Jamelle Hagins NBA Draft Prospect 2013

This is a series on NBA Draft Prospects that the Washington Wizards might be interested in. This will be a very important off season for the Wizards as next year heads will roll if the team doesn't meet expectations. The first in this series can be found here. Up next second round prospect, Jamelle Hagins.

Position: PF
Height: 6'9
Weight: 230
School: Delaware
Age October 19,1990
Year: Senior

Yes, another hometown guy. He is from Roanoke, VA and went to Delaware. Jamelle is climbing up the draft boards. His defense and rebounding is what got my attention. But he also seems to be a high character guy as well. There is a video here where he talks about his Delaware team and you can see a little about how he is. 

This is a video of his highlights from a year ago.

He is the 2013 CAA Defensive player of the year. If will be crucial for the Wizards to add a big man in this draft. Hopefully someone that will be a defensive presence and hopefully add something on offense.

Hoopsville.com in an article about Hagins explains his progression.

"Hagins got over-powered physically at times as a freshman, but showed signs that better things would come.  He hauled down 5.3 rebounds and blocked a shot in 22 minutes a game as a freshman, starting 25 of the team’s 30 games... 

"As a sophomore, Hagins broke out, leading the CAA in blocked shots and hauling down 7.3 boards a game, making the conference’s All-Defensive team.  He improved his offensive numbers as well, but that was still far from his strong suit.  He embraced the fact that he could impact the game defensively while he went to work on improving his offense.  He has always had a great feel for playing defense, and not just blocking shots; he understands rotations and positioning, and those are big reasons for his success...

"Hagins made steady progress offensively as a junior, and now as a senior is a bona fide offensive threat.  He makes post moves to score that he didn’t make earlier in his career and has surpassed 1,000 career points.  Now Delaware’s all-time leading rebounder, he also recently surpassed 1,000 career rebounds.  While the offense is better and he continues to work on it, he freely admits that he still likes playing defense more."

I don't know if Jamelle is the guy, but i am intrigued. I would like to see him get a look when the Wizards are doing theri workouts and interviews. Seniors get overlooked these days, Maybe he could be a diamond in the rough.

Victor Oladipo NBA Draft Prospect 2013

This is a series on NBA Draft Prospects that the Washington Wizards might be interested in. This will be a very important off season for the Wizards as next year heads will roll if the team doesn't meet expectations. The first prospect to examine is Victor Oladipo.

Position: SG/SF
Height: 6'5
Weight: 210
School: Indiana
Age: 20 (5/4/1992)
Year: Junior

The first thing you are thinking is, "You only want this guy because he is from Upper Marlboro and went to DeMatha". Everyone knows I like hometown guys. That is not the reason I chose to make him the first prospect in my series. While it didn't hurt. I chose him because today he announced that he will be entering the NBA 2013 Draft.

Take a look at his stats for his career. I am not sure what happened during his sophomore year but he really rose his stock this year. Terry Hutchins quoted a scout in an article earlier today.

"He's ready for the NBA right now," a scout said. "I think he can help teams because he has a motor. He can defend, and his offense has gotten drastically better, He plays bigger than his size."
"...His style of play is better suited for the NBA because of the way the game is officiated with limited touching. His speed gives him the clear advantage."

I am going to start first with the things I like about him. Victor is very athletic and and he loves to run the floor. That would play right into how the Wizards like to play. John Wall loves to run the break. A large part of his offense comes in transition since he runs the floor so well and also fills the lane correctly on the break.

He is very efficient because is is very hard to keep him out of the paint. He doesn't need to dominate the ball in order to drive to the hoop, If he gets the ball in the right spot he just takes off past his defender. We have seen how difficult the Wizards can be to defend with Wall and Beal. The dimension he add could be like the missing link.

His defense is what I like about him the most. The Wizards are better because they have been good on the defensive side of the ball. For them to succeed, that must not change. Anyone that comes in must contribute to that good defense. Oladipo is a difference maker on defense. He can guard multiple positions, and comes away with a lot of steals. He plays with intensity and has a non stop motor. He uses his athleticism on defense and is a disruptive force.

He also rebounds the ball well for his position. That is a stat that translates well into the NBA. With him and Beal helping rebound, if our big men do their part the Wizards can be a top defensive and rebounding team.

His offense has improved this year. He is good at catch and shoot and has improved from the 3. If he can get his 3 to stay consistent. The other parts of his offensive game  should do him and his team just well.

He has to have some weaknesses, I don't want to gloss them over. He is not good at handling the ball, he can't create his own offense, and no one knows if his improved shooting will hold up. That is it. For me those are things I can live with if he runs the floor well, finishes well, and plays defense as advertised.  If he can play the SF spot his ball handling won't be as important. He also should have to isolate much with how this team is constructed.

Overall I like this guy as a prospect. I am not saying we should get rid of Martell Webster (please no), but I think someone that can be a difference maker has to be a prospect to look out for.While it is still early in this series, If this guy is available when the Wizards pick, he has to be considered.

Nice

Tonight's Opponent: Los Angeles Clippers

L.A. Clippers(34-15) vs Washington Wizards(11-35)

Tale of the Tape

Stats	WAS	LAC
PPG	90.8	100.41
OPP. PPG	95.87	93.61
FG%	0.421	0.471
OPP. FG%	0.439	0.435
3PT FG%	0.336	0.35
OPP. 3PT FG%	0.346	0.371
FT%	0.733	0.706
RPG	43.41	41.86
OPP. RPG	45.41	39.88
APG	21.48	23.33
OPP APG	21.89	21.61
TO	15.4	14.4

Stats courtesy NBA.com

Likely Starters

Starters	Wizards	Clippers
PG	John Wall	Eric Bledsoe
SG	Garrett Temple	Willie Green
SF	Martell Webster	Caron Butler
PF	Nene	Blake Griffin
C	Emeka Okafor	Deandre Jordan

Tonight’s game is the second and final meeting of the season between the Washington Wizards
and Los Angeles Clippers.  The Clippers won the first meeting, 94-87, on January 19th at Staples
Center in Los Angeles.

The Clippers has lost 6 of the last 8 games. And they are only 4-4 on the road verses Eastern Conference teams. They are in the middle of their longest road trip since the 2010-11 season when they went 2-9. Don't get too encouraged though, as the Clippers have won the last 8 times they played the Wizards.

The Wizards have lost the last four and desperately need a win. They have struggled since Beal have been out and his impact on this team is obvious. They are still in need of more talent but tonight, it about getting a much needed win. come back soon Beal, but dont rush.

Predicted Winner
The Clippers. As much as I hope the Wizards win, I don't see it happening. Beal is a very big part of this team and he is missed on this team.

Clippers 91 Wizards 90

Predicted Player of the Game
Blake Griffin. This is tough for me. I am not a fan of Griffin. i wanted the Wizards to get the number one pick that year, but we didn't. I think he is overrated, but maybe I am bitter (who knows). I think he has a huge game tonight.

Tonight's Opponent: Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls (26-16)  @ Washington Wizards (10-31)

Tale of the Tape

Stats	WAS	CHI
PPG	91.49	93.83
OPP. PPG	96.78	91.19
FG%	0.421	0.439
OPP. FG%	0.439	0.426
3PT FG%	0.342	0.359
OPP. 3PT FG%	0.348	0.329
FT%	0.733	0.78
RPG	43.71	44
OPP. RPG	45.83	40.91
APG	21.54	22.81
OPP APG	21.71	18.17
TO	15.4	14.8

Stats Courtesy NBA.com



Tonight’s game is the second of four meetings between the Washington Wizards and Chicago
Bulls.   The Bulls won the first meeting, 87-77, on December 29th in Chicago.   The Bulls on the other hand have won 6 of the last 7 games. Both teams are playing back to back games.

This is "put up or shut up time" for the Wizards. They have played much better lately, but this is a big Eastern Conference match-up. This match-up is likely too much though. Wizards still have to play these guys two more times this season. This is a big opportunity  for them to make a statement.

Again though, the Bulls have only lost once this season on the road to a Eastern Conference team. So, a win tonight will not be likely. If they can upset the Bulls, this team can feed on the momentum

Predicted Winner
I hate to say it, but I think the Bulls win this. The Wizards have gotten better, but they still don't have a convincing win. A win that tells the NBA they belong. While I am hoping it comes, I have to see it to believe it.

Bulls 94 Wizards 90

Predicted Player of the Game
I have gone back and forth in my head on this one.  It is going to take a near miracle to win this. I am going with the bench.

Tonight's Opponent: Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves (17-22) @ Wizards (9-31)

Tale of the Tape

Stats	WAS	MINN
PPG	90.93	94.4
OPP. PPG	96.68	96.3
FG%	0.417	0.43
OPP. FG%	0.439	0.456
3PT FG%	0.339	0.292
OPP. 3PT FG%	0.35	0.359
FT%	0.736	0.743
RPG	43.93	44.31
OPP. RPG	45.78	40.67
APG	21.35	21.76
OPP APG	21.58	21.82
TO	15.4	15.2

Stats courtesy of NBA.com

Tonight’s game is the first of two meetings between the Washington Wizards and Minnesota 

Timberwolves.  The Timberwolves won last season’s only meeting between the two teams, 93-72 

at Verizon Center. Last year the Timberwolves beat the Wizards' first in D.C. since Dec. 12, 2003, 

ending a seven-game drought. 

The Wizards are in a delicate point in the season. The west coast trip went better than many feared but not as good as anyone wanted.  A few more losses can kill any momentum this team is trying to build. To make matters worse, Beal is nursing a sore wrist. This is close to a must win for a team climbing a steep hill.

The Wolves have lost 7 of their last 8 games. They are 2-7 on the road against Eastern Conference teams.  They have seven guys on the injury list. This is hopefully a game the Wizards can take.

Predicted Winner 

This is put up or shut up time for the Wizards. The Wolves are a hurt team right now. If Washington doesn't win this, look for the season to go south.

Washington Wizards 92 Minnesota 89

Predicted Player of the Game

John Wall: I think this is time for him to make a statement.

Tonight's Opponent: Utah Jazz

Wizards 9-30 @ Jazz 22-19

Tale of the Tape

Stats	WAS	UTA
PPG	91	98.7
OPP. PPG	96.8	98.6
FG%	0.418	0.448
OPP.FG%	0.439	0.459
3PT FG%	0.338	0.373
OPP. 3PT FG%	0.352	0.376
FT%	0.736	0.768
RPG	43.74	42.4
OPP. RPG	45.64	40.8
APG	21.4	23
TO	15.4	15

Stats Courtesy NBA.com


Tonight’s game is the second and last meetings between the Washington Wizards and the Utah
Jazz.  The Jazz won the first meeting, 83-76, on November 17th at Verizon Center.  This is a much different team though, as the Wizards are finally healthy. As usual, it was a cold spell that put the Wizards away. They were down by 2 with about 8 minutes to play, Utah would then go on an 11-2 run. Game over.

The Wizards are playing their best basketball of the season. After Jordan Crawford nailed the 3 at the buzzer to beat Portland, I am looking for this team to build on their momentum. Tonight's game could be the win that will give them that momentum. It would be huge to have a winning record on this trip. Maybe a successful west coast road trip can lead to the winning streak.

Utah has won 7 of their last nine and are coming off a nice break. They last beat Cleveland on the 19th. Randy Foye, of Wizards fame, had 20 points in the win hitting 4 three pointers. Derrick Favors tied his season-high of 19 points along with grabbing eight boards.

Predicted Player of the Game
Bradley Beal struggled in his last game. So I am going to gamble on him. I don't think the rookie struggle for long. With Crawford back in form, I expect tonight the be the first time we see this team clicking on all cylinders  Well almost, when sharp shooter Cartier Martin returns, things could get interesting.

Predicted Winner
Washington 98 Jazz 91