2011 NBA Mock Draft: Ranking Wizards Prospects With Three Days To Go

If we could buy a pick in the 20s, is he worth that shot?

Valanciunas is a better defensive rebounder than Biyombo.

If you prefer Biyombo, it should be because of his intangibles, his instinctive feel for team defensive positioning/rotations and his vocal nature as a “quarterback” of the defense.

sure, he may play some 4 in the league. but he’s built exactly like you want a 3 to be built, and moves just like you’d want a 3 to move.

than offense. because like guys like jamison, the issue will be speed to guard 3s and size to guard 4s. the only big difference is that unlike jamison, williams has the strength to guard 4s. he’s a lot stronger than jamison. so i can see williams being able to guard 4s. rebounding is a good point though, though rodman was an undersized 4 who rebounded better than everybody through desire.

an awful defensive player, because he’s too slow to guard 3s and too small to guard 4s. so jamison was solid as a 6th man back in the day, and he can give you some instant offense off the bench, but you saw his shortcomings last year in the playoffs when KG scored on him whenever he wanted to.

we’ve never seen anybody play the way he does around the basket. he’s got all those crazy scoop shots and deceptive moves. so offensively, it’s a tough comparison.

derrick williams lacks melo’s first step.

it will be hard to draft Vucevik with Tyler’s vastly superior athleticism sitting there

Mostly wishful thinking on my part. But I’ll be happy with just netting Williams and Biyombo in the lottery, and taking whoever falls to us at 18. I think Wall & Williams could form a potent duo, and Biyombo could complement them well with his defense and dirty work

is that he led the Euroleague in total rebounding percentage at 22.7% (and TS% too).

http://www.in-the-game.org/?page_id=9936

They were rumored to be interested in Kemba….maybe that’s too high up but I did read that there were at least a couple of teams that were interested in moving up

But that would be ALL defense, not directly addressing our scoring issues at all…wouldn’t be the worst thing though I guess

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/draft/players/1831123/jan-vesely

Scouting Report

Positives: Vesely plays within the team concept, making him a nice fit as a combo forward once his game matures fully … Has to improve his core strength, but shows good court quickness for a player his size, along with big hands, long reach and a large wing span to potentially alter shots (once he improves his leaping ability and timing when elevating) … More comfortable scoring around the basket and has success on putbacks and broken plays … Still better with his inside game, but has shown marked improvement as a perimeter shooter the last two years (made just 14.7 percent of his treys two years ago, but after working on a higher and quicker release point, those numbers improved to 31.6 percent in 2009-10 and 31.3 percent in 2010-11) … All-out hustler who has become a crowd favorite for the way he hustles after loose balls and takes charges … Knows how to use his size to his advantage vs. other small forwards, as he can dominate those men with his improved low post game (has made 66.85 percent of his field goals from around the basket, compared to 29.6 percent from the perimeter) … His low post skills have resulted in success scoring in transition and also shows good “hops” on his dunks) … His higher release has resulted in a much more fluid follow-through and his large hands have also been beneficial scoring on catch-and-shoot situations … Might get bounced out of the paint when trying to establish his position vs. NBA big men, but has good lateral quickness and stays low in his stance … Looks comfortable moving without the ball and has a smooth, quick release when handling assignments in transition … Efficient slasher with very good lateral agility, getting down the court on the fast break … Agile for a player his size with good court awareness, especially when working with a point guard on pick-and-roll plays … Has just an adequate vertical leap, but his length leads to blocked shots against perimeter players … Can go above the rim to secure the rebound, but is not good at pushing the opponent out around the paint … Still a work in progress, but showed a better understanding of post offense and is developing a decent touch from six to eight feet from the basket … Best when playing close to the basket and shows good coordination … Gets many of his rebounds on second and third effort (would still like to see more aggression is his game when trying to establish position in the paint) … Not a classic banger, but has the quickness to stay with small forwards … His long wingspan is an asset; is developing a half hook shot.

Negatives: His athleticism and potential are worthy of lottery consideration, but financials might be a roadblock — Vesely is under contract to Partizan until 2013 and an NBA team must be confident it can buy out his deal before using an early first-round pick to acquire him … Lacks the core strength to withstand the rigors of an NBA schedule and could be more inviting for a team to use a mid-first-round pick on him, with intentions of keeping him in Europe for another season … If his NBA arrival is sooner rather than later, he’s best served on a team featuring depth. At present, he’s a role player who’d benefit from brief spurts of minutes at both forward spots … Must improve his shooting mechanics from the free throw line, as he is one of the worst performers from the “charity stripe” in this draft (made just 55.4 percent of his free throws during his career and is down to just 47.5 percent this season) … As stated, his core strength is marginal, perhaps the reason for his lack of a “back to the basket” skill game, and even at 240 pounds, his frame looks frail (poor muscle definition) … Not too creative off the dribble and is turnover prone when he tries to keep the ball on the floor for more than a few bounces … Despite his long reach and big wing span, he is not an efficient rebounder (3.49 rebounds per game for his career) and has to develop better aggression under the boards and establishing position underneath (very hesitant operating on the block, failing to prevent the centers and power forwards from pushing him around at will) … Gets bounced out of the paint often by the more physical big men and seems slow of foot when he has to move out on the perimeter to defend … Lacks a strong offensive game, getting most of his points on put-backs and broken plays … Marginal passer, as he seems to lack vision, especially when trying the kick the ball out vs. a pressure defense … Predictable shooter who favors his left side too much and when forced to fade back, he gets off-balance attempting a mid-range jumper.

Compares To: TONI KUKOC, ex-NBA — An NBA team could be rewarded for its patience if willing to wait for Vesely’s game to develop in the Euro Leagues for another year. Like Kukoc, he might be better served coming off the bench as a combo forward. Both his offensive skills and defensive game are still developing and will be greatly enhanced when he adds needed core strength. He is a big, mobile and quick player with nimble feet who just needs great coaching to unearth his hidden talents.