Pre-Draft Thread / Workout Updates

[AQuintus]

Wasn't Zeller touted as a potential #1 pick coming into this year?

Derrick Williams was touted as a potential #1 pick going into the 2011 draft. And now, 2 years later, we're seriously talking about using him to move up 5 spots in one of the worst drafts of all time. Why? In large part because, like Zeller, he's a Power Forward and therefore doesn't have a spot in our rotation.

And he looks to get up a bit at :46.

Does he? Looks to me like his head doesn't get anywhere near the rim. At 7'0.25" feet in shoes, with a 35.5" no step vertical (the same as Amare's and Dwight's max verticals), he should be able to get up to 9'11.75" from a complete stand still. That means he should almost be able to almost touch his head to the rim without even having to step into his jump. I call BS on that.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Shabazz can work off the ball, shoot, and he has nice size and strength. I don't know about his ceiling b/c of questionable mentality, but I think his floor is super solid. Whichever team drafts him will at least have a contributor, I'm reasonably confident about that.

[AQuintus]

Again, where in the tape does Zeller show to have "slightly above average at best" athleticism?

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Both of those pictures, while impressive, have a problem with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax.

And according to the combine numbers, he should be able to get higher than he does in the 2nd picture from a stand still position.

If only he had longer arms!

Yeah, his T-Rex arms are probably the biggest reason why I can't see him being more than a PF at the NBA level.

[zauchary]

I agree, Zeller' best projects as a PF in the NBA where he can use his mid range game. I would be depressed if we took him. If we can't get Olidipo, KCP, or Len ,I'm also fine with McCollum because I think he will be a star in a few years, just not the best fit. If we can't get one of those guys we really need to look at trading out.

[zauchary]

I agree, Zeller' best projects as a PF in the NBA where he can use his mid range game. I would be depressed if we took him. If we can't get Olidipo, KCP, or Len ,I'm also fine with McCollum because I think he will be a star in a few years, just not the best fit. If we can't get one of those guys we really need to look at trading out.

[Devilzsidewalk]

josh mcroberts reverse dunking over favors siiiiiick! this dude is going places!

[PG24]

Again, where in the tape does Zeller show to have "slightly above average at best" athleticism?

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Both of those pictures, while impressive, have a problem with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax.

And according to the combine numbers, he should be able to get higher than he does in the 2nd picture from a stand still position.

There is parallax there, but the point still remains that he is a quite an athletic big.

If only he had longer arms!

Yeah, his T-Rex arms are probably the biggest reason why I can't see him being more than a PF at the NBA level.

Completely agree, and I prefer to stay far away. Tell me Kevin Love isn't on the roster any longer and I'd be a lot more intrigued with Zeller. Overall, there are much better options to help complement the core.

[shrink]

I feel like the wizards should be interested in Dwill. They need a good pick and pop big.

I agree. Some wizards fans have always liked DWill, and more got on board as he did better and better in the second half last season.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I feel like the wizards should be interested in Dwill. They need a good pick and pop big.

I agree. Some wizards fans have always liked DWill, and more got on board as he did better and better in the second half last season.

I agree too - They have no need for a center, PG or SG, and Martell Webster is a reasonable cheap, effective SF. They need a PF and Wall said specifically

“I don’t know,” Wall said of his hopes for the pick during a Red Bull-sponsored event at Gallaudet University on Saturday night. “It’s up in the air right now. I feel like we need a four man that can pick and pop, so we’ll just see.”

That could be Bennett, or it could be Derrick Williams and a #9 pick, which imo is a way better gamble.

[Klomp]

. He looks like a finesse PF - a Lamarcus Aldridge or Chris Bosh - not a C, and therefore not a fit. .

Sounds like Chris Johnson, who people here were begging Adelman to play more at center last year

[Klomp]

I agree, Zeller' best projects as a PF in the NBA where he can use his mid range game. I would be depressed if we took him.

Adelman uses his bigs on the perimeter quite a bit, so I fail to see how having a perimeter skillset is a bad thing.

[Twolf16]

I agree, Zeller' best projects as a PF in the NBA where he can use his mid range game. I would be depressed if we took him.

Adelman uses his bigs on the perimeter quite a bit, so I fail to see how having a perimeter skillset is a bad thing.

Its not a bad thing... Having 4 Power Forwards is a bad thing, especially if its with our #9 pick.

[AQuintus]

Sounds like Chris Johnson, who people here were begging Adelman to play more at center last year

Chris Johnson is an extremely explosive shot blocker and dunker who really doesn't do anything else at all. I'm not sure I'd call his game "finesse." With that said, I'd be willing to bet that a big part of the reason that Johnson didn't get more run is because he too is built like a PF.

Edit:

Adelman uses his bigs on the perimeter quite a bit, so I fail to see how having a perimeter skillset is a bad thing.

Because a full 50% of the game is defense.

[Klomp]

" With that said, I'd be willing to bet that a big part of the reason that Johnson didn't get more run is because he too is built like a PF.

By "too", are you implying that the 7'0", 230 lb Zeller is built like a PF?

He may not have the strength right away, but that will come in time. Not everyone comes into the league built like Pekovic.

[AQuintus]

By "too", are you implying that the 7'0", 230 lb Zeller is built like a PF?

He may not have the strength right away, but that will come in time. Not everyone comes into the league built like Pekovic.

230 pounds, 6'10.75" wingspan, 8'10" standing reach. Yes, those are all PF measurements. For comparison, Love came in at 255 pounds, with a 6'11.25" wingspan, and a 8'10" standing reach. Derrick Williams - 248 pounds, 7'1.5" wingspan, and 9'0' standing reach.

[Klomp]

The wingspan / standing reach is about the only thing that concerns me about Zeller.

[Twolf16]

" With that said, I'd be willing to bet that a big part of the reason that Johnson didn't get more run is because he too is built like a PF.

By "too", are you implying that the 7'0", 230 lb Zeller is built like a PF?

He may not have the strength right away, but that will come in time. Not everyone comes into the league built like Pekovic.

By "he", are you talking about Zeller? Because if you are, don't forget about his T-rex arms. "Not a shot blocker or much of a presence on the defensive end." -nbadraft.net on Zeller.

[Worm Guts]

You can tear apart every player expected to be available at nine but I think Zeller might be the best player available at the spot. Not really the type of player I'd want but I expect he'll been able to score.

[NikolaPekovic]

We dont need another scoring big. We have bigger needs. Would be a waste of a pick.

[Klomp]

We dont need another scoring big. We have bigger needs. Would be a waste of a pick.

I'm sure you'll be saying the same thing when Stiemsma is starting 20 games that Pek misses with injury?