Washington Wizards Fans Praise Selection of John Wall, Scoff at the Rest

Since the Wizards claimed the first overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, the town has been abuzz with hype over their impending selection of Kentucky point guard John Wall. The Wizards went into the draft, drafted Wall and walked out with the rights to four other players. Even so, there are plenty of fans who are not so pleased with the night's take.

Those fans clearly don't know what they're talking about.

Before the draft kicked off, it was announced that the Chicago Bulls had a deal in place that would send guard Kirk Hinrich, the 17th pick and cash to the Wizards. The Wizards are almost literally giving up nothing in return. The deal will be official within the next two weeks, when Washington has the cap room.

From this deal, I see a solid and versatile veteran guard, the rights to a first-round pick, and the gift of money.

Hinrich has averaged double figures scoring as a starter, off the bench, as a point guard, and as a shooting guard. He is a good passer and a good character guy. His assist, rebound and steal averages are also good, and his contract has two years remaining.

The 17th pick, Frenchman Kevin Seraphin, is a raw but athletically gifted power forward, with emphasis on the power. When asked about his style of play, he merely mashed his fists together. It is that type of grit, and forcefulness that the Wizards lacked last season, and just about every season in recent memory.

At 6'9" 263 lbs., Seraphin will be used as the Wizards' best approximation of an NHL enforcer. He won't start fights or lay opponents out, but he'll be tasked with doing a lot of dirty work in the paint, grabbing rebounds at both ends of the floor and muscling opponents away from the basket.

The moves did not stop there for the Wizards.

With the 30th pick in the first round and the 35th pick in the second round, the Wizards selected Marquette forward Lazar Hayward and Serbian forward Nemanja Bjelica. They traded both to Minnesota for the rights to the 23rd and 56th picks, Clemson power forward Trevor Booker and Rutgers center Hamady N'Diaye.

Nevermind that the casual fan will not recognize any of the names, since name recognition means next to nothing in terms of NBA success. The Wizards are not going to be contenders for a few years, so why is everyone so anxious to rebuild the team in one year?

Rushing a process such as this franchise overhaul is the quickest way to ruin it.

The trade for Booker and N'Diaye is a far cry from bad, and is actually just what the Wizards need. Booker averaged 12.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks during his four-years at Clemson. He isn't an offensive dynamo, but he finishes with power at the rim. His greatest asset will be his seven-foot wingspan and his skill on the offensive glass.

While Booker's numbers speak to his potential at both ends of the floor, N'Diaye is clearly meant for his skills on the defensive end.

During his four years at Rutgers, averaged 5.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks. Nothing special at first glance, but he made great strides in his development during his senior year. He averaged 9.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game. He has a developing jump shot, and could stand to add some muscle, but his length will be an instant boost on the defensive end.

So what do fans have to complain about? They're quick to jump to conclusions in grading the Wizards' draft night, most of them giving around a 'C'.

The common complaint about the selected prospects beyond Wall is that they're all project players. They won't be able to help the Wizards next season. The first thing that comes to mind upon hearing that is to question the knowledge of the fans who hold this perspective.

The Wizards just drafted the future of their franchise in Wall. Andray Blatche had a breakout season as a starter last year, JaVale McGee is still raw and who knows what Gilbert Arenas will do for or to the Wizards next season.

Derrick Rose is the easy comparison for Wall because he was the first pick in 2008 and played under John Calipari. In Rose's case, he was one of the last pieces of a rebuilding franchise. The Bulls put the foundation first and then got their star.

It is far too early to know how Wall factors into the future look of Washington's roster. Is he the first piece of the puzzle or one of the last?

So what if the Wizards drafted project players? Do fans honestly expect Wall's presence equates to an instant return to the playoffs? Are they insane, or just that dense? Washington sports fans across the board are too willing to buy into the hype of a new player or coach, most of it misguided.

Look at Donovan McNabb with the Redskins or Stephen Strasburg with the Nationals. The hype leading up to Strasburg's first start was tremendous, and luckily it paid off. Too bad the Nationals still stink. McNabb hasn't even played a game in the burgundy and gold and fans are ready to send the 'Skins back to the playoffs.

The best thing Washington can do right now is get younger and take the time and effort to develop their new talent.

Wall will contribute right away, but no one can predict what effect Arenas will have on Wall's development or the team dynamic. Two or three years down the road, when this class proves to be the foundation for the Wizards' return to glory, I will look back at this day as the day I told you so.