2012 NBA Draft - Part III

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I think a new key measurable that wasn't taken as a standard less than 3 year ago is hand size. Hand size has a huge impact on a big's offensive game and having big hands can be measured before the draft.

Reportedly Anthony Davis can't palm a basketball. Would you not draft him because of that?

I am 5'8" and can palm a basketball. How is that possible that a guy that tall cannot?

[nate33]

Look how big his hand is relative to the ball. He can palm a basketball.

[Severn Hoos]

I think my preferred (if wildly unrealistic) scenario - outside of winning the Lotto and taking Davis - is to get #2 and have NO end up at #5. Would they trade their two 1sts (the other pick is #10 right now) to move up for a chance at Drummond or Robinson? We'd probably have to throw in something to balance it out - preferably Crawford, but we have a smorgasbord of rookie-scale talent for them to choose from (just not Seraphin). The Wiz then take Beal & Zeller and for fun let's say Crowder in the 2nd. Now that's an instant infusion of talent.


Portland at #7 & #11 is probably more realistic, but I don't want to trade out of Beal's range. If I thought he'd be there at 7 I'd do it, but that's unlikely.


Edit to add: The pitch to NO goes like this: "If you squint, Robinson & Crawford could be the new David West & JR Smith! You can reclaim those glory days!"

[nate33]

I think my preferred (if wildly unrealistic) scenario - outside of winning the Lotto and taking Davis - is to get #2 and have NO end up at #5. Would they trade their two 1sts (the other pick is #10 right now) to move up for a chance at Drummond or Robinson? We'd probably have to throw in something to balance it out - preferably Crawford, but we have a smorgasbord of rookie-scale talent for them to choose from (just not Seraphin). The Wiz then take Beal & Zeller and for fun let's say Crowder in the 2nd. Now that's an instant infusion of talent.


Portland at #7 & #11 is probably more realistic, but I don't want to trade out of Beal's range. If I thought he'd be there at 7 I'd do it, but that's unlikely.


Edit to add: The pitch to NO goes like this: "If you squint, Robinson & Crawford could be the new David West & JR Smith! You can reclaim those glory days!"

I'd definitely make that trade, Severn Hoos. I'd throw in Crawford or Chris Singleton without thinking twice. If they asked for Booker, it would be tough. The trade would still ultimately improve the team because James Singleton could step in for Booker, but I'd hate to give away Booker so easily.

I'm still not that excited about grabbing Tyler Zeller at #10 though. We don't need a center. We have Nene and Seraphin already. If we got Beal at #5, I might take a gamble on Perry Jones at #10 if he was still there. Then use our 2 seconds plus maybe some cash to trade up for a pick high enough in the first round to ensure that we get Crowder.

PG Wall/Mack
SG Beal/Mason
SF Crowder/C.Martin/P.Jones
PF Booker/J.Singleton/Vesely
C Nene/Seraphin

That gives us a rotation ready to compete right away, plus some high upside potential at the end of the bench in Jones and Vesely. There are enough heady vets in the rotation (Mason, Martin, Singleton and Nene) to keep the team on an even keel.

[Ed Wood]

Nate I would have thought that you, of all people, would be sufficiently equipped with congenital pessimism and conscious skepticism to reject the hand waving argument that a less than exceptional shooting power forward is absolved of unimpressive results because he he'd be better off at a position that would demand even more skill. If there really is sentiment in the Jones camp that he's been ill used as a power forward that's simply another reason to be unenthusiastic about drafting him. Remember the law of tweeners: better in all cases playing up a position.

[nate33]

Nate I would have thought that you, of all people, would be sufficiently equipped with congenital pessimism and conscious skepticism to reject the hand waving argument that a less than exceptional shooting power forward is absolved of unimpressive results because he he'd be better off at a position that would demand even more skill. If there really is sentiment in the Jones camp that he's been ill used as a power forward that's simply another reason to be unenthusiastic about drafting him. Remember the law of tweeners: better in all cases playing up a position.

Fair enough. I didn't mean to across like I'm endorsing Perry Jones. I'm just saying we should look for the maximum upside player at a position of need (SG or SF) rather than get a center. I don't really know who that guy is.

I haven't watched enough college basketball to have much of an informed position on anybody outside of the top 5 or so. I leave the draft debate to guys like Dat2U, Ruzious, SevernHoos, Doc, CCJ and Consiglieri.

[WizarDynasty]

If I am at two I am definitely taking drummond. Beal and mkg don't have quick first steps and neither dominates college competition. Drummond with two years of schooling under nene should get us any wing player in the nba. (TRade drummond in three years for Harden danny granger or rudy gay.

[nate33]

If I am at two I am definitely taking drummond. Beal and mkg don't have quick first steps and neither dominates college competition.

Yes, because Drummond averaged 10.0 points 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 FTA attempts per game at the college level. Utter domination. And lots of team success too. Beal and MKG can't compare.

[WizarDynasty]

If we didn't have Nene, I would be very wary of drafting Drummond, but luckily we got Nene for 4 years and if Nene transfer half of his knowledge and heart to Drummond, Drummond should be able to get us an elite wingplayer via trade. Beal and MKG are pretty much playing to the best of their abilities right now.
If beal has 7'0 wingspan, explosive first step and the ability to finish through contact....but also a low BBIQ...he would be andre drummond. I see a higher return with Drummond in three years mainly because of Nene and Drummond's untapped physical potential. Beal is running ath 98 percent capacity with no significant room for improvement in my opinion because of lack of size and lack explosive first step and MKG while a great hustle player in the mold of Chris Singleton is not going to dominate as a small forward in the nba. Open floor he is pretty good and he has a good motor but in three years, i don't see him having any close to the same trade value as a Nene coached Drummond.

[dangermouse]

Would it not be possible in that situation to dangle the opportunity to draft Harrison Barnes for Utah or potentially Portland and add something like Sullinger or Zeller as well as someone like Lillard with the second pick? That seems like a pretty decent consolation prize if things turn pear shaped during the lottery process. Add a couple of wing players in free agency and hopefully at least one solid selection with the two second rounders and that wouldn't be the worst off season. Just to show that I too can write names with slashes next to them:

Wall/Lillard
Green (Danny)/Crawford/Denmon
Green (Gerald)/Crowder/Singleton
Nene/Booker/Vesely
Seraphin/Zeller

Not so bad, really.

No to Gerald Green. No to more dummies.

[truwizfan4evr]

Would it not be possible in that situation to dangle the opportunity to draft Harrison Barnes for Utah or potentially Portland and add something like Sullinger or Zeller as well as someone like Lillard with the second pick? That seems like a pretty decent consolation prize if things turn pear shaped during the lottery process. Add a couple of wing players in free agency and hopefully at least one solid selection with the two second rounders and that wouldn't be the worst off season. Just to show that I too can write names with slashes next to them:

Wall/Lillard
Green (Danny)/Crawford/Denmon
Green (Gerald)/Crowder/Singleton
Nene/Booker/Vesely
Seraphin/Zeller

Not so bad, really.

No to Gerald Green. No to more dummies.[/quote ] I agree. But I don't count out us getting Andre Drummond if we happen to get number 5 pick or worst. Nene and drummond could be a force for many years to come. If Andre develop faster then people expect.

[truwizfan4evr]

What first rounder do you guys expect to slip into the second round? In 2009 Dejuan Blair slipped to 37 pick. Who is your Dejuan Blair for this up coming draft?

[doclinkin]

I think a new key measurable that wasn't taken as a standard less than 3 year ago is hand size. Hand size has a huge impact on a big's offensive game and having big hands can be measured before the draft.

Reportedly Anthony Davis can't palm a basketball. Would you not draft him because of that?

I am 5'8" and can palm a basketball. How is that possible that a guy that tall cannot?

Patrick Ewing had little birdie hands and could not palm a ball. Rik Smits couldn't. I recall a Spanish interview where Marc Gasol said he couldn't. Pretty sure Pau Gasol can't. Kendrick Perkins has wee hands as well.

[7-Day Dray]

Patrick Ewing had little birdie hands and could not palm a ball. Rik Smits couldn't. I recall a Spanish interview where Marc Gasol said he couldn't. Pretty sure Pau Gasol can't. Kendrick Perkins has wee hands as well.

I know for a fact Pau Gasol can. I see him do it easily all the time during games.

[doclinkin]

Okay my mistake.

In other news one of the players I was tracking Wendell McKines is playing well in Portsmouth. Kim English acquitted himself alright, and I'm watching this dude Agustus Gilchrist who's also piling up solid numbers.

[Knighthonor]

Honestly, nobody in the draft looks interesting for the Wizards besides Davis which may have trade potential

[queridiculo]

Honestly, nobody in the draft looks interesting for the Wizards besides Davis which may have trade potential

Thanks for that dose of reality.

Maybe we can trade Davis to the Nuggets for a resigned McGee?

[truwizfan4evr]

Honestly, nobody in the draft looks interesting for the Wizards besides Davis which may have trade potential

Its alot of good players wizards can get in this year Draft. Very deep draft we have here.

[truwizfan4evr]

Does Thomas Robinson has all star potential? He more athletic then people give him credit for. His jumper is steady improving also. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkZbmKIhwAo He Got hops.

[jangles86]

Have Beal Harrison and MKG declared?

For reward for tanking the 2nd and 3rd picks are not great value compared to the years.
I think if we get pick one two three or four our picks will be out of Davis, MKG, t-rob or Drummond

Taking anyone of them will all result in either Vesely, Booker or Singleton being traded. I personally see booker having the best value.