Lather me with blather -- DRAFT thread 4

[SUPERBALLMAN]

If Kanter isn't there @6 (or DWill duh) I'm not sure I don't just
go ahead and take Singleton there. Is it a reach? Definitely.
Like him a lot as a player though.

+1 on Fish's comments on possible Wiz-EK interactions.
Any of that might be going on. We just don't know.

I'd prob go Kanter, Valanciunas, Singleton, but I pretty much agree with you. And Fish for that matter. Ernie NOT showing signs of liking a player is Ernie showing signs of liking a player.

I also agree. I like Singleton better than Leonard and Vesely. I would consider taking him at 6 if Jonas and Kanter and Williams are off the board.

I'm on board with this. I like Singleton alot, he's definitely got starting SF talent, has as much upside as Leonard and more of a sure thing, fits in an uptempo style, high effort and intensity level, and if nothing else will improve our defense.

I would absolutely love a Singleton, Vucevic, Thompkins draft.

[Jay81]

+1 on Fish's comments on possible Wiz-EK interactions.
Any of that might be going on. We just don't know.[/quote]

I'd prob go Kanter, Valanciunas, Singleton, but I pretty much agree with you. And Fish for that matter. Ernie NOT showing signs of liking a player is Ernie showing signs of liking a player.[/quote]

I also agree. I like Singleton better than Leonard and Vesely. I would consider taking him at 6 if Jonas and Kanter and Williams are off the board.[/quote]


I'm on board with this. I like Singleton alot, he's definitely got starting SF talent, has as much upside as Leonard and more of a sure thing, fits in an uptempo style, high effort and intensity level, and if nothing else will improve our defense.

I would absolutely love a Singleton, Vucevic, Thompkins draft.[/quote]

Thats a good draft if your team finished 37-45. Not 20-62

[jivelikenice]

I would not be on board with Singleton @ 6. We'd be reaching too much just to fill specific roster needs. If we reach, I'd rather reach for a big like Tristian Thompson or further strengthen our backcourt with a superior prospect like Alec Burks there. We'd have a pretty dynamic 3 man backcourt with Wall, Burks, and Crawford.

[fishercob]

Thats a good draft if your team finished 37-45. Not 20-62

Let's presume you're right. So? How is one supposed to control -- or mitigate -- the fact that this is supposedly a bottom-heavy draft?

One answer I'm hearing is "swing for the fences" and hope the player you get proves "worthy" of his draft position. You take enough Dave Kingman cuts and you'll eventually knock one out of the AstroDome even if you strike out a lot, right?

Problem is that philosophy led to drafting Kwame Brown, McGee, Nick Young and sexy Lexy Pecherov, while passing on safer, "low upside" guys like Battier, Millsap, Carl Landry, Big Baby, etc -- more cerebral and productive types.

It's a really tough question and the stakes are high. I think it's critically important that the Wizards not get a lemon out of this draft -- even if that means getting a good player instead of a great one. Wall will be great. And with future cap room, Wall's draw, and lot of prospects, we'll have the means -- at some point -- to acquire another great player. I think good is good enough in this draft.

[Induveca]

If Kanter isn't in the cards, I'd take a flyer on Biyombo with the #6. Has a good nose for the basket and his videos are damn impressive. He's not a typical raw EU project.

Vesely? I'll pass even at 20 for our squad. He's MORE than a project. Can't shoot, 6'11" and very weak. He's an EU Anthony Randolph at best IMO. Good for a few highlight reels, but will settle for shots he can't make because he'll be outmuscled in the paint.

If the kid could shoot, you take a shot at him.......but I see no applicable NBA talent due to his lack of strength.

[7-Day Dray]

We all knew Jonathan Givony wasn't as high on Kanter then everybody else is, but he's hitting him hard.

# Some new game footage of Enes Kanter is circulating from his prep school days. I'm watching one game now. It's fairly underwhelming stuff. about 3 hours ago

# I don't know if he's just tired here or what but he looks really lethargic playing vs very weak competition. Getting destroyed on defense. about 3 hours ago

# Watching some of the other Kanter games now. Pretty much the same story. Not putting any effort in. Playing zero defense. Not boxing out. 10 minutes ago

# I wasn't as high on Kanter as other media people prior to watching this, but now I'm legitimately concerned. Transition will be significant. 7 minutes ago

# Putting together some edits of the games I'm watching to give you guys an idea of what I'm seeing here. Should be up in next day or two. 3 minutes ago

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/twitter.php#ixzz1OWvEvt55
http://www.draftexpress.com

Looks like Kanter's stock is sliding.

[tontoz]

Thats a good draft if your team finished 37-45. Not 20-62

Let's presume you're right. So? How is one supposed to control -- or mitigate -- the fact that this is supposedly a bottom-heavy draft?

One answer I'm hearing is "swing for the fences" and hope the player you get proves "worthy" of his draft position. You take enough Dave Kingman cuts and you'll eventually knock one out of the AstroDome even if you strike out a lot, right?

Problem is that philosophy led to drafting Kwame Brown, McGee, Nick Young and sexy Lexy Pecherov, while passing on safer, "low upside" guys like Battier, Millsap, Carl Landry, Big Baby, etc -- more cerebral and productive types.

It's a really tough question and the stakes are high. I think it's critically important that the Wizards not get a lemon out of this draft -- even if that means getting a good player instead of a great one. Wall will be great. And with future cap room, Wall's draw, and lot of prospects, we'll have the means -- at some point -- to acquire another great player. I think good is good enough in this draft.

I agree with this philisophy but i don't agree about drafting Singleton. A wing player that struggles to score at 6? No thanks. I'll take Morris easily over Singleton. This team needs guys who can score more than anything, especially on the wing.

[pcbothwel]

Givony from DX just dropped some tweets after watching some more Kanter tape from his prep days. "Not impressed", "Underwelming", and "Getting killed on D by lesser opponents" were some of the quotes. As much as I like Kanter's skill level and work ethic, I really think Valanciunas will be the cream of the crop out of this draft.
JV @ 6
Harris/Singleton @ 18
Bertans/Tyler/J. Johnson @ 34

[Ruzious]

I would not be on board with Singleton @ 6. We'd be reaching too much just to fill specific roster needs. If we reach, I'd rather reach for a big like Tristian Thompson or further strengthen our backcourt with a superior prospect like Alec Burks there. We'd have a pretty dynamic 3 man backcourt with Wall, Burks, and Crawford.

There really aren't many - if any - good options at 6. Thompson is long, but he's under 6'9 and just 227 lbs at PF and with very limited offensive tools. Burks might be good, but picking him means your likely letting go of Nick Young, so you'd be basically recycling Nick. Singleton is solid, but the injury messed up his progress - and he supposedly got clearly bested by Marcus Morris recently. These players can help, but I think the Wiz need to do better.

[closg00]

dallas could really use a guy like crawford deep in playoffs off the bench

Dallas paid 3-Large for Dominique Jones and they aren't using him, they also have Beaubois. Jones is who they might need in this series.

[Ruzious]

Givony from DX just dropped some tweets after watching some more Kanter tape from his prep days. "Not impressed", "Underwelming", and "Getting killed on D by lesser opponents" were some of the quotes. As much as I like Kanter's skill level and work ethic, I really think Valanciunas will be the cream of the crop out of this draft.
JV @ 6
Harris/Singleton @ 18
Bertans/Tyler/J. Johnson @ 34

Sounds like he's looking at video from when Kanter was 15 or 16 - literally. Meantime, he was the MVP in offseason tournaments at every age. Givony's insights are interesting, but personally I don't buy into at least half of his evaluations of players who played in Europe. Usually he overrates them. Maybe he's appeasing the Euro's, because they don't like the fact that Kanter went to Kentucky instead of staying in Europe like loyal Jonny V. I'm a JV fan and I'd be happy with him as a Wiz, but I'd still take Kanter over him.

[GhostsOfGil]

wiz working out leonard and jordan williams 2morrow

http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/workout_060611.html

[doclinkin]

wiz working out leonard and jordan williams 2morrow

http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/workout_060611.html

And Keith Benson and Charles Jenkins and Jordan Hamilton. This one should be interesting. I'm real curious about Kawhi vs Jordan Hamilton.

Jordan Wms vs Benson should be intriguing as well. Wideload vs Longbody.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

I agree with this philisophy but i don't agree about drafting Singleton. A wing player that struggles to score at 6? No thanks. I'll take Morris easily over Singleton. This team needs guys who can score more than anything, especially on the wing.

I wouldnt be so quick to forget our defensive efficiency was 23rd in the league last year. We sucked all around in the most complete of fashions, on offense and defense. Give me the BPA who doens't play point guard and I'll be happy. (If only the "BPA" were that easy to determine...). If he's a rarified player who PRIDES himself on D like Singleton and also led his team in scoring in college, I certainly won't complain.

[WizarDynasty]

I am going to post this again and again. Tyler is a top 3 pick off talent and basketball iq, and will be our number post option starting season 2 and will also be our best post defender and rebounder filling all of the intangibles.. holes ect. left by Haywood and then some.

[penbeast0]

Let's assume worst case for us . . . .

1. Irving
2. Williams
3. Knight
4. Valanciulas
5. Kanter

6.?

BPA is probably Kemba Walker rather than pushing a Kawhi Leonard or Biyombi type role player to fill a position of need. Play him at backup PG and with Wall (who has the height to guard most 2s) and deal him for more talent than you are otherwise going to get when a team has a need.

[thinker07]

Wizards 2011 drafting guidelines:

1) Must be physically tough;
2) Must have a strong competitive fire;
3) Must be a good teammate fit personality and skill-wise for Wall; and

Did I forget guideline #1?

NO KNUCKLEHEADS

Can't see ANY possibility that Ted would sign off on Tyler, even if EG dared propose drafting him. Ted was deeply stung by the Arenas fake injury so Nick could play stunt - I talked to him the next day and he was literally in pain over it. I bet there was equal pain over the Baltche sponsored Wizards Lap Dance Night. There is ZERO chance that they'd take a guy like Tyler with his history of immaturity.

[tontoz]

I agree with this philisophy but i don't agree about drafting Singleton. A wing player that struggles to score at 6? No thanks. I'll take Morris easily over Singleton. This team needs guys who can score more than anything, especially on the wing.

I wouldnt be so quick to forget our defensive efficiency was 23rd in the league last year. We sucked all around in the most complete of fashions, on offense and defense. Give me the BPA who doens't play point guard and I'll be happy. (If only the "BPA" were that easy to determine...). If he's a rarified player who PRIDES himself on D like Singleton and also led his team in scoring in college, I certainly won't complain.

That is still a lot better than the offense which was only .6 points per 100 possessions out of last place. Plus defensive liabilities Gil and Yi are gone which will automatically improve the defense next year. If the bigs would actually box out on the defensive glass the defense wouldn't be that bad.

We also have to consider that this team is being built around Wall, a drive and dish pg who struggles to shoot from the perimeter. Adding a wing player that struggles from the perimeter doesn't make a lot of sense.

And regarding the BPA argument i don't see a case for Singleton being the BPA at 6, or even close. He may still be on the board at 18. His 13 ppg shooting 43% as a junior was pretty weak.

[Illuminaire]

Singleton at six would be a disaster of epic proportions.

I hope we can find a way to get Kanter. If not, I'm still hoping for a trade-back to get Leonard and a Morris brother. Or maybe just both Morris brothers. =p

[jivelikenice]

I would not be on board with Singleton @ 6. We'd be reaching too much just to fill specific roster needs. If we reach, I'd rather reach for a big like Tristian Thompson or further strengthen our backcourt with a superior prospect like Alec Burks there. We'd have a pretty dynamic 3 man backcourt with Wall, Burks, and Crawford.

There really aren't many - if any - good options at 6. Thompson is long, but he's under 6'9 and just 227 lbs at PF and with very limited offensive tools. Burks might be good, but picking him means your likely letting go of Nick Young, so you'd be basically recycling Nick. Singleton is solid, but the injury messed up his progress - and he supposedly got clearly bested by Marcus Morris recently. These players can help, but I think the Wiz need to do better.

Thompson may not have the ideal height, but his length makes up for that. In addition to that he seems to have a frame that can fill in a bit so size isn't an issue to me with him. You also have to take into consideration his defensive ability.

Burks is a much better prospect at SG than NY IMO. Burks is much more versatile and can create going to the hoop. Nick is a great shooter, but adds very little else to the game.