Welcome the newest Washington Wizards!

[Agent0IsMyHero]

First Round, #16

Nick Young, SG, USC, 6-6` 200 lbs

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/players/37826;_ylt=AoxykBEpYTIgkYIDpWj5Kd45nYcB

Strengths: Young has all the athleticism and scoring skills one would look for in a wing player. He is a very versatile offensive player, and is capable of hitting the long-range shot. He can take his man off the dribble with his quick first step or score in an assortment of ways from the mid-range. His shooting mechanics are good on his outside shot, and he should become a good NBA 3-point shooter in time. Defensively, Young has all the tools to be a good defender.

Weaknesses: While a great scorer, Young’s game isn’t always conducive to good offensive flow (though he’s improved). He also could improve on his passing, and sometimes he settles for tough shots. Young doesn’t get to the free-throw line very often for a wing, being more of a mid- and long-range shooter. Defensively, Young could become a more focused and consistent defender, locking down better in perimeter defense.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/usc/sports/m-baskbl/auto_action/367260.jpeg

17.5 ppg, 4.6 rbpg, 1.4 apg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdTh1RPIVAU

2nd round, pick 47

Dominic McGuire, G/F, Fresno St. 6-8` 210 lbs

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/players/33886

Strengths: McGuire possessing great size, terrific length, and a very nice frame. He is silky smooth on top of that, showing outstanding fluidity, excellent body control and the type of explosiveness needed to get into the lane and hang in the air. McGuire’s quick first step allows him to get to the basket at will, and he also looks comfortable pulling up for the jumper. He has the tools to become an extremely disruptive defender on the wing, especially in terms of his lateral quickness. Likewise, he is a very strong rebounder at the WAC level, pulling down just under nine per game.

Weaknesses: He’s not a great finisher around the basket, lacking a bit of strength and craft in terms of using the glass in traffic. McGuire’s perimeter jumper shows promise at times, but is not consistent.

Outlook: McGuire has all the tools to be a starter at small forward in the NBA, but needs to iron out some of the wrinkles in his game. His upside could place him in the first round, but he is raw enough to slip to the second round this year.

http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/19/190044.jpg

13.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.3 apg

[flash22]

well he can dunk...

[JohnnyUtah]

I really think that Young is going to be a great player for us, which is the first time in a while that I can say that about one of the Wiz's first round picks. Hopefully he can win the dunk contest next year.

[D.G.A.C.O.L.B.]

That dunk was sick. I've been saying for the last year that the Wiz need someone who can just rise up and throw it down with authority. I'm not really sure that that's Young's game though. I didn't see much of him at USC. I'm still psyched.

As far as McGuire goes, I like the pick. Seems like the type of gritty player you want coming off your bench. I saw somewhere where they said that his best case is Danny Granger and the his worst case is Renaldo Balkman. Danny Granger is a future star. And for all the **** that Isiah got for drafting him, Balkman isn't half bad. I can definitely live with either one.

[chronicdesi]

They both seem very athletic. I read somewhere Young can play multiple positions. Any chance of sliding him in at the 2 spot?

[flash22]

They both seem very athletic. I read somewhere Young can play multiple positions. Any chance of sliding him in at the 2 spot?

Young was drafted as a two gaurd. He has the hieght to play small foward (6-7) but not the wieght. He's fast enough to play shooting gaurd.

[chronicdesi]

Young was drafted as a two gaurd. He has the hieght to play small foward (6-7) but not the wieght. He's fast enough to play shooting gaurd.

Yeah I just read that in the post article as well.. I don't know why I thought he was drafted as SF.. Hopefully he can put on some muscle, on a side note I heard Blatche is putting on like 20 pounds.

[BBallWiz]

Yeah I just read that in the post article as well.. I don't know why I thought he was drafted as SF.. Hopefully he can put on some muscle, on a side note I heard Blatche is putting on like 20 pounds.
That's great news to hear that Blatche is bulking up. I agree that Young should put on some muscle too.

And about the McGuire pick, I initially wanted Gray. But then I saw that McGuire averaged 3.6 blocks per game and really liked the pick. He's a versatile player who can play multiple positions and is very athletic. He'll definitely help on the defensive end. Good job by EG last night.

[LooseCannon_aka_one3]

I agree EG did a good job. I originally was getting pumped as I saw Al Thornton slipping and was really hoping he could come to us at 16. But when Detroit didnt take Nick Young I was really excited. He is gonna be great plus he keeps Gilbert happy as Gil kept saying he wanted some bench scoring. Hopefully the 47th pick can be somewhat of a good bench player for us.

Now hopefully we can pull a trade that gets us a little help on the block/defensive end.

[chronicdesi]

That's great news to hear that Blatche is bulking up. I agree that Young should put on some muscle too.

And about the McGuire pick, I initially wanted Gray. But then I saw that McGuire averaged 3.6 blocks per game and really liked the pick. He's a versatile player who can play multiple positions and is very athletic. He'll definitely help on the defensive end. Good job by EG last night.

I wanted Gray too, but someone on ES told me he was kind of a stiff. Maybe this will work out better. I like the athleticism from both guys, and hopefully we can start running and gunning more.

[D.G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Ernie talking abut Young and the draft...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=l3qO3rAc_tk

[0>23]

I really think they are ecstatic about the pick. They really didnt believe YOung was gonna be there @ 16

[LooseCannon_aka_one3]

suhhweet...

[BBallWiz]

In case you guys are interested, Nick Young's jersey number with the Wizards will be #1.

From Dave Johnson's Draft Blog from last night:
11:03PM: Waiting on the second pick and we get word that Nick Young will wear number one. I think there more people analyze this pick they will like it. I am excited about the aspect that he has the ability to create his own shot from what we are told and the three years in college gives him valubale experience.

[The Burgundy and Gold]

I think these two combined with Blatche, the big dude from Europe we drafted last year, and maybe another Euro could give us some great new talent on the team this year. Does anyone think the second round guy will get any PT this year? I hope he actually makes the team rather then being put in the D Leauge.

[GOSKINS_08]

Like everybody here, I like the Young pick..You gotta have scoring off the bench..Look at the cavs, and how far they got with their sharpshooter off the bench Daniel Gibson.

The 2nd round pick I thought was going to be Aaron Gray, but when I saw that the guy we drafted was all defense for his confrence, that sold me.

[0>23]

Lets hope the Jarad Jeffries affect doesnt rub off on him

so we've got numbers 0-4 taken care of

0-Gil
1-Nick
2-DeShawn
3- Caron
4-Twan

[BBallWiz]

Lets hope the Jarad Jeffries affect doesnt rub off on him

so we've got numbers 0-4 taken care of

0-Gil
1-Nick
2-DeShawn
3- Caron
4-Twan
^ Yeah, :rofl:. Once I read that Young will wear #1, I was like he has to be better then Jeffries with that jersey number.

[BBallWiz]

Here's a chat transcript with Nick Young from last night:
dan puma (university park,md): Nick young was the steal of the draft.

Nick Young: (10:23 PM ET ) I believe that most definitely. A lot of people didn't see me, because of the West Coast. I'll be going to Washington and hopefully we can get to the playoffs and make a run.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bronson (Oregon): Hey Nick, I know you have always been a Laker fan, so how does it feel to be drafted by another team?

Nick Young: (10:23 PM ET ) It was different. Growing up in LA that's all you knew. But now I'll have to go up against them and get some wins.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe (Wilmington, NC): Nick, how do you feel about teaming up with Gilbert Arenas?

Nick Young: (10:24 PM ET ) It's going to be great. That's what the team needed was another scorer. Someone who can play above the rim. Hopefully he can throw me a lob.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
carson (dallas): hey nick, what aread of your game do you feel like you need to improve as you go to the nba?

Nick Young: (10:25 PM ET ) Probably everything. I want to be a great player. I don't want to be satisfied.
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Chilih (nyc): Hey, Nick...would you rather be the leading scorer on a losing team or a role player on a winning one?

Nick Young: (10:25 PM ET ) Role player. Scottie Pippen on a winning one. I'll play the Scottie Pippen in Washington.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Justin (Tulsa): Nick, how important is getting the opportunity to play in the NBA to you and your family?

Nick Young: (10:26 PM ET ) Very very important. It's been a dream of mine. Now that I'm here, no one expected it to be like this. This is a perfect ending to my college career. I thought I would have to watch the draft from home!
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Nick (Jacksonville): Nick, what are your thoughts on USC with OJ Mayo going there?

Nick Young: (10:27 PM ET ) It's going to be great. Another winning season. They got Jefferson coming in with OJ, who's supposed to be the next everything. It will be a great time seeing all that young talent on the court.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
brian (stl): what are you going to miss the most about cali?

Nick Young: (10:27 PM ET ) The weather. I wear shorts in the winter time!

Buzzmaster: (10:27 PM ET ) Thanks Nick!
http://www.nba.com/draft2007/nick_young_qa_062807.html

I like what I hear from him. I'm so glad the Wiz got him.

[The Burgundy and Gold]

thanks for posting that little chat.

[Agent0IsMyHero]

awesome interview.....and man im so hyped about this season since last night...im really excited! and yeah, i honestly didnt think Nick young was gonna be there at all! i thought we had no chance!

[chronicdesi]

That was a really good transcript to read. Thanks for the post.

[Agent0IsMyHero]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6972024

DIME'S TAKE: Another "best player available" pick, and definitely the right one. How good is Nick Young? Put it this way: the Celtics flew him to Boston yesterday for a workout in case they wanted to take him at #5. Buckets, buckets, buckets. All day long.

SCHRAGER ON THE SCENE: Good for Nick Young. Off to Washington he goes where he can lose three point shootouts to Gilbert Arenas during practice and show up on YouTube. The Washington Post contingent seems happy. I'm a big Nick Young fan, but am almost more excited for the Trojans next year. O.J. Mayo is insane. Not as insane as Gilbert — but somewhere up there, nonetheless.


thats insane, he could have gone as high as #5! looks like we got our selves a steal in the draft!

[0>23]

AN ANALYST’S THOUGHTS ON NICK YOUNG (http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2007/06/29/consors-thoughts-on-nick-young/)

Wizards analyst Glenn Consor emailed me his thoughts on the selection of Nick Young. Here’s what he had to say:

Every Draft someone slips, and with a little luck, you get the player you thought would be off the board. When Philly picked Thaddeus Young at 12 and Detroit picked Rodney Stuckey at 15, Nick Young slid into DC.
I had chance to broadcast Nick Young’s first and second round NCAA games for Westwood One in Spokane Washington this past March with a birds eye view. Nick can flat out score in a myriad of ways. A great mid range player that can find ways to score off the bounce as well as off the ball. Nick at 6′7 ” possesses many offensive weapons consisting of a monster cross over, a stop and go game al a Steve Nash, a lightening quick pull-up off the dribble, and great body control which gives him the ability to make tough and off balance shots.

Has a great understanding of the screen and role game, and like Rip Hamilton really moves well without the ball and knows how to rub off screens, read defenses, pick and probe, and score. I think he’s better off the bounce than Rip Hamilton at this stage. This is where he will fit beautifully into Eddie Jordan’s system and will be the ultimate scoring backcourt mate with Gilbert. Really runs the floor and was one of the top 5 finishers in transition in college basketball last season. Loves to run the floor and runs like a gazelle.
Nick, who can stick the three , shooting 44% from downtown, plays with a ton of emotion and passion for the game, he’s very animated. He will need to add strength and a focus on defense to develop into a complete player, as expected. He has all of the physical tools to defend two’s and threes in the NBA. I think this young man can contribute right away in Eddie’s system. Wizards fans should be extremely happy with this pick at 16. I loved him in the NCAA’s.

Glenn Consor has been an NBA/Wizards analyst for 17 years and has served as an NCAA College Basketball analyst for Westwood One and SportsTalk 980 for 10 years. He has also served as an analyst for NBATV for the past four years. Consor, a four year starter at point guard for Rick Pitino’s Boston University teams in the late ’70s, played professional hoops for Maccabi Haifa (81-82) of the European League.

[D.G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Good article 0. The more I was reading about him the more it sounded like he is Rip Hamilton with hops, which is what this guy basically says. That works for me.

[JTmoney]

McGuire reminds me of a Dennis Rodman type player...I like that!

[Agent0IsMyHero]

McGuire reminds me of a Dennis Rodman type player...I like that!

exactly...but rodman could hit a 3 once in a while :)

and i think the projected McGuire as a 2 and 3 for some reason on some sites...i think hes more like a SF and PF...

[Thomas]

exactly...but rodman could hit a 3 once in a while :)

and i think the projected McGuire as a 2 and 3 for some reason on some sites...i think hes more like a SF and PF...

I agree...looks like a PF to me.

[admin]

McGuire reminds me of a Dennis Rodman type player...I like that!

I thought the same thing, this is going to be really interesting! :clap:

[BBallWiz]

In case you guys are interested, here's a pic of Nick and one of Dominic from the Rookie Photo Shoot taken yesterday:

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/47/fullj.getty-75607914fm120_rookie_photoshoot.jpg

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/7a/fullj.getty-75607914fm131_rookie_photoshoot.jpg

It seems that one of the stripes is a bit different than before. One of the stripes looks like it has a more gold type of color than before. Like if you compare it to the picture below, you can see a difference in that the stripe next to the black one looked more orange than this stripe does in the above two pictures of Nick and Dominic:

http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/01/gilbert.jpg

I guess the way the jersey looks like in the two pictures of Nick and Dominic, might be the way it looks like this season. If so, I like the change in the stripe color.

[D.G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Is it just me or do they have like super-sized hands?

[The Burgundy and Gold]

^^^ jeez they do have some friggin huge hands. McGuire especially.