Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part IV

[Dark Faze]

My main point about Len is that the downside outweighs the positives. We've had major defensive options available in free agency every year for the last few years -- Asik, Chandler, Dwight, Josh Smith. If you're willing to pay (and we'll have the money to do so hopefully) then getting one isn't outside of the realm of possibility.

On the otherhand, missing on him and getting virtually nothing in this draft would be a waste. This could be our last chance to draft in the lottery, so we should try to make it count. And especially when there are variables that arguably could be better than Len and cheaper--Dieng, Adams, Withey, what's the point of even taking a shot at that sort of risk?

There seems to be very little chance that Ernie dumps Ariza and Okafor (or at least doesn't trade Ariza for a vet SF), so the core seems to be established. Its why my main targets are Oladipo, CJM, Porter and Olynyk, guys who seems unlikely to not be able to help us in both the short and long term.

Truth told a scenario like this lends itself to a trade more than anything else...but hard to speculate there.

[Dat2U]

I don't have a problem with drafting Len but I agree with deeptu aka hoopalotta that it may be a while before Len shows any real benefit. I think Len represents solid upside as a C prospect, specifically on the defensive end.

However I seriously doubt that Ernie drafts Len. Too much is at stake for Ernie this offseason. I suspect a trade for a veteran is a very real possibly and it may even have the blessing of Teddy who seems locked in to the whole playoffs or bust mantra. Ernie thought the '09 draft with Harden, Curry, Rubio, Evans, Jennings etc. was very weak and he basically said no rookie could even break into his team's rotation, imagine what he thinks of the '13 draft which is considered one of the weakest in recent memory.

[pancakes3]

*sticky*

[jivelikenice]

I don't have a problem with drafting Len but I agree with deeptu aka hoopalotta that it may be a while before Len shows any real benefit. I think Len represents solid upside as a C prospect, specifically on the defensive end.

However I seriously doubt that Ernie drafts Len. Too much is at stake for Ernie this offseason. I suspect a trade for a veteran is a very real possibly and it may even have the blessing of Teddy who seems locked in to the whole playoffs or bust mantra. Ernie thought the '09 draft with Harden, Curry, Rubio, Evans, Jennings etc. was very weak and he basically said no rookie could even break into his team's rotation, imagine what he thinks of the '13 draft which is considered one of the weakest in recent memory.

I can't imagine Ernie taking Len. The '11 draft has taken away any margin for error he had and this team doesn't have the luxury of making a "luxury pick" like Len.

[Rafael122]

I don't have a problem with drafting Len but I agree with deeptu aka hoopalotta that it may be a while before Len shows any real benefit. I think Len represents solid upside as a C prospect, specifically on the defensive end.

However I seriously doubt that Ernie drafts Len. Too much is at stake for Ernie this offseason. I suspect a trade for a veteran is a very real possibly and it may even have the blessing of Teddy who seems locked in to the whole playoffs or bust mantra. Ernie thought the '09 draft with Harden, Curry, Rubio, Evans, Jennings etc. was very weak and he basically said no rookie could even break into his team's rotation, imagine what he thinks of the '13 draft which is considered one of the weakest in recent memory.

There's no way he would draft him. No way. And someone mentioned CJM being a 6th man, I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. The guy is an instant scorer off the bench, re-sign Price for the vet minimum or the bi-annual exception and you have somewhat of a scoring punch with those two, paired with Ariza. That's not a bad second unit.

But going back to Len, in an ideal world I would work out a trade with Utah. Draft Len for them and trade one of Vesely/Singleton/Booker for their #14 and #21. Utah has the cap space to pull it off, they get another big man to replace Jefferson or Millsap, as well as to pair Len with Kanter and Favors.

At #14, my targets would be CJM and Olynyk.

At #21, depending on who I take at 14 (if they take a guard, get a big here, and vice versa), my target would be Allen Crabbe or Jeff Withey.

You end up getting 2 guys who will figure into the rotation year 1, Crabbe/CJM because of their shooting baility and the need to get some offense from the bench and Olynyk/Withey, because they need a backup big man with a high basketball IQ. Makes Seraphin trade bait if necessary.

[Benjammin]

I don't have a problem with drafting Len but I agree with deeptu aka hoopalotta that it may be a while before Len shows any real benefit. I think Len represents solid upside as a C prospect, specifically on the defensive end.

However I seriously doubt that Ernie drafts Len. Too much is at stake for Ernie this offseason. I suspect a trade for a veteran is a very real possibly and it may even have the blessing of Teddy who seems locked in to the whole playoffs or bust mantra. Ernie thought the '09 draft with Harden, Curry, Rubio, Evans, Jennings etc. was very weak and he basically said no rookie could even break into his team's rotation, imagine what he thinks of the '13 draft which is considered one of the weakest in recent memory.

There's no way he would draft him. No way. And someone mentioned CJM being a 6th man, I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. The guy is an instant scorer off the bench, re-sign Price for the vet minimum or the bi-annual exception and you have somewhat of a scoring punch with those two, paired with Ariza. That's not a bad second unit.

But going back to Len, in an ideal world I would work out a trade with Utah. Draft Len for them and trade one of Vesely/Singleton/Booker for their #14 and #21. Utah has the cap space to pull it off, they get another big man to replace Jefferson or Millsap, as well as to pair Len with Kanter and Favors.

At #14, my targets would be CJM and Olynyk.

At #21, depending on who I take at 14 (if they take a guard, get a big here, and vice versa), my target would be Allen Crabbe or Jeff Withey.

You end up getting 2 guys who will figure into the rotation year 1, Crabbe/CJM because of their shooting baility and the need to get some offense from the bench and Olynyk/Withey, because they need a backup big man with a high basketball IQ. Makes Seraphin trade bait if necessary.

CJM may not even be there at 8, I highly doubt he'll be there at 14. I think Withey goes slightly higher than 21 as well.

[Rafael122]

Or Zeller. At 14, why not? We'll have a better picture one the lottery sorts itself out. But that's the general idea.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I don't have a problem with drafting Len but I agree with deeptu aka hoopalotta that it may be a while before Len shows any real benefit. I think Len represents solid upside as a C prospect, specifically on the defensive end.

However I seriously doubt that Ernie drafts Len. Too much is at stake for Ernie this offseason. I suspect a trade for a veteran is a very real possibly and it may even have the blessing of Teddy who seems locked in to the whole playoffs or bust mantra. Ernie thought the '09 draft with Harden, Curry, Rubio, Evans, Jennings etc. was very weak and he basically said no rookie could even break into his team's rotation, imagine what he thinks of the '13 draft which is considered one of the weakest in recent memory.

The question becomes which veteran is not wanted by his team. That's the player Ernie will pursue.

[dobrojim]

I like Dieng, but I think his upside is a lot smaller than Len. I see him as a trade-back target, but a reach at #8.

It is hard not to like C.J. McCollum's shooting, but I don't think he projects much beyond a 6th man. Although if you see him as potential 6th man of the year, that may not be too much of a reach.

Oladipo might be tempting if he measures out long enough to play some SF, he also would have to show comfort with the NBA 3 point line.

My guess on Oladipo's measurements - he won't be more than 6'5 in shoes (I'll guess 6'4.75.), but he'll have SF length combined with excellent verticle. It depends on your perspective if that's enough for him to play the 3. I think he can, but he's better off at the 2, and he'll have to convince doubter that he can play the 3. I guess with the Zards, it'd come down to him playing 10 minutes a game at the 2 and 20 at the 3. It's not ideal, but it could be workable.

If Oladipo has SF length (I don't care about the height), then I really hope he falls to us. Oladipo at the 3 with Wall & Beal would give the Wizards the fastest perimeter trio baseline to baseline in the league. We'd run teams out the building. Plus Oladipo's skillset more ideally resembles a SF. His slashing ability against slower 3s would be a real weapon. If his shot continues to improve then the sky would be the limit.

Just askin'

is the new SF length the same as the old SF length?

seems like smaller, quicker, shooters with range is all the rage in the Assoc these days.

If dipo ends up 0.5 inch shorter than we'd minimally like, is that all we need
to justify looking elsewhere?

Like I said, just asking

Lots of very interesting discussion going on

[nate33]

Just askin'

is the new SF length the same as the old SF length?

seems like smaller, quicker, shooters with range is all the rage in the Assoc these days.

If dipo ends up 0.5 inch shorter than we'd minimally like, is that all we need
to justify looking elsewhere?

Like I said, just asking

Lots of very interesting discussion going on

Good question, dobrojim. SF length isn't what it used to be. These days, being slightly undersized at SF isn't much of a problem other than it ruins your ability to go small and play the SF as a stretch four.

[Nivek]

Who's seen Tyrus McGee play? Without the physical stuff, he has a pretty good rating in YODA. Looks to be an outstanding shooter. His DX page says he's 6-2, which would suggest PG, but he has few assists, which suggests SG.

[daSwami]

Who's seen Tyrus McGee play? Without the physical stuff, he has a pretty good rating in YODA. Looks to be an outstanding shooter. His DX page says he's 6-2, which would suggest PG, but he has few assists, which suggests SG.

Does YODA take criminal records into consideration? I think McGee was busted for theft at some point. He also had the highest 3 pt percentage in the country.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I think I would be interested in dealing with Utah for their 2 picks.

At 14 we could be choosing between Olynyk, Dieng and Withey. And then maybe someone like Erick Green at 21. I'd at least think about it.

I don't think they want to add more than 2 rookies, so maybe something like our picks 8, 37, 54 for their 2 picks 14 and 21?

[hands11]

Q&A with Pierre Jackson

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/20 ... e-jackson/


SLAM: Now that you are prepping for the NBA Draft, what is a day like in your life?

PJ: 4:45 a.m.: Wake up eat breakfast, stretch and prepare for the first workout of the day

6-8 a.m.: Basketball, skill development, conditioning, shooting, training

Two-hour break

10-11 a.m.: Weights

11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Downtime, lunch, rest and prep for next workout

4-6 p.m.: Basketball, skill development, conditioning, shooting, training

6-7 p.m.: Cool down, stretch.

Wow. Up at 4:45 to get started. Reminds me of something I watch one time. Can't remember who it was. Maybe Kobe or someone. They were talking about how they trained so hard because they couldn't live with the fact that if they didn't, someone else was gaining an edge on them by putting in more then they were.

Going to be fun following this young man in the NBA wherever he lands.

[gambitx777]

Lets hope he lands here !

[fishercob]

Who's seen Tyrus McGee play? Without the physical stuff, he has a pretty good rating in YODA. Looks to be an outstanding shooter. His DX page says he's 6-2, which would suggest PG, but he has few assists, which suggests SG.

Does YODA take criminal records into consideration? I think McGee was busted for theft at some point. He also had the highest 3 pt percentage in the country.

Link.

A wallet was reported missing Tuesday evening and found on a couch in the Hawthorn Market & Cafe, said Aaron DeLashmutt, of the Iowa State University police. Police reviewed video surveillance and saw McGee going through the wallet and taking the money out, DeLashmutt said.

McGee admitted taking the cash and spending some of the money on groceries, DeLashmutt said. McGee returned the other $160 to police, DeLashmutt said.

[fishercob]

BulletsForever did a pretty detailed breakdown on the much-discussed Alex Len.

At 7'1", he boasts as much potential as any player in the 2013 NBA Draft, and is generally considered its second-best center prospect behind Noel. At his ceiling, Len projects as a center that can shut down an opponent's best post scorer, protect the rim, and score at will, either in the post, where his quickness and length will make him a matchup nightmare, or in the pick-and-roll, whether it's popping out for a jump shot or rolling to the rim for alley oops. Len also runs the floor very well for a player his size, which combined with his potential as a pick-and-roll partner makes him a perfect fit schematically alongside Wall.

Len often appears calm and collected on the court, perhaps to a fault, as his toughness and passion for the game are often among the main questions raised about him. His passivity was well-publicized during his freshman season, when he struggled to adapt to a new way of life in the United States. By his sophomore season, Len had mastered English and appeared far more comfortable with his teammates and reporters in the locker room. His on-court demeanor didn't change much, but he frequently flashed some fire, pumping his fists and shouting into the crowd on occasions when he or one of his teammates made a big play. As for his toughness, Len doesn't really seek out contact on either end of the floor, but he doesn't back down from it either. He also rarely looks to the officials for help on the offensive end, where's he undoubtedly a finesse player, more interested in using his quickness and length to score rather than banging down low.

[stevemcqueen1]

There are a lot of "ordinary athletes" who have had outstanding NBA careers, Tim Duncan, Melo, Larry Bird and Paul Pierce immediately come to mind.

Pierce and Bird yeah, but Melo and Duncan aren't ordinary athletes. Like Pierce and Bird, they're high skill players and that skill level defines their game. But Melo is a pretty explosive bear that can get by almost anyone who guards him and Duncan has always been a very mobile and fluid 7 footer with excellent power and length.

I don't agree with people who say Shabazz is an ordinary athlete either. He's explosive and powerful and will be a king sized SG in the NBA. He's got great length. I think he's more explosive than James Harden and he's a lot more explosive than Harrison Barnes was. The worst you can say about him is that he's physically identical to Harden in all but the beard. Athleticism shouldn't be an issue for him in the NBA at all.

[Ruzious]

BulletsForever did a pretty detailed breakdown on the much-discussed Alex Len.

At 7'1", he boasts as much potential as any player in the 2013 NBA Draft, and is generally considered its second-best center prospect behind Noel. At his ceiling, Len projects as a center that can shut down an opponent's best post scorer, protect the rim, and score at will, either in the post, where his quickness and length will make him a matchup nightmare, or in the pick-and-roll, whether it's popping out for a jump shot or rolling to the rim for alley oops. Len also runs the floor very well for a player his size, which combined with his potential as a pick-and-roll partner makes him a perfect fit schematically alongside Wall.

Len often appears calm and collected on the court, perhaps to a fault, as his toughness and passion for the game are often among the main questions raised about him. His passivity was well-publicized during his freshman season, when he struggled to adapt to a new way of life in the United States. By his sophomore season, Len had mastered English and appeared far more comfortable with his teammates and reporters in the locker room. His on-court demeanor didn't change much, but he frequently flashed some fire, pumping his fists and shouting into the crowd on occasions when he or one of his teammates made a big play. As for his toughness, Len doesn't really seek out contact on either end of the floor, but he doesn't back down from it either. He also rarely looks to the officials for help on the offensive end, where's he undoubtedly a finesse player, more interested in using his quickness and length to score rather than banging down low.

Forget that second paragraph. People talk so boldly about Len, but I'd be very wary when the boldness is based entirely on projection - and that's after 2 seasons of college ball. I'd be a bit... shall we say... Skitish... about buying into it. The fact is, mediocre college players often had their way with him... in the post. How can one seriously project him to "shut down" the best NBA post players when he wasn't even that effective a post defender against ordinary college players.

He was nowhere near a shutdown defender at Maryland. He really didn't show a jump shot at Maryland. He really didn't show any quickness with the ball in his hands at Maryland. Speaking of hands (not Hands), he didn't show good hands at Maryland. He really was a poor transition player at Maryland who labored getting up and down the floor. Yet people are talking like it's a given that he will have these skills in the NBA - and not just have them - have them at an elite level.

[Dark Faze]

At 7'1", he boasts as much potential as any player in the 2013 NBA Draft, and is generally considered its second-best center prospect behind Noel. At his ceiling, Len projects as a center that can shut down an opponent's best post scorer, protect the rim, and score at will, either in the post, where his quickness and length will make him a matchup nightmare, or in the pick-and-roll, whether it's popping out for a jump shot or rolling to the rim for alley oops. Len also runs the floor very well for a player his size, which combined with his potential as a pick-and-roll partner makes him a perfect fit schematically alongside Wall.

The hyperbole is mindblowing here--there are currently about zero centers right now that can score at will in the paint. 0 chance that Len becomes the most dominant offensive center of the decade.

You'd think all that size and athleticism would have at least got his team to the tournament. His rebounding numbers are also kind of suspect.

This kid hasn't done anything on the floor to make him worth a lottery pick. Its all about his body.