Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part VIII

[Dark Faze]

Bennett's upside is imaginary. You can only have so much upside if your an undersized PF who struggles with intensity & picking up concepts on the defensive side of the court.

Disagree. He's undersized so fit is important. If there's no big next to him to occupy defenders and clear out space then its and issue. But fitting next to a Nene who can clear room and allow him to play pick & pop with Wall is a fit. And with the attn Wall and the corner shooters will will require, Bennett have every opportunity to take that 15-18 footer and drive off of it if he can knock them down. In yr 1, I'd bring him off the bench and let him be the second unit front court scorer...

I don't think people can realize how truly awful we'd be as a basketball team if Ariza is moved (ernie already tried) and we move forward with a Bennett/Nene frontcourt.

Wall
Beal
Webster
Bennett
Nene

Bennett could be 20 and 10 but we wouldn't win any games and won't attract free agents because of that. I just don't see any upside with Bennett. The defense is just going to be a disaster and Webster, Bennett, and Nene are all injury prone.

[Soup's Uncle]

Ugh. Can't we figure out a way to fast forward to tonight. Work is dragging. My auto pilot isn't working. I just want it to be over with.

[stevemcqueen1]

Let's make some predictions before the draft. Use these categories if you don't mind:

The ROTY:

The guy who actually ends up being the best player in the class:

The Kevin Love - the guy who goes way higher than people expected, but we really should have expected it:

The Tristan Thompson - the guy who totally surprises people with how high he goes because it only takes one team:

The Russell Westbrook - the "holy crap I did not expect this!" guy:

The Kawhi Leonard - the guy who fell way too far and it was obvious on draft night:

The Avery Bradley - the guy who fell way lower than he should have but it wasn't so obvious at the time:

The Donatas Montiejunas - the guy who fell further than expected because of something hidden off the court:

The Ekpe Udoh - the highly drafted "WTF? Who? That was a dumb pick!" guy on draft night who you were right about:

The Paul George - the highly drafted "that was a dumb pick" guy on draft night who makes you look dumb:

The Jimmer Fredette - the over-drafted guy who ends up being a huge disappointment and the warning signs were plain as day:

Related to the Jimmer Fredette but it doesn't have to be an over-drafted player,
The Fab Melo/Perry Jones III - the guy(s) we talked ourselves into that were a disappointment(s) and we should have known better:

The Bismack Biyombo - the guy(s) who snookered folks into thinking they could be something solely because they're the devil you don't know:

The Wesley Johnson - the "damn, really didn't see that coming" bust:

The Rudy Gay - the seven years later and we still don't know if he was under-drafted or over-drafted guy:

The Nazr Mohammed - future journeyman who will always have a job but is always getting upgraded at the first opportunity:

The Marc Gasol - the best second rounder:

The Scott Machado - everyone's favorite second round steal who goes undrafted:

The Wesley Mathews - the guy who goes from being majorly underrated to majorly overrated in the blink of an eye:

The Goran Dragic - the "who in the world is that?" on draft night pick who actually ends up being pretty good:

The Nemanja Bjelica - the guy who will obviously never play a minute in the NBA:

The Solomon Alabi - the "it must be nice to be 7 feet tall" guy:

[Higga]

Definitely a more open draft I think. Last year I was pretty sure we'd be getting Beal, and we all saw Vesley coming from a mile away in 2011. But this year it could be anyone, because we still don't know who the top 2 will be.

Still think(hope)the pick is Porter. I've wanted him for like 6+ months now, can't hop off the bandwagon now.

[Soup's Uncle]

Where's the "Morris Almond" ?

[jivelikenice]

I don't think people can realize how truly awful we'd be as a basketball team if Ariza is moved (ernie already tried) and we move forward with a Bennett/Nene frontcourt.

Wall
Beal
Webster
Bennett
Nene

Bennett could be 20 and 10 but we wouldn't win any games and won't attract free agents because of that. I just don't see any upside with Bennett. The defense is just going to be a disaster and Webster, Bennett, and Nene are all injury prone.

Ariza would only be moved IMO if we took Porter, not Bennett. If Bennett is drafted its likely one or two of the following - Booker, Vesely, Singleton - get dealt.

In terms of attracting free agents, if we get to the playoffs with the young backcourt and add either Porter or Bennett, we'll be able to attract free agents.

[stevemcqueen1]

Well, that about settles things on Dipo for us. Can't blame him and he was gracious enough about it.

And I'd still draft him if Porter was off the board. Not necessarily to keep long term though. But if Noel & Porter are gone, he's the only one left on my 2nd tier, and I wouldn't feel comfortable selecting anyone else.

You're asking for trouble if you draft someone who doesn't want to be here. Draft picks lose tons of value after the draft is over too.

[MDStar]

Let's make some predictions before the draft. Use these categories if you don't mind:

The ROTY: Need to wait on this one till after we see where everyone goes.

The guy who actually ends up being the best player in the class:

The Kevin Love - the guy who goes way higher than people expected, but we really should have expected it:

CJ McCollum

The Tristan Thompson - the guy who totally surprises people with how high he goes because it only takes one team:

Sergey Karasev

The Russell Westbrook - the "holy crap I did not expect this!" guy:

Victor Oladipo

The Kawhi Leonard - the guy who fell way too far and it was obvious on draft night:

Trey Burke

The Avery Bradley - the guy who fell way lower than he should have but it wasn't so obvious at the time:

Shabazz Muhammad

The Bismack Biyombo - the guy(s) who snookered folks into thinking they could be something solely because they're the devil you don't know:

Steven Adams

The Wesley Johnson - the "damn, really didn't see that coming" bust:

Anthony Bennett

The Rudy Gay - the seven years later and we still don't know if he was under-drafted or over-drafted guy:

Ben McLemore

[stevemcqueen1]

The more I think about it, the more the idea of taking Bennett is starting to intrigue me. If he literally is "unguardable" and can actually play PF, he would be an excellent offensive weapon. And the Wiz need more offense.

And the legend of Bennett grows

If I just went by Bennett's supporters, I'd swear he's a franchise talent worthy of a #1 selection in any year.

And if I went by you, Dark Faze, and Fah, I'd swear he's a scrub who will never play a minute in the NBA.

[wake20]

The ROTY: CJ McCollum

The guy who actually ends up being the best player in the class: Victor Oladipo

The Kevin Love - the guy who goes way higher than people expected, but we really should have expected it: Cody Zeller

The Tristan Thompson - the guy who totally surprises people with how high he goes because it only takes one team: Cody Zeller

The Russell Westbrook - the "holy crap I did not expect this!" guy: CJ McCollum

The Kawhi Leonard - the guy who fell way too far and it was obvious on draft night: Shabazz Muhammad

The Avery Bradley - the guy who fell way lower than he should have but it wasn't so obvious at the time: Trey Burke

The Donatas Montiejunas - the guy who fell further than expected because of something hidden off the court: Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Ekpe Udoh - the highly drafted "WTF? Who? That was a dumb pick!" guy on draft night who you were right about: Michael Carter-Williams

The Paul George - the highly drafted "that was a dumb pick" guy on draft night who makes you look dumb: Ben McLemore (if he falls)

The Jimmer Fredette - the over-drafted guy who ends up being a huge disappointment and the warning signs were plain as day: Kelly Olynyk

Related to the Jimmer Fredette but it doesn't have to be an over-drafted player,
The Fab Melo/Perry Jones III - the guy(s) we talked ourselves into that were a disappointment(s) and we should have known better: Mason Plumlee

The Bismack Biyombo - the guy(s) who snookered folks into thinking they could be something solely because they're the devil you don't know: Steven Adams

The Wesley Johnson - the "damn, really didn't see that coming" bust: Alex Len

The Rudy Gay - the seven years later and we still don't know if he was under-drafted or over-drafted guy: Otto Porter

The Nazr Mohammed - future journeyman who will always have a job but is always getting upgraded at the first opportunity: Jeff Withey

The Marc Gasol - the best second rounder: Jeff Withey

The Scott Machado - everyone's favorite second round steal who goes undrafted: Ray McCallum

The Wesley Mathews - the guy who goes from being majorly underrated to majorly overrated in the blink of an eye: Victor Oladpio (even though I think he's going to be really good, he's not Dwayne Wade obviously)

The Goran Dragic - the "who in the world is that?" on draft night pick who actually ends up being pretty good: Lucas Nogueira

The Nemanja Bjelica - the guy who will obviously never play a minute in the NBA: Rudy Gobert

The Solomon Alabi - the "it must be nice to be 7 feet tall" guy: Steven Adams

[pancakes3]

I think for many of us it would be soul-crushing not to get Porter. It's not to say that Bennet/Len/etc. are bad but rather we have our hopes pinned to this one guy. It's like going to prom with your 2nd choice and you have to spend the night watching HER dance with someone else. Of course if things... "pan out" you'll still have a pretty good night but it would take a lot for you to stop wondering "what if"

[stevemcqueen1]

Here's wheelin' and dealin' Ernie:

Draft Oladipo, trade Oladpio/Jan with MIN for DWill, 9, 26. When McCollum is available at 9, trade McCollum to Utah for Burks, 14, 21. Draft Larkin 14, Antetokounmpo 21 (slipping because he wants to play now), Withey 26.

Wall/Larkin
Beal/Burks
Webster/Antetokounmpo/Ariza
Nene/Dwill/Seraphin
Okafor/Withey

Well, you just turned a top three pick into a bunch of career back ups.

[stevemcqueen1]

Where's the "Morris Almond" ?

That's a good one. The Morris Almond - that sleeper you were just sure was going to shock the world and make you look like a genius... whups.

[stevemcqueen1]

DIdnt know Wall wanted Bennett.....interesting..


ce johnson ‏@brucejohnson9 1h
#Otto Porter to Wizards says ESPN. They say John Wall lobbying for Bennet. Len of Md to the Suns says ESPN @DMV_Nation @wusa9

I would bet anything Wall wants Bennett mainly because he's close with Martell and Ariza and doesn't want to see them get displaced. I bet he thinks those guys are perfectly fine and we don't have a need at SF at all.

And he sees Bennett, a big who can shoot, and says, "we don't already have that, I would really like to have that."

It's all logical thinking but it's also short term thinking.

I wonder just how much influence Wall has though? If he's really adamant about it, and if the FO wants to make him happy, then damn, we really could pick Bennett over Porter.

But I doubt Wall involves himself that much in the process. He doesn't seem like the type to try and force his will on the FO.

[Samuels]

I love high effort guys self motivated. Bennett obviously isn't to me if your gonna score 20 who cares if you give up 15. Do you wanna win or look good?

Guys like Otto wins you games on hustle alone. That one hustle play is the difference in a lot of games. He is the guy who helps out a beaten teammate with a perfect rotation, saves a ball in bounds, taps a rebound to a teammate, dives on the floor. The guy who shows up every practice, every game ready to work.


Aaron Craft is another I love not a athletic freak but a worker, team first type who won't get no love. Just reading about him giving Kyrie Irving fits yesterday made me chuckle that kid works until he breaks you.

[Sonny Carson]

I really think Porter is going to be a solid pro..

But I sometimes worry he's got a "Wesley Johnson" type bust factor. Hope I'm wrong though.

Truth be told, that Georgetown system really limits its players.

[Dark Faze]

I don't think people can realize how truly awful we'd be as a basketball team if Ariza is moved (ernie already tried) and we move forward with a Bennett/Nene frontcourt.

Wall
Beal
Webster
Bennett
Nene

Bennett could be 20 and 10 but we wouldn't win any games and won't attract free agents because of that. I just don't see any upside with Bennett. The defense is just going to be a disaster and Webster, Bennett, and Nene are all injury prone.

Ariza would only be moved IMO if we took Porter, not Bennett. If Bennett is drafted its likely one or two of the following - Booker, Vesely, Singleton - get dealt.

In terms of attracting free agents, if we get to the playoffs with the young backcourt and add either Porter or Bennett, we'll be able to attract free agents.

We'd be in agreement if Ernie didn't already try to trade the guy for Caron Butler.

And Ernie doesn't strike me as the type of guy who tries to make a move and then just gives up. I fully expect Ariza to either be gone or moved by the trade deadline. I don't like it though.

[Higga]

DIdnt know Wall wanted Bennett.....interesting..


ce johnson ‏@brucejohnson9 1h
#Otto Porter to Wizards says ESPN. They say John Wall lobbying for Bennet. Len of Md to the Suns says ESPN @DMV_Nation @wusa9

I would bet anything Wall wants Bennett mainly because he's close with Martell and Ariza and doesn't want to see them get displaced. I bet he thinks those guys are perfectly fine and we don't have a need at SF at all.

And he sees Bennett, a big who can shoot, and says, "we don't already have that, I would really like to have that."

It's all logical thinking but it's also short term thinking.

I wonder just how much influence Wall has though? If he's really adamant about it, and if the FO wants to make him happy, then damn, we really could pick Bennett over Porter.

But I doubt Wall involves himself that much in the process. He doesn't seem like the type to try and force his will on the FO.

Players should never have personnel input. Remember Kobe wanting Bynum out in favor of Jason Kidd?

Then again Wall might be a better judge of talent than Ernie anyway...

[Soup's Uncle]

I really think Porter is going to be a solid pro..

But I sometimes worry he's got a "Wesley Johnson" type bust factor. Hope I'm wrong though.

Truth be told, that Georgetown system really limits its players.

I don't know. I'd take Greg Monroe and Rob Hibbert on this team in a second.

[REDardWIZskin]

Wall's opinion should not be a factor in who is picked at #3. Webster is a FA and Ariza is gonna be a NICE trade chip at the deadline. You never know who might offer Webster something ridiculous that we have no intention on matching this summer. Which IMO should be anything north of 4 million per