The RealGM Wizards Board Draft Thread 2008/2009

[Silvie Lysandra]

I just said "Quick fixes don't work unless you get a top 10 player in his prime" - I'm pretty sure KG is that. KG type players are available for trade, or even free agency, dunno, once every decade? Getting Vince Carter = / = getting KG. And more than that, Ainge was able to balance his roster in the context of those trades. Great post player, great wing, great outside shooter, young PG who's great defensively, passes well, and pushes the tempo on both sides of the court, and a solid C who could grow into a Haywood-type player who doesn't put up big stats but can contain opposing bigs.

Now, compare with throwing Vince Carter on this team. You have 4 ball-dominant players, none of whom are great at anything else offensively, all of them average to mediocre defenders. That doesn't exactly scream "offensive balance" to me.

[closg00]

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Stephen Curry scored 32 points as Davidson started its latest postseason tournament with a 70-63 victory over South Carolina on Tuesday night.The stage may not have been as large as the Wildcats' NCAA tournament run a year ago, but Curry was just as spectacular.The game was tied 51-all after Devan Downey's driving basket with 9:15 to go. Then Curry scored 13 of the next 15 points over eight minutes as Davidson (27-7) took control.

[nate33]

I just said "Quick fixes don't work unless you get a top 10 player in his prime" - I'm pretty sure KG is that. KG type players are available for trade, or even free agency, dunno, once every decade? Getting Vince Carter = / = getting KG. And more than that, Ainge was able to balance his roster in the context of those trades. Great post player, great wing, great outside shooter, young PG who's great defensively, passes well, and pushes the tempo on both sides of the court, and a solid C who could grow into a Haywood-type player who doesn't put up big stats but can contain opposing bigs.

Now, compare with throwing Vince Carter on this team. You have 4 ball-dominant players, none of whom are great at anything else offensively, all of them average to mediocre defenders. That doesn't exactly scream "offensive balance" to me.

I agree that Vince Carter wouldn't make us a contender. But that doesn't mean there aren't any "quick fix" trades that could make us a contender.

I think if you take a healthy Arenas, Butler, Jamison and Haywood, and then utilize Young, Blatche, McGee and the pick to acquire quality vets, we could assemble a team that has a short window of opportunity as a legit contender.

Just to throw a hypothetical out there: what if we traded McGee plus James for a signed-and-traded Rasheed Wallace. Then trade Young + Etan + 2009 2nd rounder for Mike Miller. Follow that by trading Crittenton plus a future pick for a defensive backup PG like Lowry. That would leave us with:

PG Arenas/Lowry
SG Miller/Stevenson
SF Butler/McGuire
PF Wallace/Jamison
C Haywood/Wallace/Blatche

It's risky because we'd have a huge luxtax payment with Rasheed's long term salary, plus we'd make the cap situation even worse if we chose to retain Miller in 2010. We'd definitely experience some financial pain down the road with Jamison, Wallace and Miller aging. But the point is, there are moves to be made that could make us contenders, as long as we make trades that provide the "balance" of which you speak. (And I haven't even figured out what to do with the lotto pick yet. What could we do with a package of Blatche + Lotto pick + Stevenson or Songaila?)

[doclinkin]

I just said "Quick fixes don't work unless you get a top 10 player in his prime" - I'm pretty sure KG is that. KG type players are available for trade, or even free agency, dunno, once every decade?

I dunno if Rasheed Wallace qualifies, but that's the only other team who built a championship instead of drafting one. If you can't win the lottery outright --in the right year, with the right player available-- the only option you have as a GM is to hope you can replicate the moves of Dumars or Ainge:

Carefully build a perfect storm of team chemistry, or suck long, suck hard, and stockpile talent for a megatrade. Otherwise you're just building for regular season wins, and hope for the deluded that you get lucky in the afterseason.

Mostly, with those two exceptions it's been shown: you can build a good team without that top pick, but you can't win a chip. (*)

(*With the notable Shaq-to-miami and MJ qualifying addendae)

[jimij]

As far as relative quick fixes go, I'd probably have to count the Heat's championship. It took a year and he wasn't quite in his prime any more, but I'd have to say given how quickly they got rid of him that that wasn't exactly building a team from the ground up.

[doclinkin]

Yeah, Miami too.

The addendum on them is that they managed to trade for that necessary 'number-one-overall' player. So three times in the last decade a team has traded their way into a championship. But one of them had that 'number one overall' talent you need to win. Even if he was slightly past his peak.

(Consider that Shaq was in five of the last ten Finals games).

So, either you land that top pick (or --addendum #2, you take Michael Jordan after #1 overall player HOF center and multiple finals winner Olajuwon is off the board) or you trade your assets away for a disgruntled superstar. Or you hope the opposing superstar is in a feud with the second most important player on his team and you happen to steal the finals with a 'good' team in a down year.

But simply drafting _high_ isn't the answer for a championship. It's got to be the hands-down most dominant player in the right draft.

So, if we're not that top slot winner, the only real questions are if we have enough assets to trade to land that superstar, and if there are any available. Otherwise, are we comfortable with just improving the team and getting pretty good? Or can we commit to sucking as fervently as Danny Ainge did?

[Silvie Lysandra]

I would not be unhappy if we simply drafted Henderson at #2-6. I really do think he has star potential - improving shooter, great slasher, great finisher, does everything on the court, outstanding defender...he's not a big-time scorer now, but he very well could be if he continues to work on his game.

He's pretty much the ideal SG to play with us assuming we keep the team as is.

[Ruzious]

I would not be unhappy if we simply drafted Henderson at #2-6. I really do think he has star potential - improving shooter, great slasher, great finisher, does everything on the court, outstanding defender...he's not a big-time scorer now, but he very well could be if he continues to work on his game.

He's pretty much the ideal SG to play with us assuming we keep the team as is.

He's not the answer to our prayers. It took him 3 seasons to be more than a solid college player, he's still very iffy from college 3 point range, and he doesn't get to the line very much. His 1.32 points per shot is mediocre for a scorer. And I'm talking as a fan of his - I'm pretty sure I was the first here to mention him as someone to get excited about - who was underrated at the time.

[mhd]

If we are taking a g, I'd take Rubio and hope he pans out.

[eltacoman]

Blake or Rubio if they are gone when we pick if they are gone then trade the pick with our junk for a good SG ........ Blake and Rubio are ready to contribute now ..... the rest need 3 years or more and most would have been in the middle of the draft last year

i wish we land one of the top 2 picks.... if not find a good player to trade for .... or this year will just suck even more

[Ruzious]

Harden puts up another stinker (2 in a row). That's not helping the value of our pick. I wonder how much of it is from other teams 2ble teaming him - as AZ State wins it.

[mhd]

Buddinger having a great game. Hill isn't doing much offensively, but he's showing his dominating rebounding ability.

[nate33]

Evan Turner beasted again. 29 points, 9 boards, 8 assists, 8/19 from the floor, 7/8 from the line, 2/2 from three. All this in an ugly, low-scoring game where the Buckeye's shot just 39% as a team.

[doclinkin]

Evan Turner beasted again. 29 points, 9 boards, 8 assists, 8/19 from the floor, 7/8 from the line, 2/2 from three. All this in an ugly, low-scoring game where the Buckeye's shot just 39% as a team.

Yep. Missed a couple clutch shots but as usual I was impressed with his habits, poise & demeanor. He's got 'Big League' oozing out of him. On defense always seems to make the smart decision and be in the right place. Dribbles well in traffic.

Compare and contrast with Wake Forest who has a bunch of mouthbreathers and selfish players masquerading as supertalents.

Eric Maynor was a blast to watch. He's another one who can't play any other way but smart. And tough. Missed a clutch shot, but hit a few just to put them in position. Darren Collison is a ncie defender, really long arms for his height, but Maynor more than held his own agaisnt next-level players.

Don't know who else stayed up to watch Blake Griffin yesterday. Just wow. He wasn't missing much at all from anywhere. Had a beautiful Duncan-esque face up bank off the corner glass from 16 feet. Clearly on purpose too. Dribbles behind the back in traffic to side step the D then dish. And all smooth and under control. DX et al may be knocking his defense, I really don't give a funk. He makes the right pass at the right time, so smooth and efficient on offense, bulls right past people, provokes opponents to attack him simply because he plays like they ain't even there. Infuriating.

(The Morgan state thug deliberately judoflipped him when the ball was already at the other end of the court. Nice, moron, down 15 and you're trying to show the MMA tuff guise. Fact is Blake walks away while the refs eject you because he's got a future, and you? See how long you can tell the story of the time you showed your ass and got ejected. Fxxkin doorknob.)

Blake walked away, but at some point he may have to throw an accidental elbow to the throat at the next level, players constantly want to test that chin. He plays kinda chippy anyway.

I was pretty well favorable of his brother Taylor. Maybe not NBA quality, but I like his game.

Don't care who says what, Greivis Vasquez is worth watching. Next year he can show his point guard team leader skills-- this year? whatever he can do to win. Just a tough passionate feisty cocksure a-hole. You have to be a toughminded guard to play for Gary. I think next year he'll look more like an NBAer when surrounded with players to pass to.

There are teams I like watching. Cleveland State is full of tough smart players, only one with any NBA-possible talent (Jackson IIRC) love to see a team beat a collection of talents. Must admit I get some perverse pleasure out of watching Aminu crap the bed and get beat underneath by smaller scrappier players. He looks like an uglier Danny Manning, and am I wrong or does he got the yellowest teeth I seen without gold fronts. Looks like he's eating a mouthful of corn. (Just provoking wiznasty here...)

FSU went down but Toney Douglas was no easy KO. Fun game. I had three windows open plus the TV games running simucast. I want Blake, but the habit of watching for roleplayers dies hard, this is a fun tournament so far, even when it's predictable.

[nate33]

Evan Turner beasted again. 29 points, 9 boards, 8 assists, 8/19 from the floor, 7/8 from the line, 2/2 from three. All this in an ugly, low-scoring game where the Buckeye's shot just 39% as a team.

Yep. Missed a couple clutch shots but as usual I was impressed with his habits, poise & demeanor. He's got 'Big League' oozing out of him. On defense always seems to make the smart decision and be in the right place. Dribbles well in traffic.

HIs game kind of reminds me of a poor man's Grant Hill. He has fabulous handles for a player his size; he's a cerebral player; he runs point forward and sets up his teammates; he's a good rebounder; and he doesn't shoot too much from the outside.

The main difference is that Grant Hill had perhaps the quickest first step of anybody his size in NBA history. Nobody could stay in front of Hill. Turner doesn't have an extraordinary first step. He makes up for it with that spin move. I gotta figure NBA scout would figure that one out though. Turner might spin into a lot of trouble at the next level.

[nate33]

Don't know who else stayed up to watch Blake Griffin yesterday. Just wow. He wasn't missing much at all from anywhere. Had a beautiful Duncan-esque face up bank off the corner glass from 16 feet. Clearly on purpose too. Dribbles behind the back in traffic to side step the D then dish. And all smooth and under control. DX et al may be knocking his defense, I really don't give a funk. He makes the right pass at the right time, so smooth and efficient on offense, bulls right past people, provokes opponents to attack him simply because he plays like they ain't even there. Infuriating.

Yeah, Griffin showed it all. He's about as good as it gets offensively. I was most impressed with that play when he caught the alley-oop pass over his shoulder while running full speed on the fast break and just layed it in perfectly. The man has incredible balance and touch to go with his brute strength.

I'm still a little bothered by his defense. It bugs me the way he stays so flat-footed all the time. I suppose one can argue that he's just being efficient and not wasting energy. But I'd like to see a little more "activity". (Geez, I sound like EJ.)

[closg00]

This draft is all about the Blake Griffin sweepstakes.

[no D in Hibachi]

Don't know who else stayed up to watch Blake Griffin yesterday. Just wow. He wasn't missing much at all from anywhere. Had a beautiful Duncan-esque face up bank off the corner glass from 16 feet. Clearly on purpose too. Dribbles behind the back in traffic to side step the D then dish. And all smooth and under control. DX et al may be knocking his defense, I really don't give a funk. He makes the right pass at the right time, so smooth and efficient on offense, bulls right past people, provokes opponents to attack him simply because he plays like they ain't even there. Infuriating.

Yeah, Griffin showed it all. He's about as good as it gets offensively. I was most impressed with that play when he caught the alley-oop pass over his shoulder while running full speed on the fast break and just layed it in perfectly. The man has incredible balance and touch to go with his brute strength.

I'm still a little bothered by his defense. It bugs me the way he stays so flat-footed all the time. I suppose one can argue that he's just being efficient and not wasting energy. But I'd like to see a little more "activity". (Geez, I sound like EJ.)

Nate, his defense bothers me a bit too, but two things come to mind when thinking about his defense: 1) since he is such a focal point on offense he saves his energy for that end, and 2) he does everything he can to avoid ticky tack fouls because in NCAA they call fouls on big men for crossing their eyes.

If the Wizards land the 1st pick he won't need to reserve energy for offense since he won't be the 1st option and the refs are a little more lenient in their foul calls compared to the NCAA's, so he won't need to worry about fouls. I see him developing into an Anderson Varejo type player on the defensive end, perhaps better because he's more athletic. He has the strength to bully people on the block, but he's quick enough to stay infront of them and can jump well enough to contest shots.

[jivelikenice]

Obviously if we get the #1 pick we go Griffin; but if we land somewhere after that then Tyreke Evans needs some serious consideration. What this team is still lacking is the replacement for Larry Hughes and a guy you can pair with Arenas for the long-term. Stevenson is limited with his ball handling and offensively, and Nick Young may be best suited to be a 6th man. Evans would be ideal because we all know Gilbert isn't a true point guard and Evans can share the ball handling duties with him. His size also would allow him to guard 2 guards (and he looks like he's gotten bigger as the season has gone on). I think when the dust settles and if he declares he'll skyrocket up the board come draft time.....

[spaceman_E]

Is anyone else excited to see a potential UNC-OK matchup with Griffin eating up H-bro?

Forget Tyreke, Antonio Anderson really impressed me today, finding open shooters all day and ended up with like 11 assists. 6-6 PG with 4 years of experience and defensive coaching from Calipari. Another big ball handler to keep an eye on if we keep our 2nd rounder. If Evans came out I'd expect him to go between 5-10 based on his potential to be a no.1 scorer, which isn't really our need or our expected pick range.