NBA Draft Links: Jan Vesely's Girlfriend Steals the Show

by Sean Fagan on Jun 24, 2011 10:42 AM EDT in Draft

Attending the draft night was an exceedingly weird event, especially watching it unfold as a spectator rather than a guy with backstage access. Suffice to say that if you are an NBA fan, its something you should do once, if only for the chance to lustily boo David Stern at every opportunity. It is also the one time in your life that you will get to hear "Bismack Biyombo" spoken in a completely sonorous tone. I would wait, however, until the event moves back to MSG because as much as I love Brick City (Newark), it definitely stole a bit of the event's mojo.

As for the draft itself, I don't want to be too much of a Debbie Downer, but I feel like we have seen this script before. A really tall skinny guy with freakish athleticism but not much in the way of a post game or jumpshot? (JaVale 2.0, Pech 1.5) Check. A defense first guy who vows to get revenge on the league? Check. (Taser 3.0) A COMBO GUARD? After a bit, these all seem to be the same iterations of Ernie Grunfeld's cheat sheet repeated ad infinitum until the universe collapses in upon itself. We could all be staring into the abyss and Ernie would still find a way to draft a backup guard who excels at neither backcourt position. It also shows a lack of imagination on Grunfeld's part to stick to position and just go with the BPA. Yes, I know that the Wolves/Jazz ect. were also asking for a King's Ransom for their respective picks but it also concerns me that we once again tread water and accepted our lot.

This is all of course a bit tongue in cheek, Vesely is most likely better than Pech and Singleton is miles ahead of McGuire. But I can't shake the feeling that the two things that the Wizards desperately needed in this draft (scoring, rebounding) remained unaddressed. If anything, last night strengthened the bargaining position of JaVale McGee and Nick Young. For now, all I can do is hope for the best and pre-order my Vesely jersey.

On to the links!

SBNation - Did you know enough yet about Jan Vesely's girfriend?

Truthaboutit - No, I'm serious. Would you like to know more?

Ball Don't Lie - At this point, its going to become a meme.

WaPo (Tracee Hamilton edition) - Wizards draft equal TEH WIN!

WaPo (Michael Lee edition) - Wizards complete their shopping list at the draft.

ESPN (Chad Ford - Insider required) - Wizards get an A!

HoopsHype - Likens young Jan to AK-47.

CBSSports - An A+! You can't even get those anymore!

Much more later as the grades roll in. Obviously, this is a report card that the Wizards want to take home to mother.

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Comments

Well it is what it is...

I hope Saunders take the Calhoun approach and preach defense, defense, and more DEFENSE for this young team. We have a bunch of defensive guys now. Let Wall, Crawford, and Young provide the offense and everyone else should just be thinking about rebounding (the big men), defense, and hustling.

by ATLredskin on Jun 24, 2011 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

But where do Dray and JaVale fit into that philosphy?

The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.

by Sean Fagan on Jun 24, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

man F Dray...

trade him to a team we think will have a lottery pick next year. Javale is still the center though. Let Vesely, Booker, Singleton rotate at the SF-PF positions. We are not winning championships with this group though. We still need some big men in the paint. When is Roy Hibbert contract up….

by ATLredskin on Jun 24, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Javale fits perfectly if he's committed to it.

Blatche if committed to being a team guy and being in shape can provide offense before the rest, but likelihood that he commits to anything positive is low. because of that…he don’t fit with that philosophy or with the Wiz in the future.

by Staybon on Jun 24, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure I agree

considering that both play exceptionally poor defense.

The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.

by Sean Fagan on Jun 24, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

That's not what he's going to do though, and that's not what Ernie wants.

Look at the players we pick….THAT’S the type of team EG is trying to build. At this point I would say we cant even complain about rebounding and interior defense anymore….not when the GM is using the 6th pick on a guy like Vesely. If this team cant rebound or be inside, that’s Ernie fault…or design

by DCrez on Jun 24, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Another attempt at revitalizing Phoenix East

Which would be interesting….in theory, but we still need shooters.

The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.

by Sean Fagan on Jun 24, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Amazes me that Dray and Javale go into next season with no real competition.

Obviously I’m a Mcgee fan….but man, at some point not having players to push these two guys is doing them a disservice. Our prized pick is a 6’11" player who makes them look like interior beasts. I just dont get it.

Suns East again, indeed. Let’s hope Flip is on the fasttrack to squeezing 106pts/night out of this crew

by DCrez on Jun 24, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Do you think they drafted him to play the 4?

I cannot believe that actually…

"My logic fails all the time...especially when talking to females" Rook6980

"I'll be lounging on the couch, just chillin in my snuggie, klick to MTV so they can teach my how to dougie" (Buno Mars, The lazy song)

by Dutch Hoopfan on Jun 24, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

That's not what he's going to do though, and that's not what Ernie wants.

by DCrez on Jun 24, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Everyone needs to play

both ends on the basketball court. We’re bad at both ends. I actually want the offense to improve first because that is something we can control more than on defense. I want this team to be able to run, run, and run, but also be able to control possessions when it needs to. I want us to get a great FG%age on offense, and not giving a high FG%Age on D.

by thewiz06 on Jun 24, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Jan Vesely's girlfriend is certainly fine

Anyone know how good of a player she is?

by thewiz06 on Jun 24, 2011 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

Good point

But I can’t shake the feeling that the two things that the Wizards desperately needed in this draft (scoring, rebounding) remained unaddressed

But how would we have gone about this? There’s guys like Marshawn Brooks, Alec Burks and Kenneth Faried that immediately jump out but with our draft positions how would you have satisfied those needs?

I'm not going to think of something extra witty or clever to say, I don't want to convince you to see things my way, I just have 2 words for you: JEREMY LAMB

by qthaballa on Jun 24, 2011 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Rebounding I agree on

But the wiz need interior defense way more than they need scoring. Its just that those two things (interior defense and rebounding) are what EVERY lottery team needs, and thus they were too expensive to acquire in the draft.

Defensively and rebounding wise they’re set from the 1 to the 4 positions. They need a banger to defend and get rebounds at the center position. That’s hard to get.

by jones-y on Jun 24, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Or a banger to pair with McGee at Center

Which would have been Kanter at the PF. But I’m happy with the way the draft works out and Singleton should improve the defense nonetheless.

I'm not going to think of something extra witty or clever to say, I don't want to convince you to see things my way, I just have 2 words for you: JEREMY LAMB

by qthaballa on Jun 24, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions