The RealGM Wizards Board Draft Thread 2008/2009

[AgentOvechkin08]

Nbadraft.net doesnt do a mock for need they just throw in the highest rated player. I like their grading system of the players athelticism etc. etc. with decent analysis.

If we get the 1st pick: Blake Griffin

Top 3: James Harden, or get Rubio (if he declares) and trade him with a bad contract for player that can come in and help us now.

from 4-10: Amniu is the next Luol Deng, thats a good thing. Very athletic. Also Brandon Jennings as a backup PG, and move Javaris to the 2 backing up Young and get rid of Stevenson.

[AgentOvechkin08]

Draft Projection: Top 10

Positives:
James Harden
James Harden usually finds a way to the hoop.
(AP Photo/Thearon Henderson)

# Can flat-out score
# Possesses a killer jumper with deep range
# Crafty player who knows how to get to basket
# Good NBA body, long arms and strength
# High basketball IQ

Negatives:

# Undersized for position
# Not an explosive athlete
# Lacks lateral quickness
# Not particularly gifted as a ball handler or defender
# So-so midrange game

Summary: Harden is an excellent scorer who generated significant buzz in the Pac-10 as a freshman. While scouts question his lack of explosive athleticism, he's so skilled and smooth, most scouts now have him as a Top 10 pick.

That is Espn scouting report. I disagree with the "not particularly gifted as a ball handler," but it sounds a lot like Brandon Roy who he most resembles. Does everything well but not spectacular. But he can score and shoot.

[doclinkin]

Eh. Not for me. I suspect after the predraft workouts and measurables James Harden may not find himself in the lotto at all. He's crafty, got a grown man's game in a boy's league, but I just don't see first string NBA quality athleticism, especially at the 2-guard spot. Nothing jaw-dropping. It's an intangible thing, his body signature just doesn't register as a next-level top talent. Glue guy maybe, an Aaron Afflalo type. Maybe that's what we need. Just seems like alot of what gets him open right now won't work at the next level.

Understood, the contradiction here. I like ballers. Crafty players. I retain the right to be perverse. No real explanation, just doesn't read right to me. :shrug: What can ya do.

Hmmmn. I'll keep an open mind though. I like his stats pretty well. Except he's racking fouls pretty steadily, often a sign of a player who can't hack it (so to speak) at the next level, defensively. But hey, at least he cares.

[pancakes3]

A good NBA body but is undersized.
Not explosive or a good ball handler but he can get tot he basket.
a so-so midrange jumper and yet he has a killer jumper with deep range.

::sigh::

I like to think that there are much smarter men than you, or I, or even the folks over at ESPN who have been watching basketball professionally and can differentiate between someone like brandon roy and somebody like alando tucker, or arron afflalo. I also like to think that those people can also tell if Hardin is going to be a hit or a miss. I further wish that somebody who possesses this talent is named Ernie Grunfield.

However, the beauty of this message board is that I can voice my feelings as if I was GMEG and in that bit of role play, I'll say this: Hardin reminds me of Baron Davis.

[BruceO]

I don't understand why people have BJ mullens up on their draft boards all across websites. HE can't even get playing time. In my mind he's not ready and isn't an upgrade over anything we have or can prove he's better than Hasheem. Also derozen I was skeptical about considering the kind of season he's had and he's just fallen on some sited from top 4 to around the ten mark. Jordan Hill I had my eye on and his stock improved but.. for me when I look at him for this team I ask myself can he play PF or SF. He's supposedly not good defensively and I found little difference between someone like him and Taj Gibson of USC. I have to find more of a separation. I also can't speak much for him offensively but who knows perhaps he deserves the newfound hype. Stephen Curry who DX had at 15 range is now NO. 5 which is consistent with the new ideas I had of him.
Jrue Holiday I don't understand why he's also up on the DX list. His numbers are Blah and I feel blah about him. Earl clark I'm looking at him and not liking his lack of assertiveness. None of these Small forwards are coming off as elite to me. I would be looking for a SF who's 6 8' or 6 9'. So the 6 7' ones are off my list. I feel this team is too small in the forward positions and too slow laterally to be good defensively and I feel whatever changes this team should have should be a low post threat like Blake griffin. Some shot blocking out of the PF spot ( which he may not provide and that will be an issue for me and in my mind would need to be combined with a shot blocking Small forward) or good defenders all around. It's time the team become better defensively.
I hope the weird rotations we got currently is to pimp away our players on the corner so that papa has a brand new bag.

[AgentOvechkin08]

Not that i would want him but WTF happened to Dominic James. I remember a preview show ESPN did a couple years ago, i think before James' sophomore season, and they asked about NBA future pgs and james was up there. A disappointing season, bad workouts, another regressing season, and now he is a senior.

Man he was supposed to be like Derrick Rose but just, IDK

Its random but i didnt know what happened to the guy.

[Ruzious]

I got to see Wake Forest v. Wright State. It was a bit disappointing, because WF got off to a big lead and then took the air out of the ball instead of showing off their talent. Teague had the ball probably 70% of the time. He is definitely an underrated talent - fearless and strong going to the rack - his judgment isn't always there. Of course, I went in focusing on Aminu. I was a little disappointed. He likes to play inside - I was hoping to see more perimeter skills from him. He reminds me of Wright - the PF UNC had. He's a good long inside scorer and rebounder. The guy who stood out the most? Johnson. At 6'9 245, I figured he'd be playing the PF and Aminu the 3, but no - Johnson was playing on the perimeter. He didn't make any 3's, but he looked very comfortable and impressive. He's stronger and more polished than he was as a frosh. I know Aminu is ranked much higher than him in mocks, but right now - I'd take Johnson over Aminu.

[AgentOvechkin08]

Jarvis Varnado PF Mississippi State 6' 9 210lbs

Positives:

# Explosive athlete
# Long arms, a huge 7-foot-4 wingspan
# Elite defender
# Amazing shot blocker
# Excellent rebounder
# Improving perimeter game

Negatives:

# Still pretty raw on the offensive end of the ball
# Needs to add strength, bulk
# Questionable motor at times
# Questionable hands

Summary: Varnado turned a number of NBA scouts heads this summer at LeBron James' Skills Academy and is off to an excellent start to his junior year. While his body doesn't appear to be NBA ready, his defense is.

Espn's draft profile of Jarvis Varnado

Man this guy right now is projected as a late 1st to early 2nd prospect. Man is that going to change.
His numbers in 08-09: 12.4 pts 10.5 boards in 27 minutes. On the skinny side but seems to be a good PF prospect, and probably still growing. I have not seen any highlights of him. On youtube there is only him at the adidas camp but its hard to follow where he is. He has a ridiculous 7-4 wingspan at 6'9 and is said to be an elite defender and in that regard is ready for the league.

[mhd]

Earl Clark could be the target in a trade down. He's really long and plays an all-around game. I also like Johnson from WF.

[LyricalRico]

As has been mentioned in the past, Varnado is a tremendous athlete. His length, leaping ability and timing make him a force on the defensive end where he is a nightmare for opponents in the paint. At 6’9” he is maybe a tad undersized for a post player, but what really hinders him is his tremendously narrow frame. The reports last season were that Varnado has bulked up to 210 pounds, but from what we were able to see from him at the Adidas Nations event in Dallas last month, he still needs to put on a good 20 pounds before he can consistently hold his ground on the block. His narrow shoulders don’t appear as though they support the type of natural filling out that he needs to go through.

The real question mark offensively this season for Varnado will be how much he has developed his skill work with his back to the basket. Last season he rarely received the ball outside of open dump offs around the rim simply, because his moves were so underdeveloped. A lack of footwork and strength often left Varnado spinning and shooting wherever he was regardless of his angle to the basket, and he lacks the touch needed to convert on these type of difficult maneuvers.

Up to this point what has really made Varnado a threat offensively has been his tenacity as an offensive rebounder. While he was only credited with 2.2 offensive boards per game last season, he got his hands on plenty of other loose balls, even if it was simply tipping one up in the air to keep a play alive. Where his lack of strength came back to hurt him here was often rather than coming down with the ball and going back up strong with it, he would have to settle for trying to tip in rebounds over opponents. While he has been effective doing this, he would also be better served by coming down with the ball and getting himself a higher percentage shot.

Defense is still where Varnado is going to garner the most interest, having the ability to simply change a game at the collegiate level. As a sophomore last season he could easily lay claim to being the top shot blocker in the country, averaging 4.6 per game in only 28.5 minutes, and 6.3 per 40 minutes pace adjusted. Additionally, he recorded three games in which he blocked 10 shots. He has great timing and doesn’t appear to be overly anxious to block shots, instead waiting for his opponents to go up before attempting a swat. Still, the rest of Varnado’s defensive game needs to improve. He often looks lost outside the paint, not running the floor well or providing effective help defense.

At this point, unless he makes huge strides this season, Varnado is likely going to need to be a four-year prospect. This season will be a good test for him, as he now must become more of a factor in the Bulldog’s offense. While there have been hints of a developing mid-range jumper, he must first become a more effective low post scorer, and adding weight would be a step in the right direction for him. Showing more hustle as a perimeter defender too would only add to his growing reputation as a stopper on the other end of the floor. It is likely Varnado will draw interest this season simply because of his length and athleticism, as so many players of his make-up do. Showing improvements in his skill set this season will lift him from simply an intriguing athlete to a legitimate NBA prospect.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jar ... nado-1189/

He sounds like an Anthony Randolph type. If he can actually defend small forwards he would satisfy our need for a backup 3/4 that can defend (basically a bigger, better version of McGuire). He could be a nice option if we trade down.

[Ruzious]

I saw Varnado just one game last year and was not impressed at all - as far as projecting him to the NBA. He doesn't have the frame to have an NBA body. And he didn't look as athletic as his shot-blocking numbers would lead you to believe. And he looked like Darvin Ham, II on offense. Frankly, Ham was a better athuhlete. Ruz scouting service says - he'll have a fine career... overseas.

[mhd]

I think Jordan Hill reminds me EXACTLY of Al Horford. I would not be bummed at all if we landed Jordan Hill. To me, he's a top 5 prospect.

[WizarDynasty]

just curious, what do guy think about earl clark. many are calling him a danny granger clone which would be perfect for us but i have never seen him play. Are those descriptions accurate?

[LyricalRico]

Any love for Grevious Vasquez in the second round? Seems like a better version of Donnell Taylor as a 5th guard.

[BruceO]

Jordan hill doesn't remind me of horford. He's leaner. I also don't like him at the PF or defensively. Who knows he is rising up. I noticed him when he was a late pick and thought relative to draft position he might be a steal, but his stock is rising.
Wizardynasty. I have been watching earl clark stats to see if he is a danny granger clone. Check his profile on DX. I think he may not be as assertive offensively. I am definitely watching him to see how much his stats may improve. Then later will compare his pre draft numbers to other SF's to see if he's able to play as a big SF who's athletic in the Granger, Rudy Gay mode, as opposed to an antwan Jamison tweener type SF who's not as athletic. The jury is still out on him in my case. He doesn't seem to be producing points, rebounds and everything else as well as rudy and granger did in college.
About greivus vasquez. I like him. I liked his fight earlier on he hated to lose games. I think he's being projected late first round as opposed to second round. Got good height too, but several flaws, defensively.

[AgentOvechkin08]

I am starting to love Earl Clark. The guy has all the tools and is a 6'9 point foward. He can shoot, pass, take his man off the dribble. Long and very athletic.

I would not mind us taking him.

Danny Granger comparison is fair.

[WizarDynasty]

it looks like we found our lebron stopper with earl clark. He can easily matchup with rashard lewis, paul pierce, lebron james, and memphis and oklahoma definitely won't take him if he is on the board because they are already loaded with s/f prototype talent. He also has an excellent 1.2 blocks per game which is amazing for a s/f. I also like the bulk that he has to be able to matchup on the blocks against paul and lebron. I think he is a way better fit for us that griffin unless we plan on moving blatche to play center. I also think griffin is not an above man to man defender
Griffin definitely scares me with poor blocks per game especially since he is suppose to be a powerforward. He reminds me of a michael beasley with no jumper. His low blocks per game is very big warning sign.

[spaceman_E]

Griffin will be guarding teams no.2 post option on our team so what does man to man defense matter so much? He just needs to be able to gobble up defensive rebounds and score on the block. Just having the size he has will be an upgrade from Jamison.

Curry is a beast. Greivis could be decent. Austin Daye will be better than Earl Clark. Just say no to Jordan Hill.

[Rafael122]

Curry struggled again against Purdue. I think he smokes lesser teams and has trouble with actual top notch basketball programs. And when I saw him play, he doesn't pick his feet up as much. It's like they drag on the floor.

Someone drafting him in the lottery would be a mistake. I would not be surprised if Charlotte picks him.

[pancakes3]

didn't see the game, going by the box score of only 1 free throw attempt, and 12 three pointers, he was being kept out of the lane pretty well... maybe a box + 1 or some other gimmicky defense since the other players on davidson played relatively well. however i wouldn't say that he has inflated numbers - 27 at WVU, 44 vs NC State, 44 at Oklahoma are all better numbers than any other collegiate player has posted versus those respective programs.