Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part III

[theboomking]

CCJ, I'm probably one of the few on this board who like Len. He's NOT overraged (only 19), he's got good defensive potential, his rebound rate was just as good as Noel and Zeller, he's an excellent FT for his size, and he's a legit 7'1. He WON'T be a Vesely type bust.

There's no way he will be a bust like Vesely. Alex is a lot better at both ends of the court than Vesely.

mhd, I like Alex Len A WHOLE LOT MORE since coming across this:


Cody Zeller, who led NCAA bigs in transition points might be the player who falls to where the Wizards draft--which is what led me to this factoid. However, what thrilled me is Alex Len's PPTP.

Len had the highest rate of converted points per transition opportunities, which means to me with a PG like Wall, Alex Len could become a pretty devastating scorer. I think you're right about Alex Len, mhd. I'm waffling back to liking Len, and blaming most of his problems on Maryland's crappy guards and Len's youthful inexperience. Len simply had the fewest possessions, but he made the most of his opportunities to score in transition. He should be able to improve in the NBA because Len is only 19.

I really think that if we want to be better than a mediocre playoff team, we still need to add a major talent. Where is that guy going to come from? Len, based on his height, frame, and athleticism appears to be a high ceiling guy. I'm starting to think however that as his measurements come out, and teams review the tape, that Len may be off the board when we pick.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

The problem is everyone in this draft, even after going through the whole college season, remains a question mark. I think the combine and workouts will effect the draft order more this year than any previous year. I mean almost the entire top 10 could be shuffled around in any random order.

I flipped here and there, but one thing I have maintained is that center is the strength of this draft. It seems logical, especially when the position can be seen as an area of need, and a hard position to fill, that the Wizards utilize their top 10 pick on a center. Like the '83 NFL draft class for QBs.

With a list of prospects including Noel, Len, Zeller, Gobert, Plumlee, Olynyk, Austin, Dieng, Withey, Adams, Muscala, it is the value position of the draft, and the Wizards can find one they like and fits with what they are doing.


I think if they go center with the 1st pick, they can find a good stetch 4 at 37 between the likes of McDermott, Murphy, Kelly, and Payne.

Things could change, we could move up in the draft, someone unexpected could drop, but if we end up at #8 I think this would be the most sound approach to the draft.

[pancakes3]

For all the CJ McCollum fans out there, I have only 1 question: Why?

[hands11]

...Wittman is not a talent developer. Beal and Wall are the only young players thriving under him. Vesely, Seraphin, and Singleton each dramatically regressed this year....

You mean Wittman is not a miracle worker.

The mistakes Seraphin commits over and over, and his low rebounding skills, are on him not coaching. Singleton never gave any reason to think he had much upside; he was a mediocre college player and not particularly young either -- terrible pick.

As to Vesely, are you really going to put his 'lack of development' on the shoulders of the head coach?

Guys with talent and work ethic get better in their early 20s through about 24-25. The effect of their coaches on that is marginal at best.

Agree. Wall and Beal developed really well with Randy as coach. He also installed a great defense. I had some issue with his rotations early on but he was a first year coach of a very injured roster looking to build a new standard for defense and passing on offense.

Webster had a productive year. Even Price and Temple got better as well.

Ves not being able to hit a FT is on Ves, not Randy. And his air balls point to mental issues.

Kevin playing so soft to start the year is on Kevin. If I was 6-9 275 young and athletic, I would be beating the crap out of people in the post. Mental issues again.

Singleton struck me a a strange dude the first time I saw him interviewed. Strikes me as a passive aggressive whining type. He was surprised he dropped in the draft so much and seemed to think he was a lot better then that.

McGee, NIck, Dray. All mental issues.

Gil, Crawford, Yi, and Killer Crittenton. Mental issues.

This is where I hope Ted has helped change how they draft and add players. Its not just about body type and athletic skills. If there was anything EG blow in the past if was undervaluing the mind and personality. The mind is an important muscle in the NBA. It needs to be evaluated and range much higher in importance when picking players.

Given who they have added since Ted has taken over, it's looking like they are considering this more. Beal, Okafor, Nene, Webster, Trevor A and even Temple. They are all a lot stronger mentally.

[stevemcqueen1]

For all the CJ McCollum fans out there, I have only 1 question: Why?

He's a brilliant scorer. He's elite from mid range and long range. Plus he can play some PG. He'd be a very natural fit in our system and can play alongside either Wall or Beal.

[Rafael122]

So Portland's GM is willing to trade picks to get a defensive center/rim protector. This would be a great opportunity for the Wizards to get another draft pick, get younger, and have more flexibility with their cap room. I understand that Wall and other guys on the team feel like they shouldn't get younger, but they're already up against the cap. Trading Okafor for Freeland (who makes like $3 mil) + the 12th pick saves them about $11 million right off the bat. Even including the first year salaries of the rookies they'd still have $5 or $6 million left to spend to get another big.

Having 2 picks also gives them ammo to move up if necessary. Not sure, it's a move that makes sense for both teams. I don't want Okafor here long term because as it's been said, relying on 2 30 year olds to go deep into the playoffs is risky.

[hands11]

I had my questions about Len early on, but what I saw of him in the NIT changed that. I think he is legit. I would have no problem going into a game with Len matched against Noel or any of the other centers in this class. And in a year or two, I think he can anchor a team defensively against a Hibbert or Noah or Varejao.

We have to go up against Indy and NY in the coming years. Also, someone in the East may land Noel. We are in the East. You want a tall strong athletic center and I think Len will be that and we are missing that. That is the area of biggest need on this team right now. Otto would be nice, but Trevor A and Webster are both 26/27. CJM would be really nice, but we have Beal and we can pick up a second guard in other ways.

We need a tall athletic strong young center. Nene and Okafor are getting old. Kevin S and Ves are not the answer.

Welcome aboard!

Other than Noel, Alex is the only guy I'm really interested in.

Thanks for the welcome but I have been posting this stuff for a while now.

I even said I think he could go top 3. Actually, I wouldn't be shocked if he was the best pick out of the top 10 when we look back 2-3 years from now.

[hands11]

I think we Wizards fans are too scarred by draft prospects that don't pan out that we've overemphasized the "talent development" aspect in looking for a scapegoat as to why we suck. To be honest, I don't believe that other teams have better "talent developers". It's just that they draft better. Whether or not a player improves is almost entire up to that individual. This is the NBA. This is the premiere professional basketball league. They're not going to teach someone how to play basketball. The expectation should be that they already know. After all, it's just a game.

You wouldn't hear about how the Chargers failed to develop Ryan Leaf.

It's a 50/50 deal. The player has to have the work ethic, but the team has to put him in a serious environment and focus on all aspects of skill development. Look at Seraphin...you don't think he'd be further along in knowing how to play if he was playing for Pop? Lets look at the flip side, would Taiggo have come along as well as he has in DC? I think that's a safe no.

This team is moving ahead. Those players not developing is on them. Randy didn't hold them back. He only put them in their proper place and set the bar for where they needed to be if they wanted to play in this league.

They worked with Kevin S. Him not focusing more on rebounding was on him. You do it or you don't. If you don't, you sit and you get yelled at.

McGee is McGee's problem. Same with Nick. The NBA is not the NBADL. You work on your game during the off season. During the year, you do what the coach asks of you and produce or your ass sits on the bench. Pop would do the same damn thing. Hell, he would bench a star if they were not getting it done.

Hell, little ol DL call up Temple had more balls to get it done then any of those three who sat and Randy rightfully played him.

This is a big boys league. You want someone to hold your hand and tell you its ok to play like a punk. You are in the wrong league and you won't stick around for long.

All the mentally soft player need shipped out of here. I just hope we are done bringing them here.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

So Portland's GM is willing to trade picks to get a defensive center/rim protector. This would be a great opportunity for the Wizards to get another draft pick, get younger, and have more flexibility with their cap room. I understand that Wall and other guys on the team feel like they shouldn't get younger, but they're already up against the cap. Trading Okafor for Freeland (who makes like $3 mil) + the 12th pick saves them about $11 million right off the bat. Even including the first year salaries of the rookies they'd still have $5 or $6 million left to spend to get another big.

Having 2 picks also gives them ammo to move up if necessary. Not sure, it's a move that makes sense for both teams. I don't want Okafor here long term because as it's been said, relying on 2 30 year olds to go deep into the playoffs is risky.

I would consider Okafor and our #1 for Batum and Matthews. Don't think I'd do it, but I'd consider it. That's about the only trade I see looking at Portland's roster.

[hands11]

For all the CJ McCollum fans out there, I have only 1 question: Why?

I know I have posted a ton about him. What are you missing ?

Read up on him. Watch the videos. Read the DraftX information. Do a Google search.

Or just read this board.

[hands11]

So Portland's GM is willing to trade picks to get a defensive center/rim protector. This would be a great opportunity for the Wizards to get another draft pick, get younger, and have more flexibility with their cap room. I understand that Wall and other guys on the team feel like they shouldn't get younger, but they're already up against the cap. Trading Okafor for Freeland (who makes like $3 mil) + the 12th pick saves them about $11 million right off the bat. Even including the first year salaries of the rookies they'd still have $5 or $6 million left to spend to get another big.

Having 2 picks also gives them ammo to move up if necessary. Not sure, it's a move that makes sense for both teams. I don't want Okafor here long term because as it's been said, relying on 2 30 year olds to go deep into the playoffs is risky.

I have been an Okafor supporter and I thought keeping him here signed cheaper for 2-3 more years was a good option, but if I could walk from this draft with Len and CJM, that would be hard to pass on. If we got that kind of savings, we can find a vet center to help in his first year. One of the reasons you signed Trevor A and Okafor for the Lewis contract was so it was broken up enough that you could move it if needed. They may want to cash in on that.

Fill out the back of the draft with Muscala and Erik Murphy or even land Pierre and that would be really nice.

Trade Singleton, Booker, Kevin S and Ves if you can. Booker has just been to injured.

Bring back James Singleton for two years.

I understand they don't want to get younger, but as Beal has shown, getting younger doesn't have to mean getting more immature if you pick the right players.

And you still have Webster, Trevor A and Nene as solid older vets and Wall and Beal are legit young mature stars.

A team like that could catch fire and make the playoff or be just undeveloped enough to get one last shot at lottery next year. Either way, they would have a lot of talent and assets to build from in 2014.

[fishercob]

I can't predict the future and can't say with absolute certitude that Len will be a really good player. But I like a lot of what I see. At the end of the day, it's going to depend on his willingness to work to improve. That will be the case with most guys in this draft because there are so few finished products.

That said, the more I think about Noel, the more I have doubts about him -- at least as a center. I don't care how bouncy he is. How many centers can a 6'10, 215 pound rookie cover? Can you imagine him just trying to hold position against bigs the likes of Nene, Okafor, Brook Lopez, Hibbert, Marc Gasol, NOah, Boozer, Aldridge, ZBo, Howard, Pekovic, Love, Gortat, Kaman, and on and on and on? Maybe he has a bit of an easier time covering the 4, but he's pretty unskilled offensively for a PF. He could well be a very good player but there are almost as many questions about him as answers. He's far from a sure bet IMO.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

CCJ, I'm probably one of the few on this board who like Len. He's NOT overraged (only 19), he's got good defensive potential, his rebound rate was just as good as Noel and Zeller, he's an excellent FT for his size, and he's a legit 7'1. He WON'T be a Vesely type bust.

There's no way he will be a bust like Vesely. Alex is a lot better at both ends of the court than Vesely.

mhd, I like Alex Len A WHOLE LOT MORE since coming across this:


Cody Zeller, who led NCAA bigs in transition points might be the player who falls to where the Wizards draft--which is what led me to this factoid. However, what thrilled me is Alex Len's PPTP.

Len had the highest rate of converted points per transition opportunities, which means to me with a PG like Wall, Alex Len could become a pretty devastating scorer. I think you're right about Alex Len, mhd. I'm waffling back to liking Len, and blaming most of his problems on Maryland's crappy guards and Len's youthful inexperience. Len simply had the fewest possessions, but he made the most of his opportunities to score in transition. He should be able to improve in the NBA because Len is only 19.

I really think that if we want to be better than a mediocre playoff team, we still need to add a major talent. Where is that guy going to come from? Len, based on his height, frame, and athleticism appears to be a high ceiling guy. I'm starting to think however that as his measurements come out, and teams review the tape, that Len may be off the board when we pick.

Me, too, tbk.

[hands11]

I can't predict the future and can't say with absolute certitude that Len will be a really good player. But I like a lot of what I see. At the end of the day, it's going to depend on his willingness to work to improve. That will be the case with most guys in this draft because there are so few finished products.

That said, the more I think about Noel, the more I have doubts about him -- at least as a center. I don't care how bouncy he is. How many centers can a 6'10, 215 pound rookie cover? Can you imagine him just trying to hold position against bigs the likes of Nene, Okafor, Brook Lopez, Hibbert, Marc Gasol, NOah, Boozer, Aldridge, ZBo, Howard, Pekovic, Love, Gortat, Kaman, and on and on and on? Maybe he has a bit of an easier time covering the 4, but he's pretty unskilled offensively for a PF. He could well be a very good player but there are almost as many questions about him as answers. He's far from a sure bet IMO.

That is the concern I had with A Davis last year when I thought he would be playing center but A Davis had enough handles and offense to covert to a PF.

Sadly for us, I think Len goes top 3-5 so unless we luck out with the balls, he will likely be gone.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The problem is everyone in this draft, even after going through the whole college season, remains a question mark. I think the combine and workouts will effect the draft order more this year than any previous year. I mean almost the entire top 10 could be shuffled around in any random order.

I flipped here and there, but one thing I have maintained is that center is the strength of this draft. It seems logical, especially when the position can be seen as an area of need, and a hard position to fill, that the Wizards utilize their top 10 pick on a center. Like the '83 NFL draft class for QBs.

With a list of prospects including Noel, Len, Zeller, Gobert, Plumlee, Olynyk, Austin, Dieng, Withey, Adams, Muscala, it is the value position of the draft, and the Wizards can find one they like and fits with what they are doing.


I think if they go center with the 1st pick, they can find a good stetch 4 at 37 between the likes of McDermott, Murphy, and Payne.

Things could change, we could move up in the draft, someone unexpected could drop, but if we end up at #8 I think this would be the most sound approach to the draft.

McDermott is so vastly underrated I find it astonishing.

I am pretty sure the Wizards would be better off trading down for a lottery pick next season, selecting McDermott, and drafting Zeke Marshall or Mike Muscala in round 2.

I also think the perfect distributor, scorer in round two is Nate Wolters. I think he's on par with CJ McCollum. People forget that Trey Burke did not outclass Wolters in their meeting in this year's NCAA tournament.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/2 ... 28663.html

Burke scored only six points, including two field goals. …
...
"We knew he was frustrated. I could see it in his body language in the first half," South Dakota State coach Scott Nagy said. "Nate's a tremendous defender and he doesn't get much credit for it, but he did a good job."

Burke is a national player of the year candidate, and Wolters is one of the country's top scorers, but the much-anticipated matchup of talented point guards never really lived up to the hype.

Burke scored only two points in the first half, and Wolters had only four.

When Wolters is a very good NBA player people are going to express surprise but to me it is OBVIOUS the guy is a first-round talent, if not worthy of lottery consideration. So is Doug McDermott.

McDermott SHOULD BE a top-10 pick. In this case his activity level combined with his efficiency lead me to believe Doug McDermott will NOT BE a Luke Harangody. He doesn't try to bang. McDermott is going to carve defenses up with his movement and his shooting.

I can't believe the mock drafts. Similar to how I felt about Faried.

[No-Man]

McDermott is a 6'8 not athletic PF, he's a 6'8 Nowitzki without he's physical ability.

he could be a good back-up combo forward if he develops, but that's about it, Mike Dunleavy as best case is not a top10, in any draft.

Wolters is similar to Jeremy Lin, maybe if he keeps working on his body and his shot, he can be a good back-up PG in the league, but its uncertain, he's a 2nd round talent.

[Rafael122]

So Portland's GM is willing to trade picks to get a defensive center/rim protector. This would be a great opportunity for the Wizards to get another draft pick, get younger, and have more flexibility with their cap room. I understand that Wall and other guys on the team feel like they shouldn't get younger, but they're already up against the cap. Trading Okafor for Freeland (who makes like $3 mil) + the 12th pick saves them about $11 million right off the bat. Even including the first year salaries of the rookies they'd still have $5 or $6 million left to spend to get another big.

Having 2 picks also gives them ammo to move up if necessary. Not sure, it's a move that makes sense for both teams. I don't want Okafor here long term because as it's been said, relying on 2 30 year olds to go deep into the playoffs is risky.

I have been an Okafor supporter and I though keeping him here signed cheaper for 2-3 more years was a good option, but if I would want from this draft with Len and CJM, that would be hard to pass on. If we got that kind of savings, we can find a vet center to help in his first year.

Fill out the back of the draft with Muscala and Erik Murphy or even land Pierre and that would be really nice.

I understand they don't want to get younger, but as Beal has shown, getting younger doesn't have to mean getting more immature if you pick the right players.

I'd actually grab Bennett if he's available and then CJ with the other pick, I'd probably let Martell walk if his price tag gets too high.

Use whatever savings to get a back up big to play spot minutes.

PG - Wall/Price
SG - Beal/CJM
SF - Ariza/Bennett
PF - Nene/Booker/Singleton/Vesely
C - Seraphin/Freeland/??

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

For all the CJ McCollum fans out there, I have only 1 question: Why?

CJ McCollum reminds me of Clyde Frazier with his defensive instincts, quickness, and his scoring. He moves like Walt Frazier did and I'm reasonably sure he's going to be a good NBA player.

I like his body of work from HS to date, pancakes:


http://www.lehighsports.com/sports/mbba ... yerid=8669

Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year … Leading scorer in school history with 1,405 career points … Holds the school and county record for most points in a game with 54 … Averaged 29.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game as a senior

AS A FRESHMAN (2009-10): Leading freshman scorer in the nation (19.1)

AS A SOPHOMORE (2010-11): Enjoyed a sensational sophomore campaign, leading the Patriot League and finishing ninth in the nation in scoring (21.8) … Also led the team and finished third in the league in rebounding (7.8) while his 2.5 steals per game stood 12th nationally

AS A JUNIOR (2011-12): Stellar junior campaign, averaging 21.9 points per game (fifth nationally) and 6.5 rebounds ... First in the Patriot League in scoring and second in rebounding ... Named Patriot League Player of the Year and AP Honorable Mention All-American for the second time in three seasons

GAME-BY-GAME: Posted 14 points and eight rebounds in NCAA Tournament against 10th seeded Xavier … Stellar game, with 30 points, six rebounds and six assists as part of huge NCAA Tournament win over #2 Duke (3/16) … Had 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting, while adding three rebounds, five assists, two blocks and three steals in Patriot League Champion­ship Game at Bucknell (3/7).

2012-13 UPDATE (AS OF DEC. 14)
• Leads the nation in scoring average (24.9) (as of Monday, Dec. 10).
• Has posted double-figure points in 33 straight games and 100 of his 109 career games.

McCollum''s scoring achievements remind me of Juan Dixon's, only he's a better far rebounder, about 25 pounds heavier and stronger. McCollum will be a good third guard for some team, right away. He's WAY BETTER than Austin Rivers, the #10 2012 pick.

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

The problem is everyone in this draft, even after going through the whole college season, remains a question mark. I think the combine and workouts will effect the draft order more this year than any previous year. I mean almost the entire top 10 could be shuffled around in any random order.

I flipped here and there, but one thing I have maintained is that center is the strength of this draft. It seems logical, especially when the position can be seen as an area of need, and a hard position to fill, that the Wizards utilize their top 10 pick on a center. Like the '83 NFL draft class for QBs.

With a list of prospects including Noel, Len, Zeller, Gobert, Plumlee, Olynyk, Austin, Dieng, Withey, Adams, Muscala, it is the value position of the draft, and the Wizards can find one they like and fits with what they are doing.


I think if they go center with the 1st pick, they can find a good stetch 4 at 37 between the likes of McDermott, Murphy, and Payne.

Things could change, we could move up in the draft, someone unexpected could drop, but if we end up at #8 I think this would be the most sound approach to the draft.

McDermott is so vastly underrated I find it astonishing.

I am pretty sure the Wizards would be better off trading down for a lottery pick next season, selecting McDermott, and drafting Zeke Marshall or Mike Muscala in round 2.

I also think the perfect distributor, scorer in round two is Nate Wolters. I think he's on par with CJ McCollum. People forget that Trey Burke did not outclass Wolters in their meeting in this year's NCAA tournament.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/2 ... 28663.html

Burke scored only six points, including two field goals. …
...
"We knew he was frustrated. I could see it in his body language in the first half," South Dakota State coach Scott Nagy said. "Nate's a tremendous defender and he doesn't get much credit for it, but he did a good job."

Burke is a national player of the year candidate, and Wolters is one of the country's top scorers, but the much-anticipated matchup of talented point guards never really lived up to the hype.

Burke scored only two points in the first half, and Wolters had only four.

When Wolters is a very good NBA player people are going to express surprise but to me it is OBVIOUS the guy is a first-round talent, if not worthy of lottery consideration. So is Doug McDermott.

McDermott SHOULD BE a top-10 pick. In this case his activity level combined with his efficiency lead me to believe Doug McDermott will NOT BE a Luke Harangody. He doesn't try to bang. McDermott is going to carve defenses up with his movement and his shooting.

I can't believe the mock drafts. Similar to how I felt about Faried.

I made a list of eight players that I feel wouldn't be considered a reach if taken within the top 8 selections. McDermott was the next player on my list. He would be a reach because he plays no defense, isn't athletic, and doesn't measure out well physically, but worth gambling on high because of his offense IMO.

I feel he could be that player that "wows" everybody after getting passed on despite only scoring 2,000 points in college.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

You're right about his defense but I think his offensive ability is being considerably underrated, AWIZZINGBULLET.