Draft Thread Continued. 2011 part two...

[Hoopalotta]

God bless the Anaheim Kings, they pulled off a win against Golden State and now we'd have to win both of our last games to have worse than the 4th slot.

Definitely the most desirable draft victim from an objective perspective - they're moving and the people of Sacramento would just be stung all the worse if they got a good pick and the people of Anaheim will be excited with a new team no matter what.

So, it just feels right to hope for the Kings getting screwed. It's the only humane choice.

[Dark Faze]

Looks like someone out there still kind of likes us...

We still have a shot at the #3 spot. The Raptors have the Bucks and Miami left...no chance against the Heat but I could see the Bucks tanking hard. If they lose to the Bucks then they clench the 3rd lotto spot.

The Wiz will lose to Boston because if they win out they will have the tiebreaker over the Heat.

That would potentially leave us with a shot at getting the third seed if we lose on the road to the Cavs...which is 50/50. We're terrible on the road but its the friggin Cavs...watch the Wiz blow em out...

[dangermouse]

Its possible Bismack Biyombo could be older than 18, as he was born in the Congo... But the million dollar question is, at what age did he start playing basketball?

Saer Sene started very late in his life in Senegal, i think almost in his mid teens, due to soccer being pretty much the only sport in that country.

That will determine wether Bismack has the foundation to be a successful player, to be an Ibaka or even a Mutombo instead of a Sene. He certainly has the physical gifts, and he already has more intl. experience than Saer did, so i'm not ready to write him off. Saer was physically gifted at a genuine 7ft with a 7'8" wingspan. Bismack's measurements are of a physcial freak. A superfreak. But Saer didnt have the foundation, despite his physical gifts he looked lost in the court time he recieved in Seattle. Now hes in the french league and can still barely crack a spot in a rotation.

If he is there, and he probably will be, with the #18 (Hawks) pick... I think we should at least consider him. We can stash him overseas or in the d-league for a couple of years. I normally shy away from getting excited over these kind of project guys, they often dissapoint more than they produce. But we have time on our side and this guy seems like he could be alright.

Edit: However, I think we should take someone 'safer' with the Hawks pick if we end up a little dissapointed in the top of the draft and have to pick Kanter or someone like that... But if we manage to land a quality prospect like DWill or Irving (trade bait) i think we should take a flyer on the high risk/high reward Bismack.

[Hoopalotta]

The Raptors have the Bucks and Miami left...no chance against the Heat but I could see the Bucks tanking hard. If they lose to the Bucks then they clench the 3rd lotto spot.

It's actually quite possible for the Raptors to beat the HEAT pending tomorrow as it's the last game of the season and the HEAT almost surely don't play their big three then if they have the 2-seed locked up.......



.....but, the only way for them to have the 2-seed locked up is for us to beat the Celtics.



As it happens, the HEAT and the Celts are vying for the 2 spot while we and the Raptors are vying for the 3rd slot in the lottery, but with each of the pairs playing one from the other pair, thus creating a feedback loop (or, as it's known in German, a "veird vloop").

Because the Celts have the tiebreaker over the HEAT, if we lose to the Celts tomorrow, the HEAT MUST beat the Raptors to either insure or contend for the 2 seed (pending their game against the Hawks). Conversely, if we beat the Celtics while the HEAT beat the Hawks, it almost forces the Canadians into another win too (I'd give them 5-to-1 odds at home against a HEAT squad led by Bibby and Howard).



So really, the better part of the odds is riding on us against the Cavaliers and the Canadians against the Bo-gutless Bucks. Most likely, that is where the great tank battle will be won or lost.

[likwitdesi]

We have to take Chris Singleton with the #18 pick. It is, by far, the most sensible choice. Getting one of the best wing-defending prospects in years would be a major coup. If you bring Nick back and add someone to the frontcourt, that presents a very solid foundation.

[verbal8]

If we're in the top 4 of the lottery I think we're positioned nicely to draft an impact player. Presuming Barnes declares, I anticipate the top four picks being:

1) Irving
2) Williams
3) Kanter/Barnes
4) Barnes/Kanter

Now the Wiz Kids could use either one of Williams, Kanter, or Barnes and I'd be perfectly happy. I think the scenario that's more interesting is if we fall outside of the top 4. Like many here, I really don't want a project. If Ted's suddenly has a rush of poor luck and we finish 5th in the lottery, would you trade the ATL pick and the 5th to move up 2 or 3 slots or perhaps more? For example:

Cleveland - Irving
Minnesota - Williams
Sacramento - Kanter
Toronto - Harrison
Washington - ???

What would be reasonable trades for the Wiz to get into the top 4?

I think it will likely take the ATL and a future pick(with some protection) to move up at the front of the draft. The only scenario I see a team letting us move up for just the ATL pick is if they are swapping picks and could take the guy the Wizards want, but actually want someone else.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

SAC wins by a point.

Speaking of the Kings winning, it seems Dalembert and Cousins are playing well together, apparently with Cousins at PF.

From RealGM Wiretap:

With Sam's injury and DeMarcus' need to develop and play power forward without fouling, and the logjam we had at power forward, it took a long time to put that lineup out there," said Kings coach Paul Westphal. "It's something that we hope is together for many years."

Lately, Cousins and Dalembert are looking comfortable playing with each other. They have started 23 games together, including the last 20.

The Kings have learned that Dalembert and Cousins complement each other better than expected. Both can make mid-range jump shots and rebound. And Dalembert has gotten better at finding his offense when Cousins is rolling.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1JDVvLU3m

With all the talk about Blatche trade scenarios, (good posts BTW, eitanr and others) I have been wondering about trading Andray and one of the picks for Cousins. My dream scenario for rapidly improving the Wizards would be to have Cousins next to McGee. That probably can't happen now. One thing that bodes well, however, is even if they select before the Wizards; I don't see the Kings drafting Kanter or Williams. If what Westphal said is true they are happy with DeMarcus.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Regarding Jared Sullinger's decision to stay in school, I am glad to hear Glen Davis speak out and advise Sullinger to at least test the waters. He's the one player who I feel can go nowhere but down in the draft by staying.

From RealGM wiretap:

Glen Davis was a thickly built post player at LSU who wowed NBA scouts with his skill and athleticism after a successful college season.

Davis’s desire to improve his draft stock, as well as his enjoyment of college life, led to him staying in school for another year, allowing scouts to dissect his game, and rethink his size and desire. Davis dropped to the second round after initially believing he was a lottery pick.

“[That extra year] just gives them a chance to critique you, see what kind of player you are,’’ Davis said. “You’ve got to go while you’re hot, or at least test it out. Don’t hire an agent. That’s what I could have done, just to see.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1JDYD6Nu8

[eitanr]

Everyone always feels it is a loyal and maybe morally correct jesture for athletes to stay in school, but in Sullinger's case and perhaps a few others, it is far smarter to leave early than stay.

Sullinger would be a bonafide top 3 pick in this year's draft with no where to go but down in a deeper 2012 class. GMs love freshmen, but the only way for them to truly improve their stock for the next year is to have a far better soph season than their already stellar freshman campaign.

Barnes would be making a mistake for the same reason.

Those 2 guys will greatly affect the future of the Washington Wizards via that decision, it will change the whole scope of the draft in the top 6.

[tontoz]

@ the Wiz, Raps and Kings all winning on the same day.

[nate33]

I agree that Sullinger really should enter the draft. The thing about Sullinger is that he is already extremely polished. He has great footwork and great positioning for rebounding. I just don't see what he could really do to dramatically improve his draft stock going forward.

Yes, he needs to develop a perimeter shot (actually, he might already have one, we just don't get to see it), but scouts will overlook a lack of a shot from a freshman. He's a top 6 pick no matter what. After his sophomore year, he'll need that jumper just to maintain his draft stock in the 3-6 range. And if he doesn't improve, his draft stock will plummet.

I think you can make a case that Barnes won't be hurt that much by staying in school. Barnes has plenty of room for improvement and if he shows it, he could easily move up the draft board. Yes, there's some downside risk, but it's not like Sullinger. Sullinger has nowhere to go but down. Barnes could still move up a bit.

[fishercob]

I agree that Sullinger really should enter the draft. The thing about Sullinger is that he is already extremely polished. He has great footwork and great positioning for rebounding. I just don't see what he could really do to dramatically improve his draft stock going forward.

I can't say what someone else should or shouldn't do.

But I can see things from Sully's perspective. With the lockout looming, he could get drafted, have no team structure to lean on and not get paid for a year.

He comes from a good family, perhaps one with the means to buy a nice insurance policy should he get hurt his sophomore year. And while the draft will be held under the old CBA, I believe the draftees' new contracts will be under the new CBA, so who knows what he'll actually be making. He likes being in college; he may get to play for a national title. He'll have the opportunity to work on his body (silence some doubters) and his jumper.

Plus, if his draft stock falls, he'll get picked by a better team. Ask Big Baby and Dajuan Blair if they'd have preferred to play for crap-ass teams. Their success for contenders on national TV will make them an ass load of money on their new deals.

I'd like to see Sullinger in the draft, but I hardly think he's making a huge mistake.

[nate33]

Fair enough, fishercob. Perhaps I should have been more specific. Sullinger is making a mistake if his goal is to maximize his draft stock. Certainly, other considerations might outweigh the draft stock argument.

[20MexicanosIn1Van]

The thing is Sullinger can work on his game, body, etc. in the NBA with better trainers, personnel, and infrastructure. Plus, he doesn't have measly classes in his way interrupting his basketball training.

[fishercob]

The thing is Sullinger can work on his game, body, etc. in the NBA with better trainers, personnel, and infrastructure. Plus, he doesn't have measly classes in his way interrupting his basketball training.

Not if there's no season, he can't.

[Black Eyed Sooz]

Anyone else catch Biyombo in the Nike Hoop Summit they showed on comcast sports yesterday? I'd have to say he lived up to the hype, and if anything looked even more athletic and explosive than in those grainy youtube clips. He was just a man amongst boys (and yes his age is an issue, he looked maybe 20-22 to me, but I'm just guessing) on a World team that didn't have a lot of weapons besides him.

My quick impression on him physically is: a young Elvin Hayes on steroids. Obviously he's not ever going to have the kind of shooting touch that E had, but again that physical presence on the boards and in the paint, fluidity of movement, and shotblocker's timing that was very impressive against a US team that has a lot of skilled, smart, athletic players.

Draftexpress has him up at #8 in their latest... pretty good for a guy that a lot of us weren't sure was an actual human being or some Sidd Finch-like work of fiction about a month ago.

[The Consiglieri]

We have to take Chris Singleton with the #18 pick. It is, by far, the most sensible choice. Getting one of the best wing-defending prospects in years would be a major coup. If you bring Nick back and add someone to the frontcourt, that presents a very solid foundation.

I keep hearing this but I think other teams are probably wise to this as well. Why wouldnt a team in the 10-16 zone be thinking, "We gotta get Singleton, he's....yada...yada yada...?"

I dont think we're going to be able to land him w/o a trade up unless he stinks it up in workouts and camps in which case we may not want him in the first place. Again, i understand and agree w/the thinking, i just have a hard time seeing him there if he projects this well and doesnt screw up his rep.

[tontoz]

Anyone else catch Biyombo in the Nike Hoop Summit they showed on comcast sports yesterday? I'd have to say he lived up to the hype, and if anything looked even more athletic and explosive than in those grainy youtube clips. He was just a man amongst boys (and yes his age is an issue, he looked maybe 20-22 to me, but I'm just guessing) on a World team that didn't have a lot of weapons besides him.

My quick impression on him physically is: a young Elvin Hayes on steroids. Obviously he's not ever going to have the kind of shooting touch that E had, but again that physical presence on the boards and in the paint, fluidity of movement, and shotblocker's timing that was very impressive against a US team that has a lot of skilled, smart, athletic players.

Draftexpress has him up at #8 in their latest... pretty good for a guy that a lot of us weren't sure was an actual human being or some Sidd Finch-like work of fiction about a month ago.

Didn't see the game but what a wild story.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Bis ... ombo-5902/

[nate33]

I don't see how Singleton is any different from Booker. Seems like a redundant pick to me.

As I've said before, you can't make up for the lack of toughness in our primary rotation by adding a bunch of redundant tough role players. The problem is that none of Blatche, Lewis or McGee are tough. A 2nd unit of Singleton, Booker and Seraphin won't change that fact. They'll just come in and clang perimeter shots.

[eitanr]

With that 18th pick I'd rather look for a 4/5 potential role player who to me seems more of a "veteran-rookie" in that he could be someone who contributes right away into a specific role. I feel Markief Morris would be that guy at 18. He seems to be in that blue collar solid role player mold of Antonio or Dale Davis, Udonis Haslem type that can come in board, provide some low post action and just added depth at the PF/C shot.