Who is this Andre Blache kid?

[Nemesis]

The Wiz drafted Andre Blache with the 49th pick last night?

Who is he, and is he any good?

How will he help us and when?

Can anyone answer any of these questions?

[Buford]

He's a High School kid.

with the new CBA in the NBA. They can send him to the developmental league (Minors) and let him play for a year or two.

Don't expect to see him for awhile.

I think its a smart pick.

We don't need any big impact rookies.

We need to keep Hughes and either Blake or Dixon for depth and knowing the system. Then sign a defensive forward.....and we get Jarvis back.

[Buford]

Andray Blatche
Position: Power Forward
High School: South Kent Prep (CT)
Height, Weight: 7', 230
Selected by: Washington Wizards
Round 2, pick 19 (49 overall)

BIO: Could be a good selection for a team that can afford to wait and develop a player. Wiry and athletic, possesses great ball-handling skills for a man of his size. Can put the ball on the floor, face up and score. Averaged 27.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and six blocks per game in high school, but is not yet ready to bang the boards in the paint at the pro level. Touted as a defensive disruptor because of his length and ability to spring off the floor. Improvements must be made on his consistency, as he's been known to dominate one game and disappear the next, but the physical tools are there.

[LiveStrongSkins]

Originally posted by Nemesis
The Wiz drafted Andre Blache with the 49th pick last night?

Who is he, and is he any good?

How will he help us and when?

Can anyone answer any of these questions?

Andre Blatche is a huge steal at 49. He was one of those guys who slipped for whatever reason. He was projected to go in the 15-25 range in the first round. He is definetly going to help this team, however only ernie and eddie know if itll be this year or next. They might stick him in the NBDL and let him develop. One draft site said he is an instant upgrade over kwame brown right now. 7'0 250 with a great handle for his size and a good outside shot. Labeled as a poor mans kevin garnett right now. Very long and rangy, and can finish well above the rim. His knock is his ability to hang out too much on the perimeter, but that wont be a huge deal because many high school prospects do that in order to show the scouts they are versatile. You got to love this pick as a Wiz fan. If this guy is a bust, so what its the 49th pick. If he scratches his potential, hes a great contributor in the future to side with ramos.

[Nemesis]

OK, I am beginning to warm up to this pick. I know that EG is world reknowned for his work picking up players in the 2nd round.

I am going to be very interested in what this kid does in the summer league. 7' 230 sounds like he might be a little light in the pants to bang with the big boys just yet though.

This could make for an exciting summer because they say ramos and the new guy will both be playing, could be very interesting

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Every analyst I've read has said it's a very good pick for us at that spot. A low risk, high reward pick. And he is thin, but all high schoolers are who enter the draft. If his strengths are playing a KG or Rasheed-like game, then he shouldn't bulk up too much anyways. The biggest knock I saw from the brief clip of him after we picked him was that he looked a little soft, so he'll need to toughen up a bit. EJ said in the Post this morning also that he wants him to play in the Summer League, so we'll see what he's got soon.

[Buford]

I look forward to low drama for this team over the offseason.

Arenas, Hughes and Jamison together in 05 will be nice.

Hopefully we stay more healthy.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Sorry guys, I don't like it. We've already got Haywood and PJR. PJR is supposed to be the big man we're developing, right? Rumor also has it that Kwame will be sticking around for another year so I think we've got all we need to develop and teach in the low post. I agree we DO need help there because Kwame sucks and PJR is still developing but drafting a high schooler wasn't the way to go. It's going to take years for this kid to get to where he needs to be. I agree there's not a lot of risk involved cause he was picked up in the mid-2nd round. I just think if we're trying to develop PJR, Haywood and squeeze something out of deadbeat Kwame we shouldn't have drafted this kid.

[Buford]

who would you of liked?

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'd have liked for us to have done a sign and trade for Kwame's b!tch ass and a future pick and tried to have taken Sean May or Chris Taft or someone of that nature.

The Wizards aren't a rebuilding/project team anymore, it's time to stop acting like it.

[Buford]

Can't deal with FA's until July 1st.

[Destino]

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
I'd have liked for us to have done a sign and trade for Kwame's b!tch ass and a future pick and tried to have taken Sean May or Chris Taft or someone of that nature.

The Wizards aren't a rebuilding/project team anymore, it's time to stop acting like it.

I agree that we are not a rebuilding project, we have a team now. Which is why we are able to sign a project with the 49th pick. The guys running the show are comfortable enough now to look ahead instead of having to focus all efforts on next year. We clearly need a productive big man, and this kid could be exactly that.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally posted by Destino


I agree that we are not a rebuilding project, we have a team now. Which is why we are able to sign a project with the 49th pick. The guys running the show are comfortable enough now to look ahead instead of having to focus all efforts on next year. We clearly need a productive big man, and this kid could be exactly that.

Could be...in like three years.

[Buford]

wait and see what happens in FA.

Now Washington is an attractive destination.

Core guys are in place, system is in place. Except for Miami, a weak division. Some role players should like to come here.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally posted by Bufford
wait and see what happens in FA.

Now Washington is an attractive destination.

Core guys are in place, system is in place. Except for Miami, a weak division. Some role players should like to come here.

:cheers: hell yeah! anyone have a list of upcoming free agents?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Also, if this kid is regarded as such a high talent, why'd he fall all the way to us?

[RedskinPride27]

http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/blatche_050628.html

Wizards Select Blatche in Second Round
June 28, 2005


Washington Wizards President of Basketball Operations announced today that the team has selected Andray Blatche in the second round (49th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“We are pleased to get a player of this caliber with this pick,” said Grunfeld. “Andray is a first-round talent and one of the top high school players in the country. He has great size and really understands the game.”

Blatche, a 6-11 forward, averaged 27.5 points, 16.0 rebounds and 6.0 blocks in leading South Kent Prep (Conn.) to a 32-9 record as a fifth-year senior. In addition, he was named one of 10 finalists for the Naismith Award, awarded to the nation’s top high school player.

He was named Co-MVP at the Jordan Classic after scoring a game-high 26 points and grabbing a game-high 16 rebounds in 28 minutes.

More Quotes...
On Andray Blatche:
“We are very pleased, considering we had the 49th pick, to get a player like Andray Blatche. We had him ranked as a first round talent -- one of the top high school players in the country. He has great size, is a very skilled player, and he really understands the game. He is a very good passer, and was named the MVP in the Jordan Classic. We think he really has a great upside, especially with the use of the NBDL. We are going to be able to develop another young player with great talent.”

More on Blatche:
“We were impressed with him. He is a very good ball handler, passer, rebounder, and he runs the floor well. He has a good feel for the game. We have to do a lot of developing with him, a lot of developmental work, but he definitely has an outstanding upside.”

On Blatche’s future:
“It depends how the situation works out. If he earns his playing time then he will stay here and play. We have a deep team and we are going to be able to bring him along slowly. If he develops quicker than anybody anticipated, we will use him accordingly. We feel we have a solid nucleus. I think we have some very competitive players and we have players at every position. And any time you can add a 6’11” - 7’0” player, there is good upside associated with that.”

[bofluid]

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Also, if this kid is regarded as such a high talent, why'd he fall all the way to us?

You could make that argument regardless of who fell to us.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally posted by bofluid


You could make that argument regardless of who fell to us.

It's not an argument, it's just a question. I was wondering if anyone knew why.

[Joe Sick]

Sounds like the Wiz might be able to use him at the 4 position, or even the 3. Just because a guy is 7 feet doesn't mean he has to play center. Maybe he could fill into the position when he muscles up.

[Brooklynskinsfan]

a homless mans kevin garnett. he has a lot of potencial though

[Destino]

Originally posted by Brooklynskinsfan
a homless mans kevin garnett. he has a lot of potencial though

I've heard of a poor mans..... but a "homeless mans" is easily funnier. :laugh: :laugh:

[Brooklynskinsfan]

Originally posted by Destino


I've heard of a poor mans..... but a "homeless mans" is easily funnier. :laugh: :laugh: ;)

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff


It's not an argument, it's just a question. I was wondering if anyone knew why.

I don't think there's a clear-cut reason. I heard from one source that he is not motivated enough like Taft, but another source says he does put in the work and is very coachable, so I'm not sure. I think the only reason is just that the teams in front of us were just targeting a different type of player, same reason Granger, Warrick, and Greene dropped to the high teens.

[Funkyalligator]

Everything that I have read...indicates that he is a very coachable player and that he played out on the perimeter because he wanted to get into the NBA and he had to show his versatility........he did average 10+ rebounds and 4+ blocks for his highschool career so he couldn't have played that much away from the basket....all in all...an excellent pick especially considering that he is considered to have a good mid-range jumper....and can hit an NBA 3 too...

[bofluid]

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff


It's not an argument, it's just a question. I was wondering if anyone knew why.

You're right. Poor choice of a word on my behalf, but FattyP answered the question quite well anyways.

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

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Sorry guys, I don't like it. We've already got Haywood and PJR. PJR is supposed to be the big man we're developing, right? Rumor also has it that Kwame will be sticking around for another year so I think we've got all we need to develop and teach in the low post. I agree we DO need help there because Kwame sucks and PJR is still developing but drafting a high schooler wasn't the way to go. It's going to take years for this kid to get to where he needs to be. I agree there's not a lot of risk involved cause he was picked up in the mid-2nd round. I just think if we're trying to develop PJR, Haywood and squeeze something out of deadbeat Kwame we shouldn't have drafted this kid.


So who would you have drafted instead? Seriously, who? With the 49th pick, or almost any pick in the second round, it's a crapshoot. Really you are just trying to get the best possible value. Newsflash, the best possible value was Blatche, a high-potentional youngster who everyone had going in the mid to late first round. As far as Brendan and PJR go, they are true centers. Blatche doesn't play the 5. He's either a 4 or I heard some guy on the John Thompson show today say that he might even be a 3. There is no point in putting a big man with handles down in the post. That kills his game. And Kwame isn't coming back. They just say that as negotiation ploy. Don't believe everything you hear and read.

You and your opinion are finished.

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

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Also, if this kid is regarded as such a high talent, why'd he fall all the way to us?

Why does anyone fall? It's politics man, politics.

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

Originally posted by Brooklynskinsfan
;)

Good job getting out of that one with the winky smiley.

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

One last thing about the draft:

There are sooooo many talented players who went undrafted. It will be interesting to see if we pick anyone up.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally posted by BornASkinsFan83



So who would you have drafted instead? Seriously, who? With the 49th pick, or almost any pick in the second round, it's a crapshoot. Really you are just trying to get the best possible value. Newsflash, the best possible value was Blatche, a high-potentional youngster who everyone had going in the mid to late first round. As far as Brendan and PJR go, they are true centers. Blatche doesn't play the 5. He's either a 4 or I heard some guy on the John Thompson show today say that he might even be a 3. There is no point in putting a big man with handles down in the post. That kills his game. And Kwame isn't coming back. They just say that as negotiation ploy. Don't believe everything you hear and read.

You and your opinion are finished.


:cheers: love that that hostility! thanks!

ever hear of trading up in the draft? :doh:

[Loki]

I wonder how Gilchrist feels? :puke:

[Matt Kyriacou]

Originally posted by Loki
I wonder how Gilchrist feels? :puke:

Well, I hope like hell he doesn't feel like heading back to the Terps. Does he have an agent? I hope so.

[NavyDave]

I like our pick heck its way better than grabbing that bust from U Conn like the Raptors did.

Have you seen the footwork, moves and mobility of this kid? Watch NBC 4 tonite at 11 for a repeat.


I can see him as a power forward or small forward his size allows us to match up with detroit and the pacers if we keep Jeffries, Ramos, and Haywood. Dont forget that Ruffin is a free agent among others so cheap depth with height is a god thing.

The NBA was being political and you can see that with teams reaching for Euro teens in the first round who are clearly not going to be in the NBA this year

You can watch our new pick on an encore showing of the Jordan classic via NBA TV

[REDALERT]

I agree with you Navy Dave, and some of you others as well.


IMO, this was a good pick, and I researched the guy. And all i read was positives. No! he's not a banger down low. but what high school player coming out of High school to the NBA is?


*****, Kwame wasn't, and we took him number #1. PJR is not...


Like alot of you said, this guy could play the 3 or 4. He's 6-11 with a good mid-range shot. And his size along with the other giants we have could defintely cause match-up problems.


But frankly, I see this guy coming along alot quicker than most of us might expect. Anytime you can shoot the mid-range jumper, rebound, good ball handling skills and can run the floor. Then you can be used in diffrent situtions and positions other than center.

This guy is gonna be the steal of the draft.


And franklly, it's still no gurantees with PJR and Kwame Brown. After being in the league a few years now. Kwame's still a project and so is PJR. So what if this guy in the next year or so over take them both?


With the 49th pick, it's a good investment in a big man that could possibly be better than Kwame and PJR both. Not excluding Haywood and Thomas. We have no dominate big men, and what we've seen with what the team already has. It's no gurantee any of them will ever become dominate or even servicable to the likes of a ben Wallace or the likes.


This kid could be our big man and over shadow all the others soon. And if any, atleast hope he motivates our current big men to get better. It's like when Gibbs took the QB and we already had Ramsey. You can never have enough quality big men, especially if that quality isn't so quality on the current roster.

[a_good_brotha]

I have to agree with ND about Villanueva. That kid is not ready for the NBA. He should have stayed at UConn. Then to go at number 7 after drafting guys in the same position the 2 previous drafts. What were the Raptors thinking? :doh:

I like the pick of Blatche. Like others said earlier, the Wizards can afford to develop him. They are no longer in a rebuilding mode.

[Warhead36]

It's never a bad thing to have quality big men. I wouldn't use the "We have enough big men" excuse. Are any of our big men really established stars? I think Haywood is on his way, but thats about it. Ramos hasn't shown anything yet, but I like him, too.

If he pans out into something decent, great. If not, who cares, because at pick 49 it's worth the risk-reward.

I like the pick. A steal who will learn and develop in the NBDL and not suffer from what Kwame Brown went through.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'm finally coming around on the pick. I read some more about him today in the papers and such. Sounds like the kids got talent. I was just hoping for Taft or someone a little more polished. I'll be rooting for this kid in the summer league though. He's a Wizard, he's ours, he's already growing on me.

Better him than Villanueva, right? ;)

[milliondollarslim]

whether this kid makes it or not it is good to have a REAL GM in the Wizard's front office. you gamble on big men , that's what a real franchise with a real front office does.

[Rocky21]

Blatche was the highest rated player available on Jay Bilas's board when the Wiz selected him. Good move IMHO.

You can't have enough athletic big men on your roster. Grunfeld will send him to the developmental league and let him mature and establish some legit NBA moves.

Isn't it nice to have an actual basketball executive making the picks and not Unseld or that fool Michael Jordan?

[tundey]

Can you ever go wrong picking a 7-footer with ball handling skills at #49? Besides, who's going to want to trade anything for the 49th pick? We'll have to give up future picks. And all that to get a young player when we might be able to get an experienced player in FA. I like the pick and no-trade option.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Think he'll get any playing time this year?

[Clutch03]

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Think he'll get any playing time this year?

I do ... he isn't as green as Ramos was last year when it comes to playing "American style" ball. Thats what I think kept Ramos on the beach all last season.

His athleticism will allow him to get some PT in trash time. He'll most likely start the season off in the Development league though. Depending on injuries is when we will probably see him.

[Nemesis]

On a side note,

I noticed that the Wiz have extended offers to Steve Blake and to Kwame. They don't have Juan under contract....... are we planning on letting him go?

I know that we get Jarvis Hayes back this year but I think it would be very foolish to let Juan Dixon go.

Has there been any talk on resigning him?

[Funkyalligator]

Juan wasn't tendered last year and Blake had already resigned to the best of my knowledge.....I think they will make a reasonable offer to Juan and then give him some time to accept it....EG goesn't overpay for people....

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Originally posted by Warhead36
It's never a bad thing to have quality big men. I wouldn't use the "We have enough big men" excuse. Are any of our big men really established stars? I think Haywood is on his way, but thats about it. Ramos hasn't shown anything yet, but I like him, too.


Warhead makes a good point. I disagree with the "we have enough big men" crowd as well, because it's not like we have Shaq and Duncan starting down low. Haywood is solid, and the rest of the guys are average at best right now. We have Arenas and Jamison, and we're going to do everything we can to re-sign Hughes, so our biggest weakness is down low. There are plenty of backup guards to pick and choose from in FA, but any big man with potential will get paid a lot of money on the open market, so why not draft one late in the draft when the risk is extremely minimal. You can never have too many big bodies, just ask the Pistons.

[Skinned]

All you have to do is look back at the problems we had in the playoffs when Etan was injured, Kwame suspended, PJR wasn't ready, to know that adding another big body wouldn't hurt us.

Let's give EG the same respect as we would give Gibbs if he were making the pick. This 2nd rounder is the NFL equivalent of a mid-round pick. EG is known for finding some 2nd round gems, although I think most were guards. Still, Blatche can't be worse than what Kwame has given us so far in 3 years. I am much happier picking a potential 17 year old star at 49 than some Euro league player like Navarro who will probably never see an NBA court.

[arenasisgod]

What you have all failed to notice is that this kid can foul shaq at least 5 times.

















Ernie G rulz, btw

[bofluid]

Originally posted by arenasisgod
What you have all failed to notice is that this kid can foul shaq at least 5 times.

He's not in high school anymore. He can foul him six times.

[hands11]

Originally posted by Bufford
wait and see what happens in FA.

Now Washington is an attractive destination.

Core guys are in place, system is in place. Except for Miami, a weak division. Some role players should like to come here.

We arent as weak with bigs as most say we are. Part of the problem is just getting the ball to them.

Haywood has developed nicely and should have a great next year if they feed him more. Im sure he will get even stronger in the offseason. He could be a beast and start to really challange Shaq.

Etan is better then most remember. He played well ending the year and did great in the playoffs. He needs to get healthy and have a good offseason. He is a power forward. He has a nice 10-15 footer that we saw him hit again before he got reinjured. He has some moves in the post also. He strong, can rebound has energy and is a good teamate. Dont forget he used to be on of best energy players before he missed most the season.

Ramos may be ready to step in an give us some play backing up at Center so Etan can play more PF. Thats like a first round pick for us if he is ready this year.

Dont forget Ruffin. He is coming along nicely and I believe can give us some more Rodman like offense if ball hogs will feed him as he rolls to the hoop. I loved how he started to dunk more near the end of the season and he was called for less fouls. Thats another PF.

Jefferies needs to upgrade his confidence in his outside offense and be more aggressive driving for dunks. He needs a add a few pounds. Should be interesting to see what he adds to his game this offseason. If he gets bigger he will fight for PF minutes, if not he would have to back up Jamison at SF. So now where do you play Hayes. Hayes has to play back up SG but then what do you do with Juan. Unless Hughes leaves then things are less crowed.

So the big question is if we see Kwame back or not. If not, we will add another big to replace him.

Thats 6 big men not even playing AJ at any PF minutes. Thats 6 bigman for 2 possitions on a 12 man roster.

We missed so many players with injury last year. We may not want to change to much until we see what we have one more year. As it is, we have a log jam at almost every position and I still think we may have some 13 and 14th man talent in Profit and Brown.

EG is going to have to figure this all out. Thats why I like his draft pick. We dont really need anymore players at this point until we figure out what we have in Jefferies, Hayes, Kwame, Ruffin, Blake, Ramos, Etan, etc ,etc.

We made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs with what we had and we were very injured. Just getting these guys to play better team ball would have gotten us more wins. Then add more healthy players and we would have won more. Now add EJ being a more mature coach and we are even better. Thats all without adding a single new player.

All we really know is what we have in Gil, Hughes and AJ and Gil and Hughes are still young and developing plus AJ and Hughes missed a lot of games.

We have to get the pieces that match and we may be another year away from really needing to move a lot of part around.

Now if Hughes decides to go, then well see what happens there. Besides that, I would be happy if we just come back with what we had plus Ramos.

[DC]

Blatche fits the wizards style of play and has the additional intangibles we need. He runs the floor well at 7', good ball handling skills and has a good mid range jumper to suppliment our gaurds.

Not to mention the chip on his shoulder from dropping into the 2nd round. I also have faith in the front office, which isn't hard after watching Wes piss away talent for years.