The Official Washington Basketball Thread: Wizards, Mystics etc

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Kanter seems like the only guy in this draft - outside of Irving - who could be a home run. (He could be a slow grounder back to the pitcher too).

I would be tempted to move up to get him just because every other option at 6 sounds like the 8th man in an 8-man rotation.

Kemba Walker seems like the type of undersized combo guard who never plays significant minutes in the NBA.

Edited June 15, 2011 by Lombardi's_kid_brother

[Destino]

Kanter seems like the only guy in this draft - outside of Irving - who could be a home run. (He could be a slow grounder back to the pitcher too).

I would be tempted to move up to get him just because every other option at 6 sounds like the 8th man in an 8-man rotation.

Kemba Walker seems like the type of undersized combo guard who never plays significant minutes in the NBA.

I think the best player is D-Will at small forward. He's a much better shooter then people think, can attack the basket, and is very fast for his size. He will score and be a difficult defensive match up in the NBA.

[Going Commando]

I think the best player is D-Will at small forward. He's a much better shooter then people think, can attack the basket, and is very fast for his size. He will score and be a difficult defensive match up in the NBA.

I agree. I'm just not as high on Irving as I was before. The past few weeks, I've been a lot higher on DWill than I was before. DWill had an amazing stretch run and tournament which is the kind of performance future NBA stars need to have. Reminded me of Carmelo at Syracuse a bit.

I didn't think he was all that fast before I rewatched some of his tournament highlights with the knowledge that he weighed in at 250 pounds and tied for the most bench reps in the class. He's got a pretty quick first step and is very light on his feet for being as heavy as he is. He's also a good ball handler and is a high flyer. He's a wealthy man's Michael Beasley IMO.

He's also a scorer and this class has very few of those. It's basically him, Kanter, Marshon Brooks, Klay Thompson, Walker, Fredette, and Alec Burks. Maybe Irving too. Most of those guys are backups.

Edited June 15, 2011 by stevemcqueen1

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Chad Ford's Latest NBA Mock Draft Has Wizards Taking Enes Kanter

Chad Ford just came out with his latest NBA Mock Draft, and in a bit of a stunner, he too has Enes Kanter falling into the Wizards' lap at No. 6. Here's his explanation:

The Wizards know they aren't taking a point guard -- not with John Wall in the fold. So the questions are: Who's the best player on the board and what do they need? The Wizards are very high on Vesely, but in this mock he's off the board.

Kawhi Leonard is an option. He brings toughness, defense and versatility to a team that can use all three attributes. But the Wizards are really looking for rebounding help up front and Kanter is a very good fit here. He's tough, he isn't afraid to be physical and he has good size. Tristan Thompson is a dark horse here as well.

Ford has Jonas Valanciunas going No. 4 to the Cavaliers, because he's hearing the Cavaliers are "cooling" on Kanter. He then has the Raptors taking Jan Vesely at No. 5. As many of you know, Draft Express has been pegging Kanter to D.C. for a while now.

This seems like a dream scenario of sorts, to be honest. It's also a bit surprising to me because from what I understand, Kanter is very much in play for Minnesota at No. 2, and dropping to No. 6 is a hard fall. But Ford definitely knows more than me, so who knows.

http://www.bulletsforever.com/

Edited June 15, 2011 by BRAVEONAWARPATH

[ACW]

This annoyed me:

Brendan Haywood, DeShawn Stevenson and Caron Butler, former Wizards, hugging after game, chanting, "Worst to first! Worst to first!"

Edited June 15, 2011 by ACW

[No Excuses]

No to Leonard. I can't stress enough how much I don't want wing players who can't shoot on this team. This team has enough spacing problems already. Besides Nick, we don't have a single good shooter on this team.

Edited June 15, 2011 by No Excuses

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

No to Leonard. I can't stress enough how much I don't want wing players who can't shoot on this team. This team has enough spacing problems already. Besides Nick, we don't have a single good shooter on this team.

According to many reports Leonard's been working on his jumpshot.

[Warhead36]

According to many reports Leonard's been working on his jumpshot.

I'd rather have someone who can already shoot. While shooting can be learned, as Vish said we're just so desperately in need of guys who can shoot that getting another perimeter player who can't is going to really hurt us.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

We continue to hear rumbling of trade opportunities at this spot, although there is skepticism on the No. 2 pick’s value this year. There is talk that Minnesota has offered Washington a swap of the Nos. 2 and 6 picks in a package that includes JaVale McGee, but that appears unlikely unless the Timberwolves part with more assets.

Cleveland could get involved here since team owner Dan Gilbert is a huge fan of Williams, but it’s unclear whether the Cavs would make Anderson Varejao available, a perquisite for any trade involving this pick.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Av3RJHyq9edr1RkfeV9s0oW8vLYF?slug=ycn-8648301

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

http://thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=746

I'm hearing the Utah Jazz really like Brandon Knight but aren't sure if they want him at No. 3 or to trade down. The interest may not be mutual from Brandon Knight, but he will reportedly be in Utah on Thursday for a private workout. We'll see how Knight and the Jazz feel about each other after that.

Even though the Jazz like Knight, they still might draft Enes Kanter as the best player available and look to trade.

The Jazz are actively looking for a trade partner at No. 4, No. 5 or No. 6. The problem is that those teams aren't sure Kanter will be gone before then if the Jazz pass on him.

A Wizards trade makes sense with the Jazz, but the Wizards think Kanter may slip to them and they'd still be happy with a few other guys.

---------- Post added June-16th-2011 at 03:32 PM ----------

NBA Draft Chatter: Fredette, Brooks Shine in Workouts

There were two incredibly important NBA Draft workouts on Wednesday with large lottery implications: Jimmer Fredette vs. Kemba Walker in Utah and Marshon Brooks vs. Alec Burks in Charlotte.

Fredette and Walker guarded each other in Utah, while Brooks and Burks guarded each other in Charlotte.

According to sources at both workouts, it was easy to determine a winner in both matchups.

A source at the Utah Jazz workout told me Jimmer Fredette was the best player in the workout and that Kemba Walker had trouble guarding him. The source also said that Fredette shot the ball really well and Walker didn't shoot well at all.

Multiple sources at the Charlotte Bobcats workout told me Marshon Brooks easily won his matchup and had his way with Burks. The sources said it really wasn't even all that close. Brooks apparently also had an impressive dunk on Burks at one point in the workout.

Besides Brooks and Burks, the other players in Wednesday's Bobcats workout were Darius Morris, Julyan Stone, Charles Jenkins and LaceDarius Dunn.

Besides Fredette and Walker, the other players in Wednesday's Jazz workout were Malcolm Lee, Paul Carter, Josh Harrellson and Senario Hillman.

Both of these developments on Wednesday are essential for how the NBA Draft might play out next week.

Brooks was originally thought to be a candidate for the Bobcats at No. 19, but with his impressive showing could he now be a serious candidate at No. 9? He also worked out in Chicago in front of representatives from the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Could the Bucks, who draft at No. 10, be interested in Brooks as well?

It's incredible how much Brooks' draft stock has improved since the NBA Draft process has begun. After the college basketball season ended, Brooks was originally thought to be a late 1st or early 2nd round pick.

Fredette and Walker were both in contention for the No. 12 pick. If the Jazz were to draft Enes Kanter or Derrick Williams at No. 3, they would almost certainly be considering Fredette and Walker at No. 12, as long as they were available. Now that Fredette apparently overshadowed Walker in Wednesday's workout, it's likely the Jazz would draft Jimmer over Kemba if both were still on the board.

But it's not just about No. 12. If the Jazz really want Jimmer, which is likely after his impressive showing on Wednesday and with his popularity in the state of Utah, they may not be able to get him at No. 12. He could go in the top 10. Would the Jazz really consider him at No. 3? That's unlikely, but they may have to at least think about it. Or would the Jazz need to trade up from No. 12 to get Jimmer?

Or maybe they'll be happy enough with Enes Kanter, Derrick Williams or Brandon Knight at No. 3 that they'll just hope Jimmer is available at No. 12.

http://thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=747

---------- Post added June-16th-2011 at 03:38 PM ----------

Apparently, Williams had a very solid workout for the Cavs and they're now considering him for the 1st overall pick.

[Going Commando]

I wouldn't package 6 and Javale for Kanter or Williams. That's far too much.

I don't think we'll have to trade up for Kanter. I still think there might be a way to get #2 without having to give up #6 or next year's lottery pick.

[Dukes and Skins]

Would be a fan of getting Brooks at 18 if still available

[Going Commando]

We're spoiled by John Wall and every once in a while I have a jarring moment where I realize that, especially when reading about other PGs. This is from a Ricky Rubio article where they project his numbers as a rookie in the NBA based off a complicated method of translating Euroleague stats into NBA numbers:

8.9 points per game

4.6 rebounds per game

7.3 assists per game

1.8 steals per game

The interesting part comes in the next sentence:

For a rookie point guard who will turn 21 just before the season, those would be excellent numbers. Rubio is unlikely to be effective as a scorer -- Ridnour averaged 11.8 points in the same minutes -- but this projection would put him just outside the league's top 10 in assists per game and comfortably in the top 10 in steals.

Wow. My first reaction to seeing those numbers was that it was pretty ho hum stuff. Then I realized, no that should be considered excellent. It's just that no one else can hold a candle to Wall. What a hoss.

[argentina_redskins]

This is my personal opinion, but I don't think McGee will ever develop into a Top10-15 caliber center. While he might have the talent and the athleticism, he just does not seem smart enough to ever put it all together.

I would love to get Derrick Williams at 2, and sign a guy like Nene to play the 5.

[StillUnknown]

This is my personal opinion, but I don't think McGee will ever develop into a Top10-15 caliber center. While he might have the talent and the athleticism, he just does not seem smart enough to ever put it all together.

I would love to get Derrick Williams at 2, and sign a guy like Nene to play the 5.

as "not finished" as McGee is, he's already top 10-15 center in the league, it speaks more to how weak the position is in the NBA now

[Going Commando]

as "not finished" as McGee is, he's already top 10-15 center in the league, it speaks more to how weak the position is in the NBA now

Agreed. The position is weak, but McGee is definitely a top 15 center. He's a top 10 center. He's a top 5 center in the East.

---------- Post added June-16th-2011 at 01:33 PM ----------

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1∑=1&p1=walljo01&y1=2011&p2=rosede01&y2=2009&p3=paulch01&y3=2006&p4=willide01&y4=2006&p5=westbru01&y5=2009&p6=rondora01&y6=2007

Rk Player From To G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS

1 Chris Paul 2006 2006 78 78 36.0 5.2 12.1 .430 0.6 2.3 .282 5.1 6.0 .847 0.8 4.3 5.1 7.8 2.2 0.1 2.3 2.8 16.1

2 Rajon Rondo 2007 2007 78 25 23.5 2.4 5.8 .418 0.1 0.4 .207 1.5 2.4 .647 0.9 2.8 3.7 3.8 1.6 0.1 1.8 2.3 6.4

3 Derrick Rose 2009 2009 81 80 37.0 7.1 14.9 .475 0.2 0.9 .222 2.4 3.1 .788 1.2 2.7 3.9 6.3 0.8 0.2 2.5 1.5 16.8

4 John Wall 2011 2011 69 64 37.8 5.8 14.1 .409 0.5 1.7 .296 4.4 5.7 .766 0.5 4.1 4.6 8.3 1.8 0.5 3.8 2.5 16.4

5 Russell Westbrook 2009 2009 82 65 32.5 5.3 13.4 .398 0.4 1.6 .271 4.3 5.2 .815 2.2 2.7 4.9 5.3 1.3 0.2 3.3 2.3 15.3

6 Deron Williams 2006 2006 80 47 28.8 4.2 10.1 .421 1.1 2.7 .416 1.2 1.7 .704 0.4 2.0 2.4 4.5 0.8 0.2 1.8 2.9 10.8

How Wall managed to average so many assists with far and away the worst supporting cast of any of these rookies is beyond me. He's near the top of the list in most stats. IIRC he's also the only one of these guys who was a team captain as a rookie.

Here is him against some older competition:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1∑=1&p1=walljo01&y1=2011&p2=nashst01&y2=1997&p3=thomais01&y3=1982&p4=kiddja01&y4=1995&p5=stockjo01&y5=1985&p6=paytoga01&y6=1991

Rk Player ▴ From To G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS

1 Jason Kidd 1995 1995 79 79 33.8 4.2 10.8 .385 0.9 3.3 .272 2.4 3.5 .698 1.9 3.5 5.4 7.7 1.9 0.3 3.2 1.8 11.7

2 Steve Nash 1997 1997 65 2 10.5 1.1 2.7 .423 0.4 0.8 .418 0.6 0.8 .824 0.2 0.7 1.0 2.1 0.3 0.0 1.0 1.4 3.3

3 Gary Payton 1991 1991 82 82 27.4 3.2 7.0 .450 0.0 0.2 .077 0.8 1.2 .711 1.3 1.6 3.0 6.4 2.0 0.2 2.2 3.0 7.2

4 John Stockton* 1985 1985 82 5 18.2 1.9 4.1 .471 0.0 0.1 .182 1.7 2.4 .736 0.3 1.0 1.3 5.1 1.3 0.1 1.8 2.5 5.6

5 Isiah Thomas* 1982 1982 72 72 33.8 6.3 14.8 .424 0.2 0.8 .288 4.2 6.0 .704 0.8 2.1 2.9 7.8 2.1 0.2 4.2 3.5 17.0

6 John Wall 2011 2011 69 64 37.8 5.8 14.1 .409 0.5 1.7 .296 4.4 5.7 .766 0.5 4.1 4.6 8.3 1.8 0.5 3.8 2.5 16.4

[Popeman38]

This is my personal opinion, but I don't think McGee will ever develop into a Top10-15 caliber center. While he might have the talent and the athleticism, he just does not seem smart enough to ever put it all together.

I would love to get Derrick Williams at 2, and sign a guy like Nene to play the 5.

He finished 2nd in the league in total blocked shots (193) and 2nd in the league in blocks per game (2.58). SECOND. That means that he prevented 2.58 baskets per game, and lord knows how many other shots he altered. People love to hate on him, but he is just a pup still. He is 23 years old. The only player I would trade McGee for is Dwight Howard. All the other Cs are older, and not nearly as athletic. McGee has a chance to be an absolute beast runnin with Wall. Look at what he did at the All Star slam dunk contest.

[Warhead36]

Blocks aren't everything. McGee has really low basketball IQ and as a result does a ton of stupid stuff on the court. I remember him giving up a lot of easy baskets as well. And the dunk contest just means he's athletic, it doesn't mean he's going to be a great C.

I'm not saying McGee is garbage, he is what he is: a young, talented but extremely raw C. I'd probably trade him straight up for the #2 pick to get Derrick Williams but I wouldn't give up both McGee and the 6th pick.

[StillUnknown]

Blocks aren't everything. McGee has really low basketball IQ and as a result does a ton of stupid stuff on the court. I remember him giving up a lot of easy baskets as well. And the dunk contest just means he's athletic, it doesn't mean he's going to be a great C.

I'm not saying McGee is garbage, he is what he is: a young, talented but extremely raw C. I'd probably trade him straight up for the #2 pick to get Derrick Williams but I wouldn't give up both McGee and the 6th pick.

I'd go as high as McGee & 18 for #2

[Going Commando]

Those are the best PGs I can think of from the past few decades. Looking at the numbers, I think the only rookie who you can make a strong case had a better year than Wall is Chris Paul. I think Isiah probably presents a strong case too, but I think the fact that Wall beats him in 3P %, FT %, rebounding by a lot, blocks, turnovers, and assists is enough to offset the minor differences in FG %, scoring, and steals.

Rose's ridiculous FG% aside, I think the fact that Wall beats him so soundly in almost everything else but scoring and turnovers is enough to tip it for Wall. After that, Wall basically makes all of the other PG rookies look like scrubs in comparison, which is interesting because his supporting cast is probably the worst of any of them and he was only 20 and a lot of these other guys are older and Rose, Stockton, Payton, and Nash all played for playoff teams as rookies.

[argentina_redskins]

First, I am glad everyone here is so high on him. I have really tried to root for him and he makes me a believer for 2-3 games at times, but then the same issues keep coming back up. Stats do not tell the whole picture. He is probably the worst defensive Center in the East and it seems that all his opponents have figured out what his moves on D are (he usually tries to jump to block the shot, so they just fake it and drive past him). I really hope he can work on it, and now that I think about it, I'd give him this whole season as a starter to see if he can't develop it, but I would like for the Wiz to compete in 12-13 and I don't want a project at Center then.

[Going Commando]

McGee is going to settle into a quality center, there's really no doubt about that in my mind. Once he started getting regular minutes after the All Star break, he was a 12 and 10 guy shooting over 56% with 2 and a half blocks a game, capable of giving you 4 or 5 offensive rebounds a night without breaking a sweat. That's the kind of player he'll become on a regular basis and teams can do much, much worse than that at center. He's not an All Star but he'll be an upper echelon center.

At this point in his career he's actually farther along than Tyson Chandler was. That's the kind of player he'll become eventually. Here is McGee versus Chandler from rookie season to age 23:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1∑=1&p1=chandty01&y1=2002&p2=chandty01&y2=2006&p3=mcgeeja01&y3=2009&p4=mcgeeja01&y4=2011

Rk Player From To G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS

1 Tyson Chandler 2002 2006 340 167 24.4 2.5 4.8 .511 0.0 0.0 .000 2.1 3.4 .615 2.6 5.1 7.7 0.9 0.6 1.4 1.5 3.1 7.1

2 JaVale McGee 2009 2011 214 108 20.1 3.2 6.1 .523 0.0 0.0 .000 1.5 2.4 .620 2.0 3.5 5.5 0.4 0.4 1.7 1.0 2.4 7.8

Pretty close. Chandler was a 5th year vet at that point though. Here is Chandler from a rookie to year 3 versus McGee:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1∑=1&p1=chandty01&y1=2002&p2=chandty01&y2=2004&p3=mcgeeja01&y3=2009&p4=mcgeeja01&y4=2011

Rk Player From To G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS

1 Tyson Chandler 2002 2004 181 107 22.1 2.6 5.2 .502 0.0 0.0 .000 2.2 3.5 .618 2.0 4.2 6.2 0.8 0.5 1.3 1.5 2.7 7.4

2 JaVale McGee 2009 2011 214 108 20.1 3.2 6.1 .523 0.0 0.0 .000 1.5 2.4 .620 2.0 3.5 5.5 0.4 0.4 1.7 1.0 2.4 7.8

Extremely close, but Javale is just a bit better in almost every way. The only things Chandler beats him in are .7 in defensive rebounding and .4 in assists.

[argentina_redskins]

McGee is going to settle into a quality center, there's really no doubt about that in my mind. Once he started getting regular minutes after the All Star break, he was a 12 and 10 guy shooting over 56% with 2 and a half blocks a game, capable of giving you 4 or 5 offensive rebounds a night without breaking a sweat. That's the kind of player he'll become on a regular basis and teams can do much, much worse than that at center. He's not an All Star but he'll be an upper echelon center.

At this point in his career he's actually farther along than Tyson Chandler was. That's the kind of player he'll become eventually. Here is McGee versus Chandler from rookie season to age 23:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1∑=1&p1=chandty01&y1=2002&p2=chandty01&y2=2006&p3=mcgeeja01&y3=2009&p4=mcgeeja01&y4=2011

Rk Player From To G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS

1 Tyson Chandler 2002 2006 340 167 24.4 2.5 4.8 .511 0.0 0.0 .000 2.1 3.4 .615 2.6 5.1 7.7 0.9 0.6 1.4 1.5 3.1 7.1

2 JaVale McGee 2009 2011 214 108 20.1 3.2 6.1 .523 0.0 0.0 .000 1.5 2.4 .620 2.0 3.5 5.5 0.4 0.4 1.7 1.0 2.4 7.8

Pretty close. Chandler was a 5th year vet at that point though. Here is Chandler from a rookie to year 3 versus McGee:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1∑=1&p1=chandty01&y1=2002&p2=chandty01&y2=2004&p3=mcgeeja01&y3=2009&p4=mcgeeja01&y4=2011

Rk Player From To G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS

1 Tyson Chandler 2002 2004 181 107 22.1 2.6 5.2 .502 0.0 0.0 .000 2.2 3.5 .618 2.0 4.2 6.2 0.8 0.5 1.3 1.5 2.7 7.4

2 JaVale McGee 2009 2011 214 108 20.1 3.2 6.1 .523 0.0 0.0 .000 1.5 2.4 .620 2.0 3.5 5.5 0.4 0.4 1.7 1.0 2.4 7.8

Extremely close, but Javale is just a bit better in almost every way. The only things Chandler beats him in are .7 in defensive rebounding and .4 in assists.

The stats may seem nice and everything, but if you watch games every night you can tell that his defensive performance is extremely poor and there seems to be no improvement in that category. Blatche's lack of defense probably doesn't help, though.

[Popeman38]

The stats may seem nice and everything, but if you watch games every night you can tell that his defensive performance is extremely poor and there seems to be no improvement in that category. Blatche's lack of defense probably doesn't help, though.

Defensive performance? His def stats make him a top 15 C. You can argue that C has depreciated recently, but he is a top 15 C.

[WALL-LE]

no because if you watch him play a game last season, he blows at playing defense and gets constantly worked by everyone down low.

---------- Post added June-16th-2011 at 02:07 PM ----------

regardless of what your stats say, he blows right now.