An opposing scout breaks down the Wizards: SI

I actually thought this was pretty well done, save for the conclusion.

3 months ago Mike Prada 7 comments 0 recs |

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Same old thing:

Arenas needs to be healthy…Blatche is a question mark…the team needs to play defense. Yadda-yadda-yadda.

I’m really curious how many of these guys are watching the mini-camps, practices and preseason games.

by Pryme on Oct 23, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

while there were minor things I disagreed with, the overall assessment is pretty darn accurate IMO. I think after 19 wins your job is to earn your respect back. Earn it. This talk about championships and Gilbert’s weirdness with the media, Antawn already being injured, guys already not playing cuz of the flu etc…The wiz aren’t showing the maturity yet we all hoped they would. Only person I’ve been impressed by so far was Mike James in the 76ers game (except the ft airball of course)…
let’s be honest, would a first round playoff exit really surprise anybody?

by DynaMix on Oct 23, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How are those examples of immaturity?

-None of the players care if Gilbert talks to the media or not. Some would even say that’s a sign of further maturity.

-Antawn got hurt. What, was he supposed to hell his shoulder to be mature and not pop when it did?

-What’s the point of playing guys in preseason when they have the flu?

Damn man, those are some long reaches there to illustrate a lack of maturity.

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 23, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

*tell

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

by Mike Prada on Oct 23, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

poor wording

on my part. I shouldn’t have said maturity, what I meant was that I don’t see anything new so far…The season hasn’t started and I was hoping to see a team that had it “together,” not one already missing players due to whatever (injury, flu, etc)…

And again, the Mike James comment should have been worded better. What I meant was that he is the only player who has exceeded my expectations in any meaningful way… I expect Gil to be Gil…and I assumed Miller would shoot well since that’s why everybody said we traded for him…but I was pleasantly surprised to see Mike James the #2 scorer in the Philly game for a large portion of the game…

I would be dissapointed with a first round exit, like you – but I can’t honestly say I’d be surprised…I think BOS/CLE/ORL/ATL have basically shown they deserve 1-4 spots after years of relatively consistent progress, as well as a cohesiveness that I just don’t see on our team (for many reasons, some obvious of course)…

by DynaMix on Oct 23, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

let’s be honest, would a first round playoff exit really surprise anybody?

Yes – I will be surprised – and disappointed with a first round playoff exit.

This team has the talent, the Coaching, the work ethic, the maturity, and the burning desire to win 45-50 games. That should put them squarely in the hunt for the 4th seed in the East.

That means they would be playing against the 5th seed (Atlanta?, Miami?, Chicago?, Philly?).
Even if for some reason they end up 5th seed, and have to play Atlanta (or Miami, or Chicago) – I still see them winning that series. None of those teams has the talent the Wizards do…. Once they’re past the 1st round, anything can happen.

Only person I’ve been impressed by so far was Mike James in the 76ers game

If you’re not impressed with Arenas’ numbers (21.7 points per 36 minutes, 10.7 assists per 36 minutes)

or the fact that Mike Miller hasn’t really started shooting the ball yet, but he’s at 47% from the field and 43% from behind the arc
or Haywood, Blatche and Antawn Jamison, who are ALL averaging over 10 rebounds per 36 minutes

or that the Wizards as a team are holding their opponents to 44.7% shooting , and 36% from 3 when they allowed 48% and 39% last year….. and they haven’t even started using Flip’s match-up-zone yet….

If you’re not impressed yet – then you’re a hard man to impress.

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

by Rook6980 on Oct 23, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

for the record

i agree with you…I think on a good night we can beat all the teams you mentioned…I’m just saying the Wizards losing to an ATL or MIA wouldn’t surprise me, that’s all…As a season ticket holder and big fan, i need to be won back, is all I’m saying…I need to be convinced these guys have the hunger to win…As a whole team, I don’t know…I just don’t see it yet…

by DynaMix on Oct 23, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs