Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part III

[Illuminaire]

Bennett is a tweener in the mold of Derrick Williams and Michael Beasley--2 college players that had better years than Bennett. Bennett projects to be a better defensive player than Derrick, but advanced stats and the eye test don't really indicate him being better offensively, which is scary as both D-Will and Beasley are struggling on both sides of the court in the NBA dispite destroying competition in college.

Agreed on everything but this part. Sort of.

Beasley has been repeatedly cast as a SF, and has had only limited burn at PF. He's clearly not fast enough or skilled enough to work at SF, and he's probably too broken now by failure as a player to recover even if he was used as a PF. But he never really had a chance to try, and it's very possible his career would be different if he had.

Williams has similarly failed miserably at SF but been almost OK at PF. Disappointing, but not a total trainwreck. (I don't think Derrick has the length, girth, and power that Bennet possesses either.)

Still... if your main point is that Bennet is a big risk and could lack the necessary motor and skills to work as an undersized stretch four... that's fair. I go back and forth on him almost daily.

[AFM]

I don't see how Bennet doesn't even pass the eye test. He looks way better offensively than DWill IMO. Big boy can stroke it from anywhere (that came out wrong).
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37ZzxlYuIWA[/youtube]

[The Consiglieri]

And my god, for as much as you guys talk about Olynyks resume in terms of teams faced it doesn't get worse than Bennett. I'm looking at his game log....lmao the dude didn't play against a single NBA talent. He placed UNC once and I don't even like McAdoo at all so I call it a wash. At least Olynyk dominated his schedule including a game against Marcus Smart and only lost to a good Wichita team.

Good point, Dark Faze.

Olynyk dominating the Mountain West consistently as a senior, Bennett inconsistent as a freshman. I'll feign surprise. Perhaps someone should take a look at Olynyk's absolute dominance as a freshman at Gonzaga. Unfortunately that kind of history is only available in fictional youtube cartoon clips. As a freshman Olynyk did jack and squat.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I understand the interest in Bennett. His physical gifts are impressive. I'm wrestling with his immaturity. He struggled to adjust to the increased physicality of conference play, in a weak conference. His DX interview he mentions he doesn't want to be a "regular player" and envisions himself as an eventual 2 or 2/3.

I just think he could be in for a rude awakening when he gets to the NBA, and I'm not sure how he'll take it or adjust to it. But he may have the physical gifts to rise above that.

I consider this while taking into account the major efforts the Wizards have gone through to change the makeup of this team. Exiting Arenas, McGee, Blatche, Young, Crawford, while bringing in Nene, Okafor, Ariza, Webster, Price, Beal, etc.

My preference is to add a player that will come in and fit in to this team. I'm just so tired of the knucklehead factor, and just don't want to bring in a player that doesn't get it. I like the progress we've made and want it to continue in the right direction, and don't want to derail it.

The players at the top of the draft that fit into that category would be Otto Porter and Trey Burke. Other possibilities include Noel, Oladipo, Zeller, Dieng, McDermott, among others. These players must be compared to physically superior but potential low BBIQ players like Len and Bennett.

IMO it is imperative to not rock the boat at this time. We need someone who will come in and fit in and add to the momentum. Someone who will play defense, and a team first mentality. For that reason at the first pick I am looking Noel, Porter, Burke. IMO all 3 are big time players who will impact the NBA, play the right way, and have the mental toughness to do what it takes to make the Wizards a better team.

I'd really like to add another later 1st to acquire Dieng or Withey to add to our center mix.

Our top 2nd rounder I'm looking McDermott or Erik Murphy for a shooter/stretch 4 off the bench.

I don't expect Ernie to keep the later 2nd rounder.

[The Consiglieri]

I guess part of my point of view is predicated upon having grown up in the bay area, and been a college student during the Webber/Sprewell implosion at Golden State. I saw what a reflexive conservative approach after those twin disasters lead to. The repeated drafting of character first talentless hacks, and mediocrities that guaranteed failure. They spent the rest of the nineties and the early aughts repeatedly drafting low upside, low ceiling, non-knuckleheads, and as a result we're consistently even worse than we were in the 1994-2013 era which beggars the imagination, but is nonetheless true.

'95 1.1: Joe Smith (over McDyess, Wallace, and Garnett)
'96 1.11: Todd Fuller
'97 1.8 : Adonal Foyle
'98 1.5: V. Carter for Antawn Jamison swap
'99 1.21: J. Foster
'01 1.5: J. Richardson
'01: 1.14: T. Murphy
'02: 1.3: M. Dunleavy
'03: 1.11: M. Pietrus
'04: 1.11 : A. Biedrins
'05: 1.05: I. Diogu
'06: 1.09 P. O'Bryant
'07: 1.18: M. Belinelli

Now granted basketball drafting failure on this scale is Saw IX hitting a theatre near you worthy, but it's not difficult to imagine where character obsessed eschewing of talent, for fit and chemistry drafting can land you: In the lottery for nearly 20 consecutive years, that's where.

I'm just not a fan of basing any decision making on an emotional reaction to previous failures. Always draft w/brain at the controls, and emotion, and frustration at home, locked up in a kennel if necessary.

As someone with a first hand view of the failures of the Warriors, and Clippers (being a California/bay area kid/adult in the eighties/nineties), and a fan's view of the Wizards failures, I simply can't tolerate the idea of drafting decisions being based on past issues. Rate the guys now, based on what you've seen, and what you project period. I couldn't give 2 blanks about our experiences with Blatche, Young or McGee, we should be making our decisions based on the premise that we take the best possible asset available to help us now and tomorrow, and nothing else should motivate our thinking whatsoever. pred

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Good and thought provoking point of view Consiglieri. I'm not saying to draft this way for the next 20 years, but I think with the team where it is right now, it's something to consider this year. And I don't want to draft a dud. IMO Porter, Burke, Noel all have high upside and a very high skill level and athleticism.

The worst thing that could happen is this team adds another Vesely, or Blatche, or Jordan Crawford. And I expect them to look for a player that fits in the style they are trying to entrench into this team of defense, playing hard, and playing as a team.

I mean, a great scenario IMO for this draft and offseason would be to keep the roster as is, except for the following: replace Singleton with Porter, replace Vesely with McDermott, replace Seraphin with Dieng.

The upgrade in skill in these moves, and 3 players who will come in and work. That's the type of outcome I am hoping for.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

And I wouldn't mind drafting this year's Beal, at the expense of missing out on this years Drummond, or this year's Vesely, or this year's McGee, or this year's Nick Young, etc, etc.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

If Noel, Porter, Burke are gone at our pick, I'd take Bennett or Len if either are there at that point. If not, I'd possibly be interested in trading down, maybe deal #9 and 54 to Utah for 17 and 21 or Atlanta for 18 and 20.

[nate33]

I understand the interest in Bennett. His physical gifts are impressive. I'm wrestling with his immaturity. He struggled to adjust to the increased physicality of conference play, in a weak conference. His DX interview he mentions he doesn't want to be a "regular player" and envisions himself as an eventual 2 or 2/3.

I just think he could be in for a rude awakening when he gets to the NBA, and I'm not sure how he'll take it or adjust to it. But he may have the physical gifts to rise above that.

I consider this while taking into account the major efforts the Wizards have gone through to change the makeup of this team. Exiting Arenas, McGee, Blatche, Young, Crawford, while bringing in Nene, Okafor, Ariza, Webster, Price, Beal, etc.

My preference is to add a player that will come in and fit in to this team. I'm just so tired of the knucklehead factor, and just don't want to bring in a player that doesn't get it. I like the progress we've made and want it to continue in the right direction, and don't want to derail it.

The players at the top of the draft that fit into that category would be Otto Porter and Trey Burke. Other possibilities include Noel, Oladipo, Zeller, Dieng, McDermott, among others. These players must be compared to physically superior but potential low BBIQ players like Len and Bennett.

That's a pretty thin basis for declaring Bennett a low BBall IQ player. I don't have a problem with him believing he has the skills to play SF. Maybe he does have those skills. We shall see. My guess is that after he gets to the NBA and sees how quick and long NBA SF's are, he'll suddenly appreciate the open looks he'll get from the PF spot.

[sfam]

After this evening's most awesome tank loss, I'm pretty confident we have the #8 spot locked up. Chances are we don't advance, but the #8 looks solid.

[mhd]

Updated Tank race:

Updates standings (with remaining opponents within our vicinity):

We CANNOT catch the following:

1) Bobcats
2) Magic
3) Suns
4) Cavs

The rest:
5) Pistons (27 wins, Bobcats, Philly, @ Nets)
6) Hornets (27 wins, LAC, DAL, @ DAL)
7) Kings (28 wins, @ SA, @OKC, @HOU, LAC)
8) Wiz (29 wins,@Nets, @Bulls)
9) Min (29 wins, @ UTAH, Suns, Utah, SA)
10) TOR (31 wins, Nets, @ Hawks, @ Bos)


We CANNOT finish lower than 10th as Philly has 3 more wins than us with 2 to go. The Nets may be playing for the 3rd seed, so hopefully they still play hard against us.

Pistons are up big at the end of the 3rd. Hornets only down 3 at half against LAC. Kings down 10 in second against Spurs. Hopefully they can win at least 2 more so they pass us.

[stevemcqueen1]

Well you've got to find a balance between upside and NBA ready skills to make a good draft pick. You can draft a total freak athlete but he's got to be able to command a role and play some minutes or else he'll never develop. I think you have to play to develop. Especially a high lotto pick. I think we found a great balance with Beal personally (IMO he would have been a top five pick for virtually every team in the league).

Character is something we can't truly figure out from where we sit. It's fun to try, but we'll just never really know because we don't have the information we need. I will say, you should never draft a kid you think is a bum no matter how talented he is. Every player needs to be serious about basketball and professional and willing to work and learn. That should be a minimum requirement for a draft pick. Unfortunately, it's really hard for even the pros to get that kind of insight into the head of a 19 or 20 year old kid.

Personally, the guys I like most who combine a nice balance of upside and readiness are Noel, Bennett, Porter, and Zeller. I think all could be future starters for us (giving us a clear role for them when we draft them). All seem like really nice kids that are smart and unselfish. They're all young but have produced at a high level already. They've all got good physical upside. Zeller is athletic and has good size and great body control, Porter is tall and has great length for his position, Bennett is explosive and long and very powerful, and Noel is extremely long and explosive and agile.

I'd be willing to trade up if need be, to make sure we get one of those four players.

If we can't get them, then I am all for picking BPA and taking Burke, Smart, or McLemore if they are there. McLemore and Smart wouldn't be there so it's kind of moot. I've come around on Burke as a pick for us because I think he would be a major upgrade over Price filling the exact same role for us. Backup PG and secondary offensive creator in the lineups with Wall. Burke could never really guard 2s but that's OK so long as he plays next to Wall, Temple, or Beal. Can he catch and shoot or does he have to dribble to get in rhythm? I'd want an answer to that before I picked him.

Len works for me too as a nice mix of skills & upside. You can project him as the future starting C when you draft him. I guess I'd be alright with Shabazz too, but he does scare me. I'd be disappointed if we don't come away with one of those nine players. If none were available, I would swing for the fences with McGary or Gobert.

[stevemcqueen1]

Forgot about Oladipo. I'd be OK with him too.

[stevemcqueen1]

That's a pretty thin basis for declaring Bennett a low BBall IQ player. I don't have a problem with him believing he has the skills to play SF. Maybe he does have those skills. We shall see. My guess is that after he gets to the NBA and sees how quick and long NBA SF's are, he'll suddenly appreciate the open looks he'll get from the PF spot.

Yeah. And he's going to play where his coach tells him to play and probably be grateful for the opportunity. I would try and play him some at SF though if I were the coach to take advantage of his size. He's a good rebounder and it would make for some beefy lineups. You don't lose any perimeter shooting from playing him there.

His versatility is a plus really. He'd be the second or third option for our offense after Wall and Beal and would be a match-up nightmare in that situation. Defensively, there will be some SFs you can stick him on and he will stay in front of them. When you play the smaller, rangy and quick SFs like Gay and DeRozan, etc. stick him on the PF or the C. All he'll have to do is hold his position and box out and clean the glass if our other big is a good defensive player.

[nate33]

That's a pretty thin basis for declaring Bennett a low BBall IQ player. I don't have a problem with him believing he has the skills to play SF. Maybe he does have those skills. We shall see. My guess is that after he gets to the NBA and sees how quick and long NBA SF's are, he'll suddenly appreciate the open looks he'll get from the PF spot.

Yeah. And he's going to play where his coach tells him to play and probably be grateful for the opportunity. I would try and play him some at SF though if I were the coach to take advantage of his size. He's a good rebounder and it would make for some beefy lineups. You don't lose any perimeter shooting from playing him there.

His versatility is a plus really. He'd be the second or third option for our offense after Wall and Beal and would be a match-up nightmare in that situation. Defensively, there will be some SFs you can stick him on and he will stay in front of them. When you play the smaller, rangy and quick SFs like Gay and DeRozan, etc. stick him on the PF or the C. All he'll have to do is hold his position and box out and clean the glass if our other big is a good defensive player.

Playing him at SF may be an option, but I think it'll be an option we use sparingly. The problem is, by putting him there, we take better shooters like Webster or Beal off the floor. I'd rather have Bennett's shooting out there alongside Webster and Beal, not in place of one of them.

[stevemcqueen1]

That's a pretty thin basis for declaring Bennett a low BBall IQ player. I don't have a problem with him believing he has the skills to play SF. Maybe he does have those skills. We shall see. My guess is that after he gets to the NBA and sees how quick and long NBA SF's are, he'll suddenly appreciate the open looks he'll get from the PF spot.

Yeah. And he's going to play where his coach tells him to play and probably be grateful for the opportunity. I would try and play him some at SF though if I were the coach to take advantage of his size. He's a good rebounder and it would make for some beefy lineups. You don't lose any perimeter shooting from playing him there.

His versatility is a plus really. He'd be the second or third option for our offense after Wall and Beal and would be a match-up nightmare in that situation. Defensively, there will be some SFs you can stick him on and he will stay in front of them. When you play the smaller, rangy and quick SFs like Gay and DeRozan, etc. stick him on the PF or the C. All he'll have to do is hold his position and box out and clean the glass if our other big is a good defensive player.

Playing him at SF may be an option, but I think it'll be an option we use sparingly. The problem is, by putting him there, we take better shooters like Webster or Beal off the floor. I'd rather have Bennett's shooting out there alongside Webster and Beal, not in place of one of them.

Very true. Putting three 3 ball shooters on the floor with Wall at once is a great strategy in general. Okafor and Nene are interchangeable at the 4 and 5 so both could play with Bennett pretty easily. You could run some nasty pick and roll with Bennett and Nene. Okafor has gotten good at that little mid range jumper off the pick and pop too. Wall would have a lot of options to dish to and you can find mismatches all over the court.

[stevemcqueen1]

Hornets choked and lost. TWolves down by 2 in the fourth. Kings lost to the Spurs.

[mhd]

Mock draft if the draft were held today:

1) Bobcats-Noel
2) Orlando-Smart
3) Suns-Mclemore
4) Cavs-Porter
5) NO-Olapido
6) Det-Burke
7) Sac-Shabaaz
8) Wiz-Len

[DCZards]

^^^^Unless Bennett's D and attitude really suck, I think the Zards take him with the 8th pick rather than Len. It would give us 3 potential young studs on the perimeter with Wall, Beal and Bennett and we'd still have Nene and Okafor to hold it down in the paint for the next 2-3 years. Hopefully, the Zards can get a young big in the second round, through free agency or in the 2014 draft.

[mhd]

^^^^Unless Bennett's D and attitude really suck, I think the Zards take him with the 8th pick rather than Len. It would give us 3 potential young studs on the perimeter with Wall, Beal and Bennett and we'd still have Nene and Okafor to hold it down in the paint for the next 2-3 years. Hopefully, the Zards can get a young big in the second round, through free agency or in the 2014 draft.

I don't see SF as Bennett's future position. He's a PF IMO (If Melo is a PF in today's NBA, than Bennett will be one). Measurements will be crucial for him.