I would definitely consider dealing Kemba Walker and taking Smart first overall.

- If I'm Washington or Cleveland, I can't really take Smart. I deal him for something good.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Man just when you rule out Len, he does what he did tonight and completely dominate. Tonight is the reason why he'll be considered for first overall.

I seriously can't make up my mind who I want to draft.

Will Len get better playing with a real NBA point guard? Shabazz is a lights out scorer, but what's his ceiling if he can't do anything else? Speaking of ceilings, what is Otto Porter's if he's good at everything but not great at anything? Will Noel recover from his knee or end up down the career path of Shaun Livigston? And of he does will he be able to score in the NBA? Can Bennett overcome being severely undersized?

I can't remember having this many questions about a draft all these guys are equals to me in terms of draft value, and I'm not even including Smart or McLemore, who are on the same level but won't play a part in our draft plans due to Wall/Beal

Hopefully EG and company are doing their jobs this draft season

If I were in the Wizards' position I would look acquire another first round pick and I would draft Smart with one of the picks. Smart is competitive at both ends. He is a better leader than Wall.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Watched Len, Shabazz, Zeller, McAdoo, and Smart today. Now McLemore.

Len, Shabazz, and Zeller all had very good games but Smart's game was the most impressive by far to me.

He pops off the screen and has the aura of a star player IMO. On potential, he's a poor man's Dwyane Wade. Maybe some Tyreke in his game. With Noel getting hurt, I think he's probably the best player in the class. I can see him being the ROTY.

The big difference between him and DWade is the footspeed and explosiveness. It's a huge difference really. Smart is not that fast and doesn't have the best hops and Wade is an absolute burner with amazing lateral speed that explodes off the floor. So yeah, Smart's probably not going to end up as good as Wade. But he's got so many of the same strengths as Wade.

- Amazing body control.
- Amazing hands.
- Outstanding strength.
- High IQ and the ability to stuff the entire stat sheet.
- Excellent getting to the FT line.

He's got a star makeup intangibly.

The difference between him and Tyreke is the height and length. Again, it's a significant difference. Tyreke can play the three fairly comfortably. Smart is a pure guard.

If Smart were 6'7 he'd be a natural fit as a point forward and he'd be the no-brainer #1 pick. Or if he had Wade's athleticism he'd be the no-brainer #1 pick.

Even still, if I'm a rudderless high lotto team with no star player to build around and I'm looking for an immediate impact player to be my franchise guy and put butts in the seats, I'm drafting Smart.

- If I'm Orlando I take Smart first overall.
- If I'm New Orleans, I probably deal Eric Gordon and draft Smart first overall.
- If I'm Sacramento (Seattle), I deal Tyreke and Isaiah Thomas for something good and take Smart first overall.
- If I'm Charlotte, I take Noel first overall. I know I'm going to blow next year anyway. I take Noel for my big man and then get my franchise perimeter player in next year's top 5.

But if I had to start winning some games next year, I would definitely consider dealing Kemba Walker and taking Smart first overall.

- If I'm Washington or Cleveland, I can't really take Smart. I deal him for something good.

I agree.

Smart has it. He does have star quality. He is a winner. Of all the players I have seen he is the one who imposes his will on games at both ends of the court. He's only 18 years old. I think he is going to be a star in the NBA.

I think it still makes sense for the Wizards to draft Smart as the best player available.

[stevemcqueen1]

McLemore has a star aura about him too. He threw down a ridiculous 360 breakaway dunk. The entire building went crazy and all the NBA guys appreciated it.

His numbers weren't crazy for the night. He only took 9 shots and barely had to break a sweat. Kansas obliterated Texas and the whole team got into the game and almost everyone scored. They can really make it look easy.

[stevemcqueen1]

I agree.

Smart has it. He does have star quality. He is a winner. Of all the players I have seen he is the one who imposes his will on games at both ends of the court. He's only 18 years old. I think he is going to be a star in the NBA.

I think it still makes sense for the Wizards to draft Smart as the best player available.

If we draft Smart with the intent to keep him, that means we're starting the rebuild over. I don't think that's necessary and I don't think it's the best course.

You don't take him to be a 6th man. He needs to have the ball in his hands and he needs to be heavily involved in the flow of the game.

I'd draft him if I could get a good deal for him in return.

And referring to your previous post, I don't think there is any way you can know whether Smart is a better leader than Wall from where we sit. If anything, Wall has already proven he's a capable leader at the NBA level.

I think Wall is a franchise player and I think his upside is still higher than Smart's. I don't give up on Wall for Smart. Just like I wouldn't give up on Kyrie for Smart even though Smart's defensive potential and his all around game dwarfs Kyrie's.

[stevemcqueen1]

I think we'll be alright if we come away with Zeller or Len. They are easy fits, fill fundamental needs, offer good value as BPA type picks, have a chance to get on the court by 2014 without us having to do anything else to the roster.

Still think Noel goes top 3 and is probably out of our reach.

And I still favor Zeller over Len. Better overall player. Len could certainly thrive with a PG like Wall, but Zeller is really an ideal match with Wall IMO.

[hands11]

Man just when you rule out Len, he does what he did tonight and completely dominate. Tonight is the reason why he'll be considered for first overall.

I seriously can't make up my mind who I want to draft.

Will Len get better playing with a real NBA point guard? Shabazz is a lights out scorer, but what's his ceiling if he can't do anything else? Speaking of ceilings, what is Otto Porter's if he's good at everything but not great at anything? Will Noel recover from his knee or end up down the career path of Shaun Livigston? And of he does will he be able to score in the NBA? Can Bennett overcome being severely undersized?

I can't remember having this many questions about a draft all these guys are equals to me in terms of draft value, and I'm not even including Smart or McLemore, who are on the same level but won't play a part in our draft plans due to Wall/Beal

Hopefully EG and company are doing their jobs this draft season

If I were in the Wizards' position I would look acquire another first round pick and I would draft Smart with one of the picks. Smart is competitive at both ends. He is a better leader than Wall.

Im still dreaming we end up with 3 firsts