Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part VII

[Dat2U]

Statistical production suggests Olynyk could be a good pro, but his physical tools/measurements create some questions.

Zeller is small for an NBA center, but has sufficient length and athleticism to move to PF -- assuming he has (or can develop) the requisite skills.

Olynyk has a standing reach of 9-0, which is actually below average for a center. His agility scores are good for a center, but subpar for a PF. And his vertical was below average for a center, which means it's even more below average for a PF. He did 5 reps on the bench press, which would be low for a PG (although, this is the least important factor).

Olynyk is very skilled and should be able to carve out a niche for himself in the league, but it may have to be as a stretch 5 or an off-the-bench stretch 4 like Bonner or Novak. Basically, while he has promise and is worth drafting, he doesn't have a clear position. I'd be okay with taking him as high as 9 in a trade-down scenario. However, if DX's mock is reflective of what GMs are thinking, the Wiz might be able to get Zeller at 9.

Bonner & Novak are solely spot up types. Comparing Olynyk to them I believe woefully underrates his complete offensive skillset and honestly it's a bit of a lazy comparison. I think guys like Andray Blatche or Ryan Anderson may offer a better of picture of what Olynyk may become. I'd draft Olynyk as high as 6th in this draft.

[Dat2U]

I liked this little comment from Pelton yesterday:

link:

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/ ... vin-pelton

John (Nashville)

Did Brandon in Phoenix look at the athletic numbers on Cody Zeller. At the combine he the fastest player over 6 feet

Kevin Pelton (4:33 PM)
A lot has been written about how Zeller trained for the combine. But I think the real important takeaway here is that athleticism is a very nebulous thing. There are some areas (lateral quickness) in which Zeller is very athletic, and others (quick jumping) in which he is limited athletically.

Good find. I agree with Pelton. I never saw Zeller as this explosive, Blake Griffin type athlete. Some have been referring to his workout numbers as evidence that he's a great athlete. He's not IMO. Anyone can specifically train to maximize their potential in certain exercises. Zeller is a good athlete and runs extemely well for a big man. That will be his best asset, getting easy baskets in transition off misses and makes because he runs the floor so well.

Finishing over people or with contact? That's another story. I didn't really see evidence of it in college. He's not a finisher like Blake. He doesn't explode towards the basket. He's more quick and agile than anything else which should serve him well on the next level as long as he plays towards his strengths.

[Dark Faze]

https://vine.co/v/blV3QiwV6xi
https://vine.co/v/blVVKrJWZla
^ It begins

Man his form looks awful but it looks completely effortless. I wouldn't be surprised if he could hit from far beyond the NBA three.

[Kanyewest]

I didn't see much of Zeller other than the Big 10 championship game and the NCAA tournament and he struggled in all those games. BTW, here are Zeller's highlights vs Syracuse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPlWUrG0AC0

I also think what's hurts Zeller's case is that Mitch McGary was able to carve up Syracuse's zone. I wouldn't rule out taking Zeller because of a few bad games because he played so well in other games although I would probably pass on him at #3.

[Ruzious]

Statistical production suggests Olynyk could be a good pro, but his physical tools/measurements create some questions.

Zeller is small for an NBA center, but has sufficient length and athleticism to move to PF -- assuming he has (or can develop) the requisite skills.

Olynyk has a standing reach of 9-0, which is actually below average for a center. His agility scores are good for a center, but subpar for a PF. And his vertical was below average for a center, which means it's even more below average for a PF. He did 5 reps on the bench press, which would be low for a PG (although, this is the least important factor).

Olynyk is very skilled and should be able to carve out a niche for himself in the league, but it may have to be as a stretch 5 or an off-the-bench stretch 4 like Bonner or Novak. Basically, while he has promise and is worth drafting, he doesn't have a clear position. I'd be okay with taking him as high as 9 in a trade-down scenario. However, if DX's mock is reflective of what GMs are thinking, the Wiz might be able to get Zeller at 9.

Bonner & Novak are solely spot up types. Comparing Olynyk to them I believe woefully underrates his complete offensive skillset and honestly it's a bit of a lazy comparison. I think guys like Andray Blatche or Ryan Anderson may offer a better of picture of what Olynyk may become. I'd draft Olynyk as high as 6th in this draft.

I'm not sure how you can compare him to Anderson - since Anderson is one of the best 3 point shooters in the NBA. And Blatche is somewhat blech.

[Ruzious]

I didn't see much of Zeller other than the Big 10 championship game and the NCAA tournament and he struggled in all those games. BTW, here are Zeller's highlights vs Syracuse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPlWUrG0AC0

I also think what's hurts Zeller's case is that Mitch McGary was able to carve up Syracuse's zone. I wouldn't rule out taking Zeller because of a few bad games because he played so well in other games although I would probably pass on him at #3.

McGary was the defense's least concern. I'm sure they adjusted their D for that game to stop their perimeter game.

[sfam]

The more I look at Bennett the more I think he's the 10 th best prospect in this draft at best

I'm honestly shocked. From your previous comments I doubted you would even take Bennett in the second round. What made him move up your board recently?

[Nivek]

Statistical production suggests Olynyk could be a good pro, but his physical tools/measurements create some questions.

Zeller is small for an NBA center, but has sufficient length and athleticism to move to PF -- assuming he has (or can develop) the requisite skills.

Olynyk has a standing reach of 9-0, which is actually below average for a center. His agility scores are good for a center, but subpar for a PF. And his vertical was below average for a center, which means it's even more below average for a PF. He did 5 reps on the bench press, which would be low for a PG (although, this is the least important factor).

Olynyk is very skilled and should be able to carve out a niche for himself in the league, but it may have to be as a stretch 5 or an off-the-bench stretch 4 like Bonner or Novak. Basically, while he has promise and is worth drafting, he doesn't have a clear position. I'd be okay with taking him as high as 9 in a trade-down scenario. However, if DX's mock is reflective of what GMs are thinking, the Wiz might be able to get Zeller at 9.

Bonner & Novak are solely spot up types. Comparing Olynyk to them I believe woefully underrates his complete offensive skillset and honestly it's a bit of a lazy comparison. I think guys like Andray Blatche or Ryan Anderson may offer a better of picture of what Olynyk may become. I'd draft Olynyk as high as 6th in this draft.

Yeah, I worded that comparison poorly. I know Olynyk is WAY more skilled than those guys. I was really thinking in terms of an off-the-bench offense-oriented big. Olynyk should have a much more varied game in the NBA than either of those guys. Ryan Anderson might be a good comp. I wouldn't inflict a Blatche comparison on anyone. Maybe the imaginary Blatche who has an array of skills, but actually puts the ball in the basket with regularity.

The question I really have about Olynyk is position. He's a bit not as long or strong as most NBA centers, and he doesn't leap as well. He's a bit quicker, though. He's longer than most PFs, but slower, not as strong and doesn't leap as well. So, he's potentially between positions -- overpowered by centers, out-quicked and potentially overpowered by PFs.

For what it's worth, in the similarity score part of YODA, Brad Miller (SR) shows up as one of his top comps.

[The Consiglieri]

It's amazing how much one bad game against Syracuse has tanked Zeller's value. I'm sure every other prospect in this draft has had a few real bad outings but they're not getting killed for it. Zeller played bad in one game. Big whoop. ALL bigs play poorly against the 2-3 zone. That's why teams run a 2-3 zone!

Zeller posted 22 and 11 (per 40) as the primary option for perhaps the best team in college basketball. He also anchored their defense. You have to try real hard to argue that his performance in college is somehow detrimental to his pro prospects.

The Syracuse game was the cherry on top, a sort of visual metaphor for why his stock dropped from contender to go #2 or #3, to out of the top 10 on some lists by mid March, and generally in the 7-12 area at the point of tip off for that game.

It didn't define anything with him, the big whoop is that he's not seen as a guy who can translate what he did at IU, to the NBA, he does potentially have a lot of the skills necessary to perhaps make do as a 4, or stretch 4 as some even see him, but he, in and of himself is also a tweener like Bennett, but for whatever reason doesn't seem to get the same stick for it.

He doesn't have the game to play center at the next level, and he may not have the skills necessary to b a great 4 either. We'll see what happens. I don't see the rebounding, interior presence, or athleticism to justify a top 6 pick, let alone a top 3. I think he could present real value, however once the big 6 are gone. At that pint, he's one of the closest things to a sure relative value available compared to some of the higher risk guys projected to go in the second half of the lottery.

[The Consiglieri]

Zeller actually had a couple of bad games. Again, he's 4th on my board so there's not much difference of opinion going around but in any other draft he'd probably be 3 or 4 spots lower.

If Minny doesn't trade up, I expect Zeller to go somewhere between 7-14. I would be completely and totally stunned to see him go top 6, I don't see virtually any way in which that happens. He's also got some teams he almost certainly wouldn't go to like Detroit, while othrs like OKC supposedly like him best among the bigs likely to go off the bard in the 10-14 zone.

[Kanyewest]

I didn't see much of Zeller other than the Big 10 championship game and the NCAA tournament and he struggled in all those games. BTW, here are Zeller's highlights vs Syracuse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPlWUrG0AC0

I also think what's hurts Zeller's case is that Mitch McGary was able to carve up Syracuse's zone. I wouldn't rule out taking Zeller because of a few bad games because he played so well in other games although I would probably pass on him at #3.

McGary was the defense's least concern. I'm sure they adjusted their D for that game to stop their perimeter game.

Offensively you may be right. Syracuse placed a higher priority of Zeller than McGary. I brought up McGary only in the sense that it is possible for bigs to have good games against Syracuse's zone defense. But maybe the point is trivial if Zeller had McGary's teammates.

[sfam]

There's only a few of us left in the Bennett camp. Such is life. He's still who I hope we get at #3. The Wizards need offensive help up front and Bennett is as elite as this draft comes for that - he's incredibly explosive - far moreso than Zeller, has great handles, can play inside or outside, and seems to have the right instinct on scoring. I think his upside is worth the risk.

This is not to say I have a real issue if Noel, Porter, or even Zeller or Olapido are selected. All of them represent major upgrades to the Wizards' talent level. As long as we keep the pick, we're in a pretty fine place, one that EG should execute well.

[GhostsOfGil]

Some clips of the workout.
http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... /index.jsp

Interview:
http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... ec17ed0000

[dobrojim]

Some clips of the workout.
http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... /index.jsp

Interview:
http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos ... ec17ed0000

nothing to really see hear -

but a non-story is probably a good thing for OP. You could see he was
well coached in what to say/not say. Not trying to knock him. I assume
it was all sincere. Kinda funny when asked about going #1 but in DC/ Wizards
gym...anybody would have to be pleased to receive that kind of honor
but you could also tell he didn't want to insult his hosts by saying how
kool it would be to play in CLE and not in DC. Reaffirms what many
of us already believed/thought we knew. He's a good kid in the Wall
Beal mold. We could do a lot worse than end up with him.

[GhostsOfGil]

Ya pretty underwhelming videos. He definitely seems like a good/well spoken kid.

This draft sucks right now. The only person I really value is Noel. After that Porter/Zeller/Bennett all seem equally good (or bad).

[Severn Hoos]

Screw it. Zeller is now 3rd on my draft board behind Noel and Porter. I just don't see how he won't succeed in this league. At worst, he'll be a better-shooting Nick Collison - and that's a starter. At best, he's Chris Bosh - and that's an All Star.

I think he can raise the release point of his jumper without too much difficulty. I did the same thing myself about a year ago while coming off my ACL injury. I figured I wouldn't get as much elevation anymore so I could compensate by raising my release point. Within a month or two, I had my new form down and shot as well as always (a little better, actually). And that's just with a few hours of shooting around in the gym. Zeller is going to shoot more in a week than I did in two months.

What? Wait a minute Nate, so you changed your shot?! Now you have the audacity to say it's a little better than before? I refuse to be believe this is possible. I'm surprised your confidence isn't totally shot! I suppose the Wizards organization forced you to do this and it ruined your YMCA / church ball career.

Fortunately, JaNate's Mom was there to show her boy how to shoot. No need to listen to those professionals with their fancy "methods" and proven track record of developing good shooters when Moms knows what's best!

[Dark Faze]

sfam I think we just have different ideas of what the team needs.

I think we're a better team with a 13 and 10 guy who plays good defense like Nene than we are with a 20 and 8 PF who is below average defensively.

In todays perimeter oriented league I have a hard time imagining a team not being very successful with great two way players at the 1, 2, and 3. Getting Porter gives us that for the next 8 years or so.

And again, you can get decent defensive bigs in the draft next year because most defensive bigs are projects taken mid 1st.

[hands11]

Tomorrow's the big day!

http://www.nba.com/wizards/2013-draft-central

Porter, 5 Others to Workout on Friday

The following players are currently scheduled to participate in Friday's workout: Jackie Carmichael (Illinois St), Kevin Dillard (Dayton), Ryan Evans (Wisconsin), Viktor Gaddefors (Sweeden), Bruce Massey (Middle Tennessee), & Otto Porter (Georgetown).

Can't wait to see if they have extra comments about him or if he gets a interview video.

[nuposse04]

I think Porter played at 205 last year at G-town, I'd like to know where he's at right now. At the very least he recognizes it as an issue. I think 225-232 should be his target over the next two seasons.

[fishercob]

Very interesting take on Steven Adams from Chris Mannix in his latest mock. He has Adams going 19th to Cleveland.

Adams is a project; the consensus among executives is that he will spend most or all of next season in the D-League, where he can get used to the speed of an NBA-level game. But Cleveland isn't thinking title next season and it can afford to be patient because Adams oozes potential. At 7 feet, 254 pounds, with a wingspan of 7-5 and enormous hands(9.5 inches long, 11 inches wide), Adams is a physical specimen with extraordinary athletic ability who showed nice range for a big man at the combine.