Draft Thread Continued. 2011 part two...

[Zonkerbl]

meh, if this lottery is so horrible then the LAST thing you want is a top 4 pick. I think picking in the 5-8 range is fine, as long as you don't strike out.

[no D in Hibachi]

In this draft I mainly want to draft more players who have a decent head on their shoulders and are driven to win. I think in order to eventually become a championship caliber team we need another superstar other than Wall who has some crazy work ethic, and a great attitude.

Even as a duke fan...

This is where I stopped reading your post

[FAH1223]

there are no super stars in this draft, Lightz

[hegotgame132]

I'm not worried about our draft spot. The basketball gods have taken note of Ted, Irene, and this organization. We'll get up to the top 3.

Doesn't everyone remember that we jumped up from 5th last year to get Wall, and that the team with the worst record hasn't gotten the top pick in like a decade?

We'll be fine.

I'm going to try an analogy to dispell the basketball gods are with us!/look what happened previous years angle to the nba lottery. Let's say you roll a 10 sided die 10 times and it comes up 1 2 or 3 all 10 times. The odds of the 11th roll being top 3 are still 30%. The nba lottery is just like rolling a 14 sided weighted die 1 time. What happens the previous year has no baring on the next one. I'm rooting for us to win because I can't root against my team, but I realize losing creates a little more weight in our side of the die, limits how far we can slide, and is probably better for the long term future of the franchise.

[hegotgame132]

meh, if this lottery is so horrible then the LAST thing you want is a top 4 pick. I think picking in the 5-8 range is fine, as long as you don't strike out.

If there was a large pick up game at your local ymca and the talent pool was below average you are saying you would want your pick to be worse? At least at the top of the draft you can get your choice of the talent to fit your needs and system. Saying our pick being lower is fine as long as we don't "strike out" is like your boss saying your work budget is being cut in half but you still need to meet the same quotas. You are given less to work with and expected to come up with the same results. It doesn't make sense.

[RT31]

In this draft I mainly want to draft more players who have a decent head on their shoulders and are driven to win. I think in order to eventually become a championship caliber team we need another superstar other than Wall who has some crazy work ethic, and a great attitude.

Even as a duke fan...

This is where I stopped reading your post

+1
Irving hasn't made a decision yet, but for a duke fan, you better hope he doesn't read the school paper...
http://dukechronicle.com/article/open-l ... rie-irving

[fishercob]

I'm not worried about our draft spot. The basketball gods have taken note of Ted, Irene, and this organization. We'll get up to the top 3.

Doesn't everyone remember that we jumped up from 5th last year to get Wall, and that the team with the worst record hasn't gotten the top pick in like a decade?

We'll be fine.

I'm going to try an analogy to dispell the basketball gods are with us!/look what happened previous years angle to the nba lottery. Let's say you roll a 10 sided die 10 times and it comes up 1 2 or 3 all 10 times. The odds of the 11th roll being top 3 are still 30%. The nba lottery is just like rolling a 14 sided weighted die 1 time. What happens the previous year has no baring on the next one. I'm rooting for us to win because I can't root against my team, but I realize losing creates a little more weight in our side of the die and is probably better for the long term future of the franchise.

I understand the statistics. But I have a direct line to the basketball gods; I meditate a lot while doing handstands on two basketballs. It's all good.

[Benjammin]

So Henson and Zeller are staying and Barnes is still deciding (noticed this on the draft forum).

http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-ba ... 11aab.html

I think Henson has a real chance to improve his stock to be a top 6 guy. I don't know how much Zeller would improve from the 20-25 range. I maintain that Barnes as a likely top 5 guy doesn't have anywhere to go but down if he doesn't improve, is injured, etc.

[eitanr]

My top 3 would be Williams, Kanter, P. Jones

The 3rd guy there is really the likliest pick the Wiz end up with since if they stay at 5 Kanter is likely gone. If they move up to the top 3 and not the 1st and D. Williams has been taken, then Kanter is likely theres.

Most percentages show that the odds is the Wiz do not end up with a top 3 pick and will likely land somewhere between 5 and 6. That is Perry Jones territory.

So the question will be P. Jones or J. Vesley?

To me both will be seen as those tweener lengthy threes with explosive athleticsm that can run with Wall. Perry Jones to me just seems like the more athletic guy who can run better with Wall and play a quick 4 in a pinch more.

I understand the stashing notion, but I feel a year under your belt of NBA experience could do wonders especially if the coaching staff gives him some chances. He was also a consensus number one pick prior to the season which would lead some to believe had he been given a situation where he could play his natural position or better system, he could have been a better player. I just feel playing alongside Wall could greatly benefit the kid.

I also do agree on the Jimmer Freddette trade value notion. I feel Jimmer's value will be farely high with many teams and selecting him could result in a great trade by maybe nabbing a lower pick AND getting a pick next year etc.

I feel the team that could be most interested in Jimmer is the Utah Jazz. BYU product, he's white, hybrid of Stockton and Hornie...he'd sell tix...the whole nine yards.

Unfortunatley if things stay the way they are, Utah can likely select him with their own pick or later pick...if they are wise. Unless Utah, who also needs a legit center, really likes one of Voluncious or Kanter or one of the centers that could fall to their first pick at around 6.

So really I'd look into perhaps dealing the 5th or 6th pick to Utah for their 12th pick and their GSW 2012 pick, I don't think I can do better than that.

Then I can use that 12th pick on Terrence Jones who I like anyway perhaps more than some of the aforementioned talents, but who'd be there at 12. Now I have that very valuable extra pick in a deeper draft in 2012.

Utah could then end up with Jimmer and one of the Euro centers they may like....everyone wins.

[LyricalRico]

So really I'd look into perhaps dealing the 5th or 6th pick to Utah for their 12th pick and their GSW 2012 pick, I don't think I can do better than that.

I'd absolutely do that, primarily for the 2012 pick. The only way I think twice is if Harrison Barnes is still on the board (I'm assuming Williams will be gone by #5). But I'd probably still do it.

[thinker07]

Kyrie Irving officially declares for draft according to Chad Ford.

[eitanr]

So really I'd look into perhaps dealing the 5th or 6th pick to Utah for their 12th pick and their GSW 2012 pick, I don't think I can do better than that.

I'd absolutely do that, primarily for the 2012 pick. The only way I think twice is if Harrison Barnes is still on the board (I'm assuming Williams will be gone by #5). But I'd probably still do it.

It makes a lot of sense if you let the logic settle in.

In a scenario where:

Washington has the 5th pick and Utah has the 6th pick....

If you're Utah I don't think you love Devin Harris as your future PG and you are looking for a perimeter scorer in the draft who can shoot the three ball and make more sense for the post presence trio of Favors/Milsap and Jefferson.

I just see Fredette as a potential franchise savior for them. He could sell tickets, could do really well on that team with ths aforementioned post talent...and would just be loved by fans. I really don't see another lotto team that both the team and Fredette would benefit more from. It makes too much sense.

I also feel Utah would like a Euro center in this draft. Voluncious or Kanter. They'd want both.

I feel they'd consider that deal....I'd love to do it from a Washington POV. I only say no if the Wiz could end up with D. Williams and maybe Harrison Barnes if he comes out...maybe.

[fishercob]

Fredette's a franchise savior for the Jazz because he's Mormon? Yuck. I loathe that kind of thinking. Fredette's popularity will ultimately be tied to how good he is, no matter where he plays.

[Severn Hoos]

If the reports are true, there's one sigh of relief that Irving is in the draft. Trade bait, or pushes someone else down to he Wiz slot. Good news.

Zeller's irrelevant. Henson might have been an interesting target in a trade-down, but also irrelevant to whichever top 6 pick the Wiz will end up with. They are relevant, however, if they convince Barnes to stay in school. Right now, I'd be happy with Williams, fairly happy with Barnes, satisfied with Kanter, and hoping for blind luck on anyone else.

@Dat - if those guys are gone and I'm looking at PJ3 or Euros? I'd probably have to punt - trade down or out for a pick next year. Though in reality, I'd chicken out and take Perry, only because I'd be afraid to see him blow up somewhere else.

[dobrojim]

^ esp because while the overall state of UT is heavily mormon,
SLC isn't nearly so much. At least that's what remember
someone explaining to me once.

[eitanr]

Fredette's a franchise savior for the Jazz because he's Mormon? Yuck. I loathe that kind of thinking. Fredette's popularity will ultimately be tied to how good he is, no matter where he plays.

I don't want to be that guy, but yes it matters. He needs to be in a situation where he could dominant the ball and perimeter scoring...check. A situation where they have loads of post play and need a spacer badly..check. And in a situation where the fans may instantly adore him due to his background college in situation...that is a check.

He would be a very good fit for them. You wouldn't want him in Utah if you're the Jazz? I think he'd at least be in a situation where he'd get the shots, PT, and handle the offense...it would put him in a decent scenario to be successful...better than most.

And yes if he's decent, starts, he would sell tix.

[Lightz]

there are no super stars in this draft, Lightz

Ohh I'm aware it's a very weak draft, I follow college bball and high school recruiting very closely more so than the NBA. Superstar was the wrong word, star or even someone with star potential would have made more sense. I feel at least Irving, D. Williams, P. Jones, and maybe Barnes have star and possibly superstar potential because they're talented and seem to posses a certain "it" factor.

I thought Irving was gone all season, that horrible chronicle article certainly didn't help make a case for him staying though, that pissed me off when I read it. I hope the Wiz get the #1 pick again so we can get Irving and trade him for the #2 or #3 pick + something else (or for some valuable pieces), I feel like some of the teams are really excited about him as the #1 while we're kind of unsure who we'd even want to get with the pick.

Ohh and I expected the duke hate fully on this board (so many hoya and terp fans in the area), but I have seen quite a lot of people campaigning for Nolan Smith as a late 1st/2nd round pick, I think he'll be an effective bench player in the NBA. Singler I'm not so sure about, I don't know if he'd be a good pick for us (particularly if he's forgotten how to shoot the ball) except for the desired team attitude change I mentioned earlier.

[dangermouse]

I think there may be a few stars (3 or 4) in this draft, eventually, but no superstars. Although I dont really know much about Irving and how close to CP3 his game really is. If its as close as projected he may become a superstar. D.Williams... unlikely but possible. Perry Jones seems like too much potential and not enough substance, but hes another long shot.

Same as last draft, there were only two players whose name was ever mentioned with the word superstar, Wall and Evans. Only one is working out so far and should become a superstar, and we got him. I think there are probably 3 or 4 more players from last year who will become stars but i cant really see anyone else outside of Wall who have superstar written all over them.

[Dat2U]

There are no TIER I players in this draft. No John Wall. No Blake Griffin. No Kevin Durant. No stars. No certain all-stars either.

I don't see superstar when I see Kyrie Irving play. I see a very solid NBA PG who may be a top 10 PG in time. I think he'll struggle with some of the hyper athletes at his position. He might be the safest pick in the draft. But that doesn't mean he'll be the type to carry a franchise on his back.

Williams looks to be a very solid scorer in the NBA level. He needs to make an adjustment to mainly playing the SF position IMO. As a PF, he's a David West/Michael Beasley hybrid who will struggle mightily defensively and on the defensive boards. As a SF he could be a bigger, stronger Danny Granger and a potential all-star.

Along with Kemba Walker, those are the only TIER II players I see. Guys who are potential all-stars and definite starters in the league.

Perry Jones, Enes Kanter, Brandon Knight, Jan Vesely, Jonas Valanciunas are at the top of TIER III with a few others. Tier III is filled with potential and risks. Some of these guys may develop into solid starters, one or two might even develop into all-stars and some will be busts.

TIER IV includes at least 15-20 players IMO. This is the strength of the draft. From Kenneth Faried to Chris Singleton to Jordan Hamilton. Lots of potential NBA role players. Guys with limited ceiling but more than likely to contribute on the NBA level. Lots of relatively safe picks here to fill out NBA roster spots 8 through 12.

[verbal8]

If we are selecting 5th would you take one of the Euros: Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Jan Vesely, before taking Jones? I think that I would despite the huge up-side potential of Jones.

1. Irving
2. Williams
3. Barnes
4. Kanter
5. ?

I think sitting at 5 is a decent position for a trade-down.

The Jazz might be a good trade partner, they have 2 1st and probably want a high upside guy like Perry Jones. They would only be moving up 2 spots, so it probably costs the ATL pick, but I think for the Wizards in this draft 7 and 12 helps a lot more than 5 and 19.

Normally I don't think it would be a good idea to move out of the top 5, but there does not seem to be a lot of top level talent in this draft, but there seem to be a good number of players who could be decent contributors.

Jazz are at 6, not 7 and I think the team would only trade up into the top 3 instead of to 5.

For the Wizards to get the 5th pick, they would probably have a better record than the Raptors and have one team jump in the rankings. That pushes the Jazz to 7(unless the Kings make the jump).