If the Wizards land the No. 1 pick, Griffin is a no-brainer. And Rubio appears to be a lock at No. 2. Washington has a 35.16 percent chance of landing one of the top two picks, so is it Griffin, Rubio or bust?
Not necessarily. According to a high-ranking league executive familiar with the Wizards' front office thinking, Washington could use the third pick to draft a player like Hill or possibly Jennings or Curry. But if they get the fourth or fifth pick, they're more likely to try to trade it as part of a package deal.
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Jake Whitacre
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hmmm...
There are all sorts of “insider” info released by the press that doesn’t have any validity, but for the sake of fun let’s say this does.
The way it’s worded suggests the Wizards have their eye on someone specific in the 3rd round, but the article really only speculates who it is. Otherwise if there really are a few players they’re considering at the 3 (assuming Griffin and Rubio are already taken) it makes sense to consider them at the 4 & 5 spot as well. So if this article speaks the truth (and I’m sure very few if any have a good look into Grunfeld’s thinking so I tend to doubt it), the Wizards covet 3 playes in this draft – Griffin, Rubio and a 3rd.
This story seems like smoke to me. Curry at 3? I think that’s the first time I’ve heard him in single digits.
Of course it’s better than EG saying “everyone after 2 sucks, who wants to trade for my pick #3?”
by MR on May 19, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
yep
The Post article today includes Grunfeld quotes that imply he might want to hold on to the pick. Who really knows, but one thing’s for sure if he’d prefer to trade the pick he’s not going to let it be known.
by Johnnie Futbol on May 19, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Apparently the Knicks love curry
Rumor has it, the reason he entered the draft was because the Knicks guaranteed curry he would not fall past their pick
for what thats worth. Clearly curry in the top 5 is a reach, unless he grows to 6’6….
by Blatche4MVP on May 19, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
What would Ernie have to gain by broadcasting his intentions like this? At the same time, it makes a world of sense for him to try to fake everyone into thinking he likes someone else. I’d be happy with Jennings, Hill, or Harden with the third pick, but I doubt we’ll find out if Ernie is until the day of the draft.
by pantslessyoda1 on May 19, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Pretty sure this is fixed
Which I think is good for the Wiz, b/c it would be of better interest for the NBA, but…
Lebron to Cleveland
Rose to Chicago
Ewing to New York
hard not to think its fixed, hopefully we get the cold ping pong balls
From Richmond to the District
Well I wish they would go back to having this counducted in public
Because while that will never quite the conspiracy theories, it would increase public confidence that the lottery isn’t rigged. You talk about rigging what about the Magic winning the lottery two years in a row? I heard all kinds of conspiracy talk about that one.
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on May 19, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree they should go public.
Why not? Because the intense drama of the event would be ruined?
That clip, however is the mother of many conspiracy theories. Look at how one particular envelope hits the side of the bin and the corner gets bent as it is placed inside. Watch how Stern reaches in and overturns a pile of envelopes to get to the one with the bent corner.
by MR on May 19, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
If it's fixed, Griffin goes to Oklahoma
And Rubio will most likely go to Sacramento, since they’re a franchise in financial trouble that’s traditionally had very devoted fans, plus they’re in desperate need a good point guard.
by pantslessyoda1 on May 19, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah
Rubio – who will be a star in the NBA, will go to New York….
and Griffin will go to Oklahoma.
So, if I were a conspiracy theorist, I’d say Oklahoma gets #1, and New Yorkk gets #2 tonight.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
That was my guess too. OKC & NY (or NJ)
Sacto is a small market with no local hero in the lottery. The NBA has already proved that it is willing to put in the fix AGAINST Sacto (see WC Finals 2002).
by MR on May 19, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
too easy
Haven’t the Knicks done poorly in the lottery since the Ewing pick? Stern needs a jolt for the small markets so OKC would fit. My guess is Indiana or Memphis. Griffin would fill the Griz’s hole at PF. He’d be playing with Conley, Mayo, Rudy, and Marc Gasol. Rubio would re-inforce the Spanish Link to Memphis. Indiana already has the system in place to surround Griffin with 3 point shooters and play a lot like Orlando. That crowd would love Rubio.
The other conspiracy would be Stern sending the best talent to one of two teams that are only in the lottery because of Superstar and multiple starter injuries. The Duncan conspiracy. That could mean Phoenix or your Washington Wizards.
Thats whats great about conspiracies. No matter the outcome there will be someone somewhere with a story on why the NBA chose those teams.
Why would the league benefit from sending potential marquee players to small markets?
OKC kind of makes sense because of the local angle, but I’m not sure that really holds water either.
Stern likes dynasties (or as close as he can get) so DC might make sense, but I think Phoenix wouldn’t fit into that scenario.
I think NJ (Brooklyn?) is a possibility too.
by MR on May 19, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
If the lottery was fixed, which it isn't (at least not anymore)
I’m not entirely sure Stern would want Griffin to go to OKC. He’s got a great guy to market in Durant, why would he want to clutter that up with a guy who’d likely be even more popular locally?
Now writing for Ridiculous Upside, now with more draft coverage.
Not sure I disagree about OKC. However if there is a conspiracy, the evidence points to the NBA liking stars to remain close to home when practical. There is also the thought that OKC is a new (sort of) franchise etc.
by MR on May 19, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
If fixed, Griffin to OK would probably be correct
But Rubio would not go to the Kings. As someone who lives in traditional Kings territory (an hour south of Sacramento), I’ve noticed that there are no longer any Kings fans left now that they suck. Many turned into Warriors fans a couple years ago, but now the Warriors aren’t any good either. Most either stopped caring about the NBA or became Laker fans. There’s definitely way more Lakers memorabilia at the mall here than Kings stuff, just a few years after the Lakers were the most hated team around these parts.
The NY guesses sound about right, but my guess is they don’t fix any more than just the first pick, if that.
With the Above Comments Taken Into Account
Does that explain what Ernie means when he says:
I see five players out there that could make an impact on this team. … It’s not as deep a draft, but there are still some talented players if you’re picking in the top 10. You just might have to wait a little longer for some of those players [to develop].
Five players he thinks can make an impact on the Wizards? Is he just trying to fool other GMs into valuing the Wizards pick, like pantslessyoda said above, or are there really five players Ernie would draft and keep? If so, who are the other three players?
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
James Harden
Stephen Curry
and Jordan Hill or Hasheem Thabeet
Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!
by Evander holyfield on May 19, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Is That a Guess?
Or has Ernie said something about each of those above to make you think that?
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
"There are ... talented players if you are picking in the top 10"
I thought that was an interesting quote from Ernie. It echoed what Jonathan Givony of draftexpress said in his most recent podcast, that there is a break after the 10th or 11th spots in terms of talent. That would seem to indicate that (1) Grunfeld would not be interested in trading down past pick 10; and/or (2) teams would be willing to pay a premium to trade up into the top 10. So when people are talking about this not being a deep draft, they are not only talking about Griffin being the only sure thing, but that the talent dips significantly after the top 10.
Which is Bigger?
The gap between Griffin/Rubio and the other 8 of the top 10, or the gap between the top 10 and the rest?
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
There are some good players in the lower half of the 1st round
They’re just not “Starting quality”… Good, experienced fundamentally sound players that will become good, experienced fundamentally sound bench players.
Tyler Hansbrough, Darren Collison, Sam Young, Patrick Mills, Danny Green are some of the guys I like. Each one brings some skill that will translate well to the NBA. All of them are fundamentally sound, and have experience at a major College playing against high level competition. (Most are Juniors or Seniors). And most importantly, each of them can defend; one skill that all Coaches hold in high regard.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I'm probably completely off my rocker
But I think Thabeet is quite a prize in this draft, so I think the first real drop off comes after him. Maybe he doesn’t have the potential of Griffin or Rubio, but a 7’3" athletic big man like Thabeet is pretty enticing.
by Johnnie Futbol on May 19, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Granted, almost everything you hear about any potential draft pick is fluff and should be taken with a grain of salt, but Thabeet really has looked like a decent, hardworking guy. I think that the Dalembert comparisons are pretty good as far as his stats and playing style, although he seems more coachable and like he should be a better offensive player simply as a result of being three or four inches taller than everyone else. He’s obviously not a franchise guy like Griffin or Rubio, but he seems like a future legitimate starting center who would do really well on a team with a couple of great wings or a high post power forward. Oklahoma City seems like a perfect fit for him, although I don’t know how fast he is running the floor.
by pantslessyoda1 on May 19, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
he tall
In the absence of overwhelming talent teams will chose the tall guy. Bogut, Shawn Bradley, Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, Michael Olawakandi to name a few. It helps that Thabeet is such a great shot blocker. He’ll go at 3 or 4. Getting the 3rd pick might be the fastest way to turnover the dead weight on this roster.
Yep
At the same time, the only players we have who would really be worth trading are Deshawn and Pech, since Mike James and Etan’s contract should get us back under the luxury tax if we let them expire.
by pantslessyoda1 on May 19, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Other expiring
Add Songalia to that list if Ernie gets a reserve F in return.
I thought Jake’s idea of getting Tim Thomas (and his expiring contract) made better use of that salary chunk than paying Mike James.
BH and Tim Thomas in contract years would be a sight to see.
Please, Lord, not Stephen Curry
Curry is going to have the same problems as JJ Redick and Juan Dixon. I just don’t think he’ll be able to successfully play point or defend at the next level.
Redick has done pretty well defensively this post-season, he (and Lee) really helped shut down Ray Allen.
The funny thing about that series is that Reddick wasn't even shooting well
Like, he seemed to do everything that he wasn’t supposed to be able to do very well, while sucking at the things he did well. I’m almost surprised he didn’t at some point dunk through contact and then miss the free throw.
by pantslessyoda1 on May 19, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I see the comparison
But I think that Curry’s a lot better than Juan Dixon ever was, plus he seems to have some point guard skills. I wouldn’t be surprised if he busts, but he seems like he has more of a shot at success than either of those two ever had.
by pantslessyoda1 on May 19, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Curry is going to be a much better player than Dixon...
His 3 point range is far more consistent and his basketball lineage is going to matter as well.
Reddick is a closer comparison, but I think Curry has more dimensions to his game.
FYI, I just got really excited about the lottery tonight
independent of anything that might happen to the Wizards.
Now writing for Ridiculous Upside, now with more draft coverage.
I'm not one that believes in conspiracy theories.
That being said, if Blake Griffin goes to OKC and Rubio goes to NY, I’m done with the NBA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk


















