Let's talk about the frontcourt

by Mike Prada on Aug 23, 2008 2:59 PM EDT in Team Analysis

Ah yes, our seven-man smorgasbord of veterans with faults and unproven youngsters. Depending on who you ask, this unit may or may not need to be consolidated or upgraded, but for the time being, it's what we've got.

And what, exactly, do we have? We have two solid starters, one that's an absolute ace offensively and normally a sieve defensively and one that's awkward offensively and an underrated presence defensively. We have two veterans who are limited, but are trusted by the coach even when they are blocking players who deserve some of their minutes. Then, we have three young guys, all with the potential of being a difference maker, but all projects that need playing time despite being in different stages of their development.

You don't have to be Eddie Jordan to have trouble allocating 96 minutes a game to this group. (Though he's particularly "good" at it).

There are so many trade-offs to consider. Play Etan Thomas for his rebounding...but do so at the expense of Brendan Haywood's defense and (maybe) attitude. Play Darius Songaila for his offensive smarts...but do so at the expense of Andray Blatche's much-needed development. Play Antawn Jamison 40 minutes a night for his essential all-around contributions...but do so at the expense of providing developmental minutes to Blatche, JaVale McGee and Oleksiy Pecherov, projects drafted to eventually replace him.

96 minutes, seven guys, all power forwards or centers. How would you specifically allocate the minutes?

Some considerations:

Last year, only Jamison played more than 20 percent of the team's minutes at a position other than power forward or center. Otherwise, these guys were exclusively playing the 4 or the 5.
In 2006/07, when Haywood played more than 25 minutes in a game, the Wizards were 18-8.
According to Basketballvalue.com, Darius Songaila had the second-highest adjusted plus/minus on the team last year, behind only Jamison.
The highest PER of any reserve on the team last year belonged to Andray Blatche at 15.5. In 2006/07, that honor belonged to Etan Thomas.
To review: Though Haywood has never posted a higher defensive rebound percentage than Thomas in a year both played, the team's defensive efficiency has always been better with Haywood on the floor instead of Thomas.

Good luck!

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This is all the more argument for cutting Jamison's minutes back

I feel like Jamison should play about 32-35 minutes a game, no more.
Granted we don’t like the thought of Thomas and Haywood on the floor together, but that is something that should be tried. Blatche can take some of Jamison’s minutes at PF (although I would prefer he spell Butler some at 3). Haywood should play the most minutes at C (28-33). After that Songaila needs to be in there spots where we need a boost offensively and when we go small McGuire should be in at PF. Table scraps for McGee, Pecherov.

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

by George Templeton on Aug 24, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

McGee = D-League

Not sure why no one’s talking about it. We got a minor league, lets use it. He’ll get experience and (most likely) confidence. Sure, it didn’t work for Peter John Ramos, but that’s because he was Peter John Ramos.

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

by mamemimo on Aug 25, 2008 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed on both parts.....

The reserves MUST step up to allow for Eddie Jordan to comfortably play the starters less…..and McGee needs a ton of on-court, in-game experience…..he’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn on an NBA bench later.

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by Kyle Weidie on Aug 25, 2008 1:01 AM EDT reply actions

McGee = D-League. Agreed. All season.
Jamison = 35
Haywood = 25-30 (or more or less depending on matchups)
Thomas = all the rest of the C minutes except in extreme smallball matchups. He actually plays well as a smallball center.
Songila & Blatche split the rest of Jamison’s minutes and Blatche gets a few of Butler’s.
Pecherov is locked on the bench or D-League (is he still eligible?)

Unless there is an injury situation that is how the minutes should go. I don’t think the forwards should be playing center (except against GS or the Suns or other special matchups) and I don’t think the two centers should play together. I think Blatche will develop better if he has to fight for minutes.

by MR on Aug 25, 2008 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

One thing about JVMG in the D-League

Doclinkin points this out regularly on the Real GM forum and Post blog, but one reason the Wizards don’t use the D-League much is that Dakota doesn’t run the Princeton like the Wizards do. Learning the Princeton takes time; you often see players get it only in their second year (Roger Mason, Arenas, etc.).

Ergo, it’s hard for JaVale to learn the offense when he’s in Dakota, because they don’t run it. I don’t necessarily agree with this, because JaVale’s defense needs work as well and playing a lot for Dakota can help with that, but it makes it more understandable why the Wizards don’t use the D-League much.

Now, if Abe could purchase his own D-League team, that would change, but what makes anyone think he’ll do that?

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

by Mike Prada on Aug 25, 2008 10:45 AM EDT reply actions

But...

Even if its not in the Princeton, experience is experience. With Thomas back, we’re crowded in the frontcourt. The kid is RAW. I think we need to worry more about him playing the NBA game then him learning the offensive system. He can learn the Princeton next year in Training Camp and during the regular season – when he probably won’t be getting many minutes anyway.

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

by mamemimo on Aug 25, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions