Chicken Littles: Sky done fell! Draft Thread 2011

[fishercob]

We have a draft thread. IBTMFL.

[fishercob]

One thing I love about Derrick Williams is his Jewish nose. The days of Eddie Gottlieb and Max Zaslofsky are long past, so JRo and I have to cling to whatever we can!

[closg00]

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how Derrick Williams measures. I still say, he's a little over 6'9 with good length and 240 - not a big PF - but not really under-sized - just a bit smaller than Amare. If he's under 6'9, then there'd be an issue.

Houston's Patrick Patterson would be a good comparison, same measurements and plays the PF position....but Williams versatility opens-up the game quite a bit.

[tontoz]

Yeah, I'm sure Dwight is plotting his escape from Disney World to come to the Nation's Capital. I bet he sleeps with a Josh Howard Wizards uni dreaming that he's the Howard wearing the white & blue with gold trim. LOL. Especially considering he's got Gil in his ear to tell him how Ernie, Ted & the entire front office had Gil's back the entire time while he was in DC, especially the last year.

Man, I want what some of y'all are smoking.

Right now, it's a pipe dream. But if Wall breaks out next year along with somebody else (either McGee, Blatche, Booker or our rookie) and we win 40 games, the opinion of the franchise will change. Winning changes everything.

Nobody thought much of OKC in Durant's second season. They won 23 games with Durant, Westbrook, Green, Thabo and Collison. The next year, they won 50 and we're being labeled the next great team.

It's definitely possible to change the image of a team. My only concern is that it'll take one year longer than we have. I think we'll be pretty good in 2012/13. But unfortunately, Howard is a free agent before that season.

I can't see this team winning 40 games next year no matter what they do. I think 30 is a reach too.

Dwight has a player option for the 2012/13 season. It isn't a sure thing that he will opt out.

[doclinkin]

Funny, my running notes on the NCAAs echo recent sentiment on these pages. I can't really judge until March since this team needs most an infusion of proven winners. We have a ton of talent but have our biggest lack in attitude mindset and will to win. Accordingly here's who has caught my eye so far, given little exposure (babytime means I watch far less ball than ever, which, given the wiz' year, looks like I picked a fine time to dial back):

Not sold on Perry Jones. He's got that high center of gravity, and I get the feeling he'll measure with short arms. I just find it hard to trust a 6'11" with all that athleticism who doesn't really register on the boards much. Seems like we already have a couple of that guy already. He's probably an upgrade over Blatche long term, but I see more flash than winner in his game.

Love Derrick Willams, he just has a wiggle, has matrix read-react heads-up display to find angles and space around the basket. I'm not terribly objective about him, admit the bias, I just like his kinetic signature. I'd have fun watching him play.

Yeah watching DWillz against Duke's legit bigs and watching him basically foul out the TX bigs (4 fouls each for TX' legit frontline defensive scrappers, rendered them passive late game). I'm happy with him with any pick. He's got the sort of big game passion that ignites a team. And for all that people question his defensive potential at the next level he's been involved in so many bigtime late-game defensive plays (forcing the 5 second inbounds call on TX; game-ending blocks more than once this year) that at the very least he won't cheat the game on effort. He reads the game well and does what he can to make the difference.

More than anything we need an infusion of pure competitiveness. Dog in the fight. Picking up a passionate baller who burns hottest when the stakes are highest, that's a good add as far as I'm concerned.

[FAH1223]

Guys, we are going to end up with Williams. Its just too obvious now.

http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-wizar ... tball-duke

[TGW]

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how Derrick Williams measures. I still say, he's a little over 6'9 with good length and 240 - not a big PF - but not really under-sized - just a bit smaller than Amare. If he's under 6'9, then there'd be an issue.

He's definitely going to measure out under 6'9 with shoes...but does that inch stop you from drafting the kid? He just seems like a really good basketball player, despite his height and/or position. I can understand if he's 6'7 in shoes, but if he measure anywhere between 6'8 and 6'9 with a good wingspan, I'd say we have to draft him. He's clearly better than Barnes, regardless of what position he plays.

[JAR69]

One thing I love about Derrick Williams is his Jewish nose. The days of Eddie Gottlieb and Max Zaslofsky are long past, so JRo and I have to cling to whatever we can!

Hey, we're in a Jewish renaissance in the league. For years there were none, now we have Jordan Farmar and Omri Cassipi. And with Amare has been exploring his Jewish roots, we're building a decent core.

[tontoz]

I just don't understand all this concern that Derrick Williams is a tweener. He looks to me like he's a legit PF. His is strong, fairly long, and has a solid base. Sure, he might have a little trouble stopping Aldridge or Garnett on the turnaround J, but who doesn't? He'll match up just fine with most PF's in the league - at least he will once he fills out a bit more in the next couple of years. The kid is only 19.

I love his skillset. He'll be great on the pick and pop because he's automatic with the jumper and he has the ability to pump-fake-and-drive. He also finishes well and knows how to draw contact.

One other thing I like about him: with about 2 minutes to go in the Duke game, with the outcome already decided, Coach K decided to pull Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler out of the game during free throws. The crowd gave the seniors a nice ovation. Derrick Williams raised his hands upward to the crowd to try and get the crowd to be louder. That's a classy move.

He looks to be roughly the same size as Josh Smith. Smith doesn't have offensive skills nearly as good as Williams. Smith doesn't seem to get overpowered on D that often. I am not to concerned about Williams being able to play the 4. And since Rashard was doing fine at the 3 I am sure Williams could too.

Having a 4 who can stretch the floor makes some sense on this roster. Even if Wall improves his J it is likely that it won't ever be a strength. Having a 4 who can spread the floor can help Wall and Crawford get to the basket. Plus it makes it easier to play guys like Booker and Seraphin.

[Ruzious]

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how Derrick Williams measures. I still say, he's a little over 6'9 with good length and 240 - not a big PF - but not really under-sized - just a bit smaller than Amare. If he's under 6'9, then there'd be an issue.

He's definitely going to measure out under 6'9 with shoes...but does that inch stop you from drafting the kid? He just seems like a really good basketball player, despite his height and/or position. I can understand if he's 6'7 in shoes, but if he measure anywhere between 6'8 and 6'9 with a good wingspan, I'd say we have to draft him. He's clearly better than Barnes, regardless of what position he plays.

We should think of something to bet for on this. I'm a pretty good judge of height, and I think he tops 6'9 by a hair. Get him to grow a Ben Wallace fro, and I win easily. A Jew with a fro?

[FAH1223]

you shoulda made this thread when the original draft thread reached 100 pages

IBTL

[nate33]

One appealling aspect of drafting Derrick Williams is that it'll make Blatche expendable. As it stands now, as much as we are frustrated with Blatche, he is the only big man on the team with a complete offensive game. When he is out, Flip's playbook is hamstrung.

We could be in pretty decent shape with a starting frontcourt of Williams and McGee, and a backup rotation of Booker and Blatche. Each unit will have a skill guy and a hustle guy. Hopefully, as Booker's offensive skillset develops, it'll allow us to trade Blatche for value and let Seraphin take over at backup C.

[theboomking]

I just don't understand all this concern that Derrick Williams is a tweener. He looks to me like he's a legit PF. His is strong, fairly long, and has a solid base. Sure, he might have a little trouble stopping Aldridge or Garnett on the turnaround J, but who doesn't? He'll match up just fine with most PF's in the league - at least he will once he fills out a bit more in the next couple of years. The kid is only 19.

I love his skillset. He'll be great on the pick and pop because he's automatic with the jumper and he has the ability to pump-fake-and-drive. He also finishes well and knows how to draw contact.

People think Williams is a tweener because he hasn't faired well in the post against lengthy frontcourts. Not only will he be unable to stop players like Alridge, but he'll be unable to score in the post against players like Garnett. Williams will have a speed/quickness mismatch against nearly everyone at the 4 however, and probably against most 3's as well. His first step is great. I agree with you, I like him in the pick and pop game.

I am with everyone, in that I would like for him to be a 3, because it would give us a size mismatch/advantage. I have been saying over and over again though, that just because that is what we want, that doesn't make it so. I think Williams is a PF through and through. He doesn't have the handle or the ability to create a shot that you'd like to see in a SF.

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how Derrick Williams measures. I still say, he's a little over 6'9 with good length and 240 - not a big PF - but not really under-sized - just a bit smaller than Amare. If he's under 6'9, then there'd be an issue.

6'9" in shoes maybe. And I agree that he has good length.

Dwight has a player option for the 2012/13 season. It isn't a sure thing that he will opt out.

We might be better off if he doesn't opt out and waits another year to hit FA.

[nate33]

I don't think Williams is a SF at all. And I think having a size advantage at SF is much less valuable than having a skill advantage at PF. Floor spacing is critical in this PG dominated league.

Williams is a PF. He'll be fine. Yeah, he won't post up on the low block against Kevin Garnett, but then, neither does Josh Smith or Chris Bosh. When Williams plays Kevin Garnett, he'll take him out on the perimeter. He may or may not be able to score on him, but he'll certainly draw Garnett out of the paint so Wall can penetrate.

[Halcyon]

I think Williams can be one of those hybrid SF/PF who can play both positions, depending on matchups. I think he's pretty comparable to Marion, in terms of athletic ability and potential versatility on offense.

[DaRealHibachi]

PPP FTW!!!!!!!

[doclinkin]

One appeal aspect of drafting Derrick Williams is that it'll make Blatche expendable. As it stands now, as much as we are frustrated with Blatche, he is the only big man on the team with a complete offensive game. When he is out, Flip's playbook is hamstrung.

We could be in pretty decent shape with a starting frontcourt of Williams and McGee, and a backup rotation of Booker and Blatche. Each unit will have a skill guy and a hustle guy. Hopefully, as Booker's offensive skillset develops, it'll allow us to trade Blatche for value and let Seraphin take over at backup C.

I also wouldn't underestimate the effect we get on on our high talent underachievers by adding a feisty battler to the roster. Blatche has been passive and anti-clutch and full of excuses, but losing begets losing. You get used to developing the skills of insulating yourself from giving a crap. But the more oncourt leadership we add, the more the culture changes, you can't hide from the spotlight when your teammate is running up court chewing you out or egging you on.

Players are motivated more than anything by peer approval, either on the team or in their posse. We've seen Blatche (for instance) motivated best with a guy like James Singleton in the lockerroom. Enthusiasm is infectious. JWall needs a passionate and firey partner to play off of, to match and exceed in the game of 'my turn' and 'now watch this'. Even peripheral players get caught up in the excitement and put in the work, at least enough to perhaps increase trade value.

[nate33]

I think Williams can be one of those hybrid SF/PF who can play both positions, depending on matchups. I think he's pretty comparable to Marion, in terms of athletic ability and potential versatility on offense.

I don't think he's quite as athletic as Marion. Marion just exuded athleticism in the way that he moved. That man was fluid. He reminded me of a panther playing basketball alongside ordinary humans. Williams is reasonably athletic and very coordinated, but not freakish like that.

I think Williams might start off as a bit of a combo forward, but he'll be much better matchupwise at PF. In the next year or two, he'll add another 10 pounds of muscle and end up as a pure PF. I'm really not worried about it at all.

I think Williams moved up to #1 on my draft board - with the possible exception of Kanter, who I don't know enough about.

[nate33]

One appeal aspect of drafting Derrick Williams is that it'll make Blatche expendable. As it stands now, as much as we are frustrated with Blatche, he is the only big man on the team with a complete offensive game. When he is out, Flip's playbook is hamstrung.

We could be in pretty decent shape with a starting frontcourt of Williams and McGee, and a backup rotation of Booker and Blatche. Each unit will have a skill guy and a hustle guy. Hopefully, as Booker's offensive skillset develops, it'll allow us to trade Blatche for value and let Seraphin take over at backup C.

I also wouldn't underestimate the effect we get on on our high talent underachievers by adding a feisty battler to the roster. Blatche has been passive and anti-clutch and full of excuses, but losing begets losing. You get used to developing the skills of insulating yourself from giving a crap. But the more oncourt leadership we add, the more the culture changes, you can't hide from the spotlight when your teammate is running up court chewing you out or egging you on.

Players are motivated more than anything by peer approval, either on the team or in their posse. We've seen Blatche (for instance) motivated best with a guy like James Singleton in the lockerroom. Enthusiasm is infectious. JWall needs a passionate and firey partner to play off of, to match and exceed in the game of 'my turn' and 'now watch this'. Even peripheral players get caught up in the excitement and put in the work, at least enough to perhaps increase trade value.

Great point doc. Williams seems like another competitor like Wall, Crawford and Booker. He would be a great addition to the team culture.

[fishercob]

That David West injury is bad news for the Hornets' chances of finishing ahead of ATL.