Wizards beat the Heat in Miami: Final (quick) wrap and a word of caution about writing Agent Zero off
by Mike Prada on Nov 28, 2009 2:33 PM EST
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PrintI missed good parts of this game because of family obligations, so this will be brief. However, I have to get one thing off my chest before we get to the stats.
Can we please refrain from writing Gilbert Arenas' basketball eulogy?
Last night certainly wasn't one of Gilbert's best nights. He didn't play absolutely terribly like he did the last time the Wizards came to Miami, but he certainly wasn't great. I thought he played very solidly in the first half (only two turnovers, efficient, etc) and pretty poorly in the third quarter on defense. He then sat out the beginning of the fourth quarter as Earl Boykins helped lead the Wizards, and with Boykins playing so well, Flip Saunders kept Boykins in until the very end.
I understand the tendency to worry about Gilbert. He has not looked good all season. But let's be honest, this scenario is exactly what everyone on the Wizards had in mind, Arenas included. They all knew he would take some time to get his timing back and play injury-free. That's why the Wizards traded the fifth pick for two scorers. That's why Ernie Grunfeld signed Boykins in the first place. That's why Arenas himself was so upset last weekend. As we talked about on last week's podcast, part of Gilbert's frustration is happening because he knows he needs his teammates to pick up for him, and prior to this week, they largely hadn't. Now, they are, and suddenly, we want to spin this as a "what's wrong with Gilbert" situation?
Again, I get the tendency, but I'd rather be happy that we no longer need to rely on Arenas to bail us out of everything. We can now win games against solid competition with Nick Young leading the way on offense and defense, with Boykins running the show during key spots and Jamison doing his thing. Arenas' production will improve down the road (hopefully), but for now, he needs help. Help he's finally getting.
As for the claim that Arenas must not be very good if the team plays better during stretches ... a poster on Real GM made a great point. What about the case of Chris Paul? Right now, the Hornets are 4-2 with Darren Collison starting and Paul out injured, after going 3-7 with Paul healthy. This could easily be an indictment on Paul, on how the Hornets' offense flows better with him out of the game. But of course, it isn't, because it's Chris Paul. In the long run, the Hornets will get Chris Paul back performing healthy. In the short term, though, Paul and the Hornets needed to see that Paul doesn't always have to carry the load.
It's the same with Arenas, with a more serious injury tied in. It's concerning that he isn't taking over games yet, but in the long run, it benefits the team for him not to carry the entire load in November. If he's still like this in March, get back to me. For now, I don't think it really pays to be concerned as long as the Wizards are winning.
Four Factors (Bold=very good | Italics=very bad)
| Team | Pace | Off Eff | eFG% | FT/FG | OREB% | TOr |
| Washington | 87 | 108 |
50 | 9.3 | 38.1 |
13.8 |
| Miami |
96.6 | 45.1 |
12.2 | 23.8 |
13.8 |
Snap Reaction: Wow, the lack of free throws on both sides is pretty jarring. Credit Nick Young for keeping Dwyane Wade off the free throw line.
Lineup Details, via Popcorn Machine
- Highest individual plus/minus: Andray Blatche and Earl Boykins (+14 in 18:48 and 20:42, respectively)
- Lowest individual plus/minus: Gilbert Arenas and JaVale McGee (-4 in 27:54 and 14:42, respectively)
- Best five-man unit: Earl Boykins/Randy Foye/Antawn Jamison/Andray Blatche/Brendan Haywood (+7 in the second quarter)
- Worst five-man unit: Gilbert Arenas/Nick Young/Caron Butler/Antawn Jamison/JaVale McGee (-7 in the third quarter)
Snap Reaction: Gotta love what Boykins brought to the table, especially in the second quarter. He did well in the fourth, but he was better in the second.
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agreed
I think Gilbert will come around. I am more worried about Caron. Whether it’s the new offense, the new personnel, or whatever, he is just not playing up to par. Chenier even mentioned once during the game that he seems to lack confidence in his jumper right now. This is why I said they should play Young ahead of him. Now that Young is playing, maybe they should consider giving AB some time at SF. Or play McGuire more. I’m not saying write Butler off, what I’m saying is that giving him some bench time might be beneficial in the long run.
Nice writeup
I’m liking the additional perspective you provided, and trying not to write off the 111mil investment we made! I do feel however like part of the issue with people disliking arenas is his own commentary.
he invites some of the criticism with this sort of ignorant belief that he is not the problem. Granted he’s not the ONLY problem but he should clearly be humbled by the recent woes of the team. Humble is the last thing he seems…
by DynaMix on Nov 28, 2009 2:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I still don't see why people think Arenas thinks he's not part of the problem
He offers more self-analysis of his struggles than anyone in the entire league.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Great game last night
but let’s temper our enthusiasm.
1. Nick Young has to show that same level of commitment to defense EVERY game. He doesn’t have to shoot the lights out, or have 5 assists… but his defensive effort needs to be there.
2. Gil is not yet the Gil of old. He’s shown flashes; teases; even stretches where he has take over….. but it’s obvious he’s still feeling his way. We should stop with all the talk about trading him… or starting Boykins (or Foye)… or other such nonsense – and just realize that it’s going to take time. Let’s be patient.
3. So far, it’s been 14 games and 7-day Dray is still here. He’s still giving energy every night. He’s still playing well. Here’s to hope.
4. Boykins was a tremendous signing.
5. I’m STILL not sold on Randy Foye; and nothing he’s done so far this year makes me think he’s the answer for either the back-up PG or the starting Shooting Guard position.
6. Jamison at Small Forward worked last night….. and with either Haywood/Blatche or McGee/Blatche behind him, it might continue to work…. but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves…. Wait until we see guys like Paul Pierce, Gerald Wallace or Tayshawn Prince….
7. JaVale needs 10-12 minutes a night…. just so he can WOW Steve Buckhantz with his blocks…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Well, Foye's recovering from injuries
I agree that he may not be a long-term solution, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for another few games at least since he missed some time.
As for your first point, what I liked about NY’s defense is that it was smart. He stayed in front of Wade, didn’t get overly aggressive and didn’t get suckered into too many cheap fouls. His focus may flag in some games from now on, but I think at this point he understands what he needs to do, which is hugely important.
As for #6, I’m with you that Jamison isn’t a long-term SF. Just because he sisn’t a great defender at PF doesn’t mean he’ll guard smaller players any better. He’s usually done well against Thaddeus Young anyway, and leaving him at SF ignores the matchup problems he creates for the people who have to guard him.
Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.
I’m not giving up on Foye either… although I’ve never liked the idea of a Gilbert Arenas / Randy Foye back court… (as you, and most of the BF community know)… Too small…
Mike Miller is almost the perfect fit next to Arenas at SG…. He’s big… and although he’s not especially quick (an understatement) – I think he’d be better defending big SG’s…. at least he has the length to bother their shots. PLUS everything else he brings to the table: long range shooting, passing, smarts, rebounding, etc…
If Nick Young has really turned the corner (ie: he’s committed to playing defense) – then I think he’s the long term solution at SG…. but, we’ve seen Young “turn it on” for several games in the past… and then go into a tail spin. So let’s wait to see on that.
But if I don’t see more from Randy Foye – something that Young and/or Miller cannot provide, then I don’t see the need to keep him long term – - – and if Foye is not it, and Crittenton is not it… then perhaps the Wizards can pick up someone next year to play the point behind Gilbert. I like the quick jitterbug guys (Boykins, Dee Brown)… as a backup …
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
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