Roster Reactions
by SpecialSauce on Dec 12, 2011 1:25 PM EST
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PrintThe first weekend of the Wizards training camp is in the books and I like all of you here couldn't be happier than to have our team back on the court!
Since the NBA has been back to business the team has signed all three of their rookies, signed Roger Mason Jr., and acquired Ronny Turiaf via a trade that also netted them potentially two additional 2nd round draft picks.
The team seems quiet on the free agency front and there haven't been any blockbuster trade rumors involving the team.
As I see it, the team seems very happy to be back to practice, working hard, and trying to prepare themselves for a season that might end with a playoff berth (or so the players think). Nick Young remains the only player who isn't present and that's because he's a free agent. If the Wizards really desired his services they would have made an offer to him over the weekend in efforts to get him into camp and acclimated with the team as quickly as possible. They haven't, he is not, and life goes on.
From what I can make of how the Wizards have handled their first week under the new CBA is that they are quite content to sit back, work with the 17 players they currently have in camp, and come December 26th, they'll take their young team, deep with talent, and see what they've got. The acquisitions they've made of obtaining Roger Mason and Turiaf are nice, but neither are great or even good NBA players. Both guys are here for limited minutes (as in 10 mpg or less), but big roles as mentors for a young team. Rashard Lewis remains the team's best true NBA veteran and biggest vet contributor, but as I see it, the writing is clearly on the wall that the franchise has made a 100% commitment to giving all of their young guys a chance to compete in this 66 game shortened season, winning would be nice, but so would be winning the lottery...a philosophy I couldn't agree with more.
- Chris Singleton has the best potential to be the newest Wizard to have the biggest impact. I see him fitting in perfectly at SF between Wall and McGee. He's an absolute thief on defense and will create fast breaks nightly.
- Andray Blatche looks to be "larger" than he was last season and I'm not sure if it's intentional. He also seems to becoming a vocal leader on the team. If Andray is starting to put it all together this could be exciting! I'm not buying it yet.
- JaVale McGee said that he does not intend to dribble or shoot from outside of 10 feet from the basket! Really?!? Thank you to whomever finally got in his head and told him this! Thank YOU!
- Jan Vesely is going to struggle early on. It's a big transition from Europe to the NBA and this off season didn't set him up to succeed. No rookie camp, no summer league, no normal training camp, no normal pre season schedule, no way Vesely makes much of an impact this year.
- Jordan Crawford is making it easy for the Wizards to forget about Nick Young. Give Crawford an inch and he'll take a mile. Give him the starter's spot at SG in training camp and he'll fight for it every minute.
- Shelvin Mack looks good in the young guard trio with Wall and Crawford. He's another versatile guard, but one that understood why he was drafted by the Wizards and what his role on this team is. He could carve out a nice niche off the bench for the team.
- Kevin Seraphin looks like he's in great shape1 He was the only Wizard playing overseas (Booker got injured) and he played for France over the summer, so if anybody is in regular season shape, it should be him. I might be in the minority, but I expect a big jump in development in his second season, the addition of Turiaf will only help him.
This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.
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I agree with almost all your points
except for the the following points
If the Wizards really desired his services they would have made an offer to him over the weekend in efforts to get him into camp and acclimated with the team as quickly as possible
From a business standpoint, for the long term grander scheme of things it is more important to have Nick at the best possible price. Not to have him a few days earlier to attend TC in 2011. Ernie is waiting for the market to set a price for him. The unfortunate CP3 situation probably holds up the market. Dudes like Crawford, Nene, Afflalo and Nick are feeling the consequences right now. It’s either big moves or relative bums/minor deals.
Jordan Crawford is making it easy for the Wizards to forget about Nick Young
Crawford hasn’t shown he is a starter that fits Wall last season imo. He is a playmaker that duplicates Wall’s role, rather than compliment him and only 25% or so of his made field goals were assisted on if I remember it correctly. Crawford is a lead-guard, rather than an off guard, I guess is what I’m trying to say.
Shelvin Mack looks good in the young guard trio with Wall and Crawford. He’s another versatile guard, but one that understood why he was drafted by the Wizards and what his role on this team is. He could carve out a nice niche off the bench for the team.
He could yes. But I wouldn’t put my money on it. He is a second round pick and a guard. Guards are not like 7 footers, they are a dime in a dozen and more often than not, second rounders are out of the league after their rookie deal.
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
Dutch
I really believe that if Young was part of the Wizards long term future when Ted, Ernie, Flip, and Shep sat around during the off season and planned their team, then Nick would have been at least offered a contract by this point. I think they’d like to have Nick, but since they’re taking the wait and see approach, you can tell he’s not currently factoring in to their “long term vision” right now. It’s smart, but if he’s a “major cog” then they make him feel accordingly.
Let Crawford grow. He showed tons of potential last season and seems like a real hard worker, plus he seems to get along well with Wall. I love his demeanor! He’d be my candidate for “Says Most, Talks Least” award. His mentality is great for a young guy, he wants to be great and doesn’t expect it to come in the mail to him.
Mack can score, he can get to the foul line, and he’s heady, is he a great NBA player? Probably not, but I think he can be the right player to play behind Wall. Initially I wanted Josh Selby there and even after seeing him (Selby) make the sickest 360 alley oop I’ve ever witnessed in my life, I think Mack mentally has the capacity to excel in a limited role on this team. But either way, we’re talking about a position with 5-10 mpg available after Wall and Crawford get theirs.
by SpecialSauce on Dec 13, 2011 7:10 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I don't necessarily disagree with you on Young I guess
Even I as a NY supporter know that he ain’t what you call a major cog. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t in their long term plans. It just means you shouldn’t overpay for him. It’s a matter of having your priorities straight (a good price over the convenience of having him in practice).
As for Crawford, I see your point and I agree he has a lot of potential and seems to have a great mentality. But do you agree with me that he is more of a lead guard than an off guard and therefore is kinda redundant if he is on the floor with Wall?
I hope for the best with Mack and if he pans out, great! If not, I’m not disappointed.
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Dec 13, 2011 7:30 PM EST up reply actions
It works
I think a Wall-Crawford back court combo does work.
Last season was a short sample of both players. Crawford in duration and Wall in health. Both guys can create and dish, both can get to the foul line, both need to work on their outside shooting %‘s. This is where you need a big that can stretch the floor and shoot from the outside. Perhaps that’s Lewis this year and hopefully Kevin Love in the future as I just wrote in another thread.
by SpecialSauce on Dec 13, 2011 7:56 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think having one lead guard on the floor is enough
As Chicago Bulls clearly showed us having one shot creator is not enough for a team to suceed in the playoffs. I also understand that Nick Young is probably a better scorer than any of the guards on the Bulls other than Rose, so it could be different story. But I think Crawford is more of the type of player that create his own shot against tough defense. Don’t get me wrong, I love Nick Young’s game and would love to have him back, I’m just saying Crawford might be better down the line. That all being said Crawford is going to have to be much better efficiently in the future to be called a legit starter. He’s also going to have to play some defense.
I think Crawford and Wall would coexist nicely as they play alongside each other and learn to adjust, of course Crawford would have to do most of the adjusting.
by Young Wook Lee on Dec 14, 2011 1:48 AM EST up reply actions
Well Chicago is not the best example to make your case
They had the best record in the league and played a very close series against the Heat with all but one game within 5 points.
But never mind the example, think about this: Crawford isn’t the best fit to start with Wall imho for the same reasons Arenas wasn’t the best fit. Kobe or Allen Iverson wouldn’t be good fits with Wall either, or Michael Jordan for that matter.
A off guard is not someone who can’t create offense. Ray Allen, Rip Hamilton, James Harden, they can all do something with the ball if they have it. The difference with a Westbrook, Rose or an Arenas is that they don’t necessarily NEED the ball in their hands all the time and that they can play off of a ball dominant guard to be effective. The skill to make a play is an addition to their game that makes them more complete players but it’s an addition, not their forté. Two ball dominant guards can play together, sure. Good players always find a way to play together, but it’s not ideal. It’s basically the same argument we discussed last year about a Wall-Arenas back-court .
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Dec 14, 2011 4:39 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah Chiago was a bad example
But I still think Crawford can coexist with Wall.
The funny thing is I actually envisioned the two compared to somewhat like Russel Westbrook and James Harden. You can’t really say James Harden is a pure off guard, as he was often the primary ball handler during stretches of playoff games. Which is actually what led me to believe that Crawford and Wall can nicely coexist. Of course things would have to adjust accordingly, and that would mean Crawford’s game has to adjust. I just believe it’s something possible under Flip because he has transformed NY’s game that way.
But I understand what you mean by Crawford isn’t the best fit, and I wasn’t trying to say he was if that was anyhow implied. I just think that Crawford could turn into a nice fit with Wall, especially if his 3 point shot has really improved like they say so. Also Wall-Arenas back-court is a bad example since that was more of the issue of Arenas wanting out rather than on-court chemistry.
by Young Wook Lee on Dec 14, 2011 7:59 AM EST up reply actions
I really believe that if Young was part of the Wizards long term future when Ted, Ernie, Flip, and Shep sat around during the off season and planned their team, then Nick would have been at least offered a contract by this point.
And how do you know that Nick Young has NOT been offered a contract by the Wizards? Ernie is historically tight lipped about such dealings… As is Flip. It is in Nick’s best interest, EVEN IF HE HAS AN OFFER IN HAND, to wait to see what other teams might be willing to offer…
To say that Nick has not been offered a contract may not be correct…. You just haven’t HEARD that he’s been offered a contract.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
It's all transparent
Is twitter not the greatest for all things sports related?
Look, I’m not saying that Young might not have been offered a deal, but the coverage of all of these dealings is being reported instantly and accurately to date. Also, if Young did receive a contract offer from DC, I would believe that both party’s would have mentioned it by now. The Wizards for the PR and Young’s agent to try and create interest from other teams. Nick Young isn’t even on the radar right now and nobody but Wiz fans are talking about him right now.
by SpecialSauce on Dec 13, 2011 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
you can tell he’s not currently factoring in to their "long term vision" right now.
And other than your assumption that Young has not been offered a contract – how do you rationalize this statement? What are the facts that would cause you to believe this? Has Ernie said ANYTHING other than Young is their top priority? Has Flip said ANYTHING that indicates he doesn’t want Young back? Do you have some inside information? Do you know for a fact that Ernie Grunfeld and Young’s agent aren’t talking?
He’d be my candidate for "Says Most, Talks Least" award.
You mean like: “I’m better than Michael Jordan” ???
Or when he mouthed off at Kevin Garnett and got smacked for his big mouth?
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
I love to be quoted!
If the Wiz thought NY was their SG of the future he would have been signed by now…even if it meant overpaying a mil or two to do so. They would do it and be happy about it because that’s “their guy” and there wasn’t another team in the league that was going to sign him.
That’s what Ted Leonsis did with Ovechkin and Backstrom, that’s what will happen when Wall becomes eligible, that’s what franchise’s do when they truly covet the services of a particular player.
Young isn’t apart of the “core” and thus we’re seeing it play out slowly. Everybody says that they’d like to have him back, but nobody seems to be to distraught if he’s not (except maybe McGee).
This is a clear message to me at least as to how the team views Young….and to a certain extent Crawford.
by SpecialSauce on Dec 13, 2011 8:06 PM EST up reply actions
Crawford
Is a different person on the court then off it. He’s somewhat shy in front of the media, but when he’s on the court his swag takes over. That’s what happened with the KG thing, he’s tenacious and won’t back down, but I don’t see him spraying people with champagne in the club. He’s got court confidence, but sensical awareness off it.
by SpecialSauce on Dec 13, 2011 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
sensical awareness off it.
His “sensical awareness” button must have been turned to OFF when he said he would become a better player than Michael Jordan
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
I don't see what's wrong with that
I think it’s always best to aim high. Most people who suceed do that. What do you want him to say then? I don’t want to be better than Michael Jordan? If someone at the end of his career said He was better than MJ, that’d be stupid, but a rookie saying he will be better player than Michael Jordan is completely fine, in fact somewhat good. I understand what he says can be outrageous, but the motivation he shows from what he says is what’s important.
by Young Wook Lee on Dec 14, 2011 2:02 AM EST up reply actions
Sure - aim high... Confidence is good... I admire his lofty goals
but at the same time, keep your mouth shut and don’t say stupid shit.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
By the way....
Just like EVERYTHING ELSE, confidence taken to the extreme, can be a bad thing. We saw the results of some of that extreme confidence that Crawford exudes last year – when he took 16 shots a game even though he was the least productive player on the floor….
He took terrible shots, because he had supreme confidence in himself… thinking he can hit ANY shot, at ANY time, under ANY pressure… and therefore taking shots that were NOT advisable, nor within the purview of the Offense.
Yeah – I get it… the kid has game. He can certainly create shots; not necessarily GOOD shots, but he can create shots. He’s got good court vision, and when he WANTS to (ie: when he’s not shot jacking), he can be a good passer. The Wizards might even be able to compensate for his sub-par defense….
But what I really don’t get about all the Crawford talk is that he breaks the offense to get his own shots…. and people love him for it… but when Nick Young was doing the exact same thing 3 years ago, he was roundly panned…. Or when JaVale McGee takes the occasional bad shot, not within the offense, there are serious discussions the next day on this blog. Andray Blatche gets criticized, and rightly so, for his poor offensive efficiency – yet Crawford somehow gets a pass for jacking up four 3-pointers a game, even though he’s a terrible 3-point shooter.
Jordan Crawford’s confidence can be taken two ways…. You can either look at it like an asset… like one of his GOOD attributes…. OR , if he continues to jack ill-advised shots, I’ll continue to think of his over-confidence as a detriment to the team.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Dec 14, 2011 6:55 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well in my defense I was always a fan of NY
I think there’s a difference to the criticizm of Javale, Blatche, NY, to Crawford. The former three were often criticized for not doing the very simple things of basketball correctly.
Javale sets poor screens, and always jumps to block shots thus averaging probably the most goal tends in the league. Javale doesn’t do the things that they teach you in HIGH SCHOOL varisty basketball. I would expect a pro to do that, you know, something even I learned to do.
Andray Blatche is also of the similar case. He always settles for jumpers, when he definitely has the skills to go to the basket for easier shots. But more than that my biggest knock on him was that he seemed like he rarely tried his best.
Lastly, Crawford is probably not criticized as much as NY because he showed that he can break down an offense and also create for others. Thus he showed that he had lots of potentials in different areas of the game whereas NY just seemed like a shot jacker (I do want to mention that I was always a fan of NY and I love the way he transformed).
Also, and this is the key difference as to why I would be lighter on Crawford, is that Crawford was jacking up shots but Flip gave him the green light for that (I’m not 100% sure but I would assume so). Which is why I am not so worried about his tendency to jack ill-advised shots, because I believe that can be fixed under Flip, as it has for NY. And even though he jacked up lots of ill-advised shots, it’s not like someone on the team was going to create anything much better.
by Young Wook Lee on Dec 14, 2011 7:49 AM EST up reply actions
Crawford has a winning mentality. Nick and Javale don't
Especially Javale
I said this in another thread today but
If Nick Young had Jordan Crawford’s personality, Ernie Grunfeld would have had a four-year offer waiting for him the day the lockout ended.
And I firmly believe that. Don’t forget the human aspect of the sport.
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
Follow @Dylan___V
by returnofswagger on Dec 14, 2011 7:26 PM EST up reply actions
I think we're ready way too much into this
A lot of the restricted free agents have not signed. There’s a new CBA which has modified the rules. We’re also cramming an entire off-season into a week or so. That it seem like there’s less movement with Nick Young than they’re might be. When you see 4-5 big signings and trades in a day, and Nick Young hasn’t been signed, your mind naturally plays tricks on you. It’s the same way traffic looks like it’s moving faster when it’s the lane next to you. All you see is the other cars moving.
Here’s one other things, the amnesty clause may have damaged the SG market a lot. First, Rip Hamilton was released on the market. Second, teams under the cap that might have made a run on restrict free agents are waiting to see who gets released under the amnesty clause.
Hypothetically, would you rather have Nick Young at 8-9 million a year, which is the amount I’m guessing it would take to pull him from the Wizards, or would you rather put 2 million on Billups like the clippers did?
Lastly, I think the problem is that it’s really tough to evaluate Nick Young?
Pro: Great shooting touch, low turnovers, and Good man-to-man defender, solid 3 pt shooter
Cons: Assists, Rebounding, Help Defense, Maturity
If you think you can fix the cons, he’s a fanastic player worth of a great contract. If you think the Pros are being overstated because of his performance in a contract year/lack of other scoring options, you think he’s a terrible sign. The problem is despite 4 years of playing, last year was his first year where he really seemed to “Get it.”
Lastly, I think his antics regarding MVP in the Drew League was one of the more foolish things he could do regarding his free agency. There was literally nothing going on in the basketball world, and he did something silly that confirmed people’s opinions of him as a selfish player.
Anyway, I think it’s probably hard for Nick Young, because right now it appears unlikely that he’s going to get a huge payday this off-season. It also is difficult on the Wizards, because Nick Young, like McGee and AB still remain a mystery. Is he a part of the core? It’s tough to tell. Given all of these factors, I think expecting a signing yesterday is a little silly.
Let's step away from that league wide view
The Wizard’s need a starting SG. They are obviously interested in players in Nick’s age range. Specifically, they need a guy that can shoot the lights out of the building. Even more importantly, Leonsis has already said he puts a premium on home grown talent, and guys that he knows, perfect example; Nick Young.
So ideally this guy should be signed right now… by the Wizard’s. That’s why we are all surprised. Nick falls right into the plan. So we have to assume either Nick doesn’t especially want to be here, or management is not sold on him. They obviously don’t think he is the best catch and shoot SG in the league.
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
Follow @Dylan___V
by returnofswagger on Dec 15, 2011 7:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Agreed. Also, we have John Wall.
Cons: Assists, Rebounding, Help Defense, Maturity
If you think you can fix the cons, [Nick] is a fanastic player worth of a great contract.
Notice how Nick’s “Cons” are John Wall’s strengths? Here are Wall’s stats in those areas. Keep in mind, Wall was playing injured for most of the year.
Assists: Wall is #6 all time in assists per game for a rookie. He was two years younger than everyone in front of him on the list.
Rebounding: Wall is already the league’s #1 defensive rebounding PG (in DRB/gm).
Help Defense: Wall is already the league’s #4 in both steals and blocks per game for PGs.
Maturity: Wall has already taken over the leadership of this team. And, as I’ve said elsewhere, as long as Nick does what he’s told, I’m not convinced that his idiocy/goofiness/lack of maturity hurts the team. (Run, Forest, run!)
Wall fixes Nick’s cons, so, yes, absolutely, we should re-sign Nick. Add in the fact that we should be able to front-load his contract and so have him on the roster at a lower salary than he’s worth for years 2 through 5, and it’s a slam dunk.
I agree a bit about him being too cocky
But, he’s in his second season. If he’s making this kind of pronouncements two years from now, then either 1) we’re lucky and they’ve come true or 2) his confidence has exploded beyond reality.
Right now, he’s a young guy shooting of his mouth and wanting to win. For a 2nd year player, I’ll take that kind of stupid.
So
Crawford gets a pass for saying stupid shit….
But
Young gets panned and derided for the same exact thing…. (shows immaturity, “me first”, “selfish”, etc…)
Because Crawford is “intense”, and Young is “goofy”?
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
it's not good natured goofiness that young gets flack for
it’s his lack of court sense. there is a huge difference.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Dec 16, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
You mean like bad habits?
the lack of court sense – as in taking bad shots… and continuing to take bad shots, even when he’s not making them… Shooting the ball EVERY time he touches it? His seeming indifference to playing defense (or possibly just the fact that he doesn’t play defense period) – dribbling too much and turning the ball over?
You mean the bad habits that Flip has just about completely removed from Nick’s game..?
OH – sorry…. maybe you were talking about Jordan Crawford’s lack of court sense… as in taking bad shots… and continuing to take bad shots, even when he’s not making them… Shooting the ball EVERY time he touches it? His seeming indifference to playing defense (or possibly just the fact that he doesn’t play defense at all) – dribbling too much and turning the ball over?
And because NIck smiles a lot – but Crawford scowls, ………………….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
we have a two month sample size on crawford
let’s see how he does this year
by DarrellWalkerFan on Dec 16, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
And Nick Young was even less NBA ready in his first two months
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
Follow @Dylan___V
by returnofswagger on Dec 18, 2011 2:09 AM EST up reply actions
Agree, except for...
" I see him (Singleton) fitting in perfectly at SF between Wall and McGee." Wall and McGee are cornerstones going forward, but they are below average shooters, as is Singleton. It’s hard to carry that burden unless the other two players are lights-out shooters, which isn’t the case with the Wizards.
When the Wiz are in a half court offense, the only decent line-up that they currently have is Wall, Young, Lewis, Blatche and McGee. But that line-up is not too good on the defensive end or on defensive rebounding.
Nevertheless, Singleton looks real good in the little that I have seen him play. The Wiz ought to showcase him around the league. They might be able to trade him and our draft pick, for a higher draft pick in 2012.
Assuming
Crawford and Wall have not improved their shooting. If Wall made a shooting transition like Derrick Rose, this is all moot.
I think you need a minimum of 2 3 pt shooters on the court at anytime to keep a defense honest and keep them from collapsing on your bigs. Given that, I think for example, if you played Mason-Lewis, Mack-Lewis, Mack-Mason in your line-up, you’d have acceptable floor spacing. If Crawford of Wall develop 3 pt range, then you could easily play Wall, Crawford, Singelton, Lewis, McGee.
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