Considering the hype he's gotten the past few weeks, Beal's one year at Florida wasn't really that impressive, but all the tools are there, and just about everyone seems to agree that he's got every intangible you could ask for in a19-year-old. His shooting is what got him drafted this high, but he can also attack the rim off the pump fake and be a scorer. So he's kind of like MKG -- you don't know exactly what it's going to look like when things come together for him, but you have the sense it's going to be pretty great regardless.
"I don't want to be in the lottery anymore," Leonsis said Thursday at the Wizards 2012 NBA Draft party. "I would find that unacceptable."
Here's your final NBA Draft overload thread. Bradley Beal and Tomas Satoransky, ey? What are your initial thoughts on the draft?
After calling some sources with lottery picks Saturday, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Charlotte Bobcats and Cleveland Cavaliers swap draft picks in Thursday’s draft. In that sort of a deal, the Bobcats would pick fourth and 24th and the Cavs would move up to No. 2.
"My health is good. Last year it was just a crazy year, shortened season, limited time for rest. I've never missed any time for my knee, never had any type of issue with my knee. I played three and a half years straight without missing a game. it was just one of those wacky things that happened. It happened all around the league last year so I'm really not concerned about it. I resume basketball activity this week, so it's been a progression, so by mid next month I'll be full time ready to go."
NBA free agency begins July 1, meaning there is a chance, small perhaps, that Evans could sign with one team while coaching the Wizards. Despite his clipboard holding future for the team, Evans said no assurances have been made either way about a potential slot on Washington’s 2012-13 roster. Regardless, he was all in when given the chance to help his current team...um, former team...the Wizards.
Harrison Barnes will work out for the Wizards tomorrow, along with Syracuse's Kris Joseph and Northwestern's John Shurna.
The workout between Barnes and Beal wasn’t exactly a fair fight. Beal is a shooting guard, while Barnes is more of a small forward — although at least one NBA team (the Washington Wizards) believes Barnes could also play shooting guard. That’s a bit surprising, since one of the biggest knocks on Barnes is his inability to handle the basketball. The Wizards, however, love his 6-foot-8 frame and are intrigued by the thought of Barnes playing alongside John Wall.
Tomorrow's Wizards workout is a big one (my words, not the press release's). Here's who is attending.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Austin Rivers
Terrence Ross
Tomas Satoransky (Czech Republic prospect, second-round guy)
Friday, July 13 Atlanta Hawks 4:00 ET COX Pavilion
Saturday, July 14 Houston Rockets 10:00 ET COX Pavilion
Sunday, July 15 NBA D-League 10:00 ET COX Pavilion
Tuesday, July 17 Memphis Grizzlies 6:00 ET COX Pavilion
Wednesday, July 18 Milwaukee Bucks 4:00 ET COX Pavilion