Open thread: Summer League Game 2 vs. Sixers
The Essentials
Summer League Game 2
Sixers vs. Wizards
Thomas and Mack Center
8 p.m.
CSN and NBATV
Pregame Links
- Wizards Insider on the Portland game
- Hoopsworld: McGee's Expectations
- David Thorpe's Summer League notes
Some have already shouted their war cry for tonight, and I, for one, am really curious to see how everyone responds. Film study aside, the first game can be seen as a mulligan, and there were some positives that can be taken away, but I'm really hoping to see a more concentrated team tonight. There were too many breakdowns defensively last game, and I'd ideally like to see fewer turnovers tonight. More transition opportunities would be nice as well.
Philly's Summer League team has plenty of talent. The headliner is Thaddeus Young, whose arrival in the starting lineup coincided with the Sixers' strong finish last year. He's been playing a lot on the wing in Vegas to prepare himself for playing with Elton Brand. I'm not sure if Blatche or McGuire guards Young, but either one is going to have to deal with a difficult task. Young's presence also forces me to eat humble pie, as I didn't think he'd amount to much of anything in the pros. He's certainly proven me wrong on that front.
There's also Jason Smith and this year's first-round pick, Marreese Speights.
I am taping this game so I can track one individual the second-time around, but I haven't decided who yet. When I decided to track JaVale McGee yesterday, I did it because it would be the first of a series, not because I had any sinister motives to rail on the kid. It's important to understand that none of those posts are designed to project anything into the future. They're just there to evaluate the past and show where he needs to improve. So no, just because McGee struggles like crazy in his first NBA game doesn't automatically mean he's a bust. It just means he has a ways to go.
I was going to either look at Andray Blatche's offense or Nick Young's defense. You guys can let me know which you'd prefer or if you want to see something else.
Anyway, this is an open game thread, so think of the NBA's best leftys in this space.
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34 comments
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My preference
I like looking at McGee "under the microscope" a second time….
See if he learns anything.
I think you can skip Dee Brown.. and Skip McGuire = but if Pecherov plays, perhaps in game 4, you could do him instead. After all, he’s the one returning Wizard that the fans know very little about.
So – Here’s my vote:
Game 1 – McGee on Defense
Game 2 – Nick Young on Defense
Game 3 – Nick Young on Offense (with emphasis on “within” the Offense)
Game 4 – Pecherov
Game 5 – McGee on Defense
Let’s face it – as Wizards fans, we’re pretty sure what we’re getting from Blatche on Offense and Defense. There’s no reason to look at Veremeenko, since he has Zero chance of making the team this year.
Looking at McGee a second time makes a ton of sense – considering that he’s the Wizards 1st round pick this year…. Let’s see if he learns anything in a week. That will tell us how “coachable” he is.
And we need some real insight into Pecherov. He’s been a Wizard since last year, but because of injuries, no one knows anything about his game. I just keep hearing people say he’s a “bust”, he sucks, The Wizards should trade him, etc… I’d like to see an unbiased (or biased if you want) opinion of his play…
Rook
by Rook6980 on
Jul 16, 2008 5:01 PM EDT
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Just a thought
Why don’t Buck and Phil do SL games?
Someday, I’ll ask my old bosses about this.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 8:05 PM EDT
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My Guess
Comcast produces the broadcast for Wiz games, while NBA TV produces a single, neutral broadcast for both teams. Buck and Phil most likely don’t have a contract to do NBA TV broadcasts. I’m not 100% sure though.
by DT711 on
Jul 16, 2008 8:43 PM EDT
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But
When NBATV broadcasts games during the season, they just borrow the local announcers, so I don’t see why it couldn’t work.
My guess is that it has something to do with contracts, though, like you said. Maybe I’ll do some digging.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 8:50 PM EDT
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my thoughts
they have four games a day in the same building, so nba tv just hires the same crew to do all the games and cuts costs.
by DarrellWalkerFan on
Jul 16, 2008 10:48 PM EDT
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McGee not starting
Gary Forbes got the nod instead. Interesting. Going small. I guess McGee was that bad the other day.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 8:06 PM EDT
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Forbes is playing great D on Thaddeus
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 8:07 PM EDT
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Dear Blatche
Throw it down!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 8:12 PM EDT
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McGee pops his defensive rebound cherry!
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on
Jul 16, 2008 8:16 PM EDT
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Elegar
Earned that starting spot… he’s doing some little things right, maybe he’ll get it next time. Good to see McGuire a little more focused…
They are giving Wallace a lot more credit than he’s earning
If only we could trade Taser for one day and have him put up 30 on us off their bench before we got him back...
by Juice over Whine on
Jul 16, 2008 8:30 PM EDT
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Whether or not
You think JaVale McGee is going to be a bust or not, you have to admit he is a freak athletically for a man who is 7ft tall and has a 7’6” wingspan. One announcer compared him to Tyson Chandler with more agility. I could live with that…
by DT711 on
Jul 16, 2008 8:38 PM EDT
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I don't disagree with you
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 8:39 PM EDT
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Nice timing on that block
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 8:41 PM EDT
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Alright, alright, alright
I guess this falls under the “showing up fashionably late” category. Did I miss anything good so far?
Bullets Forever: Where fancy numbers and YouTube come together.
by JakeTheSnake on
Jul 16, 2008 8:46 PM EDT
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I missed a good chunk of the game as well
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 8:47 PM EDT
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halftime update
I love McGee… Blatche played great early…I am beginning to really like Wallace..NY still is off (cmon nick) DOm is playin outta his mind
by stlballa on
Jul 16, 2008 8:53 PM EDT
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Whats going on?
Dominic McGuire showing some touch. 80% from the field?
by DT711 on
Jul 16, 2008 8:54 PM EDT
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First half thoughts
McGuire has been working on his shot this summer.
McGee has scary tremendous upside potential ability (or whatever makes GM’s draft raw talent). Kid is visibly more comfortable.
Brown really isn’t impressing.
NY still fades on every shot.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on
Jul 16, 2008 8:54 PM EDT
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Brown really hasn't played great defense
He crowds the ball, but then gets beat and struggles to fight through screens.
Felt he picked it up offensively at the end of the half, though.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 8:56 PM EDT
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I'm glad we still have AD in front of him
He had a bad turnover at midcourt…he has energy, I’m just not sold yet.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on
Jul 16, 2008 8:59 PM EDT
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Speights
Looks great….WOW… and again I like how JV McGee has come out this game lets go enjoy the 2nd half
by stlballa on
Jul 16, 2008 8:56 PM EDT
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I was a big Speights fan
But I think his performance has a lot to do with Dominic McGuire guarding him. McGuire isn’t big enough to guard post players.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 9:00 PM EDT
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30 minute delayed thoughts
If JaVale had made that reverse layup, I would’ve walked out of the house. I’m not joking.
Bullets Forever: Where fancy numbers and YouTube come together.
by JakeTheSnake on
Jul 16, 2008 8:56 PM EDT
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I like that
We’re attacking the basket instead of settling for jumpers in this half.
Good takes by Young, Dee and McGuire to start the half.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 9:01 PM EDT
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All these guys need work with Hopla
On free throws.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 9:05 PM EDT
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Taser
I don’t know if he’s playing out of his mind necessarily, dude is always good. I think last game was the only time I haven’t been impressed with his play. I’m cheering for him, for depth this year and for the future.
And Prada, I agree, especially if Blatche and McGee are that aggressive.
V2 looks lazy right now.
If only we could trade Taser for one day and have him put up 30 on us off their bench before we got him back...
by Juice over Whine on
Jul 16, 2008 9:14 PM EDT
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I hate to harp on this
Because I do like that McGee is more active on both ends today.
But he just ran flying out to try to contest a three and fell into the first row. Meanwhile, Philly got the rebound that led to a Thaddeus Young dunk.
If he was more under control with his closeout, that’d never happen.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 9:17 PM EDT
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Yikes
Dee’s screwing up the offense.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 9:25 PM EDT
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SICK
What an oop!
If only we could trade Taser for one day and have him put up 30 on us off their bench before we got him back...
by Juice over Whine on
Jul 16, 2008 9:30 PM EDT
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McGee still looks raw
But he’s played a lot better today.
I’m not sure what happened to Nick’s game, though.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 9:35 PM EDT
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thoughts
i think we’d all agree that mcgee looks like he could be something good one day.
blatche is improving. looks good.
mixed feelings on brown. he is super fast and can play some d. he’s throwing it away a bit, but that may get better when he gets used to his teammates. he’s clearly better than the other options.
i don’t think mcguire’s a keeper.
didn’t notice elegar this game. he has some size.
young didn’t learn to play since the last game. big surprise.
by stevie on
Jul 16, 2008 11:04 PM EDT
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What didn't you like about McGuire's game
To me, he was the best Wizard out there.
And I still don’t agree that McGee could be something good one day. He might, but he still has a long way to go.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on
Jul 16, 2008 11:53 PM EDT
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remember this is summer league
if you don’t like brown now you won’t during the reg season. you all know i’ve been a big blatche supporter. he has skills. but for once i’d just like to see him play like a madman with visible intensity. he needs to work on his upper body strength more.
by ucantstopbernard on
Jul 16, 2008 11:34 PM EDT
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