Wizards Summer League 2013 - Mini Camp 8th Games July 13

[TGW]

Olynyk has better handles than Ben McLemore, LOL!

Olynyk was my guy if the Wizards didn't get the #3 pick. The guy just knows how to play basketball.

[payitforward]

On Orlando:

The only problem with having all that young talent is THERE are only 240 minutes to go around. At SF and PF there are 96 minutes, total. How can young, talented players develop when they can't all play? Harris is rock-solid, and about the closest thing to a breakout star at SF/PF. Harkless and Nicholson play SF and PF, respectively, but they're going to be pressed for minutes. A healthy Glenn Davis is a starter at PF. Vucevic is their C. O'Quinn is a nice rebounder but he's going to need someone to go in order to get PT. The rookie Osby has a nice game, and he's going to probably end up leapfrogging guys on the roster, young guys. No matter how ORL does it, someone is not going to get the minutes. What complicates it is when young guys are battling other young guys for minutes on a losing team.

At least the Wizards roster has some nice balance of veterans and youth now. I wish the 2011 drafted youth were more talented, and that Seraphin was a worker on the boards. We don't IMO have an abundance of talented youth.

I disagree. The better your players the better your team; there are no exceptions. If you have too much talent at a given position (a nice problem to have!) that means you have assets to use in acquiring talent you might need at another position. Moreover, no one plays 3900+ minutes at a position -- i.e. at Center O'Quinn will have PT if he plays well. Ditto all over the roster.

Orlando will have the same challenge the Wizards had before adding more vets though they do actually have some. Its all in how they make the transition just like what the Wizards are going through now. It may be easier for them though since the have a difference set of young talent. ie. no Nick or McGee.

The Wizards had to transition out of young talent to new young talent. Orl has VO, Tobias and Nikola right off the bat who all three will likely remain starters. Orl is closer to what the Wizards were last year maybe. Al could really help them get this going.

As for us not having an abundance of young talent. I think Wall, Beal and Otto is pretty abundant and we still need answers on Ves, Kevin and Singleton. That's plenty for now. Two mostly sure things. One rookie top 3 pick who looks to be a all around solid player, and 3 youngs that needs to prove it or lose it this year.

I'm keeping an open mind on Ves, Kevin and Singleton. They get this year to prove what they have. Last year was needed for the team to move forward but it did change the game on them in mid song. Now they have had an off-season to adjust to the bar getting raised on them. They deserve that benefit of the doubt in my book.

Again, I disagree. Your keeping 'an open mind' doesn't make those guys any better than they are.

Our problem in '11-12 wasn't a lack of veterans, it was a lack of talent in most of our young players. Or you could just say it was incompetence in our FO.

In 2011 the Magic got Vucevic #16; we got Vesely #6. Their young stud Tobias Harris was taken that year after Singleton. Hell, the guy they took in the 50s that year is still in the league; the guy we got in the 30s is gone. In 2012, Orlando put in place a 10-year solid role player in O'Quinn at #49, for example, while we gave away #46 we could have used to take him first. Doron Lamb, who looks like a solid role player already and may be better, was taken several picks after we took Satoransky who we still don't know if he will play in the league.

To put it simply, Orlando has a better owner, a better GM, and is adding better players quicker than we are. It's a great example of how to run a franchise and how to build a team. Good for them.

I look for us to be a good team this year, btw. Assuming our fragile veterans don't go down w/ injuries. We should certainly be better than Orlando. On the other hand, w/ our current FO it won't take them long to lap us.

[FAH1223]

I see Keith Van Horn with Olynyk. He'd be a great stretch 4 for us.

[verbal8]

How can you have a name like Reggie Jackson and not be a total stud?

Hope this one isn't "Mr. August". I think his success will depend on being able to make the 3 point shot in the NBA.

[hands11]

On Orlando:

The only problem with having all that young talent is THERE are only 240 minutes to go around. At SF and PF there are 96 minutes, total. How can young, talented players develop when they can't all play? Harris is rock-solid, and about the closest thing to a breakout star at SF/PF. Harkless and Nicholson play SF and PF, respectively, but they're going to be pressed for minutes. A healthy Glenn Davis is a starter at PF. Vucevic is their C. O'Quinn is a nice rebounder but he's going to need someone to go in order to get PT. The rookie Osby has a nice game, and he's going to probably end up leapfrogging guys on the roster, young guys. No matter how ORL does it, someone is not going to get the minutes. What complicates it is when young guys are battling other young guys for minutes on a losing team.

At least the Wizards roster has some nice balance of veterans and youth now. I wish the 2011 drafted youth were more talented, and that Seraphin was a worker on the boards. We don't IMO have an abundance of talented youth.

I disagree. The better your players the better your team; there are no exceptions. If you have too much talent at a given position (a nice problem to have!) that means you have assets to use in acquiring talent you might need at another position. Moreover, no one plays 3900+ minutes at a position -- i.e. at Center O'Quinn will have PT if he plays well. Ditto all over the roster.

Orlando will have the same challenge the Wizards had before adding more vets though they do actually have some. Its all in how they make the transition just like what the Wizards are going through now. It may be easier for them though since the have a difference set of young talent. ie. no Nick or McGee.

The Wizards had to transition out of young talent to new young talent. Orl has VO, Tobias and Nikola right off the bat who all three will likely remain starters. Orl is closer to what the Wizards were last year maybe. Al could really help them get this going.

As for us not having an abundance of young talent. I think Wall, Beal and Otto is pretty abundant and we still need answers on Ves, Kevin and Singleton. That's plenty for now. Two mostly sure things. One rookie top 3 pick who looks to be a all around solid player, and 3 youngs that needs to prove it or lose it this year.

I'm keeping an open mind on Ves, Kevin and Singleton. They get this year to prove what they have. Last year was needed for the team to move forward but it did change the game on them in mid song. Now they have had an off-season to adjust to the bar getting raised on them. They deserve that benefit of the doubt in my book.

Again, I disagree. Your keeping 'an open mind' doesn't make those guys any better than they are.

Our problem in '11-12 wasn't a lack of veterans, it was a lack of talent in most of our young players. Or you could just say it was incompetence in our FO.

In 2011 the Magic got Vucevic #16; we got Vesely #6. Their young stud Tobias Harris was taken that year after Singleton. Hell, the guy they took in the 50s that year is still in the league; the guy we got in the 30s is gone. In 2012, Orlando put in place a 10-year solid role player in O'Quinn at #49, for example, while we gave away #46 we could have used to take him first. Doron Lamb, who looks like a solid role player already and may be better, was taken several picks after we took Satoransky who we still don't know if he will play in the league.

To put it simply, Orlando has a better owner, a better GM, and is adding better players quicker than we are. It's a great example of how to run a franchise and how to build a team. Good for them.

I look for us to be a good team this year, btw. Assuming our fragile veterans don't go down w/ injuries. We should certainly be better than Orlando. On the other hand, w/ our current FO it won't take them long to lap us.

All that means nothing regarding what I wrote. You lack context which is what I added.

[hands11]

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... ec17ed0000


Lots of new video from practice. Eat it up.

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... ec17ed0000

Nice to hear a new young player perspective. EG just might have found one here.

[gambitx777]

I read this 5 times before I figured out what you meant: roaster = roster.

duh...

Do you have a translation for:

I hope he gets more playing time than bone.

?

I speak gobbledygook:

...more playing time than UConn Alum, former Net, Josh Boone.

Ok..... so auto correct may have gotten the best of me on that one lol.


ANY WAY

Kelly O! doing great.

I saw some Mini camp footage today, Porter and Rice were looking good.

[dangermouse]

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/?tag=Washington%20Wizards%20&tagId=0000013b-206c-db26-af3b-edec17ed0000


Lots of new video from practice. Eat it up.

http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... ec17ed0000

Nice to hear a new young player perspective. EG just might have found one here.

Cheers hands! Thirsty for anything right now. Our SL games couldnt come fast enough.,..

[DCsOwn]

Highlights of Porter from day 1 mini camp.
http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... /index.jsp

Nice to see him making and taking shots off the bounce. Also good to see him practicing the corner 3. Making that shot is probably the quickest way to earn playing time.

I think that people are going to be shocked at how consistent Porter's mid-range jumper is. He shot a terrifically high percentage in college, and although he didnt shoot it nearly as well off the dribble, he'll undoubtedly improve that aspect of his game as he's an indefatigable worker. I expect his jumper to be Glen Robinson good when it's all said and done.

[DCsOwn]

On Orlando:

The only problem with having all that young talent is THERE are only 240 minutes to go around. At SF and PF there are 96 minutes, total. How can young, talented players develop when they can't all play? Harris is rock-solid, and about the closest thing to a breakout star at SF/PF. Harkless and Nicholson play SF and PF, respectively, but they're going to be pressed for minutes. A healthy Glenn Davis is a starter at PF. Vucevic is their C. O'Quinn is a nice rebounder but he's going to need someone to go in order to get PT. The rookie Osby has a nice game, and he's going to probably end up leapfrogging guys on the roster, young guys. No matter how ORL does it, someone is not going to get the minutes. What complicates it is when young guys are battling other young guys for minutes on a losing team.

At least the Wizards roster has some nice balance of veterans and youth now. I wish the 2011 drafted youth were more talented, and that Seraphin was a worker on the boards. We don't IMO have an abundance of talented youth.

I disagree. The better your players the better your team; there are no exceptions. If you have too much talent at a given position (a nice problem to have!) that means you have assets to use in acquiring talent you might need at another position. Moreover, no one plays 3900+ minutes at a position -- i.e. at Center O'Quinn will have PT if he plays well. Ditto all over the roster.

Orlando will have the same challenge the Wizards had before adding more vets though they do actually have some. Its all in how they make the transition just like what the Wizards are going through now. It may be easier for them though since the have a difference set of young talent. ie. no Nick or McGee.

The Wizards had to transition out of young talent to new young talent. Orl has VO, Tobias and Nikola right off the bat who all three will likely remain starters. Orl is closer to what the Wizards were last year maybe. Al could really help them get this going.

As for us not having an abundance of young talent. I think Wall, Beal and Otto is pretty abundant and we still need answers on Ves, Kevin and Singleton. That's plenty for now. Two mostly sure things. One rookie top 3 pick who looks to be a all around solid player, and 3 youngs that needs to prove it or lose it this year.

I'm keeping an open mind on Ves, Kevin and Singleton. They get this year to prove what they have. Last year was needed for the team to move forward but it did change the game on them in mid song. Now they have had an off-season to adjust to the bar getting raised on them. They deserve that benefit of the doubt in my book.

Again, I disagree. Your keeping 'an open mind' doesn't make those guys any better than they are.

Our problem in '11-12 wasn't a lack of veterans, it was a lack of talent in most of our young players. Or you could just say it was incompetence in our FO.

In 2011 the Magic got Vucevic #16; we got Vesely #6. Their young stud Tobias Harris was taken that year after Singleton. Hell, the guy they took in the 50s that year is still in the league; the guy we got in the 30s is gone. In 2012, Orlando put in place a 10-year solid role player in O'Quinn at #49, for example, while we gave away #46 we could have used to take him first. Doron Lamb, who looks like a solid role player already and may be better, was taken several picks after we took Satoransky who we still don't know if he will play in the league.

To put it simply, Orlando has a better owner, a better GM, and is adding better players quicker than we are. It's a great example of how to run a franchise and how to build a team. Good for them.

I look for us to be a good team this year, btw. Assuming our fragile veterans don't go down w/ injuries. We should certainly be better than Orlando. On the other hand, w/ our current FO it won't take them long to lap us.

The thing is, Orlando didnt draft Vucevic, Harkless, Harris or Lamb. They turned Dwight Howard, who they attempted to retain but demanded out, into Vuc, Harkless and a gaggle of picks, and they turned a heavily valued asset in Reddick into Harris and Lamb. I'm sure with an asset like Howard, any GM could've acquired multiple talented pieces, so I'm not sure how much credit Orlando's GM actually deserves for that. I'm also not sure how much relative merit there is in fleecing a terribly run, desperate franchise out of Harris and Lamb fwiw. How much credit do we collectively give Kahn for taking advantage of Ernie in the 2009 draft? We give him some, but don't we all assign most of the blame to Ernie? Doesn't everyone around the League?

In terms of the relative talent of Orlando versus us as presently construed, I'd take our young core over theirs any day of the week. There's one potential superstar in the group IMO, and that's John. If I was pressed to predict another it would be Bradley. I view most of Orlando's talent as really high caliber role player types, and while I wouldn't be shocked to see Vuc or Harris take the star turn, Harris being a tweener limits his potential IMO, and I'm not sure Vuc is going to be a go to offensive threat or enough of a true defensive force to fall under the star rubric. I'm not nearly as high on Oladipo as some here or Harkless for that matter. They project as merely very solid players to me. Now, if they add Randle or Wiggins that changes the equation, but the percentage chance that they land either is actually very low.

[pancakes3]

Highlights of Porter from day 1 mini camp.
http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... /index.jsp

Nice to see him making and taking shots off the bounce. Also good to see him practicing the corner 3. Making that shot is probably the quickest way to earn playing time.

I think that people are going to be shocked at how consistent Porter's mid-range jumper is. He shot a terrifically high percentage in college, and although he didnt shoot it nearly as well off the dribble, he'll undoubtedly improve that aspect of his game as he's an indefatigable worker. I expect his jumper to be Glen Robinson good when it's all said and done.

Count me in as shocked that it was consistent at all in college. It is an ugly, ugly shot with all sorts of flaws that seemingly defy conventional mechanics.

[Dat2U]

So far I really liked what I've seen from Oladipo & Olynyk. I would have had no problems with taking Oladipo 3rd and going with small ball. I think he's going to be a helluva player and is arguably the hands on favorite to be the best player in this class when all is said & done.

Olynyk's skill level is simply unmatched for a 7-0 draft propsect. And IMO he's tougher than he appears, takes contact well aand is capable of grabbing tough rebounds. Cody Zeller is a better athlete but doesn't handle contact nearly as well. At worst I think Olynyk is a solid rotation player for years to come.

[dandridge 10]

I went to the Wizards Summerfest/open scrimmage yesterday. I left a little early because my 6 yr old son was bored, but I did see most of the scrimmage. Some observations:

1. Porter's offensive game was pretty good and he ran the floor well. He made some tough shots with Rice defending him. You can tell he is a smart player, knowing when to cut to the basket, come to the ball, etc. However, this was the first time I have seen him in person. He definitely needs to bulk up...dude is rail thin.

2. Rice looked ok. Nice stroke, although it was not falling, and nice size. Not overly quick though. I was impressed with his defensive intensity. He was in Porter's grill all night. I actually thought his D looked better than Porters.

3. Singleton looked like Singleton. Made a couple of shots and played ok D. Nothing really stood out.

4. Unfortunately, Ves looked no different than last year. It does not look like he hit the weight room at all this summer. He was easily getting pushed off the block and never looked to shoot. On the occasional time he had the ball in the post, he looked to pass instead of going up strong, often leading to a turnover. He had a couple fast break slams but that was it. I have actually lost hope for this kid. Between a lack of confidence and a lack of strength, I just don't see him making it in the league. If I didn't know who he was, I would never have guessed he was a 6 pick in the draft. He looked no better than the other scrubs out there. Hope he proves me wrong, but doubt it.

5. Beal and Martell were there. Beal was taking jump shots, but Martell just watched for a bit and left. Beal's shot looked smooth. I didn't see him run at all though.

[nate33]

4. Unfortunately, Ves looked no different than last year. It does not look like he hit the weight room at all this summer. He was easily getting pushed off the block and never looked to shoot. On the occasional time he had the ball in the post, he looked to pass instead of going up strong, often leading to a turnover. He had a couple fast break slams but that was it. I have actually lost hope for this kid. Between a lack of confidence and a lack of strength, I just don't see him making it in the league. If I didn't know who he was, I would never have guessed he was a 6 pick in the draft. He looked no better than the other scrubs out there. Hope he proves me wrong, but doubt it.

I just don't think he cares enough. He doesn't have that driving desire to be great. You can't coast in this league unless you are blessed with freakish athletic gifts and coordination. Maybe Derrick Coleman and Tracy McGrady can coast and get away with it, but not Jan freakin Vesely.

To be fair, not much time has elapsed sinced the end of the season in late April. Only 2 months have gone by and most players take a few weeks off to heal up and recharge. Most of the offseason improvement takes place in the months of July through October, not May and June.

[mhd]

4. Unfortunately, Ves looked no different than last year. It does not look like he hit the weight room at all this summer. He was easily getting pushed off the block and never looked to shoot. On the occasional time he had the ball in the post, he looked to pass instead of going up strong, often leading to a turnover. He had a couple fast break slams but that was it. I have actually lost hope for this kid. Between a lack of confidence and a lack of strength, I just don't see him making it in the league. If I didn't know who he was, I would never have guessed he was a 6 pick in the draft. He looked no better than the other scrubs out there. Hope he proves me wrong, but doubt it.

I just don't think he cares enough. He doesn't have that driving desire to be great. You can't coast in this league unless you are blessed with freakish athletic gifts and coordination. Maybe Derrick Coleman and Tracy McGrady can coast and get away with it, but not Jan freakin Vesely.

To be fair, not much time has elapsed sinced the end of the season in late April. Only 2 months have gone by and most players take a few weeks off to heal up and recharge. Most of the offseason improvement takes place in the months of July through October, not May and June.

You can't train confidence. He's shot as a player. The Wiz should just have mercy on him and buy him out. I remember offering Ves for Bonner last year. I'd EASILY do that deal, but SAS would never.

[payitforward]

<big snip>...
To put it simply, Orlando has a better owner, a better GM, and is adding better players quicker than we are. It's a great example of how to run a franchise and how to build a team. Good for them.

I look for us to be a good team this year, btw. Assuming our fragile veterans don't go down w/ injuries. We should certainly be better than Orlando. On the other hand, w/ our current FO it won't take them long to lap us.

The thing is, Orlando didnt draft Vucevic, Harkless, Harris or Lamb. ...an asset like Howard, any GM could've acquired multiple talented pieces.... I'm also not sure how much relative merit there is in fleecing a terribly run, desperate franchise out of Harris and Lamb ...

In terms of the relative talent of Orlando versus us as presently construed, I'd take our young core over theirs any day of the week. There's one potential superstar in the group IMO, and that's John. If I was pressed to predict another it would be Bradley. I view most of Orlando's talent as really high caliber role player types, and while I wouldn't be shocked to see Vuc or Harris take the star turn, Harris being a tweener limits his potential IMO, and I'm not sure Vuc is going to be a go to offensive threat or enough of a true defensive force to fall under the star rubric. I'm not nearly as high on Oladipo as some here or Harkless for that matter. They project as merely very solid players to me. Now, if they add Randle or Wiggins that changes the equation, but the percentage chance that they land either is actually very low.

We don't know how this year's draftees on either team will turn out, so just look at before that.

Leaving out John for a moment, are you really saying that Vesely, Singleton, Mack (now gone), Beal and Satoransky are overall a better core-building history than Vucevic, Harris, Harkless, Nicholson, Moore and O'Quinn out of the same two drafts, given that we could have had the two best on their list in place of Vesely/Singleton? Is our work better even if you add in Seraphin from the 2010 draft? I love Beal, but no I don't think so.

As to John Wall, he has a very high ceiling, and he developed a lot last year. If that continues, he'll be a star. As to "superstar", come on.... You're putting him on a plane w/ LeBron? Even in potential? Or with Chris Paul for that matter? Sorry, no.

But we got John out of sheer luck. And he was everyone's #1 that year -- the default choice -- so no big intelligence on Ernie's part.

As to the trades, no, blame on one side doesn't cancel merit on the other! Far from it. If you make a great trade, get the better of it, it's true by definition that the other side gets the blame and you the credit!

I'm not criticizing John Wall, he's proving himself. Nor Bradley Beal -- I think he can be really outstanding. And I like this year's picks too. I'm comparing the two franchises. What I see from Rob Hennigan is outstanding work so far. What I see from Ernie Grunfield is a decade-long record averaging 29 wins a season. As I said, if we keep our current FO, the Magic will likely lap us soon.

[pancakes3]

I just don't think he cares enough. He doesn't have that driving desire to be great. You can't coast in this league unless you are blessed with freakish athletic gifts and coordination. Maybe Derrick Coleman and Tracy McGrady can coast and get away with it, but not Jan freakin Vesely.

You can't coast in this league at all. DC and TMac may have been lazy but they were skilled. I would even say Stromile Swift - the poster child of the pure physical specimen - was more skilled basketball-wise than Ves. Shawn Kemp was shooting in the 70's for FT and dished out 2+ assists a game. Nobody can play in the NBA based on running/jumping alone.

In retrospect, how pissed would you be if you were a guy in the Czech league who's played with/against Ves and watched him get drafted 6th overall? How bitter would you be? How loud would you be screaming Czech obscenities at your TV about what a talentless oaf he was and that he'll be exposed starting day 1? Or the coach? Biting his tongue because on one hand, his "product" is getting drafted but on the other deep down knowing that Ves is just flat out bad at hoops and would probably never pan out?

[DCsOwn]

<big snip>...
To put it simply, Orlando has a better owner, a better GM, and is adding better players quicker than we are. It's a great example of how to run a franchise and how to build a team. Good for them.

I look for us to be a good team this year, btw. Assuming our fragile veterans don't go down w/ injuries. We should certainly be better than Orlando. On the other hand, w/ our current FO it won't take them long to lap us.

The thing is, Orlando didnt draft Vucevic, Harkless, Harris or Lamb. ...an asset like Howard, any GM could've acquired multiple talented pieces.... I'm also not sure how much relative merit there is in fleecing a terribly run, desperate franchise out of Harris and Lamb ...

In terms of the relative talent of Orlando versus us as presently construed, I'd take our young core over theirs any day of the week. There's one potential superstar in the group IMO, and that's John. If I was pressed to predict another it would be Bradley. I view most of Orlando's talent as really high caliber role player types, and while I wouldn't be shocked to see Vuc or Harris take the star turn, Harris being a tweener limits his potential IMO, and I'm not sure Vuc is going to be a go to offensive threat or enough of a true defensive force to fall under the star rubric. I'm not nearly as high on Oladipo as some here or Harkless for that matter. They project as merely very solid players to me. Now, if they add Randle or Wiggins that changes the equation, but the percentage chance that they land either is actually very low.

We don't know how this year's draftees on either team will turn out, so just look at before that.

Leaving out John for a moment, are you really saying that Vesely, Singleton, Mack (now gone), Beal and Satoransky are overall a better core-building history than Vucevic, Harris, Harkless, Nicholson, Moore and O'Quinn out of the same two drafts, given that we could have had the two best on their list in place of Vesely/Singleton? Is our work better even if you add in Seraphin from the 2010 draft? I love Beal, but no I don't think so.

As to John Wall, he has a very high ceiling, and he developed a lot last year. If that continues, he'll be a star. As to "superstar", come on.... You're putting him on a plane w/ LeBron? Even in potential? Or with Chris Paul for that matter? Sorry, no.

But we got John out of sheer luck. And he was everyone's #1 that year -- the default choice -- so no big intelligence on Ernie's part.

As to the trades, no, blame on one side doesn't cancel merit on the other! Far from it. If you make a great trade, get the better of it, it's true by definition that the other side gets the blame and you the credit!

I'm not criticizing John Wall, he's proving himself. Nor Bradley Beal -- I think he can be really outstanding. And I like this year's picks too. I'm comparing the two franchises. What I see from Rob Hennigan is outstanding work so far. What I see from Ernie Grunfield is a decade-long record averaging 29 wins a season. As I said, if we keep our current FO, the Magic will likely lap us soon.

Why would I leave John out of any discussion involving our core? The point remains, IMO, none of the Magic young players project to be stars. John can be that, and there's the potential for him to be even greater than that. He averaged 24 and 8 on 49 percent shooting over the last 22 games. He's still clearly improving. His physical talent for his position is unrivaled by anything the Magic have in the fold. Answer this question, what would it take for you to move John to Orlando? I wouldn't move John for Harkless and Oladipo. I wouldnt move him for a combination of Vuc and Harris. They would have to gut their core for me to accept a trade with the Magic, so that shows you how highly I value John relative to their assets. I also wouldn't trade Beal 1 to 1 for anyone on their roster btw.

To your other point, you're still ignoring the fact that Hennigan acquired half of the talent you're extolling through trades for existing roster pieces. I'm not an Ernie apologist (to the contrary, I think he's terrible, i just happen to believe that essentially through happenstance he managed to put together a talented core) but you have to concede the point that Hennigan started out with a once in a generation big man in his prime (albeit on a short deal), and a highly valued shooter. Ernie maneuvered just to acquire the picks that turned into Seraphin, Booker and Singleton. Now, I don't think he maximized the value of those selections, but he did do a bit of shrewd operating just to acquire those assets.

On another note, before we genuflect before Henny, let's see how Oladipo turns out. I wasn't a fan of the pick and I personally believe that it'll be viewed down the road as a mistake, but let's at least give the selection time to play out.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

So far I really liked what I've seen from Oladipo & Olynyk. I would have had no problems with taking Oladipo 3rd and going with small ball. I think he's going to be a helluva player and is arguably the hands on favorite to be the best player in this class when all is said & done.

Olynyk's skill level is simply unmatched for a 7-0 draft propsect. And IMO he's tougher than he appears, takes contact well aand is capable of grabbing tough rebounds. Cody Zeller is a better athlete but doesn't handle contact nearly as well. At worst I think Olynyk is a solid rotation player for years to come.

I've got a Dennis Green feeling about Olynyk and Oladipo:

They are who we thought they were.

--Olynyk projected to be all that and a bag of chips. We both thought so.

--A lot of people figured Oladipo as quite possibly the most talented pick, and a legit ROTY candidate. Even with offensive limitations, the guy does so much well.

I also thought even with Beal, if Oladipo were drafted and he turned out to have Dwayne Wade-talent, that could be better than drafting Porter. Victor O surely would have been a decent pick at 3.

Guess who else who is who I thought he was: Trey Burke

It's early, but I thought Thomas Robinson was over-hyped last season and before this draft I thought Trey Burke is overrated. It's just summer league but Utah sure looked better WITHOUT Trey Burke. People comparing him to Chris Paul need to just stop. The guy is a great, accurate shooter. He's able to seize the moment and sink a dagger. He's an adequate but not great facilitator. He's a POOR defender. I felt like at least a couple PGs from this draft would be better. (Not MCW) Now, I'm pretty sure that will be the case.

I hope Burke does a John Wall and proves me wrong. I hope it does not, as it did with Wall, take three years.

[jivelikenice]

Watching Oladipo offensively, he reminds me of a young Gilbert. His shooting form looks eerily similar and offensively they just have a ton of similarities when Oladipo is playing point...Of course we don't have to compare their defense...

I'm glad he wasn't there at three. Saved a lot of potential "what ifs".