2012 NBA Draft - Part V

[Upper Decker]

Our drafts always leak. Everyone knew we were taking Vesley last year and we did. I fully expect us to take MKG. Difference is, I actually like MKG and think he'll be a hell of a player in time. Only issue with him is it once again gives us a talented young player who can't shoot.

The Vesely pick was indeed leaked. But nobody saw the McGee pick coming. Or the Booker pick. Or the Seraphin pick. Or the Pecherov pick. Or the Young pick. Or the Mike Miller trade.

I distinctly remember the Pecherov pick was leaked and Chad Ford was all over it. I remember Ford writing that Pecherov was EG's guy at least a week or two before the draft. The Miller trade was *leaked* several hours before it occurred so technically that wasn't a completely blindside. It was reported the Wiz and Wolves were in negotiations for the pick, but I'll give this one to you as the new broke and the trade was completed all within the same day. The others were completely out of the blue picks.

[jivelikenice]

Our drafts always leak. Everyone knew we were taking Vesley last year and we did. I fully expect us to take MKG. Difference is, I actually like MKG and think he'll be a hell of a player in time. Only issue with him is it once again gives us a talented young player who can't shoot.

The Vesely pick was indeed leaked. But nobody saw the McGee pick coming. Or the Booker pick. Or the Seraphin pick. Or the Pecherov pick. Or the Young pick. Or the Mike Miller trade.

The McGee pick definitely rumored or at least he was linked to the Wizards in several mocks.

The Booker pick wasn't surprising considering we had brought him in for a workout right before the draft and had a couple of picks in his draft range.

The Nick Young pick wasn't rumored as he was expected to be drafted by New Orleans in that draft, but it was widely expected we'd take the best wing available when our pick came around.

I can't recall the lead-up to the Pech pick or the Miller trade....

[jivelikenice]

??? What would limit Leonard's "upside"? The fact that he's so good? Sheesh. Vesely looked like he was on the way to being a good NBA player -- but he has a long road to travel before he's as good as Leonard was his rookie year.

Leonard had an oustanding rookie season and he will get better. But there's no question that Leonard benfitted immensely from playing on a team of vets who've been together for several years (Manu,Parker,TD) and playing for one of the best coaches of all time. I'm not so sure Leonard would have looked as good playing with Wall, McGee, Blatche, Crawford, Young, etc. or in the unstable coaching situation that the Zards had almost all of last season.

P.S.: I believe Ves will someday be as good or better than Leonard.

+1...Leonard isn't an elite wing. He's a good role player on a team with capable scorers. If we was asked to initiate his own offense or play above his abilities he would struggle. Would we have gotten more instant bang for our buck with Leonard? Sure...was the goal to win as many games as possible this past season or get the best long-term fit? The jury is still out and its way to early to declare anyone a winner but I like Jan's upside and the uniqueness of what he can bring to a team.

[DCZards]

Do you guys really think the Zards and EG have "leaked" anymore picks/trades than the average NBA team? I doubt it. It's just that we know about the Zards leaks because that's the team we follow. I'm guessing that the posters on other team boards can tell us about all of their favorite team's so-called leaks.

In fact, I wouldn't call them "leaks" given that it's damn near impossible to keep anything a secret in today's world of bloggers, 24 hour sports news coverage and people like us burning up the message boards.

[jivelikenice]

Another factor in making the selection that I think (and am hoping to some degree until proven out) is impacting who we select is what EG thinks he can accomplish in FA. Let's not kid ourselves, teams talk to agents well in advance of the start of the league yr. It happens in all sports. How else would these reports that Lou Williams is getting a lot of attention get out there? My point is Ernie & Co. probably has a few targets at the 2 and the 3 and a factor (not the deciding factor but a factor) in who we select is who they think they can bring in to play the other position in FA. I think its clear that the starting 2 and 3 for next season aren't currently on the roster so whatever position we don't address in the draft will have to get addrssed in FA. If Batum's agent gave any strong indication that he'd sign here, I would guess we'd go Beal. If we do go MKG, I think it would mean they feel they have more realisitc options available to them in FA at the 2 guard. Now throwing out max caliber players, let me throw out a scenario:

Draft Beal/ Sign Jeff Green

Draft MKG/ Sign Courtney Lee

What's the preference?

[nate33]

Our drafts always leak. Everyone knew we were taking Vesley last year and we did. I fully expect us to take MKG. Difference is, I actually like MKG and think he'll be a hell of a player in time. Only issue with him is it once again gives us a talented young player who can't shoot.

The Vesely pick was indeed leaked. But nobody saw the McGee pick coming. Or the Booker pick. Or the Seraphin pick. Or the Pecherov pick. Or the Young pick. Or the Mike Miller trade.

The McGee pick definitely rumored or at least he was linked to the Wizards in several mocks.

The Booker pick wasn't surprising considering we had brought him in for a workout right before the draft and had a couple of picks in his draft range.

The Nick Young pick wasn't rumored as he was expected to be drafted by New Orleans in that draft, but it was widely expected we'd take the best wing available when our pick came around.

I can't recall the lead-up to the Pech pick or the Miller trade....

The McGee picked surprised everyone on this board when it happened. I remember that distinctly. Nobody had McGee on their radar.

[closg00]

There really isn't much we can do at the 3-spot, leaking is totally worthless. My guess is that the Wizards are hoping that the Cats do not take Barnes.

My jaw will drop to the floor if we take MKG...unless Singleton is moved for peanuts on draft-night. It's going to be a long-night on the 28th, glad I'm not working the next-day.

[Upper Decker]

There really isn't much we can do at the 3-spot, leaking is totally worthless. My guess is that the Wizards are hoping that the Cats do not take Barnes.

My jaw will drop to the floor if we take MKG...unless Singleton is moved for peanuts on draft-night. It's going to be a long-night on the 28th, glad I'm not working the next-day.

I completely agree. While many of us think Singleton was totally worthless last year and shouldn't be a consideration on whom to pick I don't believe EG feels the same way. Apparently they were very high on him last year and to select a 'duplicate' player is an admonition of failure. I think most GM’s are a bit too proud to admit failure.

[MJG]

The McGee picked surprised everyone on this board when it happened. I remember that distinctly. Nobody had McGee on their radar.

Are you certain? I remember almost nobody here wanting McGee to be the pick, but like jivelikenice, I thought the rumor mills and mocks and such always had him ranked pretty high on our board. And just on a personal level, I don't recall at all be surprised by the choice (though I do remember feeling disappointed), and I'm someone who barely follows most draft talk.

[jivelikenice]

There really isn't much we can do at the 3-spot, leaking is totally worthless. My guess is that the Wizards are hoping that the Cats do not take Barnes.

My jaw will drop to the floor if we take MKG...unless Singleton is moved for peanuts on draft-night. It's going to be a long-night on the 28th, glad I'm not working the next-day.

I completely agree. While many of us think Singleton was totally worthless last year and shouldn't be a consideration on whom to pick I don't believe EG feels the same way. Apparently they were very high on him last year and to select a 'duplicate' player is an admonition of failure. I think most GM’s are a bit too proud to admit failure.

How is MKG a duplicate to Singleton?

[jivelikenice]

The McGee picked surprised everyone on this board when it happened. I remember that distinctly. Nobody had McGee on their radar.

Are you certain? I remember almost nobody here wanting McGee to be the pick, but like jivelikenice, I thought the rumor mills and mocks and such always had him ranked pretty high on our board. And just on a personal level, I don't recall at all be surprised by the choice (though I do remember feeling disappointed), and I'm someone who barely follows most draft talk.

That's what I was thinking. I recall him being linked to us in a couple of mocks and I remember going into that draft hoping that we didn't select him because he was such a work in progress. It did not surprise me at all when we took him.

[tontoz]

How is MKG a duplicate to Singleton?

Offensively they are almost opposits. CS actually was a decent 3 point shooter but was horrible off the dribble and rarely attacked the rim. When he did it wasn't pretty.

MKG strength is attacking the rim and finishing but he struggles to shoot from the perimeter.

The only real similarity is their defensive reputations.

[fishercob]

The McGee picked surprised everyone on this board when it happened. I remember that distinctly. Nobody had McGee on their radar.

Are you certain? I remember almost nobody here wanting McGee to be the pick, but like jivelikenice, I thought the rumor mills and mocks and such always had him ranked pretty high on our board. And just on a personal level, I don't recall at all be surprised by the choice (though I do remember feeling disappointed), and I'm someone who barely follows most draft talk.

That's what I was thinking. I recall him being linked to us in a couple of mocks and I remember going into that draft hoping that we didn't select him because he was such a work in progress. It did not surprise me at all when we took him.

hands11 called the McGee pick. I remember him having a sig that said Hibbert or McGee.

FWIW I do not remember a single rumbling in the media of the Wiz being in on McGee.

I remember the DX article on him about how he was remaking his body, working out in some warehouse or something. Cautionary tale on workout warriors, IMO.

[closg00]

Barnes is in tomorrow for his Wiz workout.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Well if the MKG rumor is true, what does that do for the Wizards is the question?

Probably take a SG at 32, Doron Lamb or Buford for example.

C - Nene, Seraphin
PF- Vesely, Booker, J.Singleton
SF- MKG, Singleton, Evans
SG- Crawford, (#32 pick), Mason/Almond
PG- Wall, Mack


Well, Wittman will have his hands full trying to win with this bunch. It is definately an uptempo, defense oriented team. Full court press, going for steals, reliant on energy and effort, poor shooting. Crawford will again be the designated scorer. Lack of offensive skill in the frontcourt leaves the door open for Blatche to be given another chance. We should be tough to play against though with that front rotation of MKG, the Singletons, Vesely, Booker, Seraphin & Nene, could be a long unpleasant night for opposing frontcourts.

[REDardWIZskin]

Here you go CCJ

Harrison Barnes will workout for the Wizards on Tuesday.

Also participating are Kris Joseph and John Shurna.

Washington owns the third overall selection.
Via RealGM Staff Report

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... z1yBXLUklt

[closg00]

Well if the MKG rumor is true, what does that do for the Wizards is the question?

Probably take a SG at 32, Doron Lamb or Buford for example.

C - Nene, Seraphin
PF- Vesely, Booker, J.Singleton
SF- MKG, Singleton, Evans
SG- Crawford, (#32 pick), Mason/Almond
PG- Wall, Mack


Well, Wittman will have his hands full trying to win with this bunch. It is definately an uptempo, defense oriented team. Full court press, going for steals, reliant on energy and effort, poor shooting. Crawford will again be the designated scorer. Lack of offensive skill in the frontcourt leaves the door open for Blatche to be given another chance. We should be tough to play against though with that front rotation of MKG, the Singletons, Vesely, Booker, Seraphin & Nene, could be a long unpleasant night for opposing frontcourts.

Looking at that line-up makes me want to take TRob or Plumlee, we need more strength and size in our front court....and someone who can rebound.

[nuposse04]

I seriously cannot justify the wizards picking anyone else outside of Beal if he is still left on the board. Unless we are moving some pieces we have already, I believe he is the best player at 3, and fills a massive need for us. It's a guard oriented league now...

[Dat2U]

Hollinger has his annual draft rater up and it apparently reads my mind because I've been locked on MKG for a while and have fallen in love with Waiters' game. I've also thought Quincy Miller is a huge sleeper as well.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft201 ... raft-rater

3. High-rated wings usually deliver

As I noted with Leonard a year ago, wing players -- especially bigger ones -- with strong Draft Rater marks virtually never fail. Of the eight players to rate above 13 in the past decade, the worst among them was Josh Childress. Five of the players have played in an All-Star Game, and Rudy Gay may play in an All-Star Game soon. The seventh player is Leonard.

This year, we have two names to add to that list: Dion Waiters and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Kidd-Gilchrist is probably the safest pick on the board -- a big wing who plays defense, has strong stats and comes with no character questions. From a risk-aversion perspective alone he should be a top-five pick; I have him third on my board after Robinson. (See below for how I would rank the prospects, regardless of their Draft Rater numbers.)

I have Waiters fourth for similar reasons. His size, 6-foot-4, is more of a concern, but whatever team made him a promise did a wise thing. Waiters projects as the best small wing since Dwyane Wade, and he'd be a steal if somebody got him in the Nos. 8-10 range currently being discussed.

The other wing everybody is sleeping on is Quincy Miller of Baylor, who put up a strong mark despite coming off an ACL injury. He has more questions marks because of the knee and his bony build, but he is long and can score. The stories of him slipping have me baffled, because he rates as a top-10 pick.

Two other wings who will be drafted highly don't rate as strongly: Beal and Harrison Barnes. Most players in their range turn out to be solid, but this part of the pool doesn't produce many stars. I'd be more comfortable taking these two in the later part of the lottery.

[Dat2U]

My dream is to come out of this draft with MKG & Waiters. Waiters is very much in the Harden, Ginobili, Terry mold as a stud scorer who can facilitate offense off the bench.