2015 Draft Thread - Part 1

[nate33]

Something to consider when questioning who they will draft.

One of the biggest needs was a strong, athletic, energy player who could defend S4s out to the perimeter. Think, can they guard Milsap and slow down LeBron.

This is a defensive team first and foremost and its a team being build on character, consistency and team continuity of personalities.

I think they will lean toward the better defensive S4 who has enough offense to shoot the 3, but who doesn't have to be a lock down 3 shooter per se. The shooting can improve in time but the personality, the person, the defense.. those things will be valued highly. Plus in their plans is to get KD in 2016.

Think Rondae Hollis-Jefferson more then Portis. I'm not on the Portis bus. I don't think they would pick him.

If they go guard, I really like the options.

I could see something like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and a guard in the 2nd. MICHAEL FRAZIER ?

Now if they are feeling more risky and project based long term.. Wood or Robert Upshaw.

Hollis-Jefferson (can I call him RHJ?) is a heckuva basketball player. He's really a lot like MKG - just a tad smaller. His jump shot is a problem, but it looks more fixable than MKG's. Still, more and more teams are built around wings being outstanding 3 point shooters, so he's looked at lower than he probably would have been in past years. Teams like the Wiz will likely think he's good, but he's not a fit.

I honestly don't know anything about Frazier, but if he doesn't get picked I will say - Down goes Frazier! to myself. I would not say it out loud on the internet.

I hear ya... What I would like to introduce is many not consensus logic but...

This is a defensive team first.
S4 does not have to mean a scoring S4. It can mean a defensive S4.
We are targeting one of the best players in the league in KD in 2016. We are drafting role players.
Team chemistry, maturity, fit is really important to this organization.

Beal just shut down Kyle. Had we been able to defense Milsap better, that would have made a huge difference.

So while maybe more teams are looking at scoring S4s, other teams will be looking at how to stop them.

I am just suggesting, for this team and what I think they might do, I think they will look at the best defensive S4 role player who fits their mold of maturity and personality who score less vs more scoring and less of those of those other things.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson checks a lot of boxes.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Rondae-Hollis-Jefferson-6466/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Draymond-Green-5859/

The need for a Green type is more understood now so those type that were in the 2nd are now moving up into the first.

Do you really think Hollis-Jefferson is a 4? He's a freak athlete with great length, but I think he's more of a pure 3. He doesn't have the tree trunk base that a guy like Green or Crowder has to hold position on the block.

Also, the Wizards have a little less flexibility than many teams when it comes to selecting wing players. Since Wall isn't an outside shooting threat, it is critical that both our SG and our SF be excellent 3-point shooters. So I guess what I'm saying is that Hollis-Jefferson can't play for us unless he can play the 4, and I don't think he can play the 4.

[payitforward]

Actually I was making fun of myself, nate -- I guess I wasn't being clear enough about that.

Maybe you're feeling sensitive after posting about shying away from white wings and guards? I did say something negative about that statement -- which could come off as racist, I guess, if one wanted to bend it that way -- which I don't. But you probably didn't mean that black guys have "naturally" got more "fast-twitch" etc., did you?

You could always put me on "ignore" if you don't like what I write.

Unfortunately, as mod of this board, I can't put you on ignore. I'd prefer that you stop making negative, rude or sarcastic remarks whenever someone has a different viewpoint than you. In the last two days I've already seen you do it with barelyawake, CCJ and myself, and there are certainly others.

Learn how to disagree without insulting others. That's what mature people do.

Nice to know you're keeping tabs on me, Nate -- but in fact I made no rude or insulting marks in your direction at all (though you've certainly just made a series of them in my direction!).

If you disagree, PM me rather than clogging the thread. I promise it'll be a friendly exchange, and I am quite "correctible" and would count on you to be the same. Look forward to it.

In fact I just PM'd you, Nate. Look forward to hearing back from you.

[Ruzious]

Ruzious & CCJ -- what I write below may seem argumentative when you first read it, but I ask you not to take it that way. I have no interest whatever in arguing with you two -- you are two of my very favorite posters here.

Instead, I'm write it, because this is a very important draft for the Wizards. We have become an old team in a big hurry, and our FO seems to have no ability to add genuine young talent except at the very top of the draft. In particular, they seem unable to recognize a bargain prospect if it bites them in the a## !! And that's what Alan Williams looks like to me (though of course I could be wrong).


Unfortunately, this is another royal road that leads down the tubes:

Millsap his last year in college -- 2.2 steals, 2.7 blocks (per 40 minutes): total=4.9
Sweetney his last year in college -- 1.8 steals, 3.9 blocks (per 40 minutes): total=5.7

Anyone who's spent a lot of time making decisions about people -- for the purpose of hiring, admitting to some program, whatever -- understands that doing most of the narrowing down via negative decisions -- i.e. "not that guy because..." -- is much more efficient than doing it via positive decisions.

You have 20 people applying for a job, for example. It's a lot quicker to get to 3 final candidates by finding ways to eliminate people than by finding positive ways to pick the 3 finalists. And even once you have the last 3, you usually look for some negative that lets you knock 1 of the 3 off the list. And, *then* you consider the shining positives of those last two to make a choice. (Keep in mind that sometimes, later on, one of those guys you knocked off the list buys your company and fires you! )

Why bring this up? Because it's common in the NBA -- I remember in '12 that Kevin quoted a Wizards FO guy saying that Jae Crowder "doesn't have ideal size"? A way to get him off the list of possible picks at our #32.

That's also what happened to Draymond Green that year. Green is under 6'6" in his stocking feet -- no way he can be an effective NBA 4!.

No matter the stand-out productivity numbers Crowder and Green put up, they fell like bricks into R2 to make room for guys like Fab Melo, John Jenkins, Jared Cunningham, Arnett Moultrie, Perry Jones, Festus Ezeli & Jeff Taylor. (Note that 4 of those guys -- Melo, Moultrie, Jones & Ezeli fit the mold of "fast-twitch, high riser athlete").

And, Millsap fell to #47 for exactly the same reasons -- under 6'7" in his stocking feet -- definitely doesn't fit the mold of an NBA 4.

Williams has been a top producer since the day he started playing college ball. And the qualities that CCJ points out in another post -- smart, dedicated, thoughtful, etc. -- are why I think he has a shot to be a very good NBA player. You don't find that kind of prospect at #49 very often! Not to mention that at least one young big w/ potential has got to be our biggest need as a team.

No offense taken, PIF. The problem with Sweetney wasn't his talent. I think he could have been a heckuva pro if it weren't for his weight. He was worse than former Bullets John "Hotplate" Williams and Kevin Duckworth in that regard. He was able to keep it down at G-town, but after that, he was cupcake city. Pancakes Blvd? Both Green and Millsap are short but have wingspans over 7'1. Honestly, I didn't think Green would be more than a backup type - he had good college numbers but not at Millsap's level, and he was about 20 lbs lighter than Millsap in college - though I think they're about the same now. Crowder's a solid player - I actually thought he'd be a little better than he has been. Of all the players mentioned, Green is the surprise to me. He's actually been effective as a small-ball center - not just as a PF. You can't measure energy, and I think he plays with more energy than anyone else does.

Appreciate it....

And I agree that Green has been a pleasant surprise. Williams has that possible vibe to me. The nice thing about R2 is that you can afford to take chances, because the cost of being wrong is so low. The other nice thing is that as GMs pick off of tests and measurements, guys who aren't going to work out as basketball players rise into R1, and guys who are going to work out fall into R2.

To me, this is what makes high R2 picks among the most valuable assets a GM can have.

Yup, and the Gilbert Arenas rule that makes it easier to retain 2nd rounders who blow up (in a good way) helps. I don't think our GM is on board with that, but maybe he'll surprise us.

I'll root for Williams, because I'll always root for the underdog who's productive but who people (including me) don't believe in. If he gets with a nutrition and fitness guru - who knows? Looking forward to talking with you similarly about Kennedy Meeks next year - after Maryland beats UNC in the NCAA finals.

[80sballboy]

If you watch what Cleveland did on Wednesday to Millsap and a lesser extent to Horford, who had a quiet 16 points, they kept them out of the paint. Tristan Thompson was dominant on the boards and defensively. Having a guy that can defend the paint at the 4 and also can get out and play a guy like Millsap (I know LeBron defended him as well) is crucial. A guy like Kaminsky would not be able to defend four men like that.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Ruzious, I can't believe Dekker is projected to go higher than Kaminsky. Wow...

I didn't like Dekker in the NCAA Tournament. Yes, he's got length and athleticism but the dirty work stats are not there. I agree with you.

I generally shy away from white shooting guards and wings. They have a really poor track record in the league. I tend to think they get a touch overrated because they're white yet they can still keep up with the black guys. The first thing I do with a white guard/wing prospect is look at the lane agility score. If it isn't exceptional, I conclude that they can't defend at the NBA level, which makes them a one-dimensional player and probably not a starter.

Hinrich had a great lane agility score. Redick's was good too. They both turned out to be good NBA players and respectable defenders. Morrison's lane agility score was terrible. Doug McDermott's was bad. The exception to this rule was Hayward. He had a lousy lane agility score and now appears to be a top 5ish SF in the league.

FWIW, Dekker has an exceptional lane agility score, the best in this draft class for a guy with his length. I'm not saying I love him as a prospect, but it really appears that athleticism isn't going to be what holds him back from competing in the NBA.

Great post, nate33.

Gordon Hayward has the same sort of gift at getting separation that Harden and Pierce have. He creates contact and has excellent body control.

Great observations nate33. Hayward is one white wing player who likes contact. Others have not been as successful in the NBA at trying to use athleticism that was elite at the NCAA level but not so I the NBA.

About Dekker, I had the thought in the mid season that he might be a better pro than Kaminsky. He makes highlight reels with his athletic moves. But the NCAA Tournament soured me on him. His numbers, as I posted earlier, don't look great. Thanks, nate33, for giving me some guarded optimism in Dekker.

He is an EG pick if I ever saw one.

[nuposse04]

Makes no sense to Draft a stretch 4 who hasn't shown any consistent ability to stretch the floor. The team is fine defensively, we do it as a team. We don't need a phenom defender, our problem, quite obviously is on offense. Rjh can be a good player in this league, but he will just present us with more of the same issues for the short term and would add nothing particularly worth a damn when factor him being suspect from distance. Oh and Lyles definitely doesn't look like he can knock down. Threes yet. Taking either of those two guys over portis or Looney doesn't make sense to me. Hell I'd rather draft Upshaw and c. Woods.

[hands11]

Hollis-Jefferson (can I call him RHJ?) is a heckuva basketball player. He's really a lot like MKG - just a tad smaller. His jump shot is a problem, but it looks more fixable than MKG's. Still, more and more teams are built around wings being outstanding 3 point shooters, so he's looked at lower than he probably would have been in past years. Teams like the Wiz will likely think he's good, but he's not a fit.

I honestly don't know anything about Frazier, but if he doesn't get picked I will say - Down goes Frazier! to myself. I would not say it out loud on the internet.

I hear ya... What I would like to introduce is many not consensus logic but...

This is a defensive team first.
S4 does not have to mean a scoring S4. It can mean a defensive S4.
We are targeting one of the best players in the league in KD in 2016. We are drafting role players.
Team chemistry, maturity, fit is really important to this organization.

Beal just shut down Kyle. Had we been able to defense Milsap better, that would have made a huge difference.

So while maybe more teams are looking at scoring S4s, other teams will be looking at how to stop them.

I am just suggesting, for this team and what I think they might do, I think they will look at the best defensive S4 role player who fits their mold of maturity and personality who score less vs more scoring and less of those of those other things.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson checks a lot of boxes.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Rondae-Hollis-Jefferson-6466/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Draymond-Green-5859/

The need for a Green type is more understood now so those type that were in the 2nd are now moving up into the first.

Do you really think Hollis-Jefferson is a 4? He's a freak athlete with great length, but I think he's more of a pure 3. He doesn't have the tree trunk base that a guy like Green or Crowder has to hold position on the block.

Also, the Wizards have a little less flexibility than many teams when it comes to selecting wing players. Since Wall isn't an outside shooting threat, it is critical that both our SG and our SF be excellent 3-point shooters. So I guess what I'm saying is that Hollis-Jefferson can't play for us unless he can play the 4, and I don't think he can play the 4.

Guard 4s is what I was pointing out.

Good point about having a good base.

From draftx : "Hollis-Jefferson is a great athlete, measured at 6'7” with a long 7'0.5” wingspan with a strong frame as well. He will be able to match up athletically with many wing NBA players, as his combination of strength, quickness and explosiveness will be difficult to match. He complements his athleticism by playing with high energy, going full speed almost all game while bouncing all around the floor. "

The point I was introducing is.. They need to be able to match up with teams that play S4s. So you will get some players that are more offensive S4s and some that are more defensive players that can guard S4s

All things being equal as they ever can be, don't be surprised if they go defensive upside with less offense that can improve over offense with less effective defense at less lateral foot speed required to be a utility defender who is able to cover S4s.

Specially when you factor in... Fit i.e. Do they fit the Wizard team personality mold. Because short of the brain fart in drafting Glen Rice, the other players on this team fit a more similar mold. Specially the role players. i.e. KLife. His problem wasn't talent. It was Kevin himself. His mind. Maturity, etc. Plus, his expectations. KLife wants to be a starter core pieces somewhere. Reality is, if he focused more on the core things that were needed from him... defense and rebounding..he might by now be ready to be a starter.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Ruzious & CCJ -- what I write below may seem argumentative when you first read it, but I ask you not to take it that way. I have no interest whatever in arguing with you two -- you are two of my very favorite posters here.

Instead, I'm write it, because this is a very important draft for the Wizards. We have become an old team in a big hurry, and our FO seems to have no ability to add genuine young talent except at the very top of the draft. In particular, they seem unable to recognize a bargain prospect if it bites them in the a## !! And that's what Alan Williams looks like to me (though of course I could be wrong).

Williams is not a fast-twitch, high riser athlete. I like him, but I have seen what happened to Mike Sweetney ...

I like your comparisons of Williams. He should make the NBA, but he doesn't fit the "mold" that the NBA is looking for.

You're right on Millsap. Even though everyone said he was unathletic, he had a very good combo of steals and blocks - and I think you were the first person I remember keying in on that as an indication that he's effectively a good NBA athlete. Ever since then, I look at that combo. Actually, that's why I downgrade Dekker. He seems athletic and very talented, but the low steals and blocks make me think twice.

Unfortunately, this is another royal road that leads down the tubes:

Millsap his last year in college -- 2.2 steals, 2.7 blocks (per 40 minutes): total=4.9
Sweetney his last year in college -- 1.8 steals, 3.9 blocks (per 40 minutes): total=5.7

Anyone who's spent a lot of time making decisions about people -- for the purpose of hiring, admitting to some program, whatever -- understands that doing most of the narrowing down via negative decisions -- i.e. "not that guy because..." -- is much more efficient than doing it via positive decisions.

You have 20 people applying for a job, for example. It's a lot quicker to get to 3 final candidates by finding ways to eliminate people than by finding positive ways to pick the 3 finalists. And even once you have the last 3, you usually look for some negative that lets you knock 1 of the 3 off the list. And, *then* you consider the shining positives of those last two to make a choice. (Keep in mind that sometimes, later on, one of those guys you knocked off the list buys your company and fires you! )

Why bring this up? Because it's common in the NBA -- I remember in '12 that Kevin quoted a Wizards FO guy saying that Jae Crowder "doesn't have ideal size"? A way to get him off the list of possible picks at our #32.

That's also what happened to Draymond Green that year. Green is under 6'6" in his stocking feet -- no way he can be an effective NBA 4!.

No matter the stand-out productivity numbers Crowder and Green put up, they fell like bricks into R2 to make room for guys like Fab Melo, John Jenkins, Jared Cunningham, Arnett Moultrie, Perry Jones, Festus Ezeli & Jeff Taylor. (Note that 4 of those guys -- Melo, Moultrie, Jones & Ezeli fit the mold of "fast-twitch, high riser athlete").

And, Millsap fell to #47 for exactly the same reasons -- under 6'7" in his stocking feet -- definitely doesn't fit the mold of an NBA 4.

Williams has been a top producer since the day he started playing college ball. And the qualities that CCJ points out in another post -- smart, dedicated, thoughtful, etc. -- are why I think he has a shot to be a very good NBA player. You don't find that kind of prospect at #49 very often! Not to mention that at least one young big w/ potential has got to be our biggest need as a team.

Everyone remembers how wrong I was about Almond, but I consider Mike Sweetney to be my greatest miss ever. I recall him destroying Carmelo and Syracuse. I was very aware of his NCAA stats. I predicted that Mike Sweetney would be rookie of the year.

Sweetney actually put up decent numbers for the Knicks (and the Bulls IIRC). Sweetney could play, but, unfortunately, his weight and inability to maintain his body took him out of basketball.

Arnett Moultrie is still a guy who I think can play. He had injuries as a Philadelphia 76er.

Pif, if Williams can do as well as Charles Barkley in maintaining a playing weight loss he's definitely a good NBA role player. I wouldn't disqualify him, but for this coaching staff I would probably rule him out.

That said, he is a good player.

[hands11]

If you watch what Cleveland did on Wednesday to Millsap and a lesser extent to Horford, who had a quiet 16 points, they kept them out of the paint. Tristan Thompson was dominant on the boards and defensively. Having a guy that can defend the paint at the 4 and also can get out and play a guy like Millsap (I know LeBron defended him as well) is crucial. A guy like Kaminsky would not be able to defend four men like that.

Yes.. Defending the 4. That is what I am getting at. That is what they were/are missing.

I think they will value defense over offense. Specially if they are targeting a scoring 4 in 2016.

Hump should add some of the scoring with a new 3 and he has a strong body but not the quick type you want on the perimeter.
Paul will hopefully be back and get minutes there as the season rolls on.
Gooden might even return.

So what they needs is younger, athletic, perimeter defender that can give some minutes as a defensive specialist. Someone with the right measurements 6-7/6-8 long arms, can jump, quick, motor and good enough shooting form that they can get better. A team guy. Hard worker.

RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON is 6-7 with 7-2 wingspan and 38' max vert. 70.7 FT, 6.8 rebounds in 28 mins. And he really moves his feet.

Is he to lean in the ass ? Not sure. I wasn't overly focused on that but its something to evaluate. Having a strong base come in handy. Not sure its a deal breaker though. Specially when he can fill out.

And if not him, this is the mold I think they will profile more then an offensive player with more limited defensive upside.

[Earth2Ted]

Changing the subject to Robert Upshaw -- here's a video interview w/ the kid: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Robert-Upshaw-6447/

He comes off as intelligent and pretty poised. I'll be interested to know what you guys think after viewing it.

The picture he paints of himself is something like ABA vintage David Thompson- basically a good kid, but immature and suggestible, and easily dragged over to the dark side by low-life hangers-on.

Right now, he's a well-spoken and earnest-sounding guy- teams will be impressed. They will also be impressed by his size and skills- there's no doubt he's a specimen, great timing and presence defensively, and Givony was hinting at new offensive skills that no one had seen in college.

My personal bias in the draft is always toward the big man- we had zero interior presence off the bench last year, and against my better judgement I'd be excited to get him. But he's a bigger risk than Javale or 7-day Dray. Has anyone in the history of the NBA overcome a serious alcohol or drug problem to become a consistently good player? Maybe Chris Mullin? I can't think of anyone else.

I can't see us going for it- his main role model and big brother figure on the team would be Gortat- who himself has been having "personal issues." He'll be there if we want him at 19, but he'll drop past us- maybe the Spurs take him, and if not, he goes 2nd round.

[nuposse04]

If you watch what Cleveland did on Wednesday to Millsap and a lesser extent to Horford, who had a quiet 16 points, they kept them out of the paint. Tristan Thompson was dominant on the boards and defensively. Having a guy that can defend the paint at the 4 and also can get out and play a guy like Millsap (I know LeBron defended him as well) is crucial. A guy like Kaminsky would not be able to defend four men like that.

Yes.. Defending the 4. That is what I am getting at. That is what they were/are missing.

I think they will value defense over offense. Specially if they are targeting a scoring 4 in 2016.

Hump should add some of the scoring with a new 3 and he has a strong body but not the quick type you want on the perimeter.
Paul will hopefully be back and get minutes there as the season rolls on.
Gooden might even return.

So what they needs is younger, athletic, perimeter defender that can give some minutes as a defensive specialist. Someone with the right measurements 6-7/6-8 long arms, can jump, quick, motor and good enough shooting form that they can get better. A team guy. Hard worker.

RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON is 6-7 with 7-2 wingspan and 38' max vert. 70.7 FT, 6.8 rebounds in 28 mins. And he really moves his feet.

Is he to lean in the ass ? Not sure. I wasn't overly focused on that but its something to evaluate. Having a strong base come in handy. Not sure its a deal breaker though. Specially when he can fill out.

And if not him, this is the mold I think they will profile more then an offensive player with more limited defensive upside.

I don't know if I buy this entirely. I think for the most part, at least in the playoffs, we did as well as we could with old stretch 4s. I think the addition of any young stretch 4 in this draft that has some semblance of athleticism (unless they are obviously impaired) should be something Randy can work with. For as awful as I think Randy is, I think he has gotten guys I couldn't believe play D, play defense.

We were a below average offense in the regular season, it made us have to work that much harder on Defense in order to maintain pace, now I don't argue to NOT valuing defensive players, but they have to have sufficient evidence that said drafted player won't destroy spacing like Nene did. Otherwise we're right back we started from, except we have young player who is a massive liability as oppose to an old one.

We need a guard that can create and a 4 who can help the offense. RHJ doesn't befit that profile. Lyles might in 2-3 seasons if he continues to work on his J, but I think he is a bit of a gamble on upside right now. With us in quasi-win mode I'd like to draft players who actually can break 28% on their 3pt shot, we not have to wait an extra two seasons for them to be reliable from distance.

[hands11]

We were not any where near below average the the playoffs. I would focus on that more. At least that is what I am doing because that is more reflective of them moving forward. IIRC, they were the best 3 pt shooting team in the playoffs. How they played in the playoff with Wall healthy was very different then regular season. Where they needed help was defending the S4. Nene sucked at it. And Paul is 37 and only here one more year.

Wall and Beal are going to be tearing it up next year. Otto is going to have a really nice year and grow a lot. With just about anyone you through out there that can stand behind the 3 line and make anything even close to a treat, the floor will open up.

Whoever we draft is not starting. Opening the floor with a stretch 4 for the starters isn't coming from this years draft. And again, they are targeting a big FA starting in 2016 and that's not going to be a PG or SG. And depending on what we see from Otto next year, it might not be a SF either. That leaving PF and C.

They are either acquiring someone as a starting S4 or looking for Hump and Gooden to do it. Sprinkle in some Truth.

And with that S4 on the floor, the Gortats game opens up. So that's where the scoring is coming from. Wall, Beal, Gortat primarily. The S4 just opens it up for them. So I see more of a need for a athlete 3/4/D then a offensive minded S4.

I have watched Portis more now and in every time I have watch his material, I don't see that as the direction they go. Seems like a Dray type to me and I don't see that as what they want.

Just not feeling it regarding him on this team. Maybe he works out someplace. Just not feeling it for here.

Sorry if that's not in line with what others see. Hope that adds to the debate.

I think the Wizards will go in another direction even if Portis is available. I see better value and fit in other players in that range.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Kevon Looney would be a fine pick. I get the feeling he's going to be a stronger version of Otto Porter. The guy's going to do a bit of everything on the court. Looney's got the Kawhi Leonard-like stats. PIF, not as good as Leonard but very similarly strong on the rebounding.

A player who I'm intrigued by is Chris McCullough. He projects to be an impact defender but not a complete player.

THE PLAYER who I think is probably the most underrated ... but I'm not sure yet, is Jordan Mickey. Seems like a stud. Need to learn more about why he's not rated higher.

[DCZards]

I think the Zards should prioritize a S4 with 3 pt. range in the first round of the draft and an interior player with rim protector skills, either in the second round of the draft or in free agency. I’d also strongly consider drafting a playmaking guard with 3 pt. range, especially if someone of that ilk is the best player available when the Zards draft.

The regular season and the playoffs have proven that the 3 pt. shot is a weapon that you absolutely MUST have. And the more players you have with 3 pt. range the better.

The Zards may have shot the 3 well during the playoffs, but I don’t consider it one of the team’s strengths, especially if were talking about depending on old geezers like Gooden and Pierce to be two of the primary 3 pt. shooters. Heck, we don’t even know if Gooden or Paul will be on the team next season.

And I’m definitely not relying on Hump to all of a sudden become a 3 pt. threat…even with a ton of practice. I hope I’m wrong but I think it’s a mistake to assume that Hump can easily develop a consistent 3 pt. shot.

That essentially leaves Beal as the only real 3 pt. shooter…and Porter as a MAYBE as far as consistent 3 pt. range is concerned. I doubt that Butler will be back and we don’t know what, if anything, we’ll get from Webster next season.

I see the principal defensive need of the Zards as being that of a rim protector. A big whose primary job is blocking shots and grabbing rebounds. He doesn’t even have to be a stud like DeAndre Jordan. I’d be happy with someone who performed a la Tristan Thompson.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Jordan Mickey, DCZ, if I'm not on your ignore, is a (relatively) big who blocks shots and rebounds. He's heavier than McCullough.

[80sballboy]

Once again, big beats small in Game 2. Well, athletic big beats athletic small. Tristan Thompson has been a huge factor since Love injured his shoulder. I just love what he's done defensively and on the boards at the 4 and 5. Hump can't do the defensive part. He's a role player even if he starts to make his 3's as he's doing in practice.

[hands11]

Kevon Looney would be a fine pick. I get the feeling he's going to be a stronger version of Otto Porter. The guy's going to do a bit of everything on the court. Looney's got the Kawhi Leonard-like stats. PIF, not as good as Leonard but very similarly strong on the rebounding.

A player who I'm intrigued by is Chris McCullough. He projects to be an impact defender but not a complete player.

Looney is interesting, offensively and as a rebounder. And he is long...

but

not athletic..not strong. not lateral quick on D
conditioning issues as well. effort questions
not liking that.

If you want catch and shoot 3 S4, he can do it but what about his defense ?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Looney is interesting, offensively and as a rebounder. And he is long...

but

not athletic..not strong. not lateral quick on D
conditioning issues as well. effort questions
not liking that.

If you want catch and shoot 3 S4, he can do it but what about his defense ?

He looks pretty doggone good defensively in these highlights:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRwgK7BYlEo[/youtube]

Ironically, DX's scout considers Looney's defense a strength and his offense a weakness.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8xedhpSDA[/youtube]


He reminds me of Shareef Abdur Rahim. Looney's going to be an NBA starter. He's going to score a lot of points. He's definitely capable of being a stretch four. This kid's a can't miss IMO.

I like that he is very fundamentally sound. He boxes out. He throws really nice bounce passes. He's a very willing passer. He doesn't make a lot of turnovers. If Looney had better athleticism, he'd be an elite talent. He lacks a quick bounce and power, but he's strong enough for his age. He's not dissimilar from Otto Porter. They're both old school type players.

[DCZards]

Jordan Mickey, DCZ, if I'm not on your ignore, is a (relatively) big who blocks shots and rebounds. He's heavier than McCullough.

Be serious bro. I don't have anyone on "ignore" and certainly not you. That's not the way I roll.

I watched Mickey play at the NBA combine and was impressed by his defensive presence. So, yes, he's someone who could help the Zards as a rim protecter.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Jordan Mickey, DCZ, if I'm not on your ignore, is a (relatively) big who blocks shots and rebounds. He's heavier than McCullough.

Be serious bro. I don't have anyone on "ignore" and certainly not you. That's not the way I roll.

I watched Mickey play at the NBA combine and was impressed by his defensive presence. So, yes, he's someone who could help the Zards as a rim protecter.

I apologize for some unnecessarily harsh stuff I said. Honestly, you in some ways remind me of my dad, and he was my best friend. R.I.P.

I think the Wizards just need a guy with "some pop". That guy's an explosive leaper who likes to get after other players. I like him.