Chicken Littles: Sky done fell! Draft Thread 2011

[theboomking]

I've been watching every Ohio State, Kentucky and Arizona game I can DVR. I''m also in the camp of people who think Derrick Williams isn't going to be an impact defensive player or rebounder. I do think he can be average in those areas, but he doesn't have the body or length to be great. I also haven't seen as much intensity on that end of the floor, or great rotations. I think my initial impressions of Williams were biased a little too heavily by the initial game I watched which included incredible transition and alley oop dunks. Williams just isn't nearly as explosive in a half court set. Williams should be an efficient score in the NBA, but will certainly be less effective against longer, more atgletic NBA power forwards.

Terrence Jones is a much better defender and rebounder, but I agree that he won't go top 3, and shouldn't go top 5. He is too inefficient on offense, has a terrible outside shot and isn't very efficient on offense. Despite his passing ability, Jones is also a ball stopper. I just don't see Jones as a possible cog on a championship team.

Which brings me to sullinger. The more I watch him, the more I like him. I think Jared's athletic ability is underrated. Sullinger doesn't have ideal height, but does have ideal length. Sullinger is also VERY heady, makes great defensive rotations, has quick hands on defense, plays best in the big moments at the end of games, passes well, boxes out, chases loose balls and calls time out to avoid jump balls, and is very physical. Sullinger looks much better on defense than Williams to my eye, and in the past couple of games, when teams have tried to make him guard out on the perimeter, Sullinger has aquitted himself very well. Jared may never score 40 points in an NBA game, but I think he can be a very good player on a championship caliber team. He has my vote for the Wizards' pick unless Kanter has a totally normal knee exam and MRI's. Having watched as many games as I have recently, I don't see that opinion changing unless something big happens.

FWIW, in the very few perimete opportunities Sullinger gets at OSU, he has shown great form. It is premature to make that assessment, but I like William's perimeter and free throw stroke better than that of any Wizard outside of Hinrich. That doesn't mean Sullinge will be a better perimeter shooter than NY, but I think it does mean that Jared should be able to develop a very consistent perimeter shot in the NBA.

[pcbothwel]

The lead up to the draft will clarify things to a lot of us, but I hope we dont watch Sullinger, Janus, Williams, and Kanter go 1-4, leaving us with little option but either Perry/Terrance Jones or trading Irvings rights.
Jesus, could you imagine if Janus and Irving stay out of the draft for 1 more year and we get stuck with Donatas or Jordan Hamilton...ughhh (knock on wood).. I would immediately trade back with Phoenix or Indiana and a future 1st.

[mhd]

The lead up to the draft will clarify things to a lot of us, but I hope we dont watch Sullinger, Janus, Williams, and Kanter go 1-4, leaving us with little option but either Perry/Terrance Jones or trading Irvings rights.
Jesus, could you imagine if Janus and Irving stay out of the draft for 1 more year and we get stuck with Donatas or Jordan Hamilton...ughhh (knock on wood).. I would immediately trade back with Phoenix or Indiana and a future 1st.

I doubt Irving slips in that scenerio. Teams like Sac, Tor, Cle all need PGs and thay have worse records than the Wiz.

[Dat2U]

Fwiw, if you're trying to make the point that Williams defense is somehow the same as Jamison's, I don't know where you got that from. This is what DraftExpress says about his defense:

Defensively, Williams puts in a better effort than you typically see from a collegiate go-to guy. He does a good job of staying in front of opponents and shows strong fundamentals, as you would expect from a Sean Miller-coached player. He's usually in an attentive stance both on and off the ball and uses his length well to bother his matchup, even if he lacks the physical tools to be overly productive in terms of getting his team extra possessions. The aggressiveness he brings on this end will lead to some foul trouble on occasion, though, which is something that has limited his minutes at times this season.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Der ... z1EdYuWc00
http://www.draftexpress.com

Yep, that was the point I was trying to make. He might not be a Jamison's level defensively but the point stands. I like DX as much as the next guy but I can't take everything they say word for word. The two times I watched Williams, I didn't really see him exert a ton of effort defensively.

Unless you gonna have Dwight Howard to clean up behind him, I'm not a fan of having Williams as my starting PF. If he can play the 3, again that's a different story. I like what he brings to the table offensively. Might be the most complete offensive player in the draft. But his defense, rebounding ability at the next level and his height remain questions for me.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Dat, who plays SF for the Wizards? Lewis.

Has he been effective when healthy? IMO, yes.

In what way is Derrick Williams any less mobile than Rashard? Does he rebound like Rashard or better? With Derrick hitting 60% of his college threes and him living on the FT line might Derrick have offensive prowess at SF? Is Derrick anywhere as good as Rashard?

All the shots Andray forces do you think having Derrick's range and inside game might help Blatche become a better teammate and more of a facilitator?

If Williams blossoms couldn't he become the PF eventually? Could he be like Odom and play PF or SF?

[closg00]

Jared Sullinger, a potential No. 1 pick, has learned to use his lower-body strength to control the painted area.

When Ohio State coach Michael Clouse first set eyes upon Sullinger five years ago, one thing stood out.

"I immediately fell in love with his butt," Clouse said.
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1EgfVAz97

[The Consiglieri]

Dat2U. Who do you like between Sullinger, Kanter and Williams? I'm assuming Irving, P.Jones and Valanciunus are off the table when we draft.

Probably Sullinger. He seems the safest pick of the three and I think he'll be at least an above average rebounder at the PF position. But I'd seriously be open to a trade. Heck even if P. Jones was the pick, I'd still be open to a trade. It's not like I'm totally sold on P. Jones either, I think there's just no question that Perry is the only college player with the physical tools to truly create match up problems on the next level. Of course whether he is successful at the next level is completely debatable.

Right now for me its:

1. PF Perry Jones
2. CE Jonas Valanciunas
3. PF Jared Sullinger
4. PF Derrick Williams
5. CE Enes Kanter

It would never happen, but I know I'd actually support doing the same trade I want the redskins to do this year. Trade for future #1's. I do not like these guys much at all, and I'd rather be in position to take a guy in an elite draft in a year or two then take a guy with a low ceiling just because I have a high pick, this year. I would not trade for a player, the value wouldn't be there.

Seems like many teams seem to be interested in adding picks or trading completely out because of the looming lockout. I'd be very interested in stockpiling for the '12 draft.

Jones: Unlike Ruzious, i do think he'll go high because GM's will say he can be worked with, that he's got the prototype NBA athleticism, and the rest can be worked on. That's a recipe for disaster to me, but I understand going for that over going for a...

Sullinger: who may get it, but also screams potential disappointing bust to me, a guy who does everything well but nothing great and so never really be able to enforce his will on the game. I hope I'm wrong, i could really see us getting him.

Kantner-the knees are rather scary, so is the limited opportunities seeing him (Rubio now looks rather awful w/more exposure for instance).

Jonas: Know nothing.

Derrick: I think he'll be a good role player and maybe just good, but I don't know if he's ever going to be better than that.

Although i know nobody in the FO would probably tolerate this, I'd move our #1 for two future #1's, I'd try to deal it to Toronto or Cleveland knowing that both franchises don't want to spend a long time in the tank, and would want quick fixes, particularly cleveland. I'd love to trade our #1 and our #2 for Cleveland's #1 in '12 and #1 in '14. Not sure if it's doable, but I'd make that deal. We have a lot of kids now, and what we need our difference makers and in my view, this draft doesn't have that robin or batman to pair with John Wall so I'd rather just wait till he's there to get him. Crazy? I know nobody problem have the patience for it, but if we have stomached the last 30 years, we could stomach another year of waiting, I'd just want to bring in help for Wall and this would be a lot more palatable if we also could trade a piece of the current roster for a midrange #1 this year.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Here's the type of guy who I wouldn't mind them spending any first after the top 6 on: Charles Jenkins.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball ... aab-324384



Hofstra has retired his jersey and he's still an active player.

BY FAR my three favorite players in this draft are Kenneth Faried, Charles Jenkins, and Norris Cole. Nolan Smith and Marshon Brooks are also vavorites.

I like players who have mature games and who overcome adversity. These players all have IT.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Never mind.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Oh, and draft Faried, Jenkins/Cole, and Brooks/Klay Thompson

This team doesn't HAVE TO HAVE Sullinger or Williams. Jordan Williams could help.

I say just bring in Faried and eventually give PF to him or Booker. Get a decent coach before deciding Blatche and McGee and Seraphin are the problems.

[Ruzious]

Dat2U. Who do you like between Sullinger, Kanter and Williams? I'm assuming Irving, P.Jones and Valanciunus are off the table when we draft.

Probably Sullinger. He seems the safest pick of the three and I think he'll be at least an above average rebounder at the PF position. But I'd seriously be open to a trade. Heck even if P. Jones was the pick, I'd still be open to a trade. It's not like I'm totally sold on P. Jones either, I think there's just no question that Perry is the only college player with the physical tools to truly create match up problems on the next level. Of course whether he is successful at the next level is completely debatable.

Right now for me its:

1. PF Perry Jones
2. CE Jonas Valanciunas
3. PF Jared Sullinger
4. PF Derrick Williams
5. CE Enes Kanter

It would never happen, but I know I'd actually support doing the same trade I want the redskins to do this year. Trade for future #1's. I do not like these guys much at all, and I'd rather be in position to take a guy in an elite draft in a year or two then take a guy with a low ceiling just because I have a high pick, this year. I would not trade for a player, the value wouldn't be there.

Seems like many teams seem to be interested in adding picks or trading completely out because of the looming lockout. I'd be very interested in stockpiling for the '12 draft.

Jones: Unlike Ruzious, i do think he'll go high because GM's will say he can be worked with, that he's got the prototype NBA athleticism, and the rest can be worked on. That's a recipe for disaster to me, but I understand going for that over going for a...

Sullinger: who may get it, but also screams potential disappointing bust to me, a guy who does everything well but nothing great and so never really be able to enforce his will on the game. I hope I'm wrong, i could really see us getting him.

Kantner-the knees are rather scary, so is the limited opportunities seeing him (Rubio now looks rather awful w/more exposure for instance).

Jonas: Know nothing.

Derrick: I think he'll be a good role player and maybe just good, but I don't know if he's ever going to be better than that.

Although i know nobody in the FO would probably tolerate this, I'd move our #1 for two future #1's, I'd try to deal it to Toronto or Cleveland knowing that both franchises don't want to spend a long time in the tank, and would want quick fixes, particularly cleveland. I'd love to trade our #1 and our #2 for Cleveland's #1 in '12 and #1 in '14. Not sure if it's doable, but I'd make that deal. We have a lot of kids now, and what we need our difference makers and in my view, this draft doesn't have that robin or batman to pair with John Wall so I'd rather just wait till he's there to get him. Crazy? I know nobody problem have the patience for it, but if we have stomached the last 30 years, we could stomach another year of waiting, I'd just want to bring in help for Wall and this would be a lot more palatable if we also could trade a piece of the current roster for a midrange #1 this year.

That's actually not a bad idea, but like you say - it won't happen mainly because there's gotta be reasons to watch the team next season - and that 1st round pick is going to be one of the few.

Normally, I'd say the BOYD stratedy is an excellent one, but I don't recommend it for this draft, because I'm not sure late 1sts from the 2011 draft are going to help build the team. The biggest problem may be that the CBA questions could end up keeping the majority of guys who are generally projected to be coming out early (after the top 10 or so) from... coming out early. So, players who are now projected to be 2nd rounders will be 1st rounders - and they'll get guaranteed contracts. Those guaranteed contracts might come back to haunt teams.

[Ruzious]

And now you know... why Atlanta was willing to include their 1st round pick.

[dobrojim]

And now you know... why Atlanta was willing to include their 1st round pick.

those guaranteed deals for picks in the 20s are not that expensive

[kirubel94]

Did anyone watch Providence Vs 9t ranked Notre Dame, Marshon brooks just put on a show, providence was down by alot at the half and brooks only had 17 points, afterwards this guy caught fire and almost brought back his team to a win, by the way here are his stats,

Marshon Brooks, G-F fg 20-28 3pts6-10 fts6-10 reb5 4 1stl 1To 52pts

an amazing performance,

his game kind of kobe's (not saying he'll be like kobe) just a fun player to watch, i really hope he's avaiable when we pick with the hawks pick .

[mhd]

Faried isn't going to slip into the 20s. He's a lottery pick (late lotto) now. He's not going to have the injury and weight concerns of Blair.

[Rafael122]

And now you know... why Atlanta was willing to include their 1st round pick.

Atlanta almost never drafts in the first round unless it's a lottery pick. They have no use for first round picks b/c they feel that player won't crack the rotation. Which is kind of a dumb strategy. Picks in the 20s only cost $1.1-$1.3 mil per. They were paying Mo Evans $2.5 mil this year. And he could be a rotational player down the line.

I dunno. Trading picks has its consequences.

So we've got a lottery pick, according to DX the Hawks pick stands at 23, and we have the 35th pick in the draft.

Late targets: Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler.

[MF23]

If your drafting Euro then Lithuanian is the way to go. Jonas Valanciunas is solid.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Jordan Crawford and Chris Singleton for Kirby?

Yes. I'll take that.

[spaceman_E]

No love for the Morris twins with ATL pick? I want a tough, defensive/rebounding 4 from this draft with adequate size (eliminating Booker).

[Hoopalotta]

With the Deron trade, we're basically guaranteed a top 5 ping-pong slot with the will of the balls then deciding our pick seeding. Not too much of a chance of going worse than the 6th pick, though.

Even if we started playing .400 ball through the end of the year, that's still probably true.

As to the ATL pick, I'd lean heavily towards consolidation and vaulting upwards for someone we project as having a shot at being a starter. If we've got the 23rd and 35th picks, that's a good start to a package.