Sunday Open Discussion

by JakeTheSnake on Jan 19, 2008 11:28 PM EST in Off Topic

Over the last few weeks, I've gotten into the flow of either having a recap from a Saturday game or a game thread for a Sunday game that needed to be done for Sunday. With neither of those necessary for today, I figured today would be a good day to bring out the time honored open discussion thread. Here are some questions to get started, but as always, feel free diverge from the topic if needed:

Gilbert Arenas told Mike Wise after the Wizards-Knicks game that he was thinking about coming off the bench when he returns. Good idea or bad idea? Here's Ivan's thoughts.
I went to Borders a few weeks back and bought Mitchell Krugel's book One Last Shot about MJ's comeback with the Wizards. Has anyone else ready it? What are your thoughts? I've only gotten through the first few chapters, which seem to be focused more on his Chicago days but hopefully it picks up soon. Just remember, there's no fear of spoiling the ending when you discuss the book.
Fill in the blank Part 1: Maryland's upset of UNC was...
Fill in the blank Part 2: Deron Washington's dunk was...
Since we're talking about college basketball, I suppose we might as well talk about the draft a little. What type of player do you think the Wizards should look to get with their pick, and who do you think fits the billing? If you're trying to get a feel for some of the prospects out there, check out DC Pro Sports Report's Mock Draft Database.
In case you didn't hear, there's a couple of football games on today. Who ya got?

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My take

I'm fine with it is as long as he doesn't stay there too long.
Already told you.
Almost as surprising as Roy Williams' calling for a three to Hansbrough to win it. (Not meant to discredit what Maryland did by any means.)
Nick Young-esque.
Of course, if Gilbert or Antawn leaves the answer is obvious. If they both stay, I say go for a small forward with an outside touch.
Pats and Packers.

Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by JakeTheSnake on Jan 19, 2008 11:40 PM EST 0 recs

Dunk contest idea

Watching Deron Washington's dunk made me realize that the best dunks are those that are over somebody, ie posterization. I think that each of the dunk contest participants should get to bring along a personal foil to dunk over. Kind of a pro wrestling/Harlem Globetrotters approach. Nick Young could bring along a 48 year old 5'9 Wizards fan like me or he could bring his best buddy McGuire. I would even cry on cue following the humiliation of being posterized.

by hotplate on Jan 20, 2008 10:10 AM EST 0 recs

Draft picks

Assuming Gilbert and Antawn return, my draft priorities would be:

point guard capable of stepping in for AD when the time comes.
small forward with an outside touch
defensive minded center

by hotplate on Jan 20, 2008 1:05 PM EST 0 recs

Great idea

I think its a great idea to have Gilbert off the bench as our 6th man.

Gilbert will absolutely destroy opposing teams reserves when he initially enters, give us a huge boost/infusion of explosiveness and energy, and be our focal point initially upon entrance of our 2nd unit that will make plays and get easy baskets for his teammates that come off the bench with him.

It immediatley makes our bench the best and most dangerous in the NBA.

Our starters have gelled as a great and cohesive unit that plays well in all phases of the game on offense and defense, dont fix whats not broken.

It allows Antonio to be in the game to set our tempo, get everyone into flow/rhythym, get our offense initiated with an unselfish tone, and allows Deshawn to be out there with him as our lockdown perimeter defender setting the tone for our defense with great perimeter defense.

Gilbert will still be on the floor to finish every game and will still play 30+ minutes a night, so we willl have 2 extremely dangerous closers in Gilbert and Caron that can create for themselves and their teammates on the floor in tight contests plus Antawn who is very dangerous in his own right at the 4 inside with Brendan at the 5.

Plus much more benefits that I wont get into now.

I think its a great idea overall and makes us so much more of a complete and dangerous team allaround.

by billy332 on Jan 20, 2008 4:52 PM EST 0 recs

I just don't see the point

Of Gilbert as a sixth man. Besides, I think he's talking about easing his way back from injury instead of defining a permanent new role for himself, because there's no way he'd accept that with his contract situation out there.

Consider this. If we put him as a sixth man, how can we justify paying him max money in the offseason? You can't. How could you pay max money to a sixth man? And if we don't pay him max money, he's indicated that he's going to walk, so then we lose him. All because we didn't want to mess with the chemistry of a 21-17 team that isn't as good offensively as they are with Gilbert. It just seems like an overreaction to me.

Besides, for all this talk about better ball movement, we're not a better offense this year, and we're even averaging fewer assists per game. We're also predominantly a half-court team (20th in pace), whereas with Gilbert, there was that open-court threat that made our offense even more dynamic.

Gilbert's also a rhythm player, so I don't think he'd succeed if we cut his minutes. Daniels fills a role more than anything, so he can step in more easily.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Pradamaster on Jan 20, 2008 5:58 PM EST 0 recs

Agree with Prada

I agree completely with Prada. Its been bothering me that people have been describing Gilbert as a hindrance to the team's offense. Huh? I'm not a stat guy but took a look at some of the team numbers from last year and this year. As Prada says, the offense is not better. We average fewer points and are shooting at roughly the same percentage. We're averaging 5 less free throws per game and have fewer assists. Gil a ball hog? Except for Brendan, nobody's shot attempts have gone up dramatically in his absence. Haywood's have gone up 4 per game and 2 per 36 minutes. But Caron and Antawn are only shooting about 2 more shots per game than last year and Stephenson and Daniels are actually shooting it less per 36 minutes. So Gilbert hasn't been stealing shots from them.
No doubt, the defense has improved greatly, which is why we're surviving without Gil. We're holding opponents to around 44.5 % shooting percentage this year. But we were already showing that improvement during the first 8 games (when Gilbert was playing). In fact the shooting percentage allowed for those 8 games is slightly better than for the season as a whole.
Gilbert off the bench? Maybe for a game or two at the most to test his knee. But I want him back playing at his all star level for 35 minutes a game. He knows how to share the ball. He's been doing it for several years now. Also if you're the superstitious type, don't forget the Gil injured his knee last year in the only game that he did not start. He was being disciplined for being late or something.

by hotplate on Jan 21, 2008 10:01 AM EST 0 recs

Gil off the bench

I don't think its meant as a permanent solution, but I do think its a good idea temporarily. Shouldn't we have learned our lesson about playing Gilbert 40 mins a game after majopr knee surgery?

Bring him off the bench, give him like 20-25 mins and keep him in for the fourth quarter. As he gets back in game shape, give him more minutes if he can handle them - but don't start him immediately.

Next year, if we still have Gil, he's definitely a starter.

The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.

by mamemimo on Jan 21, 2008 10:21 AM EST 0 recs

As a temporary solution

I'll jump on board, but only if "temporary" means a few games.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Pradamaster on Jan 21, 2008 11:50 AM EST up 0 recs

Gilbert of the bench can be good -

I'm in favor of Gilbert coming off the bench for maybe 5 games or so as a temporary solution. It will take some time for him to adjust to playing again and take some time for the team to adjust. They have really good chemistry right now and bringing the Gilbert back gradually can maybe help preserve that without too much disruption.

by ooba on Jan 21, 2008 3:52 PM EST 0 recs