2020 Draft

[payitforward]

I'm rooting for Mannion for 2 reasons: 1 is his game is a lot of fun to watch. 2 is a strange reason - If he grew a longer goatee and lighten his hair a little, he'd look almost exactly like Layne Staley - one of my favorite singers of all time.

I just worry about small thin short-armed players making it in the NBA and being durable. Then again, Steve Nash was kinda good for a long time.

True -- but he didn't look like Layne Staley.

But... Steve Nash looked a little (ok, very little) like Mark Price - who didn't turn out to be as durable as John Nash thought he'd be - unfortunately, so we settled on Brent Price, and the Price... was wrong. No knock on Brent - he was to Mark as Seth Curry was to Steph Curry. So yes, I have gotten hopelessly sidetracked off on a tangent.

I never saw Tangent play.... Could he go to the basket -- or only sideways out of bounds?

[Ruzious]

True -- but he didn't look like Layne Staley.

But... Steve Nash looked a little (ok, very little) like Mark Price - who didn't turn out to be as durable as John Nash thought he'd be - unfortunately, so we settled on Brent Price, and the Price... was wrong. No knock on Brent - he was to Mark as Seth Curry was to Steph Curry. So yes, I have gotten hopelessly sidetracked off on a tangent.

I never saw Tangent play.... Could he go to the basket -- or only sideways out of bounds?

Yeah, I'll cosign on that. He had a quick trig finger on the 3.

[Dark Faze]

If Lamelo finishes the year with those kind of numbers, I'd have to pass on him with a top 5 pick for sure.

[payitforward]

But... Steve Nash looked a little (ok, very little) like Mark Price - who didn't turn out to be as durable as John Nash thought he'd be - unfortunately, so we settled on Brent Price, and the Price... was wrong. No knock on Brent - he was to Mark as Seth Curry was to Steph Curry. So yes, I have gotten hopelessly sidetracked off on a tangent.

I never saw Tangent play.... Could he go to the basket -- or only sideways out of bounds?

Yeah, I'll cosign on that. He had a quick trig finger on the 3.

Are you saying he was coefficient?

[Ruzious]

I never saw Tangent play.... Could he go to the basket -- or only sideways out of bounds?

Yeah, I'll cosign on that. He had a quick trig finger on the 3.

Are you saying he was coefficient?

That's a cute one. Ok, you win - I won't even tri. Geo.., no I won't cross that line.

[payitforward]

How cal(cu)lus of you, Ruz!!

[Shoe]

6'7 Colorado Jr Tyler Bey could be the wing that Wizards could use in the starting lineup next season.

14/12/2 + 2 stl + 2 blks
.607 TS%
.788 FT% on 7.4 fta

Leads the NCAA in:
Defensive rebound % - 37.1
Defensive Rating - 65.1
Box Plus/Minus - 18.0

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

[Shoe]

Obi Toppin

22.1 points 8.6 boards a game
.674/.429/.765
36.8 PER (third in NCAA)
.737 TS%
135 ORtg - 93 DRtg



Great body control attacking the rim
Explosive leaper
Comparison is Amar'e Stoudamire
Can contribute immediately
Name has excellent synergy with Rui

I think instant firepower takes priority over long term potential
I could see a Wall/Beal/Bertans/Obi/Rui lineup

Highlight reel dunker

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

[youngWizzy]

I think it's about time the Wizards get a legitimate vertical spacer who can rebound and defend (our biggest weaknesses).

Onyeka Okongwu is that guy and is incredibly versatile and to me just seems like the perfect 5 man to roll with Wall and Beal. He looks really similar to Bam Adebayo with a great defensive mindset. His advanced stats are amazing: 6.3 OBPM, 8.0 DBPM, 35.8 PER, 25.5 PTS/40, 12.7 TRB/40, 4.8 Blocks/40. Also it's encouraging to see him shooting 71% from the line (42/59).

If anyone remembers watching Lamelo Ball in high school, Onyeka Okongwu was the big center on Chino Hills who cleaned up all his misses and blocked a ton of shots.

Bottom line is: after Ball, Edwards, and Wiseman I do think he has the chance to be the 4th best player in this draft if he enters.

[Illmatic12]

20 games in , as we observe how successful teams are built vs the struggling teams our needs that should be addressed in the draft are becoming more clear . To add some numbers: Wizards currently rank: #30 in rebounding rate, #29 in block rate, #22 in steal rate, #22 in deflections

This roster really lacks players with natural defensive talent who can anticipate and create "events" that disrupt the opposing team. Sheppard needs to prioritize prospects who recorded high steal/block rates in college.. there are exceptions but this usually translates in a positive way. Philadelphia 76ers' G Matisse Thybulle is a recent example, his defensive numbers were off the charts in college and he is continuing that same level of impact in the NBA.

Also if we're going to play this 5-out style with stretch bigs, then we need our guards and wings to be able to crash the boards to compensate. So we should also prioritize prospects who are outlier rebounders for their position (ftr the team has done a good job of this in the past - Beal, Porter, Oubre and Brown Jr all fit that bill).

[Illmatic12]

6'7 Colorado Jr Tyler Bey could be the wing that Wizards could use in the starting lineup next season.

14/12/2 + 2 stl + 2 blks
.607 TS%
.788 FT% on 7.4 fta

Leads the NCAA in:
Defensive rebound % - 37.1
Defensive Rating - 65.1
Box Plus/Minus - 18.0

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

This guy looks flippin awesome, I thoroughly enjoyed that scouting reel.
Only issue is I read that he's been compared to Andre Roberson - I hope that his jumpshot isn't as broken as Roberson's

[Illmatic12]

I think it's about time the Wizards get a legitimate vertical spacer who can rebound and defend (our biggest weaknesses).

Onyeka Okongwu is that guy and is incredibly versatile and to me just seems like the perfect 5 man to roll with Wall and Beal. He looks really similar to Bam Adebayo with a great defensive mindset. His advanced stats are amazing: 6.3 OBPM, 8.0 DBPM, 35.8 PER, 25.5 PTS/40, 12.7 TRB/40, 4.8 Blocks/40. Also it's encouraging to see him shooting 71% from the line (42/59).

If anyone remembers watching Lamelo Ball in high school, Onyeka Okongwu was the big center on Chino Hills who cleaned up all his misses and blocked a ton of shots.

Bottom line is: after Ball, Edwards, and Wiseman I do think he has the chance to be the 4th best player in this draft if he enters.

What is Wiseman really giving you that Okongwu isn't projected to do? I guess maybe there's more offensive upside with Wiseman?

It's way too early but this might be the year to hopefully try and trade back for multiple picks.
Not sure I wouldn't rather come away with say, Okongwu + Okoro/Lewis later in the draft vs taking Wiseman top 3.

[Ruzious]

6'7 Colorado Jr Tyler Bey could be the wing that Wizards could use in the starting lineup next season.

14/12/2 + 2 stl + 2 blks
.607 TS%
.788 FT% on 7.4 fta

Leads the NCAA in:
Defensive rebound % - 37.1
Defensive Rating - 65.1
Box Plus/Minus - 18.0

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

I was hoping he'd stay under the radar and maybe slip to the 2nd rounder the Wiz end up getting, but he's become a clear 1st rounder. I think he's a better all-around prospect than Matisse Thybulle was - who's starting to look real good for Philly. Players like that really mess up other teams' offense.

[Ruzious]

Obi Toppin

22.1 points 8.6 boards a game
.674/.429/.765
36.8 PER (third in NCAA)
.737 TS%
135 ORtg - 93 DRtg



Great body control attacking the rim
Explosive leaper
Comparison is Amar'e Stoudamire
Can contribute immediately
Name has excellent synergy with Rui

I think instant firepower takes priority over long term potential
I could see a Wall/Beal/Bertans/Obi/Rui lineup

Highlight reel dunker

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

I was just looking at him - great stats and a helluva shooter - he's got a great inside/outside game. Physically, he's NOT an Amare level athlete. Amare coming out of HS was a freakazoid. I think Obi's more of a Horford type athlete at best - remembering Horford at Florida teaming with Noah. Does he have the quickness to be a defensive standout? That's my biggest question on him. He might be Rui with an excellent 3 point shot.

[queridiculo]

I was just looking at him - great stats and a helluva shooter - he's got a great inside/outside game. Physically, he's NOT an Amare level athlete. Amare coming out of HS was a freakazoid. I think Obi's more of a Horford type athlete at best - remembering Horford at Florida teaming with Noah. Does he have the quickness to be a defensive standout? That's my biggest question on him. He might be Rui with an excellent 3 point shot.

I don't know what to make of Toppin, something looks off about him.

Kind of robotic, a second slow and looks like he's consistently fighting to overcome gravity.

I have a tough time seeing him defend his natural position at the next level.

Disappointing draft class overall, but as far as front court players are concerned I am probably the most excited about Vernon Carey potential as a NBA center for the Wizards.

[Shoe]

I was just looking at him - great stats and a helluva shooter - he's got a great inside/outside game. Physically, he's NOT an Amare level athlete. Amare coming out of HS was a freakazoid. I think Obi's more of a Horford type athlete at best - remembering Horford at Florida teaming with Noah. Does he have the quickness to be a defensive standout? That's my biggest question on him. He might be Rui with an excellent 3 point shot.

I don't know what to make of Toppin, something looks off about him.

Kind of robotic, a second slow and looks like he's consistently fighting to overcome gravity.

I have a tough time seeing him defend his natural position at the next level.

Disappointing draft class overall, but as far as front court players are concerned I am probably the most excited about Vernon Carey potential as a NBA center for the Wizards.

I don't know if Obi can do what he does now in the NBA. The worst players in college tend to be bigs so guys like Michael Beasley and Derrick Williams dominate them and struggle in the more athletic NBA.

I bet Sheppard has Avdija as the top target, and it's going to upset the fan base when he takes him over a valuable defender like Okongwu or Okoro.

Read on Twitter

Now that I think about it my ideal draft would be to somehow get both Okoro and Okongwu. Name synergy and defensive first and perfect fit alongside Wall, Beal, Rui.

[Ruzious]

I was just looking at him - great stats and a helluva shooter - he's got a great inside/outside game. Physically, he's NOT an Amare level athlete. Amare coming out of HS was a freakazoid. I think Obi's more of a Horford type athlete at best - remembering Horford at Florida teaming with Noah. Does he have the quickness to be a defensive standout? That's my biggest question on him. He might be Rui with an excellent 3 point shot.

I don't know what to make of Toppin, something looks off about him.

Kind of robotic, a second slow and looks like he's consistently fighting to overcome gravity.

I have a tough time seeing him defend his natural position at the next level.

Disappointing draft class overall, but as far as front court players are concerned I am probably the most excited about Vernon Carey potential as a NBA center for the Wizards.

I have similar concerns about Obi. Carey might be too old school - like Okafor. Just not sure he fits well in today's NBA. And I could see him having a weight problem. I don't like this draft, but there are a few raw bigs that could come around and surprise people.

[Ruzious]

I think I finally found the Brandon Clarke type sleeper of the draft - Paul Reed, the 6'9 220 lb forward from DePaul. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/paul-reed-5.html His last game - he had 5 blocks and 4 steals, outstanding rebounder, has even shown signs of being a 3 point shooter - though he doesn't take many, 75% foul shooter, makes 61.7% of his 2's. He was very good as a sophomore, so he's not a 1 hit wonder as a 20 year old junior.

[payitforward]

I think I finally found the Brandon Clarke type sleeper of the draft - Paul Reed, the 6'9 220 lb forward from DePaul. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/paul-reed-5.html His last game - he had 5 blocks and 4 steals, outstanding rebounder, has even shown signs of being a 3 point shooter - though he doesn't take many, 75% foul shooter, makes 61.7% of his 2's. He was very good as a sophomore, so he's not a 1 hit wonder as a 20 year old junior.

Great find, Ruz -- his numbers this year & last are great. Even as a freshman, except for committing a ton of fouls his numbers were pretty good.

This is a pretty good video breakdown:

Watch on YouTube

You can see some problems (can't shoot w/ left hand at all), but he still looks very good.

[Ruzious]

I think I finally found the Brandon Clarke type sleeper of the draft - Paul Reed, the 6'9 220 lb forward from DePaul. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/paul-reed-5.html His last game - he had 5 blocks and 4 steals, outstanding rebounder, has even shown signs of being a 3 point shooter - though he doesn't take many, 75% foul shooter, makes 61.7% of his 2's. He was very good as a sophomore, so he's not a 1 hit wonder as a 20 year old junior.

Great find, Ruz -- his numbers this year & last are great. Even as a freshman, except for committing a ton of fouls his numbers were pretty good.

This is a pretty good video breakdown:

Watch on YouTube

You can see some problems (can't shoot w/ left hand at all), but he still looks very good.

Coming out of HS, he was not highly thought of, because he was considered an undersized small forward at 6'5 170 lbs, but he supposedly had a 4 inch growth spurt before his freshman year and just kept getting stronger and better than people expected - finally getting more PT this season.

So far, Paul Reed and Tyler Bey are my favorite targets for a Pif-style trade down or trade up or just plain trade - forwards who can make a defensive impact and do other stuff.