Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part I

[Nivek]

Shot blocking is overrated anyway. A blocked shot is good because it's a guaranteed miss, but the important thing is the positioning and getting a hand in the face to make the other guy miss.

[Upper Decker]

Question. If you switched Nerlans Noel with Anthony Davis does Kentucky still win the championship? Would this years Kentucky team have been much better than they were before Noels injury?

[hands11]

Gotta find a way to turn those 2nds and something like Booker into another first.

I would forgo Zeller for one of Otto, CJM, Victor and then just grab Withey

Then look forward to the following year where lots of things could happen by then. One of the youngs like Kevin, Ves or Singleton could develop value if we need to trade up and we don't see them fitting in.

And why not get a 24 year old mature young man that is ready to do what you need from day one. If its a late first, I would rather do that then any of the project types.

Maybe we could move up to late 1st again, but this draft doesn't appear to be deep, imo - and most likely you'd get a player not as good as Booker in the late 1st. Imo, the Wiz would need to get another lotto pick to have a good shot at a quality player. The only team I see that'd be fairly easy to convince to trade their pick is OKC - which got Toronto's pick from Houston in the Harden trade. That's currently the 10th pick according NBAdraft.net. I could see OKC being interested in Okafor, because Perkins is not a good player, anymore, and they need to fill that role. Maybe Okafor plus a future heavily protected pick and the Wiz 2nd rounder for Perkins, filler, and the Toronto pick could work.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=330560066
Jeff Withey

Ben McLemore

[hands11]

I hear ya, Steve, but it's a problem with the way the Wiz roster is set up. I don't think you can plan on Okafor being a significant part of the team's future - with his contract and his age factored in.

Yeah he's gone when his contract is up or maybe even before. It's unfortunate, I don't know who we're going to get to really replace him. That's why I'm so big on Zeller. I'm thinking he has the skills to come step in early on offense and you'll just have to cope defensively.

You'll assume to much.

Okafor can stay and they can draft a 7-0 back up like Witney. Win in the playoff next year and figure it out from there. They can extend Okafor. Trade him later or keep him. There will be opportunities to do stuff.

Not having options was the same thing people said after the Trevor A/Okafor pick up. Well, it looks like we have options now and they should have options later.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

The silence on GR3, is it because no one thinks he's any good, or just assumed he won't come out this year?

I do like Burke also, but our top pick has to be a starter, that means a C or F.

Just found out my ESPN on demand has a bunch of college games, like Michigan vs Indiana & Gtown vs Cincinnati, cut down under 25 min just meat & potatoes of each game, pretty cool!

[hands11]

I hear ya, Steve, but it's a problem with the way the Wiz roster is set up. I don't think you can plan on Okafor being a significant part of the team's future - with his contract and his age factored in.

Yeah he's gone when his contract is up or maybe even before. It's unfortunate, I don't know who we're going to get to really replace him. That's why I'm so big on Zeller. I'm thinking he has the skills to come step in early on offense and you'll just have to cope defensively.

And it's not like Okafor is a big shot-blocker. He averages 1.1 per game - and just 0.5 in 10 games this month. The Wiz guards seem to block more shots than their bigs. It's funny how the Wiz lose their great shot-blocker (McGee) and became so much better defensively. I'd be fine with Zeller. And a player I'd focus in on the second round is Richard Howell from NC State. He won't win any style points, but he'll grab almost every key rebound down the stretch of close games. And he's improved his open 15 footer. He's basically a young Udonis Haslem.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jeff-Withey-5259/

After two unimpressive seasons to start his college career at Kansas, Jeff Withey finally burst onto the scene as a junior, ranking second in our database in blocks per 40 minutes pace adjusted, trailing only 2012 NBA Draft #1 pick Anthony Davis.

[hands11]

The silence on GR3, is it because no one thinks he's any good, or just assumed he won't come out this year?

I do like Burke also, but our top pick has to be a starter, that means a C or F.

Just found out my ESPN on demand has a bunch of college games, like Michigan vs Indiana & Gtown vs Cincinnati, cut down under 25 min just meat & potatoes of each game, pretty cool!

Right. I posted this before.
http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index?game ... pe/replay/

[Ruzious]

I hear ya, Steve, but it's a problem with the way the Wiz roster is set up. I don't think you can plan on Okafor being a significant part of the team's future - with his contract and his age factored in.

Yeah he's gone when his contract is up or maybe even before. It's unfortunate, I don't know who we're going to get to really replace him. That's why I'm so big on Zeller. I'm thinking he has the skills to come step in early on offense and you'll just have to cope defensively.

You'll assume to much.

Okafor can stay and they can draft a 7-0 back up like Witney. Win in the playoff next year and figure it out from there. They can extend Okafor. Trade him later or keep him. There will be opportunities to do stuff.

Not having options was the same thing people said after the Trevor A/Okafor pick up. Well, it looks like we have options now and they should have options later.

Good game - and a rare no blocks from Withey. The age thing (He'll turn 24 during his rookie year.) makes me doubtful about Withey, and if he were good, a 2nd rounder and junk wouldn't likely get him.

[Ruzious]

The silence on GR3, is it because no one thinks he's any good, or just assumed he won't come out this year?

I do like Burke also, but our top pick has to be a starter, that means a C or F.

Just found out my ESPN on demand has a bunch of college games, like Michigan vs Indiana & Gtown vs Cincinnati, cut down under 25 min just meat & potatoes of each game, pretty cool!

I like him (As I've said, I think he's a better prospect than Hardaway II), but what position is he in the NBA? He's maybe 6'6, and he hasn't played any guard, because his team is stacked at the 2. Not a whole lot has been asked of him. I'd like to see him stay in school and hopefully get a chance to play guard and be the man.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

For UCLA, a bad game for Shabazz, but his 18 year old teammate, Jordan Adams continues to shine - filling up the box score. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball ... 1302240609 Adams, a 6'5 220 lb shooting guard (has a little baby fat to shed) averages 15 and 4 along with 2 steals in 29 minutes a game and has a low t/o rate. But he's strictly a 2 and wouldn't figure for the Wiz - other than in moving other players down.

Btw, I think people are overrating MCW of Syracuse. Yes, he's a very tall PG, but he's not strong, and despite the assists, he's not a great pure point from what I've seen. He gets a lot of steals, but he's not a great athlete, and he obviously can't shoot. If he goes in the lotto, someone's made a mistake.

From stats alone, Jordan Adams would appear to be much more of a ballhawking defender, a much better passer, and has been just as efficient a scorer as Shabazz Muhammad.

I think Muhammad's probably extremely overrated, if stats are to be trusted. I saw video of his games and he's a scoring wing who will excel in transition, somewhat like Stackhouse. However, there are a red flags on Muhammad's game. His turnovers are almost double his assists. His defensive stats are not good. He is not a prolific rebounder.

[stevemcqueen1]

From stats alone, Jordan Adams would appear to be much more of a ballhawking defender, a much better passer, and has been just as efficient a scorer as Shabazz Muhammad.

I think Muhammad's probably extremely overrated, if stats are to be trusted. I saw video of his games and he's a scoring wing who will excel in transition, somewhat like Stackhouse. However, there are a red flags on Muhammad's game. His turnovers are almost double his assists. His defensive stats are not good. He is not a prolific rebounder.

Muhammad's value comes from his NBA ready athleticism and scoring ability. He's the best scorer among the perimeter players in the class. Steals, rebounding, and passing are not the determinant of his draft value. He's an excellent athlete and the only player in the class who can score comfortably from everywhere on the court.

[Nivek]

Withey has a solid score in YODA -- consistent with a late lottery pick. His score last year was equivalent to a later first round pick -- 20s. He's reasonably efficient, though his 2pt% is low for a center. Rebounding is okay, but not spectacular. Where he stands out is in blocking shots. He's not going to be a franchise center, but he could make a good backup or possibly a role-playing starter if he works hard enough.

[Nivek]

Jordan Adams is another prospect who looks good in YODA. He rates at about the same level as MKG last season -- just a shade behind Beal.

[Severn Hoos]

To me, this draft keeps getting easier to peg. Noel is the clear #1, even with the knee injury. Heck, the other guys (like Shabazz) are getting more scrutiny and the "experts" are talking themselves into seeing all the warts in their games. So I think he stays at #1, but regardless - if the Wiz have a chance to get him, they take him. P-E-R-I-D.

After that, I really want Porter. I suppose I could talk myself into Zeller or Shabazz based on the general consensus, but I'm not entirely sold on them. I love Oladipo, and think the Deng comparison is a good one - but at 6'5 can he be a full-time SF? This team can't afford to use a top-10 pick on a guy who will be a part time player. Oh wait - how many times have we done that?

So it's Noel, Porter, or Bust as far as I'm concerned. After that, I'm probably looking to trade down and pick up a guy I expect to be a part-time player like McCollum or Burke (with the possibility that one of them could displace Wall, but that's an unpleasant scenario, so not sure how much I want to entertain that line of thinking).

And I'd also open up the discussion with the Bucks around Ilyasova for the pick IF Porter was not available.

And if all else fails, I'd take a flyer on Bennett, although I think we'd be one of the smaller teams in the league if he's a full-time PF. But I want to get something from this draft, especially if we hope to be out of the cellar sooner rather than later and with fewer options to add top talent in the future.

[Ruzious]

A bunch of people here have made the Olapido to Deng comparison, and I don't get it all - other than they have some facial similarities. Deng seems like a nice guy, but he's been one of the NBA's most overrated players for several years. He's also 4 inches taller. He doesn't create turnovers - which is a huge part of Olapido's game. Deng is a solid dependable player, but he's very ordinary in efficiency and production and has never been a dynamic player. Him making the all-star a time or 2 is a testament to how little star power there is in the East.

[bgroban]

To me, this draft keeps getting easier to peg. Noel is the clear #1, even with the knee injury. Heck, the other guys (like Shabazz) are getting more scrutiny and the "experts" are talking themselves into seeing all the warts in their games. So I think he stays at #1, but regardless - if the Wiz have a chance to get him, they take him. P-E-R-I-D.

After that, I really want Porter. I suppose I could talk myself into Zeller or Shabazz based on the general consensus, but I'm not entirely sold on them. I love Oladipo, and think the Deng comparison is a good one - but at 6'5 can he be a full-time SF? This team can't afford to use a top-10 pick on a guy who will be a part time player. Oh wait - how many times have we done that?

So it's Noel, Porter, or Bust as far as I'm concerned. After that, I'm probably looking to trade down and pick up a guy I expect to be a part-time player like McCollum or Burke (with the possibility that one of them could displace Wall, but that's an unpleasant scenario, so not sure how much I want to entertain that line of thinking).

And I'd also open up the discussion with the Bucks around Ilyasova for the pick IF Porter was not available.

And if all else fails, I'd take a flyer on Bennett, although I think we'd be one of the smaller teams in the league if he's a full-time PF. But I want to get something from this draft, especially if we hope to be out of the cellar sooner rather than later and with fewer options to add top talent in the future.

But will they be around at the 16th pick?

[Liverbird]

I was looking at the likely lottery teams and trying to gauge potential interest and team needs in the draft.

Charlotte - They need scorers so I think they go SG so either McLemore or Shabazz. While Noel may be intriguing - a frontline of MKG/Bismack/Noel would struggle offensively.

Orlando - They have their wing positions filled and Vucevic is playing well so I anticipate either PG or PF. I think they would look at either Marcus Smart or one of Noel/Zeller. I think they go big.

Cleveland - They are the primary threat to draft Otto Porter - perfect fit for them and would make them a young and dangerous team. But would this be too high? We need to jump ahead of them if we want Porter. May see value in Zeller/Len/Austin but Porter is such a great fit.

Phoenix - Need a SG so they draft whomever Charlotte does not. McLemore or Shabazz

Sacramento - Another team looking for a SF and Otto Porter. If he's not available, may roll the dice on either Noel/Zeller/Len and eventually have Cousins on the trading block.

Washington - My order of preference in order would be Noel/Porter/Oladipo/Zeller or trade down for Burke.

Detroit - Need a SG and SF. I believe SG is more of a need and they are in Big10 country so Oladipo I think is a logical choice.

New Orleans - Aminu is expiring so perhaps looking for a SF. May go big with one of the remaining Centers. Len/Austin.

Minnesota - Need a SG and/or SF. They probably take the BPA at either position. Oladipo/Porter/Poythress

Philly - What they do with Andrew Bynum will dictate their strategy. Draft the best big available or fill a need at SG/SF.

OKC (Toronto) - Backup for Westbrook. Marcus Smart/MCW

[stevemcqueen1]

I think we'll be picking too late for Noal, Zeller, or Muhammad unless we get some big time luck with the ping pong balls. We all know that's not going to happen.

Porter or Len seem like the most natural choices for us in that mid lotto range we'll probably end up picking.

I still like James McAdoo as a sleeper though. Smart player. Very athletic. Very versatile. UNC has been playing him at the five the past few weeks and it's been working for them. I'd take him over any backup guard.

[FAH1223]

I don't like McAdoo but Ernie probably would. Kid is athletic but he has no offensive skill. None.

[stevemcqueen1]

I don't like McAdoo but Ernie probably would. Kid is athletic but he has no offensive skill. None.

That's not true. He can face up and drive to the basket and he also has a nice turnaround fade move he goes to with range out to about 13-15 feet.