Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part II

[BruceO]

giannis adetokunbo

[tontoz]

For what it's worth, Steve Szabin on 980 was saying he's been increasingly hearing from people in the know that Ernie is VERY high on Alex Len.

LOLWTF is this?

[Ruzious]

More Len bashing - he's really not a good on-ball defender. He got burned by the same basic spin move to the baseline last night 3 times - by a player much smaller than him and not particularly athletic - each time resulting in a layup. When you're playing inside, you cannot just give up the entire baseline. He barely had his knees bent, so he couldn't react - that's basic fundamentals. I even remember being taught that in a basketball camp when I was 12. The raw talent is there, but he needs so much schooling. And no - I don't think he's a lock for the lottery - much less top 5.

[truwizfan4evr]

How does people feel about Otto porter and glen Robinson 111? I think both fit are style very nice run and gun style with Beal and Wall.

[miller31time]

I've been a Len detractor all season long, even after solid performances against top-tier talent. Without getting into a long diatribe of his myriad of weaknesses and mental flaws, let's just say I don't like the way he plays or thinks the game. I'd be incredibly pissed if we drafted him at all in this draft, let alone in the top-5.

With that said, he's about as much of an Ernie pick as there is. If only Len's name was Bob Smith, born and raised in Kansas, then Ernie wouldn't touch him with a 10ft pole.

[WizarDynasty]

Bennet followed by poythress. I really don't like below the rim front court players. Bennet would be our c. anthony. we could use a player who can attack with both hands and score efficiently. Len is horrible.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

More Len bashing - he's really not a good on-ball defender. He got burned by the same basic spin move to the baseline last night 3 times - by a player much smaller than him and not particularly athletic - each time resulting in a layup. When you're playing inside, you cannot just give up the entire baseline. He barely had his knees bent, so he couldn't react - that's basic fundamentals. I even remember being taught that in a basketball camp when I was 12. The raw talent is there, but he needs so much schooling. And no - I don't think he's a lock for the lottery - much less top 5.

I recuse my previous statement. Change to:

"When he played Plumlee that one time, Len was a terrific on ball defender".

Ruz, you're right, he doesn't bend his knees and he has been really upright against the little guys. But, I think when Len plays instinctively and perhaps when he is angry, he can play good defense. To me, it's like Len plays very passively or like he's good ADD. The few times he's been good IMO he's been real good. He was a BEAST against Northwestern, but I'm really taking about 3 games out of 30 has he been good.

When I said he is a terrific on ball defender that was wrong. Len DOES have the tools to be terrific defender but he's not using them. He needs to get mad like he did at Plumlee. That mad Len played well.

[stevemcqueen1]

Zeller has been amazing today. He runs and finishes so well. Showing some great motor. Oladipo has been invisible though.

[closg00]

More Len bashing - he's really not a good on-ball defender. He got burned by the same basic spin move to the baseline last night 3 times - by a player much smaller than him and not particularly athletic - each time resulting in a layup. When you're playing inside, you cannot just give up the entire baseline. He barely had his knees bent, so he couldn't react - that's basic fundamentals. I even remember being taught that in a basketball camp when I was 12. The raw talent is there, but he needs so much schooling. And no - I don't think he's a lock for the lottery - much less top 5.

Really? As long as Ernie Grunfeld is GM Len could be a lottery pick. Sadly, I am not joking.

[stevemcqueen1]

I just wanted to say that you have been a quality addition to the Wizards' board, stevemcqueen1. I really enjoy your draft analysis.

Thanks nate. I check this thread every day to read every single post in this thread because the conversation is so good. It's the best forum for Wizards draft talk I've seen. I really enjoy your posts too. Haven't been here long but I can already tell you've got an outstanding grasp of the CBA among other things.

[stevemcqueen1]

The thing I like about Oladipo from this game is that he's finding a way to contribute on defense and on the glass when he's struggling offensively. He's getting single guarded effectively and he's had some turnovers and isn't getting the looks he wants. But he's playing hard on D and forms such a good defensive tandem with Zeller the way he can rebound. Zeller gets his arms up and contest the shot then he boxes out. Oladipo uses his outstanding length and leaping ability to go up and get the rebound. They are really effective together. On both ends of the court.

Nice! Dipo just threw down a breakaway 360! That was an amazing dunk!

[stevemcqueen1]

Jordan Hulls had three guys against 0 Illinois players to dish the ball to on that fast break. Indiana is such a smart team that runs the floor so well. He chose to give it to Oladipo and Dipo blew the roof off. That was awesome.

Oladipo woke up offensive this half too. He started getting to the FT line and Zeller fed him on a nice backdoor play that got him a huge dunk and it's like that play completely changed his momentum for the day.

I'm thinking Oladipo might not be the type of spark plug off the bench type. I think he's someone you want to run some sets for early in the game, get him some easy buckets early and get him into the flow offensively because he can be so deadly when he's feeling it. Super active.

[jmrosenth]

The Len lottery talk needs to stop. I hope someone talks him into staying for another year. Is he even as good as other former ACC centers like Serge Zwikker and Loren Woods? Seriously.

[stevemcqueen1]

Ruzious, I agree with your take on Len. I could see him slide but I also think he's the type that will impress teams in workouts. He's so talented and physically impressive. Some teams will forget about some of his struggles during the season when they get a little distance between now and then.

Sliding out of the lottery wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for him though. He could drop to a good team that can take a long time developing him. Something like the way Utah has developed Derrick Favors.

But I'm converted on the issue. I would rather draft Oladipo to be a future reserve than Len to presumably be a future starter.

Now watch, he's going to have a 20-20 game tonight and make me look dumb.

[nuposse04]

Ted just needs to outright ban EG from drafting foreign players. By foreign I mean non-north american so we still have access to our Canadian brothers if we choose that direction.

We should probably start spamming his blog posts now regarding the overall disdain towards anyone but Noel, Porter, Oladipo, Bennet, Zeller and Muhammad.

[stevemcqueen1]

Burke's having a nice game. He's managing the game very well. I like this match up on Traevon Jackson for him. Jackson has some quick handles and it's really going to be a good test of his on ball D.

[stevemcqueen1]

Ted just needs to outright ban EG from drafting foreign players. By foreign I mean non-north american so we still have access to our Canadian brothers if we choose that direction.

We should probably start spamming his blog posts now regarding the overall disdain towards anyone but Noel, Porter, Oladipo, Bennet, Zeller and Muhammad.

Probably goes without saying since he might go #1, but put McLemore on the list too. For me at least. If nothing else you can trade him for something good.

I'm thinking the six guys you name plus Smart and McLemore are the top 8 right now. DX has those players as the top 8. Figuring out the order of those guys is the hard part. I think Noel is the top guy but he is injured. And after him, who knows how it will go? I could see any of the players going anywhere from 2 to 8.

[nate33]

Burke's having a nice game. He's managing the game very well. I like this match up on Traevon Jackson for him. Jackson has some quick handles and it's really going to be a good test of his on ball D.

Burke continues to remind me of Chris Paul. I love how he keeps the dribble after getting into the lane as he waits for the play to develop. He is so patient. On the downside, he doesn't really have a great first step. His scoring is based mostly on good fundamentals and a good perimeter shot. He might have trouble against NBA caliber defenders in one-on-one situations. He's going to need a pick to get off a shot.

He should have had about 8 assists last game, and at least 5 so far this half. His teammates can't shoot (except for Stauskas).

[Illuminaire]

Watching Burke for the first time today. I agree with Nate - he lacks explosion that will hurt him as an NBA pg. His decision making and feel for the game has been fun to watch, though.

[dobrojim]

- Zeller and Dipo on ESPN at noon
- Trey Burke and GRIII on ESPN at 2:00.
- Len, Plumlee on ESPN2 at 7:00
- Porter and MCW on ESPN at 7:00
- McLemore and Withey on ESPNU at 7:30
- McAdoo, Bullock, Snaer on ESPN2 at 9:00
- Smart on ESPNU at 10:00
- Bennett on CBSs at 11:30

- Gary Harris and Shabazz play on their conference networks unfortunately. Few will get to see them around here. It's also unfortunate that Bennett's game doesn't come on until almost midnight on the East Coast. And it's unfortunate that so many big prospects are playing the same time as the Wizards game.

Hey

thanks for this

I had requested a year or 2 ago that someone do this. No one did. Until now.

Big thanks.