Kevin Seraphin

[yungal07]

France won...beat a team with Wall and Cousins, and this was only last year.

International team, actually. There was two french players but the best player of this team is Macvan. This guy is a genius and one day he will won WC with Serbia....

You're absolutely right.

And I heard Macvan totall dominated Cousins, according to nbadraft.net

[willbcocks]

The best thing about Seraphin is that it will leave Republican lobbyists at the games conflicted about rooting for a Frenchman.

Internally conflicted lobbyist = contradiction in terms.

[dobrojim]

The best thing about Seraphin is that it will leave Republican lobbyists at the games conflicted about rooting for a Frenchman.

fugop

living up to his screenname

not that I'm not largely in agreement

that said, I think lobbyist are more non-partisan than partisan
(might be naive here)

Join the facebook group congress people should wear NASCAR type
uniforms so we can instantly identify who (which Corp) they are really working for
(cause it sure ain't us)

[RickRoll_inDC]

Back on topic here.....not to scare anyone, but....

All that we have really been talking about is how he looks and how huge he is. We've said he's going to be good because he looks like a really good sized big man. That's all I know about him right now.

6'9" 258 looks like a really good NBA big man- that's Seraphin
6'11 270 looks like a REALLY good NBA big man

Those outstanding measurements belong to the great Kwame Brown

does this scare anyone else or am I just paranoid?

[Kanyewest]

^^ It looks like he has big hands and he plays with toughness according to the scouting report. That being said, Kwame Brown wasn't a bad prospect when he came out; the problem was that he didn't develop as planned.

[WallToWall]

...and KB didn't have those kind of mittens that Seraphin has. KB is probably not as tough as Seraphin.

With all these bigs on the way, we really really need a big man coach. Otherwise, these picks could very well be a lost cause.

[yungal07]

Seraphin is mentally beyond Kwame. Kwame, mentally, is one of the weakest players in NBA history.

[doclinkin]

Let me atone WizFans,

I'been away from my computer for a bit, new house, crazy family issues with hospital trips and all, top it off: no new computer/phone hook-up yet, I'm pirating off a neighbors wifi feed. But I wanted to weigh in. Seems like plenty of fans are feeling Disgrunfeld [sic]. I'm actually seriously excited about this pick.

My read is that KeVAN SeraPHAN will prove a steal at 17. I've read fan reaction on a few sites, here, the official site and BuFo, and responded to a few. One excerpt:

Tell you one guy who remembers this kid: John Wall.

Let me tug your coat a little: Biggest best indicator of this kids talent - his coming out party on the international scene- was his display at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland 2008 where he keyed the World Team’s come from behind victory against a USA squad that consisted of: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Cole Aldrich, Xavier Henry…

Kid had 4 blocks, two on Cole, one or two on Cousins. 9 boards in 22 mins. Dunked on both Cole and Cousins. The computer where I may have had a clip saved is dead. But in one sequence in the 4th quarter comeback he blocked Cousins, dunked at the opposite end, then came back and blocked the mess outta John Wall.

And he was desperate to be here. Apparently begged Ernie to select him. When was the last time any player was desperate to join this Wiz squad?

This is the first of the ancillary dividends being paid by our luck in the lotto. Most clips from the Summit are actually a John Wall highlight reel. But folks who were watching closely saw two #11’s in that game, one in white and one in grey. And you got to know, Kevin Seraphin was watching the other #11 pretty closely, and can see quite clearly how good Kid Wall will make the him look.

Here’s one clip.

At 1:19 he smears away a weak attempt by Cole Aldrich. Nothing special. (Check John Wall at 1:42…) At 2:12 he volleyballs back a pull-up jumper. At 2:34 is the sequence where he dunks on Cousins, then blocks Wall at the other end. Missing is only the block on Cousins that preceded it.

Kid has big-time natural talent. Unchannelled, yes. He's 268 and muscled but has never yet touched a weight. He loves contact, loves to bang. Reports suggest his defense is advanced ahead of his offensive talent, but offensive clips show a guy who hits the hook shot in traffic, can bank it off glass and can he dunk?

Check #11 on both teams: here.

Check his practice donks. Here.
Here (1:49 mark begins a string of 'em). Love the casual force of that one-handed dunk, elbow-high to the rim.

I hear the Pecherov trepidation. This ain't that. Pech was hoping to be Antawn Jamison, and no matter what the coaches said he wanted to pitch threees from outside, wouldn't finish down low. If you saw his press conference, this is a kid who wants to bang and bump, compares his game to Nene' (check about the 6:30 mark here, talking about his strengths and weaknesses). He's not trying to chuck from outside.

If you have players who can pass the ball, you need finishers. John Wall, Gilbert, Dray, Trevor Booker: all have quick read on the pass. You need a force inside who can catch and slam, finish after contact. This is a guy who will block and dunk on DCuz and Aldrich. Not especially scared of shotblockers big bodies or contact. My read is he's gonna make John Wall et al look good and vice versa. Plus he wants to defend? Likes the contact?

I'm thinking he's mighty quickly a crowd favorite.

[TheKingOfVa360]

^^^^Those were some amazing highlights of Wall and Seraphin

[JWizmentality]

The best thing about Seraphin is that it will leave Republican lobbyists at the games conflicted about rooting for a Frenchman.

fugop

living up to his screenname

not that I'm not largely in agreement

that said, I think lobbyist are more non-partisan than partisan
(might be naive here)

Join the facebook group congress people should wear NASCAR type
uniforms so we can instantly identify who (which Corp) they are really working for
(cause it sure ain't us)

Wouldn't they be too busy determining if he's here legally? We all know most illegal immigrants come here to smuggle drugs.

[closg00]

^^^^
Thanks for the nice clips Doc, we'll have to see how developed his game is this fall. Anyone know why he was only playing 16 minutes per game in France?

[fishercob]

Doc, thanks for posting that. Great stuff. I hope everything us OK with you and the Link-clan. Congrats on the new digs.

[popper]

The comparison to Dwight Howard is spot-on. Given a year experience in the NBA (he will play for the Wizards this year) he will administer beat-downs nightly. Booker will play some minutes at the SF position even if we do acquire Childress. Opposing teams will dread the Wizards strength inside and writhe in pain as we contest every inch of paint.

Good job Ernie

[nate33]

Check his practice donks. Here.

There are a couple of sick dunks starting at the 43 second mark. That one on the fast break at the 45 second mark is just nasty. His elbow is above the rim.

[hands11]

Zut alors?

Anyway, maybe Blatche and Booker can play together, because Blatche has strengths that counterbalance Booker's weaknesses. Blatche can hit the long jumpers and drive to the basket. So, if Booker just works very hard on his jump shot, and cut to the lane for layup receptions, that's about all he needs to do on offense - other than setting picks. Defensively, he can cover 3's. It might work out ok.

We we wanted defense and I an other really wanted some depth a center.

Looks like we have that.

Man, we have a lot of shot blockers on this team.
Can't wait to see what a off-season of weights gives us in McGee. Lets not forget the kid has mad athletics for his size. Now it looks like we have some more tough guys to practice against.

Well see if McGee can make it to a starting center. If not, he is nice back up center who will one day also be able to play at PF.

Let get Frenchie over here and get his game ready. Sooner he can back up or even start at center the more flexibility we have. Plus we gave have N’Diaye

N’Diaye, 7’0”, 235 lbs., was the 2009-10 Big East Defensive Player of the Year, as he led the Big East in blocks per game (4.5) while ranking third nationally. N’Diaye was selected 56th overall in the draft.

I wanted Alubi but this works.

[hands11]

Well Larry Sanders may have been a better pick at 17, but he went 15 so that point is moot. I'm not a big James Anderson fan, although for what he does (make jumpshots) he could be very successful for the Spurs, taking the Roger Mason role.

Jumpshots. We don't need no stinking jumpshots.

We need bangers. We need touch dudes with motors who can play D.

If he isn't ready right away. NP. 2-3 year plan.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Let me atone WizFans,

I'been away from my computer for a bit, new house, crazy family issues with hospital trips and all, top it off: no new computer/phone hook-up yet, I'm pirating off a neighbors wifi feed. But I wanted to weigh in. Seems like plenty of fans are feeling Disgrunfeld [sic]. I'm actually seriously excited about this pick.

My read is that KeVAN SeraPHAN will prove a steal at 17. I've read fan reaction on a few sites, here, the official site and BuFo, and responded to a few. One excerpt:

Tell you one guy who remembers this kid: John Wall.

Let me tug your coat a little: Biggest best indicator of this kids talent - his coming out party on the international scene- was his display at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland 2008 where he keyed the World Team’s come from behind victory against a USA squad that consisted of: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Cole Aldrich, Xavier Henry…

Kid had 4 blocks, two on Cole, one or two on Cousins. 9 boards in 22 mins. Dunked on both Cole and Cousins. The computer where I may have had a clip saved is dead. But in one sequence in the 4th quarter comeback he blocked Cousins, dunked at the opposite end, then came back and blocked the mess outta John Wall.

And he was desperate to be here. Apparently begged Ernie to select him. When was the last time any player was desperate to join this Wiz squad?

This is the first of the ancillary dividends being paid by our luck in the lotto. Most clips from the Summit are actually a John Wall highlight reel. But folks who were watching closely saw two #11’s in that game, one in white and one in grey. And you got to know, Kevin Seraphin was watching the other #11 pretty closely, and can see quite clearly how good Kid Wall will make the him look.

Here’s one clip.

At 1:19 he smears away a weak attempt by Cole Aldrich. Nothing special. (Check John Wall at 1:42…) At 2:12 he volleyballs back a pull-up jumper. At 2:34 is the sequence where he dunks on Cousins, then blocks Wall at the other end. Missing is only the block on Cousins that preceded it.

Kid has big-time natural talent. Unchannelled, yes. He's 268 and muscled but has never yet touched a weight. He loves contact, loves to bang. Reports suggest his defense is advanced ahead of his offensive talent, but offensive clips show a guy who hits the hook shot in traffic, can bank it off glass and can he dunk?

Check #11 on both teams: here.

Check his practice donks. Here.
Here (1:49 mark begins a string of 'em). Love the casual force of that one-handed dunk, elbow-high to the rim.

I hear the Pecherov trepidation. This ain't that. Pech was hoping to be Antawn Jamison, and no matter what the coaches said he wanted to pitch threees from outside, wouldn't finish down low. If you saw his press conference, this is a kid who wants to bang and bump, compares his game to Nene' (check about the 6:30 mark here, talking about his strengths and weaknesses). He's not trying to chuck from outside.

If you have players who can pass the ball, you need finishers. John Wall, Gilbert, Dray, Trevor Booker: all have quick read on the pass. You need a force inside who can catch and slam, finish after contact. This is a guy who will block and dunk on DCuz and Aldrich. Not especially scared of shotblockers big bodies or contact. My read is he's gonna make John Wall et al look good and vice versa. Plus he wants to defend? Likes the contact?

I'm thinking he's mighty quickly a crowd favorite.

doc, I'm sold.

Watching that guy I'm trying to think of NBA big men like him and honestly, not too many come to mind. He's like a slimmer, faster, Jahidi. Very, very strong. Ferocious dunker. Excellent timing. Appears to have great hands.

I see why Ernie traded up for him, now.

The guy wanting to be in DC. His connection already with Wall. Him being a hellacious finisher and shotblocker. This guy's a cross between Jahidi White and Ben Wallace. Faster and a better leaper than either of them, but similar in his approach to the game.

Now I see why Mister Grunfeld drafted him.

[Hoopalotta]

I loved that USA-international game footage with Wall and Seraphin. That one sequence by our Frenchman with the fastbreak dunk and then the block on Wall in about 10 seconds time was sh-weet!

You can see he moves with a heck of a lot more explosion than Cole Aldrich too. Considering he's about thirty pounds heavier, that's pretty sassy. The throw-down on Cousins was nice too.

The question I find myself asking: can he play center? In stature, he appears to be kind of like one of those big ole 1990's style power forwards. I'm thinking he's a Center/Forward.

Jumpshots? We don't need no stinking jumpshots.

This was the "go for it!" pick.

Anyone know why he was only playing 16 minutes per game in France?

It's not really unusual for young international players to get limited minutes. Actually, most international players are clipped with their minutes; Tiago Splitter I believe was the MVP of the Spanish "premier" division and he only got about 26-28 minutes a game. That's just how they roll over there (or maybe "role").

[Loney T]

Here's another clip of some of his highlight from this season:

http://www.lnbtv.net/?videos=3098

About him playing 16minutes that's mainly because he was behind to good US PFs in his team and he was playing for the best team in the league with a pretty good roster so he wasn't the first option.

But He was in the starting 5 and was even named best players of the team in March or April so his playing time and role on the team developped during the season...

I think he could contribute and give good minutes next year (if he gets enought PT) but it doesn't make sense to make him come to play 5 minutes per game knowing there 3 other bigs and he would learn more playing 20-25 minutes in France (Cholet will play in the euroleague next year) or in another european team.

[dangermouse]

Ok im sold on this pick now. Hope he hits the weight room and the protein. If he buffs up he could play C. I'm keen to bring him over now. If he is the goods he would get 20 mins a game for sure, depends who else we sign really. Otherwise there is always the D league. Where would he be better off though? Developing in the Euroleague or in the D league?

I see Rob Beveridge was the coach of the world team, and had good things to say about the team as a whole, i tried to find any comments on individual players but no luck. Hes a coach in the Australian NBL of the reigning champs, and that job includes scouting and evaluating foreign talent as well as all the other head coach duties. Sounds like Seraphin was a beast in that game, Bev wouldnt have played him if he didnt like him, he doesnt give guys minutes unless they work.