The RealGM Wizards Board Draft Thread 2008/2009

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Btw, there have never been any forwards - burly, spindly, or in between - that have put up the PER that Blair has - as long as the PER stat has been kept - pros or college. And he's doing it while leading his team to the number 1 ranking in college ball.

Exactly, Ruz.

None out of Millsap, Boozer, Brand, Sweetney, Maxiel, Love, or even Griffin have put up the freakish stats Blair is putting up right now as a kid yet to turn 20 years old.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Blair = Future Fatty in the Michael Sweetney, Lonny Baxter, Tractor Trailor mold. He's an overweight 19-y/o who knows how to beast in the college game. Against NBA talent and NBA style of play, I see him as a limited-use bench-player too-slow for most match-ups. A risky pick considering his body-type.

Having driven the Micheal Sweetney bus right to the cheesecake factory in fat city, I do agree Blair's a weight risk down the line.

OTOH if the kid hits the weights and follows a top-flight conditioning regimen, we're talking a Barkley-esque rebounder. Nowhere near the quickness of Barkey or early Wes Unseld, but stronger than either IMO.

[dobrojim]

Sweetney and Tractor Traylor have ruined things for shoort fat PFs everywhere!

Oliver Miller, Hotplate Williams... the list goes on.

Hot Plate wasn't short. Pre-injury he still didn't have much vertical
though. Didn't need it. Guy was on the verge of being a premier PF
before that ugly injury.

[Ruzious]

Sweetney and Tractor Traylor have ruined things for shoort fat PFs everywhere!

Oliver Miller, Hotplate Williams... the list goes on.

Hot Plate wasn't short. Pre-injury he still didn't have much vertical
though. Didn't need it. Guy was on the verge of being a premier PF
before that ugly injury.

He was 6'8. Ideally, he would have been a 3 in the NBA - if he could have kept his weight down - to use his passing and ball-handling skills.

[Dat2U]

Don't get me wrong...Blair's statistical numbers are downright amazing. But at that height and probably an underwhelming standing reach, I'd have to look at his overall game. How's his passing? Does he have a midrange game? Can he block shots? I would need some other aspect of his game to be exceptional for me to jump on the bandwagon. Blair seems to be a guy that can rebound at an amazing rate, and I do believe that will translate to the NBA rather quickly. But what else does he do that's above average?

I dunno...I tend to like the McGee's of the world over the Blair's of the world, because you can't teach height, length, and athletic ability. Muscle, bulk, and post moves can be taught. Maybe if Blair grows another inch or so -- he is after all, only 19 years old. I'd also have to check out that bf% as well. I definitely wouldn't want a potential Mike Sweetney scenario to happen.

And its damn near impossible to teach basketball awareness, IQ and toughness. Just look at our young guys. Blatche was blessed with good court vision but makes a ton of bonehead plays. McGuire appears to have a decent level of basketball acumen but lacks any legit NBA level skill on the offensive end. Young & McGee are amazing athletes but its going to take a long time for their potential to be realized if at all b/c they lack the knowledge or awareness to be more than just use their athleticism on the court. Pech, can shoot a 3, and even though he's a gym rat, can't figure out how to contribute in other ways.

I'm all for high flying athletes with great measurables, but those guys need to be counterbalanced with smart, disciplined guys who excel at the intangibles. One the biggest flaws with the roster EG has constructed is the disturbing lack of basketball IQ on the roster. The fundamentals, the basics of the game (i.e. shot selection, boxing out, pick & roll D) are sorely lacking on this team. We are not a smart team. Moreso than adding a great athlete, I'm more concerned about raising this team's collective intelligence.

That's why I like guys like Griffin, Monroe, Curry & Blair and would prefer to stay away from prospects like Thabeet, Holiday, DeRozan & Jennings. Hell, I'd even like Harden, as a mid-first rounder, as opposed to a top 3 pick.

[doclinkin]

/quote]
I'm all for high flying athletes with great measurables, but those guys need to be counterbalanced with smart, disciplined guys who excel at the intangibles. One the biggest flaws with the roster EG has constructed is the disturbing lack of basketball IQ on the roster. The fundamentals, the basics of the game (i.e. shot selection, boxing out, pick & roll D) are sorely lacking on this team. We are not a smart team. Moreso than adding a great athlete, I'm more concerned about raising this team's collective intelligence.

That's why I like guys like Griffin, Monroe, Curry & Blair and would prefer to stay away from prospects like Thabeet, Holiday, DeRozan & Jennings. Hell, I'd even like Harden, as a mid-first rounder, as opposed to a top 3 pick.

Pretty much where I am. And even Monroe gives me slight pause as a guy whose potential currently far exceeds his production, doesn't yet translate into clutch wins. I like his skillset, I just want more of it all the time. Seize control and force wins.

[AgentOvechkin08]

Paul Millsap gives all those 6'7 PFs hope

Lets be optimistic here

I think Blair will be a role player his entire career. He has a motor, but is not just a hustler, he has some skills and is a rebounding machine. I mean 20 pts. 18 rebounds....it seems every time i look up thats his numbers

[spaceman_E]

first time I remember seeing Budd was last night. He didn't seem to have a great game
but I didn't see the whole thing. I did see where he displayed a little 'tude with the
elbow to the top of the head. And he got away with it which is the important part
if he's on your team.

First time for Hill too. He looked pretty good I thought in spite of struggling in
the beginning of the 2nd half and missing the potential game winner/tying.

Harden still seems over-rated to me if people are thinking top 5.

You must have watched a different game then because Budinger was everywhere on the court, grabbing rebounds, finishing in traffic, and playing some D. His shot wasn't falling early but I've no doubts about that part of his game.
OTOH, Jordan Hill, was once again non-existant. They got the ball to him a few times and other than being tall and athletic, I see no basketball skill. He had one sort of leaner that just looked lucky to go in. This is now about the 4th or 5th time I've seen him play and if other people didn't constantly mention him I wouldn't even know who he was.

That said, I taped the game and only watched the 1st half so far.

[pancakes3]

With regards to the packrat mentality and big men in the draft.

Let's list our frontcourt players: AJ, Haywood, Blatche, McGee, and Songaila. That's a very good frontcourt. Heck, i'll even say that is a top 5 frontcourt in the league. You could put that rotation against KG, Powe, Perkins, and Big Baby and I say we have the advantage in talent there. You put that rotation against Big Z, Hickson, Varajao, and Wallace and I say we've go the advantage there too. You could put that rotation against Gasol, Bynum, Radmonovic, and Powell and I say that we're at least competitive.

However, let's do the same thing with our perimeter players. Gilbert, Nick Young, Butler, Mike James, and Critter. They don't match up very favorably against the Kobe's, or the Pierce's, or even the Rondo's of the league. We have a a pretty mediocre backcourt despite having 2 "all-star" players on the roster. The weakest link is obviously at that position where Gilbert and Butler aren't.

There's been a lot of talk of sliding gil into the 2-guard position and make Critter the weakest player on our starting lineup instead of starting DS. Well, call it what you want it, the position of need be it labeled point guard or shooting guard is really a player to compliment Arenas. If you want to say that Critter would compliment Arenas better as a facilitator, or you think that DS would compliment Arenas better as a shooter, or if you say neither then talk up some guards in the draft. the point is that we have a vortex of talent at that complimentary position and i think we ought to address it rather than crossing our fingers and hoping that mediocre college players that average 13/8 or 15/10 are going to magically up their game in the NBA to outplay our established 20/10 guys.

[Ruzious]

Gil got the crazy contract - in the hopes that he would be the player he was. Do not change his offensive game. It makes no sense. Moving/keeping Caron at the 2 makes much more sense - assuming he slims down.

[mhd]

GREAT article from SI about a scout talking about all the big-time prospects:

(PAGE 1): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... index.html

(PAGE 2): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... hts/1.html

I think Jeff Teague is much better than Curry is. I think the top 5 are Griffin, Hill, Monroe, Teague, and Harden.

[dobrojim]

all i got on that link was page 2

some interesting thoughts/opinions though but I would read the first page if
I knew how to get to it.

maybe I should try the obvious google it

[mhd]

all i got on that link was page 2

some interesting thoughts/opinions though but I would read the first page if
I knew how to get to it.

maybe I should try the obvious google it

You can click on one on the bottom of the page, or just click here:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... index.html

[dobrojim]

I thought Blair got jobbed on a couple calls last night, my first time really
watching him play. In spite of having an off game, he wasn't that bad. And
it's clear he's got a pro body, even with the lack of height. I want to see
him again.

[closg00]

How unfortunate, Draft Express has a new site and the look is awful, it's full of spam ads etc.
www.draftexpress.com

[Severn Hoos]

So was anyone else watching the Gerald Henderson Draft Audition Show tonight?

Blake is still the absolute no-brainer at the #1 pick. But after that - when you consider all-around game and potential fit with the roster, I'm liking little Gerald as perhaps the next best option if we don't get him. And a trade down that nets Henderson and something else (another 1st, salary dump?) might be best of all.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

So was anyone else watching the Gerald Henderson Draft Audition Show tonight?

Blake is still the absolute no-brainer at the #1 pick. But after that - when you consider all-around game and potential fit with the roster, I'm liking little Gerald as perhaps the next best option if we don't get him. And a trade down that nets Henderson and something else (another 1st, salary dump?) might be best of all.

I've been kind of thinking the same thing. As much as it pains me to admit it because I really, really hate Duke, the kid is really talented and cold-hearted. Etan plus our number 3 or so (I wouldn't trade Griffin and maybe not Teague) for Henderson's draft rights... or, let Gil and Wood back early enough to win some games and land us a 6-8 spot and pick him.

Only two things scare me about that kid: 1. Duke grads don't have a great NBA track record. 2. I'm not sure what position he is ideally suited for in the NBA.

[nate33]

So was anyone else watching the Gerald Henderson Draft Audition Show tonight?

Blake is still the absolute no-brainer at the #1 pick. But after that - when you consider all-around game and potential fit with the roster, I'm liking little Gerald as perhaps the next best option if we don't get him. And a trade down that nets Henderson and something else (another 1st, salary dump?) might be best of all.

I was logging on to post the same thing. I mentioned Henderson a couple of days ago as a guy I'd target in a trade-down scenario. I'm liking that option more and more. He kinda reminds me of Brandon Roy, though not quite as polished of a ball handler. He's a stat-stuffing, long-armed, athletic freak who comes from a program that knows how to teach fundamentals and defense. He'd be a perfect fit alongside Arenas. I figure, at worst, he'll be a lot like Larry Hughes - a good all-around player who is a jumpshot away from being an all-star caliber guard. If he continues to improve that jumper, watch out.

A nice scenario would be to trade the #2 plus Stevenson and Songaila in exchange for Henderson and raw cap space. That would solve all of our luxtax problems and even leave open the possibility of trading James' contract for a better player.

[nate33]

How unfortunate, Draft Express has a new site and the look is awful, it's full of spam ads etc.
http://www.draftexpress.com

Firefox plus AdBlockPlus.

[go'stags]

Agreed, I hate Duke but cant help but like Henderson. He is a lot like B Roy. I would love to draft him, and I think im with Sev in wanting him after Griffin. Ideally, we get the number one pick, draft Griffin, then trade Blatche for a lottery pick and pick Henderson.