I guess it’s better than playing Jarred Jeffries at Center……
First there was Smallball – now we are going to see EXTREME Tallball?

I’m hoping that it’s just a random thought rattling around Eddie’s noggin – and not a serious idea. Let’s face it, Etan Thomas is NOT in the Wizards long term plans, and Blatche is. (or should be).

Truthfully, I’d rather see Jamison playing the 3 against McGrady or LeBron – at least then there’d be some extra size on the back line (Blatche and Haywood, or Thomas) defending the rim.

Taser should be the first thought when faced with the larger, quicker 3’s in the league. (Pierce, McGrady, Lebron James, etc…) At 6’9" , he still has the athleticism, quickness and long arms to contend with them.

Let’s all hope that Dom takes that next step and earns Eddie’s trust. He should be the one playing 15-20 minutes a game – spelling Caron – matching up against the great Small Forwards in the League.

I’m against it. It sounds like a horrible idea. I don’t think he can defend the three spot.

Blatche needs to concentrate on providing the Wizards with some interior D, and giving the team a mobile big to defend screen and rolls with players like James better. Then start working on some post scoring.

I also agree with the idea that he’s already the best backup big the team has.

Why move him to make room for lesser players who don’t have long term futures at the club? Boggles my mind.

Not really. They’re meant to be interchangeable. Eddie has added wrinkles and adjustments based on the strengths and gamestyles of Tawn and Caron, but the offense is pretty flexible.

Defensively, it’s not a bad idea to challenge Dray to attempt to raise his game. Even as a power four he’s gonna see sometime on the perimeter guarding players like Sheed, Okur, etc. and even Brendan is often out on the perimeter on the pick and roll trap. If he’s caught in a switch he’s gonna have to guard a quicker man straight up every now and again.

I tapdanced a little on the topic in the ‘Coaching workshop’ thread over on RealGM:
http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=838066&start=45

But the crux of it is this: against superbig lines the Wiz would be greatly helped by being able to play a Big line of their own. One of Cleveland’s strongest lines last year was a James/Varejao/Ilgauskas monstrosity. Against huge lines like this it would be handy to be able to sub Dray into the line-up for either Jamison or Caron. Or even, in brief relief in the back-up line, to sub him in next to the Dominator, and Haywood or even Darius who played surprisingly well against his paisan Big Z. Otherwise, what you want DSteve and Jamison defensing that line? Remeber Stevenson may be guarding Mo Williams this year.

As to the man match-up. Blatche clearly had the ability to irritate and frustrate LeBron into retaliatory fouls. Fact is all he needs to do is cut off his angles of attack and funnel him into the defenders on the baseline. Or force him to shoot over the top. Could Dray stand to improve? Sure, even playing at the 4 he’s occasionally playing with cement shoes (why he reaches and fouls). Some part of that is genetics/athleticism. Some part is fundamentals, poor habits stance too high. Some part of that is conditioning and training. As he develops his core strength and legs he will actually improve a load. It’s a great thign that he’s been working with the trainers all summer since reports int he past suggested he absolutely hated lifting weights before. His extra lean muscle will tend to speed him up more than slowing him down, at least the first 10-15 pounds of it will.

I don’t hate the challenge being offered. He definitely needs to improve on the perimeter no matter what. If he thinks he’ll be complete suck out there against TMac, and embarrass himself, maybe he works his tail off now to improve enough to match up with some of the superbig lines at the least.