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

[hands11]

^
That's pretty interesting Induveca. I'm going to scope around on line and see what I can find. If you know any good site sources, let me know. I don't have high BP, but high cholesterol in my family, and too high body fat. Of course, it could be all those chili, bacon, egg and cheese burgers we eat.

I ran into a lady at the grocery store buying Paligranite juice. She swears it lowered her husbands cholesterol levels.

[The Consiglieri]

Net year's draft may be problematic for us. We aren't likely to have a shot at a better center than JaVale. PG isn't an area of need. We have Singleton and Vesely at SF.

Unfortunately, a lot of the talent in next year's draft looks to be at SF. If the BPA was Quincy Miller or Harrison Barnes, do you take them? Life would be easiest if we are looking at the BPA being a PF to replace Blatche, or a SG to replace Young, but even then, we'd probably have to be choosing pretty high.

The top PF available will almost certainly be Sullinger. At SG, would you guys prefer Bradley Beal, who has that smooth Ray Allen-esque stroke, or Jeremy Lamb, who just won the national championship, and is even longer than NY?

I think we're stuck, unless we win the lottery or come close to winning it, we'll definitely be looking at SG and SF. Nothing we can do about it. Pull the trigger, take the best one on the board, down the line, move a player or two for holes in the lineup and bench. The saving grace for me is that it seems like our forwards are exceptionally versatile in what they can do. They aren't all one role stuck dudes, none of them are identical in the least. Booker, Singleton, Vesely, Blatche, Seraphin, Lewis etc, that's one of the key things for us, is even if we have to tab another forward, well, none of these guys are particularly similar to one another.

Also always remember to take solace in Lewis. Yes it may suck that we got another 2 years and 38 mill or so on his deal, but unlike Arenas, he isn't having any negative effect in the room, and secondly, the deal is moveable in a year and a half and we don't need flexibility till winter '12-'13 anyway. Celebrate the fact that we were able to move that seemingly unmovable 3 year deal for a 2 year deal.

I'm bummed that we can't acquire a C, or a PF, withour likely pick next year, but all in all, we'll get a legit talent, or we should anyway, and we'll be able to move guys for help down the line, and lets thank our good fortune that thee guys are all so versatile.

[gesa2]

(sorry for highjacking the thread there btw. Mods feel free to move those posts to the workout thread if you want to)

[closg00]

Footnote to the draft- with the Grizzlies making the playoffs, I believe this officially closes the book on the JC Navarro deal - or what WOULD HAVE been the deal had we not then dealt that conditional pick back to Memphis for Crittenton.

The Grizzlies pick this year would've been #20, which turned out to be Donatas Motiejunas- and he actually ended up in the hands of the Houston Rockets, after being traded from the T-Wolves.

So take your pick there: a) JC Navarro, b) Javaris Crittenton, c) Motiejunas, d) any number of guys that were available at #20 including Nolan Smith (who went at 21), and Kenneth Faried (who went at 22).

I suppose you could add in possibility e) which is that maybe if we'd held on to the pick, and had #6, #18, and #20, we might've actually been able to move up in the draft.

So for everyone that likes to talk about roads not taken, or never will be, there it is...

Thanks for the recap and update, some would have you believe that old-Abe was dictating Ernie's every move.

[Zonkerbl]

Wow. We could have gotten Faried and shut up CCJ forever.

Curse you EG!!!!!

[Black Eyed Sooz]

Valanciunas puts up 26 points, 24 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists with 10-11 from the line against Poland in the FIBA U19 championships. Add this to the 30 and 15 he dropped on the USA a couple days ago. Per DX Twitter page, an NBA GM watching the game calls him "the steal of the draft, by far."

Again, my understanding is we had him rated a little higher than Vesely, but weren't willing to pull the trigger on #4 for #6, 18, and 34.

I guess management figures we are set in the middle for the next decade with Pierre and Every Day is a Holiday Dray.

[theboomking]

Valanciunas puts up 26 points, 24 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists with 10-11 from the line against Poland in the FIBA U19 championships. Add this to the 30 and 15 he dropped on the USA a couple days ago. Per DX Twitter page, an NBA GM watching the game calls him "the steal of the draft, by far."

Again, my understanding is we had him rated a little higher than Vesely, but weren't willing to pull the trigger on #4 for #6, 18, and 34.

I guess management figures we are set in the middle for the next decade with Pierre and Every Day is a Holiday Dray.

I should have more faith in EG, given that NY, McGee, and Blatche have outproduced anyone else available at the time of their selection, but I feel like we F'ed the Vesely pick up. I was strongly in favor of trading up at the time, for Williams or Kanter, but I would have been happer with the other JV than the one we selected.

[Rafael122]

Valanciunas puts up 26 points, 24 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists with 10-11 from the line against Poland in the FIBA U19 championships. Add this to the 30 and 15 he dropped on the USA a couple days ago. Per DX Twitter page, an NBA GM watching the game calls him "the steal of the draft, by far."

Again, my understanding is we had him rated a little higher than Vesely, but weren't willing to pull the trigger on #4 for #6, 18, and 34.

I guess management figures we are set in the middle for the next decade with Pierre and Every Day is a Holiday Dray.

We will probably end up with 2 starters in this draft, so we didn't do too bad, though I take solace in the fact that the organization has an eye for talent and had JV rated higher than Vesely. Who knows what would have happened if JV dropped? No one had Toronto picking him.

[closg00]

Valanciunas puts up 26 points, 24 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists with 10-11 from the line against Poland in the FIBA U19 championships. Add this to the 30 and 15 he dropped on the USA a couple days ago. Per DX Twitter page, an NBA GM watching the game calls him "the steal of the draft, by far."

Again, my understanding is we had him rated a little higher than Vesely, but weren't willing to pull the trigger on #4 for #6, 18, and 34.

I guess management figures we are set in the middle for the next decade with Pierre and Every Day is a Holiday Dray.

Grunfeld was so fixated on Vesely, I wondered on draft night what he would have done had Jonas been available, pass?

[Rafael122]

Valanciunas puts up 26 points, 24 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists with 10-11 from the line against Poland in the FIBA U19 championships. Add this to the 30 and 15 he dropped on the USA a couple days ago. Per DX Twitter page, an NBA GM watching the game calls him "the steal of the draft, by far."

Again, my understanding is we had him rated a little higher than Vesely, but weren't willing to pull the trigger on #4 for #6, 18, and 34.

I guess management figures we are set in the middle for the next decade with Pierre and Every Day is a Holiday Dray.

Grunfeld was so fixated on Vesely, I wondered on draft night what he would have done had Jonas been available, pass?

I'm just glad it didn't get to that point...I think they would have taken Vesely anyway...he was probably promised to be picked by us.

[Dat2U]

Valanciunas puts up 26 points, 24 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists with 10-11 from the line against Poland in the FIBA U19 championships. Add this to the 30 and 15 he dropped on the USA a couple days ago. Per DX Twitter page, an NBA GM watching the game calls him "the steal of the draft, by far."

Again, my understanding is we had him rated a little higher than Vesely, but weren't willing to pull the trigger on #4 for #6, 18, and 34.

I guess management figures we are set in the middle for the next decade with Pierre and Every Day is a Holiday Dray.

Meh. Nice numbers but remember the competition. Yi looked like a baller (averaged something like 20 & 10) in the FIBA Championships last year and that was against grown men, not a bunch of 18 & 19 year old kids.

Certainly I think he's a better prospect than Vesely but in all the video I watched on Jonas I didn't see a game changing C. I saw a guy who was very limited offensively but could potentially develop into a Andris Biedrins type of player down the road. Not a bad guy to have but not someone I would trade up for.

[Dat2U]

I'm just glad it didn't get to that point...I think they would have taken Vesely anyway...he was probably promised to be picked by us.

I thought in the ESPN draft coverage they mentioned the Wizards had made a promise to Vesely days earlier. Not 100% sure about that but I seemed to remember hearing something about that.

[Rafael122]

I'm just glad it didn't get to that point...I think they would have taken Vesely anyway...he was probably promised to be picked by us.

I thought in the ESPN draft coverage they mentioned the Wizards had made a promise to Vesely days earlier. Not 100% sure about that but I seemed to remember hearing something about that.

Ford pretty much had Vesely going to the Wizards since like April. Probably the only lock in the lottery, so I wouldn't be surprised if there was a promise made somewhere.

[theboomking]

Is there a 2012 draft thread yet?

I actually think we could be really help ourselves with any top 10 pick next year. IMHO, Bad Beal would look fantastic in a Wizard Uni. For those that aren't familiar, Beal is a 6'4.5" shooting guard that will be attending Florida next year. Bradley is slightly undersized for a SG, and possesses very good, but not elite athleticism. Beal has a winning pedigree, having been the best player on winning teams both in H.S., and in international play. Beal is best known for being an incredible shooter with unbelievable range, and a very pure, consistent stroke. As a senior, Beal shot 73% from the field, and having watched him play in two All Star games, I can attest that his shot is a thing of beauty. Beal is also widely recognized for being very mature and efficient, rebounding the ball well, making the correct pass, and not being turnover prone.

This year, Beal won the Gatorade National Player of the Year, averaging 32.8 points a game, 2.7 APG, 5.3 RPG, 2.7 SPG, and 2.0 BPG on 73% shooting.
http://highschoolhoop.com/high-school-s ... -the-year/

Beal's H.S.basketball team won the State Championship his sophomore year. Beal has also won 2 gold medals playing for Team USA. He led the U18 team in scoring at 19.0ppg on the way to winning gold at the 2009 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. He then returned to again lead the U.S. in scoring, with 18.3 ppg at the inaugural FIBA U17 Championship in Germany.
http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/hoops ... 02_16.html

In this year's McDonald's All American Game, Beal played 21 minutes, scoring 17 points on 7/14 shooting, with 5 boards, 4 assists, and 1 turnover, and outperformed fellow SG Austin rivers, in a win for the East Team.
http://www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com/2011/mcdb.htm

Bradley Beal (#8 Scout, #7 Rivals, #4 ESPN)now stands 6-4 ½ in shoes, having grown an inch since the last time we saw him. He did little to diminish his status as arguably the top shooting guard in the 2011 high school class.

Beal shows a highly developed skill-level for a player his age as well as great maturity and an excellent basketball IQ. He is first and foremost an outstanding shooter, showing the ability to come off screens and make shots with deep range as well as pulling up smoothly off the dribble.

Beal creates shots intelligently and patiently with an array of change of speed and hesitation moves. He seems to prefer doing his damage in the mid-range area rather than taking the ball to the rim. Nevertheless, he will surprise you at times with an emphatic finish, showing an extra gear that you may not have expected on first glance. While clearly more of a shooting guard than a combo guard, Beal has solid court vision and can create for others within the flow of the offense. He rarely forces the issue and plays with an elegance and maturity that belies his age.

Defensively, Beal is highly competitive and fundamentally sound. He has a well-developed frame, which should ease his transition considerably to the college level. He's not the longest player in the world (6-7 ½ wingspan), but his size and strength allow him to guard either wing position, giving him the ability to play alongside Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton from Day One in Gainesville.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Bra ... z1RztpeHYI
http://www.draftexpress.com

[rockymac52]

I like Beal a lot. Followed him a bit in high school because I'm a Mizzou fan. Still pissed we let him go out of state. At least he didn't end up at Kansas though at least.

I like the idea of a Wall/Beal back court, although I'm definitely worried about his size as a 2 guard in the NBA. I think he'll be able to manage just fine, but I don't know how he'd work out next to Wall. But I think it has promise, and I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on him this season.

[theboomking]

I like Beal a lot. Followed him a bit in high school because I'm a Mizzou fan. Still pissed we let him go out of state. At least he didn't end up at Kansas though at least.

I like the idea of a Wall/Beal back court, although I'm definitely worried about his size as a 2 guard in the NBA. I think he'll be able to manage just fine, but I don't know how he'd work out next to Wall. But I think it has promise, and I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on him this season.

I really like the Wall/Beal combo. It has a lot of that Rondo/Allen flavor to it. Beal won't need the ball in his hands a lot, and should be very effective in catch and shoot situations with Wall. I also love Beal's maturity and intelligence, and swapping Beal in for NY would really improve our overall BBIQ. There is a reason Beal has won a HS championship and two gold metals in international play.

As much as I want to dislike Austin Rivers for some reason, I also think that he could be deadly for us. While lacking the elite range and winning pedigree that Beal has, Rivers is still a tremendous outside shooter. Where Rivers has the advantage over Beal is in his handle, first step, explosiveness, and aggressiveness in attacking the rim. I really think that Rivers is going to be instant offense in the league. Between his very good perimeter shooting, ability to get to the rim, and scorers mentality, I see no reason that he can't be as good or better than players like Monta Ellis and Eric Gordon.

In trying to figure out who I like better, I recently made the post below in the draft thread...

I was just considering which player I thought would be better for the Wizards next year, and trying to assess the pluses and minuses for each player. Overall, I think it would be hard to go wrong with either. I think Rivers will generate more highlights and score more, but that Beal maay be more efficient and contribute more readily to a championship team.

Beal (6'4" 6'7.5" wingspan-draft express):
Pluses:
11 months younger
elite range
winner in H.S. and international play
more of a true SG
could thrive as a catch and shoot player
very mature/bright
mature game, sees floor well, rebounds and passes well

Minuses:
good but not elite athlete
not overly agressive attacking the rim
slightly undersized for a SG

Rivers (6'4" wingspan 6'8"-draftexpress):
Pluses:
Better 1st step
better handle
more explosive
more agressive attacking the rim
natural and very aggressive scorer
very good perimeter shooter

Minuses:
may need the ball in his hands a lot to maximize effectiveness
slightly undersized for a SG
occasionally poor shot selection
sometimes poor body language bringing maturity into question

Any thoughts/additions?

[Ruzious]

I haven't seen Beal. I have seen Rivers twice. Some players you can tell at first sight - kid is flat out one of life's winners. Rivers is one of those rare players - Battier-like in his demeaner. And he's a helluvan all-around player - ridiculously high BBIQ. I'd suggest the "poor body language" view is from somebody who doesn't understand his competitiveness.

[7-Day Dray]

I'm a huge Beal fan! He reminds me of Eric Gordon in a number of ways. Undersized long stocky two-guard who can stroke and get up. They even look similar.

And I didn't know he had ups like this!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6quEQX7ufiI[/youtube]

[fishercob]

Count me in on the Beal bandwagon based on what little I've read on him. The things that jump out at me are that he's supposedly the bets pure shooter in several drafts and that he 's said to be just a phenomenal young man with off the charts intangibles. I look forward to watching him play this year.

[Ruzious]

Valanciunas puts up 26 points, 24 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists with 10-11 from the line against Poland in the FIBA U19 championships. Add this to the 30 and 15 he dropped on the USA a couple days ago. Per DX Twitter page, an NBA GM watching the game calls him "the steal of the draft, by far."

Again, my understanding is we had him rated a little higher than Vesely, but weren't willing to pull the trigger on #4 for #6, 18, and 34.

I guess management figures we are set in the middle for the next decade with Pierre and Every Day is a Holiday Dray.

Meh. Nice numbers but remember the competition. Yi looked like a baller (averaged something like 20 & 10) in the FIBA Championships last year and that was against grown men, not a bunch of 18 & 19 year old kids.

Certainly I think he's a better prospect than Vesely but in all the video I watched on Jonas I didn't see a game changing C. I saw a guy who was very limited offensively but could potentially develop into a Andris Biedrins type of player down the road. Not a bad guy to have but not someone I would trade up for.

I see your reasons for caution, and they're valid, but also realize you were looking at a kid who turned 19 in May. He's already at least as big as Biedrins - probably bigger, and he's still filling out - he'll be much stronger than Biedrins. And he's already a much better foul shooter - indicating there's lots of potential for him to be an inside/outside player - he's already got great fundamentals in the P&R game. And, he's as good a defensive rebounder at that age that I can remember ever seeing. His game isn't as developed as Kanter's is, but he's got a solid chance to be an outstanding starting center in the NBA in a few years.