2015 Draft Thread - Part 1

[stevemcqueen1]

Look into your heart. You already know who the Wizards are going to draft.

Who's the most boring pick likely to be available?

Who's the least immediately controversial selection?

Who has virtually no upside?

Who has, in some way, some prior tie to the franchise or the DC metro area?

The pick is Jerian Grant.

You're probably right. But I disagree that Jerian Grant is a boring pick. He is a highly entertaining player to watch and I could see him being a fan favorite.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Look into your heart. You already know who the Wizards are going to draft.

Who's the most boring pick likely to be available?

Who's the least immediately controversial selection?

Who has virtually no upside?

Who has, in some way, some prior tie to the franchise or the DC metro area?

The pick is Jerian Grant.

Yep.

Boring is the route they generally choose. Dorian, one thing I know is NEVER expect to be thrilled on draft night when Ernie Grunfeld is in charge. Round one is generally known in advance. Grant is very likely the pick.

Tyus Jones will probably be available and passed over, as will Looney. Both will end up having far better NBA careers than Grant. So will Delon Wright. The upside pick that EG won't make are Richaun Holmes, Clifford Alexander, and Dakari Johnson. Justin Anderson is also a better prospect than Grant.

Also, I expect to be distressed by a wasted second round. Jordan Clarkson was just the latest squandered opportunity. Don't look for ANYTHING at 49.

Grant won't be a bad player but he definitely has less upside than many others.

[nate33]

Yep.

Boring is the route they generally choose.

Was Jan Vesely the "boring" pick?
Was Javale McGee?
Was Nick Young?
Wouldn't Turner have been the safe, boring pick over Wall?
Wouldn't Barnes have been the safe, boring pick over Beal?

I just don't understand why everyone is convinced that EG will pick Grant. There is virtually nothing in EG's history to suggest he'd take a guy like Grant over the "upside" prospects like Looney.

The only time in recent history where it could be argued that EG took the "boring" option was when he took Porter over Noel.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Look into your heart. You already know who the Wizards are going to draft.

Who's the most boring pick likely to be available?

Who's the least immediately controversial selection?

Who has virtually no upside?

Who has, in some way, some prior tie to the franchise or the DC metro area?

The pick is Jerian Grant.

You're probably right. But I disagree that Jerian Grant is a boring pick. He is a highly entertaining player to watch and I could see him being a fan favorite.

Grant really was fun to watch at Notre Dame. But so were three of his teammates: Connaughton, Jackson, and the C. I think his name is Augustin. He didn't declare for the draft, but he IMO might have been their most effective player.

Jerian Grant seems like he'll be a role player in the NBA. He will be decent.

[fishercob]

Tomorrow! https://youtu.be/ZrXXV5ut7fc?t=54s

[TheSecretWeapon]

Heard something on the radio that has me totally rethinking the solid grade for Jerian Grant in YODA...

Ronny Thompson loves him and thinks he's perfect for the Wizards.

[nate33]

Jerian Grant:

[Ruzious]

Jerian Grant:

The question is - Can you pull that type of statistic on many other players?

I prefer Jones over Grant, but Grant has a lot going for him. And I don't think he's a boring player, because he's consistently shown the ability to play like a pure point guard - setting up his teammates beautifully - making the game look like poetry. I think he had problems when he tried to carry his team and become their prime scorer.

[hands11]

YOUSSOU NDOYE Was in for a work out today and man, I like this guy, he needs a lot of work on his offensive game, but with Plenty of teachers I'm ok with taking him in the second round. He's 7'0 245 with a 7'5" wingspan This dude is big, mobile for his size, he's strong and has an NBA body! He averaged a Double Double. 10 rebounds a game, almost 3 blocks and the kid shot 71% from the FT line! That's not bad for a big man. Behind Gortat and NENE, I like the Idea of taking him or bringing him in after the draft.

PJ Ramos, V.2?

I would be ok with that. Peter John Ramos ended up and still is a pretty good over seas player. If we call his name at 49 I can live with that!

They have looked at at least 3 of these huge centers. Pretty sure they want to replace Blair.

Keep in mind, with all the talk of small ball, GS and CLE also could play big.. And with Boogie on the move, we might even see something like this in NY.... Melo, Monroe, Cousins...

Big ball isn't done. You need to be able to play both ways. Lakes show time... Magic, Worthy and Kareem.. and they still had players like ML Carr and Rambus.

Part of the reason I like post players with a strong base. And multiposition elite defenders have always had an impact.

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Charlon+Kloof+Youssou+Ndoye+NCAA+Basketball+PY7UzSSyaXTl.jpg

FT shooting go a lot better
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/56731/youssou-ndoye

[hands11]

Look into your heart. You already know who the Wizards are going to draft.

Who's the most boring pick likely to be available?

Who's the least immediately controversial selection?

Who has virtually no upside?

Who has, in some way, some prior tie to the franchise or the DC metro area?

The pick is Jerian Grant.

Yep.

Boring is the route they generally choose. Dorian, one thing I know is NEVER expect to be thrilled on draft night when Ernie Grunfeld is in charge. Round one is generally known in advance. Grant is very likely the pick.

Tyus Jones will probably be available and passed over, as will Looney. Both will end up having far better NBA careers than Grant. So will Delon Wright. The upside pick that EG won't make are Richaun Holmes, Clifford Alexander, and Dakari Johnson. Justin Anderson is also a better prospect than Grant.

Also, I expect to be distressed by a wasted second round. Jordan Clarkson was just the latest squandered opportunity. Don't look for ANYTHING at 49.

Grant won't be a bad player but he definitely has less upside than many others.

Justin Anderson isn't an upside pick.. he is ready now.

Wood is an upside pick.. not Justin.

[nate33]

Jerian Grant:

The question is - Can you pull that type of statistic on many other players?

I prefer Jones over Grant, but Grant has a lot going for him. And I don't think he's a boring player, because he's consistently shown the ability to play like a pure point guard - setting up his teammates beautifully - making the game look like poetry. I think he had problems when he tried to carry his team and become their prime scorer.

To be fair, I really don't have anything against Grant. He seems like he might pan out to be a useful rotation player. I just have a problem with drafting a backup PG with our top pick when we have greater needs at literally every other position on the roster. Sessions is a solid backup. We've got the position covered.

[hands11]

Yep.

Boring is the route they generally choose.

Was Jan Vesely the "boring" pick?
Was Javale McGee?
Was Nick Young?
Wouldn't Turner have been the safe, boring pick over Wall?
Wouldn't Barnes have been the safe, boring pick over Beal?

I just don't understand why everyone is convinced that EG will pick Grant. There is virtually nothing in EG's history to suggest he'd take a guy like Grant over the "upside" prospects like Looney.

The only time in recent history where it could be argued that EG took the "boring" option was when he took Porter over Noel.

Exactly. if anything, the opposite is true... NY, McGee, Blatche, Rice, Ramos, OP... none where the safe production solid young man picks ( boring )... that was part of the problem... But NY and McGee were reasonable where they were picked.. Rice, Ramos and OP later picks.. but I still always want to solid, mature, worker over potential upside and wasted production. Who cares what numbers you can put up if you can't do it in a winning environment or be a part of creating that winning environment.

Now Otto over Noel was the safer pick but in context, they needed to hit on that one since it was their last high pick.. Teams bust on #6 picks but you can't bust the #3 and have two busts over 4 years one being a #3 and one a #6.. Hitting on Otto at #3 was really important. With Wall and Beal still on the rise but looking good, safe and solid made sense.

If not Otto, Zeller or Len were on my board there for them or a trade down for CJM, Adam, Dieng type thing.

[Ruzious]

Jerian Grant:

The question is - Can you pull that type of statistic on many other players?

I prefer Jones over Grant, but Grant has a lot going for him. And I don't think he's a boring player, because he's consistently shown the ability to play like a pure point guard - setting up his teammates beautifully - making the game look like poetry. I think he had problems when he tried to carry his team and become their prime scorer.

To be fair, I really don't have anything against Grant. He seems like he might pan out to be a useful rotation player. I just have a problem with drafting a backup PG with our top pick when we have greater needs at literally every other position on the roster. Sessions is a solid backup. We've got the position covered.

Again, I don't see why he couldn't play with Wall - or even with Sessions - and be the third guard. I don't see a reason to limit him.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Yep.

Boring is the route they generally choose.

Was Jan Vesely the "boring" pick?
Was Javale McGee?
Was Nick Young?
Wouldn't Turner have been the safe, boring pick over Wall?
Wouldn't Barnes have been the safe, boring pick over Beal?

I just don't understand why everyone is convinced that EG will pick Grant. There is virtually nothing in EG's history to suggest he'd take a guy like Grant over the "upside" prospects like Looney.

The only time in recent history where it could be argued that EG took the "boring" option was when he took Porter over Noel.

There has been a change. Young guys don't make it playing for Wittman. They draft differently.

EG used to pick athletic, long, "potential", and Euro. He never used to consider character, intelligence, actual ability to play.

He went safe starting with the Leonsis ownership and purging of all the guys who he used to draft. (BLATCHE, Young, McGee, Vesely). Nate, Beal was the safe pick as was Porter. They are the only EG picks besides Wall who are still with the Wizards.

I think Glen Rice Jr was selected because of Rice Sr. I expect Jerian Grant will be picked primarily because his father, uncle, and brother have all contributed to NBA rosters. Grant is also a safe, local pick as was Porter. Jerian by far is the most likely selection IMO.

[Ruzious]

PJ Ramos, V.2?

I would be ok with that. Peter John Ramos ended up and still is a pretty good over seas player. If we call his name at 49 I can live with that!

They have looked at at least 3 of these huge centers. Pretty sure they want to replace Blair.

Keep in mind, with all the talk of small ball, GS and CLE also could play big.. And with Boogie on the move, we might even see something like this in NY.... Melo, Monroe, Cousins...

Big ball isn't done. You need to be able to play both ways. Lakes show time... Magic, Worthy and Kareem.. and they still had players like ML Carr and Rambus.

Part of the reason I like post players with a strong base. And multiposition elite defenders have always had an impact.

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Charlon+Kloof+Youssou+Ndoye+NCAA+Basketball+PY7UzSSyaXTl.jpg

FT shooting go a lot better
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/56731/youssou-ndoye

The fact that he shot under 50% as a 23 year old college senior makes it obvious that he's offensively challenged and probably not draftable, but he might be worth a look in training camp.

[Ruzious]

I think Glen Rice Jr was selected because of Rice Sr. I expect Jerian Grant will be picked primarily because his father, uncle, and brother have all contributed to NBA rosters. Grant is also a safe, local pick as was Porter. Jerian by far is the most likely selection IMO.

If that line of thinking was true, why has Seth Curry been no more than an afterthought for NBA teams?

If anything, Grant has been underrated - not just this year but in prior years.

[nate33]

Yep.

Boring is the route they generally choose.

Was Jan Vesely the "boring" pick?
Was Javale McGee?
Was Nick Young?
Wouldn't Turner have been the safe, boring pick over Wall?
Wouldn't Barnes have been the safe, boring pick over Beal?

I just don't understand why everyone is convinced that EG will pick Grant. There is virtually nothing in EG's history to suggest he'd take a guy like Grant over the "upside" prospects like Looney.

The only time in recent history where it could be argued that EG took the "boring" option was when he took Porter over Noel.

There has been a change. Young guys don't make it playing for Wittman. They draft differently.

EG used to pick athletic, long, "potential", and Euro. He never used to consider character, intelligence, actual ability to play.

He went safe starting with the Leonsis ownership and purging of all the guys who he used to draft. (BLATCHE, Young, McGee, Vesely). Nate, Beal was the safe pick as was Porter. They are the only EG picks besides Wall who are still with the Wizards.

I think Glen Rice Jr was selected because of Rice Sr. I expect Jerian Grant will be picked primarily because his father, uncle, and brother have all contributed to NBA rosters. Grant is also a safe, local pick as was Porter. Jerian by far is the most likely selection IMO.

You may be right. We shall see.

There did seem to be a concerted effort to get away from the youth movement and to acquire vets to make sure that our top young players had an infrastructure around them to succeed. In general, I think I agree with the philosophy that young players develop best when they have a support system of good-character veterans, but I think we're at the point where we no longer have to worry about supporting Wall and Beal. They're now veterans too. I sincerely hope that EG can move on to a new crop of youngsters. If a high upside guy like Looney is available, let's get him. I think the team can handle two developing young players in Porter and Looney.

[hands11]

Jerian Grant:

The question is - Can you pull that type of statistic on many other players?

I prefer Jones over Grant, but Grant has a lot going for him. And I don't think he's a boring player, because he's consistently shown the ability to play like a pure point guard - setting up his teammates beautifully - making the game look like poetry. I think he had problems when he tried to carry his team and become their prime scorer.

To be fair, I really don't have anything against Grant. He seems like he might pan out to be a useful rotation player. I just have a problem with drafting a backup PG with our top pick when we have greater needs at literally every other position on the roster. Sessions is a solid backup. We've got the position covered.

Session is solid and should do better next year now that he knows the system.

http://stats.nba.com/#!?GameScope=Season&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&StatType=Advanced

If I was to list biggest glaring need, well that's going to depend on Paul here or not next year and the year after on if we land KD or another top name.. which we will so no need for the question mark player at SF/PF though if you do that, Looney is a decent risk.

Regardless, there is a place for a 27 Justin Anderson SF, 22 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, 37 Jordan Mickey PF/C, 39 French center Mouhammadou Jaiteh, 48 Olivier Hanlan, 55 Tyler Harvey, 21 Delon Wright

All solid players. A fit now and later.

After that, the problem was coaching and Nene. We had the player to do better opening the floor and guarding S4s.
- Nene was horrible at closing out. He was the worse of Gooden, Hump and Nene at that. And the clogged the floor for Gortat who is a much better player.

Guarding the S4 ?.. we can go best shooting S4 but you need someone to guard S4 more.. on the other side, they just have to be a treat from distance to open the floor, not great at it. Gooden was good enough to do that, he just wasn't a good perimeter defender. Hump could open the floor some, but he never stepped behind the 3 line and there is a big difference between the long 2 and a 3. But Hump is a keeper as a PF/C..and once he extending too shooting some 3s next year, he will serve as a regular season PF that can stretch the floor.

So you can go for perimeter multi position defender that can guard S4s, and a guard that can defend that adds depth if Wall, Sessions or Beal go down and rim protecting center for Gortat that adds depth because Kevin is gone.

Then the issue is, trading Nene to get two smaller contracts to open up a slot and some cap. One that's smaller and expiring/buy out and the other a bench piece. That lowers the cap and opens a slot at back up center. Specially when you move Blair.

If they can dump 40-50% of Nene's contract, that would be excellent. While also getting ride of a player that doesn't want to play back up center, which is what we need.

[TheSecretWeapon]

Jerian Grant:

The question is - Can you pull that type of statistic on many other players?

I prefer Jones over Grant, but Grant has a lot going for him. And I don't think he's a boring player, because he's consistently shown the ability to play like a pure point guard - setting up his teammates beautifully - making the game look like poetry. I think he had problems when he tried to carry his team and become their prime scorer.

To be fair, I really don't have anything against Grant. He seems like he might pan out to be a useful rotation player. I just have a problem with drafting a backup PG with our top pick when we have greater needs at literally every other position on the roster. Sessions is a solid backup. We've got the position covered.

Pick the best player available. If that's Grant, then pick him. Sessions isn't a fixture on the roster, and backup PG is always a need. The Wizards "need" players at every position, realistically speaking.

That said, I'd be surprised if Grant was the BPA when the Wizards pick.

[FAH1223]

I think Grant will be taken before the Wizards.

I think Payne might drop to the Wiz pick.

With our luck all the stretch PFs will already be gone

I expect Grunfail to pick Harrell or Martin at #19.