2012 NBA Draft

[fishercob]

If you listen really hard, you can faintly make out the sound of Perry Jones' draft stock plummeting.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Watched Florida State beat Duke on a three at the buzzer. Really good game. FSU now has wins over Va Tech, North Carolina, Maryland, and Duke. The Seminoles will be a tough out in the NCAAs.

I like PF/C Bernard James, but he is 26 years old. I think Austin Rivers needs to learn to play under control a bit more. He's a lottery pick, but I think unless he wants to end up like Jerryd Bayless, Rivers should stay in school at least one more year.

[go'stags]

I do see some shades of Gilbert in Rivers. But Gilbert had quite a skill set that is very tough to live up to. We'll see.

[mhd]

Gilbert was a freaking tank at 6'3 with lightning speed and quickness. Austin Rivers ain't nothing like Gilbert. I think too many people forget prime Gilbert. He's a guy who scored 40+ at will against prime Spurs at home w/o Jamison and Butler. I remember that game vividly. The Spurs gave up b/c they couldn't guard him.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

#1 Syracuse without Fab Melo just lost to Notre Dame.

The Irish jumped on them early and Syracuse couldn't get any closer to 8. The Irish have one good goon, Jack Cooley. I don't think he's an NBA player because he's only about 6'9", but he plays hard.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

He's a little dude, but Paul Pressey's son Phil Pressey (about 5'9" or so) will be another undersized PG to make the NBA IMO.

With Isaiah Thomas (the one out of U. of Washington, not the HOFer Isaih Thomas) outplaying Jimmer, and with Nate Robinson's relative success; the little man is back in the NBA.

Pressey and Missouri beat Baylor today.

Phil Pressey contributes a lot defensively and is a playmaker. The Missouri Tigers have a bunch of NBA prospects and I think they have a good shot to win the NCAA championship. I like Ricardo Ratliffe and Marcus Denmon on the Tigers, but it's starting to look like Pressey makes that team go.

[doclinkin]

Let's just draft Thon Maker and wait five or six years until he's eligible to play.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Looks like I'm forming my early favorite player for this draft. Historically, by naming this player early I am ensuring the Wizards will not draft him. This guy is in the running:

http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-baskbl ... rdo00.html

Junior College:
The #1 junior college recruit nationally after a historic career at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Fla. ... Twice named first team all-NJCAA All-America, one of just 13 players to earn back-to-back first team nods in the history of Division I junior college basketball. ...

... Also owns the #2 single-season scoring mark of 798 points from his freshman season ... Averaged 27.4 points and 11.3 rebounds as a sophomore for the Patriots ... Logged norms of 26.8 points and 11 boards as a freshman in 2008-09 ... Ranked the top junior college player by Rivals.com as a sophomore

'Cardo Ratliff is shooting an absolutely sick high percentage FGs.

On the high end of the draft board there are guys like Thomas Robinson and Jared Sullinger. They are elite players because they are bigger and better rebounders than Ratliffe. However, Ratliffe appears to be a player who will fly under the radar only to score very well at the next level.

Ratliffs stats remind me of DJ White's and also Brandon Bass's. I like him and Kevin Jones (WVU) a lot, further down the draft board beneath Robinson and Sullinger. I guess only Robinson and Sullinger provide a clear improvement over Trevor Booker on the boards, but I would not be shocked if Ratliff can be a Carl Landry-type scorer in the NBA.

[dobrojim]

Just watched Baylor vs. Missouri. Perry Jones doesn't have the "it" factor. He was benched in crunch time for the final minutes of the game. Wizards should avoid him.

I'm still in low sample size territory with PJIII but what I've seen so far
has not been the kind of game that makes me enthusiastic about drafting
him. I've recently seen bits and pieces of the 2 games Baylor lost this week.
PJIII wasn't much of a factor in either game.

[Ruzious]

I'm watching the game and I sorta feel the same way. As you state, he is very much a project that needs to develop, but with so much upside potential he will be hard to pass up. With that said, as I've stated in previous posts he will not be an immediate impact like Duncan or Griffin. It will take him at least 2-3 years to develop. So for those who think he will come in an be an immediate impact alongside McGee in the front court, that is wishful thinking. If Davis is the route we go, then getting a legit Pf in FA or trade than can man the position while Davis develops will be key IMO.

As impactful as Griffin's rookie year was, the Clippers went from 29 wins to 32 wins in his rookie year. San Antonio was turned around by the return of David Robinson. I rookie by himself isn't going to turn the Wiz around - in his rookie year.

The Wiz will get better by getting the best player. Davis is clearly and demonstrably the best player. I'm really surprised there seems to be several folks here who aren't convinced about him. I'd suggest looking at old videos of Wake Forest when Duncan was there - perhaps on ESPN Classics. Duncan was just as thin as Davis is. Davis has a very similar frame to what Duncan had at WF. He's going to be just fine as far as strength - and everything else - is concerned.

I saw a lot of Tim Duncan in college and his game was far more advanced than Davis'. Now its not a fair comparison because by the time he came out he played 4 years but all I can compare is where they are when they enter the league. In 3 years Davis might be where Duncan was as a senior but he also may not. He is also 30 pounds lighter than Duncan was. He might be able to put on the weight, but he also might not be able to. There have been many instances where people have written/said, "if this guy puts on 15-20 pounds he'll be a beast" but the majority were never able to do so.

The problem with your logic is - it sounds (to me, anyway) like you're saying - well, I'm not sure he's going to be the next Tim Duncan. Therefore, I'm not impressed. Ya know what - he's probably not going to be the next Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett. But that's ok. They're 2 of the all-time all-time greats. We don't KNOW exactly how he's going to fill out, but we're projecting based on facts. He's got the frame to fill out, so it makes sense to project that he will fill out. You have to make projections on every prospect his age. Moses Malone was skinny as heck when he was coming to the NBA. Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett before he cracked out of a Nike egg... etc, etc. Guys who are basically fully grown at that point - like Lebron and Chris Webber - are the exceptions.

[BanndNDC]

i dont think he's been mentioned on this thread and i dont know the odds of him coming out (logically he should wait a year to not get sucked into this deep draft) but Kendall Marshall (UNC PG) really impresses me. Would absolutely love to somehow get him. He's an ideal pure point backup. Great BBIQ and vision. I would definitely package Booker with our 2nd to move up if need be (assuming he goes in the 20s and Booker isnt packaged with Blatche). Wall and Marshall would mean our PG situation is perfect for as long as their contracts last.

[theboomking]

Detroit won last night. We have 2 wins. Charlotte has 3. A bunch of teams have 4. We need to pull out a loss today against Boston, but I am afraid we are going to win. I know you aren't supposed to hope for injury, but I hope Crawford, Young, Blatche, and McGee start spraining their ankles and fingers every game. This team has so little offense, that any injuries to our better offensive players, and we will get crushed.

[Jay81]

Detroit won last night. We have 2 wins. Charlotte has 3. A bunch of teams have 4. We need to pull out a loss today against Boston, but I am afraid we are going to win. I know you aren't supposed to hope for injury, but I hope Crawford, Young, Blatche, and McGee start spraining their ankles and fingers every game. This team has so little offense, that any injuries to our better offensive players, and we will get crushed.

lol....that was funny. Im always thinking the same thing

[closg00]

The tank-battle is actually close for-now. The Cats are supposed to shake-up things soon, I am hoping they start winning more.

[The Consiglieri]

Watching the UK game. I see the athletic ability that Davis has but don't see how he's what we need. Maybe I disagree on what we need but I think we need a 4 who can play with their back to the basket and face up....Davis looks like another offensive project who needs to fill out (high upside of course) but he won't help us in our half court offense and while he'll block shots, he'll be pushed around down low.

If everyone is that high on him & we get #1, move down a couple spots and pick up a piece to go along with a top 5 pick. I'll take Robinson over this guy.

Why is the expectation that we have to take a player that makes us contenders right away? If Davis takes 2-3 years to become an all-star, why do we have a problem with that?

I got bad news for you - we aren't gonna contend for the title next year, either. More likely, if we get a player like Davis, we'll be looking at 30 wins or so (assuming we get a good shooting guard in FA and our wee little ones continue to develop). We're looking at at least 3 years to contend, assuming we do things the right way. So yeah, Davis as an all-star in 2-3 years works just fine for me.

The thought isn't being a title contender next year, the thought is becoming good enough to compete for a playoff spot. That has to be the goal. A never-ending rebuild is just that....never ending. By the time an unpolished player like Davis is read to contribute substantially, we'll have changes in personnel, coaches, and maybe even the FO. We can't just keep drafting projects. If we had players on this team that knew how to play the game then maybe I could support bringing in a player like Davis. But IMO the last thing this team needs is someone who we HOPE will be able to fill out and who we HOPE can develop a consistent NBA offensive game. We don't have any players who know how to play half court ball. How would adding yet another similar player to the equation change anything. For once this team needs to take a little less upside in terms of measurables in exchange for actual basketball players who have upside and can help right away. Robinson IMO has great athleticism, and evolving game, can play back to the basket, and is learning to face up. He would make everyone around him better and would contribute right away.

I disagree completely. What this team needs is elite talent. This team is the worst team in the league, the FO is part of the problem, the only way to fix the problem is to infuse the best talent humanly possible, and to change the FO. The never ending rebuild idea is a red herring. When have we ever even tried a proper rebuild? Honestly? The Jordan Wizards were a quick fix team that he took the floor for, the Grunfeld Wizards were infused with vets via trades so that he could avoid a total rebuild, they short circuited it again in '09 with that moronic trade, and of course the eighties and nineties were built entirely on avoiding anything like a rebuild and desperately trying to maintain 42 win 8 seed, 3 and out playoff runs. When was the rebuild? Now it's a forever rebuild when we've spent exactly 2 offseasons attempting it? Really?

The only way to fix the damn thing is to get elite talent. If you want your Cal Cheaney's or Guggs type mediocrities that get us to 40 wins so be it, but I know Im sick to death of the two iterations of wizards and bullets hoops and the only 2, i've ever seen: 40 win garbage that's always 1 and done in the playoffs, and bad but not bad enough 25-35 win teams that get non-difference making players, exactly the sort you sound like you want, instead of difference makers come draft day.

I'd take 0-66 this year if it meant Davis. If we are ever going to be anything ever we have to actually do it right, and get the best player with the great ceiling, the only caveat I'd add, that I imagine you'd agree with is that i want an elite high ceiling guy with a great motor and a great BBIQ, we definitely don't need anymore athletes with tiny BBIQ's and/or motor questions. If the top guy is like that, yeah, pass, but I've never ever heard Davis mentioned as anything other than a hard worker, and a hyper talented kid who is already great, the best in the draft, and who also has a high ceiling to go with his great work ethic and budding talent. Why on earth should we EVER pass on that? It would be insane. Hell, its my wizards dream that we get precisely that (or failing that, a pick high enough to get one of the top 3 talents like MKG and the like).

[rockymac52]

I go to Mizzou and I'm a big fan of their basketball team and I'm an even bigger Wizards fan, so here's my take on these guys for anybody who's interested.

He's a little dude, but Paul Pressey's son Phil Pressey (about 5'9" or so) will be another undersized PG to make the NBA IMO.

With Isaiah Thomas (the one out of U. of Washington, not the HOFer Isaih Thomas) outplaying Jimmer, and with Nate Robinson's relative success; the little man is back in the NBA.

Pressey and Missouri beat Baylor today.

Phil Pressey contributes a lot defensively and is a playmaker. The Missouri Tigers have a bunch of NBA prospects and I think they have a good shot to win the NCAA championship. I like Ricardo Ratliffe and Marcus Denmon on the Tigers, but it's starting to look like Pressey makes that team go.

Phil (Flip) Pressey is definitely a valuable part of our team, and might have a future in the NBA, but I'm very confident that he'll be back for his Junior season.

Regardless, for such a tiny guy he's an incredible player. If you have any doubts to his athleticism, take a look at this:
In High School, dunking over 5 star recruit and now projected lottery pick in 2013 Tony Mitchell (North Texas): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj5UmH5TdfI

I think he might legitimately be the fastest player in the entire country. He's got incredible range on his shot, he's very energetic (in a good way), and he plays bigger than he is. Love to see the guy end up on the Wizards one day, but don't know how likely that is to happen considering we have Wall.

Looks like I'm forming my early favorite player for this draft. Historically, by naming this player early I am ensuring the Wizards will not draft him. This guy is in the running:

http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-baskbl ... rdo00.html

Junior College:
The #1 junior college recruit nationally after a historic career at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Fla. ... Twice named first team all-NJCAA All-America, one of just 13 players to earn back-to-back first team nods in the history of Division I junior college basketball. ...

... Also owns the #2 single-season scoring mark of 798 points from his freshman season ... Averaged 27.4 points and 11.3 rebounds as a sophomore for the Patriots ... Logged norms of 26.8 points and 11 boards as a freshman in 2008-09 ... Ranked the top junior college player by Rivals.com as a sophomore

'Cardo Ratliff is shooting an absolutely sick high percentage FGs.

On the high end of the draft board there are guys like Thomas Robinson and Jared Sullinger. They are elite players because they are bigger and better rebounders than Ratliffe. However, Ratliffe appears to be a player who will fly under the radar only to score very well at the next level.

Ratliffs stats remind me of DJ White's and also Brandon Bass's. I like him and Kevin Jones (WVU) a lot, further down the draft board beneath Robinson and Sullinger. I guess only Robinson and Sullinger provide a clear improvement over Trevor Booker on the boards, but I would not be shocked if Ratliff can be a Carl Landry-type scorer in the NBA.

I've been telling people Ricardo Ratliffe was going to be good in the NBA for a while now. He's got a good body for a PF, he's 6'8" 245 lbs, and he is incredibly ripped. What makes him so good is that he's automatic from within 5 feet. Whenever anyone passes him the ball from within 5 feet, even if he isn't open, he goes up for his shot immediately after getting the ball, and it ALWAYS goes in. He has amazing fundamentals when it comes to his post moves and his shot.

On defense he's pretty solid, and opposing big men (including Perry Jones) haven't been very successful against him, even though he's playing out of position at Center in a 4-guard lineup. We've asked a lot from Cardo this season, and he's doing everything we asked for and more. Honestly, without him, Mizzou would be lucky to be ranked at all. That is not an exaggeration.

He's solid on the boards, but again, not great. But he's going up against Centers, to be fair. Overall, he's a very efficient player and knows how to be a successful role player. We have a lot of youth depth big men at this point, but I'd still like to see the Wizards give him a look with a 2nd round pick this year. Ratliffe is good enough to have a long NBA career, even if it's as a role playing big off the bench, he'll succeed.

[Rafael122]

The high FG % is misleading, the guy gets layups and dunks. He looks like a solid player, but come on now, he's being spoon fed the ball.

Secondly, please take Perry Jones III off any tier list. Invisible on both ends of the court, his body language just screams carefree and lazy. Just a disappearing act, I don't know if it's because he doesn't get the ball much, doesn't ask for the ball or both.

Also, loved Thomas Robinson's story on ESPN Gameday. Didn't know he was from DC. I wish him all the best.

[theboomking]

I disagree completely. What this team needs is elite talent. This team is the worst team in the league, the FO is part of the problem, the only way to fix the problem is to infuse the best talent humanly possible, and to change the FO. The never ending rebuild idea is a red herring. When have we ever even tried a proper rebuild? Honestly? The Jordan Wizards were a quick fix team that he took the floor for, the Grunfeld Wizards were infused with vets via trades so that he could avoid a total rebuild, they short circuited it again in '09 with that moronic trade, and of course the eighties and nineties were built entirely on avoiding anything like a rebuild and desperately trying to maintain 42 win 8 seed, 3 and out playoff runs. When was the rebuild? Now it's a forever rebuild when we've spent exactly 2 offseasons attempting it? Really?

The only way to fix the damn thing is to get elite talent. If you want your Cal Cheaney's or Guggs type mediocrities that get us to 40 wins so be it, but I know Im sick to death of the two iterations of wizards and bullets hoops and the only 2, i've ever seen: 40 win garbage that's always 1 and done in the playoffs, and bad but not bad enough 25-35 win teams that get non-difference making players, exactly the sort you sound like you want, instead of difference makers come draft day.

I'd take 0-66 this year if it meant Davis. If we are ever going to be anything ever we have to actually do it right, and get the best player with the great ceiling, the only caveat I'd add, that I imagine you'd agree with is that i want an elite high ceiling guy with a great motor and a great BBIQ, we definitely don't need anymore athletes with tiny BBIQ's and/or motor questions. If the top guy is like that, yeah, pass, but I've never ever heard Davis mentioned as anything other than a hard worker, and a hyper talented kid who is already great, the best in the draft, and who also has a high ceiling to go with his great work ethic and budding talent. Why on earth should we EVER pass on that? It would be insane. Hell, its my wizards dream that we get precisely that (or failing that, a pick high enough to get one of the top 3 talents like MKG and the like).

I agree with this 100 percent. We need an elite talent this year. Full tank. Problem is, I'm not sure how full this draft is of elite talents. Davis. Maybe Drummond. Lamb, Gilchrist, Barnes, and Thomas Robinson all look good but not elite. We can't count on getting the top pick. Even if we are the worst team in the league, we only have a 25 percent chance.

Secondarily, I feel like at some point, barrign further injury woes, we will put together a run and be better than Charlotte and Detroit. In the beginning of the year we looked like the worst team in the league. In the last 5 games, we have been competitive. We beat the best team in the league, and should have beaten a very good Denver team. Look at the point differential over the last 5 games. It's night and day different from the beginning of the season.

[fishercob]

The tank-battle is actually close for-now. The Cats are supposed to shake-up things soon, I am hoping they start winning more.

Remember their "resurgence" under Paul Silas as clear evidence that all the Wiz needed to do was fire Flip? To be clear, I do think Flip should be replaced, but the point is that talent is what matters first and foremost in the NBA. There's no coach that could make the Bobs or the Wiz as currently constructed into a decent team. Hell, I'm not even sure combining the two rosters would yield a decent squad.

[pancakes3]

reading boomking's 2nd paragraph and fish's latest post has renewed and deepened my faith in sports-based internet message-boarding.