The Wizards win the Lottery!!!

[willbcocks]

NUMBER ONE PICK!!!!!! WOOOOO HOOOOO.


Sorry about that, still pumped.

[Hangtime84]

congrats guys i still remember when we got Rose....Can't wait to see heated debates of Wall/Rose comparisons. Happy both PGs are in the east!

[Higga]

You don't pass on Wall. That's like passing on a Rolls Royce because you have a Toyota.

[omegatronic3]

WOOOHOOOO!!!!!!

Please dont anyone mention Kwame Brown (is she even in the league any more?)

At least this is a year where there is a consensus #1 Its a two horse race..either you take Wall or you trade the pick to PHilly for Turner and some other player. Regardless at least we have a guy that can make an impact.

Did anyone notice that Wall seemed less than thrilled about the prospect of going to Washington...I think he was dreaming of New Jersey and parties with Russian babes with LeBron.

We also have cap space...we need a 2 guard for sure

How this for a theory...bring in Calapari to coach Wall again and lure Lebron over!

[doclinkin]

It's been about 4 hours since the draft lottery, and this is my first post. Honestly, this year I would have preferred #2 or #3. I'm not as high on Wall as everyone else seems to be. For one, this past draft was the PG draft. I don't think Wall will be as good as Tyreke Evans. I see Wall lacking a perimeter game. I don't see him instantly being Rondo. I see him being a decent SG. For whatever reason, I see him being a better-leaping Cutino Mobley.

I really like Cousins and Turner over Wall. I think Cousins is the best player in this draft. I think Turner will be a very solid defender, rebounder, and coach's dream.

Wall IMO won't mesh well with Gilbert and he'll probably clash trying to fit into Flip's inflexible way of doing things.

I'm glad that 99% think I'm wrong--so hopefully, they're right and John Wall is the franchise stud folks think he will be.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the Wizards trade the number one for Turner and a future first, or Cousins and a future first.

The Wizards have Arenas and I don't see him and Wall working very well. I think Livingston and Gil work better. Cousins is the guy IMO who would transform this team. Points in the paint and interior defense is what he provides.

Actually Flip and Wall should prove a nice fit. Flip's favorite system is predicated on a ball-dominant guard breaking down defenses and making things happen off the dribble. Meanwhile off-ball motion from the 2-3 positions work past screens looking for open shots, the PG has to hit them at the point of freedom so they can shoot before defenses react.

It breaks down in the post season because it's too complex. It doesn't rely on: 'big man put ball thru iron ring'. The Wall-to-Dray pivot points are a pretty nifty fit too. Either one will be able to create for teammates. What we lack are finishers: off-ball catch and shoot motion players and low-post bail-out power options. BUt we've got the midrange trickery passing and misdirection covered.

I agree Arenas and Wall aren't necessarily the best fit. Except I get the feel that Arenas may take to the kid, see a lot of himself in the cocky lil punk. Help him out with the quick learning curve, and work with him on the ranged attack. Also I think Sammy Cassel and JahWall could have interesting head-sessions learnign how to run trickery and game the opponents.

Basically John Wall has the capacity to saok up and apply any lessons that a PG can teach. In THAT RESPECT HE'S IN A GOOD SITUATION, SURROUNDED BY THREE COMPLEMENTARY VIEWPOINTS. Oops, sorry bout the caps.

I also get the feeling that Cousins and the Wiz may have been the best fit for each other. That we may now be more exciting and dynamic and fancy than unstoppable and pissed off and meanspirited.

BUt know what. I'm okay with that. There's no question in my mind we've picked up a hypertalent. An unselfish star player with a natural PG mindset, at a very young age. The only problem with adding a ball-dominant mega talent early in the rebuilding process is that we become too good too early. Ball handlers have a quick effect on the game in terms of wins and losses. They don't have to depend on players to get them touches. But competent two-way power Bigs are what take you over the top into championship land. We may improve quick enough that we're suddenly mediocre. Tough to get stuck in that no-man's land. Tough to land sufficient talent to leap that fence.

BUt again, I'm okay with that. This draft is actually deep in Bigs and tough guys. And we've seen it that every year a productive power paint player manages to fall into the late picks. You of all people understand that. If we don't add the man-monster with a bad attitude, still, we can look at Larry Sanders, Jarvis Varnado, whomever late in the draft. Or if not: because bigs are ball dependent players, they look for teams with generous and competent passing PGs who can make them look good. We get the PG discount on free agent Bigs at this point. Because one thing that Wall will do for this team is draw attention and looped clips on Sportscenter.

And that has a value even beyond added ticket sales and new bandwaggoner fans.

[Det the Threat]

Congrats guys, you deserve it after all you've had to go throught this sesaon.

Though, that should mean that Gilbert Arenas days with you guys are over. Shouldn't it?

[Halcyon]

I just want to say, for the record, that I was at Dave and busters for my friends birthday but I was at the bar watching the lottery. When we won I started yelling like a madman and textijg allmy friends who were wizards fans. But I wish I had been with all of you guys when it was announced because I don't think any fanbase deserves it as much as we do. Hopefully our suffering for the past 2 tears and the history before pays off. Sorry if my spelling is off because I'm posting this from my iPod touch while on my friends wireless network whole drunk. But I wanted to claim my place in the wizrads turn in fortuNe.

Ps this feels much better than when we won the lottery last time

[BillessuR6]

Congrats to all Wizards fans! And a new era begins...

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Lots of classy BB fans from other teams giving congrats to us - thanks to all!

Yup you deserve wall for being losers , congrad

While other teams were tanking we were beating these Celtics by 30 in Beantown.

And this makes the win over the overtly tanking Warriors so ironic and sweet as they dropped all the way to 6th. Serves em right.

[closg00]

Congrats guys, you deserve it after all you've had to go throught this sesaon.

Though, that should mean that Gilbert Arenas days with you guys are over. Shouldn't it?

Have you seen Gilbert's contract? Gilbert will be with us until he becomes an expiring contract.

[Rafael122]

I still can't believe we won.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

It's been about 4 hours since the draft lottery, and this is my first post. Honestly, this year I would have preferred #2 or #3. I'm not as high on Wall as everyone else seems to be. For one, this past draft was the PG draft. I don't think Wall will be as good as Tyreke Evans. I see Wall lacking a perimeter game. I don't see him instantly being Rondo. I see him being a decent SG. For whatever reason, I see him being a better-leaping Cutino Mobley.

I really like Cousins and Turner over Wall. I think Cousins is the best player in this draft. I think Turner will be a very solid defender, rebounder, and coach's dream.

Wall IMO won't mesh well with Gilbert and he'll probably clash trying to fit into Flip's inflexible way of doing things.

I'm glad that 99% think I'm wrong--so hopefully, they're right and John Wall is the franchise stud folks think he will be.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the Wizards trade the number one for Turner and a future first, or Cousins and a future first.

The Wizards have Arenas and I don't see him and Wall working very well. I think Livingston and Gil work better. Cousins is the guy IMO who would transform this team. Points in the paint and interior defense is what he provides.

We can get points in the paint with Blatche. I agree we need interior defense and a guy that can bang, but I'm not looking for that at the top of the draft, get that at our later picks where bangers can be had.

The last 2 rookies of the year have been point guards. I'd gladly fall in line behind that. The Lakers and Orlando are two teams who would disprove that the league is becoming a PG driven league, but I'm not going to bank on us pulling a Gasol trade any time soon, and Cousins is no Dwight Howard at the 1st pick. Us passing on the one player who appears to be a franchise player to take a chance on a big man with potential smells of Atlanta passing on Chris Paul and Derron Williams. Buffoonery.

That said you are right all too often, CCJ. Can we arrange that this would be one of the few times you are wrong?

(I will also admit as a guy who played PG throughout my scholastic career, I'm a sucker for PG play and a bit biased...)

[verbal8]

Congrats guys, you deserve it after all you've had to go throught this sesaon.

Thanks.

Though, that should mean that Gilbert Arenas days with you guys are over. Shouldn't it?

I think the Wizards see what a Wall/Arenas back-court can do first. The only trade offer that might entice the Wizards a this point is a young cheap wing or defensive big. At this point most teams would want an incentive to take on Arenas and his contract. However if he plays as well as he was at the time he was suspended, he should at the very least allow the Wizards to get expiring contracts if they chose to deal him.

[dandridge 10]

After disagreeing with CCJ on a lot of things this year, I actually happen to share most of his views regarding the Wizards pick. I also am not as high as Wall as some other people. Although admittedly I did not watch Wall play that much this year (maybe 4-5 games), the thing that really struck me about Wall is that he is really great in transition, but is quite ordinary in the half court offense (probably because he lacks an outside shot right now). I also have concerns about him with Gilbert in the backcourt as I think both are more effective with the ball in their hands, and I worry about our ability to defend bigger guards when both of them are on the court together. However, if we are able to move Gilbert, I think I would be more pleased with Wall as our #1 pick.

Regarding Turner, I like him alot and see him as the best fit next to Arenas (if he is staying). He can hit the open shot, play and defend multiple positions, rebound, etc. And, although he did dominant the ball in OS, I think it was more that he had to rather than he wanted to. I think he would be a better complimentary player than Wall (again, assuming Gil stays), only because he can do it all and fill in more of the gaps that we need.

Regarding Cousins, this is where I would disagree with CCJ. I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole with the #1 pick. Yes, he undeniably has talent and is a load in the paint. However, his attitude problems and often laziness on the court just ring of a potential bust or at least a big disappointment. There is a reason his stock is falling in all the mock drafts. If we had the 3 or 4 pick, I could see taking a risk with him. You don't take a risk like that with the #1 pick.

[fishercob]

After disagreeing with CCJ on a lot of things this year, I actually happen to share most of his views regarding the Wizards pick. I also am not as high as Wall as some other people. Although admittedly I did not watch Wall play that much this year (maybe 4-5 games), the thing that really struck me about Wall is that he is really great in transition, but is quite ordinary in the half court offense (probably because he lacks an outside shot right now). I also have concerns about him with Gilbert in the backcourt as I think both are more effective with the ball in their hands, and I worry about our ability to defend bigger guards when both of them are on the court together. However, if we are able to move Gilbert, I think I would be more pleased with Wall as our #1 pick.

Regarding Turner, I like him alot and see him as the best fit next to Arenas (if he is staying). He can hit the open shot, play and defend multiple positions, rebound, etc. And, although he did dominant the ball in OS, I think it was more that he had to rather than he wanted to. I think he would be a better complimentary player than Wall (again, assuming Gil stays), only because he can do it all and fill in more of the gaps that we need.


Regarding Cousins, this is where I would disagree with CCJ. I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole with the #1 pick. Yes, he undeniably has talent and is a load in the paint. However, his attitude problems and often laziness on the court just ring of a potential bust or at least a big disappointment. There is a reason his stock is falling in all the mock drafts. If we had the 3 or 4 pick, I could see taking a risk with him. You don't take a risk like that with the #1 pick.

It's funny, going into the lotto I wa son the phone with my brother syaing the guy I really wanted was Cousins. Once we got into the top 3 I said "we can't lose." I was more excited that we WON THE LOTTERY than that we were getting Wall. I share your and CCJ's curbed enthusiasm about him. He can't shoot from the perimeter yet. I do think he's very solid in the half court though and will be great in the P&R. If we do take him, which I think is the mostly likley scenario, I think he and Gil will mesh fine. Flip transitioned to a 2-guard offense the latter half of last year (BulletsFOrever and TruthAboutIt have some really good stuff on this) and I imagine we'll see more of that next season.

I'm not worried about offense. Wall-Gil, can be as effective as Isiah and Joe Dumars. D is more of a concern. I don't think Gil has the length or will to guard Wade, Kobe, etc. But lets not get ahead of ourselves.

I think you have to put feelers out there to see what Philly and NJ would give to move up. What if Philly would give up Iggy and/or Speights to move up one spot? You have to think about that, right? What if there was a way swing a deal with NJ and Philly whereby we wend up with Brook Lopez and Turner? Cousins and Devin Harris? It's imperative that we consider all of our options.

The good thing is that now we finally have options. But I am not ready to just say "we're drafting Wall" and be done with it.

[sashae]

In isolation (ignoring team fit), John Wall is easily the best player in the draft. He lacks the one thing that is easiest to develop with coaching, a jump shot. Court vision, handles, and the ability to attack the rim are natural skills, and can't be developed to the level that Wall has.

Evan Turner is a fine, fine player, and I'd have been happy to have landed him. But to overthink the situation and say "maybe we should draft X over Wall because they'd fit better" is craziness. John Wall should be wearing a Bullets jersey this fall...

[dopeismarcus]

Im doing the John Wall dance all day.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Fish, I agree the one real knock on him is his jumper right now.

But even Lebron had knocks on his jumper coming in the league. So did Tyreke Evans with his form last year. I don't think it's a big worry.

Derrick Rose came into the league in a very similar situation to Wall, with questions about his jumper as well. But this past season he came back with a good to great midrange jumper. I bet next year he brings that back to the 3 point line.

Reports (as reported by Magic Johnson) are "Wall has been in Los Angeles for the last two weeks practicing six hours a day. All the indications are he's a gym rat. You want a guy with that skill level who wants to be in the gym. You've got to take that cat." I have no doubt he will develop a J, and develop whatever else is needed. He's no Jamarcus Russell.


Don't get me wrong, if we net a tremendous value and still pick in the top 3 that's a definite option. But at #1 Wall is as legit as it gets.

[dobrojim]

We are either gonna draft Turner, Cousins, or Favors. We wont draft Wall...

It doesnt make any logistical sense.. We have two very good PG`s..
Look at the Lakers fir example, and how they are beating every team in the playoff`s.. They are BIGGER THAN EVERY TEAM THEY PLAY...

Monroe, Favors, Cousins.. Are the best options for our team at the moment..

I disagree. Wall is the ONE player in this draft that is a franchise type
player. You don't pass on that simply because your best player plays
the same position. BTW - we have ONE very good PG. SL is a FA and
we have no guarantee that he would come here. Now we don't need
him anyway.

[Hoopalotta]

My position is simple:

We're gettin' Wall! Wooh!



I suppose I'd listen to anyone that called, but just out of curiosity.