Lather me with blather -- DRAFT thread 4

[Ruzious]

Hoopa, Dirk cried and I guffawed at your post. That Vesely/Childress picture - the National Bolemia Society could use that as a poster. It's a perfect picture for "name that caption".

Question on JV - say his situation looks just like Rubio's when he got drafted (which could very well be the case). He'll be draft eligible, but he may stay away from the NBA for up to 2 years. Do you draft him at 6?

[Rafael122]

Hoopa, Dirk cried and I guffawed at your post. That Vesely/Childress picture - the National Bolemia Society could use that as a poster. It's a perfect picture for "name that caption".

Question on JV - say his situation looks just like Rubio's when he got drafted (which could very well be the case). He'll be draft eligible, but he may stay away from the NBA for up to 2 years. Do you draft him at 6?

NO. We are in no position to draft someone and then stash him away for 2 years. At #18, if other preferable options are gone, then yeah, at 6? No way.

[Ruzious]

I've asked Yoni Givony and Chad Ford on twitter to compare Seraphin to Biyombo and neither have responded. Suffice it to say, based on the info we have I see no reason for us to take Biyombo and know nothing that convinces me he'll be better than Seraphin. We'll see in four or five years.

Having Watched Biyombo play in the Nike Hoops Summit, and looking at his measurements, it's easy to say that Biyombo is taller, much longer, much more athletic, and a much better shot blocker than Seraphin. Biyombo appears to have a much higher ceiling in the NBA. I can't help but wonder if the fact that we didn't go to his workout means that we are interested.

Yeah, never assume with EG. He's probably too much into misdirection - especially with Euro's.

As for Sera v Biyombo, I pretty much agree - though I think they're the same height. Seraphin's much heavier - I'd like to see if he'd gain quickness and explosion if he lost 20 lbs and got into the kind of shape that Biyombo's in. Watching Biyombo do drills by himself was pretty much a waste of time. I'm surprised people actually SIGNIFICANTLY downgraded him for that.

[fishercob]

I've asked Yoni Givony and Chad Ford on twitter to compare Seraphin to Biyombo and neither have responded. Suffice it to say, based on the info we have I see no reason for us to take Biyombo and know nothing that convinces me he'll be better than Seraphin. We'll see in four or five years.

Having Watched Biyombo play in the Nike Hoops Summit, and looking at his measurements, it's easy to say that Biyombo is taller, much longer, much more athletic, and a much better shot blocker than Seraphin. Biyombo appears to have a much higher ceiling in the NBA. I can't help but wonder if the fact that we didn't go to his workout means that we are interested.

So because Biyombo blocked 10 shots in his hoop summit game and Seraphin only blocked four, he's easily the better shot blocker? Seraphin blocked 4 in 22 minutes, swatting both Wall and Cousins. Seraphin's team won the game. But you're sure, eh?

Seraphin is 20 pounds heavier and strong as an ox. This doesn't matter? I just cannot understand how any from such a limited sample size and limited viewing could ascertain anything about one guy versus the other. Wouldn't one have to have seen them both extensively to have a credible opinion?

[Hoopalotta]

Hoopa, Dirk cried and I guffawed at your post. That Vesely/Childress picture - the National Bolemia Society could use that as a poster. It's a perfect picture for "name that caption".

Question on JV - say his situation looks just like Rubio's when he got drafted (which could very well be the case). He'll be draft eligible, but he may stay away from the NBA for up to 2 years. Do you draft him at 6?

I actually got that iconic Vesley picture from the Raptors board where there was already a top comment

It's like Childress hadn't seen the "Thriller" dance before.

Hard to top that.

As to Jonas at 6 with a Spanish Hassle Magic type buyout - yeah, I'd bite in that case. There's decided disadvantages, but we do defer that rookie contract for a few years and bring it in concurrently with a harsher salary cap structure, thereby easing the load later.

I'm also of the opinion that the most effective way for us to improve in the short term is to take advantage of a Rashard Amnesty and pull some lopsided salary trades on the other side of the CBA (alternatively if there's no amnesty, a vanilla buyout might work if we give Shard a taste of that same Jedi mind trick we pulled on Bibby). In that case, we might be able to pull something real nice off if we work with a hard pressed team like Atlanta. I don't think any college players available at 6 can come even close to what will be available in this case.

Whether or not short term improvement is prudent or not would depend to me on what happens with the one-and-done rule - if next year's draft is prematurely bamboozled by a new two-and-done rule, I'd just as soon look for incentive elsewhere.

[closg00]

Hoopa, Dirk cried and I guffawed at your post. That Vesely/Childress picture - the National Bolemia Society could use that as a poster. It's a perfect picture for "name that caption".

Question on JV - say his situation looks just like Rubio's when he got drafted (which could very well be the case). He'll be draft eligible, but he may stay away from the NBA for up to 2 years. Do you draft him at 6?

NO. We are in no position to draft someone and then stash him away for 2 years. At #18, if other preferable options are gone, then yeah, at 6? No way.

Depends on the position, for Center/Jonas sure, why-not? JaVale would be our starter anyway and Seraphin gets another year or two of development, we could even keep Hamady for the minimum.
For the wing position we need the understudy now....unless we get one via FA.

[Ruzious]

Hoopa, Dirk cried and I guffawed at your post. That Vesely/Childress picture - the National Bolemia Society could use that as a poster. It's a perfect picture for "name that caption".

Question on JV - say his situation looks just like Rubio's when he got drafted (which could very well be the case). He'll be draft eligible, but he may stay away from the NBA for up to 2 years. Do you draft him at 6?

NO. We are in no position to draft someone and then stash him away for 2 years. At #18, if other preferable options are gone, then yeah, at 6? No way.

Depends on the position, for Center/Jonas sure, why-not? JaVale would be our starter anyway and Seraphin gets another year or two of development, we could even keep Hamady for the minimum.
For the wing position we need the understudy now....unless we get one via FA.

Justin Harper would be an interesting understudy at small forward - since his game and skills are very similar to Rashard Lewis'.

[theboomking]

So because Biyombo blocked 10 shots in his hoop summit game and Seraphin only blocked four, he's easily the better shot blocker? Seraphin blocked 4 in 22 minutes, swatting both Wall and Cousins. Seraphin's team won the game. But you're sure, eh?

Seraphin is 20 pounds heavier and strong as an ox. This doesn't matter? I just cannot understand how any from such a limited sample size and limited viewing could ascertain anything about one guy versus the other. Wouldn't one have to have seen them both extensively to have a credible opinion?

Well, 10 is a lot more than 4. That wasn't my argument though. I was going by what my eyes tell me about the two. Seraphin makes some nice blocks. There is just no way that he is as vertically explosive as Biyombo, and he also isn't as long. I don't think either of those points can be contested. I think the interesting question is whether Bismack or Kevin has the better instincts for team defense, and obviously that is a question I can't answer. I would definitely say however that it appears that Seraphin currently has much better touch around the basket.

fishercob, I also like Harper, and think he would fit nicely with Wall.

[closg00]

David Aldridge has his new mock, Wiz take Jonas & Harris
http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/d ... index.html

Edit: His mock appears to be really scatter-shot with some of his picks, he's got Marcus Morris dropping to 26 and Jordan Williams still going to Boston in the 1st. Oh-well.

[Hoopalotta]

@chadfordinsider Had a good talk with Jonas Valanciunas. Nice, humble kid. Huge hands. 7-4 wingspan. Measured 7 feet tall here. Not ready but major upside

Wingspan shorter than previously reported, but I was definitely expecting he'd ultimately measure out to 7' feet and he indeed did.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

David Aldridge has his new mock, Wiz take Jonas & Harris
http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/d ... index.html

Edit: His mock appears to be really scatter-shot with some of his picks, he's got Marcus Morris dropping to 26 and Jordan Williams still going to Boston in the 1st. Oh-well.

I wouldn't cry about that. Certainly not my "1A" option at either pick, but both of those guys could pan out quite nicely over time.

Now to keep hope alive that JV actually stays in the draft... (we find out today or tomorrow, I forgot)

[pcbothwel]

Again, our plan needs to be to draft whoever of JV, Kanter, or D-Williams falls...or Trade whoever of Knight or Walker falls. Simple as that.
And for those who say we "cant afford to draft and stash JV" is using a general rule of thumb and not adapting their thought to our circumstance, Which is:
-1) This is not a normal draft and there is no significant talent we would bypass by taking JV @ 6.
-2) We have the 18th pick as well and many believe this draft has similar talent level between 8-20. Taking one of the wings (Hamilton, Brooks, Thompson) @ 18 and a savvy big like J.Johnson/T.Thompkins @ 34 make this draft look pretty good even w/o JV.
-3) We had a huge rookie class last year and that doesnt even take into consideration the big impact(compared to last year) Seraphin will have. He played overseas and the Eurocamp at 255-260, he hurt his knee and played last year at 275. This is not Blatche, Kevin will come back in shape and provide much more this upcoming year than last.

The focus for our Team needs to be on finding young, hardworking role players who have at least a chance to exceed expectations. Next years draft will either be Elite or just very good(depending on CBA) and we will have enough assets and a high enough pick to optain another elite young talent next to Wall. Having Tyson Chandler(McGee) and Noah (JV) wont hurt that cause and give us flexibility in handleing the McGee extention.

[hands11]

Uh, back to draft for a moment:

MarShon Brooks. I like that his mom is a WNBA referee. Distinct from McGee's momma who ought to have taught him how to rebound but instead filled his head that he's gonna be a superstar, a referee for a mom is bound to be a stickler for fundamentals and details and two-way play.

Okay now back to your regularly scheduled episodes of "Everybody Loves Snatch".

doc, Brooks is IMO a surer bet even than Faried to be an impact player at the next level.

Rebounds, points, big-time outbursts of scoring ... and a guy that's flying below radar for whatever reasons. He should be a lotto pick for sure IMO.

Defiantly add Brooks. He could be that Wade ball in hand threat you need when the pressure is on.

[fishercob]

DX twitter:

Nikola Mirotic is keeping his name in the NBA draft, according to his agent Igor Crespo. "He doesn't want to go through this process again." 21 minutes ago

Igor Crepo: "I don't know where Mirotic is going to get picked. He doesn't care if he's 1st or 2nd
round.He'll stay in Spain 3-4 more years" 20 minutes ago

34 might be too high for a guy who may never come over. But if the talent is there -- and depending on what happens at 6 and 18 -- perhaps he's worth a flier.

[Wizardspride]

1) Saunders said John Wall has been working out in Verizon Center for three or fours a day over the last several weeks.

“His shot is almost 100 percent better than what it was about a year ago,” Saunders said. “I think he’s gonna made a huge stride from where he was last year to this coming year.”


2) Saunders compared this year’s draft to the 1995 version, when he said Joe Smith, Antonio McDyess, Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace were the consensus top four, and nobody wanted pick No. 5. That’s where the Timberwolves got Kevin Garnett.

“It depends what you want,” Saunders said. “I think that we’ll end up with a very good player at No. 6 that will fit in our rotation. We’re looking for guys that have the ability to get out and run with John...high-motor guys, defensive-oriented guys. And I think we’ll get someone really good at 6. There are five or 6 guys we’re looking at at 18, and [we’ll get] somebody good at 34. We feel pretty good where we’re at with the draft, with cap flexibility. We feel like we’re ready to make a big jump next year.”

3) When Cerrato asked about building through the draft, Saunders agreed.

“That’s been the gameplan,” he said. “Ted’s been very patient this past year. We knew what we were doing....We’ll be able to get a couple more really good young players we think can help us in our top 10 players, but you have to add some veteran guys so the young guys know how it’s done. But we feel great....We think we kind of found the formula [at the end of ‘11], started kicking in a little bit the style of play and how we want to play.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc- ... _blog.html

[verbal8]

DX twitter:

Nikola Mirotic is keeping his name in the NBA draft, according to his agent Igor Crespo. "He doesn't want to go through this process again." 21 minutes ago

Igor Crepo: "I don't know where Mirotic is going to get picked. He doesn't care if he's 1st or 2nd
round.He'll stay in Spain 3-4 more years" 20 minutes ago

34 might be too high for a guy who may never come over. But if the talent is there -- and depending on what happens at 6 and 18 -- perhaps he's worth a flier.

I think Mirotic could be this year's "Blair". He is definitely a first round talent. If the guys in the first round can help now, I think you have to go with Mirotic even there is a significant risk he never comes over.

If there is a guy could help now, usually there are 2nd rounders to buy.

[Hoopalotta]

Our draft night song:

With the first pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select - Kyrie Irving.....
You hear the door slam and realize there's nowhere left to run
With the second pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select - Derrick Williams
You feel the cold hand and wonder if you'll ever see the sun
With the third pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the Utah Jazz select - Enes Kanter
You close your eyes and hope that this is just imagination, girl!
With the fourth pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select - Jonas Valanciunas
But all the while you hear the creature creeping up behind
With the fifth pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors select - Brandon Knight
You're out of time.....

With the fifth pick in the 2011 NBA draft, the Washington Wizards select.....
We're taking Vesley, it's Vesley time!



The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzy ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller

This cheap joke based on original material from the Raptors Board:

It's like Childress hadn't seen the "Thriller" dance before.

[LyricalRico]

David Aldridge has his new mock, Wiz take Jonas & Harris
http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/d ... index.html

Edit: His mock appears to be really scatter-shot with some of his picks, he's got Marcus Morris dropping to 26 and Jordan Williams still going to Boston in the 1st. Oh-well.

Interesting. I know that guys like Givony have great resources to objectively rank the players based on talent, but it would seem that Aldridge would have more information on how the players are viewed by the various front offices. Maybe that's what he's basing it on. The question then becomes do we think that teams are telling Aldridge the truth?

[tontoz]

DX twitter:

Nikola Mirotic is keeping his name in the NBA draft, according to his agent Igor Crespo. "He doesn't want to go through this process again." 21 minutes ago

Igor Crepo: "I don't know where Mirotic is going to get picked. He doesn't care if he's 1st or 2nd
round.He'll stay in Spain 3-4 more years" 20 minutes ago

34 might be too high for a guy who may never come over. But if the talent is there -- and depending on what happens at 6 and 18 -- perhaps he's worth a flier.

I would have no problem taking him there. That is the kind of thing the Spurs have been doing for years.

[Benjammin]

New mock for DX; one big change is Jimmer rocketing up the draft boards.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2011/