Slather me, Lather me, Blather me - 2011 Draft Thread 5

[Black Eyed Sooz]

Enes and his agent just spoke to CNN Turk here in Turkey. Enes was asked about his preference for a particular team to draft him and Wizards were mentioned in the question. He said his agent would talk about the Wizards. Then his agent said that the owner and front office of Wizards are in love with Enes and trying to move up especially for the past two days to draft Enes because they think he won't last to the 6th. He said that the Wizards want to rebuild the team around Wall, Crawford, and Enes.

This is interesting. I wonder if the omission of McGee was intentional or not. I would not be surprised to see him go in that very same trade-up that we have been denying- there was that source (can't remember who, maybe David Aldridge?) claiming that some in the front office want to clean house completely except for John Wall (and possibly Crawford).

I really think we are going to trade up, but that it's going to take more than just #6 and 18. Everyone knows our bigs last year had all the toughness and physicality of an overcooked can of beef-a-roni. Everyone knows we like Enes Kanter, and that he actually WANTS to play for the Washington Wizards. Everyone knows that John Wall wants to bring in Enes Kanter, and that we are trying to keep happy so he doesn't leave in free agency. I would be surprised if we let this opportunity pass.

[Higga]

Yeah, I think we'll end up with Kanter. The Utah trade is the one that's made the most sense for some time now. If we could somehow end up with both Kanter and Williams(without giving up an unprotected 1st next year)I'd be ecstatic. Probably not likely though.

[closg00]

Wiz working-out Donatas...trade-down pick perhaps?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider

[fishercob]

Andy Katz, likely after just speaking to Kanter's agent:

Kanter is real impressive. Would love to play in Washington with John Wall. But Wizards will need to trade up to 2, 3 or 4 to get him.

[WizarDynasty]

i guuarantee would get shutdown completely every play by mcgee defensively and he wouldn't be able to stop mcgee offensively.
Enes is a 6th man bench type player, McGee not only controls the paint and forced an entire team to try and foul him out to get him out of the game but he also showed to be our best big at drawing fouls in the paint with teh ability to score on both sides of the basket.
McGee is just starting to grow into his beard so anyone with common sense understands that his genetics are different from the typlcal full beard in highschool basketball player.

[Hoopalotta]

Leonard by the synergy numbers:

Leonard's 0.889 points per possession overall ranks third worst of the 17 wings we evaluated, and his adjusted field goal percentage of 46.3% ranks dead last, a strong illustration of his scoring woes. On the positive side, Leonard's overall turnover percentage of 11.8% ranks third best in the class, and he could actually even stand to improve at the next level when he's projected to have even less shot creation responsibility initially.

In the half-court, Leonard ranks seventh of all wings in the percentage of his possessions coming from isolations, at 15%. His .721 PPP on these possessions ranks 15th, indicating that he struggled to create shots effectively for himself last season. He was unable to get to the free throw line consistently (11.3%, 12th) for many of these same reasons, and did not finish around the basket at a high rate, where his 1.069 PPS ranked 13th.

If Leonard ever does develop into a more reliable isolation threat, improving his left hand should be among his top priorities, as despite seeing a near equal breakdown of drives in both directions (37 possessions going right, 35 going left), Leonard's efficiency going right (0.865 PPP) more than doubled his efficiency going left (0.429 PPP).

Leonard is not only an average ball-handler, but he also struggles to make shots consistently from beyond the arc. His 0.743 points per shots on jumpers ranks 16th of 17 in the class, where he shot an abysmal 31% from the field. His struggles extend both to his catch and shoot jumpers (32%) and pull-ups (28%).

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Sit ... -Crop-3767

Supposedly he wasn't able to get out and run and this hit his efficiency, but still, not much good news in there.

But if we take Vesley 6th, we should draft Kawhi's hands with the 18th and then consolidate, or better yet, build a time machine and give them to Kwame.



I don't know about you guys, but Holly Mackenzie's stock has taken a big hit on my board.

[sfam]

Andy Katz, likely after just speaking to Kanter's agent:

Kanter is real impressive. Would love to play in Washington with John Wall. But Wizards will need to trade up to 2, 3 or 4 to get him.

I think the only way we have leverage in this situation is if we're OK with either JV or Kanter. We're almost assured one will be there at 6. I'd love it if EGG did this. This way we keep the 18th. If we don't want JV, then we have to trade the 18th to get Kanter.

[Pitbull]

There are going to be a LOT of hurt feelings on here when we aren't able to walk away with Kanter tomorrow night. Hate to be a Debbie Downer, but the most likely scenario has us sitting at 6 and selection Leonard or Ves (maybe Val if he drops). Teams are using our "offer" as a starting point for discussions with other teams who want to move up...

Don't get me wrong -- I'd love to move up to #3 and select whoever falls to us between Kanter and Williams... It's just not going to happen. So let's all count to three, take a deeeeep breath, and temper our expectations.

I'm calling it a success if we can fill out the team with some role players, stink for another year, and grab a stud from next year's crop of talent.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

I don't know about you guys, but Holly Mackenzie's stock has taken a big hit on my board.

Good gracious.
That looks like a still shot out of E.T. or something.

[pcbothwel]

Houston and San Antonio trying like hell to trade up for a weak, unathletic Valanciunas who has to stay overseas another year...some Franchises just dont get it I guess

I said it yesterday and Ill say it again, go look at all the Centers in the league and look at how many teams swing and miss for them in the draft in the lottery and you see the value of JV. Seriously, google the Centers for the 2010 season and once you get past Howard, Noah, Bogut, and Bynum it starts dropping and fast.
How many guys can legitimitely defend and rebound at the 5 while also having the length, quickness and soft hands to provide offense and be a pick and roll/pop machine.
WE HAVE NOT SURE THING BEYOND JOHN WALL...stop counting on McGee to make improvements. If he does, FANTASTIC, we can use him or JV to pick up a high pick next year for a guy like Barnes, Jones, Beal, Gilchrist, etc.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

I'm calling it a success if we can fill out the team with some role players, stink for another year, and grab a stud from next year's crop of talent.

Yeah but there's also fill out the team with some role players, stink for another year, fall in the lotto again, grab another role player, and repeat the cycle of suck all over again...

[tontoz]

i guuarantee would get shutdown completely every play by mcgee defensively and he wouldn't be able to stop mcgee offensively.
Enes is a 6th man bench type player, McGee not only controls the paint and forced an entire team to try and foul him out to get him out of the game but he also showed to be our best big at drawing fouls in the paint with teh ability to score on both sides of the basket.
McGee is just starting to grow into his beard so anyone with common sense understands that his genetics are different from the typlcal full beard in highschool basketball player.

You were the one trashing McGee all season long.

[TGW]

Leonard by the synergy numbers:

Leonard's 0.889 points per possession overall ranks third worst of the 17 wings we evaluated, and his adjusted field goal percentage of 46.3% ranks dead last, a strong illustration of his scoring woes. On the positive side, Leonard's overall turnover percentage of 11.8% ranks third best in the class, and he could actually even stand to improve at the next level when he's projected to have even less shot creation responsibility initially.

In the half-court, Leonard ranks seventh of all wings in the percentage of his possessions coming from isolations, at 15%. His .721 PPP on these possessions ranks 15th, indicating that he struggled to create shots effectively for himself last season. He was unable to get to the free throw line consistently (11.3%, 12th) for many of these same reasons, and did not finish around the basket at a high rate, where his 1.069 PPS ranked 13th.

If Leonard ever does develop into a more reliable isolation threat, improving his left hand should be among his top priorities, as despite seeing a near equal breakdown of drives in both directions (37 possessions going right, 35 going left), Leonard's efficiency going right (0.865 PPP) more than doubled his efficiency going left (0.429 PPP).

Leonard is not only an average ball-handler, but he also struggles to make shots consistently from beyond the arc. His 0.743 points per shots on jumpers ranks 16th of 17 in the class, where he shot an abysmal 31% from the field. His struggles extend both to his catch and shoot jumpers (32%) and pull-ups (28%).

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Sit ... -Crop-3767

Supposedly he wasn't able to get out and run and this hit his efficiency, but still, not much good news in there.

But if we take Vesley 6th, we should draft Kawhi's hands with the 18th and then consolidate, or better yet, build a time machine and give them to Kwame.



I don't know about you guys, but Holly Mackenzie's stock has taken a big hit on my board.

Thanks Hoops. I don't know how in hell Leonard suddenly jumped over Marcus Morris. I don't get it. Morris ranked as one of the most efficient players in the draft, and yet bums like Leonard and Vesely get to go before him.

[theboomking]

There are going to be a LOT of hurt feelings on here when we aren't able to walk away with Kanter tomorrow night. Hate to be a Debbie Downer, but the most likely scenario has us sitting at 6 and selection Leonard or Ves (maybe Val if he drops). Teams are using our "offer" as a starting point for discussions with other teams who want to move up...

Don't get me wrong -- I'd love to move up to #3 and select whoever falls to us between Kanter and Williams... It's just not going to happen. So let's all count to three, take a deeeeep breath, and temper our expectations.

I'm calling it a success if we can fill out the team with some role players, stink for another year, and grab a stud from next year's crop of talent.

If we are sitting at 6 and teams have taken Kanter, JV and Williams, I don't care what the starting offer is, we need to come out of this draft with a high caliber player. I don't think we are going to have a high lotto pick next year. We need an impact player this year.

[Liverbird]

I think the Spurs are trying to trade up to get Kanter as a replacement for Timmy. He's got a similar skill set minus the defense. They also have Splitter as their future center.

I would not be surprised to see the Cleveland/SA trade should Kanter be available at #4.

I'm liking our prospects less and less @ #6. I'm of the opinion we go to Minny with essentially an open check and offer #6 + any combination of players (minus Wall and McGee) + this years picks then draft D.Williams. Take back salary too perhaps?

PG - Wall
SG -
SF -
PF - Williams
C - McGee

It's a good start.

[7-Day Dray]

There are going to be a LOT of hurt feelings on here when we aren't able to walk away with Kanter tomorrow night. Hate to be a Debbie Downer, but the most likely scenario has us sitting at 6 and selection Leonard or Ves (maybe Val if he drops). Teams are using our "offer" as a starting point for discussions with other teams who want to move up...

Don't get me wrong -- I'd love to move up to #3 and select whoever falls to us between Kanter and Williams... It's just not going to happen. So let's all count to three, take a deeeeep breath, and temper our expectations.

I'm calling it a success if we can fill out the team with some role players, stink for another year, and grab a stud from next year's crop of talent.

[Pitbull]

I'm calling it a success if we can fill out the team with some role players, stink for another year, and grab a stud from next year's crop of talent.

Yeah but there's also fill out the team with some role players, stink for another year, fall in the lotto again, grab another role player, and repeat the cycle of suck all over again...

We have a lot of holes to fill. We've got one certifiable stud in Wall and the potential for a difference-maker in McGee (assuming he can mature a bit... BIG assumption, but that's all we have to go with). If we can grab some solid players and someone like Barnes or Sullinger or whoever next year, we should be on our way.

Given how our team is currently constructed, there's no one player in this draft who will lead us to Playoff land next year. As a matter of fact, there are no TWO players who, if added to our team, guarantee us a top 8 spot. We're more than a year away.

A lot of team-building is luck... And if luck doesn't shine on you, accumulate enough young talent to groom into a team or parlay into a trade for a stud.

[theboomking]

I'm calling it a success if we can fill out the team with some role players, stink for another year, and grab a stud from next year's crop of talent.

Yeah but there's also fill out the team with some role players, stink for another year, fall in the lotto again, grab another role player, and repeat the cycle of suck all over again...

We have a lot of holes to fill. We've got one certifiable stud in Wall and the potential for a difference-maker in McGee (assuming he can mature a bit... BIG assumption, but that's all we have to go with). If we can grab some solid players and someone like Barnes or Sullinger or whoever next year, we should be on our way.

Given how our team is currently constructed, there's no one player in this draft who will lead us to Playoff land next year. As a matter of fact, there are no TWO players who, if added to our team, guarantee us a top 8 spot. We're more than a year away.

A lot of team-building is luck... And if luck doesn't shine on you, accumulate enough young talent to groom into a team or parlay into a trade for a stud.

Building a mediocre team is done by filling holes before your team drafts it's stars. Building a championship team is done by obtaining top talent, then adding complementary players, who are always available, afterward.

[montestewart]

Agreed, gotta have stars, but if there's no star available or if the cost is too great (maybe it was for Deron and Carmelo?) then you could do worse than accumulating young talent and other assets with hopes of development and or trade consolidation.

[keynote]

I don't know about you guys, but Holly Mackenzie's stock has taken a big hit on my board.

Good gracious.
That looks like a still shot out of E.T. or something.

They couldn't recreate the Jungle Fever movie poster if they tried.