General (Non-Wiz) Draft Discussion

[LyricalRico]

Okay, I would be on board with drafting a 6'4 (listed as 6'5) Stephen Curry. I also didn't know that Rubio was as tall as he is. Either would be a solid consolation prize if we don't get Blake Griffin.

[BigA]

OK, we get it. Curry is still growing. The more important question: is he bow-legged?

[closg00]

What I found interesting from Ford today.

Wall entering the draft?

Richard (Hoboken): If Wall and Rubio were both in this draft, who would go #2?

Chad Ford: Rubio ... though I think Wall would go No. 3. Rubio is more ready to play in the NBA right now. Wall has more upside because he is a freakish athlete. He's got E.T. athleticism. But Rubio has a sixth sense with the basketball. Very different players, both would go super high.

Chad Ford: And by the way, I know Wall has publicly said that he won't be declaring for the draft. But l still wouldn't be shocked to see his name in the draft. They've been looking into it and the kid has yet to pass his SATs.

Mo( Alaska$ [via mobile]: Chad who the sleeper in this draft?

Chad Ford: Iowa State's Craig Brackins ... if he declares. Kid is a legit 6-foot-10, rebounds and can really score. Reminds some folks of Shareef Abdur Rahim.

On Thabeet

Nick (NYC): If Hasheem Thabeet struggled vs. Blair, Monroe, Harngody, Suton, how is he ready to play in the NBA?

Chad Ford: He's not. But he does block shots and change a lot of shots in the middle. However, if it was me, I'd stay away. However, most of the NBA executives I speak with have him ranked as a Top 5 pick. They choose the players, not me, so that's why he's ranked so high.

I thought Curry had declared already ???

tom (San Diego): Any word on Steph Curry declaring?

Chad Ford: I think ultimately he declares. It's a great opportunity for him this year. Weak draft and the Knicks love him. That's a perfect fit for him. If he goes back to college and doesn't dominate against better competition, he could slide. However, I really respect that he loves school and basketball isn't his life. But that doesn't help his draft stock either.

[pancakes3]

it's not as fun without the wizD himself here posting.

[nate33]

Here is some food for thought:

Tyler Hansbrough's junior season stats, pace-adjusted per 40:
24.2 pts, 11.0 boards, 1.0 assists, 2.3 TO's, 2.6 PF's, .61 TS%

Carlos Boozer's junior season stats, pace-adjusted per 40:
23.1 pts, 11.0 boards, 1.4 assists, 2.3 TO's, 3.9 PF's, .70 TS%

Both guys are 6-8 ish with long arms. Both are extremely strong and have suprisingly nimble feet.

I'll also mention that Hansbrough shot 39% from 3-point range in his senior season (0.8 attempts per 40) while shooting 84% from the line. Boozer has no 3-point shot and has averaged about 70% from the line throughout his career. So arguably, Hansbrough is already the better shooter.

It just seems odd to me that Hansbrough is at the very bottom of the first round and might even slip to the second round. Hansbrough arguably has a ceiling imposed by his mediocre height and athleticism, but I think he's a sure bet to be a quality 15-20 minute per game backup, and has the potential to be a solid starter. And he'll be a solid player on Day 1. Surely, in this draft, you can't expect to do much better than that picking in the late teens.

[Ji]

We get no worse than the 5th pick..we are pretty much guaranteed a stud and possible All Star

1) Griffin
2) Rubio
3) Curry
4) Evans

whats this garbage about trading the pick unless we get a very good veteran player who is not in his 30's(Mitch Richmond)

[LyricalRico]

Here is some food for thought:

Tyler Hansbrough's junior season stats, pace-adjusted per 40:
24.2 pts, 11.0 boards, 1.0 assists, 2.3 TO's, 2.6 PF's, .61 TS%

Carlos Boozer's junior season stats, pace-adjusted per 40:
23.1 pts, 11.0 boards, 1.4 assists, 2.3 TO's, 3.9 PF's, .70 TS%

Both guys are 6-8 ish with long arms. Both are extremely strong and have suprisingly nimble feet.

I'll also mention that Hansbrough shot 39% from 3-point range in his senior season (0.8 attempts per 40) while shooting 84% from the line. Boozer has no 3-point shot and has averaged about 70% from the line throughout his career. So arguably, Hansbrough is already the better shooter.

It just seems odd to me that Hansbrough is at the very bottom of the first round and might even slip to the second round. Hansbrough arguably has a ceiling imposed by his mediocre height and athleticism, but I think he's a sure bet to be a quality 15-20 minute per game backup, and has the potential to be a solid starter. And he'll be a solid player on Day 1. Surely, in this draft, you can't expect to do much better than that picking in the late teens.

Yeah, but Boozer was a better post player in college than Hansbrough has shown. He also had the size to make you think he could at least comlete on the block in the NBA. I remember being surprised Boozer fell as far as he did. And he has since shown that he should have been one of the top picks in that draft.

I just don't see Tyler having that kind of impact. Do I think he can play in the NBA? Sure. But (at least in the UNC games I've watched) he's gets so much of his production based on energy and hustle. Without a reliable outside shot or a go-to post move I don't think he's going to be able to put up enough points at the next level to ever become a starter. He'll still rebound and defend, but do you want to spend a first round pick on a hustle player? Maybe if I'm the Spurs or Lakers and I'm just looking for cheap labor that can contribute right away.

[Ruzious]

Boozer was underrated as a prospect, because people rating him couldn't tell a basketball from a hockey puck. Hansbrough, otoh, is simply not in his class as a prospect. Boozer measured at 6'9.5 with shoes, a 7'2.25" wingspan, and a 9'0.5" standing reach. Boozer's athleticism was always underrated, and TH is slow. Most of what TH did successfully in college just won't work in the NBA because of his lack of height, length, and athleticism.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

2 inches to go?



If that's the case, then he's the 3rd best prospect in this draft. A 6-5 or 6-6 Stephen Curry is the next Ray Allen - only with more PG skills.

If that doctor's opinion is confirmed, then my new best-case scenario assuming we don't land the #1 is to trade down from 2/3 to 5/6, dump Stevenson in the process, and draft Curry.

I was a bit off Nate. Here's the article:

http://aboverim.blogspot.com/2009/02/st ... owing.html

Davidson guard Stephen Curry is not done growing.

That was one good thing that came out of Saturday’s sprained ankle; the doctor reading his X-rays told him that his bone growth plates show that he will get taller.

“I’m actually still growing,” said Curry, a junior and the nation’s leading scorer. “I’ve got at least an inch to go so we’ll see how that works out.”

Curry has been a late bloomer in the height category. As a prep junior, he was lightly recruited because he was 5-foot-8. Then he took off.

“As a senior I was about 5-11, closing in on 6 feet,” he said. “I’ve grown every year since then and obviously am still growing. That’s good news. I was about 6-1 as a freshman and have grown an inch a year, so I’m a solid 6-3 now.”

Curry has good genes in that category. Dad Dell, the former NBA player, is 6-5, and mother Sonya is 5-8.

Brother Seth, a freshman at Liberty, also sprouted in high school and is already 6-3. And younger sister Sydel is tall for her age, according to Stephen.

And rumor has it that Curry was high-fiving the folks in the doctor’s office after his X-rays.
“(The doctor) said he would have to get an X-ray on my hand, but he predicted at least one inch, and who knows after that? So I’m trying to catch my dad,” Curry said.

HERE'S WHAT I SAID LAST WEEK (April 13):

Dat, Steph's dad made good money playing what 10-15 years in the NBA and his mom's a school principal. From their perspective they probably tell their son that he's got the rest of his life to work hard for a living, but that being on campus, having experiences at that level that are intellectually enlightening and often lots of fun would be their desire for him. In the NBA, he's just another SG/PG with expectations on him. As a parent I'd tell my kids to follow their heart if I were in that same situation. The risk being an injury and the loss of that year's money is something I'd caution they'd have to live with if they didn't go pro.

Another thought I had looking at him is the kid wears size 14 shoes and his dad's a legit 6'5". Curry's grown since HS and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's a rare guy who's still growing at 21-22.
Having said all that I expect he goes pro, but I'm not shocked he's considering staying in school.

FOLKS, STEPH CURRY IS A TOP-5 PICK -- and is definitely one of the top sleepers in this draft as far as I'm concerned.

I guessed he was still growing!

As far as this draft goes, I think Curry and Blair are being way underrated. I'd love to see the Wizards trade down or trade some of their young talent to get Curry, especially.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

With all those draft simulators and the Wizards having a 17.8% shot at Griffin, I'm thinking a very sound approach towards this draft is simply: DRAFT STEPH CURRY and also TRADE FOR BLAIR.

Minnesota, Memphis, and Sacramento have excess first rounders and young talent. I think trying to move to get two underrated guys in this draft is the way to go.

Curry and Blair will be at least solid backups and more.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

We get no worse than the 5th pick..we are pretty much guaranteed a stud and possible All Star

1) Griffin
2) Rubio
3) Curry
4) Evans

whats this garbage about trading the pick unless we get a very good veteran player who is not in his 30's(Mitch Richmond)

Ji, these are the top guys for the Wizards and along with Thabeet the top-5 picks (with Curry probably going lower than that).

I'm thinking Curry's a better prospect than Evans, but that's a tough call.

I hope if the Wizards draft 2nd or 3rd, they select Rubio or Thabeet and trade those guys along with DeShawn and possibly Blatche to get something like Curry and the rights to DeJuan Blair.

[fishercob]

With all those draft simulators and the Wizards having a 17.8% shot at Griffin, I'm thinking a very sound approach towards this draft is simply: DRAFT STEPH CURRY and also TRADE FOR BLAIR.

Minnesota, Memphis, and Sacramento have excess first rounders and young talent. I think trying to move to get two underrated guys in this draft is the way to go.

Curry and Blair will be at least solid backups and more.

If we do that and trade for Childress, I'm be insanely happy.

[eltacoman]

BLAKE GRIFFIN if we dont land him it would be nice to move back a few spots and pick up Curry and domp deshawn too

[LyricalRico]

With all those draft simulators and the Wizards having a 17.8% shot at Griffin, I'm thinking a very sound approach towards this draft is simply: DRAFT STEPH CURRY and also TRADE FOR BLAIR.

Minnesota, Memphis, and Sacramento have excess first rounders and young talent. I think trying to move to get two underrated guys in this draft is the way to go.

Curry and Blair will be at least solid backups and more.

If we do that and trade for Childress, I'm be insanely happy.

Okay, fish - you've sold me on your Plan B. (Plan A, of course, is Blake Griffin.)

Step 1 - Draft Stephen Curry
Step 2 - Trade Nick Young for a mid-first and pick up Blair
Step 3 - Trade Blatche+Stevenson for Childress

Haywood/Songaila/McGee
Jamison/Blair/Pesh
Butler/McGuire
Childress/Curry
Arenas/James/Critt

[Ji]

It would be interesting to see what Curry does on a team that has talent. At Davidson, he was tripled-quadrupled team at times. I think he could be a possible Rookie of the Year with the right team

[doclinkin]

HERE'S WHAT I SAID LAST WEEK (April 13):

Dat, Steph's dad made good money playing what 10-15 years in the NBA and his mom's a school principal. From their perspective they probably tell their son that he's got the rest of his life to work hard for a living, but that being on campus, having experiences at that level that are intellectually enlightening and often lots of fun would be their desire for him. In the NBA, he's just another SG/PG with expectations on him. As a parent I'd tell my kids to follow their heart if I were in that same situation. The risk being an injury and the loss of that year's money is something I'd caution they'd have to live with if they didn't go pro.

Another thought I had looking at him is the kid wears size 14 shoes and his dad's a legit 6'5". Curry's grown since HS and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's a rare guy who's still growing at 21-22.

I got you beat by many months:


The RealGM Wizards Board Draft Thread 2008/2009 (part one)

Curry listed 6'3", son of 6'5" Dell, and still growing/thickening out.

miller31time wrote:

Curry listed 6'3", son of 6'5" Dell, and still growing/thickening out.

Meh, 2 inches isn't changing my stance. The only way you can have a combo guard that small is if you have another guard who can cover for them defensively (ala Hinrich and Gordon / Baron and Monta when they were in GS, etc).

BTW: ESPN has him listed as 6-2, Sports Illustrated.com has him at 6-2 and Rivals.com (subsidiary of Yahoo sports) has him at 6-0.

Seems like his height is anywhere from 6-0 to 6-3 and probably somewhere in the middle.

Rivals has his highschool height. He's still growing. And again I'm saying, best player available, no matter his height he's on the list.

Del Curry wasn't thick, but he came out after his senior year. Del's boy is dropping in as a Junior, after having dominated since he was a freshman. I fully expect him to continue to grow and improve and gain muscle mass.

[doclinkin]

Again (from the Part I Draft Thread) for reference sake, Stef Curry shooting over the 6'7" Taylor Griffin:

[closg00]

With all those draft simulators and the Wizards having a 17.8% shot at Griffin, I'm thinking a very sound approach towards this draft is simply: DRAFT STEPH CURRY and also TRADE FOR BLAIR.

Minnesota, Memphis, and Sacramento have excess first rounders and young talent. I think trying to move to get two underrated guys in this draft is the way to go.

Curry and Blair will be at least solid backups and more.

If we do that and trade for Childress, I'm be insanely happy.

Okay, fish - you've sold me on your Plan B. (Plan A, of course, is Blake Griffin.)

Step 1 - Draft Stephen Curry
Step 2 - Trade Nick Young for a mid-first and pick up Blair
Step 3 - Trade Blatche+Stevenson for Childress

Haywood/Songaila/McGee
Jamison/Blair/Pesh
Butler/McGuire
Childress/Curry
Arenas/James/Critt

I'm down with this plan if we end-up 3-5. The rub is Ernie, who would you imagine to be on Ernie's big-board in the 3-5 slot? Does anyone think Curry would be 3-5 with Ernie?

[Ji]

thats a nice looking team man

[dobrojim]

like everyone else, I'd go with Griffin and Rubio at the top

like some/many others, I'd be happy with Curry lower down.
I think the reports of his likely future growth are feasible.

I'd LOVE us to get both Curry and Blair.

Evans I think could end up being very good, but probably
not right away. If that's where we ended up I could live
with it. I think the healthy Wizards will be ok with Flip.

From the trade thread I also LOVE the idea of Fernandez
in a trade with POR. We know for a fact that guy has NBA
talent.

I'm not sold on Henderson at all at this point. TWilliams
I didn't see enough of but I wonder if he's not better. But
hopefully, we won't need to look much at either one
because our other options are simply better.

One thing about Blair that perhaps hasn't been talked
about enough is his ability to set picks which appears
to be Unseldian. And that folks, is saying something
that is frequently overlooked as in the Haywood/Etan
comparison from a couple years ago when there were
still some folks who thought ET was OK.