The Wizards need another wing player. Here's the skinny on all their free-agent options
by Mike Prada on Jul 6, 2010 10:59 PM EDT
in Free Agency
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PrintWe all know the Wizards need a small forward (or two), since the only one on the roster right now is Al Thornton. So ... yeah, that's pretty much all I have to say to introduce this. Below the jump, some quick thoughts on pretty much all the small forward free agent options out there this summer.
Tony Allen, Celtics
- Age next season: 29
- Per-36 averages: 13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists
- PER: 14.2
- USG%: 19.6
- Fun Synergy Stat: There isn't one offensive stat, other than offensive rebounding (which accounted for less than seven percent of Allen's offensive opportunities) in which Allen finished any higher than the 125th most efficient player in the league.
- Projected price range: Doubt he gets any more than $3.5-4 million, but he was on display in the playoffs, so you never know.
- Competition: Boston.
The skinny: Tony Allen is dreadful offensively, and I mean dreadful. His jump shot is atrocious (these stats are not pretty), and he still has a tendency to put his head down and needlessly drive to the basket. But he's also an unbelievable defensive player, as we all saw in the Finals, and I think he'll come relatively cheaply. I liked him two years ago, and I like him now.
- Age next season: 29
- Per-36 averages: 13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists
- PER: 14.2
- USG%: 19.6
- Fun Synergy Stat: There isn't one offensive stat, other than offensive rebounding (which accounted for less than seven percent of Allen's offensive opportunities) in which Allen finished any higher than the 125th most efficient player in the league.
- Projected price range: Doubt he gets any more than $3.5-4 million, but he was on display in the playoffs, so you never know.
- Competition: Boston.
Matt Barnes, Magic
- Age next season: 30.
- Per-36 averages: 12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists.
- PER: 13.6.
- USG%: 16.2.
- Fun Synergy Stat: Nearly 38 percent of Barnes' attempts were spot-up attempts, which tends to happen when you play with Dwight Howard. Unfortunately, Barnes hit only 37.1% of his twos and 32.4% of his threes in those situations.
- Projected price range: Don't see him getting any more than half the mid-level exception.
- Competition: Detroit, Orlando (but not really).
The skinny: Orlando's hefty payroll and preference for J.J. Redick probably puts Barnes out of their plans. Barnes received a lot of credit for bringing some toughness to Orlando, and indeed, he had a good year. But he's also not much of a three-point shooter, even though you would think otherwise.
- Age next season: 30.
- Per-36 averages: 12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists.
- PER: 13.6.
- USG%: 16.2.
- Fun Synergy Stat: Nearly 38 percent of Barnes' attempts were spot-up attempts, which tends to happen when you play with Dwight Howard. Unfortunately, Barnes hit only 37.1% of his twos and 32.4% of his threes in those situations.
- Projected price range: Don't see him getting any more than half the mid-level exception.
- Competition: Detroit, Orlando (but not really).
Ronnie Brewer, Memphis
- Age next season: 25
- Per-36 averages: 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists
- PER: 12.5
- USG%: 13.9
- Fun Synergy Stat: Brewer was 36th in the NBA last year in defending pick and roll plays, surrendering just 0.73 points per possession in his 128 opportunities.
- Projected price range: Full mid-level exception.
- Reported competition: Memphis, so far.
Keith Bogans, Spurs
- Age next season: 30.
- Per-36 averages: 8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists.
- PER: 7.7
- USG%: 11.
- Fun Synergy Stat: Bogans was 29th in the league at defending the ball-handler in a pick and roll, surrendering an average of just 0.71 points/possession.
- Projected price range: Veterans minimum.
- Competition: Nobody.
Devin Brown, Bulls
- Age next season: 32.
- Per-36 averages: 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists.
- PER: 10.
- USG%: 19.8%
- Fun Synergy Stat: While with the Hornets, Brown was the 28th most efficient finisher in transition in the entire league.
- Projected price range: Veterans minimum.
- Competition: Nobody.
Rasual Butler, Clippers
- Age next season: 31.
- Per-36 averages: 13 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists.
- PER: 10.7.
- USG%: 17.
- Fun Synergy Stat: Butler got a lot of spot-up opportunities, but hit only 37.8% of his twos and 35.2% of his threes.
- Projected price range: Half the mid-level exception.
- Competition: Nobody.
Josh Childress, Greece
(Stats are 2007/08 stats in Atlanta).
- Age next season: 27
- Per-36 averages: 14.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists
- PER: 17.8
- USG%: 15.8
- Fun Synergy Stat: I got nothing
- Projected price range: More than the mid-level exception.
- Competition: Atlanta (not really), Toronto, many more.
Marquis Daniels, Celtics
- Age next season: 30.
- Per-36 averages: 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists.
- PER: 9.6
- USG%: 15.8.
- Fun Synergy Stat: Daniels scores well off cuts, I guess (38th in the league last year).
- Projected price range: Veterans minimum.
- Competition: Nobody.
Josh Howard, Wizards
- Age next season: 30.
- Per-36 averages: 12.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists.
- PER: 12.7.
- USG%: 24.8.
- Fun Synergy Stat: Don't ask Josh Howard to consistently shoot spot-up shots. His Dallas stats placed him a dreadful 316th in the league on those opportunities.
- Projected price range: $2-4 million - tough to tell with his injury.
- Competition: Nobody.
Richard Jefferson, Spurs
- Age next season: 30.
- Per-36 averages: 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists/
- PER: 13.1
- USG%: 18.3
- Fun Synergy Stat: Jefferson was the sixth-most effective player in the NBA in offensive plays where he scored off a cut, scoring an average of 1.61 points/possession. This would be great, except those plays only made up eight percent of Jefferson's offensive opportunities.
- Projected price range: He thinks mid-level. I'm guessing less.
- Competition: Knicks? Nets?
Kyle Korver, Jazz
- Age next season: 29.
- Per-36 averages: 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists.
- PER: 13.9
- USG%: 16.2
- Fun Synergy Stat: Korver was the second-most efficient spot-up shooter in basketball last year.
- Projected price range: $3-5 million.
- Competition: Not sure, but probably not Utah.
Wes Matthews, Jazz
- Age next season: 24.
- Per-36 averages: 13.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists.
- PER: 12.3
- USG%: 16.5
- Fun Synergy Stat: Good luck shedding Matthews with a bunch of off-ball screens. The Jazz youngster ranked eighth in the NBA in defending those plays, surrendering an average of just 0.63 points/possession.
- Projected price range: $3.5 million at worst, full mid-level exception at best.
- Competition: Utah, San Antonio, Portland, LA Lakers, Milwaukee.
Mike Miller, Wizards
- Age next season: 30
- Per-36 averages: 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists.
- PER: 14
- USG%: 14.7%
- Fun Synergy Stat: Miller was the seventh-most efficient spot-up shooter in the NBA, scoring an average of 1.29 points per possession on those shots.
- Projected price range: Mid-level exception or higher.
- Competition: Cleveland, LA Clippers, Miami, New York, LA Lakers.
- Age next season: 25.
- Per-36 averages: 16 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists.
- PER: 14.
- USG%: 17.8%
- Fun Synergy Stat: Morrow's spot-up shooting ability is simply superb. He was the fourth-most efficient player in the league in those spots last year, hitting 51 percent of his shots and 50.8 percent of his threes. This isn't a sample size thing too - Morrow had 252 spot-up attempts last year, good for 31 percent of his offensive repertoire.
- Projected price range: Full mid-level exception.
- Competition: Golden State, San Antonio, LA Lakers, Boston, Portland, LA Clippers, Utah.
Travis Outlaw, Clippers
-
Age next season: 26.
- Per-36 averages: 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1 assist.
- PER: 13.3
- USG%: 21.4
- Fun Synergy Stat: Outlaw didn't play much this year, so the sample sizes are too small.
- Projected price range: Anything up to the full mid-level exception.
- Competition: Clippers.
Quentin Richardson, Heat
- Age next season: 30.
- Per-36 averages: 11.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists.
- PER: 12.9.
- USG%: 14.8.
- Fun Synergy Stat: You shouldn't worry too much about Richardson creating his own offense. An astounding 55.4 percent of his offense last year came via spot-up shots.
- Projected price range: $2-3 million.
- Competition: Not sure.
Antoine Wright, Raptors
- Age next season: 26.
- Per-36 averages: 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists.
- PER: 8.6.
- USG%: 16.1%.
- Fun Synergy Stat: Wright actually does a decent job in isolation situations defensively, finishing 35th in the NBA in that category last season.
- Projected price range: Veterans' minimum-low-level exception.
- Competition: Raptors, Celtics.
Dorell Wright, Heat
- Age next season: 25.
- Per-36 averages: 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists.
- PER: 14.5
- USG%: 15.8.
- Fun Synergy Stat: Wright has a lot of defensive potential, but he finished 309th in the league at defending isolation opportunities.
- Projected price range: $2-3 million.
- Competition: Nobody.
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YAH!!
Wizards new players talk. I agree I like Dorell Wright the most on the list with Brewer and Matthews trailing. All those guys are relatively young, which would be the top priority if I were Grunfeld. If a player is going to steal minutes from the core of young guys the Wiz have I want it to be another added young guy…
I like Wright the most
I’m against anyone over 26 or 27, just as a matter of principle when we’re rebuilding. Morrow’s an incredibly good player, but I don’t ever want to see him at small forward. I could see a Morrow-Wall backcourt working really well, though.
Follow me on twitter - http://twitter.com/TheRealTPruitt
ohhhhh boyyy that sounds beautiful.
I think we should seriously look into signing Morrow…the kid is a legit starter…I’d put him in over Arenas immediately but that would mean we could never trade the guy…he can definently light it up and with all the open looks John Wall is guna give him theres no reason he wont focus on the other parts of his game
Morrow over Arenas?
The only thing Morrow does better than Gil is shoot 3’s…… and i’m including defense.
by Oldbuckwilder on Jul 7, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
yea, morrow is a decent player, i like him for our team
but have you ever seen him play. he is not a legit starter. he started sparingly for the warriors because half of their roster was d-league players. i don’t know how in your right mind could you say to start him over arenas. morrow is not a great ball handler, can’t play great D, can’t create his own shot. his only claim to fame is that he is a lights out shooter. he would be a great scoring option off the bench, but definitely not a legit starter.
is Yi totally, 100% a PF?
i know his size and all, but could he not be a SF in a pinch, at least as a backup?
otherwise, i agree with yoda about the age thing, for sure.
i like matthews best, then brewer, then d. wright then outlaw.
and for the love of abe pollin, NO BOGANS and NO Q!!!!!!
"hindsight is 50-50" - Steve Spurrier
by little stevie colter on Jul 6, 2010 11:48 PM EDT reply actions
Keeping an eye on summer league
guys like Patrick Ewing Jr. and Derrick Brown. I’m looking up to see if Brown was drafted and apparentally…
http://www.nbadraft.net/2010-draft-night-recap
If you were at the draft, most would agree the most memorable moment was when the 28th pick was announced. Prior to walking into the building, Adam and I ran into Greivis Vasquez’s high school coach. He told us he was waiting on GV, who was driving straight from Maryland after Washington had made a promise to him at 30, although they didn’t think he would last that long. In other words, Vasquez had a first round guarantee, and was one of the few players not invited to the green room that was present at the draft.
I’m happy with Booker more now and I like Vasquez, but I definitely think it would have been a homer pick.
Given who's on this list
and taking out players we likely can’t afford (MM, Wes Matthews, Josh Childress) or aren’t likely options (Korver) I think Dorrell Wright is a good option.
But I think Josh Howard is looking like fate. This guy was an all-star just as recently as Caron Butler and other than injury and a team that threw him under the bus, I’m not sure he’s fallen that far. He was playing some GOOD basketball in his 4 game stint with the Wiz and we were winning.
I’d invest in him on a cheap, 2 year contract. If he gets back to his all-star level…score! If not, his contract comes off the books at the same time as Hinrich and that’s when the Wiz will be looking for a big-time free agent.
He was playing well here and he likes it here. I hope that works out.
I have no loyalty to Howard. Nothing against the guy or anything.
It was a nice 4 games, but whatever. Given his injury and the likelihood that he’ll be recovering from it for a while, I’d pass.
Also:
that’s when the Wiz will be looking for a big-time free agent
Unless I have totally misread Leonsis I think this will ever happen.
by MR on Jul 7, 2010 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, Big-time was probably a poor choice of words
but I think that there’s a school of thought that you save that $10M+ for that one last player that makes you a championship contender in FA. I think that’s Ted’s philosophy. You don’t build thru free agency, you finish off thru free agency .
by JonathanJoseph on Jul 7, 2010 3:57 AM EDT up reply actions
A while?
I’d be happy giving Yi a 2 month tryout in a lineup featuring Blatche and McGee to see if he can play the 3. By then, Howard is back healthy and gets a tryout to see how he can recover. Maybe they are both gone at the end of the year if neither works out.
But for that money, I take the chance that Howard comes back.
by JonathanJoseph on Jul 7, 2010 4:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m not pushing a school of thought, but unless I’ve misread Ted’s 10 points to success I don’t think we’re going after that FA you’re talking about. He is pretty clear about home grown talent isn’t he?
I haven’t heard any medical updates, but from what I’ve seen the first season after major knee surgery is a wash. So a 1-2 year contract seems like a waste.
by MR on Jul 7, 2010 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I have to agree with MR and Jheiser3
Who knows what Howard will give the Wizards after that injury – or when. With only one legit 3 on the team, they really need to add someone who plays that position and who can come into camp to be a part of the team from the get-go.
The Wizards have had too many players playing out of position. Yi will never be an adequate 3, except maybe during rare filler minutes.
At least athletically Booker should be able to play the 3, so I hope he gets some minutes there.
But their roster needs one more player whose natural position is SF.
by Johnnie Futbol on Jul 7, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Kind of piling on here, but...
The guy is far closer to a Center than SF. He’s also somewhat closer to retired than either.
My choice would be no one that costs over the minimum. Why? Because we need to try to restrain ourselves from exhausting “our powder” and every million we have to spare is useful in trades down the line. I think Nick Young can step in at the 3, and so can Blatche. We could go with a big lineup of Blatche at the 3 and Yi at the 4, at times. Yi isn’t great, but we know he can start at the 4, and Blatche can play a big 3. Then we’ve got Thornton to fill that space, and my grand hope is that Booker shows that he can learn that position — if we win that possibility, then we won’t need anybody any good.
Of course we need guys to fill out the roster; I’m just saying I’d rather use the big money later.
Sasha Pavlovic
Still young.. Takes pride in defense.. High intensity.. Should come at a good price $3M/year.. I read that he is considering playing overseas after a sub-par season in Minneapolis..
this sure makes ernies desire to stock the frontcourt a little suspect! i was surprised that not one of these guys had a per of 15 or better, not one! isnt 15 average?
by les boulez bomber on Jul 7, 2010 12:19 AM EDT reply actions
Of the more realistic options, my top choices (in no particular order) are
Barnes- efficient, above average shooter and a good rebounder. I like that he has an all-around game.
Korver- fantastic shooter, but he’s poor rebounder and defender. Still, having someone that deadly from deep is extremely valuable.
Miller- I love Mike, but I just don’t think he wants to play here. Still, I would sign him to the MLE in a heartbeat.
Richardson- He has decent stats, but he’s old and I just don’t like him. But I guess I wouldn’t be unhappy if he came here.
D. Wright- He has some of the most inconsistent stats I’ve ever seen, but if he keeps up what he was doing last year, I would sign him.
I like Matthews and Brewer
Bogans would take me way back though. My high school teammate played on the same AAU squad as Bogans, Joe Forte, and Dan Gadzuric. Man I used to go to all their games and I thought all those dudes would have great NBA careers.
Al Thornton too...
I like Wright if we’re getting someone else. I wouldn’t count out Al Thornton. If he can
get any better, he’s above average in my book. Not great, but a player. I like Yi in a big
line-up. I think he poses mismatch problems. Don’t let Yi find a consistent NBA game.
He’s very talented. After that Travis Outlaw and Josh Howard.
Ernie's thought process
“Hmm, who did I like three years ago? Where’s my list? Oh, here it is. #1, Mike Miller. He’s good, and a nice guy. Can really shoot it! Richard Jefferson, yeah! He’s a beast!!! I can’t believe he’s available. Signing him will make my Hinrich trade look like when I traded the 5th pick for Miller and Foye. Hmm, I wonder if Foye can play small forward. Flip never tried him there. Oh my goodness, Josh Childress could be available! Everyone in the league’s forgotten about him, so all the media will think I’m a genius when I sign him. He’s from Stanford, so he’s smart. But he only plays defense, so he won’t fit ‘our system.’ Matt Barnes? No, he’s buddies with Gil and will be mad when I screw Gil over. Some of these other guys? Nah, too young. They won’t help our push for the playoffs. I wonder if Ted will let me trade next year’s first round pick for someone. Like maybe Luol Deng! I heard he mentored Kirk Hinrich.”
by disgrunted on Jul 7, 2010 6:43 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Why not...
…just trade for Ariza? He seems to fit better than any of the free agents.
i like the idea
of targeting trades instead of limiting ourselves to who is free. in that vein Mo Evans has one year left on his contract making 2.5M. I’ve always been a fan of his. I would imagine ATL wants to hang onto less expensive labor but some teams think even 2.5 is too much.
This is a good point
If we’re thinking trade targets, some guys that jump out as ones EG would consider are Tayshaun Prince (one year), Marvin Williams (not a fan), Ariza, Luol Deng (too expensive), Mike Dunleavy (one year), Shane Battier (one year) and Corey Brewer (Minny has a lot of wings all of a sudden).
Oh my goodness I would love Marvin Williams
He is a great rebounder from the 3 and has underrated athletic ability…improving shooter..i love the his game.
Corey Brewer figured out how to shoott he ball and he can still defend but if he comes to the wizards i feel like he is going to get injured…Ariza would be a perfect fit and long term solution at the 3.
Another name out there is Granger
In yesterday’s ESPN rumors, Chad Ford mentions that the Nets are talking to the Blazers about Aldridge and the Pacers about Granger. If Danny is available for trade, then that should be our top priority. A young core of Wall, Granger, Blatche has championship potential.
What does NJ have that we don't?
There available assets might be Devin Harris, Favors, and cap space. They were apparently only willing to move Favors for Bosh. That leaves Harris and cap space.
We have Gil, who is better than Harris. We have cap space. We have a bunch of younger players on short term contracts (Young, Thornton, McGee, Yi, Booker, Seraphim, etc.). We still have our future picks in tact.
Point is that anything the Nets can offer, we can do better. But I have no idea what the Pacers want other than cap relief.
Plus they have other guys that can play SF
Still have Dunleavy. Drafted Paul George. Rush is tall enough to play some 3.
I don't see Indiana just trading Granger for cap space
because his contract is reasonable. They’d want to add Dunleavy or Ford too. We could maybe do something like Granger + Ford for Hinrich and Young, depending on how much cap space we have left (we’d have to trade them individually because of Hinrich), but I can’t see Indiana dumping its best player for a few million in cap relief. I don’t see any way to do a Granger and Dunleavy deal.
by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Jul 7, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
There available assets might be Devin Harris, Favors, and cap space.
Yeah. Those are some pretty freakin awesome trade assets. At this point, Gil has no trade value.
for a team
like Indy that is starved for a PG, Harris is very attractive, much more so than Gil80. (Gilbert and his 80M owed)
Plus Indy already had to pay a PG to go away after mroe gun charges. They wouldn’t touch Gilbert if he was free.
I wouldn't even want Granger
his contract is fine, but now’s not the time to take on such a big. long contract. I would love to just stick a D-leaguer in at SF.
by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Jul 7, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
You're joking
He’s a 27 year old All-Star. How long do you think we plan to wait to be good?
He has a bigger contract than anybody else on the list, so the Wizards would have to either get rid of some pieces or use the rest of their salary cap to absorb his contract and neither would work when you have roster spaces to fill. I don’t see him being a good piece to add with his contract.
by ThePGPhenomenon on Jul 7, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Good analysis...
In my heart, I am still partial to giving Josh Howard a chance for the right price. He made some fans in his short stint and he actually seems to want to be a Wizard. But his injury was a serious one… and he is 30.
Dorell Wright has had his moments with the Heat, and he is still a young guy… but I always sensed that Wade and the coaching staff actually had more faith in Q… Maybe I am wrong but that worries me.
Put me down for Ronnie Brewer. The guy is young, a great athlete, plays high quality D and can score off the penetration (often spectacularly)… He has great bloodlines (his dad also played at Arkansas, on the same team has Sidney Moncrief, I believe). For greater scoring punch we have Thornton.
by khrabb on Jul 7, 2010 8:52 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Andray Blatche and Dorrell Wright actually went to the same high school according to Wikipedia. I thought that was interesting.
But based on your analysis Dorrell Wright sounds like a good choice, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with getting Josh Howard too. We are going to need one more wing player that can play SF/SG so getting two of these guys would make sense especially since we have 4-5 roster spots to fill.
Josh Howard is probably not going to cost a whole lot and if you sign him to a 1 year deal with a team option for a second, you can test him out to see what he gives you and if he does bad then you can dump him and you wouldn’t lose a thing. But at the same time, if he comes back from injury and plays at a high level, then you have another potent scorer to add to your team and a veteran presence. I should also mention, I’m not completely sold on Thornton, but if he shows he can play well then you probably can use one of these guys and package them in a mid-season trade.
Howard
I like the idea of Josh Howard. No idea where his rehab would put him though. He’s a starting quality player that can be had for less than starter money. That’s value. Build something into his contract that gives him a base salary plus attainable bonuses for games played.
The problem is...
He won’t be ready until at least mid-October…. and the way things usually progress with knee injuries, he won’t really get back to his former self until probably January or February…..
So, I agree that they should sign him to a one year deal with a team option for a second year, IF they can get him cheap enough…. but unless you sign someone else as well… you’re looking at playing Thornton 40 minutes a night, and Nick Young as his back-up…
Thats why I like signing a guy like Patrick Ewing Jr. AND Josh Howard. Ewing can be had for a 1-year unguaranteed contract for the minimum ($857K)…. and sit him on the end of the bench… If anything happens to Thornton, and Howard is not ready yet – stick him in, see what he can do.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Jul 7, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Kyle Korver
I think he might be good for John Wall’s development. I like the way Korver moves without the ball around the perimeter to get open and create passing lanes to receive the ball. When John Wall drives into the middle of the defense, Korver will always be in the right spot to receive a pass and then be able to knock down the shot. Having Korver on the floor acts as a safety valve and allows John Wall to stay in “distributor” mode. The more John Wall looks to pass and the less he looks to score, the happier I’ll be.
If we can get him for cheap, Korver would be a good pickup.
KK
these shooters are the next in line to get overpaid once the mega stars settle. Miami, NYK, CLE, etc will all need to add sharp shooter so Korver, miller even Roger Mason will get his.
Actually, next in line to get paid will be our old friend Brendan Haywood
He’s almost the only center out there this year.
But you’re right, after Haywood, the shooters are next, so KK will probably cost too much. I’d be happy with a slightly less elite shooter who is just as good at moving/positioning without the ball.
Didnt realize Tony Allen was an option
but I agree I’d love to have him. With him and Thorton we would have two very very scrappy Sf’s…
@MikePrada-I think we might be the biggest Dorrell Wright fans outside of Miami. The kid definently has the size and quickness to defend anybody…he just has to dedicate himself to it. The only thing i disagree with you on is Antoine Wright. He’s a legit starter…Did you forget he started games for the Mavs?
I think Morrow is a better defender than you give him credit for…
My initial reaction to Keith Bogans is no..but now that I think about it I would actually like him on our squad. He could definitely earn a starting spot…Decent spot up shooter, solid defender, and he’s another positive veteran influence.
But like you I really want to see Dorrell Wright on this squad.
I also hope Nick Young realizes his defensive potential…the kid checked Dwayne Wade pretty well…he can guard any two in the league if his mind is right.
Lance Stephenson
is looking really good in the summer league right now…he wouldve been worthy of a top 20 pick
Sign Singleton
Thornton starts at ‘3’ with Yi Jianlian behind him.
Singleton backs up Dray & French guy at 4/5.
Problem solved.
YouTube says he can't guard the '4' either.
If we’re teaching Defense, why not teach it where we need it?
how can you teach a 7 laterally slow 7'1 250 pound man how to defend 3's?
We should stick to things that could happen within the known laws of physics.
He could be OK against certain matchups
He has decent lateral speed for his size. He’s not young KG, but he’s much closer to that than to Roy Hibbert.
Between Yi and Nick, we should be able to deal with most backup SFs.
who are these matchups that he could handle?
and then you qualify it with “for his size”? Which tells me you don’t really think he could play the 3. i think we have plenty of back up 3 options. There isn’t a starting 3 on the roster though.
We are talking about backups.
This is the second team.
So Yi’s theoretically on the court with Hinrich, Singleton, Nick Young and another player. Unless that player is Dwight Howard, that team is playing zone and praying for rebounds.
i think both the celtics and suns did it in the fourth quarter and deep the playoffs. play the five that r playing best as a team
by les boulez bomber on Jul 11, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
The only reason to do this is to try to win a better lottery pick next year.
Yi at least has the build to defend power forwards — let’s try to get him to learn to do that first instead of messing with his head by teaching him to play a brand new position. Even Dwight Howard, a supreme athlete but a similar size to Yi (6’11’’ 265) gets caught flatfooted when he gets caught guarding SGs and SFs — I can’t even imagine how ridiculous Yi would look trying to do it on a fulltime basis.
Besides, as Prada points out, reserves in this league end up playing a decent chunk of minutes against starters.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Jul 7, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Additionally
I personally am not sure he is even quick or reactive enough on defense to play many PFs. I think he might be best utilized at the backup C position.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Jul 7, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
going that way myself
Try to turn him into a mini Okur who can stand between his man and the basketb on defense, shoot well at the other end.
i agree. he is too slow to guard a lot of PF. Put him at center
by les boulez bomber on Jul 11, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
If LeBron stays in Cleveland....
New York will need someone else to move the ball, score outside, and penetrate and dish to Amare. That could be Gilbert. If the Knicks will part with Danillo Galinari and Curry’s expiring, that is the type of deal that would have to be a consideration for the Wizards. It would give the team a young European 3 with an upside at least equal to the Sacto-era Peja…. and 11.4 million worth of cap space next year. And New York would at least have a shot of making the playoffs.
gotta remember
D’Antoni loves Galinari… didn’t he draft him? I don’t think they would part with him. Besides, I am not sure if I would even want him. He’s a nice player but not the type of player that I’d want at the 3 spot. I would be happy with Gil for Curry’s expiring + a 1st round pick. Two top 15 picks next year would be more valuable to me than Gallinari. And yes, I think the knicks would still not be in the top half of the league even with Gil and Amare.
by jeffco01 on Jul 7, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
NY probably doesn't have their first round pick
Didn’t Isiah trade them all away in perpetuity?
That's funny, but...
They must have their ‘11 (and can’t trade it), since they did trade their ‘10. There’s a rule against trading out of the first round pick two years in a row.
The Rockets have the right to swap picks in 2011
So they’re technically not “trading” their pick. It’s a loophole to overcome the Stepien Rule.
and on a side note..
Have you guys seen any highlights of the two wing men projected to go in the top 5 next year. These 2 kids Harrison Barnes and Perry Jones are going into their freshman years and they look like monsters and I am salivating over them. If we landed in the top 5 of the draft next year and got one of them I would be ecstatic to pair one of these guys with Wall. Granted a whole lot can change once they get to college but if they perform the way I have read they can then watch out.
Here are some Perry Jones highlights:
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/perry-jones
Here are some Barnes highlights;
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/harrison-barnes
Barnes
Is not an elite athlete but otherwise he is a finished product. Very happy he will be killing people at Carolina next year. My favorite story about him is that the day after he won the state championship he was at his HS gym to work out at 6AM. Had to call his coach to get someone to let him in. Will not get out worked.
Although, he says he wants to go to college for more than 1 year.
RT @STEIN_LINE_HQ
Just filed to ESPN.com: NBA has set salary cap for next season at $58 million, nearly $2 million higher than anticipated
……..
This is probably bad for the Wiz’s BOYD efforts.
by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Jul 7, 2010 7:42 PM EDT reply actions
RT @STEIN_LINE_HQ
Officially salary cap number is $58,044,000, up from $57.7 million last season. Tax line rises to $70.3 million, up from $69.9 million
by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Jul 7, 2010 7:43 PM EDT reply actions
way to early but.....
there is this guy in the 2011 draft.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J6om5a3NQw
he could fill that in spot in a year?
Joe Alexander
Not saying that he would be the answer definitively at the wing, but this guy had some pretty good potential at WVU. Not so sure that he got the minutes in Milwaukee or Chicago to see what he can offer. He is also young and could be had for a low price, I am sure.
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