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

[dobrojim]

re McGee - I think it's a complete unknown right now what his
developmental timetable is going to be. The reason for this is
because it's a lot more mental than physical. The physical
part will come in a more predictable timeframe and it will
obviously be helpful but it won't change him into the player
he could ultimately be. He's got to learn how to play in the
NBA. That could happen next year, or it might never happen.
In any case, I think Fisher's right. No need to bash EG for
what is probably pure media speculation. If it did come to
pass, bash away.

On a completely different topic, I'm not a bit surprised that
Blair is moving up.

[jimij]

THE REASON I'M ALL OVER GRUNFELD RIGHT NOW is the talk about (more of the same) Jordan Hill being his pick, along with him (reportedly) trying to get Rubio or Thabeet at the expense of McGee and the pick.

CCJ - why are you worried about the "talk" about what EG is going to do in the draft? When it comes to the draft or trades, when does Ernie ever really let anything slip about what he's going to do? He just seems like a guy who keeps things close to the vest and any rumors that we hear about who he likes or dislikes are just that, rumors.

Now I do agree with you wholeheartedly about him overpaying for a number of players although I give him a pass for some of the signings due to Pollins influence (i.e. Thomas, Jamison, etc.), but I'm not too concerned about anything in the press regarding the Wizards because I just see it as disinformation.....

[Ruzious]

THE REASON I'M ALL OVER GRUNFELD RIGHT NOW is the talk about (more of the same) Jordan Hill being his pick, along with him (reportedly) trying to get Rubio or Thabeet at the expense of McGee and the pick.

CCJ - why are you worried about the "talk" about what EG is going to do in the draft? When it comes to the draft or trades, when does Ernie ever really let anything slip about what he's going to do? He just seems like a guy who keeps things close to the vest and any rumors that we hear about who he likes or dislikes are just that, rumors.

Now I do agree with you wholeheartedly about him overpaying for a number of players although I give him a pass for some of the signings due to Pollins influence (i.e. Thomas, Jamison, etc.), but I'm not too concerned about anything in the press regarding the Wizards because I just see it as disinformation.....

Exactly. Besides, there are other reasons that trade won't happen. The Wiz are not going to be patient enough to put up with Thabeet - as they want to win now - and he's going to take probably as long as McGee to develop (a longggg time). And... Rubio is not going to slip to 3. Guys, that trade is not going to happen, so don't sweat it.

[WizarDynasty]

One legged vertical is highly related to finishing at the rim while dribbling....its what makes kobe lebron chris paul ... Without having explosive one leg vertical...you can't be acrobactic and finsih at the rim when beating someone off the dribble. Rubio from footage I have seen has a very poor one legged vertical. Don't know yet about lawson. Blatche and mcgee don't have exceptional one leg vertical. Only two player on this team that have them are arenas and nick young..and we have seen nick beat someone off the dribble and hit reverse dunks....they measure this ability in predraft for the last 9 years so your in luck. :aving long arms helps in this department with big hands. Don't know how big lawson or rubios hands are but rajon rondo has gigantic hands that allow u to palm the ball which isn't measured in the combines. So the lil guy commenting on lateral quickness and wingspan...get with the program...these are all crucial categories when comparing player potential...each measurement translates to performance on bball court longterm and if u are a true realgm and not a novice poster u would be highly interested in how players compare on measurements since its your job to build a dynasty and outwit the eastern conference playoff gms..especially cleveland and orlando.

[lupin]

P'Oed, I wouldn't be surprised if Lawson's more effective right now.

Right now, Lawson is a better player than Rubio in almost every aspects, he's stronger, faster, better shooter than Rubio, other aspects such as passing and basketball IQ will become difficult to compare because they're inserted in different competitions, but from what I watched on TV, and watched many games of both players, they've a good basketball IQ which is reflected, in some way, in the quality of the pass. I don't need to talk about defense, everyone knows that rubio is very poor defensively, which is not the case with Lawson.

I've seen this sentiment with regards to Rubio many times. May I ask, then, if the following is a sarcastic award?

Spanish ACB League Defensive Player of the Year (2009)
[source: wikipedia]

[Mr. Grundle]

Sign me up for #5 + McGee for Rubio. This is why Ernie takes fliers on young bigs with potential, like Blatche, Pecherov, and McGee - they always have value and are great for putting an enticing trade package together. If I can use one of those assets along with the #5 pick to get one of two guys in the draft who everyone agrees has superstar potential, then I'm pulling the trigger.

This team is still in win-now mode. McGee won't realize his potential for years, if ever. We don't have time to wait on him. Rubio could contribute now and in the future.

[Ruzious]

P'Oed, I wouldn't be surprised if Lawson's more effective right now.

Right now, Lawson is a better player than Rubio in almost every aspects, he's stronger, faster, better shooter than Rubio, other aspects such as passing and basketball IQ will become difficult to compare because they're inserted in different competitions, but from what I watched on TV, and watched many games of both players, they've a good basketball IQ which is reflected, in some way, in the quality of the pass. I don't need to talk about defense, everyone knows that rubio is very poor defensively, which is not the case with Lawson.

I've seen this sentiment with regards to Rubio many times. May I ask, then, if the following is a sarcastic award?

Spanish ACB League Defensive Player of the Year (2009)
[source: wikipedia]

The question is - will his defense play in the NBA. On one hand, he's playing against men - as opposed to college players. Otoh, he's playing against men that are often not even close to NBA caliber athletes. I think he'll get his fair share of steals, but I question if he'll be a decent NBA defender.

[WizarDynasty]

Very true...if his lateral agility test are close to 10.50 then he is the real deal if its closer to 11.50 then a big no to be a good defender. From what I have heard he is skipping the measurement portion of the draft and if he does then we defibitely don't trade up for him because his footage shows he is a poor athlete.

[closg00]

That McGee + #5 for #3 trade will never happen. I'm not in the slightest bit worried. EG isn't an idiot.

I'm not so sure he isn't.

I like his eye for talent.

However, when it comes to overpaying guys and when it comes to going for potential (What will Rubio do in the next year or two for this struggling franchise?) and not regarding chemistry (What type of dude is Rubio?). (He should have also seen that Nick Young might not grasp many facets of the game too quickly IMO).

I think he let Tapscott do a bunch of dumb stuff.

I think the contracts of Daniels, Songaila, Stevenson, Arenas, and Jamison weren't as good as they could have been. Overall, I'd give Grunfeld a C- or a D for paying too much and negotiating against himself.

As for the draft Blatche was a hit where he was drafted. How about Pecherov and Young? Millsap alone would have been better than what Ernie did.

Also, on EJ getting fired: Outside of Andray, who did Grunfeld trade or draft that could play a lick of defense. McGee couldn't and we predicted as much on draft night. Well, I will give EG credit for McGuire and Stevenson being adequate defenders. HOWEVER, Ernie never got the defensive PF to break into Caron/Jamison getting killed by Cleveland year by year.

THE REASON I'M ALL OVER GRUNFELD RIGHT NOW is the talk about (more of the same) Jordan Hill being his pick, along with him (reportedly) trying to get Rubio or Thabeet at the expense of McGee and the pick.

Give me a break!

DCZards: I'd have held Grunfeld just as responsible or moreso for the Wizards 19-63 as Eddie. Thibs was a hire that should have happened. EG and Tapscott looked bad to me all season long. Ernie should have MADE EJ AND ED TAPSCOTT STOP PLAYING JAMISON, ARENAS, AND BUTLER TOO MANY MINUTES! The fact that Tapscott did the same thing EJ did, I put it on the GM.

Ernie Grunfeld has been no savior. This team won 19 freaking games last year.

Well-said +1

[closg00]

The McGee/Rubio trade discussions could be an indicator of the true-nature of Gilbert's knee surgery recovery. Perhaps the only way for Ernie to save-face after over-paying for what could be a permanently injured franchise player, would be to bring in what could be a new franchise player through the draft.

[DaRealHibachi]

One legged vertical is highly related to finishing at the rim while dribbling....its what makes kobe lebron chris paul ... Without having explosive one leg vertical...you can't be acrobactic and finsih at the rim when beating someone off the dribble. Rubio from footage I have seen has a very poor one legged vertical. Don't know yet about lawson. Blatche and mcgee don't have exceptional one leg vertical. Only two player on this team that have them are arenas and nick young..and we have seen nick beat someone off the dribble and hit reverse dunks....they measure this ability in predraft for the last 9 years so your in luck. :aving long arms helps in this department with big hands. Don't know how big lawson or rubios hands are but rajon rondo has gigantic hands that allow u to palm the ball which isn't measured in the combines. So the lil guy commenting on lateral quickness and wingspan...get with the program...these are all crucial categories when comparing player potential...each measurement translates to performance on bball court longterm and if u are a true realgm and not a novice poster u would be highly interested in how players compare on measurements since its your job to build a dynasty and outwit the eastern conference playoff gms..especially cleveland and orlando.

For every "stat" you name, there's players who were much above average with the limit physical traits you use... I'll say it again, if course these stats can help, but they shouldn't be a basis for an argument...

Kwame Brown had excellent measurements, look what happened to him... McGee can still be a beast, but dude can't defend or hold his position, Nick Young is a perfect 2 physically, but lacks bball IQ... Blatche has the perfect package, but lacks work ethic... Arenas has the physical traits to play D, but he doesn't... According to your logic, Haywood is slow or whatever you said he was, but he gets the job done...Butler is undersized, short wingspan, slow latteral and whatever you say he is, but is an average defender...

So, Mr selfproclaimed True RealGM (lol), you need to get with a new program... Yours isn't working...

[fishercob]

Stop it.

Let me remind you of the crux of CCJ's frustration:

THE REASON I'M ALL OVER GRUNFELD RIGHT NOW is the talk about (more of the same) Jordan Hill being his pick, along with him (reportedly) trying to get Rubio or Thabeet at the expense of McGee and the pick.

Again, this is all complete conjecture -- and should be taken with a further grain of salt given that Ernie never tips his hand when it comes to the draft. Howling at the moon....

[Ji]

did we really drop to #5 in this lottery? wtf

[DC_Ballin]

1) Why can't we give up Blatche instead of McGee in that deal? Blatche is a negative influence around the young guys and the fact that his work ethic is so poor will not sit well under a proven winner in Saunders. Get McGee some sort of big man coach/mentor, and the results will astounding.

2) According to the Washington Times, Grunfeld is not interested in Harden whatsoever. It seems like EG likes to draft athletes rather than actual basketball players. Harden could turn out like Roy and at least he'll turn out to become a Delonte West-type player.

[fishercob]

1) Why can't we give up Blatche instead of McGee in that deal? Blatche is a negative influence around the young guys and the fact that his work ethic is so poor will not sit well under a proven winner in Saunders. Get McGee some sort of big man coach/mentor, and the results will astounding.

2) According to the Washington Times, Grunfeld is not interested in Harden whatsoever. It seems like EG likes to draft athletes rather than actual basketball players. Harden could turn out like Roy and at least he'll turn out to become a Delonte West-type player.

He drafted Michael Redd, who can't jump over a phone book.

[DC_Ballin]

1) Why can't we give up Blatche instead of McGee in that deal? Blatche is a negative influence around the young guys and the fact that his work ethic is so poor will not sit well under a proven winner in Saunders. Get McGee some sort of big man coach/mentor, and the results will astounding.

2) According to the Washington Times, Grunfeld is not interested in Harden whatsoever. It seems like EG likes to draft athletes rather than actual basketball players. Harden could turn out like Roy and at least he'll turn out to become a Delonte West-type player.

He drafted Michael Redd, who can't jump over a phone book.

Yeah, with the the 48th pick...

[fishercob]

1) Why can't we give up Blatche instead of McGee in that deal? Blatche is a negative influence around the young guys and the fact that his work ethic is so poor will not sit well under a proven winner in Saunders. Get McGee some sort of big man coach/mentor, and the results will astounding.

2) According to the Washington Times, Grunfeld is not interested in Harden whatsoever. It seems like EG likes to draft athletes rather than actual basketball players. Harden could turn out like Roy and at least he'll turn out to become a Delonte West-type player.

He drafted Michael Redd, who can't jump over a phone book.

Yeah, with the the 48th pick...

True. The Times report should embolden the Tyreke Evans, Ty Lawson, and DeRozan supporters:

'm also hearing that the Wizards aren't at all interested in James Harden, believing that the Arizona State guard lacks the expolosiveness, athleticism and ball-handling skills that they're looking for.

[fishercob]

Mike Jones @ the Times on the McGee too Oklahoma rumor:

have it on very good authority that there is no truth to this whatsoever. Perhaps OKC has interest in McGee, which would make sense, but that doesn't mean the teams have had discussions. Often, I'm told, teams will throw rumors out there to get counterparts to nibble, thus starting up some discussions.

The Wizards are very happy with McGee and believe he will bloss0m into a multiple All-Star. Trading McGee would also put the Wizards on the market for another center of the future and backup to Brendan Haywood, because Etan Thomas is injury prone and has an expiring contract the Wizards would like to move.

[rsavaj]

Theoretically speaking, would you guys do #5 for 14+16?

[WizStorm]

Theoretically speaking, would you guys do #5 for 14+16?

Absolutely not. The roster is already slammed full with young players and more draft picks will only add to the problem. The Wizards are only in the market to either trade youth and/or draft picks for veteran players and possibly cut salary this offseason.