Washington Wizards Attempt "Hero Ball" And Lose To Phoenix Suns

On anther note though, I cant count how many times I’ve seen Thornton or Yi firing up misses during the course of this season. Couldn’t this be fixed simply by changing personnel? A little more Cartier Martin and Seraphin (I know Seraphin is definitely no better a shooter than Yi but if Yi isn’t making them anyway…..)

That they all appeared in the same game is troubling. Worst for me on this list was conditioning…I know we’ve been fighting injuries, but up and down the court is supposed to be our strength…

All i can say is wow and damn. This sucks in every possible way. How can Flip not have these guys able to play a QTR at the halfway mark in the season. Are we really self-destructing already?

John said he came out wanting to out-Nash Nash, and when he ran the rest of the team ran with him. Add to that just how awful the Suns shooting was in that first quarter (which sadly for us did not last!), and just how many opportunities there were to run.

It hasn’t been noted as a multiple player problem before, so it’s not like the team had notice to correct it – now that the staff knows this happens, it’s easy enough to work on.

I’m far more concerned about the “quitting” aspect. I know it’s complicated on a team. I’ve been on teams where the whole team lacked confidence, and that’s incredibly hard to change for any one or two people. We don’t have anyone on the team currently who can single-handedly create success. I imagine though that we have a combination of giving up (or even just complete deer in the headlights) by a few players and mass frustration on the part of others at how the offense is breaking down later in games.

And on a final note, I’m a little disturbed of late by the horrific number of double negatives used by our team in their quotes. ;)

Seraphin’s stat line wasn’t incredible, but he played with good energy, and he did some things we haven’t seen from him before. His pick & roll defense was very good. He had a nice block(!). I believe he dove for a loose ball on one occasion, and forced a jump ball. His shot selection was pretty good – didn’t hit everything, but you couldn’t fault his decisions. (Compare: McGee, JaVale.)

His body language suggests someone who is not real confident in his game, though, what with the slumped shoulders, the “deer in the headlights” look on his face, etc. He looks like a guy who’s always looking to others to tell him what to do, and that may just come from being a rookie who’s known to make occasional mistakes. Seraphin’s body posture sometimes carries over into his game – for example, he’ll stand around with his arms down instead of actively pursuing a rebound in his vicinity. Especially when you’ve got limited minutes, you’ve got to show energy whenever you can, and Kevin shouldn’t pass up those opportunities when they present themselves. It would also be cool if he could learn to snarl.

Bottom line: Seraphin still shows the promise that he had when drafted, & it’s good to see.

Wall is learning, Compare with Rondo his first year- He looked silly agains the Nashes and Kidds of the league. Rondo still has no shot what-so-ever but has flourished with an attack the basket and pass out if necessary game style. Like Wall, Rondo is a pass first pg but unlike Ernie, Ainge built a team that Rondo meshes with perfectly. Case in point: Paul Peirce an LA product (like Young) who’s size, skills and competitivenes give you a star who demands the ball and the iso in 4th quarter crunch time and play breakdown situations who is smart enough to pass to Garnet or Allen on the wing for the trey when it isn’t there, whereas the covered Blatche fires away. When our stuff goes south there is no takeover guy that can dominate their position offensivly except Wall. Who does dominate in the first quarter but can’t carry the team without some help and therefore runs out of gas and gets owned in the fourth..Wall can exceed Rondo’s development they are both fast, have long arms, In his first year Rondo wasn’t a starter and when He played He concentrated on defense, containing his man snd picked up garbage points by looking for back doors and rebounds. I swear, if you gave Rondo and open shot He’s pass it up. His lack of shot Has made Him into an attack the basket for an easy 2 or pass out to some of the better finishers around style of play that is perfect for Boston.

The Celts are my 2nd favorite team after the Bullets er Wizards. They destroyed the Jazz with Shaq. They are better and deeper with better conditioning than us.
What can be done?
Wall can fill the Rondo slot in a semi-Boston scheme. Young can fill the Allen spot up slot He’s got a great touch and if He can see the basket that helps that means He needs to learn how to come off screens effectively, lead the break with Wall or at least spot up. Can McGee oocupy the Shaq/Perkins slot? In a word, No. Javale can not create space He’s not a reliable outlet in a under 5 second situation, He’s a head fake away from two points for the other team. If for some reason He doesn’t bite He’s essentually a statue that you can pass or reach around and score on. His lack of defense by moving his feet laterally and back is astounding. I mean you could break his game down but this point this post is already long enough. That bring us to the Pierce slot. Blatch doesn’t look like the man to fill that role but could fill in to spell the guy that is needed.
Summing up,1) We need a center, Bring MGgee along slowly use Him in blow outs or trade him. Don’t depend on him. Need a player of Carmelo Anthony’s caliber to create game for Young and Wall. With Young and exceptional player to play with Wall will break assist records and bloom as a scorer. The Wiz will win and in two years Can be like Boston in Rondo’s 2nd year. Ainge brought in Garnet and Allen. We got our Allen. We need a Pierce.

I think this duo can work out, Blatche has the tools to become a David West type player who is a little more willing to bang, McGee can be the Samuel Dalembeezy defensive stopper the team needs. It’s all about ego’s and work ethics with these two.

It really comes down to the frontcourt and bench for this team, Wall is already a good player, RaLew holds his own, and Nick Young is atleast a legitimate offensive threat.

is that this is the same team minus Amare that took the Lakers to six games in the WCF, plus a true Center. They have practice trying to stop an elite SG/PF combo when the pressure is on. It doesn’t mitigate the trends we saw, but it’s something to remember.