09-10 WizFans Official Draft Thread

[Ruzious]

Nah, we're going to be picking late... I hope (hoping that our pick is late and that we keep it). There's an interesting raw sleeper pick - Arnett Moultrie (can't make up a name like that), a long lean 6'11 225 lber from UTEP - sophomore who turned 19 yesterday. He's a great offensive rebounder and put up a 13/13 against Wake Forest last season. He's athletic - just gotta see if his body fills out and he develops some skills.

[pancakes3]

I'm not a big a fan of stockpiling talent for talent's sake, especially if we're drafting in the mid/late 1st. I think next season we should definitely to be looking to addressing positional needs, the most glaring of which comes in the guard department.

We have issues at both guard spots. The first is backup PG. Is boykins the long term solution? As of right now, he appears to be, but the front office needs to make a decision about that while factoring in the draft. Is there a prospect out there that would be better for the wiz other than Boykins and possibly resigning Critt? As of right now, only 3 guys emerge as possibilities: Tyshaun Taylor (Kansas), Jerome Dyson (Uconn), and the homer pick Vasquez (Maryland). Netting those guys, shedding James/Critt, and keeping Foye as the backup SG would be a pretty decent offseason move.

However, our weakest position is the SG spot. We're platooning right now with Foye, Miller, and DS, and none of those three guys are "ideal" sg's. I mean "ideal" in a strictly defensive standpoint. Fortunately with a glut of big men, sg's are being depressed down the draft and there are some solid prospects out there. Terrico White (Mississippi), Xavier Henry (Kansas), and another homer pick Landesberg (UVa). All three are 6'5+, long, athletic, and can score efficiently. Drafting a SG bumps Foye into backup PG duties and the rookie would find minutes behind Miller.

[closg00]

We are on-track for the lotto again, can you believe it? My fantasy is that we get a top-10 pick and somehow land Wall and start the rebuilding process.
http://www.draftexpress.com/

[no D in Hibachi]

I just hope Ted Leonsis chimes in and refuses to allow EG to trade the high lotto pick for rotational veterens. Abe is too old to begin rebuilding and will probably encourage another top five pick for foye/miller type trade. If the Wiz are ever to be competetive again it'll be unde the sole ownership of Ted.

[Rafael122]

One name that hasn't been mentioned yet is Greg Monroe. The guy has a high basketball IQ and knows how to play within a system. I'd keep my eye on him in case we end up with a lottery pick again.

[doclinkin]

One name that hasn't been mentioned yet is Greg Monroe.

Er?

As a Georgetown fan would love to see Greg Monroe in a Wizards jersey. If the team doesn't make the playoffs its time to trade Butler and Jamison. And we better keep our draft pick. Its time to develop some young talent for the future.

Most of the other guys I like have been mentioned, Evan Turner, Greg Monroe, Craig Brackins, Patterson. I haven't yet really tabbed any players to watch or sifted for sleepers. (Larry Sanders of VCU?). As of right now we've got a late lotto record, so, you know, I'll take a lucky bounce and John Wall if I have my choice.

I just want him to beat the inconsistency bugaboo, and to demonstrate a consistent willingness to operate in the post. His rebounding attitude and effort were upsy-downsy last year. I love his skill set, but don't want him to get trapped by his talent and lose sight of his best-quality NBA skills and role. You know: we already have an Andray Blatche.

[pancakes3]

i think monroe is a better post presence and more willing passer than AB. besides the consistency issues, drafting him (or any other big man) buries him in our depth chart behind AJ, Blatche, Wood and possibly McGee. we have a more pressing need at guard.

[Ruzious]

Did anyone see the UNC/Cuse game on Friday? I watched mainly to see Ed Davis and the kid Heels, but easily... the best player in the game was Wallace Johnson. He's listed at 6'7 198, but I think he's bigger - he certainly didn't have trouble with Big Ed and Deon. At first, I thought he was an undersized PF - with no body fat throwing down slams, but then he started launching rainbow 3's - looking like a latter day Len Bias. His stats have been mixed - he had a lousy soph year and transferred - there must have been extenuating circumstances, because this guy has the "it" factor. He's a star. But I can see him getting an Al Thornton label, because he is a little older, and his stats don't show efficiency. Thing is - even at that listed size, he looks like a great defender. That and the 3 point range will set him apart from Thornton.

[pancakes3]

davis isn't the biggest guy in the world though. he looks thin to me, but so is shawn marion. he's got length and athleticism for sure though, and his stroke is solid. however i'm concerned about his frame (mini-javale) as well as the fact that for being such an explosive player he only gets to the line once a game.

[Ruzious]

I like Davis more than UNC's last phenom PF - Brandan Wright. While he also has a question about his strength, at least he has the frame to add more weight and gain strength - like Marion did and Wright can't. Remember, Marion was a toothpick in college, and now he's a 230 lber, because he had a good frame. With that extra strength, Davis could be a dominant defensive player and rebounder. His offense has a long way to go, but I think he also has more potential there than Wright did, because Wright never developed anything but his patented jump hook. Davis has the makings of a decent perimeter shot, and once the light comes on offensively, he'll be a great player. Unfortunately for him, UNC doesn't have Ty Lawson to pass to him, anymore. But maybe it's fortunate, because he'll have to work harder to become a good offensive player.

[fishercob]

Cats out of the bag on Evan Turner. ESPN is hyping his as a potential national POY candidate. I'd love to see him in a Wiz uni.

[Dat2U]

One red flag with Turner. His propensity for TOs. It's definitely something to pay attention to. Personally, I think he's asked to do so much and is such a big part of Ohio State's offense that some TOs should be expected. However I also believe his handle will need to be a bit tighter against NBA competition if he's going to have the offense ran through him and be asked to breakdown opposing defenses off the dribble.

[Ed Wood]

When I first joined this board roundabout four years ago (oh my God) I'm pretty sure I wanted to either be an NBA scout or a detective. Well in those four years I imagine I've done enough to make good folk cry that I couldn't play the law to another man without feeling myself a monster and a hypocrite and I guess I told a few too many jokes because apparently my uncanny ability to be right about every draft prospect ever remains unnoticed. But it's still here, buried under the jokes, and when you have a power like that you'd be pretty cruel not to want to share it. So, as always, I am prepared to write a lot of really long posts in this thread, posts that I'd totally be rubbing in your faces in like three years if the search function worked (this suave son of a bitch was hyping Evan Turner as a freshman).

Anyway, remote as it is at this point I do think this has the potential to be a very strong draft, though that's always easy to say when you can just assume everyone eligible is going to throw their hat into the ring. I'm particularly taken with the big man crop that may be available, which is just as well considering that the Wizards are potentially one young forward away from a strong rotation even in the event that Jamison is moved. It seems prudent to also consider picking up a quick lead guard because it's the cool thing to do and those hand check calls aren't going to make themselves and a shooting guard because at this point the minutes that Deshawn Stevenson plays in this city can legitimately be considered to be a threat to our collective health. Of course I'll probably end up making posts comparing Wesley Johnson to Daniel Day-Lewis but it's nice to at least have some direction as I cast off.

Here is a quick list then, of potential snug fits in the three roles upon which I'm focused:

Little guys: This doesn't necessarily seem like a great year for point guards but I'm sure you'd find takers for Sherron Collins and Kalin Lucas. I have an unfortunate and irrational dislike for point guards that look like running backs, so Sherron doesn't do much for me (I do appreciate that Kansas point guards seem to come with nicknames prepackaged, but I liked Super Nintendo much more than I do Ain't No Seats). I but I don't mind Lucas. I'm a little more excited by Kemba Walker and the zillion freshman between 6'0" and 6'3", however, and I suppose Nolan Smith bears watching based on his play to this point as well.

Medium guys: I'm still a fan of both Turner and of the oddly forgotten Manny Harris, who is no less important to the success of Michigan than Turner and Ohio State. Scotty Hopson has one of the nicest looking strokes in the college ranks and my dog Louis Sullivan is also digging it this year, if you know what I mean. If you pretend that Paul George can shoot threes like he did last year and free throws like he has this year then you have to be pretty sweet on him and I love Steven Gray as a guy who could be had with a second round pick or perhaps as a free agent in a years time and also for the hair.

Big Guys: Well just hit up your draft site of choice and maybe ten of the first twenty choices could fall into this category. Cole Aldrich may be a little too popular come draft day but with Ed Davis, Greg Monroe, Derick Favors, Donatas Motiejunas, Jan Vesely, Pattrick Patterson, Gani Lawal, Trevor Booker, Al-Farouq Aminu, Soloman Alabi, Chris Singleton, JaMychal Green and DaMarcus "Don't you dare draft" Cousins around we may have some options.

[Ruzious]

Of course I'll probably end up making posts comparing Wesley Johnson to Daniel Day-Lewis but it's nice to at least have some direction as I cast off.

Nowhere else can you find a comparison like that.

Speaking of middle-sizers, I submit for your approval - Xavier Henry - an 18 year old frosh leading #1 Kansas in scoring. At an imposing 6'6 220, he's built like the NBA's top rookie, Tyreke Evans. And he's got a better jump shot - with pure 3 point range. Unlike Evans, he's strictly a pure 2 - a scoring machine. From what I've seen, he's not a super-explosive athlete, but he's got great body control, and can contort his body up in the air to draw fouls and avoid blocks. Defensively, like Evans, I think he can be a stud - though I need to see more of him. Overall, Wow - an 18 year old that advanced physically who can score like him... I even put him above the aforementioned Johnson - as he's 4 years younger. He's a prototype.

[no D in Hibachi]

It seems like the last few years have been strong in what the Wizards don't really need.

2010: Strong in big men, weak in PG-Wiz need PG
2009: Strong in guards, weak in big men-Wiz needed big men
2008: Strong in big men, week in guards-Wiz needed guard

Wiz seem to be either a year early or a year late in their needs.

[AgentOvechkin08]

I am liking AFA from Wake. (Al Farouq Aminu FYI)

I liked him alot last year and still liking him this year.

Averaging 19 ppg and 11 boards.

6'9 long and good frame (could still add some muscle)

Great athleticism and leaping ability and good all around player.

Just a player i am going to follow

[nate33]

One red flag with Turner. His propensity for TOs. It's definitely something to pay attention to. Personally, I think he's asked to do so much and is such a big part of Ohio State's offense that some TOs should be expected. However I also believe his handle will need to be a bit tighter against NBA competition if he's going to have the offense ran through him and be asked to breakdown opposing defenses off the dribble.

The turnovers don't bother me much. He is being asked to play PG on a team that has no other decent ball handlers. Turner is a good ball handler, but he's no PG. I can see Turner panning out to have a game like Brandon Roy, Manu Ginobili, or Joe Johnson - good ball handlers for swing men, but not exactly pure PG's.

[Ruzious]

2 players rated by Draftexpress.com as 2nd rounders looked like sure 1st rounders in the Michigan v Alabama game today - Manny Harris and JaMychal Green. Harris is a thin 2, but not as thin as the 6'5 170 lb listing. Dude carries a fine team on his shoulders - and not just scoring. He's averaging a crazy 9.5 rebounds and 7 assists a game. He's not Turner, but he's quicker and a more explosive scorer. And he does this without a 3 point shot.

And speaking of production, Green also has a PER over 30. He's a very athletic 6'9 225 lb pure PF - who's a lot like Ed Davis. He's a little shorter, but he might be the better all-around player of the 2, because he has a nice jump shot. Like Davis he needs to continue filling out - but is very quick on D -getting blocks and steals. He needs more confidence, and if he gets it, I could see him going lotto.

[VictorPage44]

I like stanley robinson as a lebron stopper. Robinson is one of the best defenders in the country IMO. He shut down kyle singler in the duke game, and in the other connecticut game i watched (vs colgate), in the second half he was switched to colgate's top scorer from the first half (who had about 11-12 points at the half), and held him scoreless. At 6'9 hes very quick (ive seen him used at the top of the key in a half-court zone and as the deepest presser in a zone press). He also gets plenty of blocks and his vertical must be 45+ inches. Robinson would make a great late first rounder, especially for the wizards.

Edit: I also think Ed Davis is the best PF

[nate33]

Evan Turner had 25 points, 13 boards, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks against Florida St. tonight. He is averaging 20 points, 13 boards and 7 assists.