Lather me with blather -- DRAFT thread 4

[TGW]

He has excellent hands at catching entry post past. I mean great hands. He really
boost the perimeter defensive iq of this team and is a ball mover on offense.

I wish that were the case, but it's not. His biggest knock is his terrible hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QZxGrVc ... r_embedded

[Hoopalotta]

The Kanter thing sounds acceptable. 18 is a bit much to give up and I'm not crazy about it, but Wall specifically said he wants Kanter or Williams and we might well bust the 6th pick anyway, so there's some advantages.

I still think he's a center on defense, but that's not such a big deal for where we're at.

But did I just see that Vesely measured 6-11 without shoes? Damn he's tall as hell. That means he's 7'0 in shoes, with probably a 7 foot wingspan. If he had good hands, I'd be alot more confident with him as the pick.

I saw that - totally insane. I don't even know if that's good or bad with him playing out on the wing. He'd be about the only 7' small forward in the league and a team could possibly even have three 7 footers on the court at once.

Still processing that, but it's definitely surprising.

[Jay81]

Very real scenario being discussed in Cleveland. @Cavs trade #4 pick to @WashWizards for 6th & Wiz take Kanter. CLE would want 18 too.

http://twitter.com/#!/Probballdraft/sta ... 3864525825

similar to my trade from yesterday except i was offering 34 and not 18:(

[Hoopalotta]

To add insult to injury, Nick Youn aaparently realyl wants Veselý in Washington. I would hate your life

You get points for being a good sport while the majority here pound on your countryman.

At least you have WizarDynasty, right? If he takes a holiday out your way, you guys should let him overstay his visa and not cut him any flak.

[nate33]

Even with all that size, Vesely can't rebound. I f he could rebound, I'd be much more intrigued, because even if he never honed his skills to a SF level, he'd at least have the size to transition to PF in the future a la Kevin Garnett.

Unfortunately, he can't rebound.

[tontoz]

He has excellent hands at catching entry post past. I mean great hands. He really
boost the perimeter defensive iq of this team and is a ball mover on offense.

I wish that were the case, but it's not. His biggest knock is his terrible hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QZxGrVc ... r_embedded

WizD is nothing if not creative when assessing players.

[nate33]

I'd trade the #3 + #18 for #4. I was willing to do it for the #3 so I don't see any reason not to do it for #4 assuming Kanter is still on the board. The only difference is that we'd end up paying him less.

[TGW]

The Kanter thing sounds acceptable. 18 is a bit much to give up and I'm not crazy about it, but Wall specifically said he wants Kanter or Williams and we might well bust the 6th pick anyway, so there's some advantages.

I still think he's a center on defense, but that's not such a big deal for where we're at.

But did I just see that Vesely measured 6-11 without shoes? Damn he's tall as hell. That means he's 7'0 in shoes, with probably a 7 foot wingspan. If he had good hands, I'd be alot more confident with him as the pick.

I saw that - totally insane. I don't even know if that's good or bad with him playing out on the wing. He'd be about the only 7' small forward in the league and a team could possibly even have three 7 footers on the court at once.

Still processing that, but it's definitely surprising.

Three 7-footers on the frontline would be interesting, although all three would be on the soft/skinny side. I'm not sure I could deal with that level of softness on a nightly basis.

[Jay81]

The Kanter thing sounds acceptable. 18 is a bit much to give up and I'm not crazy about it, but Wall specifically said he wants Kanter or Williams and we might well bust the 6th pick anyway, so there's some advantages.

I still think he's a center on defense, but that's not such a big deal for where we're at.

But did I just see that Vesely measured 6-11 without shoes? Damn he's tall as hell. That means he's 7'0 in shoes, with probably a 7 foot wingspan. If he had good hands, I'd be alot more confident with him as the pick.

I saw that - totally insane. I don't even know if that's good or bad with him playing out on the wing. He'd be about the only 7' small forward in the league and a team could possibly even have three 7 footers on the court at once.

Still processing that, but it's definitely surprising.

Three 7-footers on the frontline would be interesting, although all three would be on the soft/skinny

side. I'm not sure I could deal with that level of softness on a nightly basis.

after the YI disaster(and he can actually shoot and has good hands)...i dont see how we take Vesley

[fishercob]

Ted on the draft, via TedsTake:

The NBA draft will be held on Thursday.

There is lots of speculation and theories and of course fan comments on the order of players to be picked in the draft and what Ernie will do with our picks. See this article and comments within. I have received many emails as well from fans asking my opinion and requesting to know who we will pick.

Here is what I can tell you.

I don’t know who we will pick.

It all depends on who is picked before we get to our draft position or if trades are made before us. Or by us. And it is all up to Ernie and his staff.

I don’t make the picks. I haven’t done the scouting and I am NOT a professional in this regard. I believe in our scouts and in our front office and know they have been working hard and have seen - countless times - most of the top prospects.

As an Owner, I don’t do other people’s jobs. If I did, we would all be in trouble. I am not an armchair GM. I do set strategy and vision but then the professionals execute on tactics and manage to outcomes and quantifiable metrics. I believe that is the best course. I won’t be making or influencing our picks. How could I? I am not prepared in that regard. I didn’t go to see the players play at combines; in Europe; on campus. I didn’t do the interviews, etc. etc.

We have three picks that are considered high and in the first round we pick 6th and 18th. I am sure we will add talent and players that help further our plan of building around John Wall and creating a team with upside as it matures together.

So don’t worry, I won’t be making the picks. I know that will allay many folks that have concerns about owners that meddle although I do think it is the height of irony to admit I can’t make the picks but to see so many comments from fans on which we should pick. It is “Do as I say Ted–NOT as I do!”

So speculate away. Comment away. Drafts are fun and they offer hope and promise. I am a fan too. I hope we draft and develop well. We are making the right investments in this regard and it is all apart of our rebuild plan.

[wake20]

Ted on the draft, via TedsTake:

The NBA draft will be held on Thursday.

There is lots of speculation and theories and of course fan comments on the order of players to be picked in the draft and what Ernie will do with our picks. See this article and comments within. I have received many emails as well from fans asking my opinion and requesting to know who we will pick.

Here is what I can tell you.

I don’t know who we will pick.

It all depends on who is picked before we get to our draft position or if trades are made before us. Or by us. And it is all up to Ernie and his staff.

I don’t make the picks. I haven’t done the scouting and I am NOT a professional in this regard. I believe in our scouts and in our front office and know they have been working hard and have seen - countless times - most of the top prospects.

As an Owner, I don’t do other people’s jobs. If I did, we would all be in trouble. I am not an armchair GM. I do set strategy and vision but then the professionals execute on tactics and manage to outcomes and quantifiable metrics. I believe that is the best course. I won’t be making or influencing our picks. How could I? I am not prepared in that regard. I didn’t go to see the players play at combines; in Europe; on campus. I didn’t do the interviews, etc. etc.

We have three picks that are considered high and in the first round we pick 6th and 18th. I am sure we will add talent and players that help further our plan of building around John Wall and creating a team with upside as it matures together.

So don’t worry, I won’t be making the picks. I know that will allay many folks that have concerns about owners that meddle although I do think it is the height of irony to admit I can’t make the picks but to see so many comments from fans on which we should pick. It is “Do as I say Ted–NOT as I do!”

So speculate away. Comment away. Drafts are fun and they offer hope and promise. I am a fan too. I hope we draft and develop well. We are making the right investments in this regard and it is all apart of our rebuild plan.

Mr. Snyder, take notes.

[jholmbe1]

New Ford mock draft up:

He has us taking Leonard at #6 but states that if Vesley is there (he has Raptors taking him at #5) we will choose him. At #18 he has us taking Markieff Morris.

[fishercob]

I'd trade the #3 + #18 for #4. I was willing to do it for the #3 so I don't see any reason not to do it for #4 assuming Kanter is still on the board. The only difference is that we'd end up paying him less.

I'd be okay with this. We all want the Wizards to get the best player in the draft at 6 and then the second best player in the draft at 18. We're fans, after all. And some of us are beyond positive who those guys are. That said, if the 18 helps us get the guy we want in the high lotto, then that's a pretty good use of the asset IMHO -- especially considering how we acquired that pick.

[Ruzious]

The Kanter thing sounds acceptable. 18 is a bit much to give up and I'm not crazy about it, but Wall specifically said he wants Kanter or Williams and we might well bust the 6th pick anyway, so there's some advantages.

I still think he's a center on defense, but that's not such a big deal for where we're at.

But did I just see that Vesely measured 6-11 without shoes? Damn he's tall as hell. That means he's 7'0 in shoes, with probably a 7 foot wingspan. If he had good hands, I'd be alot more confident with him as the pick.

I saw that - totally insane. I don't even know if that's good or bad with him playing out on the wing. He'd be about the only 7' small forward in the league and a team could possibly even have three 7 footers on the court at once.

Still processing that, but it's definitely surprising.

Three 7-footers on the frontline would be interesting, although all three would be on the soft/skinny side. I'm not sure I could deal with that level of softness on a nightly basis.

They could do Charmin commercials. Back in the late 80's - when small forwards were typically 6'5ish - the Bulls got a near 7 foot SF named Brad Sellers - who was athletic and had a decent touch. Everyone was excited to see what a guy like him could do at the 3. But his height was a waste, because he didn't rebound, wasn't a strong post-up player, and ended up using his height to... miss jump shots... probably what Vesely will end up doing. Bottom line - if you're not particularly good at any phase of the game, what good are ya? Not much.

[RT31]

^^^ that's why I love Ted...and despise the other pro team owner in Ashburn

[Rafael122]

Chad Ford's latest mock draft:

#6 - Kawhi Leonard
#18 - Markief Morris
#34 - Travis Leslie

I'd go for Norris Cole, personally with the 34th pick or Malcolm Lee. But that wouldn't be the worse draft in the world.

[The Consiglieri]

The Givony Mock has us with Donnie Mountjoy at 18:

Motiejunas was projected as a top-10 pick not too long ago, but the emergence of other prospects, coupled with a growing concern regarding Motiejunas’ deficiencies as a defender, rebounder and all-around competitor, have dropped his stock. He didn’t do himself any favors by conducting a very poor workout in front of a huge amount of NBA executives at the adidas EuroCamp in Italy.

He later redeemed himself in a better showing in front of a much smaller crowd, including multiple front-office members of the Wizards.

This would probably be the lowest Motiejunas drops, and while not really filling much of a need, this could end up being a significant coup for the Wizards. The Lithuanian is a highly skilled and agile 7-footer with great potential as a mismatch scorer in the NBA. He is coming off a solid season playing at a high level in Europe.

Wow, just our luck; stunk in front of the big crowds and shined for us.

Imagine if we nabbed Vesley AND Mountjoy.

That was Vesley AND Mountjoy. AND. As in both.

I think I'd be 90% horrified and 10% genuinely amused.

I actually wouldn't mind that, as insane as it sounds. This is a draft lacking top end talent, lacking upside, lacking difference makers and Motiejunas and Vesely are two guys considered to have amongst the highest ceilings in the draft. Motiejunas questions are with his motor (not good), and his D, but he's viewed as one of the most skilled, mismatch, athletic combo players in the draft. If that's sitting there at 18, in this craptacular draft, you bet your arse I'd take it. Yeah I'd hold my nose, fearing I'd make dumb and dumber into a triumvirate of moronic, half-arsed big men with the addition of Motiejunas, but I'd still do it rather than take the 10,000 quality college player that "might" fit a role. Historically, you blow it about 80-85% of the time when you make that check, I'll bet on talent, over role every time. On the positive side, I do love the value of pick 18, as Saunders said in that later quoted interview, there are a load of good options likely to be there at 18, which is different than most years, just not much that is likely to be ineteresting at 6, but I gotta tell you, only Singleton, Faried, Hamilton, and maybe Brooks, and Harris and Honeycutt would make me think twice about going Motiejunas there, and I think Motiejunas is a better pick than any of those guys other than Singleton right now, based on the info we have.

I know why he'd make you hurl, and he'd make me hurl too, but I'd still hold my nose, wash out my mouth, and probably make the pick if he was there. In a draft like this, the best investment is in projectable talent, not skill and role plug in.

[theboomking]

i read an interesting article today. Everyone thinks that we will be back in the lottery next year...but if we stay healthy and with the addition of 3 more picks this year, that is far from a guarantee especially as Wall and McGee continue to get better.

This may be our last chance for a long time to get a lottery pick. We better nail these picks

I agree that we may improve too much to get a really good pick next year. We need to wind up with Williams or Kanter this year. I'd trade for one of them if they don't fall to us.

Also if Valanciunas is falling because he's not going to be in the NBA next year but definitely will be the year after the appropriate response is draft his ass or even trade back and do it and then have the best value you could have had at the pick a year later. Same is true of Mirotic, these are the picks that a good organization makes, those that hold the most value but may look unattractive for what is ultimately not a very important reason.

I agree here. Take the best player. We don't need to make all of our improvements this year. It may be better in ways if we draft a guy and stash him for a year. We could wind up with a better draft pick next year.

Now, If we pick six overall and draft a center, that does make me question why we would be so hesitant to trade McGee. I'd rather keep mcGee and move up for Kanter, or Trade McGee and pick Val.

Anyone see this?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011 ... ler-110618

"Please, I know you're going to write something. I'm just asking you, don't write it in a way that makes people feel sorry for me," he said. "I hate that. There's nothing to feel sorry about. I love what happened to me. It made me who I am. I'm grateful for the challenges I've faced. Please, don't make them feel sorry for me."

Can we please draft Jimmy Butler at 18? He's like the anti-knucklehead.

Jimmy Butler would be a great pick for us at 34, if he's there. I really like him as a winner, and a glue guy.

[RT31]

Chad Ford's latest mock draft:

#6 - Kawhi Leonard
#18 - Markief Morris
#34 - Travis Leslie

I'd go for Norris Cole, personally with the 34th pick or Malcolm Lee. But that wouldn't be the worse draft in the world.

I wouldn't mind that either. I would go with a better backup PG option at #34 also, rather than Leslie. Cole, Nolan Smith, or even Cory Joseph.

[WizarDynasty]

http://youtu.be/UvrLlx1KDLE?t=49m12s

He has excellent hands and he is an excellent perimeter defender. He becomes our best perimeter defender and he has he highest offensive and defensive IQ on his first day of the team. Teams couldn't leave him wide open on the perimeter on offense either if he closely paid attention. He isn't a dead eye shooter but he is a threat. He isn't going to create offense with his iso moves but he can match up with much smaller players on the perimeter and would punish and opposing team for using a shooting guard as a pretend small forward. He would abuse nick young if young were to play small forward yet he would easily be able to keep up with him defensively out on the perimeter. Vesely is a cornerstone player and a starter.

Never mind, i would take Kanter over Vesely but Vesely will turn out to be the more important player. I love Kanter's rebounding for this team.

I think Kanter and Vesely are so close in overall effect that Vesely plus"Tyler or Vucevic" at 18 is >>>>than Kanter by himself. I would really have to think hard about which how far a drop off Vucevic or Tyler are to Kanter. Kanter is great rebounder and can hit open shots but is pretty clueless defensively and not a shotblocker. the other two are way better defensive players that can rebound and also hit open jumpshot plus i get my small forward of the future glue guy and best perimeter defender.