What Should the Wizards Should Do with the 5th Pick?

[closg00]

With Curry, I was thinking it would be great to have more than one go-to guy to nail the tying/winning 3-pt shot at the buzzer besides Gilbert(perfect for Curry). But then I thought, would Gilbert ever allow anyone else besides himself to shoot the potential game-winner. Under EJ, we were predicatable, it was going to be a Gilbert iso to go for the win/tie. I hope that changes with Flip.

Added: Harden could be that guy also.

[Ji]

what would have this thread looked like if we had won the lottery?:(

[fishercob]

what would have this thread looked like if we had won the lottery?:(

Remind me never to hire you.

[Wizardspride]

My concern with Curry is that he's another JJ Redick. Their measurements are similar across the board; Curry had better assist and rebound numbers in college, but played against far worse competition.

Much of what is being said about Curry's IQ and savvy could have been said about Redick back in the day. Makes me wary.

I was about to post the same thing. Of course the Curry supporters will say that Curry has an advantage over Redick because he has "PG skills". To me PG skills for a high scoring player rarely end up with them actually playing PG in the NBA. It's been tried over and over.

Iverson
Hughes
Crawford
Terry
Dixon
Barbosa
Felton
Ellis
Foye
Bayless

Those are just the names off the top of my head but all of them were drafted as undersized scoring guards who supposedly had point guard skills. All of them were played at PG at the beginning of their careers but most have had to switch to spending much, if not all, of their time off the ball. For some their teams have even continued looking for PGs because they recognize that they need a better option at the point.

Stephen Curry isn't some new phenomenon. The same things they are saying about Curry are the same things they've said about many guys over the years, most of whom did not turn out to be point guards. He's trying to do what lots of guys before him have tried to do and IMO the odds are against him.

Had he been two inches taller I'd be more interested because if/when he fails at PG we could always move him off the ball. But as small as he is, IMO he projects to be a 6th man type (a la Terry, Barbosa, etc). And if that's all I'm getting for the #5, I don't mind trading it for a 30+ vet to try to win now.

And there have been successes to the experiment like Chauncey Billups, Gilbert Arenas, Baron Davis, Devin Harris, and Jameer Nelson. The odds are against you regardless of who you are when you enter the NBA.

But all of the successes you mentioned were much more athletic than curry.

Every last one of them....

[Optms]

I'm starting to like DeRozan more and more. (Assuming the Wizards keep the pick, I have him and Harden for fifth) I've seen a lot of interviews with DeRozan and he seems extemely content on playing defense, which is pretty nice to hear. He also seems to have his head on right. I'm liking him a lot at number 5. He seems pretty focused. I'm saying he ended the season for USC really hot and playing huge deep in the tournament after the slow start to the season and a lot of people seem to forget that when labelling him a bust. He's got phenomenal athleticism, a nice looking mid range game. A little raw in some areas but he seems determined to work on what he's been criticized on.

It's really hard to avoid his ceiling as well. I mean seriously? I've noticed a lot of people have been comparing him to Gerald Green on other forums on here as potential "bust", but Green never attended College and never once sounded as focus or as serious as this kid DeRozan has about his game. That one year at USC might have done wonders for him and prevented this kid from being a bust.

He's got a great ceiling already and even if he doesn't reach his full potential, I really think he's going to be effective. But however, if the Wizzzz DO pick him. Ship Young, and some other guys out for cap relief or a nice veteran. The only knock on DeRozan is that he's friends with Nick Young, who is by far the biggest clown I've seen in a while. And the biggest liability defensively at the 2. I'd much rather prefer DeRozan under Flip than Nick.

I wouldn't be too ticked if the Wizards do decide to keep the pick and take this kid.

[Dat2U]

And there have been successes to the experiment like Chauncey Billups, Gilbert Arenas, Baron Davis, Devin Harris, and Jameer Nelson. The odds are against you regardless of who you are when you enter the NBA.

But all of the successes you mentioned were much more athletic than curry.

Every last one of them....

I disagree. Harris, Arenas & Davis are more athletic but not Billups & Nelson. Billups was more athletic entering the league but now he gets by on strength & guile. Nelson isn't very athletic IMO. That's a big reason why he slipped to like 20th in the '04 draft when he came out.

I think the bottom line on Curry depends on whether you believe he can play PG in the NBA. If you believe he can, then you see him as a difference maker on the next level. If you think he's stuck b/w two positions and is purely a undersized scorer then you're likely to have a much lower opinion of him. Some see Mike Bibby with abit of John Stockton in him others see the next Juan Dixon or J.J. Redick.

For me I'm sold on his skillset and his b-ball IQ. I also see him as an underrated athlete. He'll need to continue to get stronger but I believe that process has already started. 6-3 180 is good size for a PG.

I would be very happy if Curry is our pick at #5 and we keep him. I don't expect that to be the case but he'll be a fine NBA player, wherever he ends up.

[dobrojim]

dobrojim, I don't even have to tell you how much I admire and respect you.

(Jim, I've got three kids running track and right now it's like forced labor to them. I feel mucho hypocritical, being not at all in running shape. Probably put on 20 since the blown achilles ... One of those do as I say do parenting moves. Much conflicted because they aren't Usain Bolts or Kip Keinos if you know what I mean. The cool part is the meets and the other track parents and the teachable moments and the times my boys forget they can't stand running and they try and improve their form and they .... have fun.)

I got a lump in my throat for that. Thanks.

Just to prove I'm really not in any way sane, I'll be going to VT in a little over
a month to attempt my first 100 mile footrace. (no typo, 100 miles)
http://www.vermont100.com/

So anyone who wants to argue I don't have good judgement, go ahead.

re AJ - When he gets on the low right block, his little flip shot over his left shoulder
is about as unstoppable a move as there is in the NBA. And yes it would be nice if
he took more of that shot and fewer 20 ft jumpers. And if he learned how to move
his feet on D. But in terms of actual production, the number of 20-10 games he puts
up speaks for itself. Maybe in 2-4 years Jordan Hill will be able to achieve that level
of production. If he turns out to be a lot better than most of the 'experts' now seem to
think.

[DCZards]

He's from Memphis.

I could probably get to know Evans real fast. For good or bad.

I don't really know if he's from North Memphis or where, but I could probably find out a whole lot about him based on who he rides with, if you know what I mean.

Or, I could just hope the Wizards draft Curry, who's probably .... refined.

I'll leave my biases way out there front and center.

Evans is not from Memphis. He played at U. of Memphis. Evans is from Chester, PA. So before you start stereotyping him at least have your facts straight.

[fishercob]

For those who were displeased with the footage of Harden's workout for the Kings, Chad Ford may have actually shed some light on the subject:

The other two candidates for the Kings' pick -- James Harden and Evans -- have already been in. Harden had a respiratory infection that hurt his workout a bit.

[closg00]

He's from Memphis.

I could probably get to know Evans real fast. For good or bad.

I don't really know if he's from North Memphis or where, but I could probably find out a whole lot about him based on who he rides with, if you know what I mean.

Or, I could just hope the Wizards draft Curry, who's probably .... refined.

I'll leave my biases way out there front and center.

Evans is not from Memphis. He played at U. of Memphis. Evans is from Chester, PA. So before you start stereotyping him at least have your facts straight.

Orgs DO take into account a potential players background/character when considering whether or not to draft them. Obviously Curry has the leg-up on Evans in that department.

Whatever, I'm on-board for any of the top picks except Thabeet & Hill. I'm hoping that at-least Thabeet will be off the board when Ernie Picks. If Harden is gone and Thabeet & Hill are still around, I'm gettin nervous.

[Ruzious]

For those who were displeased with the footage of Harden's workout for the Kings, Chad Ford may have actually shed some light on the subject:

The other two candidates for the Kings' pick -- James Harden and Evans -- have already been in. Harden had a respiratory infection that hurt his workout a bit.

Oh come on - just because he couldn't breathe is no excuse.

CCJ, I wouldn't have guessed that you're related to Jerry "The King" Lawler.

[DCZards]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaptU2Ezh2g&feature=channel

Here is a look at the Evans Kings work out.

I still think Harden is the guy. Hopefully he slips to us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlhHPYlS ... re=channel

He has one fugly release on his jumpshot.

These workouts should bode well for Evans though. He doesn't have to play in a 5-on-5 setting where his lack of IQ and court awareness come into play.

Yeah, the shot was ugly but almost all of them went in...even the three pointers. And Evans size and strength is obvious. And where does this talk about "lack of IQ" come from? What's the basis for it?

Curry has his supporters on this board...and for good reasons. Harden has his as well. Both appear to be more polished than Tyreke. However, I think it would be a mistake to take either of them over Evans. At the minimum, Tyreke will immediately bring a defensive presence that neither Curry or Harden will come close to matching, imo. And with a couple of years on the job, I'm betting Evans will be a better all-around scorer than either of them. Watch this kid...he's going to be special.

[ptown]

So Stephen Curry has decided not to work out for anymore teams EXCEPT the Wizards after his great workout for NY. Here's the excerpt from the Charlotte Observer ( http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketbal ... 2393.story ):

"Stephen Curry took yet another determined step toward being a Knick on Friday when he decided to cancel the rest of his predraft workout schedule -- after he has a previously scheduled workout with the Washington Wizards.

The Wizards hold the fifth overall pick.

The Davidson star did, however, cancel a workout with the Minnesota Timberwolves (sixth overall) next week."

I find it funny that the article makes it seem like he is only working out for the Wizards, because it was pre-scheduled, but then goes on to say he canceled a pre-scheduled workout with the Wolves who pick right after us. To me this says while the Knicks may be his number 1 choice, he wouldn't mind playing for the Zards.

[Ji]

if we get Curry...how are you going to distribute minues with Areneas,Deshawn,Curry,Nick Young and Critteon. How many minutes do you all see Curry getting?

[jivelikenice]

I think the Curry news means that he expects to go no lower than #5, and that could be either to the Wizards or the Knicks in a trade up. If EG floats out Curry at that pick, that becomes the trading spot in the lottery....If we could get the Knicks to give up a piece just to move down 3 spots it would be well worth it...

[WizarDynasty]

I got a strange feeling about Mullen. The guy has a nasty unstoppable spin move in the paint. To be that big and spin that quickly...I see a beast inside. The first thing that jumps out at you his at 260, the guy has point guard like agility. That is really really strange for someone who is 260 and standing at 7'0 tall with no shoes.
And then you realize how nice he is working in the post. If we are really looking for offense, Mullen is definitely going to be the best post man in this draft. He has some shot blocking ability but his agility is going to allow him to be a shutdown defender with huge upside on offense.
That's the type of player you can take a risk on because if all else fails, you know you have an agile bigman that is guaranteed to be able to play defense against powerforwards on the perimeter. The guy was ranked number three and number two on the draft board for most of the year. As long as he doesn't suffer small hands syndrone like Kwame, he is going to be a nightmare on offense for years.
He is way quicker on the block that Kris Kaman, the guy most are comparing him to and there is now way i see kris kaman with the coordination to put the ball through his legs and dunk it. The guy fights for boards and loves contact. He automatically deserves a roster spot on our soft and finesse collection of bigs. With the possibility that we lose Haywood to free agency, Mullen clearly has more quickness than mcgee to guard out on perimeter against powerforwards. i think Mullens upsides is way higher that Jordan's hill due to Jordan hill small frame. Mullen is already powerful built and explosive. Mullen is by far the best offensive post option in this draft and really gives us a player that can really dominate for years to come.
If i am EG, I am taking this kid in Heartbeat because we are never going to get a big man after this seasaon from the draft or free agency that bangs in the paint, rebounds, and is a nightmare matchup with his explosiveness and power on the block.
McGee has years to go if he ever reaches the combination of power and agility that Mullen's already has. Mullen is already banging and enjoying contact and with his agility, its guaranteed that he is going to be able to rebound outside of his area. If I am EG, Mullen's would be highly rated on my board. Dwight Howard came out of highschool and has poor basketball IQ but we all saw the raw ability was there. Same thing with Mullens, you don't want to miss the next d. howard all because draft nuts say his basketball IQ his high right now. He already is a dominant post player and his dwade like agility at the center position means he is going to a lockdown man to man defender guarding out on in space. 9'3 standing reach means he is going to block shots even if he jumps 12 inches off the ground.
Mullen's is already better than Etan Thomas since he stands 6'11. The guy's head is close to the rim on most of his lobs. The more i look at his highlights, the more i realize that with a high basketball IQ mentor, BJ mullens is clearly one of the best center prospects int he last decade outside of d. howard. I think Ernie gets him. The only way Ernie doesn't grab this guy is if he has small hands. His agility operating on the low block means he is going to draw teh foul every time. I have a feeling he has big hands because he easily grabs alley hoops with one hand and dunks them. Kwame could never do anything like that.

[AgentOvechkin08]

Go check out Hardens workout for the wiz, its up on the wiz blog.

He got up on his dunks and his shot looked fine...i dont put any stock into the workouts, maybe a little but not alot.

Mullens and Aminu's are up too. (alade aminu, Al Farouq's bro)

[AgentOvechkin08]

if we get Curry...how are you going to distribute minues with Areneas,Deshawn,Curry,Nick Young and Critteon. How many minutes do you all see Curry getting?

Thats another thing I think is a problem. I dont want the wiz to draft curry, but for all the people who are in favor of him please answer that question.

[yungal07]

Chad Ford is now making up more rumors...says the Celtics want Evans, and would be willing to trade Ray Allen for the #5 pick to make it happen.

[Ji]

Chad Ford is now making up more rumors...says the Celtics want Evans, and would be willing to trade Ray Allen for the #5 pick to make it happen.

no thanks. People must assume we have morons running our front office and maybe their right!