Keys To The Palace: Veterans Help The Wizards Stay Competitive During Tough Week
by Jake Whitacre on Dec 27, 2010 1:00 PM EST
in Keys To The Palace
Email
PrintWith Gilbert Arenas Tribute Day pushing back last week's Keys To The Palace to Tuesday, Monday's game against Charlotte got tacked on with last week's edition. That means we've only got Wednesday's game against Chicago and Sunday's game against the Spurs to deal with this week.
In both games, the Wizards simply didn't have the firepower to keep up with two of the NBA's best teams, but they kept both games tighter than expected. These are the defeats you can live with during a rebuilding period. After the jump, we'll take a look at who stepped up this week and who most certainly did not.
Keys to the Palace
| Player | Week 9 PER | Week 8 PER | Difference | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashard Lewis | 12.9 | N/A | N/A | The best part about Lewis' great outing against San Antonio was that he showed his game hasn't become as one-dimnesional as his days in Orlando may have suggested. Yes, his three point shooting and rebounding were outstanding, but he also did a solid job defensively and was able to create his own shots inside. No one is expecting him to return to the same level he played at with Seattle, but if he can at least show that same diversity, that's a positive for the Wizards moving forward. |
| Kirk Hinrich | 13.5 | 12.9 | 0.6 | When Kirk Hinrich was brought in, no one was expected him to log the minutes he's been playing the last week since Arenas was traded, but he's played far better on the offensive end than anyone could have asked. His defense has understandably slipped a little bit, as he's had to handle more offensive duties, but he still did a good job with Derrick Rose, keeping him from hurting the Wizards from beyond the arc and holding him to five assists. That said, it's a good thing John Wall is back, because the heavy minutes he has been logging appeared to be catching up with him in the second half against San Antonio. |
| Hilton Armstrong | 7 | 7.9 | -0.9 | Armstrong reminded everyone of his value to the team as he helped keep the Wizards competitive against San Antonio with his stout defense until he was forced out with a foot sprain in the closing minutes. If he doesn't make a quick recovery, we could see lots of easy baskets around the rim in the coming weeks. |
Guest Passes
| Player | Week 9 PER | Week 8 PER | Difference | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Thornton | 11.3 | 11.3 | 0 | Another steady week at the office for Thornton, who is still playing almost 30 minutes a game, even with two former All-Stars, Josh Howard and Rashard Lewis, joining the roster. |
| Josh Howard | 13.3 | 12.5 | 0.8 | Flip Saunders has kept Howard's minutes steady since returning from injury, averaging 20-25 minutes per game since coming back last week. In all, he's been a great addition to the team and a big part of why the Wizards have avoided being blown out against Miami, Chicago and San Antonio. The one area of his game that needs some work, it's his shot locations. 17 of his 36 field goal attempts have been long twos (16-23 feet from the rim, according to Hoopdata) and he's only made six. Once he can either hit that shot more effectively or phase it out of his repertoire, he'll have an even better impact on the team. |
| Trevor Booker | 12.9 | 13.1 | -0.2 | Booker was only twenty seconds away from a DNP against the Bulls, but came back with a good outing in San Antonio. He only had two points, which came on a nice put-back dunk, but his five rebounds were a welcome sight. |
| John Wall | 16.6 | 17.3 | -0.7 | Wall wasn't 100 percent against the Spurs in his first game back from injury, but he wasn't gimpy either, which leads me to think it was more an issue with being rusty than still injured. Because so much of his game is predicated on speed, it's going to take him longer to shake off the rust than other players, but it's nice to see he's gotten a little craftier, which will certainly help on the nights when he isn't at his best physically. |
| Nick Young | 15.6 | 16.9 | -1.3 | Nick Young has responded well to extra attention defenses have been giving him lately, including a nice 22 point effort against the Bulls, but he had a little too much on his plate against San Antonio. Not only did he have to try and make up for Blatche and McGee's output, but he was being asked to slow down Manu Ginobili at the same time, which by itself is a full game's worth of work for most players. Given those circumstances, his rough outing in San Antonio shouldn't be surprising, but the effort on this possession could have been better. |
Locked Out
| Player | Week 9 PER | Week 8 PER | Difference | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Seraphin | 8.8 | 8.2 | 0.6 | Just about every big man has problems with fouls coming into the league, especially international players, who have a steeper learning curve with NBA referees. So it shouldn't come as a shock when Kevin Seraphin commits four fouls in nine minutes against San Antonio, but it should serve as a reminder that development is a long and winding road, especially for players from overseas. |
Go Sit In The Timeout Corner
| Player | Week 9 PER | Week 8 PER | Difference | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andray Blatche | 14.2 | 14.9 | -0.7 | Between his botched layup, his terrible performance against the Bulls and the altercation, I'm not sure there's been an easier case to lock someone out in the history of Keys to the Palace. |
| JaVale McGee | 18 | 18.5 | -0.5 | I know I've already aired this grievance, and I probably sound like a curmuddgeon when I bring it up, but this is the kind of play that reinforces everything the coaching staff thinks about McGee, for better and worse. But right now, the bigger issue is that over his last four games, McGee is averaging a measly 4.3 points and 7 rebounds per game. Hopefully, the fight serves as a big wake up call for both players, who have been in downward spirals as of late. |
NOTE: Lester Hudson, Cartier Martin Hamady Ndiaye and Yi Jianlian were excluded from this week's Keys to the Palace since they all received little or no playing time.
32 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
No key for Armstrong
I’m the first person to shudder when he checks into a game, but he was really outstanding in San Antonio. A guy who has a career game against Tim Duncan deserves some props.
by Elvin_is_my_Elvis on Dec 27, 2010 1:13 PM EST reply actions
Should have been "No key for Armstrong?"
by Elvin_is_my_Elvis on Dec 27, 2010 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
Good call
He’s earned it this week. I’ll switch that.
by Jake Whitacre on Dec 27, 2010 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
Nick’s game against the Spurs was below par, for sure… He shot poorly, but he did help on the boards (4 rebounds) and had his required ONE assist for the night.
To be fair, in the play you chose to point out “effort” as the problem…. what I saw instead was a veteran player schooling him…. and Nick in the wrong position. Manu called for a screen…. Nick was playing Ginobli to drive to the baseline (where he presumably had help)…. He was in a good defensive stance – with his head on a swivel…. But when DeJuan Blair started to come over to set a screen, Nick took his eyes off Ginobli for a second – and Manu surprised Nick by simply shooting the ball.. They had run that same play before – Ginobli had dribbled left and caught Nick hung up on the screen, and it gave Ginobli an open look at a 3 ball – and Nick was playing as if that was the same play. ( And it probably was)…
Granted, Nick should have been a foot or so closer, if a screen was coming, and if he wanted to force Manu to drive…. But what I saw was was not a lack of effort, but incorrect defensive positioning; and Manu took advantage.
He's "delightfully cranky"
Sorry,
I’m just sensitive to the way phrases like “poor effort”, or “lack of energy” are thrown around so easily – like those are the only reasons a player gets beat, or a team plays badly.
He's "delightfully cranky"
At least Nick wasn't locked out...
Hopefully , he’ll have a better shooting night against Houston.
That’s the main problem with Nick – and getting a Key…. If he doesn’t shoot well, he can’t get in – because he doesn’t do a lot of other things (rebounding, assists, steals, etc…) that could get noticed… His defense was lacking a bit last night as well… Although, guarding Ginobli is a real task for anyone…. George Hill also torched Nick a couple times….
He's "delightfully cranky"
this whole thing is nonsensical.
come on man stop dumping on Mcgee.
He had 10 boards 2 blocks against the Bulls
and he went 10 pts and 5 blocks against the Bobcats intimidating them from coming down the lane.
Booker went 6’3 and nothing against the Bulls.
seriously just say I hate Mcgeee instead of some fake made up diss to make it seem like a relevant critique I could take that alot more.
Mcgee is averaging 9,8 and 2.4 thats about like Haywood used to get here when everyone thought he was the anchor to the Wizards defense.
Okay Blatche and Mcgeee got into a scuffle away from the team on their own time they shouldn’t have been suspended for that off company time. That was stupid to hurt the team for something minor away from the team… had it happened in practice I could see it. its during work time hindering the team.
just like when the Big 3 was here Haywood and the young guys used to take criticism while the big 3 skated by when they were actually the problem.
Nick Young, Thornton and Hinrich are the issue they won’t stop dribbling and gunning the ball they don’t pass.
Young is a ridiculous blackhole he’s scoring I love it he has been like a machine with his ability to get buckets problems is he takes alot of forced shots when others are wide open under the basket it would foster more teamwork and take the defense off him as tight if he facillitated the ball occasionally.
Thornton same thing maybe worse.
Hinrich he passes the ball surely but he dribbles it to death just holding and dribbling and waiting. I can;t wait for Wall to get back so the ball will actually move and the defense has something else to think about.
to me right now the whole bunch is playing poorly.
we need to start the vets Lewis and Howard start Wall with mcgee and Blatche and try and develop some chemistry and continuity.
Young, Thornton ,and Hinrich need to move back to the bench where they belong.
Sorry but
comparing McGee defensively, to Haywood is c-r-a-z-y. Haywood truly was an anchor(in my mind). He made up a ton for any weak perimeter defense, and could handle anybody in the post, on any given night(if he was actually on his game). McGee’s shot blocking surely deters people from coming down low sometimes. But it just as often leads to easy buckets. And he doesn’t even know what it means to be in the post. All of a sudden a 7-footer puts some body on Javale and he gets moved out of the way so quick it doesn’t even count as a post-up to begin with. If the only reason you can find for someone to criticize McGee, is just being a hater, then pay closer attention to him the next time you watch a Wiz game.
When Wall comes back 100%, people’s offensive roles will become more defined, and those other issues you mentioned won’t be so much of a problem. It really is hard to criticize Hinrich, when he is needed to do so much for this team’s offense right now.
I am going to keep cheering Gil, like it is 2005. Lets see some of that swag return, because that is why we loved you to begin with.
And do us a favor Gilbert, beat Lebron in the postseason... and RUB IT IN!
by returnofswagger on Dec 27, 2010 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
4.3 pts annd 7 rebs is enough reason alone to criticize your starting center.
Not to mention the other crap that hurts, that doesn’t even show up on the stat sheet.
I am not saying I think McGee is only hurting the team. There has been plenty of games this season where he has played an important role. I’m just saying there are a thousand improvements for him to make, and that leads to criticism.
Lately he hasn’t been playing well at all, not to mention the fight. And that is what the keys are based on anyway, recent performance.
I am going to keep cheering Gil, like it is 2005. Lets see some of that swag return, because that is why we loved you to begin with.
And do us a favor Gilbert, beat Lebron in the postseason... and RUB IT IN!
by returnofswagger on Dec 27, 2010 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
Against Chicago, McGee DID have 10 rebounds… but anyone that actually watched him play in that game knows that Boozer had his way with McGee – got him in foul trouble early. When Kurt Thomas was in, he threw JaVale around like a rag doll – while collecting 4 offensive rebounds.
The way to know if JaVale McGee is playing well – is not to look at how many rebounds or blocked shots he has – but how many times he forced the other team’s Center into a bad shot…. Did the other team’s center shoot poorly from the field for the game? Was the other team’s Center a non-factor in the game? Did the other team abandon their pick-and-roll game because JaVale was able to adequately cover the guard for enough time to allow the Wizards guard to get back into position?
OR
Are we spending the next day wondering why the Wizards gave up so many second chance points? OR Why can’t we defend the pick-and-roll; it’s the most basic play in basketball? OR How can a guy that’s only 6’9" and plays below the rim (Boozer) continually get easy shot after easy shot against the much taller and more agile McGee? OR Why can’t our Centers keep Kurt Thomas out of the lane? OR How can Omar Asik get more points and the same number of blocks as McGee when Asik only played 6 minutes?
There is a simple answer to those questions….. McGee is a poor defender. As simple as that.
He's "delightfully cranky"
That is a good way to put it
I am going to start keeping an eye on the other team’s C’s stats. That really is the barometer of what he is doing on the court. We love the blocks, but despite them, we give up a ton of points in the paint.
Javales game is kind of like a guy dishing out 8 assists but having 9 turnovers. It kind of defeats the purpose. The blocks erase points in the paint, but he gives up easy ones right back, so what’s the benefit?
I am going to keep cheering Gil, like it is 2005. Lets see some of that swag return, because that is why we loved you to begin with.
And do us a favor Gilbert, beat Lebron in the postseason... and RUB IT IN!
by returnofswagger on Dec 27, 2010 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
Why would checking the opposition stat line
only apply to Mcgee?
It doesn't
But when people talk about Nick Young – One of the first things they talk about is whether his opponent got more points – In other words, did Nick play defense that night… Last night against Manu Ginobli – he obviously didn’t do a very good job…
When people talk about McGee – all they talk about is his rebounds and blocks…. Never whether the opposing Center dominated the paint… They never talk about him leaving the painted area going after a block, only to see the other team grab the miss for an easy put-back…. No one ever talks about all the points-in-the-paint the Wizards give up when McGee is in the game.
It’s all because of his spectacular blocks….. and sometimes the spectacular dunks…. blind people to his deficiencies… No one pays attention to the little things…. the fact that he never blocks out… the fact that his defensive rebounding ratio is poor…. (remember, DEFENSIVE rebounds end the other team’s possession)…. the fact that he is frequently out of position…. the fact that, on most nights, the opponent’s center dominates the paint….
What’s worse, is that JaVale McGee doesn’t yet seem to understand what is needed …. He thinks if he has 10 rebounds, he’s had a good night…. But if he didn’t play the pick-and-roll defense properly.. or he allowed lay up after lay up, dunk after dunk… and the opponent Center was able to get inside and wreck havoc – - – then he DIDN’T have a good night – even if he DID have 10 rebounds and a couple blocks.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I thought Young did about as well as anyone can expect against Ginobilli
When Manu is on and he was om. When he is hitting hie 3s its a going to be a long night for any defender. I have never seen anyone shut him down when he is shooting well. So I think Young did about as well as anyone can expect.
by hambonejackson on Dec 27, 2010 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
Why the double standards?
Parker went for more points and assists then Kirk last night….so that means Kirk didnt play well enough right? If we use the same criteria being applied to Mcgee-Boozer?
Or should we not make those direct comparisons since the given players are often asked to fulfill different roles on their respective teams?
Young hit 5 shots against SA. About 5 more of those shots hit the back of the rim
Most nights those shots would have gone in. So the difference between a good defensive night and a bad defensive night was about 1" if you look at the stat line.If you watch the game you would know this. I think watching the game is the best way to judge how players are playing. Thats why I hate when people blather out stats to prove some point about a game I watched. I watched the game.
by hambonejackson on Dec 27, 2010 5:51 PM EST up reply actions
I agree, Parker outplayed Hinrich last night...
However, MOST nights the Wizards don’t get killed by the opposing Point Guard…. They do, however, get killed inside.
I’ve been most impressed this year by the perimeter defense of the Wizards. Hinrich, Young, John Wall, Cartier Martin, Thornton and Josh Howard have played pretty good defense for the most part…. Contesting shots. Not giving up wide open 3’s (for the most part). Helping out on posting bigs. Limiting driving lanes.
On the other hand, McGee, Blatche, Yi Jianlian and Hilton Armstrong have been less than stellar inside. It seems like all you have to do is throw the ball inside to your post scorer, and you’ll either get an easy bucket or two free throws. It’s almost automatic.
He's "delightfully cranky"
come on man
In the pick and roll its the guards and backside defense responsiboliuty not the big coming out and showing their has to be defense behind that big so if Rose ties up mcgeee and the ball goes back to his man the pf has to rotate or the small foreward from the corner the defense has to be cohesive.
But what happens is mcgeee shows the ball goes back to his man who rolls then he gets blamed when the pf doesn;t step up take the charge or blocke the shot.
big baby with the celtics is a perfect example of this when their big shows on the pick and roll Big baby slides under the roll guy every time.
But not the Wizards no one puts their body in the way to impede anyone.
so it puts Mcgee in a position to make a weak show on the guard which gives up the jumper or a hard show which gives up the paint a center needs coverage he ca’;t show, recover and contain the paint all at the same time.
so stop blaming mcgee he can only do so much.
He is a detternt at the basket he forces guards to change their shots and blocks a good bunch of them this constant whining about him is crazy when the Wizards defense as a whole has been awful most of the season but better lately probably due to the fact that vets lewis and Howard are back and know how to rotate and cover more.
Mcgee is fine he needs to do a better job on the ball as a defender he needs to hold his ground more on his man not back up and try for the swat but use his chest bang the guy then contest the shot.
But again 9,8 and 2.5 are damn good numbers for a center who rarely gets the ball and plays 20 something minutes per game, big improvement over last season’s numbers.
I wanna see the Nick the blackhole PASS THE BALL TO THE BIGS UNDER THE BASKET.
NICK IS AVERAGING .6 assists per game thats .6 for a guy averaging about 15ppg thats pathetic its hurting the teams offense.
thats more turnovers than assists per game. How is Howard, Lewis, Mcgee or blatche supposed to contribute stay engaged on the defensive end if their sg is a total eclipse of the sunshine
sharing of the ball would help this team.
stop with the Boozerr stuff
Blatche was guarding Boozer most of the time Not Mcgee. Mcgee was guarding Thomas and patroling the paint as a big should do.
that 30 pts was given up by a comibination of all the bigs not Mcgee
if he gets 9,8 and 2.4 thats more than good enough on this team not try and get Blatche to do anything defensively and our screen door pg defense and we might actually contain some people.
but can;t blame Mcgee for everything. come on.
I will cut McGee some slack
From earlier in the year when the Wizards perimeter defense was atrocious which forced Javale to rotate often to a penetrating guard. (which in turn forced the sf to rotate in his area who happened to be a guard playing in a SF role – from there it just got ugly)
Now however, with Hinrich/Wall, Young and Howard on the outside, the perimeter D is the most improved part of the team (is not great but was that bad before)
This in turn, should allow him to focus on his on the ball D (playing defense with his feet)and defensive rebounding, areas in which he is found to be lacking in, but is what his minutes should be determined by. (He is a capable shot blocker and offensive rebounder)
Defense should be this team’s calling card for the remainder of the season as they have enough length and athleticism to have some success there (Rebounding should also be as well) But consistent effort should play a part
Additionally if the team is to have any success this year, now is the time as the schedule is very favorable in the first half on January
McGee moving at all was thing I noticed about him
Trying to get him to actively move around as opposed to standing around is the challenge Saunders has brought up. McGee uses his arms and not his feet. So when he goes for a rebound he tends to reach for them instead of moving towards the ball. and he has a tendency to do the same thing when defending players. So the main thing is to get him to be active with his feet. To his credit he is doing that more. He has improved on his help defense and I recently saw him actively pursue a rebound, so he can do it.
I must comment on the Hinrich photo
I think its great that the NBA encourages special needs adults like Hinrich to play sports, but he will never last in the NBA dribbling the ball like that.
I remember that play
It was actually a decent recovery by Hinrich after getting not-fouled (according the the officials) while dribbling the ball.
"Be patient or be a Heat fan" - MR
All of this negativity towards McGee
is pointless and stupid. We should be ecstatic that we have a young, legit 7 footer, putting up the numbers he is putting up. And, most importantly, he always plays with energy.
He is young, he makes dumb plays, but he is clearly showing improvement this year.
Some posters here think Arenas is going to be playing well at the end of the year and dare us to wait and see but won’t give McGee space to grow. Arenas won’t be playing well at the end of this year.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bullets Forever
Related FanShots on Bullets Forever
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- The Golden State Warriors will likely move to San Francisco in 2017
- Chris Paul goes off the top of the backboard for one last Clipper highlight before losing to Spurs (VIDEO)
- Behind the Box Score, where the Heat grabbed control behind LeBron James’ amazing afternoon
- Behind the Box Score, where the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the fourth quarter. Again
- Kevin Durant’s game-winner beats the Lakers in Game 4 (VIDEO)
