Get Rid of Deshawn Stevenson!

by Fundefined on Nov 22, 2008 10:10 PM EST Comment 20 comments

I think it's time we get rid of Deshawn Stevenson, he isn't going to get better and takes up too much time without producing on either side of the floor. Is there anyone who likes him on the Wizards? I don't care if he's Arena's friend, he isn't a good player, so much so that he detracts from the team.

Honestly there is no upside to this guy, he runs his mouth yet can't back it up, shoots way too many contested long jumpers, is horrible on 3pt defense even though he's our "defensive stopper." Please EG, trade him, waive him, either way just get rid of this cancer!

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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If we get rid of him though

whose gonna go to Club Love to diss Lebron?

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey

by jobe on Nov 27, 2008 1:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I Was Going to Write a Defense of DeShawn When I Saw This a Week Ago

Now I’m glad I didn’t. You’re right, he isn’t getting any better. Dump the guy.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Nov 30, 2008 12:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Might as well keep him....

I think he’ll be better when Arenas comes back and he doesn’t have to worry about shouldering the backcourt scoring load as much. Play defense, hit spot up threes……yea, he sucks this year, but what are we going to do?

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Truth About It on Dec 1, 2008 11:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

It’s not like the Wizards are paying Stevenson starting money….(like Etan Thomas). He’s been a pretty good value until this year….. and should be able to break out of this shooting slump eventually. He’s not really supposed to be a main scoring option, which is why he has trouble when he is counted on to score.

Besides Nick Young will take over his starting duties, if not this year, then next.
Then you can bring Stevenson off the bench and put him on a hot shooter – or play him at the end of games when you need a Veteran presence… or sometimes to spell Arenas.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2008 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can't We Do Better?

I used to be solidly behind DeShawn, but his terrible play has got me thinking – is he really worth it? If this is a rebuilding season, then it’s time to reevaluate every player and ask whether or not he’s worth holding on to. Can the Wizards really afford a guy who only plays well when certain teammates are healthy? Based on history, the Wizards will almost always be fighting through some sort of injury.

I know that he only makes $3 million a year, but so didn’t James Posey when the Celtics signed him. I’d rather take a chance on finding the next James Posey than hope that DeShawn doesn’t hurt us again with his terrible shot.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 1, 2008 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DeShawn's not a long-term solution

He was never signed to be, even after getting a new contract for half the MLE. I thought that maybe he had grown into a long-term guy after two solid seasons, but this year proves he’s no better than an 8th man.

What we really should do is try to find a young, cheap guy to soak up minutes at the 2 and the 3 (mostly the latter, so Caron can move to the 2 but still guard 3s) in place of DeShawn, then dump him for peanuts. But you have to do the first thing before doing the second.

Maybe Sacramento will give us John Salmons, since they’re going to a youth movement. Maybe Chicago will be willing to part with Thabo Sefolosha for a cheap price (O-Pec, Memphis pick, filler). One of Minnesota’s infinite young wings could be had for very little. If we save some money (e.g. trade Songaila/Etan/AD for an 09 expiring), maybe we can pry Trevor Ariza away from the Lakers in the offseason.

If only we kept enough money to sign Mo Evans, Tony Allen or Kelenna Azubuike this offseason. Or, hell, Roger Mason.

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

by Mike Prada on Dec 1, 2008 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lest we forget

but this year proves he’s no better than an 8th man.

And let’s not forget his dreadful playoff performances – where the team needed him to step up, and he laid an egg.

He’s just not cut out to be a scoring option – and the Wizards, right now need a third scoring option. Stevenson looks like he’s the one that’s supposed to fill that hole, but he can’t.

Stevenson’s salary, combined with the fact that he’s pretty good defensively and can occasionally hit the open 3 – mark him as him a bench player – but NOT a Starting Guard on a team with only 2 scoring options.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2008 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Posey

He went to the Celtics because they had a legitimate chance to win a Championship. He never would have signed with the Wizards- – - – - or the Grizzlies, or the Nets, or anyone else for that matter – except a contending team.

That’s why the Spurs keep getting competent veteran role players to sign with them.
That’s why Matt Barnes, who would have been a perfect fit here in Washington, signed with the Suns.
That’s why Posey went to New Orleans, after getting his ring in Boston.
That’s why Mickael Pietrus, another guy that would have been perfect here, signed with Orlando.

Good teams; Competitive teams; Championship caliber teams attract that kind of player – the good, skilled, experienced NBA veteran players.

As soon as Washington is considered a Championship contender again, they’ll attract those kind of Free Agents.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2008 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Right, Which is What the Wizards Should Try to Do

Acquire some good pieces so that they look like a championship contender and then give DeShawn’s spot to a good, skilled, experienced NBA veteran player. Remember two things: Boston was one of the worst teams in the NBA when Posey signed with them, he signed because of the potential (like you said); Posey was not that highly regarded when he signed (Boston took a chance, we all dogged him here at the time).

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 1, 2008 12:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Acquire some good pieces

The only way to do that, since quality Free Agents will avoid Washington like the plague, is through trades…. And I look for that to happen next year.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2008 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, I Just Hope for Trades Sooner Rather Than Later

The Knicks are already making trades for 2009-10. Why not another team? If the offer is right, better get them in the mix now rather than have to make it work later.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 1, 2008 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Meant to Say

2010-11.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 1, 2008 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Knicks

New York is desperate to land LeBron…. Not many other teams are ready to give up on this year; and even if there was a team

That’s why I think a trade will happen next year.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2008 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and even if there was a team willing to trade this year – I think the Wizards will be able to get more next year….

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2008 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Besides

I’m not convinced we absolutely need a new Shooting Guard….

I still believe that Nick Young can be that Starting SG…. moving Stevenson to the bench, where, in my opinion, he is infinitely more suited; and less likely for his shortcomings to cause problems.

I’d rather see Ernie Grunfeld try to obtain a bruising rebounder that can defend, and finish around the rim. . . (David Lee type)… Perhaps they could score Blake Griffin in the draft.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2008 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

From the Hoops Addict Article

Link.

-On the flip side, DeShawn Stevenson continues to be a disappointment. The day before the game, Stevenson told the Washington Post his struggles could be traced to the fact that he was trying to create offense, instead of just spotting up and shooting. He hinted that the point guards on the Wizards did not seem to be capable of getting him the ball where he needed it to be. Tonight, Stevenson shot 1-for-9 from the field, and many of those misses came when he was wide open, without an Atlanta player running out at him. Stevenson also missed two free throws with 6.9 seconds left in the game, that could have pulled the Wizards within a point. Tapscott continues to be patient with Stevenson because of the defensive effort he gives on a nightly basis. Tonight, he helped hold Hawks’ guard Joe Johnson to 18 points(five under his average) on 7-for-18 shooting. Still, it would greatly help this team if Stevenson could get hot for a stretch.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 1, 2008 11:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Devils Advocate

The last time Deshawn was decent was when Arenas was healthy. It’s easy to be good when your starting lineup has 3 stars who demand double teams. WIthout Arenas to draw away the extra man, Deshawn keeps settling for terrible bombers. Perhaps he would produce better when and if Arenas gets back to 06/07 numbers, but I rather get rid of this eyesore and take my chances with Young and Dixon, at least they won’t shoot 1/10 from beyond the arc.

by Fundefined on Dec 1, 2008 3:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Ok – Let’s say that your logic was flawless – and Stevenson is only good if Arenas, Butler and Jamison are playing, so he has open shots….. (which I agree with by the way)…. and we assume that he won’t get any better once Arenas returns…. (um, I know the logic is broken there, but stick with me)…..

So – now…………………………..wow, you convinced me. (sort of, wink, wink)

Now how do you do it?

1. Name a team that wants him
2. Name a player or players they would be willing to give up that makes the same salary as DeShawn 3. Tell me why that player makes the Wizards better.

If you can get past the first problem, it’s a piece of cake after that.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2008 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Teams Don't Have to "Want" Stevenson

They just need to be willing to take him on as part of a package so that they can unload some other sort of baggage. DeShawn is not nearly as useless as Etan; he could be rather good coming off the bench on a mediocre to good playoff team with other scorers to free up space for him. I imagine that there are decent players in this league that have contracts that run past 2009-10 that might be a better fit for the Wizards than where they are now. I’d look to make a deal with a team that possesses a player like that and package DeShawn in it to get him off this team.

Unless, of course, he rediscovers himself and starts playing like he did last season. But I’m not optimistic at this point.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 1, 2008 3:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs