Matt Barnes is on the list. I cannot believe what Barnes must go through every year. For a team...

Matt Barnes is on the list. I cannot believe what Barnes must go through every year. For a team that likes to run, he is a perfect complimentary piece off the bench. He is the ideal back-up combo forward for the Warriors, Suns, Knicks, Sixers, etc. He makes open shots, defends, runs the floor and does the little things. It is unbelievable to me that he has to earn a roster spot every single season.

Coach Brian McCormick.

I've always considered McCormick a smart man, so this boosts Barnes up a little in my book. Aren't those the very qualities we desperately need?

about 1 month ago Pradamaster Comment 15 comments 0 recs |

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McCormick's point is correct

Except for the fact that he glosses over all the attitude problems he’s had in the past. That said if he can provide some good defense when he spells Butler then he does fit what we need.

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Jul 10, 2008 11:13 AM EDT 0 recs

What attitude problems?

My memory might be hazy, both with Barnes and Allen, but I don’t remember Barnes ever being a troublemaker.

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

by Pradamaster on Jul 10, 2008 11:28 AM EDT up 0 recs

Do tattoos equal attitude problems? I’ve followed him for a few years and all I’ve heard is that he used to be a punk kid (who didn’t?) but that he is the type of guy you want on your team. he’s been through camp after camp, 10 day contracts for a bunch of teams. Sure, he’s feisty, sports tats and a faux-hawk once and awhile so he’d fit in that way.

I’d love to have him available to throw out there against Lebron, Pierce, and some 4’s we’ll be facing up against.

by Jheiser3 on Jul 10, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up 0 recs

I think...

this may be a perception issue . Unlike Allen, I can’t “smoking gun” Barnes easily. I have heard the same rumors as JHeiser, but nothing from his UCLA/Warriors days that would cause me as much concern as Allen.

Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!

by ledellforlife on Jul 10, 2008 12:30 PM EDT 0 recs

I only know what I have heard

But if it is all perception and zero reality, then by all means lets get Barnes in here ASAP because he does fit the bill of what we need. But in all this talk about Barnes, I have to ask this. What about Dominic McGuire, shouldn’t he be a viable backup for Butler?

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Jul 10, 2008 12:51 PM EDT 0 recs

If He Has Improved His Offense...

... then yes.

"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 Jul 10, 2008 1:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don't think

that the Wiz are as sold on McGuire as much as the Wiz’s fans. I think the value in adding a veteran, especially someone like Barnes who can score a bit, is that it makes the second unit less of a cakewalk. McGuiire looked lost at times last season, and didn’t factor in at all in the offensive sets. As it stands, with the full second unit in, we normally have to settle for jumpers from Songalia or Young, or AD trying to create on his own.

Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!

by ledellforlife on Jul 10, 2008 1:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

Eventually, I hope

But right now, it’s a lot to ask of a second-round pick. I’m hoping whoever we sign will be on a short-term deal until McGuire can handle the role.

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

by Pradamaster on Jul 10, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

Timing

McGuire is good enough to earn a roster spot and spot minutes. Is he ready for 20 minutes a game? i don’t see it. Thing is, he doesn’t have to be. The Wizards like him long term, I know I do too. He’s not a finished product by any means. What they need is a veteran McGuire right now. Since thats a couple of years away they have to go shopping for one.

by Jheiser3 on Jul 10, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

I know they need a veteran presence

But I can’t shake the feeling that if McGuire was given more of a chance, that he can be a viable backup for Butler. But then that plays right into ledellforlife’s point.

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Jul 10, 2008 4:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

except

I could agree with you George, if all you were looking for out of McGuire was good defense, some rebounding and 10-12 minutes per game.

But look at the Wizards second unit:
Daniels – no outside shot
Young – young and inconsistent on Offense
McGuire – no Offense
Blatche – young and inconsistent on Offense
Thomas – not a very good Offensive player…

Sure they may be able to play some defense, but where’s the scoring going to come from?

THAT’s why the Wizards need a steady veteran Small Forward to backup Butler – someone that can play a little defense AND put the basketball in the hole.

by Rook6980 on Jul 10, 2008 6:29 PM EDT 0 recs

Thomas - Not a Very Good Offensive Player?

Then why is he even on the team? I know he can’t play defense, but I thought that offense was his specialty.

"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 Jul 11, 2008 7:38 AM EDT up 0 recs

Thomas

His last full season, 2006-07, he averaged about 6 ppg on with a dismal 56% Free Throw percentage. He’s a career 51% shooter from the field; very poor for a back-to-the-basket Center. And he’s a “black hole” on Offense…. with only .4 assists per game over his career.

If he were shooting some jump shots, like Yao Ming or Ilgauskas, you could expect his shooting percentage to be lower, but everything Thomas does is within 2-5 feet of the basket… For the most part, he’s a “garbage” guy, with most of his points coming on Dunks and Layups…. so his shooting percentage SHOULD be much higher.

He doesn’t command a double team. He’s not a good Pick-and-Roll, or Pick-and-Pop guy. He doesn’t run the floor especially well. He’s turn-over prone (16% of his possessions end up as a turn-over)..

So – Yeah; I think my statement that Etan Thomas is “not a very good Offensive player” can be substantiated.

by Rook6980 on Jul 11, 2008 11:20 AM EDT up 0 recs

By the way

I’m not saying that there’s no room on a roster for a guy like Thomas…. He brings energy… He’s a pretty competent rebounder, and a good shot blocker. Not a bad one-on-one defender.

In my previous post, I was trying to show that although the Wizards now have POTENTIAL for some scoring on their second unit, they don’t have anyone that can CONSISTENTLY bring an Offensive game every night. The addition of a veteran Small Forward that can defend AND score would be beneficial.

Both Young and Blatche can tend to disappear… Especially Young – If he misses his first shot, or makes a mistake – he tends to get down on himself and his Offensive game suffers. Last year, Blatche would have a very good game, and follow it up with a game where he hardly showed up.

Consistency will be the key on the Second unit. They don’t have to be lighting it up every night – they just have to be able to score enough to give the Starters some extended rest – on a consistant basis.

by Rook6980 on Jul 11, 2008 11:27 AM EDT up 0 recs

Prada Did a Couple of Comparisons Between the Brendan and Etan

Here’s one link. Here’s another. Both of these comparisons came before Brendan’s big improvement on offense this season.

Prada’s bottom line – Brendan was better defensively but Etan was better offensively. Looking at the numbers myself, I agree that at the time (2006-07) Etan was a better player offensively and a better rebounder. In 2006-07, Etan had a 57.4% FG%, a 58.5% TS%, and averaged 11.4 points per 36 minutes, compared to 55.8% FG%, 57.1% TS%, and 10.6 pp36m for Brendan. Etan also averaged 10.9 rebounds per 36 minutes while Brendan only averaged 9.9 rp36m.

Brendan improved his pp36m to 13.7 last season, while seeing his FG% fall to 52.8% but his TS% rise to 58.2%. But Haywood’s rebounding also fell to 9.3 rp36m, so it appears that Brendan is still an inferior rebounder to Etan, assuming Etan makes a full recovery and plays like he did in 2006-07.

"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 Jul 11, 2008 3:42 PM EDT up 0 recs