2011 DRAFT blather goes here. Part 3...

[jivelikenice]

I don't think you can plan this draft based on what you hope to do next draft. I love Kawhi's work ethic and toughness on the court, and if he can continue to develop other offensive areas of his game he can become more than just a solid pro. If we don't move up in the draft, I'm hoping he's the pick at #6.

[jivelikenice]

Continuing a little on Leonard, what exactly does Vesely bring to the table that Leonard doesn't? Aside from height I just can't think of one thing that Vesely has an advantage on.

I'm not trying to slam the guy but if Ernie is enamored, I think he's quickly deviating from last years draft plan and reverting back to old form. When we were a playoff team he continuously swung for the fences with our mid 1st round picks and 2nd rounders (when we didn't sell it). I never really had a huge problem with that considering where we were selecting. The problem is these types of players take time to develop and do't really understand the game. McGee and Blatche developed slowly but their bball IQ still lags. Pech did not develop but he too had a low bball IQ. Now that we're a young team this isn't the way to go. We need to surround Wall, Crawford, and Co. with gym rats who know how to play the game and bring athleticism, length, and hunger to the floor. We don't need a project who needs to learn the game to go along with a young team thats still finding their way.

[Illuminaire]

I'm banking on Vesely just being a smokescreen. EG is notoriously close-lipped around draft time.

I really do hope EG moves towards high IQ, high motor players, though. Obviously, you need talent to go along with that, but there are quite a few players who rank in all those categories in this draft. Let's not skip them for the next Darko. =p

[spaceman_E]

Or we could just get him at 6 and call it a day.

Just to piggyback off what Ruz said about Singleton, if we're good to go in drafting Singleton, well why not Leonard? They're basically the same players, perimeter defenders who could guard 3 positions and have questionable jump shots. Only thing is Leonard is what...2-3 years younger and still has room to grow?

Oh, I dunnnooo... 2 inches, more muscle, offensive ability, a respectable 3 point shot, top competition, lower perceived value, more athleticism. It's also only 15 months difference in age. But yeah, let's go with Leonard.

[JonathanJoseph]

Fwiw, Michael Jordan is supposedly enamored with Kemba Walker.

That thought had crossed my mind, that MJ would fall for the accomplished NCAA player that carried his team to a title. If both Irving and Knight go in the Top 5, we could have a trading partner. With that many guards going early, we'd still be able to get one of Kanter/Biyombo/Valanciunas at #9 and maybe unload Blatche in the process.

MJ was also the one who wanted to get rid of the NCAA title accomplished Rip Hamilton thinking he wouldn't be willing to match market value coming off his rookie contract. Yet another MJ personnel mistake. I think I'll go with the opposite of what MJ the executive thinks every time.

Why would the Wizards give up a real NBA asset to move up for Kanter/Biyombo/Valanciunas? Has anyone seen them play beyond a few YouTube clips? You are ready to give up a promising PF for prospects less heralded than Darko and Skitischvilli (sp?)?

Everyone is way overthinking this.

The Wizards draft strategy is:
1) Best Player Available (BPA) that isn't a PG
2) Trade down IF no players valued that high AND/OR valuable trade offered
3) Use the other draft picks to move up ONLY if they fall in love with a prospect

[spaceman_E]

Continuing a little on Leonard, what exactly does Vesely bring to the table that Leonard doesn't? Aside from height I just can't think of one thing that Vesely has an advantage on.

I'm not trying to slam the guy but if Ernie is enamored, I think he's quickly deviating from last years draft plan and reverting back to old form. When we were a playoff team he continuously swung for the fences with our mid 1st round picks and 2nd rounders (when we didn't sell it). I never really had a huge problem with that considering where we were selecting. The problem is these types of players take time to develop and do't really understand the game. McGee and Blatche developed slowly but their bball IQ still lags. Pech did not develop but he too had a low bball IQ. Now that we're a young team this isn't the way to go. We need to surround Wall, Crawford, and Co. with gym rats who know how to play the game and bring athleticism, length, and hunger to the floor. We don't need a project who needs to learn the game to go along with a young team thats still finding their way.

Please. Someone please tell me how Kawhi Leonard is different than Dominic Mcguire besides being younger?

"Hustle, effort, energy" ??? These are words you use to justify your 2nd round pick, not #6 overall. And don't give me "weak draft" crap, there are wayyyyy better prospects.

[Illuminaire]

Ooooooh. I liked what I saw from Leonard in that video. He looks positively ripped, moves with great fluidity, and had respectable form on all his shots.

Oh, and he was very productive on the boards in college, which tends to translate nicely.

Yeah, I like this kid. He has size, power, work ethic, and basketball IQ. I have totally talked myself into Kawhi for our pick.

[Illuminaire]

Please. Someone please tell me how Kawhi Leonard is different than Dominic Mcguire besides being younger?

Well, compared to McGuire's sophomore year ....

... Leonard scores 6.4 more points/40
... Leonard attempts 1.6 more FTs/40
... Leonard shoots 20.4% better from the FT line
... Leonard snags 5 more rebounds/40 !!!
... Leonard gets .6 more steals/40
... Leonard turns the ball over .4 less times/40

... Both players have .51 TS%

... McGuire blocks 1.2 more shots/40

I think it's reasonable to say Leonard is a much more talented prospect as a wing than McGuire was, and probably by a fair margin. Even if you compare Leonard's soph stats to McGuire's red-shirt Junior totals, Kawhi blows him away in every category but blocks.

Basically, D-Mac was a tweener who needed to be a four, but didn't have the rebounding skill or bulk to pull it off. Leonard is a pure three who rebounds bigger than his position, and much more viable as an NBA player.

[dangermouse]

Wall and Young back court with Leonard on the wing will force a lot of steals and turnovers id imagine.

[gesa2]

I still have reservations about Leonard at 6. Looks like his skills are those of a college 4 but with a little better passing, and he'll never make it size wise as anything but a 3. I'm wary about reports from workout camps saying a guy that couldn't shoot outside of 12 feet for 2 years is all of a sudden hitting 3's with good form. That's what they ALWAYS say this time of year. Seems like a good energy player, but not someone we couldn't find pretty easily on the free agent market. I'd try for Valuncias or Byombo.

[Hoopalotta]

I still have reservations about Leonard at 6. Looks like his skills are those of a college 4 but with a little better passing, and he'll never make it size wise as anything but a 3. I'm wary about reports from workout camps saying a guy that couldn't shoot outside of 12 feet for 2 years is all of a sudden hitting 3's with good form. That's what they ALWAYS say this time of year. Seems like a good energy player, but not someone we couldn't find pretty easily on the free agent market. I'd try for Valuncias or Byombo.

Those two would fit with my preferences as well, though I could see Leonard in a tradeback.

[Rafael122]

Or we could just get him at 6 and call it a day.

Just to piggyback off what Ruz said about Singleton, if we're good to go in drafting Singleton, well why not Leonard? They're basically the same players, perimeter defenders who could guard 3 positions and have questionable jump shots. Only thing is Leonard is what...2-3 years younger and still has room to grow?

Oh, I dunnnooo... 2 inches, more muscle, offensive ability, a respectable 3 point shot, top competition, lower perceived value, more athleticism. It's also only 15 months difference in age. But yeah, let's go with Leonard.

From what I've read about Singleton, its going to be a year or two before his 3 point shot is consistent enough and the whole top competition thing, the ACC has been weak for a couple of years now so I don't really buy that.

[Zonkerbl]

How about this trade:

Zonker for anyone from the Raptors board?

Haw! I'm worth at least a Bucks board poster!

[hands11]

I'm banking on Vesely just being a smokescreen. EG is notoriously close-lipped around draft time.

I really do hope EG moves towards high IQ, high motor players, though. Obviously, you need talent to go along with that, but there are quite a few players who rank in all those categories in this draft. Let's not skip them for the next Darko. =p

This is where I fall on the issue. At this point it's like looking for a women to have a relationship with.

Go for the ones that are not total drama queens, have good relationships with their fathers, can cook, like to keep a clean house, have some idea about finances and have looks in the 7-8 range.

The point I'm trying to make, probably failing, is that looks is more window dressing. Go for substance. I have always found that if there is substance, over time, you will find them more and more beautiful. If there is none, 9-10 get uglier over time and turn into 5-6 while 7-8 with substance turn into 9-10's

[hands11]

This team had a couple of holes but lots of young talent.

They need one another pure shooters that can hit from 3 range. Nick is all they have.
They need a slasher finisher. Booker is all they have.
They need a defender/motor rebounder
They need a defensive center in case McGee doesn't ever get there. Doesn't need to be a starter but someone who can in stop duty. Seraphin and McGee are a interesting combo of athletic bigs but never is fundamental. We are missing a Haywood type or there about.

Wall is a lock a PG with star power.
Crawford perfect to back up PG and SG
Nick could be perfect as the 2. May need to get tougher but Ray Allen is no brute
Booker could be a stud at the 3. Love his power. Min. He makes a great 2nd 3.
Dray is solid with upside still. As noted. Its all about him getting his body right for now.
McGee could still be a freak at C or PF. He will add more muscle this summer.
Seraphin will know the game better next year. Great mass and athleticism.

McGee is the one who I think will impress next year. He will come back stronger. Another 5-10 lbs.
Kid is going to be a rebounding machine next time he plays. Plus is will have that sky hook.

Wall, Nick, Booker, and McGee are all athletic freaks. Now if Dray can get in shape and you add the tough angry Crawford as the PG/SG back up, you have a nice core.

So just add one of two things from the list of needs and run with that for a year. Add more the year after. Build for 2 years out as the start of your window.

[Rafael122]

Anyone going to watch the combine?

[closg00]

BB workout footage for those of you who love BB....he looks in his 20's to me.
http://www.marca.com/2011/05/19/balonce ... 06943.html

[nate33]

I still have reservations about Leonard at 6. Looks like his skills are those of a college 4 but with a little better passing, and he'll never make it size wise as anything but a 3. I'm wary about reports from workout camps saying a guy that couldn't shoot outside of 12 feet for 2 years is all of a sudden hitting 3's with good form. That's what they ALWAYS say this time of year. Seems like a good energy player, but not someone we couldn't find pretty easily on the free agent market. I'd try for Valuncias or Byombo.

I'm wary of that when we're talking about a guy with a fairly long track record of being a poor shooter. I remember Chad Ford pumping Iguodola's improved jumper in workouts. While I think it's certainly possible for a guy to put in the time in the offseason to actually improve his shot, what is often the case is that the improvement isn't permanent. As soon as the player backs off from the intense shooting drills, his shot disappears. What you often end up with is a guy like Marion or Iggy. They'll have a passable jumper, but it's only a reliable shot in maybe one or two years of their career.

I'm not sure this applies to Leonard though. Leonard is so young that he doesn't have much of a track record as a poor shooter. He was presumably exclusively a center or power forward in high school. He got into college and played a little bit more SF and shot 29% from 3 and 75% from the line. That's not all that bad for a freshmen with no perimeter experience.

Looking at his gamelog, I note that he shot just 23.8% from 3 in his first 22 games. He shot 40% from 3 in his last 12 games (albeit on just under 2 attempts per game). He is now reportedly shooting even better. So what we have isn't a poor shooter who is suddenly shooting well. We have a guy who has steadily improved his shot after starting out as a big man who wasn't asked to play on the perimeter at all.

Hmmm. Maybe I'm talking myself into Kawhi Leonard too.

[RT31]

Please. Someone please tell me how Kawhi Leonard is different than Dominic Mcguire besides being younger?

Well, compared to McGuire's sophomore year ....

... Leonard scores 6.4 more points/40
... Leonard attempts 1.6 more FTs/40
... Leonard shoots 20.4% better from the FT line
... Leonard snags 5 more rebounds/40 !!!
... Leonard gets .6 more steals/40
... Leonard turns the ball over .4 less times/40

... Both players have .51 TS%

... McGuire blocks 1.2 more shots/40

I think it's reasonable to say Leonard is a much more talented prospect as a wing than McGuire was, and probably by a fair margin. Even if you compare Leonard's soph stats to McGuire's red-shirt Junior totals, Kawhi blows him away in every category but blocks.

Basically, D-Mac was a tweener who needed to be a four, but didn't have the rebounding skill or bulk to pull it off. Leonard is a pure three who rebounds bigger than his position, and much more viable as an NBA player.

...that, and leonard doesn't look like he's high all the time...

[RT31]

Or we could just get him at 6 and call it a day.

exactly...this isn't the nfl, where there's a lot of opportunity to trade back and pick up extra late round picks.