Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part I

[stevemcqueen1]

McAdoo is crushing it early in this half. He has a nice face up game. I really like him as a prospect. He can stuff the stat sheet and make an impact in many different ways. I'd love to get back into the first round and pick him up.

[Ruzious]

McAdoo is crushing it early in this half. He has a nice face up game. I really like him as a prospect. He can stuff the stat sheet and make an impact in many different ways. I'd love to get back into the first round and pick him up.

That's one of the few things you've said that I disagree with. McAdoo just doesn't do anything particularly well, imo, and his efficiency #s are really bad. He was grossly overrated by internet experts last year and is now merely mildly overrated. He kinda reminds me of a poor man's Jeff Green - when he was at G-town.

[stevemcqueen1]

McAdoo is crushing it early in this half. He has a nice face up game. I really like him as a prospect. He can stuff the stat sheet and make an impact in many different ways. I'd love to get back into the first round and pick him up.

That's one of the few things you've said that I disagree with. McAdoo just doesn't do anything particularly well, imo, and his efficiency #s are really bad. He was grossly overrated by internet experts last year and is now merely mildly overrated. He kinda reminds me of a poor man's Jeff Green - when he was at G-town.

I see maybe a Thaddeus Young type in him. He does everything pretty well and is a jack of all trades. He rebounds well and gets a lot of rebounds outside his area, always boxes out, defends out to the perimeter and defends the paint as a 5 for UNC; plays passing lanes well and is a cognizant team defender. He's a pretty good athlete. He's got a face up game and a little bit of a post up game. He has a quick first step and gets by his man off the dribble regularly and he's also got a nice turnaround fade he's been hitting tonight. He can be used in pick and roll offense and he can also finish on the break.

He's just a good all around forward. I'd love for us to have a 3/4 that can actually face up and score or facilitate some offense off the dribble. Particularly one that also rebounds and can play in the interior. He's as good as Porter or Mitchell IMO. Has as much upside as either as a Pro because he is a good athlete.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I would like to see more of Bennett. I've seen very little, but what I have seen definitely has me intrigued.

Does anyone see a Barkley comparison to Bennett as valid ??

[kirubel94]

i like that ricky ledo kid. was looking forward to see him play this season but that hasn't happened. He's the one who outplayed wall sometime but apparently wall was going slow. But i think with an ability to slash and an ability to shoot he'd be a good pickup, and he has good size at 6 7'.

question UCLA, the guards in the past, westbrook and jrue ( both all stars by the way) seem to have been limited by the system. Could shabazz do better numbers elsewhere? can he actually be a much better scorer on the next level? he seems to have all the tools especially for a sg.

id say draft mclemore or shabazz or maybe noel. but a three headed monster guard lineup! imagine like kyrie, waiters and mclemore or shabazz..its scary.

Thanks for being the only one to respond to the post about Ledo lol. Not only is Ledo a slasher but a + ball handler who can create for him self and possibly others. His offensive potential is enormous.

[dangermouse]

I dont think Bennett has the same scoring ability. Although, I'm just basing that on what I have seen of him so far. The eye test if you will.

I think he could turn out to be a mixture of what Michael Beasley was meant to be in the NBA + Trevor Booker's size, athletecism and defensive instincts. He also seems to have really good handles like Barkley had, but I think that is where the comparison ends. Barkley was a once-in-a-lifetime player. Bennett isnt even once in a generation level.

I see a bit of Elton Brand in him too. He's got those shoulders that seem to be wider than his body is tall, and a wingspan an albatross would be proud of. A much faster, more nimble Elton brand, though.

He's in my top 5 prospects so far.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Ant ... mary/24660

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oekBTHJOL4[/youtube]

When I watched his scouting video (DX is the best!) I didn't see a traditional PF/C like Brand, I saw more of a tweener SF/PF, like Charles Barkley. However, as the video emphasized, he lacks post offense. Like Barkley, Bennett will struggle to defend the post against bigger athletes. Where Bennett is more advanced at a young age than Sir Charles is that he's got a SICK face up game. Bennett seems to be a cross between Jamison and Barkley to me. He can rebound and he can score, but don't ask him ANYTHING about defense.

I like the Canadian connection and that he's such a consistent scoring threat in college. Only UNC and Boise State have slowed him offensively. I don't like that Anthony Bennett uses a bully game in the NCAAs at his size. That won't work in the NBA nearly as well. Guys like Marcus Fizer have not done so well with similar physiques. Kevin Jones from WVU hasn't really made it. However, Bennett is much more explosive than those guys. He'll make it.

I just wonder if he's not going to be more of a Brandon Bass than a prime Elton Brand?

[stevemcqueen1]

I want to compare Bennett to Larry Johnson but I'm thinking, if everything goes well in his development and he becomes a really smart player, he could be a Paul Millsap clone.

[stevemcqueen1]

I think Bennett is the best of the group of true forwards falling after the top guards and true big men:

- Bennett

- Porter
- McAdoo
- Mitchell
- Poythress

He's got NBA ready strength and he plays with an aggressiveness and passion none of the other guys do but he still plays a very efficient game. He knows how to throw his weight around. And he runs well.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I want to compare Bennett to Larry Johnson but I'm thinking, if everything goes well in his development and he becomes a really smart player, he could be a Paul Millsap clone.

Millsap is much tougher on defense and a much better rebounder. Millsap has a post game. Bennett is better in transition.

I can see Larry Johnson in Bennett's game. Ironic, too, because Grand Mama went to UNLV as well.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I think Bennett is the best of the group of true forwards falling after the top guards and true big men:

- Bennett

- Porter
- McAdoo
- Mitchell
- Poythress

He's got NBA ready strength and he plays with an aggressiveness and passion none of the other guys do but he still plays a very efficient game. He knows how to throw his weight around. And he runs well.

Bennett does have a passion for the game and he does throw his weight around better than any of these players.

i think Porter has something special about himself that would make me rate him higher than Bennett. I am not sure at all, because as you say, steve, Bennett is the one who has the NBA ready strength.

[Ruzious]

I agree with the comments about Bennett. I like him a lot, but I see 2 problems with him:
1. He thinks of himself as a wing player rather than a power forward. I think it was the beginning of that DX video - where he was asked where do you see yourself in 5 years - he said as a 2 or 3. He has natural power but seems to prefer using finesse. I think it was Nate who's showed pretty well that if you're a college tweener, in almost every case - the player doesn't have the NBA skills to play the smaller position. If you're a 4/3 in college, the odds are overwhelming that you're not going to make it as a 3 in the NBA. He needs to play more like a 4 to reach his potential, and that's not his mindset right now.

2. Defense is going to be an issue with him no matter which position he plays. He's got length and strength, but he's not as physically tough and disciplined on the defensive end - for one reason or another. If he gets with the right coach or organization, that could change. The Wiz are definitely not that organization. And I don't see him defending 3's effectively.

Overall, he is one of those players who's success or failure will depend on what team he goes to. He has a lot of talent, but his mindset has to change to use his strengths better - less finesse and more power.

[stevemcqueen1]

Bennett does have a passion for the game and he does throw his weight around better than any of these players.

i think Porter has something special about himself that would make me rate him higher than Bennett. I am not sure at all, because as you say, steve, Bennett is the one who has the NBA ready strength.

Yeah I like Porter's intangibles and how clean an NBA projection and fit he presents. He's the only top notch pure SF in the class IMO. I like his rebounding and his IQ. I like his length. But in general, I don't think I'm as high on him as most.

I think he lacks NBA strength and does not have an NBA body. That'll change in time. He clearly hasn't been a gym rat and comes from a tiny town where he probably didn't have access to decent weight training programs, so it's understandable.

But I also think he's a below average athlete for his position by NBA standards. I think he's a grounded player and he's neither explosive nor particularly fluid. He doesn't have great handles and is pretty much going to be a pure 3 and D player at the next level IMO. He's got a place in pretty much any rotation. Again, he's unselfish, shoots the lights out, has great length, rebounds, finishes pretty well inside, and is very smart and keeps the ball moving. He barely takes anything off the table. But I don't think his upside is very high. I'd love to have him, but he's a role player and with the surprising depth of this class, I think he's probably a late lotto pick.

[Nivek]

YODA likes, but doesn't love Porter. Rates as a top 15 pick at the moment with no accounting (yet) for physical attributes. Good numbers, good efficiency. Looks like he'll make a solid professional.

[Nivek]

YODA not seeing it with McAdoo. He actually rated better as a freshman, and as a freshman he had a borderline 2nd round pick grade. Right now, he's solidly in the "don't draft" bin. His rebounding is nice, but his shooting is bad, his FT shooting is bad, his turnovers are very high, and he doesn't block shots.

[hands11]

Victor Oladipo is the guy I want in the late 20-30. He plays like a bull and he's efficient and gets after it on defense. Seems like a perfect backup guard IMO.

That sounds right. I may be off on this, since I don't watch much college ball and largely just sponge off the views of Dat2U, CCJ, doclinkin, hand11, and others, but it's sounding like there are good quality prospects late in the 1st and early in the 2nd. Is this a deep draft that just lacks a stellar top 5-10, or is that just an illusion? If it is deep, what are the odds of getting another 1st, versus the odds of trading the high 2nd away?

I don't think Victor O is going to be sitting this low come draft time. DraftX has him 21st right now.

Indy is #1 right now. If they do well in the torny, he will move up.

But yeah, get more firsts. That is what my view have been. I would be looking to trade the top pick for 2 firsts. I would trade up from the two second plus players for a 1. I would buy a first if one is available.

Plumlee/Zeller, CJ, Otto and Victor O would all be nice additions to the team.

Lots of evaluating to do to see who improves before the year is out both in college and on the Wizards.

I'm not usually big on rebuilding with lots of draft picks thinking they will contribute to wins right away but I the Wizards could benefit from bringing in a group like this. It would be like building with more Beal style talent vs Singleton and Kevin. I could even see them eventually packaging Wall and Nene for something big to add to them.

These are all talented focused young men from good programs. Add Beal to that and come back and draft some more pieces next year and they can finally have all the talented youth they need for a solid core.

Mostly I think the team has done the culture rebuild but all but Beal are still tainted by the past.

Just one approach. Maybe it is just a grass as greener thing. Needs more evaluation.

[Nivek]

YODA likes Bennett as a prospect, pending measurements, of course. Overall, he has a score that would typically rank him as a top 5-7 player in most drafts. What jumps out at me is his extreme efficiency with high usage. Shooting 61% from 2pt range and 35% from 3pt range. Excellent rebounding. Fills the stat sheet. Would like to see him bring his turnovers down a bit, but they're at an acceptable level given his overall usage, offensive output and efficiency.

[pancakes3]

For Bennet, I see Derrick Williams.

[Nivek]

Oladipo's YODA score is consistent with being the number one pick in most drafts. About average usage, but insane efficiency -- 68% from 2pt range; 52% from 3pt range. His efg is .697. Plus he rebounds, generates assists, and gets loads of steals.

Now some cautions.

1. High turnovers. 1 in 5 of his possessions results in a turnover.

2. Has he truly learned to shoot, or is he having a fluke-good season? FT% is actually down this season, suggesting that his insanely good shooting from the field may be a fluke.

He's having a phenomenal season. I'd be cautious with him, though.

[Ruzious]

Bennett does have a passion for the game and he does throw his weight around better than any of these players.

i think Porter has something special about himself that would make me rate him higher than Bennett. I am not sure at all, because as you say, steve, Bennett is the one who has the NBA ready strength.

Yeah I like Porter's intangibles and how clean an NBA projection and fit he presents. He's the only top notch pure SF in the class IMO. I like his rebounding and his IQ. I like his length. But in general, I don't think I'm as high on him as most.

I think he lacks NBA strength and does not have an NBA body. That'll change in time. He clearly hasn't been a gym rat and comes from a tiny town where he probably didn't have access to decent weight training programs, so it's understandable.

But I also think he's a below average athlete for his position by NBA standards. I think he's a grounded player and he's neither explosive nor particularly fluid. He doesn't have great handles and is pretty much going to be a pure 3 and D player at the next level IMO. He's got a place in pretty much any rotation. Again, he's unselfish, shoots the lights out, has great length, rebounds, finishes pretty well inside, and is very smart and keeps the ball moving. He barely takes anything off the table. But I don't think his upside is very high. I'd love to have him, but he's a role player and with the surprising depth of this class, I think he's probably a late lotto pick.

I gotta disagree on the physical side. Physically, I think he's developing into almost the perfect 3. He's clearly a lot stronger than last year and developing faster than I thought he would. I see him on a path similar to Paul George - except he's even longer than George. George - at 22 - is I think on a gradual path to stardom, and I think Porter is actually a little bit ahead of where George was.