Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part III

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Porter needs to be great at something or he will be good at nothing. That's why I'd prefer to draft Bennett, Len, Muhammad etc among the guys that might be left when we pick.

What I like about Porter is his BBIQ, his effort on both ends of the court, and his all-around game. To me he's very much to SF what Beal is to SG, and Beal fit in with what Wall does very well, and I believe Porter would do the same.

I would compare Porter to a cross of Pippen, Prince, and Grant Hill. Hill was a jack of all trades... and he had seasons in Detroit early in his career where he was averaging 20 pts, 9 boards and 7 assists. Like Pippen and Hill, Porter has point forward game, IQ, and all-around skills, like Pippen and Prince he is long and good defensively, and like Hill he can score from anywhere, excellent mid-range game, shoots the 3 well and can go inside, and rebounds.

Plus I love that he's from Georgetown and played his college ball at Verizon, and he likes it here. He is a solid citizen, a local star, a hard worker, and he will do what it takes to reach his potential individually, and make the Wizards better as a team. If we get Porter at 8 or 9 in this draft I will be thrilled!

[hands11]

I see no reason to believe Shabazz will be a good scorer in the NBA unless get to the rim and create points in the paint/at the FT line. Chucking up midrange shots is not a viable role in the NBA. The players who get the opportunity to put up those long 2pt stinkers, is because they're creating other efficient shots by getting to the rim or being exceptional at 3pt. That's where their value comes from, not the perimeter chucking. A guy who only puts up perimeter shots will have his FGA and role fade quickly. Almost every wing guy in the league can provide that, as well as othernearly irrelevant wings in this draft like Allen Crabbe and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Shabazz and MCW are the guys I'm zeroing in on as the don't eat the candy picks in the top 10/lotto. They have just enough going for them to still be called candy, but don't eat it.

Shabazz is probably the most skilled and versatile scorer in the class. He's not limited to mid range jumpers.

I believe the proper description is....

He a bust

Just kidding. He wont be a bust. But he will not be the right player for the Wizards. He has a N1on5 approach to the game. A single minded focus on him shooting. He doesn't pass. He forces shots.

He may figure it out eventually, but he isn't good enough to waste a pick on.

I would rather have so many other players here before I would want him here.

It just not a good fit. And I don't think he is that hot a target that you draft him to move him. But hey, if thats what another team does in a trade down. Sure. Do it.

[Rafael122]

Marcus Smart staying in school means everyone moves up a spot.

[hands11]

I have zero problem with Burke as the pick if he's the BPA when we're up. There would be two sets of downsides; first is that he sucks. This seems unlikely, especially since a big chunk of his minutes would come against opposing twos.

There are a bunch of ways Burke could help the Wizards. I would not pass on him if he's BPA.

Problem is BPA is always such a tough call...and it's often very subjective. Are we talking about the best college player available or the best projected NBA player available? If Bennett, Burke, Shabbazz, Len and Zeller are available when the Zards draft who is the BPA?

Last year, the debate was whether Beal or MKG was the BPA and, if I recall correctly, most of us looked at it as pretty much a wash. So several of us supported drafting Beal because he filled a more urgent need for outside shooting. IMO, that's how the Zards should be approaching this draft. For that reason, I've got Bennett, Len and Shabbazz clearly ahead of Burke.

CJM is that combo guard.
I'm good with Bennet and Len before Burke using that reasoning, but I think we need a quality combo guard far more than we need a SF. That's the one position we already have two capable starters for.

[nuposse04]

I see no reason to believe Shabazz will be a good scorer in the NBA unless get to the rim and create points in the paint/at the FT line. Chucking up midrange shots is not a viable role in the NBA. The players who get the opportunity to put up those long 2pt stinkers, is because they're creating other efficient shots by getting to the rim or being exceptional at 3pt. That's where their value comes from, not the perimeter chucking. A guy who only puts up perimeter shots will have his FGA and role fade quickly. Almost every wing guy in the league can provide that, as well as othernearly irrelevant wings in this draft like Allen Crabbe and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Shabazz and MCW are the guys I'm zeroing in on as the don't eat the candy picks in the top 10/lotto. They have just enough going for them to still be called candy, but don't eat it.

Shabazz is probably the most skilled and versatile scorer in the class. He's not limited to mid range jumpers.

I believe the proper description is....

He a bust

Just kidding. He wont be a bust. But he will not be the right player for the Wizards. He has a N1on5 approach to the game. A single minded focus on him shooting. He doesn't pass. He forces shots.

He may figure it out eventually, but he isn't good enough to waste a pick on.

I would rather have so many other players here before I would want him here.

It just not a good fit. And I don't think he is that hot a target that you draft him to move him. But hey, if thats what another team does in a trade down. Sure. Do it.

I think this is a misconception, from the games I've watched, he does pass out of dumb situations. He has a lot of passes that won't get him an assist because he wasn't the last to touch it but he isn't a glorified chucker in the mold of Crawford or anything. He has a A LOT of work to do in the playmaking department though.

[nuposse04]

Marcus Smart staying in school means everyone moves up a spot.

Hopefully he changes his mind ala Howard and declares. He's a top 5 pick and he's going to wait until next year? They must not recruit for their brains down there. Although I guess I should be happy an elite talent chooses academia over getting paid.

[Rafael122]

Marcus Smart staying in school means everyone moves up a spot.

Hopefully he changes his mind ala Howard and declares. He's a top 5 pick and he's going to wait until next year? They must not recruit for their brains down there. Although I guess I should be happy an elite talent chooses academia over getting paid.

It's a double edged sword. On one hand, some kids should stay in school another year to improve (Len) and we chastise them for it. A kid who would be a top 5 pick stays in school and there's already people chastising him. Personally, after the freak accident involving Kevin Ware, if I'm a top 5, I'm declaring and getting paid. There's just too much risk involved, and if the talent is supposedly as good next year, he's gonna drop and lose a few million.

[hands11]

Is AJ price not serviceable enough as a backup PG in most people's eyes? I've felt he's been solid all year. I think we're better served finding SG/SF that could ameliorate life for the 2nd unit. I understand wanting Burke, and I absolutely consider him an upgrade, but would an upgrade at 3 or 5 not make the 2nd unit better too?

An upgrade at 3 doesn't really help at all next year (assuming Webster is resigned). It'll help in the future if we let Ariza walk.

An upgrade at 4 or 5 would definitely help, I'm just concerned that this draft doesn't have anybody good enough to be an upgrade, with the exception of Bennett and Noel, who are likely to be off the board when we pick. I know Burke will be a massive improvement over Temple and Price for 25 minutes a game. I can't say the same about Len over Seraphin, or Shabazz over Websteriza.

If you are talking back up defensive center that could start in the future, Len is a huge upgrade over Kevin S.
Kevin my never become more aggressive then he is. He is an offensive player mostly. Kevin at center isn't scaring anyone from going to the rim. Len will make you think twice. Hell, Withey would scare more people then Keven S. And grab more rebounds. So would Plumlee.

One of our biggest problems this year was playing team with athletic tall long centers. Len addresses that issue. So would Deng.

Len is going to end up being about 260 or 270 in a few years. He is going to be a presence at center. And he is actually pretty athletic. And have some shooting skills. The worried about his motor I think will be forgotten about in his first year in the NBA. Put him with a passing PG and a pro coach and I think he will be consistent.

While I find the trade down ideas I have been posting interesting, its hard to get past that Len would really kind of fit what we need.

Its not overly sexy right now, but it is a good pick.

Leave the skills SF adds for another year.

Len and any number of two 2nds would be a good draft. This draft has a ton to go after in the 2nd round. I don't think EG trades those picks this year. Last year it was about not adding more young players. I think the team has matured enough that they can add more now.

[stevemcqueen1]

Marcus Smart staying in school means everyone moves up a spot.

What a fool. He's making a terrible decision that is going to cost him millions of dollars. He was a top five lock this year. A team would draft him and commit to building around him. He'll be lucky to be a late lottery pick next year. He's going to look like a stiff compared to the hyper athletic freaks eligible to come out in 2014.

He's getting bad advice from somewhere. This decision is nearly as bad as Perry Jones and Jared Sullinger going back. When the NBA comes calling kid, don't get cute. Pick up the phone and answer.

[hands11]

Is AJ price not serviceable enough as a backup PG in most people's eyes? I've felt he's been solid all year. I think we're better served finding SG/SF that could ameliorate life for the 2nd unit. I understand wanting Burke, and I absolutely consider him an upgrade, but would an upgrade at 3 or 5 not make the 2nd unit better too?

An upgrade at 3 doesn't really help at all next year (assuming Webster is resigned). It'll help in the future if we let Ariza walk.

An upgrade at 4 or 5 would definitely help, I'm just concerned that this draft doesn't have anybody good enough to be an upgrade, with the exception of Bennett and Noel, who are likely to be off the board when we pick. I know Burke will be a massive improvement over Temple and Price for 25 minutes a game. I can't say the same about Len over Seraphin, or Shabazz over Websteriza.

I'm pretty much assuming Ariza walks after next season or we use his expiring+mek's expiring for something in a larger trade. Leaves us with Webster as the only option at the 3, and him as the only viable option at the backup SG (i'm not opposed to Wall playing SG either, but I'm not certain that is the best way to maximize his talents. He's the type of guy that needs the ball, he's a better creator.) Price ideally needs a slasher who can shoot averagely enough playing with him. Temple is a 5th guard at best, I love what he's done this year but we can't rely on him to be much more than a defender to throw at superior wing players.

Yeah, well board consensus was he was going to walk after this year. So forgive me if I put that in the ... what people assume means nothing column.

He is hear next year. If he stays will largely depend on how the team does next year and how he plays. He is only 26. There is nothing stopping him from being here another 3-4 years. And nothing stopping Okafor from being here several years as well. They are both legit NBA players. Something this team has been short of. I wouldn't ship off legit NBA players so quickly.

[mhd]

WOW, now my mock draft would probably be:

1) Magic-Noel
2) Bobcats-Mclemore
3) Cavs-Porter
4) Suns-Shabaaz
5) NO-Burke
6) Sac-Oladipo
7) Wiz-Bennett

[hands11]

the wizards need help in so many different areas, that if they truly think burke is the best player available, they gotta take him.

But would burke handle being the locked in 6th man well? He seems like a bonafide leader to me, might not like being the 6th man to a team not even in the playoffs.

Sure. Take him. And then trade him for two picks and fill out the depth.

There is a ton down draft in this draft.

But you know what. There are a ton of options. All depends on what they are willing or able to do. It will be a very fluid situation come draft day.

All we really can do here is talk about the players we like and dont and why.

[stevemcqueen1]

Smart going back to school would make Burke pretty valuable as trade bait if he made it to our pick.

It'd also make MCW's stock go up.

[stevemcqueen1]

WOW, now my mock draft would probably be:

1) Magic-Noel
2) Bobcats-Mclemore
3) Cavs-Porter
4) Suns-Shabaaz
5) NO-Burke
6) Sac-Oladipo
7) Wiz-Bennett

I think Cleveland would take Bennett over Porter, though they are hard to predict. I think Phoenix would take him over Shabazz.

Shabazz is probably going to have to have some great workouts and interviews and a great combine to get back into the top five. He's going to get grilled.

[hands11]

I wonder what mhd's draft board looks like.

[The Consiglieri]

Porter needs to be great at something or he will be good at nothing. That's why I'd prefer to draft Bennett, Len, Muhammad etc among the guys that might be left when we pick.

What I like about Porter is his BBIQ, his effort on both ends of the court, and his all-around game. To me he's very much to SF what Beal is to SG, and Beal fit in with what Wall does very well, and I believe Porter would do the same.

I would compare Porter to a cross of Pippen, Prince, and Grant Hill. Hill was a jack of all trades... and he had seasons in Detroit early in his career where he was averaging 20 pts, 9 boards and 7 assists. Like Pippen and Hill, Porter has point forward game, IQ, and all-around skills, like Pippen and Prince he is long and good defensively, and like Hill he can score from anywhere, excellent mid-range game, shoots the 3 well and can go inside, and rebounds.

Plus I love that he's from Georgetown and played his college ball at Verizon, and he likes it here. He is a solid citizen, a local star, a hard worker, and he will do what it takes to reach his potential individually, and make the Wizards better as a team. If we get Porter at 8 or 9 in this draft I will be thrilled!

You have to really love Porter to make those kinds of comps, because two of those three are Hall of Famers (to be fair, only one, but if he hadn't been ruined by injuries, Grant was headed to a likely HOF career). That to me is a crazy positive projected ceiling. If you're right about those comps we sure as hell should draft him if he falls, and should consider trading up for him.

I don't see a lot of evidence that he's an elite rebounder. I don't think it's a liability, and I don't even think he was average or above average at it, but elite to the level of being a special player, not sold so far (this in reference to a different poster).

[DCsOwn]

We actually have a decent shot at moving up a spot or two tomorrow in draft positioning. Assuming we lose to the Bulls, and I think we will, we need the Pistons to beat a completely resting Nets team to move clear past them, and we'll also likely be benifitted by a LAC team that's resting their starters in a game against the Kings (the Clippers can't drop below the four spot, and the Nuggets simply have to beat the Suns tomorrow night in a game that'll be completely over before the Clips tip-off to secure the 3 spot). So, a loss against the Bulls in conjunction with a Kings win along with the Pistons winning their game against the skeleton Nets squad, we'd be in a coin flip situation for the sixth spot with the Kings. That would pretty much mitigate any damage done by Smart's decision to return to school.

Also, let's not forget the fact that there is likely to be a draft riser and faller or two before this process fleshes itself out.

[sfam]

Smart's decision to stay in school is not...er, smart. Its going to cost him lots of money, and potentially will cost us Bennet. Sucks...

[nuposse04]

An upgrade at 3 doesn't really help at all next year (assuming Webster is resigned). It'll help in the future if we let Ariza walk.

An upgrade at 4 or 5 would definitely help, I'm just concerned that this draft doesn't have anybody good enough to be an upgrade, with the exception of Bennett and Noel, who are likely to be off the board when we pick. I know Burke will be a massive improvement over Temple and Price for 25 minutes a game. I can't say the same about Len over Seraphin, or Shabazz over Websteriza.

I'm pretty much assuming Ariza walks after next season or we use his expiring+mek's expiring for something in a larger trade. Leaves us with Webster as the only option at the 3, and him as the only viable option at the backup SG (i'm not opposed to Wall playing SG either, but I'm not certain that is the best way to maximize his talents. He's the type of guy that needs the ball, he's a better creator.) Price ideally needs a slasher who can shoot averagely enough playing with him. Temple is a 5th guard at best, I love what he's done this year but we can't rely on him to be much more than a defender to throw at superior wing players.

Yeah, well board consensus was he was going to walk after this year. So forgive me if I put that in the ... what people assume means nothing column.

He is hear next year. If he stays will largely depend on how the team does next year and how he plays. He is only 26. There is nothing stopping him from being here another 3-4 years. And nothing stopping Okafor from being here several years as well. They are both legit NBA players. Something this team has been short of. I wouldn't ship off legit NBA players so quickly.

When did the board reach consensus on that? Nobody seriously thought Ariza would leave that money on the table. It was wishful thinking, I might have been guilty of that once or twice myself but I know you don't leave a couple million on the table. They're both making nearly double then what they ought to. They're replaceable cogs to a treadmill future. So forgive me for wanting something a little better for the team.

[nate33]

One of our biggest problems this year was playing team with athletic tall long centers. Len addresses that issue. So would Deng.

What makes you say this? I've seen no indication that we are particularly bad against tall, athletic centers. In general, there aren't a lot of centers that score anyhow.

If anything, having a tall athletic guy at center (like Dieng or Whithey) would help us more against quick PG's than tall centers. It's against PG's where you need the mobile big to thwart the pick-and-roll and defend the paint.