2011 DRAFT blather goes here. Part 3...

[GhostsOfGil]

Jeffries? He has zero offensive ability so how exactly is he a comparison?

ared averaged 15 7.5 and 2 as a freshman at indiana. just throwing that out there

[Hoopalotta]

I decisievly come down on Ben's side of things here: If we use the 6th pick, we need to take someone who stands out as offering something unique and who absolutely would not be available later. Marcus Morris is a fine as a piece to bring in, but if he's ahead of the late lottery type 2-3-4 position NCAAers as a prospect, it's not by a wide margin.

To me, Valentine, Biyombo and Walker stand out as the value picks, being guys who wouldn't be vailable later. If we don't want them and you don't think Leonard or Marcus is just streets ahead of the dude getting picked 10th - and I don't think anyone really does - we're throwing away value.

If there's teams behind us who covet Walker, we're not even trying if we don't squeeze them.

[Jay81]

I dont think we should waste our pick on a small forward at 6 because whoever it is, it will be a reach. We are not ready to win yet so Ill take my chances on a SF next year. I think we should take Bismark with pick because he has the most upside at that pick and it gives us someone who could be a dominant defender and rebounder (which we desperately need) and we will still suck enough to get a much better small forward next year.

If Kanter is there..we take him. Only other guy worthy of going 6 besides Bismark is Kemba Walker. We are in no position not to take the best player available if the guys we want our gone.

We should still try and move up to get Derrick Williams

[Rafael122]

It doesn't look like Klay Thompson will be there at 18. Apparently he had another good workout for the Knicks.

[jivelikenice]

I don't like Biyumbo at 6. I think he'll develop in time, but he's too raw offensively to be an immediate help to this team and the lane would absolutely be clogged if we had BB and Javale in their at the same time which would really inhibit the ability of Wall & Crawford to get to the hoop. I like Marcus Morris. He may not be the creator we all want at the 3 but with Wall & Crawford handling the ball the majority of the time that's not really needed. His defense at that position can go either way but Marcus does brings some things to the table that can allow him to immediately contribute;

1. Shooting- he's already good from 18 ft and should be able to extend his rangoe out even further
2. Rebounding- As a 4 he won't be great on the boards but at the 3 he can help compensate for rebounding defeciencies of our 4 & 5.
3. Post up- He'll be able to post up other 3's in the league and could create matchup problems that other teams will have to gameplan around

Ah, the definition of a tweener, so sweet to hear. Maybe he can say hi to Jared Jeffries, Harvey Grant, or Tom Hammonds or Terry Catledge. I'm sure I could name several other standout guys in Boulez/Wizards history. This great need for immediate help, however mediocre, is no way to build a team for the future. I have no idea if BB or Vale can play together, but if I like BB Vale's presence (or Blatche, Seraphin, Booker) is not going to keep me from picking him. Talented big guys are usually in demand. Now if we were talking about Harrison Barnes or Perry Jones at six, then it wouldn't be an argument. But Marcus "I'm a poster child for a tweener forward" Morris, no thanks. If the Wiz can get a good deal and move back to 9 or 10 and get Morris I wouldn't complain as loudly.

So tweeners in a tweener heavy draft should be avoided at 6 but are acceptable at a lower pick? Derrick Williams is a tweener; would you argue against drafting him? Shawn Marion, Rashard Lewis, Josh Smith, Al Harrington....All tweeners who have had good NBA careers.

[TGW]

Ben, I would take Biyumbo ahead of Morris, too, but I don't think the Wiz take an unskilled big like Biz. And JV will likely be gone if he decides to play in the NBA next season. So, we gotta pick somebody, and Morris has to be one of the few candidates, because... who else is there???

And there is no question about his shooting ability and range, and he can create his shot. He's shown it. He will score in the NBA. The only question I have on him is his ability to defend the 3, and I'm NOT going to assume he can't do it - at least not at this point. His length is acceptable at the 3, and he's got great size for the position. Is he quick enough? I don't know. I do know that he'd be a much better pick than Vesely.

Thank you. The only question I have about MM at the 3 is whether he has that quickness to defend the position. But I'm not worried about it...the guy has decent lateral quickness and more importantly, a bulldog mentality. He's not going to backdown from a challenge, and I'll take a willing defender over a guy with good wingspan anyday of the week.

*EDIT* What makes Marcus a tweener? He can handle and shoot about as well as any 3 in this draft. He rebounds better than most of them. He has a small forward's skillset in a small forward's body. LOL at comparing him to Jeffries...terrible comparison.

What cannot be questioned is MM's offensive abilities...he's way more advanced than pretty much every other small forward in the draft minus D. Williams.

[Zonkerbl]

What's the difference between a 'tweener and a versatile player who is capable of playing more than one position? Luol Deng's not a tweener? Shawn Marion's not a tweener?

[Hoopalotta]

What's the difference between a 'tweener and a versatile player who is capable of playing more than one position? Luol Deng's not a tweener? Shawn Marion's not a tweener?

The big thing is if you're a natural and effective defender at a position. That's the usual charge against tweeners versus "versatile" guys.

[Jay81]

Bobcats coach Paul Silas expressed skepticism that Morehead State F Kenneth Faried will be able to play power forward in the NBA.

Faried is perhaps the best pure rebounder in the entire draft, but he's only 6-7 1/2 with shoes on. "It's not going to be an easy thing," Silas said of Faried playing the four. "Great rebounder. Not a great shooter." Faried has drawn comparisons to Ben Wallace. From a fantasy perspective, Faried's offensive struggles will keep him off the radar.

[tontoz]

Morris beat Kemba by .01 in the spring so he isn't exactly slow.

Rashard is slower than other 3s but smaller than 4s. He isn't a natural defender at either position.

[theboomking]

NBA predraft workouts lean toward the bland side, and usually there isn’t much that’s eye-opening, particularly during the portion media are permitted to watch. That wasn’t the case near the end of this morning’s session at Verizon Center, where Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld and point guard John Wall, among others, saw diminutive guard Randy Culpepper put on a dunking clinic.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/post/randy-culpepper-rises-above-in-predraft-workout/2011/06/01/AGPqjSGH_blog.html

How do you guys feel about Wall being so involved with the daily workings of the team? It makes me a little nervous, as John obviously isn't a scout. On the other hand, it does make me think he'll be more likely to stay in the long term. I also think that Wall's involvement makes us more likely to trade up to grab an elite prospect to pair with him.

[Zonkerbl]

So how does Kawhi Leonard or Singleton compare to Gerald Wallace? Or Marquis Daniels?

[Donkey McDonkerton]

How do you guys feel about Wall being so involved with the daily workings of the team? It makes me a little nervous, as John obviously isn't a scout. On the other hand, it does make me think he'll be more likely to stay in the long term. I also think that Wall's involvement makes us more likely to trade up to grab an elite prospect to pair with him.

I for one, love it. It shows a.) that he cares and b.) he wants to play with players that are good.

[Induveca]

Had a quick exchange today with Leonsis. Concerning business.........but I got in at the end.

"Please trade up for Kanter". No response to that part.

[closg00]

I decisievly come down on Ben's side of things here: If we use the 6th pick, we need to take someone who stands out as offering something unique and who absolutely would not be available later. Marcus Morris is a fine as a piece to bring in, but if he's ahead of the late lottery type 2-3-4 position NCAAers as a prospect, it's not by a wide margin.

To me, Valentine, Biyombo and Walker stand out as the value picks, being guys who wouldn't be vailable later. If we don't want them and you don't think Leonard or Marcus is just streets ahead of the dude getting picked 10th - and I don't think anyone really does - we're throwing away value.

If there's teams behind us who covet Walker, we're not even trying if we don't squeeze them.

I'm down with JV or Walker at 6, but not B*tch-smack, 6 is too-high for him IMO.

Marcus Morris is ranked 8th on the DX's Top-100 prospects, taking him at 6 if Kanter, JV , & Walker are gone would not be a stretch at all. Better Morris than Vesely.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Had a quick exchange today with Leonsis. Concerning business.........but I got in at the end.

"Please trade up for Kanter". No response to that part.

it had to be said. kudos for doing so.

[Ruzious]

I decisievly come down on Ben's side of things here: If we use the 6th pick, we need to take someone who stands out as offering something unique and who absolutely would not be available later. Marcus Morris is a fine as a piece to bring in, but if he's ahead of the late lottery type 2-3-4 position NCAAers as a prospect, it's not by a wide margin.

To me, Valentine, Biyombo and Walker stand out as the value picks, being guys who wouldn't be vailable later. If we don't want them and you don't think Leonard or Marcus is just streets ahead of the dude getting picked 10th - and I don't think anyone really does - we're throwing away value.

If there's teams behind us who covet Walker, we're not even trying if we don't squeeze them.

I don't disagree with your reasoning, but I think it's naive. JV will be gone unless he's not going to play in the NBA; Biz would be a good pick, but they're not likely to pick someone that raw; and they're not going with a PG. And when you think about it - if Walker's there, nobody's likely going to pay much of a premium to trade up for him. Sure, we could get jelly beans from trading down some, but eventually all you get are cavities from them. They need to make a move up in the draft to make a significant impact on the future of the team. Sure, it's nice to get ultimate value for everything, but that should be a secondary focus, imo.

[theboomking]

Had a quick exchange today with Leonsis. Concerning business.........but I got in at the end.

"Please trade up for Kanter". No response to that part.

I sent an email to Ted that ended with the same sentiment, and also noted that Kanter wanted to play here. He wasn't dismissive in the body of his text, but ended his email with, "where have you seen Kanter play?", and "have you spoken to Kanter?". I don't think there is any way Ted will tip his hand. I'm just glad we have an owner that accepts fan communications.

I'm also glad that Wall is probably in the ear of Ted and EG about Kanter. I predicted that we'd win the 6th pick in the lotto. I know that was just dumb luck, and I'm not superstitious, but I can't help but have that prediction make me feel a little better about the fact that I also have the sense that we will be trading up for Williams or Kanter.

[Ruzious]

Had a quick exchange today with Leonsis. Concerning business.........but I got in at the end.

"Please trade up for Kanter". No response to that part.

I sent an email to Ted that ended with the same sentiment, and also noted that Kanter wanted to play here. He wasn't dismissive in the body of his text, but ended his email with, "where have you seen Kanter play?", and "have you spoken to Kanter?". I don't think there is any way Ted will tip his hand. I'm just glad we have an owner that accepts fan communications.

I'm also glad that Wall is probably in the ear of Ted and EG about Kanter. I predicted that we'd win the 6th pick in the lotto. I know that was just dumb luck, and I'm not superstitious, but I can't help but have that prediction make me feel a little better about the fact that I also have the sense that we will be trading up for Williams or Kanter.

I hope he's listening to you guys.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

I predicted that we'd win the 6th pick in the lotto. I know that was just dumb luck, and I'm not superstitious, but I can't help but have that prediction make me feel a little better about the fact that I also have the sense that we will be trading up for Williams or Kanter.

Well if you were WRONG we might be drafting high enough to simply pick him. Thanks for that......

(Just kidding. Still bitter. I HATE THE LOTTERY)