2012 NBA Draft - Part V

[sfam]

He'll come right in and defend the Melo's and Lebron's and do a DAMN good job. Hell...I'll go as far as to say he has the potential to make one of the all defensive teams as a rookie.

Nobody can guard the Lebron's and Durant's of the league straight up. It requires help from the bigs. I'd much rather have an ordinary wing defender on them plus an exceptional big man help defender than vice versa. The problem with MKG is that we're going to have to find bigs with great offense to put around him, and unless you have an all-world big man, a big with good offense is typically a bad defender. And as I just said, an excellent wing defender plus a mediocre defensive big isn't as good defensively as a mediocre wing defender and an excellent defensive big.

I don't buy this. I think its still very important to have the equivalent of a lockdown defender. Look what happened with Boston - by the time the bigs got to him, Lebron was already full speed to the basket. While I absolutely agree that not MKG nor anyone else is going to "lockdown" Lebron or Durant, significantly better defense on them results in less drives to the basket and less wide open threes. They can make a difference.

I'm still sold on Beal first, but I think there's more than one way to skin the defense cat. Yes, it would be great if we had Dwight Howard guarding our basket. Unless you're going to risk a Drummond selection, we're going to have to find other ways to get it done. We could do worse than MKG with the 3rd pick.

[Severn Hoos]

I really hope the Wiz don't give up their 2013 pick without getting a legitimate starter (veteran or high enough pick this year) in return. My favorite scenario would have them taking Beal at #3, then managing two get two players from the following: Crowder, D. Lamb, Melo, Jenkins, Ezeli - probably in that order of preference.

Then, buy out Lewis, amnesty Blatche, and sign Ilyasova in FA. Ilyasova becomes the starter next to Nene, who mentors Seraphin until KS is ready to be the full-time starter in a couple years.

That leaves next year's draft pick as the best opportunity to round out the lineup. They'll probably have a late lotto pick, and could target a SF. Gorgui Dieng would be a nice rim protector (one of the biggest needs for the team).

And just for barely - no, I don't think that team is a true contender, certainly not without a lot of things going their way, like Wall surpassing Rose as a top 3 PG. But it does set them up nicely to be players in the trade market should the next KG-to-the-Celtics trade start to materialize.

[truwizfan4evr]

I think Thomas Robinson is the front runner to be drafted to the wizards. Much as i love Beal game he going to be solid for any team he joins. But i see Thomas Robinson as a 20/10 guy a night and a future all star how can you pass up on someone like that?

[sfam]

I think Thomas Robinson is the front runner to be drafted to the wizards. Much as i love Beal game he going to be solid for any team he joins. But i see Thomas Robinson as a 20/10 guy a night and a future all star how can you pass up on someone like that?

The question has to be asked them - who's going to block shots? A starting lineup on Nene and Robinson will not inspire fear for those driving to the rim.

[hands11]

I'm not a fan of Drummond...at least what I've seen of him thus far. But I hate it when people try to pigeonhole 18 year olds and say they are going to turn out like this player or that player. I know the temptation is to conpare and contrast college players with similar players who have either succeeded or failed in the NBA, but I prefer to give kids a chance to grow up before deciding their fate. Maybe that's just me.

Drummond is the kind of player who scares the hell out of GMs: They are scared to draft him because he has shown so little desire to be great. But, at the same time, they are scared to pass on him because of his tremendous upside.

Those are the ones you pass on if you are looking to take them high. Even crappy teams would be better taking a more sure thing and building a foundation first. Players like that can easily be had after there rook contract. See McGee. But McGee was taken mid first round. I wouldn't call him a bust for where he was taken. If he was drafted by a more organized team, he might be better then he is right now. He would have played his role and maybe you could extend him for the right price. At least you have a better shot at that happening.

Drummond is a GM killer. No way I would risk a top pick on a player like that. If he was smarter and with a more mature personality I would struggle with deciding more. But given what I have seen, I haven't really even considered him a choice. Not with Beal there. I'd rather have Terrance Jones.

[Benjammin]

I think Thomas Robinson is the front runner to be drafted to the wizards. Much as i love Beal game he going to be solid for any team he joins. But i see Thomas Robinson as a 20/10 guy a night and a future all star how can you pass up on someone like that?

I see 20/10 thrown around for a lot of players. How many players last year achieved that? Well, from 2005-2006 to 2011-2012 exactly 27 times this has happened, not 27 different players, mind you. That's a period of seven years, so approximately four players a year have achieved that.

I don't see Robinson ever averaging 20 points a game. That doesn't mean he wouldn't be a good pick if the Wizards could get value for Booker or Ves. However, it's not realistic to think that Robinson will ever be a 20/10 guy.

[hands11]

Uh, those stats are useless without context. Zeller and Melo were both role players that didn't get consistent playing time (7.8 MPG and 9.9 MPG, respectively). There's really no conclusions that can be drawn from their freshman numbers. Even peripherals and rate-based stats are pretty useless with that little playing time.

Also, we're talking about Drummond in terms of a early lottery pick, whereas Zeller would be a lat lottery/mid-1st pick and Melo a late-1st/early 2nd round pick.

Like I stated in my post, those guys played less minutes, but it was for a reason. If both of those guys were so good or even as good as Drummond was as a Fr., they would've earned more minutes.

And even though guys like Zeller and Melo are ranked lower on the draft boards, I've seen a number of posters here saying they'd rather have Zeller or Melo than Drummond.

Put me on that list. And twice on Sunday.

[hands11]

Lord this shot and offense are so broken. There is no way he is going to fix this terrible shooting motion

The kid is all energy but he doesn't know where he is going on offense. It is great for defense and transition offense on break but he has a lot of work to do.

Those that wanted Ves to shoot more last year... well at least he know he wasn't ready to do it.

[theboomking]

I'm starting to be more and more in the Beal camp. Crawford and #3 for #2 overall? Crawford is such a terrible chucker that I don't really see him as having much value, but Jordan might. If we could find a way to add Jenkins and Crowder later on, I'd be thrilled. Adding Beal, Crowder and Jenkins and dumping Blatche and Crawford would really change the composition of this team for the better.

[hands11]

dont forget TRob took a team who lost two NBA 1st rounders the year before to the NCAA finals.

Robinson will likely average a double double next year if he gets starters minutes.

Easy to see that happening but I doubt he will be there when we pick.

Of the players who get trashed a lot, the one I wonder about a little is Barnes. I haven't liked him dating back to last year. Its not his physical tools but what is between his ears. He seems to weak minded. But as a third fiddle with the right coach, he will be a solid player in the NBA. Maybe in time he will get groomed to be more assertive. But changing a player who isn't that way into one that is is something I never want to gamble on. If you would mix Barnes and MGK together, you would have a great great player.

So frustrating when a player with all the tools can't get the last piece which is their mind. But the mind needs to be groomed as well. It is one of the most important skills to have. A great car with a crappy driver is just going to end up in a ditch.

Barnes has more between his ears then Drummonds. He isn't a stupid kid at all. This is why I wonder about him more then some of the others. Seems like a kid that was pampered to much maybe. In a few years, he could come around. Right now he has a little to much Jarivs in him for my liking. Someone need to toughen him up. Get him in a boxing ring would be the best thing for him.

[Dark Faze]

Robinson would be a mistake. Those flashy athletic PF's come along every year and look bad in the NBA unless they are a legit 6'10. Avoid T-Rob.

MKG isn't flashy but he's the BPA after Davis.

I feel like people are just falling in love with Beals stroke. I really am not seeing anything that makes me think he's got all-star worthy potential. He doesn't create shots off the dribble...which you have to do to be an elite scorer.

I'm not sure if Barnes isn't a better pick. Barnes and Beal are basically the same player except Barnes is more athletic and is taller.

MKG kind of lives for basketball. He's got everything you want other than the offense and with his fire it'd be dumb to bet against his ability to create a servicable jump shot as his career goes on.

[hands11]

nba.coms latest mock
http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/s ... index.html

Right. That is what I see happening. for 1, 2, 3, 4. Actually, I think that would be the way it goes down for 5, 6, 7, 8 as well. I think T Jones could go higher though.

[jivelikenice]

I like Beal, but don't understand the comment or reason to void T-Rob.

My concern is over roster makeup. In all likelihood, if this team is going to do anything, Wall and this pick will have to be the two best players on the roster. Ideally we can add a 3rd piece via FA or a trade down the road but we have to hit on this pick, and hit big. If that's the approach, how do you want the roster made up so that they can be an eventual conference contender?

If you take Beal, your two best players will be guards. How many teams are built around a PG and a SG as the two best players? Not one team in this year's playoff is constructed around the PG and SG as the two stars. If you surround them with enough complimentary pieces they can probably be effective, but will a team built like this every be a true conference contender? I doubt it, unless a 3rd major frontcourt piece can be acquired via FA or a trade. If you take Beal you also have holes at SF and uncertainty about who starts at PF (Can Nene play the 4 consistently?)


If you take MKG, your two best players are a PG and a SF. This formula has worked. In this case a lot would depend on how effective and efficient offensively Wall and MKG can become. MKG's length, hustle, and speed would give us a 3rd guy who can defend and get out and run the floor which would become part of our identity. Shooting guard and PF would still be question marks but its likely easier to find a 2 guard in this scenario than it would be to find a SF in the previous Beal scenario as we'd really just be targeting a pure shooter type who can space the floor.

if you draft T-Rob, your two best players will be a PG and a PF; again a more traditional roster makeup that has worked for deep playoff teams. SG and SF would be needs, but if Robinson does become a 17-20 ppg player who can get you 10 rebounds, it won't be necessary to get a star at the 2 or the 3, just effective swings who can space the floor and drive on occasion. A young Caron type for example would be a good fit.

Beal may be the best fit now because of the shooting he brings, but is building around a PG and a SG really a winning formula? How many times have we seen these amazing backcourts on paper that never panned out?

[jivelikenice]

Btw, I don't want my post to be viewed as an indictment of Beal. He is growing on me as a prospect. But the question is can a team be built around a 1 and a 2?

[truwizfan4evr]

I think Thomas Robinson is the front runner to be drafted to the wizards. Much as i love Beal game he going to be solid for any team he joins. But i see Thomas Robinson as a 20/10 guy a night and a future all star how can you pass up on someone like that?

The question has to be asked them - who's going to block shots? A starting lineup on Nene and Robinson will not inspire fear for those driving to the rim.

It's Not like we getting a shot blocker anyway i want the best talent and Thomas Robinson is. We played solid defense with out shot blocking last season when Javale was traded. Beal don't help are shot blocking cause either. If we really wanted a shot blocker that bad we just get it in free agent or late in draft. Shot blocking is very overrated in my opinion. I'm sure Thomas Robinson can get a block a game he has nice hops and we just have to play good team basketball to win games. Guys Getting one or two blocks don't make you a great defensive team. Regardless you have to play good team defensive to win in nba. No way I would pass on Thomas Robinson cause he's not a good shot blocker that just nuts.

[truwizfan4evr]

I like Beal, but don't understand the comment or reason to void T-Rob.

My concern is over roster makeup. In all likelihood, if this team is going to do anything, Wall and this pick will have to be the two best players on the roster. Ideally we can add a 3rd piece via FA or a trade down the road but we have to hit on this pick, and hit big. If that's the approach, how do you want the roster made up so that they can be an eventual conference contender?

If you take Beal, your two best players will be guards. How many teams are built around a PG and a SG as the two best players? Not one team in this year's playoff is constructed around the PG and SG as the two stars. If you surround them with enough complimentary pieces they can probably be effective, but will a team built like this every be a true conference contender? I doubt it, unless a 3rd major frontcourt piece can be acquired via FA or a trade. If you take Beal you also have holes at SF and uncertainty about who starts at PF (Can Nene play the 4 consistently?)


If you take MKG, your two best players are a PG and a SF. This formula has worked. In this case a lot would depend on how effective and efficient offensively Wall and MKG can become. MKG's length, hustle, and speed would give us a 3rd guy who can defend and get out and run the floor which would become part of our identity. Shooting guard and PF would still be question marks but its likely easier to find a 2 guard in this scenario than it would be to find a SF in the previous Beal scenario as we'd really just be targeting a pure shooter type who can space the floor.

if you draft T-Rob, your two best players will be a PG and a PF; again a more traditional roster makeup that has worked for deep playoff teams. SG and SF would be needs, but if Robinson does become a 17-20 ppg player who can get you 10 rebounds, it won't be necessary to get a star at the 2 or the 3, just effective swings who can space the floor and drive on occasion. A young Caron type for example would be a good fit.

Beal may be the best fit now because of the shooting he brings, but is building around a PG and a SG really a winning formula? How many times have we seen these amazing backcourts on paper that never panned out?

I agree. Thomas Robinson and Nene would be hard to guard for any team. We would be a very scary team to play . A good point guard and a good two guard wizards would have but how many teams built on Two great guards and is a top team in nba? If you look at history big man win championships. Either it's good forwards or a center. If we get Robinson we would be kind of in the Utah situation.

[omegatronic3]

It seems to me the model to success is OKC.....what player in the draft give us close to what OKC has?

Call me crazy but I think Barnes kind of fits the bill. I'm not calling him KD by any means but he is a big 3 who can shoot. He shoots better than Beal and by all accounts is more athletic. Barnes does kind of have calbert chaney writen all over him though.

MKG or Barnes would be my picks. He may not have monster hops but the basket is only 10ft and he can definitely get that high.

[dangermouse]

I feel like people are just falling in love with Beals stroke.

We are but feeble men, it is hard not to fall in love with something so god damn pretty.

[verbal8]

nba.coms latest mock
http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/s ... index.html

[/quote]

It seems pretty reasonable. I wonder if Brand gets amnestied or traded if they draft Sullinger. He is a bit overpaid, but I could see a lot of interest.

[nate33]

I like Beal, but don't understand the comment or reason to void T-Rob.

My concern is over roster makeup. In all likelihood, if this team is going to do anything, Wall and this pick will have to be the two best players on the roster. Ideally we can add a 3rd piece via FA or a trade down the road but we have to hit on this pick, and hit big. If that's the approach, how do you want the roster made up so that they can be an eventual conference contender?

I don't think any player available at #3 will be a superstar in the Kevin Durant mold. We won't be modeling ourselves after Miami, OKC, New York or San Antonio with 2-3 stars plus role players. Our team has just one potential superstar (Wall, I hope) plus a collection of hopefully very good players. We need to try and model ourselves after the Celtics, or the 2004 Pistons which had 4 or 5 very good players but no top 10 superstar. Or maybe we can be the Chicago Bulls with one superstar and a bunch of other guys who play great defense.