2012 Draft, Part VI (Draft Week is Here!)

[Hoopalotta]

Hoopalotta I remember that Michael Lee story also. However, I don't think Wall's preference will deter Ernie from his pick.

I think he'd factor it in and it might tip it over if it was deadlocked, but I agree that it's probably not going to swing the needle by a huge margin.

Nice dig Hoopalotta

I knew Wall and MKG were tight, but that is good news about Beal too.

I'd be happy with either of those guys. Ernie is (Please Use More Appropriate Word) if he is actually considering Barnes and it isnt just smoke.

I heard that rumor before, but I call BS.

It was definitely at least printed. Maybe it was overstated, but the idea that Mike Lee was in the locker room while a discussion on Barnes came up and Wall wasn't a fan is pretty solid. Did he change his mind? Was he just mouthing off? Could be, but we can put it at 99% that some words were said.

[80sballboy]

Beal is 6-5 with shoes or 6-4.75 to be exact like D-Wade. Of course, he's not the athlete that Wade is/was, but is a sturdy 205 and will get bigger and stronger since he just turned 19 today. That's big enough. If he was perfect, he would have dominated the college game his first year.

[Severn Hoos]

Read somewhere that the Cavs really like Crowder in the 2nd round. Us taking Beal & Crowder each 1 spot ahead of the Cavs would be a very satisfying evening.

Oh, and - I agree with whoever said earlier that it makes no sense for the Cavs to be so locked in on Beal. Given that their PG can shoot, wouldn't they be better off with MKG? And just like the critics here who say that you don't build a championship team with your two top players in the backcourt, wouldn't the same apply to the Cavs?

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I still hope Beal is there at #3 and becomes a Wizard.

[nuposse04]

Im from the STL area.

Know Beal's older brother.

As an objective fan, I dont want Beal in Washington. Dont think he fits well next to Wall and I like MKG.

But word is he's expecting to be a Wizard tomorrow. Take it FWIW. Good kid who should have a good future in Washington. As of now, its NOT LIKELY that the Cavs would trade up. They are looking at MKG and Barnes (more likely MKG).

Again, take it FWIW. Maybe thats what the family is hoping for. Idk. Thats the word out of all the people in STL right now.

Sidenote: Last guy from STL to play for the Wizards.....Larry Hughes :/....Hopefully he fairs better than Larry..which he will (Kid's got an unbelievable work ethic and a much better shooter)

Oh well. He's a good dude. So I wish him in Washington if everything goes to plan.

I think MKG will be the better player when it is all said and then. That being said, saying Beal isn't a good fit next to Wall is asinine. Of all the SGs in the draft, he most geared to play next to wall. My dream draft still would be MKG/Ross though.

Oh and for people who would trade the #3 AND seraphin for Harden, you're out of your **** minds. While Harden is a premier talent in this league I have my doubts about how much offensive load he can carry night in, and night out. I don't think he will cripple a team like Joe Johnson did with his max contract but I doubt Harden has the ability to save a franchise. If Beal even becomes 3/4s of Harden plus Seraphin's production continues, that outweighs his acquisition in my mind. #3+Booker, they can have it, but nothing more.

When I say fit...I think he's too small....

Love the skill level...Just think eventually that small a backcourt will cause trouble..(especially since you have a small 2 guard in Crawford already (even though I think Beal will be better)

Honestly, I think his true upside is a team that allows him to be a scoring pg (Im one of a few that think that....so I understand if most disagree)

Measures out to 6'5 in shoes, or just a tad under. Has good enough athletic scores and standing reach to make his size a non factor. Being that he is relatively young it wouldn't surprise me if grew another half inch or inch (although it isn't something im banking on). Scoring PG? Beal's issue is his ability to create, if anything, next to a guy like wall who is above average in creating for other he is perfect offensively. I see a hybrid of Hamilton and Eric Gordon developing.

[Dat2U]

Hoopalotta I remember that Michael Lee story also. However, I don't think Wall's preference will deter Ernie from his pick.

I think he'd factor it in and it might tip it over if it was deadlocked, but I agree that it's probably not going to swing the needle by a huge margin.

Nice dig Hoopalotta

I knew Wall and MKG were tight, but that is good news about Beal too.

I'd be happy with either of those guys. Ernie is (Please Use More Appropriate Word) if he is actually considering Barnes and it isnt just smoke.

I heard that rumor before, but I call BS.

It was definitely at least printed. Maybe it was overstated, but the idea that Mike Lee was in the locker room while a discussion on Barnes came up and Wall wasn't a fan is pretty solid. Did he change his mind? Was he just mouthing off? Could be, but we can put it at 99% that some words were said.

Your right. And like you, I looked all over for it because I remember reading it as well. Spent about 15 minutes in the Wizards Insider archives looking for it a week or so back but with no luck.

I believe the comment was made around March Madness time.

[truwizfan4evr]

Sources believe the Cavaliers would take Dion Waiters with the fourth pick if Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal are off the board.
Yesss i hope this true

[dangermouse]

Hoop and Dat, you arent going crazy. I recall hearing something about Wall disliking Barnes and his game. It was a while ago, maybe even last draft.

If RealGM had a functioning search feature it would probably be easy to unearth.

[hands11]

Len ( Lexington)


Who would the wizards take if another team took Beal at #2?

Chad Ford (2:09 PM)


I think Harrison Barnes is the next guy on their board. They believe he can play some two and they desperately need shooter.

Before the Wizards do something damned stupid and take Barnes @ #3, I suggest my bad trade idea of #3 and Blatche for Marshon Brooks, Anthony Morrow, #57 pick, and a 2014 first.

Brooks is better than Barnes. Morrow shoots better than Brooks or Barnes. Harrison Barnes is robotic, an overrated shooter, and he will be one absolute disaster if picked ahead of much better players like Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist, Damian Lillard, and Dion Waiters. If the Wizards want a SG, Will Barton will be more effective there than Barnes. They can trade down and pick Terrence Ross, who I also like better than Barnes.

Harrison Barnes is a grossly overrated player and the Wizards would be just silly enough to pick him 3rd.

Count me in on that. Brooks was the main player I wanted all last draft like Beal was this year. Brooks is going to be a stud in this league. And you would be getting him with his rookie year behind him. He is going to be much better in year.

[hands11]

I wonder if the Cats would swap picks for us if we gave them Crawford? Probably not, but I'd count that as a plus!

That not a bad line of thinking. It would be a lot to give up to move up one slot but I dont think Crawford is slots to be here long term anyway. We would lose this dribbling ability which is good but we could be Beal which I really want.

Worth at least floating out there to confuse things more.

I would also gladly take Robinson at 3.

The only things I dont want is Carlton.

[WizarDynasty]

So why is Drummond better than Seraphin as unbelievable lower body strength and tim duncan like balance and coordination offensively. Seraphin does not have anything close to Duncan like coordination off the dribble. Lower body strength is one of the most important traits of a bigman and Drummond has it. Elite hands. Drummonds hands are elite, he can catch anything. Seraphin has great hands too. Drummond is aerodynamic--meaning he is devastating with his size and quickness after putting the ball on the floor--almost Lebron James like, when this guy wants to score, you are not going to stop him. Drummond has 100 times more ability at being able to draw fouls than seraphin because he has excellent coordination while in the air. He has excellent touch in air while moving. He is humble and not a jerk--loyalty and not a team cancer, coachable. He isn't a bully and the game is so easy for him that he doesn't even use his body to punish weaker defenders. But in a playoff setting with everything on the line, he will unleash it and there will be no one in the league that can stop him. If he is there at 3, Leonsis has to take him. He can coexist very well starting next to seraphin in about 2 years and we will have the most dominant front court in the league with nene and okafor schooling him in practice on the day to day mentality he needs to have in the nba. Okafor and Nene are not the future, its seraphin and Drummond that will lay the foundation of our future championships with Wall speed. Drummond ceiling is higher than Cousins and I there is a very low bust potential surrounding drummond with Nene and Okafor. If Leonsis needs something to let him feel confident about selecting drummond, hopefully he reads this post.

[willbcocks]

Im from the STL area.

Know Beal's older brother.

As an objective fan, I dont want Beal in Washington. Dont think he fits well next to Wall and I like MKG.

But word is he's expecting to be a Wizard tomorrow. Take it FWIW. Good kid who should have a good future in Washington. As of now, its NOT LIKELY that the Cavs would trade up. They are looking at MKG and Barnes (more likely MKG).

Again, take it FWIW. Maybe thats what the family is hoping for. Idk. Thats the word out of all the people in STL right now.

Sidenote: Last guy from STL to play for the Wizards.....Larry Hughes :/....Hopefully he fairs better than Larry..which he will (Kid's got an unbelievable work ethic and a much better shooter)

Oh well. He's a good dude. So I wish him in Washington if everything goes to plan.

I think MKG will be the better player when it is all said and then. That being said, saying Beal isn't a good fit next to Wall is asinine. Of all the SGs in the draft, he most geared to play next to wall. My dream draft still would be MKG/Ross though.

Oh and for people who would trade the #3 AND seraphin for Harden, you're out of your **** minds. While Harden is a premier talent in this league I have my doubts about how much offensive load he can carry night in, and night out. I don't think he will cripple a team like Joe Johnson did with his max contract but I doubt Harden has the ability to save a franchise. If Beal even becomes 3/4s of Harden plus Seraphin's production continues, that outweighs his acquisition in my mind. #3+Booker, they can have it, but nothing more.

When I say fit...I think he's too small....

Love the skill level...Just think eventually that small a backcourt will cause trouble..(especially since you have a small 2 guard in Crawford already (even though I think Beal will be better)

Honestly, I think his true upside is a team that allows him to be a scoring pg (Im one of a few that think that....so I understand if most disagree)

Why would his size make him a bad fit in Washington though? Wall's probably the longest, most athletic point guard in the league.

[The Consiglieri]

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-trian ... -the-wings

really enjoy grantlands stuff.

[hands11]

if the Spurs want Beal, that just means we need to take him.

And if the Spurs AND Thunder want him, we should trade up to #2 to make sure!

Wait a second.

You would trade up ?

[hands11]

The 3rd pick and Seraphin is too much for Harden. I prefer Seraphin and Beal/MKG, either of whom could likely be as good as Harden.

Right.

There is always some level of risk when you are comparing a draft pick to someone who has actually done it in the NBA but if you are going to take that risk, you do it with a top 3 pick. The value is better because you get them on their rookie contact and if they are a true stud you try your best to keep them. Kevin is coming into year three and made great progress last year. He could be a huge value player both this year and next when he will be making 2.7M And by then the new CBA cap restrictions should start to help cap the insane contract of yesteryear so more teams can keep the good players they draft.

The good news is either would be good. But as a fan, I prefer rooting for players that we drafted that I know I already like. Its just more fun that way.

I prefer they keep the young players and just draft another. They could move Crawford and I wouldn't be to bothered. After him I would consider C Singleton but I'm in no hurry to move him. I think he will be better this year. He got his first year under his belt, a summer to improve and a better team to run with this coming year.

[hands11]

Im from the STL area.

Know Beal's older brother.

As an objective fan, I dont want Beal in Washington. Dont think he fits well next to Wall and I like MKG.

But word is he's expecting to be a Wizard tomorrow. Take it FWIW. Good kid who should have a good future in Washington. As of now, its NOT LIKELY that the Cavs would trade up. They are looking at MKG and Barnes (more likely MKG).

Again, take it FWIW. Maybe thats what the family is hoping for. Idk. Thats the word out of all the people in STL right now.

Sidenote: Last guy from STL to play for the Wizards.....Larry Hughes :/....Hopefully he fairs better than Larry..which he will (Kid's got an unbelievable work ethic and a much better shooter)

Oh well. He's a good dude. So I wish him in Washington if everything goes to plan.

Thanks for the post.

[verbal8]

The fact that respected front offices like the Thunder and Spurs want to trade up for Beal bodes well. That also scares me into thinking that Beal being at #3 is becoming less and less likely.

In MJ we trust

[fishercob]

Happy draft day, everyone!

Come on Beal!

[verbal8]

Yeah, people are underrating his floor. At worst, he'll be a guy that can get rebounds and be a great defensive player w/ shot-blocking.

And plus, Drummond and Nene are tailor-made for each other. They compliment each other perfectly.

Draftexpress has his floor as DeAndre Jordan, which seems pretty accurate to me. I would want more production and competent FT shooting to consider him before say the 8th pick. He definitely is clearly the most intriguing "project" in the draft.

[closg00]

Fords last take on the Wiz

Analysis: The Wizards made the first big trade of the offseason, sending Rashard Lewis and the 46th pick to New Orleans for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza. With the deal, the Wizards essentially upgraded their front court -- Okafor likely will be their starting 5, Nene Hilario their starting 4 and Ariza their starting 3.

With John Wall running the point, that leaves them with one big hole at the 2. I think this makes Beal a no-brainer for the Wizards, who are lacking a lights-out perimeter shooter. He's a perfect fit for this new roster.

Trade Scenarios: If the Wizards believe they are in danger of losing Beal to a team moving up in the draft, don't be surprised if they offer the Bobcats the No. 32 pick to move up one spot. The Wizards might also entertain a James Harden offer from the Thunder for Beal. Finally, if Beal is off the board, the Wizards have talked to several teams about moving down to Nos. 5, 7, 8 and 9.

Wizards' Big Board:
1. Bradley Beal
2. Harrison Barnes
3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
4. Thomas Robinson

It will be Beal-Watch @ pick# 2

[Hoopalotta]

^ 5, 7, 8 & 9? Well, that about covers it.

Honestly, that area of the draft kind of sniffs of a Blatche dump.

That's didn't really come out right, but you know what I mean.