2012 Draft, Part VI (Draft Week is Here!)

[Knighthonor]

As of right now, the Wizards should start to talk nothing but Robinson. They need to scare the crap out of the Bobcats. If they really want them Robinson, make then pick him at #2.

Cleveland wants to give the 33 or 34 and the Cats want 24. So that is not a done deal. If 34 if all they will offer we can offer 32. That would make Cleveland have to step up offering the 24 to which we say fine...well take Robinson at #3. That would leave the Cats picking between MKG and Barnes at #4 which I think they could live with but it doesn't sound like it is what they want. So how badly do they want Robinson?

I don't think we can credibly threaten to draft TRob, but we can threaten to trade the pick. EG needs to secure a contingency pick swap deal with Sacramento. Let it be known that if TRob is on the board at #3, we will trade the pick for Sacramento. People will believe that because under that scenario, we'd still end up with Barnes or MKG at #5.

you a bad dude, or lady, or whatever you are...

[queridiculo]

That makes no sense at all to me, Beal would be a perfect partner for Wall. Perfect. And I'd actually prefer MKG and yet I'm still saying that.

Ditto, I prefer MKG, but Beal is clearly the better fit.

He can knock down the open jumpers, drive and finish around the basket, and more importantly, might make a great partner for Wall on the break with his ability to initiate the fast break after the rebounding.

[Knighthonor]

I didn't think the trade necessarily telegraphed Beal over MKG so while I haven't liked the deal, I wasn't really buying that criticism of it. Plus, I would have been OK with MKG as long as we picked up some shooting in round 2 and FA.

But I'm realizing I was wrong. It's not that Grunfeld said "I'm picking Beal" with the trade, it's that he said "I'm under no circumstances taking Thomas Robinson". The Wizards selecting TRob wasn't the most likely scenario due to the wing needs, but it was in play. If Charlotte wanted TRob, the only reason for them to hold onto the pick was fear that the WIzards would pick who they wanted.

At this point, the best play for Grunfeld is to at least appear to shop the pick like crazy, especially to teams who would likely pick a PF. The message has to be that if we don't get who we want at #3, Charlotte won't get who they want at #4. If there is a preference in the organization for one of MKG/Beal over the other, the worst thing he could do is appear to be content with #3 given the current situation. If Cleveland moves up, they get their preferred player who quite likely would be the same one the Wizards prefer.

problem is, they still want HB.

So if Trob is gone, they follow up with HB. they get what they want both ways.

Wizard's best bet is to again go Defense and tank for next year. Maybe MKG fits this best. With his Potential alone, and defense play, he makes a good pick for a Tank2Win team build plan.

just saying.

[The Consiglieri]

I could live with Barnes though he's my clear #3 behind MKG and Beal(4th actually with Robinson but we won't take him due to already being loaded with bigs).

No way do I want Drummond, kid's got Thabeet/Kwame/Blatche written all over him.

I have a real real big feeling a ton of people are going to regret not taking him, wondering why we could let a kid like that go, like how Garnett slipped so far in '95 (not because I think he is Garnett, because he isn't, particularly in terms of mental make up, but because of how far a talent with that raw ability fell for players with far lower ceilings) if we were lottery hosed, and picking at 5, I would have pulled the trigger on Drummond or a trade down without a second thought. He definitely wont be a Thabeet, at worst he'll be a fantastic defensive asset in the post, if he can learn how to play on the offensive end, and shoot a freaking free throw he could be dominant. Im hearing he has a much much better rept after interviews than before, but people are still scared off, and reasonably so. I really understand both sides of it to be honest, he scares the hell out of me, but passing on him if we traded down or for Barnes scares me far far more than tanking him would. Beal or MKG over him everyday of the week, but after that, I'd take him. You arent going to win a title without landing a talent like he "could" be, and we still don't have that talent on the roster.

The problem is, we already have plenty of bigs, and desperately need other qualities, so he doesnt make a ton of sense for us. I just could see us looking back, like the Warriors did in '97, '98 wondering how in hell they passed on Garnett, McDyess, and Sheed for freaking Joe Smith, wondering why we didnt take a flyer on a guy like Drummond. You shouldn't draft scared, you draft to win it all.

[7-Day Dray]

Beal is not the answer. He scream role player.

Drummond ftw!

[The Consiglieri]

Not sure what the infatuation with Barnes all a sudden is.

Honestly nobody has made a half decent argument for him on here, only guy who did was Bilas on the Herd this morning, first guy to make me not retch when thinking about a Barnes scenario. Don't get the repeated posts w/o any kind of explanation of why someone likes Barnes. Guess its hard to do with the largely mediocre body of work he put together at UNC, and the weird blend of intelligence and BBIQ, but iffy social skills, and no leadership ability (by iffy social skills I mean that he doesnt appear to mesh all that well with teammates, seems a little aloof).

[The Consiglieri]

Not sure what the infatuation with Barnes all a sudden is.

Everyone is coming to the realization we'll get Barnes so they're trying to look at the brightside..

THERE IS NO BRIGHTSIDE. The kid WILL be a bust.

That's not true. I hate the idea of picking him, but at worst, he'll be a highly effective catch and shoot option who can defend competently. A very smart player who will consistently make the right decisions, and there may be some upside there if he can play more instinctually. He's definitely not gonna be a bust, the argument against him is the high potential of a real low ceiling. The one thing for sure in this draft beyond Davis being a stud, and Beal being no worse than good is that Barnes has a very high floor. That's his chief selling point, and the weird numbers at the combine that have made everybody wonder why he doesnt put any of that agility, speed or vert to use in games.

[tontoz]

Beal is not the answer. He scream role player.

Drummond ftw!

And Drummond screams bust, just another big man (Kwame, Darko, Thabeet, Sene, etc) drafted too early.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If the Wizards want to draft someone out of Iowa, instead of Harrison Barnes wait until next season and draft Doug McDermott, his HS teammate.

[Ruzious]

Not sure what the infatuation with Barnes all a sudden is.

Everyone is coming to the realization we'll get Barnes so they're trying to look at the brightside..

THERE IS NO BRIGHTSIDE. The kid WILL be a bust.

That's not true. I hate the idea of picking him, but at worst, he'll be a highly effective catch and shoot option who can defend competently. A very smart player who will consistently make the right decisions, and there may be some upside there if he can play more instinctually. He's definitely not gonna be a bust, the argument against him is the high potential of a real low ceiling. The one thing for sure in this draft beyond Davis being a stud, and Beal being no worse than good is that Barnes has a very high floor. That's his chief selling point, and the weird numbers at the combine that have made everybody wonder why he doesnt put any of that agility, speed or vert to use in games.

I'd like Barnes fine - as a mid first rounder. He'd be a good fit here, but he's not a good enough player to pick with the 3rd pick.

[kirubel94]

If the Wizards want to draft someone out of Iowa, instead of Harrison Barnes wait until next season and draft Doug McDermott, his HS teammate.

Seriously, what is your obsession over McDermott?

[7-Day Dray]

Beal is not the answer. He scream role player.

Drummond ftw!

And Drummond screams bust, just another big man (Kwame, Darko, Thabeet, Sene, etc) drafted too early.

At least Drummond has star potential. I don't see that w/ Beal. I don't see any standout traits except maybe shooting, and I can't even say he's a standout shooter. His shooting percentages were mediocre. I understand that he has very good mechanics, and the average shooting for most of the yr could very well be a mirage, but I can't completely disregard it. He lacks an explosive 1st step, his handle isn't elite, and he might struggle finishing at the rim. He'll be a solid player, but I'm worried he'll be a jack of all trades, master of none kind of player. We don't need that kind of player, we need a star.

Drummond is an 18 y/o Fr. that put of respectable numbers. And he has physical tools you can't teach. Btw, Drummond is more athletic than everyone you listed.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If the Wizards want to draft someone out of Iowa, instead of Harrison Barnes wait until next season and draft Doug McDermott, his HS teammate.

If the Wizards want to draft someone out of Iowa, instead of Harrison Barnes wait until next season and draft Doug McDermott, his HS teammate.

Seriously, what is your obsession over? McDermott

I think he's better than Barnes. They'll both be role players in the NBA, but one is going way too high in the lottery.

[jivelikenice]

And yet Beal still has a flawless storke, absolutely killed it with team USA, and shot the lights out every time he was ever asked to beyond some early struggles with Florida while playing out of position.

The only concerns with Beal, period, are height, and the ceiling in terms of his pure athleticism. Shooting is not a concern. Period.

No no concerns about Beal's ability to get to the hoop consistently? And sorry, but shooting is a concern for a person who's most idenifiable strength is his shooting and was an average shooter throughout a majority of the college season. Shoot-around shooting isn't game shooting. He might turn into a great game shooter but its not a slam dunk.

[The Consiglieri]

Apparently, CLE is locked into MKG #4 now.

My head hurts.

If they are fine with MKG, and they should be, it makes a ton of sense, they can find a quality starter at 24. There's enough depth to find a quality big man or 2 guard at 24 no problem, that pick has plenty of value.

[tontoz]

Beal is not the answer. He scream role player.

Drummond ftw!

And Drummond screams bust, just another big man (Kwame, Darko, Thabeet, Sene, etc) drafted too early.

At least Drummond has star potential. I don't see that w/ Beal. I don't see any standout traits except maybe shooting, and I can't even say he's a standout shooter. His shooting percentages were mediocre. I understand that he has very good mechanics, and the average shooting for most of the yr could very well be a mirage, but I can't completely disregard it. He lacks an explosive 1st step, his handle isn't elite, and he might struggle finishing at the rim. He'll be a solid player, but I'm worried he'll be a jack of all trades, master of none kind of player. We don't need that kind of player, we need a star.

Drummond is an 18 y/o Fr. that put of respectable numbers. And he has physical tools you can't teach.

He has no offensive skills, a weak motor and a Shelden vertical. Not exactly what stars are made of. Sounds like Kwame 2.0.

[7-Day Dray]

^
He was the 2nd youngest prospect in college basketball. Of course he's going to be raw. And in his HS clips, he looked pretty coordinated w/ the ball. He'll be able to add moves to his arsenal.

Andre is taller, longer, and has a bigger standing reach than Shelden Williams. You don't need to have a huge verical if you're as tall and long as Drummond. And AD is a quick, effortless leaper. When I watched Shelden at Duke, he didn't look very athletic. Drummond is on a whole nother stratosphere athletically than Williams.

Motor is a good concern, not gonna lie, but I'd rather have someone that takes plays off but is capable of dominating than a hard working guy w/ much less talent.

[Ruzious]

7-DD, the problem with drafting that Dre is that - if he does start reaching his potential, he'll be a free agent by the time it clicks for him. It's going to take him a long while for the light to go on. And then ya gotta make a decision - Do we pay 8 figures a year for a guy who's just starting to look good? We had that situation with Javale McGee.

[tontoz]

^
He was the 2nd youngest prospect in college basketball. Of course he's going to be raw. And in his HS clips, he looked pretty coordinated w/ the ball. He'll be able to add moves to his arsenal.

Andre is taller, longer, and has a bigger standing reach than Shelden Williams. You don't need to have a huge verical if you're as tall and long as Drummond. And AD is a quick, effortless leaper. When I watched Shelden at Duke, he didn't look very athletic. Drummond is on a whole nother stratosphere athletically than Williams.

Motor is a good concern, not gonna lie, but I'd rather have someone that takes plays off but is capable of dominating than a hard working guy w/ much less talent.

Drummond's standing reach is less than Okafor, Bogut, Chandler, Howard, several inches less than McGee and Haywood, only 1.5" more than Marvin Williams.

Why didn't Drummond block more shots than Shelden if he was in another stratosphere athletically? Shelden block 4 shots a game.

[Jay81]

^
He was the 2nd youngest prospect in college basketball. Of course he's going to be raw. And in his HS clips, he looked pretty coordinated w/ the ball. He'll be able to add moves to his arsenal.

Andre is taller, longer, and has a bigger standing reach than Shelden Williams. You don't need to have a huge verical if you're as tall and long as Drummond. And AD is a quick, effortless leaper. When I watched Shelden at Duke, he didn't look very athletic. Drummond is on a whole nother stratosphere athletically than Williams.

Motor is a good concern, not gonna lie, but I'd rather have someone that takes plays off but is capable of dominating than a hard working guy w/ much less talent.

Drummond's standing reach is less than Okafor, Bogut, Chandler, Howard, several inches less than McGee and Haywood, only 1.5" more than Marvin Williams.

funny how a guy with a screen name of 7 Day Dray is asking us to draft Drummond