Andray Blatche needs to chill out, though I can't blame him for having absolutely no idea what to do at this point in his career.
The guy's been fantastic since the Wizards sent Antawn Jamison to Cleveland, but he also forces shots and really has no idea how to react when a wrench is thrown into the proceedings. It's not that he's being selfish when he makes up his mind before going into a move that he's going to shoot the ball no matter what, it's that he has no idea how to execute anything other than putting up a shot. He's never had to deal with being the focus before.
And with the way that he took it to defensive mastermind Chuck Hayes early on; you couldn't blame the guy for thinking that everything was going to fall. But from what I saw, as the game went on, Blatche kept forcing things, and it turns out that Flip Saunders kept him on the bench for the final four and a half minutes of the Wizards loss.
Not sure I agree with that (you can't find some way to squeeze him in for a play or three, mindful of the fact that he needs to settle down?), but I can understand why.
almost 2 years ago
Mike Prada
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KD is right
Early on, Blatche lit up Chuck Hayes. But Hayes is a REALLY good defender. Blatche kept making moves and Hayes kept getting in his way; kept his body between Blatche and the basket. As many moves as Blatche has, he hopefully learned the need to develop some counters, to create a comfort level with non-pet moves. A good lesson for him.
by TheSecretWeapon on Mar 10, 2010 11:33 AM EST reply actions
well KD is wrong
about his inability to pass out of the post, even after initiating his move. He can improve in that area, but he’s naturally a very good passer. He just needs more experience. I mean, the guy just got double-teamed for the first time in his career last week…
precisely
Adjustments – that’s what makes a good NBA player into a great NBA player….
Look at Brandon Jennings… He lit up the league early in the year ; Everyone found out he’s tremendously quick, and can get to the basket almost at will…. but he’s not that good an outside shooter…. So the League adjusted. They laid off him, daring him to shoot….. taking away the drive. After averaging 22 points in November (including a 55 point game) , he’s averaged a little more than 15 points per game since. (Including a TERRIBLE February where he only averaged 10 points)….. Now it’s Brandon’s turn to adjust…
Same with Andray. He was always a talented player… so when he got his chance to start and play significant minutes – he made the most of it ( averaging 26 points and 10 rebounds in his first 7 games ) – Now teams are starting to adjust…. and Blatche is averaging 18 and 8 over his last 4 games…. Now, admittedly, the competition is better (Milwaukee, Boston and Houston)… but still, the League is starting to catch up with what Andray can do -he’s going up against better defenders who now have a scouting report on him…. He has to adjust.
Adjust to being the #1 option on the team… Adjust to being double teamed… Adjust to the escalating pressure in the 4th quarter…..
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
brandon was "woofing" KG in the tunnel after bucks won
i was happy….KG is a bully.
Couldn't have said it better...
As far as adjusting to the 4th quarter pressure (making the right play, the right read, hitting a big bucket, getting a big stop, etc.), that’s probably gonna be the toughest one. Because its way more mental than anything else. It remains to be seen, but usually players are either intrinsically good in high pressure situations or they’re not. You don’t see many develop that quality. With the obvious exception of overcoming rookie mistakes and playing more (for lack of a better word) solidly, you just don’t see players develop that killer instinct.
I disagree to some extent with the Jennings analysis
I think adjustments affected him, but he also just stopped shooting well. He was around 50% on threes for a while, whereas now he typically shoots like 2 of 9 on them despite being left more open than ever.
by pantslessyoda1 on Mar 10, 2010 7:37 PM EST up reply actions
I highly doubt AB is that thick
One or 2 plays should have been enough. It seems playing time would be the best thing for AB now. You know, learn the hard way. More losses can only help the Wiz anyway.
Not living in DC any more, I’m sure my Wiz news is incomplete. Having said that, I’ve never seen Flip say anything good about AB. Not even after AB blew up his first start post-trades. Maybe it’s Flip who needs to chill-he’s easier to replace than 20-10 and only 24 years old.
His first 3 years as a Professional Basketball player
he couldn’t buy an alcoholic beverage……
He’s a 5 year vet…. and he’s only 23….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
And he missed most of his rookie year
including his first training camp.
actually
In the media, Flip has said numerous glowing things about Blatche.
by Johnnie Futbol on Mar 10, 2010 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
Blatche will be fine
he doesn’t need to refine his game, just adjust it a little. I think he’s an excellent passer. He’s also a MUCH better defender than our previous #4. What Blatche needs most on offense is HELP.
Arenas would provide some great feeds for Blatche.
Livingston looks like the next guy to do that. Blatche should not need to be a fascilitator.
Disagree
He has the ability to facilitate from the post. He should do it. Of course some of his baskets should be assisted by the wings, but there’s no good reason to neglect that part of his skillset.
He has above average passing instincts
He has some CWebb in his game. As he gets more touches his TO’s will go down. He shouldn’t be the primary offensive initiator, but he would be a great secondary facilitator.
by forthepeople on Mar 10, 2010 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
Simple basketball basics, if your PF needs to be a fascilitator your team is having definite problems with court balance.
I cant think of a situation where a PF needs its primary concern to be assisting.
PS. Did you like that behind the bass pass Blatche did that went to no one? lol. Attack the rim is all we need from him and ASSISTING is great but comes second to scoring.
Lots of team have post players be facilitators
Pau Gasol, KG, Josh Smith, Andrew Bogut, Scola, to name a few.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Not sure how Dwyer can say 'Dre
“IS” something, based on only one game. Obviously, in other games, Andre has shown different qualities. My point is, it’s just not fair to use language to define a player in a certain way, especially when Chuck Hayes is acknowledged as a good defender. Dwyer should know better, after watching players develop in the league over the years.
Where did he say he was something?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
He said he needed to chill out
While also saying he’s been great since the trades.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
he said Blatche has no idea how to react and that he forces shots,
without using any restrictive language in the descriptions he was using. To an objective reader, then, we’d interpret Dwyer to mean that he believes that Dre is a player who has no idea how to react and forces shots…all the time. Which just isn’t true, in my estimation, but I guess fans could debate those issues. I think Blatche is showing himself to be a better player than the player that Dwyer is describing.
by Tbonebullets on Mar 10, 2010 6:16 PM EST up reply actions
Thats true Mike, but Blatche isnt really anyone of those guys. He should just worry about scoring, getting to the line, rebounding, defending and minimizing his turnovers. I think we should leave the assists to Livingston, Foye, and Miller. Thats just my opinion, maybe Im overanalyzing it but i just dont think Blatche is the next Steve Nash but more a KG. Catch, use your size, make a move, score. On defensive end, intimidate, force bad shot, block, and defend.
I don't think anyone is saying he NEEDS to be THE facilitator
And nobody is saying that his primary concern should be assisting.
The point is, if he can pass out of the post (which he can), and get his teammates good looks (which will come with experience), then there’s no reason for Flip, fans, or anyone else to try to turn him into an offensive black hole (ala Al Jefferson – who can’t pass out of the post).
What would be absurd is stopping him from developing a skill (an entire element of his natural game…) that he could be very very good at.
Learning how to function as the man and when to shoot and when to pass
is the kind of thing you can only learn with plenty of game time. You can’t learn that in practice and he is just gonna have to keep on playing till he gets it. I’m not worried about him. Every talented post player goes through this adjustment.
Your right, I am more so concerned about our depth.
I would love to see Arenas, Pietrus or Durant, Josh Howard, and Bosh on the floor next year is that happening probably not. But just imagine
Arenas PG Livingston/Foye
Durant SG Miller/Young
Josh Howard SF Al Thorton
Andray Blatche PF Singleton
Bosh C McGee
Those positions are adjusted but I think would work well.
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