NBA Draft Discussion: Wizards #1

[hedevil]

The word on the street was that if the Nets got pick #1 they would have a legitimate chance at landing Wall and convincing Lebron to go to NJ. (Maybe and maybe not). There's no chance at that now it looks like. As a Bulls fan, I hope the Knicks can give James an offer he can't refuse.

For anyone who doesn't know already, I don't like Lebron, as mentioned in another thread. I don't wish to further that discussion please, so bottom line, this is not welcomed news for me.

As for Washington, congratulations!

[greybeard]

Just out of curiousity, would you not take Wall because Arenas can't be moved? Because your argument for trade makes a lot of sense there. But if you would not take Wall no matter which team went first, I can't go with you on that one.

Wall is the real deal. I have no doubt about that. I don't worry about the injury part. He is a tough kid. He will learn when he can venture into the lane and when not too. But I do think he is a star in the making. If he ever gets a consistent jumper he will be close to unguardable.

Just like Chris Paul unguardable, which is to say injured badly and often. His game exposes him to too much punishment and I do not see players like that make a lasting impact because they cannot regularly last a season. Perhaps on a team that is loaded, aka the Celtics, and perhaps with someone like LeBron to take the heat, maybe.

But players who occupy the ball are all nice and stuff but they go down, ever more frequently these days. On a team with nothing much around him, I think that Wall would be an injury waiting to happen year in and year out and that you won't have to wait to long.

Teams that make investments without regard to this factor I believe are making huge misstakes. Arenas lasted longer than I'd expect but he is actually more compact and better put together than the longer Wall and look where Arenas is now. Look where Paulus is now. Heck, look where Williams is now. Injured, almost every season and significantly.

Nice on paper.

I think that you need a team that has a real coach, which the Zards had in Edie until Ernie forced him to play three-man ball on offense instead of the five-man pro version of the Princeton. Then you need some players with some smarts, some generosity of spirit, and you can construct a team that will be entertaining to watch and will make some noise. As long as there are superstars and some stacked teams like the Lakers and Celtics who have exceptional coaching and come up with a meaningful concept around which synergy can happen, those are the only teams with a real chance.

But the other teams can entertain. I only think that Wall will not be durable enough to entertain except in an environment much richer in talent and coaching than the Zards. I'd pass and get more players--the Zards need a lot of them, and a skinny kid who likes to occupy the rock and get to the rim and finish and dish can get them some.

Sorry, Wall, We Hardly Knew Ya.

[Dukefan4Life]

Although i am not a wizard fan, I am from the metro area and the wizards better take wall! this guy will be a top player for years to come

[Rudy]

I think they can play together. I would hope Arenas would come in a little humbled by the last 10 months and would be willing to play off the ball. Wall is 6-4 with a long wingspan, enough to guard the 2 in the NBA. He can also create on offense, thus taking a lot of pressure off of Arenas to dominate the ball.

This may mean that Arenas role will shift a little more to jump shooting. But with his knee, that may be where he is most useful anyway.

As a Wizard fan, this good news is very welcome amidst a dreary season (nba only). Perhaps I'm being overly optimistic, but this seems like it could work.

As a Bullets (aka Wizards) fan, I hope you're right. Arenas was never much interested in playing defense, so a move to SG for him would be a defensive liability unless Wall can take the opponent's SG.

BTW, Jamison was never much interested in defense either, as continued to be evidenced by his play in Cleveland. Back in the heady days of peak performance of Arenas/Jamison/Butler (about a half season, I think) they had enough offensive firepower to win without defense.

[UrinalCake]

I wonder if LeBron has enough pull to convince the Nets to trade up and get Wall as a contingency for signing with them. Maybe the offer the #3 pick and Brook Lopez to the Wizards for the #1. Then the Nets would have LeBron and Wall, and the Wizards would have a pretty good core with Arenas, Lopez, and someone like Cousins.

[Mal]

Very interested to see what Minny does. They are supposedly down on Cousins so not sure what they do. They have to be bummed they didn't land at top 3 pick.

Side note: T-Wolves have now been in the lottery 13 times. They've lost ground 7 times, and haven't once moved up from expected position! That's pretty remarkable bad luck. If it's considered a four-man draft and the Wolves come in with the third worst record, you can rest assured they'll draw the 5th pick. Compounds the awful management. Whomever they take at 4 will be the wrong choice.

[greybeard]

I wonder if LeBron has enough pull to convince the Nets to trade up and get Wall as a contingency for signing with them. Maybe the offer the #3 pick and Brook Lopez to the Wizards for the #1. Then the Nets would have LeBron and Wall, and the Wizards would have a pretty good core with Arenas, Lopez, and someone like Cousins.

Works for me. As I said, I don't think that the Wizards have the personnel to support and make really good use of Wall. I think that they need precisely the type of strength inside that you are talking about.

The only way if I am Ted that I take Wall is if I am going out and signing one of the bigs on the free agent market, which would be Mr. Bosh. While Bosh does not play big, big, he and Wall would mesh together in a running game and in two-man play. I don't see another player on the free agent market that would make Wall a logical pick were I Ted. Of course, I'm not, so we'll have to see. Please get rid of Ernie!

[David]

Also interesting to see the 76ers get the 2nd pick in the draft. I have followed Elton's pro career - he and the 76ers played below their talent last year. The 76ers have some good players including Jrue Holliday (pt guard of the future), Andre Iguodala, Elton, and Thaddeus Young (former Ga Tech player). I think they should pick Evan Turner and move Iggy to small forward. Thus, starting lineup would be Jrue, Turner, Iggy, Elton and Sam Dalembert. They are not winning a championship next season but they could make the playoffs and they have a nice backcourt to build on for the future.

I saw Doug Gottleib this morning on sportscenter suggest the sixers should draft Wesley Johnson. I disagree - the 76ers do not need another athletic forward. I guess an argument could also be made to draft Derrick Favors on potential with the idea Dalembert isn't that good and he is in the last yr of his contract. Paul Hewitt's coaching and Ga Tech's guard play last year makes it particularly hard to figure out what Favors might bring at the next level.

One other Duke connection w/ the 76ers is that all signs point towards Doug Collins getting hired as their new head coach.

[Big Pappa]

Also interesting to see the 76ers get the 2nd pick in the draft. I have followed Elton's pro career - he and the 76ers played below their talent last year. The 76ers have some good players including Jrue Holliday (pt guard of the future), Andre Iguodala, Elton, and Thaddeus Young (former Ga Tech player). I think they should pick Evan Turner and move Iggy to small forward. Thus, starting lineup would be Jrue, Turner, Iggy, Elton and Sam Dalembert. They are not winning a championship next season but they could make the playoffs and they have a nice backcourt to build on for the future.

I saw Doug Gottleib this morning on sportscenter suggest the sixers should draft Wesley Johnson. I disagree - the 76ers do not need another athletic forward. I guess an argument could also be made to draft Derrick Favors on potential with the idea Dalembert isn't that good and he is in the last yr of his contract. Paul Hewitt's coaching and Ga Tech's guard play last year makes it particularly hard to figure out what Favors might bring at the next level.

One other Duke connection w/ the 76ers is that all signs point towards Doug Collins getting hired as their new head coach.

I think they will most likely take Turner but I would rather see them take Favors. IMO Turner is going to be a bust at the number 2 pick. Not saying he won't be a solid contributor sometime in the future, but I think Favors has the chance to be a multiple-year all-star. I would honestly rather see them take Cousins to play alongside Elton instead on Turner. Favors or Cousins is the pick here IMO.

[ElSid]

I think they will most likely take Turner but I would rather see them take Favors. IMO Turner is going to be a bust at the number 2 pick. Not saying he won't be a solid contributor sometime in the future, but I think Favors has the chance to be a multiple-year all-star. I would honestly rather see them take Cousins to play alongside Elton instead on Turner. Favors or Cousins is the pick here IMO.

Disagree. Favors will probably not be ready for the NBA for 2-3 years. Evan Turner is ready right now. The guy is very good and I'm not sure why you think he'll be a bust. At 6'7", he's got great size. He's a proven high quality performer. He has a will to win. What about Evan Turner says bust to you? Meanwhile, Favors is really hard to judge because he played at GT with no real supporting cast. Cousins is a head case.

[Big Pappa]

Disagree. Favors will probably not be ready for the NBA for 2-3 years. Evan Turner is ready right now. The guy is very good and I'm not sure why you think he'll be a bust. At 6'7", he's got great size. He's a proven high quality performer. He has a will to win. What about Evan Turner says bust to you? Meanwhile, Favors is really hard to judge because he played at GT with no real supporting cast. Cousins is a head case.

First of all, I don't buy that he is 6'7". That point aside, there are many problems with Turner. The biggest one is what position he will play in the league. He can't play PG because he is not quick enough and not a good enough ball handler. He is big enough to play SF, even if he is 6'7" he is not strong enough to play that position in the league. That basically leaves SG. He simply does not shoot the ball well enough to play SG in the NBA. The most telling stat is that he had the second highest TO per game rate in all of college basketball. He is loose with the ball. There is no doubt he can make big plays and big shots (against people in college) but I simply think if taken as the number 2 spot he will be a bust. As I stated before, I think he can be a contributor but not an all-star or all-pro guy.

What makes you think Favors isn't ready? His body is ready and I think he will be a big contributor almost right away, maybe after a year but certainly not 2-3. Cousins liked to pout at UK but he isn't a head case. He didn't have a strong coach that was capable of dealing with him when he got in foul trouble or upset with refs. Cousins will be a big time player a few years down the road. But, IMO, it's better to draft a guy that can be a star in 2 years than a guy who will be a career role player, especially with the number 2 pick.

[ElSid]

First of all, I don't buy that he is 6'7". That point aside, there are many problems with Turner. The biggest one is what position he will play in the league. He can't play PG because he is not quick enough and not a good enough ball handler. He is big enough to play SF, even if he is 6'7" he is not strong enough to play that position in the league. That basically leaves SG. He simply does not shoot the ball well enough to play SG in the NBA. The most telling stat is that he had the second highest TO per game rate in all of college basketball. He is loose with the ball. There is no doubt he can make big plays and big shots (against people in college) but I simply think if taken as the number 2 spot he will be a bust. As I stated before, I think he can be a contributor but not an all-star or all-pro guy.

What makes you think Favors isn't ready? His body is ready and I think he will be a big contributor almost right away, maybe after a year but certainly not 2-3. Cousins liked to pout at UK but he isn't a head case. He didn't have a strong coach that was capable of dealing with him when he got in foul trouble or upset with refs. Cousins will be a big time player a few years down the road. But, IMO, it's better to draft a guy that can be a star in 2 years than a guy who will be a career role player, especially with the number 2 pick.

Yes, maybe he should be Evan Turner-over. I forgot about his penchant for TOs.

[TheBrianZoubekExperience]

I expect the Sixers to take Turner but Favors should definitely be in the mix. Are there any official measurements on favors or Turner? I agree Turner might be a little smaller than advertised but I worry about Favors being a little shorter too. Really hard to tell just watching these guys live and on TV but I do want to see the official measurements.

I do think Favors has the higher upside and is more likely to be an all star down the road. Turner duplicates Iggy/Thaddues Young a bit but is probably more ready to play now. I don't think either puts the Sixers over the top as a legit contender in the next few years so I'd be in favor of trading Iggy (depending on what they can get) now and trying to build with a young core of Jrue, Lou, Thad, the number 2 pick, Speights.

Not sure how they feel about Cousins but if they like him and Favors it opens of an interesting trade.

If the Sixers really do like Cousins more or are pretty close to indifferent than it might make sense for the Sixers and Minny to swap picks. Minny has two other first round picks in addition to the number 4 pick so they could offer a package to move up and take Turner or Favors.

[jipops]

I think they will most likely take Turner but I would rather see them take Favors. IMO Turner is going to be a bust at the number 2 pick. Not saying he won't be a solid contributor sometime in the future, but I think Favors has the chance to be a multiple-year all-star. I would honestly rather see them take Cousins to play alongside Elton instead on Turner. Favors or Cousins is the pick here IMO.

I'd agree here. Take the chance on Cousins' character issues and make him the 2nd pick. He's a legitimate center with bulk and skill on offense - kind of a rare combination in centers these days. Turner is a little iffy, reminds me a bit of Ed O'Bannon. On the other hand, the 6'ers could desperately use another wing scorer that can actually hit a perimeter shot which is where Turner does fit the bill. Still, a Cousins pick could possibly allow the 6'ers to offer Dalembert as trade bait for another guard.

[Big Pappa]

I'd agree here. Take the chance on Cousins' character issues and make him the 2nd pick. He's a legitimate center with bulk and skill on offense - kind of a rare combination in centers these days. Turner is a little iffy, reminds me a bit of Ed O'Bannon. On the other hand, the 6'ers could desperately use another wing scorer that can actually hit a perimeter shot which is where Turner does fit the bill. Still, a Cousins pick could possibly allow the 6'ers to offer Dalembert as trade bait for another guard.

I agree with everything you said except for the bolded part. They do need an outside shooter but Turner really doesn't fill that role. In three years at Ohio State he only made 54 three pointers (and that's from the college line). Just to put that in perspective, there were 30 guys in NCAA DI basketball that hit over 90 last year alone, including Scheyer who hit 94.

[theAlaskanBear]

IMHO, the Sixers should take a big man and not look back! They have only one pick in this draft, as the Bucks get their second round.

Elton is winding down his NBA career unfortunately, with these injuries. And an extra body will give them some more flexibility down low. the Sixers will in all likelihood resign Dalembert, but a smart GM would grab Favors, try to force a low contract extension for Samuel, and if he declines, then trade him (contract expires in 11).

[greybeard]

I think that Cousins has the best feet I have seen in a power forward. He moves them quickly, drop stepping either way with incredible quickness. His body is complete balance throughout. I like him an awful lot, above Favors, as an inside scorer.

[sagegrouse]

The Wizards intentionally "blew up" their team during the past season. After Arenas was sidelined, they got rid of former all-stars Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler plus center Brendan Heywood.

Now, having the #1 pick and lots of salary cap room, they need to rebuild the roster. The new owner, Ted Leonsis, has just announced that Ernie Grunfeld will remain as team president/GM and that Flip Sanders will return as coach.

Here's a start on a strategy, IMHO and, believe me, the H is fully aspirate:

Draft John Wall and pair him with Gilbert Arenas. Wall is the closest thing to a sure thing in the draft and a potential all-star within three years. You don't know what you are going to get from Gilbert, but he has been brilliant in the past and is basically untradeable unless you eat most of his salary. You hope he has grown up but don't have any illusions. I think they should keep Gilbert.

There is a real shortage of talent in the front court. They need to bring in one top player for the front court to make a real improvement over the team playing in 2010. And I seriously doubt they are a contender for a player like Chris Bosh.

The other problem to address is that the three highest scorers on the team are "head cases." That would be Arenas, Andray Blatche, and Josh Howard. So, in addition to adding talent in the front court, you have to worry about the locker room.

Brendan Haywood, free agent, may choose to return and could be part of the solution. Brendan has gotten better every year, but is still below average as a starting center.

Anyway, the Grouse opines that the Wiz should draft Wall, keep Arenas, and try to add one other top player.

sagegrouse

[UrinalCake]

Anyway, the Grouse opines that the Wiz should draft Wall, keep Arenas, and try to add one other top player.

How about drafting Zoubek in the second round 8-)

[Rudy]

And I seriously doubt they are a contender for a player like Chris Bosh.

The other problem to address is that the three highest scorers on the team are "head cases." That would be Arenas, Andray Blatche, and Josh Howard. So, in addition to adding talent in the front court, you have to worry about the locker room.

Brendan Haywood, free agent, may choose to return and could be part of the solution. Brendan has gotten better every year, but is still below average as a starting center.

Why not Bosh? Pollin, who probably didn't have a lot of respect from players as an owner (as a person, yes, but the Jordan fiasco didn't sit well with players), has passed and Leonsis has a good record of rebuilding the Caps.

Re head cases: Arenas will behave and be humble for a season, at least. Whether he can ever corral his ball-hogging is another question. I doubt Howard will be much of a problem, but who knows how well he'll recover from his injury and whether he can revive his steadily declining scoring output. I will be very surprised if Blatche ever plays in a Wizards uniform again, particularly if Saunders stays, as he should. Blatche played with open contempt for Flip in the last 20 or so games. We're glad he boosted his personal scoring stats (who cares about TO's and rebounds and defense, eh?) so some sucker will take him off our hands and give us something.

Haywood would be a welcome return. He rebounds fine and plays decent defense. If there are some scorers on the team his lack of offensive output wouldn't be noticed.