Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part I

[adarsh1]

I'm officially on the Bennett bandwagon. The kid has such a nice feel for the game and I think he's athletic enough to play the style of defense Wittman wants and to run with Wall. Would also round out our starting lineup quite nicely and tighten up our rotation after a trade or so.

[FAH1223]

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.

He is a tweener. Its not enough to have a nice jumpshot in the midrange. He's really soft on defense.

And worst of all, he doesnt like playing with his back to the basket.

If he had a decent perimeter game I would say he could be a stretch 4, but he doesnt.

[Nivek]

Right now, the #1 player according to YODA is Oladipo. His shooting is just insane. Excellent rebounding, a fair number of assists, and a ton of steals.

#2 is Zeller with excellent efficiency and solid rebounding.

After that, it's...interesting. Trey Burke is 3rd, followed by a group of players who rate about the same: McLemore, Noel, Smart, Porter, Bennett, McCollum, McDermot and Olynyk. Obviously lots more games to play. And these ratings don't include any of the physical attributes stuff.

Olynyk looks like he could be a steal for someone if he really goes in the 2nd half of the 1st round, where DX currently has him ranked.

DX has Isaiah Austin ranked 6th -- YODA has him as a borderline 2nd round pick. His efficiency is insanely bad and his low 2pt% is a big red flag.

DX has Alex Len #5 -- his YODA score is that of a 2nd round pick.

[Nivek]

James McAdoo had a borderline 2nd round grade for last season. This season, he's fallen solidly into the "don't draft" category. His efficiency is insanely bad -- just 45% from 2pt range and 56% from the FT line. These are major red flags. High turnovers too. I wouldn't draft him. So far, he's this year's Austin Rivers.

[Dat2U]

Kev is age something that you factor into YODA? For example, McLemore & Smart are both freshman... but McLemore is 20 & Smart is 18.

[Nivek]

Age is a consideration. I don't have any of that stuff worked in yet. If I add the age adjustment for McLemore, he move down a tier.

[Ruzious]

Age is a consideration. I don't have any of that stuff worked in yet. If I add the age adjustment for McLemore, he move down a tier.

I'm guessing that would also be the case with Withey - who's just about to turn 23.

[miller31time]

DX has Alex Len #5 -- his YODA score is that of a 2nd round pick.

Even as a UMD fan, I'm glad my view of him is backed up by this. He really annoys me in the sense that he's got the tools to dominate and simply doesn't have the mentality or variation in skill-set. Whether it develops it remains to be seen but you can say that for a lot of players who aren't getting the hype Mr. Len is.

[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.

He is a tweener. Its not enough to have a nice jumpshot in the midrange. He's really soft on defense.

And worst of all, he doesnt like playing with his back to the basket.

If he had a decent perimeter game I would say he could be a stretch 4, but he doesnt.

How much of him have you watched? I don't think much of what you say about him is very accurate.

He's definitely not soft. And he does like posting up. He doesn't have much of a jumper from 15+ feet.

He's not really a tweener right now, he's a pure PF. He does have the athleticism and the ball handling skills to play some 3 in the NBA eventually once he develops some shooting range. But he's going to play the four for the most part. He's powerful and comfortable defending the low post and he's a very good rebounder. Teams will want to play him at the 4.

[dobrojim]

"teams will want to play him"... in garbage time?

[thricethefun]

I watch a lot of Big 10 basketball so I've seen Trey Burke quite a bit this season. The kid is going to be a star imo. Reminds me of Chris Paul but an even better scorer. Just so smooth with the ball and such a great scorer. Great pick and roll player as he just takes apart Big 10 defenses. Without Burke on their team michigan wouldn't be nearly as good. If the Wizards keep up their current tear and play themselves into a late lottery pick I would highly be in favor of drafting Burke then using him at first to back up Wall next year while evaluating both Wall and Burke to see who they want to be their guy. I think Burke would be an absolute steal as a value pick if we ended up selecting in the 8-12 range. What are your thoughts?

[Ruzious]

I watch a lot of Big 10 basketball so I've seen Trey Burke quite a bit this season. The kid is going to be a star imo. Reminds me of Chris Paul but an even better scorer. Just so smooth with the ball and such a great scorer. Great pick and roll player as he just takes apart Big 10 defenses. Without Burke on their team michigan wouldn't be nearly as good. If the Wizards keep up their current tear and play themselves into a late lottery pick I would highly be in favor of drafting Burke then using him at first to back up Wall next year while evaluating both Wall and Burke to see who they want to be their guy. I think Burke would be an absolute steal as a value pick if we ended up selecting in the 8-12 range. What are your thoughts?

See the top of page 90 - we've been talking about him. I think it's reasonable to call him a poor man's Paul.

[Ruzious]

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.

He is a tweener. Its not enough to have a nice jumpshot in the midrange. He's really soft on defense.

And worst of all, he doesnt like playing with his back to the basket.

If he had a decent perimeter game I would say he could be a stretch 4, but he doesnt.

How much of him have you watched? I don't think much of what you say about him is very accurate.

He's definitely not soft. And he does like posting up. He doesn't have much of a jumper from 15+ feet.

He's not really a tweener right now, he's a pure PF. He does have the athleticism and the ball handling skills to play some 3 in the NBA eventually once he develops some shooting range. But he's going to play the four for the most part. He's powerful and comfortable defending the low post and he's a very good rebounder. Teams will want to play him at the 4.

He does pass the eye test as a PF now. He just hasn't produced enough on a consistent basis. And lack of production in college is an indication that there will be lack of production in the NBA. One thing I'll give him credit for is - he plays the passing lanes well on defense. And he has the quickness to be a good pick n roll defender.

[stevemcqueen1]

I don't think Burke is going to be able to score like CP3 in the NBA. He's skilled but Burke is not in Paul's class physically. Paul is significantly faster and stronger than Burke IMO.

[FAH1223]

How much of him have you watched? I don't think much of what you say about him is very accurate.

He's definitely not soft. And he does like posting up. He doesn't have much of a jumper from 15+ feet.

He's not really a tweener right now, he's a pure PF. He does have the athleticism and the ball handling skills to play some 3 in the NBA eventually once he develops some shooting range. But he's going to play the four for the most part. He's powerful and comfortable defending the low post and he's a very good rebounder. Teams will want to play him at the 4.

I've watched him a bit. He's just too inconsistent. He will be picked higher than he should be because of his name and UNC always has overrated prospects to boot.

[Ruzious]

I don't think Burke is going to be able to score like CP3 in the NBA. He's skilled but Burke is not in Paul's class physically. Paul is significantly faster and stronger than Burke IMO.

I'm not sure why you and Dat seem to thing Burke is a pipsqueak. He's not. I remember Paul when he was in the ACC, He was skinnier than Burke is, and it wouldn't surprise me if he still is. Burke is a very solidly built player. I agree that Paul is a bit qulcker, faster, and more skilled in setting up teammates, but Paul is the best in the world at what he does.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

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.

Agreed.

Oladipo has bounce to his game and is a high impact kind of player. Deng is kind of like Jamison. He is a solid player but not a star. Oladipo makes things happen with fluidity, athleticism and with intensity that Deng can't match.

Oladipo reminds me of Drexler.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Right now, the #1 player according to YODA is Oladipo. His shooting is just insane. Excellent rebounding, a fair number of assists, and a ton of steals.

#2 is Zeller with excellent efficiency and solid rebounding.

After that, it's...interesting. Trey Burke is 3rd, followed by a group of players who rate about the same: McLemore, Noel, Smart, Porter, Bennett, McCollum, McDermot and Olynyk. Obviously lots more games to play. And these ratings don't include any of the physical attributes stuff.

Olynyk looks like he could be a steal for someone if he really goes in the 2nd half of the 1st round, where DX currently has him ranked.

DX has Isaiah Austin ranked 6th -- YODA has him as a borderline 2nd round pick. His efficiency is insanely bad and his low 2pt% is a big red flag.

DX has Alex Len #5 -- his YODA score is that of a 2nd round pick.

If the don't select Porter, Oladipo, or Smart; I think the best thing the Wizards could do is trade down and select McCollum and McDermott in round one.

McCollum is a everything Wall is not at G. He is a basketball player who makes plays and who shoots extremely well. CJMC reminds me of Walt Frazier. There is no way the Wizards would regret drafting him.

McDermott is a white player who if he were black would be a lottery selection. Not everyone is a power dunker. Not every PF/SF tweener has to be able to defend at PF or keep up with SFs. If that were the case Steve Novak would not have a job. McDermott is way better than Novak. Wally Szczerbiak said he sees himself when he watches McDermott. I think McDermott would be great as a stretch four for the Wizards. I see him fitting well with Vesely because they both move without the ball. McDermott is just like Millsap, Boozer, and Faried in one respect. The guy has dominated NCAA ball for years but scouts are more impressed with measurables and athleticism than basketball ability.

Olynyk is another very good Canadian player. (Andrew Nicholson, Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett all are Canadian players.) He blew up when Sacre went to the Lakers. I think he's a little like Motiejunas. Looking at where Gonzaga is ranked, and the fact that Olynyk has a PER of 39, the Wizards would be getting a big man who can stretch the floor and score in transition. I don't love him but the numbers say he's going to be a good pro. He's not a defender and has had four years to develop his body and his game. I think he's at his peak right now.

Nivek, the guy I think is a stud is Marcus Smart. He has had a hard life. He is a stud player at 18. The guy stands out.

So does Oladipo.

Burke is going to be like Mo Williams, a good NBA player but I'm not in love with his game.

[stevemcqueen1]

I don't think Burke is going to be able to score like CP3 in the NBA. He's skilled but Burke is not in Paul's class physically. Paul is significantly faster and stronger than Burke IMO.

I'm not sure why you and Dat seem to thing Burke is a pipsqueak. He's not. I remember Paul when he was in the ACC, He was skinnier than Burke is, and it wouldn't surprise me if he still is. Burke is a very solidly built player. I agree that Paul is a bit qulcker, faster, and more skilled in setting up teammates, but Paul is the best in the world at what he does.

I don't think he's a pipsqueak. I just wouldn't compare him to Paul. CP3 is probably one of the strongest players at the PG position pound for pound. Early in his career he was one of the fastest players in the league too.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I don't think Burke is going to be able to score like CP3 in the NBA. He's skilled but Burke is not in Paul's class physically. Paul is significantly faster and stronger than Burke IMO.

I'm not sure why you and Dat seem to thing Burke is a pipsqueak. He's not. I remember Paul when he was in the ACC, He was skinnier than Burke is, and it wouldn't surprise me if he still is. Burke is a very solidly built player. I agree that Paul is a bit qulcker, faster, and more skilled in setting up teammates, but Paul is the best in the world at what he does.

Ruz, I saw the improvement from year one to year two of Burke and I think Smart is better than year one Burke. Burke isn't a bad player at all. He could end up starting like Lawson or Lowry, despite being a mid-first round pick.