Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part VI

[Jay81]

This could as easily go in the trade thread. How about Seraphin + #3, #38 to OKC for Jeremy Lamb + #12, #29

With the twelfth pick select Olynyk or Adams. At 29 they could fill their two rookie quota by adding Nate Wolters. I think this improves backup talent at PG, SG, and provides a future starter at PF or C.

OKC can draft Oladipo in hopes he brings some of what Harden did with better defense. Seraphin would do great at C for OKC.

um...no thanks Ernie

[leswizards]

My recollection is that last year Beal was the obvious choice, and it was only a question of would he be there when the Wizards drafted. This year, I don't know what the obvious choice is, and the suspense is driving me nuts.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Porter is much further along skill wise coming into the league than George was. I think a lot of people are sleeping on Porter. He's about as rock solid SF prospect seen in a few years. He's got a chance to be better than George, Hayward & Leonard who outside of Kevin Durant, represent the best of the young SFs out there.

Agreed. Porter has the full package of skills.

If Porter attains that level of greatness I sure hope he's there at #3.

[dangermouse]

As soon as we got #3 I immediately thought of Porter. He is the obvious choice for us. It isnt even a question of fit, even though the fit is perfect. I honestly think he is better and will be a lot better than Oladipo, Zeller, Bennett or anyone who will be there at #3.

I honestly think RoY will be between McLemore and Porter. They both might not be the best player in the draft when all is said and done (I think Zeller will adapt and end up really good), but they are safe picks who will have immediate impact for the franchises they land at.

I hope he is there but I really think he will be. I can't see Orlando passing on McLemore. But im really not sure about what Cleveland will do. Depends on their building strategy and whether they feel they can compete right now with Kyrie. Personally I think they should just take Noel, a defensive anchor that can develop and slide into starting centre when Sideshow Bob moves on.

Im feeling good overall about this draft and Porter, just like i felt about Beal last year. We are drafting well with our early first rounders to surround Wall (obviously lets forget the Year of the Jan) with not only good fits, but smart, high IQ, quality players who bring the right attitude to the table. Porter ticks all the boxes for me.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

This could as easily go in the trade thread. How about Seraphin + #3, #38 to OKC for Jeremy Lamb + #12, #29

With the twelfth pick select Olynyk or Adams. At 29 they could fill their two rookie quota by adding Nate Wolters. I think this improves backup talent at PG, SG, and provides a future starter at PF or C.

OKC can draft Oladipo in hopes he brings some of what Harden did with better defense. Seraphin would do great at C for OKC.

um...no thanks Ernie

Personally, I think all you guys are undervaluing Lamb. He's the same guy most liked two drafts ago, after U Conn won an NCAA title. All he did was have a better summer league than Bradley Beal and he averaged 21/5/3 in the D-League. He led in usage and was second in PER, fourth in points.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbd ... je01d.html

[Dat2U]

Personally, I think all you guys are undervaluing Lamb. He's the same guy most liked two drafts ago, after U Conn won an NCAA title. All he did was have a better summer league than Bradley Beal and he averaged 21/5/3 in the D-League. He led in usage and was second in PER, fourth in points.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbd ... je01d.html

Lamb isn't the prospect Beal is. And exactly what would we need another 2nd year SG for? He's not playing the point and he seems a little thin & not physical enough for SF.

The last thing we need is a bunch of middling, run of the mill prospects. We need difference makers not a bunch of mid-to-late first round picks that we hope are draft day steals.

If anything, we need certainty from this draft, your trade scenarios only offer uncertainty.

[DCZards]

Personally, I think all you guys are undervaluing Lamb. He's the same guy most liked two drafts ago, after U Conn won an NCAA title. All he did was have a better summer league than Bradley Beal and he averaged 21/5/3 in the D-League. He led in usage and was second in PER, fourth in points.

Agree with you on Lamb. I was real high on him after his freshman year at UConn when he was playing second fiddle to Kemba but then his soph year came and he struggled when he became the focus of the UConn offense. I still think that given the right opportunity Lamb can be a decent NBA player, although I don't think he's necessarily what the Zards need.

As for Lamb having a better summer league than Beal, well, that's kinda insignificant. A lot of guys tear it up in the summer league and never do squat during the regular season.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Indy could really use Granger about now.

Onto San Antonio. Should be a great series. But I like Parker/Duncan/Manu and the team SA has as a group.

Pop should come up with something to carve up Miami.

Then we will see is Bosh jumps ship.

Hands, I hope that you are correct. But I suspect Miami in 5...

I agree. Indy is one of the few teams uniquely suited to take on Miami. I thought Memphis was the other team. Both teams have huge centers who can make Miami pay for playing the undersized Bosh at center; and both teams have a plethora of defensive-minded swing men who can stay with Lebron and Wade.

I don't think San Antonio has the pieces. They have the wing defenders, but I don't think Duncan is a good enough offensive player anymore. Bosh can guard him straight up and do a good enough job.

Sadly, I agree.

The 2-3-2 format strongly favors the Heat IMO. SA won't win four of the first five. They will have to close out in game six or seven in Miami. I can't see it happening.

I think the Heat are going to mug Tony Parker. They're way too athletic for Manu and Timmy at this stage. The Spurs have size but they are not a dominating rebounding team. I don't think they'll turn Miami over nearly as much as Indiana did the first six games of their series. The Spurs don't have a Hibbert in Timmy. Duncan won't shut down the paint because of his years. Bosh has a slimmer guy who won't overpower as much as he uses finesse. I think Duncan is going to feast or famine on Parker's ability to penetrate on pick and roll. Miami's defense will smother Parker IMO.

I think the Heat win at home in game 6.

[Ruzious]

Porter is much further along skill wise coming into the league than George was. I think a lot of people are sleeping on Porter. He's about as rock solid SF prospect seen in a few years. He's got a chance to be better than George, Hayward & Leonard who outside of Kevin Durant, represent the best of the young SFs out there.

Agreed. Porter has the full package of skills.

If Porter attains that level of greatness I sure hope he's there at #3.

Wondering why you guys are grouping Hayward in with George and Leonard. Hayward's solid, but I'd expect a more impactful player with the 3rd pick.

[stevemcqueen1]

Agreed. Porter has the full package of skills.

If Porter attains that level of greatness I sure hope he's there at #3.

Wondering why you guys are grouping Hayward in with George and Leonard. Hayward's solid, but I'd expect a more impactful player with the 3rd pick.

Agreed. Hayward is average. Leonard is better than him. And George is in a different class from both.

[go'stags]

I'm glad that the general opinion of Porter is changing. This guy will be a stud who scores, assists, rebounds, and defends well, while always making the right decision and quickly. I think people see a polished player who wasn't a great athlete and assumed he was a finished product, and things like "he can be found with the MLE every year" were said. In reality, while he wont be a max contract player, he will be almost as rare as a superstar. A guy who does everything very well, with almost star level production, while maintaining his ability as a glue guy. Similar to Shawn Marion, although not as athletic but a better shooter.

[stevemcqueen1]

Tobias Harris might still turn out to be a fluke or a numbers on an awful team guy. But maybe he's legit and you could put him in the best of the young SFs crowd too. And I think Harrison Barnes might eventually get pretty good too.

I think Porter is going to end up better than all of them except Paul George.

Admittedly, that's not a super high bar right now. None of the young SFs in the league are even close to as good as Carmelo, LeBron, and Durant were at that age. We might be headed for a bit of a SF decline once LeBron's generation ages just like we had at SG.

That is, until Wiggins, Parker, Gordon, and company come into the league next year.

[Dat2U]

Agreed. Porter has the full package of skills.

If Porter attains that level of greatness I sure hope he's there at #3.

Wondering why you guys are grouping Hayward in with George and Leonard. Hayward's solid, but I'd expect a more impactful player with the 3rd pick.

He should be better and I think he will be, but Hayward is probably a little better than given credit for. How much better is Paul George??? I don't think there's a massive difference b/w the two. Like I've mentioned, Paul George stands out as a SF because of the lack of standout options at the position. George is really overrated IMO. Not to say I wouldn't want him on my team, but the 'George becoming a potential superstar' talk borders on insanity.

[Upper Decker]

I'd take Porter second. A SF that can score and rebound and guard multiple positions is one of the most valuable players in the game. His offensive skill set pairs perfectly with Wall. You can trust him to make good decisions immediately. I think we've been a bit spoiled by Beal's offensive IQ this year. He doesn't take bad shots or make bad choices. Porter and then maybe Zeller are the guys who can come in and be the same way as rookies.

This is why I wouldn't consider trading Ariza If Porter is drafted. Honestly, I'm really excited by the idea of having a deep talented defensive oriented rotation of wing players. Beal / Webster / Ariza / Porter area all athletic two way players who can defend multiple position, with the exception of Beal. With Nene and Okafor the Wiz will always have someone with girth down low thereby allowing them to effectively play small ball for extended stretches. The NBA is becoming an athletic small ball high speed game and Wall + any 3 of the wings + one of the big's could be a real strength.

[No-Man]

That's the easy way, with so many injury prone guys it's nice to keep the roster balanced
draft Porter, Muscala and Jackson
re-sign Webster (mmle) sign Daniel Gibson (vet min)

Wall-Gibson-Jackson
Beal-Webster
Porter-Ariza-Singleton
Nenê-Booker-Vesely
Okafor-Séraphin-Muscala

[stevemcqueen1]

If Porter attains that level of greatness I sure hope he's there at #3.

Wondering why you guys are grouping Hayward in with George and Leonard. Hayward's solid, but I'd expect a more impactful player with the 3rd pick.

He should be better and I think he will be, but Hayward is probably a little better than given credit for. How much better is Paul George??? I don't think there's a massive difference b/w the two. Like I've mentioned, Paul George stands out as a SF because of the lack of standout options at the position. George is really overrated IMO. Not to say I wouldn't want him on my team, but the 'George becoming a potential superstar' talk borders on insanity.

Well, I agree he's not going to be a superstar because I don't see that kind of scoring ability. He looks like a solid All Star though. More solid than any other young Sf and he is in a rare tier athletically. He does one thing better than any other young SF--perimeter defense, where he really is one of the best in the league. Excellent rebounder too. Couple that with his offensive uptick in the postseason and there is reason to believe he'll at least be an ideal second star type player in the Pippen mold.

[Ruzious]

If Porter attains that level of greatness I sure hope he's there at #3.

Wondering why you guys are grouping Hayward in with George and Leonard. Hayward's solid, but I'd expect a more impactful player with the 3rd pick.

He should be better and I think he will be, but Hayward is probably a little better than given credit for. How much better is Paul George??? I don't think there's a massive difference b/w the two. Like I've mentioned, Paul George stands out as a SF because of the lack of standout options at the position. George is really overrated IMO. Not to say I wouldn't want him on my team, but the 'George becoming a potential superstar' talk borders on insanity.

Just based on stats - you can make that case. But I think George just needs to be more consistent to reach all-star caliber - and he did come of age in the playoffs. Consider Indiana made to within 1 game of going to the NBA Championship Finals with one of the NBA's worst backcourts, George, and 2 veteran bigs who are good but were never before considered dominant - and a pretty average bench. Either George had a huge impact against the best teams in the East, or the importance of good bigs is far greater than good perimeter players.

[Ruzious]

That's the easy way, with so many injury prone guys it's nice to keep the roster balanced
draft Porter, Muscala and Jackson
re-sign Webster (mmle) sign Daniel Gibson (vet min)

Wall-Gibson-Jackson
Beal-Webster
Porter-Ariza-Singleton
Nenê-Booker-Vesely
Okafor-Séraphin-Muscala

That's a very solid offseason. But I think they need to move up to get Muscala, and I'm not sure they can do it by just packaging the bad reserves on the roster.

[No-Man]

Don't think Muscala is going to rise that much, at 38 he should be there.

anyway, if its possible to trade Singleton, Vesely and Okafor or Nenê for a true defensive anchor Center that can stay healthy, you obviously do that.

I think they're going to keep the young guys, Booker and Séraphin are useful and Ernie isnt going to just let Singleton and Vesely walk after 2 years, and nobody is offering something good for them.

[stevemcqueen1]

I'd take Porter second. A SF that can score and rebound and guard multiple positions is one of the most valuable players in the game. His offensive skill set pairs perfectly with Wall. You can trust him to make good decisions immediately. I think we've been a bit spoiled by Beal's offensive IQ this year. He doesn't take bad shots or make bad choices. Porter and then maybe Zeller are the guys who can come in and be the same way as rookies.

This is why I wouldn't consider trading Ariza If Porter is drafted. Honestly, I'm really excited by the idea of having a deep talented defensive oriented rotation of wing players. Beal / Webster / Ariza / Porter area all athletic two way players who can defend multiple position, with the exception of Beal. With Nene and Okafor the Wiz will always have someone with girth down low thereby allowing them to effectively play small ball for extended stretches. The NBA is becoming an athletic small ball high speed game and Wall + any 3 of the wings + one of the big's could be a real strength.

The one concern I've got about that wing rotation is it lacks a big bodied perimeter player like a Jimmy Butler or a Tobias Harris with some strength. Beal is short and not capable of carrying 230-240 pounds. Ariza and Porter are lanky. Martell isn't lanky, but he's a mismatch against big forwards and not a powerfully built player like Harris and Butler. It'd be nice to have someone like that won't be a mismatch against big perimeter players. That was supposed to be Chris Singleton's job unfortunately. If only we had taken Harris instead.

I think this team could have potential problems with size not too far down the road. Most of our young players are either guards or undersized forwards/bigs. Nene is our only true legit big bodied 7 footer and he seems to be aging rapidly. Okafor has good size but he's not a true seven footer and he's only got a year left anyway. Ves is a beanpole and a nonfactor anyway. Seraphin has a big body but he's 6'9. Booker is 6'7.

I'm afraid power teams are going to be able to wear us out if we make it to the postseason. And I'm also afraid we're going to have a really hard time finding a reliable seven footer when Nene is no longer a viable option for us.