09-10 WizFans Official Draft Thread

[Donkey McDonkerton]

The Wizards are destined to draft 5th, every year until they use the damn pick on their own franchise's future.

I think you might be right....draft gods look down and say, well they'll probably just trade it anyway.


As for the espn simulator...it took me too many tries to count until I saw a #1 or #2 pick. I got #4 about 70% of the time and still had us taking Cousins at the 3 or 4

[Ruzious]

You don't want me anywhere near the ping pong balls. I tried 10 times with these results:
4
4
5
5
1
1
6
5
2
5

You can still change history here http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/lottery2009/mockdraft

[Kanyewest]

You don't want me anywhere near the ping pong balls. I tried 10 times with these results:
4
4
5
5
1
1
6
5
2
5

You can still change history here http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/lottery2009/mockdraft

I got #2 and got Ricky Rubio! Wait a second....

[dandridge 10]

I know on paper placing Cousins next to Blatche looks good, but I have my concerns with having Cousins, Blatche and McGee as our main bigs. All three have maturity issues and I can see any coach having his/her hands full with trying to groom these guys together. Actually, I think any coach is going to have his hands full with Cousins. I don't think I saw a single Kentucky game this year without Cousins arguing with the coach on the sidelines. No doubt, the kid has talent. I just worry that he is not going to develop as quickly with Blatche and McGee surounding him.

I am also still not sold on Blatche. I have to admit he has exceeded my expectations since the trade and he has played well. However, he is putting up big numbers on a development league type team. I also still see warning signs: (1) he still has some maturity issues, (2) he usually starts off really well but tails off in the second half either due to lack of conditioning or defenses cracking down, (3) he settles way too much for jump shots (4) his up and under move is going to be less productive with more scouting (5) his defensive rebounding still needs improvement, and (6) his help defense is poor. While I am not going to be upset if Blatche is our starting PF next year, I question pairing him up with a reported head case in Cousins.

I don't know if it is doable this summer, but my dream summer would be to draft Turner, sign Bosh, and somehow get Haywood back. A line-up of Arenas, Turner, Bosh, Haywood and Thornton/Miller or someone else would be a very good blend of offense/defense/playmakers, rebounders, etc. I don't know if we would have a bench, but that starting line-up would be very good.

[ErikChowbay023]

Please explain your logic Dandridge ... The "Blatche is putting up big number on A D-League type team? Against NBA competition.... I dont understand what difference it makes who`s around him or not. If he had better players, he would probably have better numbers...

Im pretty sure he`s well scouted by now, there is only so much scouts can do, the only thing that stops Blatche is Blatche

He settles for jumpers now, but in the summer he`s gonna add a lot of strength and is going to improve his conditioning.

His maturity isn`t as big of a problem as you think...

Saunders singled out Blatche, who had his fifth 30-point game since the all-star break. But after his three-point play gave the Wizards an 89-84 lead, he missed his final four shots -- including two in the final 61 seconds, when he admitted to ignoring open teammates. "I got to learn from it," said Blatche, who added 10 rebounds and three assists (all of his assists were in the first half). "I just want to say my teammates did what they was supposed to do. I take full responsibility for the loss. I don't know; I just got to grow from it. I have to show trust in my teammates, be more relaxed and take what's given."

You want Bosh so much, his numbers could be similar to the numbers players on the Knicks or the Warriors put up due to the pace there teams play at...

The Wizards are one of the slowest, most predictable offensive teams in the league. And Blatche still puts up big numbers on a high FG%

[Halcyon]

Right now Blatche, like many other bigmen, cannot be relied on at the end of games. He has a hard time creating offense backing down guys at his current strength, and he's not smooth/quick enough to take it to the basket like Bosh on a consistent basis. That's where we need a wing guy like Arenas/Wall/Turner/whoever to be able to create their own offense and take it to the rack.

Blatche is getting high usage but he's responding pretty well. It doesn't really matter that he's being surrounded by mediocre players, because at the end of the day he's the focus of the other team's defense, and he still has produced. This season, from the preseason onward, he's been forced to grow up quickly in variety of ways. I think this horrific season will pay dividends for future seasons, especially for Blatche. He now knows what he can do when he actually put in some work in the offseason...hopefully that will motivate him to work just as hard, if not harder the next offseason.

Edit: I just realized I posted in the Draft Thread, not the Blatche thread
But I feel like he would benefit more from playing next to a guy like Favors, who could become a jumping jack rebounder type who can score in the post with his elite athletic ability.

[dandridge 10]

Please explain your logic Dandridge ... The "Blatche is putting up big number on A D-League type team? Against NBA competition.... I dont understand what difference it makes who`s around him or not. If he had better players, he would probably have better numbers...

Im pretty sure he`s well scouted by now, there is only so much scouts can do, the only thing that stops Blatche is Blatche

He settles for jumpers now, but in the summer he`s gonna add a lot of strength and is going to improve his conditioning.

His maturity isn`t as big of a problem as you think...

Saunders singled out Blatche, who had his fifth 30-point game since the all-star break. But after his three-point play gave the Wizards an 89-84 lead, he missed his final four shots -- including two in the final 61 seconds, when he admitted to ignoring open teammates. "I got to learn from it," said Blatche, who added 10 rebounds and three assists (all of his assists were in the first half). "I just want to say my teammates did what they was supposed to do. I take full responsibility for the loss. I don't know; I just got to grow from it. I have to show trust in my teammates, be more relaxed and take what's given."

You want Bosh so much, his numbers could be similar to the numbers players on the Knicks or the Warriors put up due to the pace there teams play at...

The Wizards are one of the slowest, most predictable offensive teams in the league. And Blatche still puts up big numbers on a high FG%

Yes, he is playing against NBA competition, but part of the reason his scoring is up is all of the offense is going through him because there are limited other offensive options on the floor. Put Arenas and another scorer on this team and you will see his scoring decrease dramatically in my opinion.

I also disagree that other teams have caught on to Blatche already. Blatche was pretty much a nobody to the rest of the league prior to the trade. He has only turned it on in the last 18 games. Most teams have not seen the "new Blatche" or have only seen him once. If you notice, Blatche seems to do most of his damage in the first half of games. That could be he is not as tired in the first half, but I also think it is partly because teams have been figuring him out in the second half and taking away his game. A perfect example is last nights game. In the first half, Chuck Hayes either let Blatche establish position close to the basket or allowed Blatche to shoot open jumpers. In the second half, Hayes played Blatche more physical, pushed Blatche outside the box and forced him to take contested jumpers. The more teams face Blatche, I think this is what they are going to do learn they have to do...that and not to bite on his pump fakes.

Regarding maturity, Blatche often says the right things. So did Kwame Brown at times. I don't care what he says to the press. I want to know what his actions are. I will admit he seems to have matured, but the episode with him ignoring Flip and being suspended earlier in the season still raises some concern with me.

Finally, with respect to Bosh. I'm never said I am dying to get him. I just think the starting five I mentioned would be pretty damn good. And with respect to comparing Bosh to Blatche. Bosh has put up roughly 20-10 his entire career. Blatche has put up close to those numbers for what, 18 games?? I hardly see them as equal at this point.

Now with that said, I have no problem sticking with Blatche at this point. I see no point in spending any money on a FA unless the vision is that the FA can be the part of a contending team. If the Wizards don't think a Arenas, Turner, Bosh, Haywood and Thornton type of line-up can be a contender (which I think it can), then by all means keep Blatche, get some more draft picks next summer and maybe spend some money in FA in 2011.

[Ruzious]

I know on paper placing Cousins next to Blatche looks good, but I have my concerns with having Cousins, Blatche and McGee as our main bigs. All three have maturity issues and I can see any coach having his/her hands full with trying to groom these guys together. Actually, I think any coach is going to have his hands full with Cousins. I don't think I saw a single Kentucky game this year without Cousins arguing with the coach on the sidelines. No doubt, the kid has talent. I just worry that he is not going to develop as quickly with Blatche and McGee surounding him.

I am also still not sold on Blatche. I have to admit he has exceeded my expectations since the trade and he has played well. However, he is putting up big numbers on a development league type team. I also still see warning signs: (1) he still has some maturity issues, (2) he usually starts off really well but tails off in the second half either due to lack of conditioning or defenses cracking down, (3) he settles way too much for jump shots (4) his up and under move is going to be less productive with more scouting (5) his defensive rebounding still needs improvement, and (6) his help defense is poor. While I am not going to be upset if Blatche is our starting PF next year, I question pairing him up with a reported head case in Cousins.

I don't know if it is doable this summer, but my dream summer would be to draft Turner, sign Bosh, and somehow get Haywood back. A line-up of Arenas, Turner, Bosh, Haywood and Thornton/Miller or someone else would be a very good blend of offense/defense/playmakers, rebounders, etc. I don't know if we would have a bench, but that starting line-up would be very good.

If the Wiz do draft Cuz, the national perception would be to laugh - because of the collective bad reputations. But... putting myself in Blatche, Jav, and Cuz's shoes - that would put a chip on my shoulder in a very positive way.

I wouldn't mind getting Haywood back, but I spect Dallas will re-sign him. But if Dallas falls apart/gets old next season (which I could see easily happening), maybe they have a fire sale, and we get Haywood back (or Dirk?).

[Ji]

has anyone heard Turpin comparisons with regards to Cousins

[Wiz99]

has anyone heard Turpin comparisons with regards to Cousins

Ole "Dinner Bel Mel", who ate himself out of the NBA?

More seriously, I really wonder if Cousins would be so well known if he wasn't playing on a team with John Wall, who attracts media attention to the squad, and makes it so other teams can't key in on stopping Cousins.

[Rafael122]

Cousins was a 5 star recruit so he would have garnered attention anywhere he went. He's no slouch.

I'm not sure why Orton is testing the draft waters.

[gesa2]

has anyone heard Turpin comparisons with regards to Cousins

Ole "Dinner Bel Mel", who ate himself out of the NBA?

More seriously, I really wonder if Cousins would be so well known if he wasn't playing on a team with John Wall, who attracts media attention to the squad, and makes it so other teams can't key in on stopping Cousins.

The guy led the NCAAs in PER this year, is agile and skilled at 6' 11", shows good defensive fundamentals and is the best offensive rebounder in the country. I don't think this is John Wall's coattails. If Hassan Whiteside can be the 10th ranked prospect after a year at Marshall, I think we would have heard about Cousins.

[nate33]

has anyone heard Turpin comparisons with regards to Cousins

Ole "Dinner Bel Mel", who ate himself out of the NBA?

More seriously, I really wonder if Cousins would be so well known if he wasn't playing on a team with John Wall, who attracts media attention to the squad, and makes it so other teams can't key in on stopping Cousins.

He is also 2nd in the NCAA's in PER... and he's doing it as a freshman.

[Hoopalotta]

Aminu's declared for the draft. Count me as a fan if we're picking 5th or 6th.

[verbal8]

Cousins was a 5 star recruit so he would have garnered attention anywhere he went. He's no slouch.

I'm not sure why Orton is testing the draft waters.

Yeah I thought that might be an April Fool's post. It might have made sense last year where it was a guard-heavy draft. However this year there are a lot of big men who have proven something at the NCAA level.

[closg00]

dalvin ((KY) )


You think Demarcus Cousins is overweight and out of shape? He gets gassed very quickly from what i see...

David Thorpe (12:39 PM)


Yes. He's a big baby too.

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Jerry (Texas)


Dont you see a little Rasheed Wallace when you see Cousins play, he argues every call like the refs are always against him?

David Thorpe (12:46 PM)


That, and he screams at his coach in the most important game of the season.
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paul (minnesota)


patterson,cousins and favors who do you think will be a superstar in the nba??

David Thorpe (12:10 PM)


Patterson is Haslem to me, so not him (but he can be a champion), Cousins is missing the most important element-maturity, so Favors wins.

[Rafael122]

I dunno. Haslem has a pretty nice mid-range game. Patterson's ok...I guess the Haslem comparison is a fair one.

[verbal8]

I dunno. Haslem has a pretty nice mid-range game. Patterson's ok...I guess the Haslem comparison is a fair one.

There are far worse comparisons than Haslem. DX has him as going around 10th. Haslem is definitely better than Jarvis Hayes(who Washington picked at number 10 the year Haslem was undrafted). However I think mid-first round is pretty reasonable.

[pancakes3]

haslem's a very good rebounder, and he's long. i don't see the same length in patterson. patterson is closer to be a better battier, imo.

[hoopdata]

haslem's a very good rebounder, and he's long. i don't see the same length in patterson. patterson is closer to be a better battier, imo.

Patterson is 6'8.5 with a 7'2 wingspan. Or at least that's what he was right after graduating high school. He could potentially be a bit taller/longer now. Regardless, he has elite length for his size, and he uses it well (for comparison, by the way, Haslem has a 6'11 wingspan, and is 6'7.75 tall).

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/200 ... -Analysis/