Gentlemen,
    I’ve mainly been a lurker on the board for this season only. While we have obviously underperformed in the opinion of everyone from NBA “experts” to the common D.C. sports fan, I truly believe the jury is still out on this team. I like what Flip had to say last week (I believe the Sacramento game) telling the guys basically “we’re going to be ok…. we’re going to win between 40-45 games…. we’re going to make the playoffs… so lets calm down”. I think we do need to give this team at least a little more time before we start running around screaming chicken little. It seems evident to me that Gilbert (aside from that putrid Phoenix game) is starting to get some of that drive back. Im not a big sabermetrics/advanced stats guy but I watch every game and thats just the impression I get. He looked pretty darn agressive on that West Coast trip and I’m looking forward to seeing more of the same. Butler, it’s evident he seems pretty lost in this offense and is looking for a way to “get his”, and its not happening. But again, this guy is a baller… he’s an NBA All-Star and I think he’ll find his stride. I would like to see him focus more on rebounding and defense while he is finding his place in the offense and hopefully those things will fall into place. Jamison, a consumate professional, and the glue to this team. As long as he is healthy, I know we’ll be competitive with the other pieces we have. Foye and Miller is alot of the reason Im trying to be patient. I LOVED what I saw out of Miller early in the year. The guy seems like a hustle machine and a very selective shooter (almost to his detriment). I wouldn’t mind seeing Miller being a little more selfish when he comes back and try and create more offensive opportunities for himself. And as for Foye, when he was starting, I was really impressed with his contributions (again not being an advanced stats guy so please dont jump me with plus/minus, VORP jibber-jabber). I think there is a place for him. Haywood has been straight up beastily efficient this year in my opinion. He has been an animal on the boards (especially OFFENSIVELY) and is constantly around the ball under the hoop oftentimes finding wide open dunks for himself. Deshawn to me is the most depressing part of this team. He looks straight up awful. I’d probably trade him to anyone for some extra practice basketballs and some water bottles. The guy can’t seem to hit an open shot to save his life. I don’t see him getting alot more minutes from this point out after he squandered his starting opportunity. Blatche has also been disappointing to me. He has shown signs of brilliance but the inconsistency kills me. Seeing him in there for 16-18 minutes some nights and giving us nothing but a couple dumb fouls and ridiculous turnovers is annerving. And Boykins I think straight up had beginner’s look. Again, using the eyeball test, I’m really not comfortable when he is in the game. When he makes a play (and Ill grant it that he has done alot this season) it seems so forced and difficult that you are constantly holding your breath. It seems his stock has certainly come down to earth on that West Coast trip. Young to me deserves more minutes but also deserves a lecture on how to “play within the system”. When he gets in the game, it seems like he has in his head “Im going to create my own shot and score as much as possible and force Flip to play me more”. I’d rather see those points come more naturally than the back and forth crossover dribble followed by a fading jumper time after time. McGee to me is nothing more than a backups backup and seems to want to goaltend every shot that gets put up.

Ok, ok… so I certainly didn’t mean to go into a rant on my opinion on every player on this team but it sort of just flowed that way.

All in all, I think we have PLENTY of talent to be competitive in the East. Aside from Boston, I dont see any true dominance out of anyone else. I believe some balls and calls will start bouncing our way, and we’ll be able to put together a streak. I have the utmost confidence Flip and the guys will find their identity (which I think they are truly lacking) and some leadership finally.

To me, the biggest thing will get Butler going in the offense. We NEED that three-headed monster to be just that night in and night out with Haywood/Miller/Young complementing that. Until that happens, I think we will continue to be competitive but ultimately not win games.

As far as tearing the whole thing down and reassembling, I couldnt be more against it. Like was previously mentioned, Arenas’ contract just ain’t goin’ anywhere. And I really don’t want to build around him for the future. I would be mortified if we lost Jamison to the Cavs…..

Ok… back to work… Im done.

Keep your heads up, better days lie ahead.
Lets get it started tonight and give Eddie a walk down memory lane (P.S. I love Eddie.).

Take Care,
Jonathan

Your positive nature is encouraging – I wish I shared it. While I don’t think the team shoudl be panicking – I think a little more urgency would be helpful. There is a little too much of “we will be fine” talk from both the players and the coach for me.

I really would like to see Flip commit to Blatche and Young. You can’t teach there type of atheticism and length. Remember how everyone was down on Haywood a few years ago and he kept saying – give me minutes and I will be fine. Well once he got the minutes is production and consistency improved.

I would like to see a starting five of Arenas, Young, Haywood, Jammison and Blatche. Gil could keep Nick in line and Haywood/Jammison could ride Blatche. This line-up would give us quickness, length, scoring, youth plus veterans.

Then I would bring a second unit of Butler, Miller, Foye/Boykins and perhaps McGee. Let Caron be the leader of the Bench Mob. Make it fun and challenge them. I think there is a subtle dominance game going on between Gil, Antwawn and Caron and think the “Big Three” would be better if split apart.

Perhaps Caron, Miller and Boykins end the game and Blatche/Young sit during crunch time. However you got to give those guys consistent minutes, live with their mistakes and help them grow.

My mini- rant