| 30 Teams, 30 Days: Washington Draft Preview (16th) Authored by Jason M. Williams - June 15, 2007 - 4:03 pm
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2006-2007 Finish: 41-41
Draft Picks: 16th, 47th
What they do well
The Washington Wizards were one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference throughout the year until they suffered key injuries to their three-headed monster – Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, and Gilbert Arenas. With Arenas and Butler unable to play in the first round of the playoffs, the Wizards were dead meat and swept in the first round by the eventual Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
Arenas has developed into one of the game’s elite scoring point guards. He was having a career year with 28.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.88 steals per game before being sidelined for the final eight games of the regular season and the playoffs. He demonstrated his swagger under pressure by drilling two ridiculous buzzer-beating three-point bombs, including a 60-point clinic on the NBA’s biggest stage against the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Whether he was scoring the basketball himself or dishing it off to the other two main sorcerers on the squad, fans could always count on him chanting “Hibachi” after big games. The Arenas-patented slogan describes the sizzling scoring capabilities the trio is capable of displaying on any given night.
Caron Butler was named to the All-Star team for the first time with 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.13 steals per game. He was flanked by fellow team leader Antawn Jamison, who also boasted 19.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.14 steals per game. Together, the threesome was arguably the most tremendous triad in the league.
DeShawn Stevenson also had a solid season, starting all 82 games while providing steady defense and 11.2 points per game.
Where do they need improvement?
While the Wizards possess one of the most deadly and productive triumvirates in the league, they also possess a threesome that is an albatross that has been keeping them from erupting into an elite team for the past couple years. The frontcourt solution of Brendan Haywood, Etan Thomas, and Michael Ruffin has not only provided unspectacular post play, but also multiple fist fights and constant requests to be dealt. The Wizards need to deal the disgruntled Haywood away and use this pick to either stock their front court with the best available post player, or add depth to their guard position behind Arenas and Stevenson.
Who should they target?
- Jason Smith, PF/C – Colorado State:
This Colorado State junior is a fundamentally sound big man who can run the floor with extreme fluidity. His back-to-the-basket post game is developing, and he possesses a go-to turnaround jumper which he can hit flawlessly. He has the tools to play any frontcourt position and is an above average passer out of a double team. His solid defensive skills are enhanced by his superior lateral quickness for his size, and he would provide the Wizards with a hard-working good-character player who would help them increase the team’s productivity in the paint.
- Rudy Fernandez, SG – Spain:
A very talented player from Spain who possesses one of the more athletic and smart games you’ll see from a shooting guard. He is able to take his man off the dribble, hit the three-point shot, and is dangerous when slashing to the basket. He plays the game very calm and under control to the point it looks like it’s too easy for him, which lulls opponents to sleep and frustrates them similar to the style of Manu Ginobili. The addition of Rudy Fernandez would make the Wizard lineup very difficult to match up with for teams who lack smaller athletic forwards. He’d also add another legitimate scoring threat from downtown that would allow Jamison to play more on the inside. However, he is very thin at 6-6 and 175 lbs, and would need to add some muscle to hang tough in the NBA.
- Javaris Crittenton, PG – Georgia Tech:
Crittenton has the physical gifts that could make him a steal in this Draft. His 6-5 size allows him to see over defenders at the point and make passes a smaller point guard is incapable of making. With the recent announcement that Gilbert Arenas is planning on opting out of his contract at the end of the season, it might not be a bad idea to draft this explosive point guard, who can learn from Gilbert and possibly replace him if he leaves Washington. If Arenas decides to stay, then he and Crittenton would be an extremely explosive backcourt duo who could grow together and both offer the ability to play both guard positions. While he lacks a solid three point shot, he will be able to use his passing skills to feed the wings when Arenas, Jamison and Stevenson.
Picks since 2000
Washington has used its picks very questionably as of late, but two of their original draft picks are directly related to two-thirds of the Big Three. Devin Harris was primarily dealt to Dallas in exchange for Antawn Jamison, and Kwame Brown was dealt to Los Angeles for Caron Butler. Before last season, Jared Jeffries was a solid starter for the Wiz, and Jarvis Hayes contributes while healthy. So while it may not seem like their draft picks have had much impact on the current roster, it is evident that their selections have been used to formulate this perennial playoff squad.
2006
Oleksiy Pecherov, 18th
Vladimir Veremeenko, 48th
2005
Andray Blatche, 39th
2004
Devin Harris, 5th (traded to Dallas)
Peter John Ramos, 33rd
2003
Jarvis Hayes, 10th
Steve Blake, 38th
2002
Jared Jeffries, 11th
Juan Dixon, 17th
Rod Grizzard, 39th
Juan Carlos Navarro, 40th
2001
Kwame Brown, 1st
2000
Mike Smith, 35th
Who do you want the Wizards to draft at number 16? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments or questions. |
