Keys to the Palace: Short and Not That Sweet
by Jon Kelman on Mar 14, 2011 1:34 AM EDT
in Keys To The Palace
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Print2 games, 2 blowout losses. I am running out things to say about this team. Blake Griffin did not score a point in the 2nd half of the Clippers game (and sat for the entire 4th quarter), and the Bucks were up 23 going into the final quarter on Tuesday. With that in mind, no one earned a regular Key to the Palace this week.
The good news is that despite all of the losing, John Wall and Trevor Booker 'look like they give a crap' every night, which is no mean feat when many nights are blowout losses. Their efforts are that of team leaders. Jimmy showing his frustration makes me nervous about the team keeping him happy, but Cook Book is someone he should be proud to play with. Now we just have to fill out the rest of that roster.....
Guest Passes
| Player | Week 20 PER | Week 19 PER | Difference | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Wall | 15.1 | 15.3 | -0.2 | 4-for-17 against the Bucks is awful, but he deserves a Guest Pass for his work against the Clippers. Too often it looked like he was playing 1-on-5 Saturday, but blame that on his teammates. It looked like one of those games where he realizes the best chance to score is taking it to the basket himself rather than setting up his teammates for an inevitable missed shot. |
| Trevor Booker | 14.7 | 14.5 | 0.2 | He had a weird game against the Clippers in which he scored no points and racked up 5 fouls attempting to limit the Dunkbot. He definitely worked hard, and some fouls were soft calls, but Griffin still dropped 26 in the first half.....ouch. He then ran up his stats in garbage time to pickup 13 points. The game against the Bucks was 'ho hum.' I am still giving him a Guest Pass though for continuing to hustle and making the Dunkbot work for those 26, as crazy as that sounds. Wall and he up here is becoming the norm. |
| JaVale McGee | 16.5 | 16.5 | 0 | He makes the cut by thismuch. I agree with Sean that he played a decent game against the Clips by staying within the offense and managed 9 points and 13 boards against the Bucks. This does not feel like a step forward though as much as simply steadying the ship. Above everyone else on the team, I really hope he can have a strong finish to the season. |
| Hamady Ndiaye | 0 | -2.1 | 2.1 | He barely makes the cut for enough minutes played, but just the fact that he actually got minutes is big news. This is a relative rating piece, so Ndiaye on the floor without catastrophe is enough to get him a Guest Pass. I would like to see him get continued minutes down the stretch, but with Dray back in the lineup, the 11 minutes he got against the Clips may stand as a season high. |
Locked Out
| Player | Difference | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Crawford | 12.1 | 4.9 | 7.2 | The performance against the Clippers was as bad as the Bucks performance was good, but as Sean pointed out, his shot selection and high usage rate are serious causes for concern. I would like to see him as more of a playmaker, otherwise he is redundant with Nick Young in a possible future backcourt rotation. |
| Maurice Evans | 7.3 | 8.5 | -1.2 | Mo didn't do anything horrendous, but 'meh' games are not enough when you are an energy/defense/glue guy. I still like him getting minutes though, at least as an example to the young guys of a veteran who works hard and makes the most of what he has. |
| Josh Howard | 10.1 | 9.9 | 0.2 | Another injury and another bad game. It has only been 17 games this year, and I'm sure he hasn't shaken off the rust from being out the lineup so frequently, but his performance has been disappointing. The team has not been any better with him, and I have trouble seeing the upside of keeping him, so I have a hard time imagining him back in DC. |
| Kevin Seraphin | 8 | 8.9 | -0.9 | A lot of minutes, but not a lot accomplished. He has invisible in the Clips game, and really didn't do anything in the Bucks game. The good news is that he averaged 21.5 minutes over the 2 games. |
| Nick Young | 14.9 | 15.4 | -0.5 | 2 bad games for Young Sushi make this his worst week in a long time. Playing through the flu against the Clips was at least admirable, but the absence of any offense outside of Wall was sorely missed. He has a nice chance to bounce back in a matchup against James Harden on Monday night. |
| Yi Jianlian | 9.9 | 10.2 | -0.3 | 14 non-descript minutes against the Bucks followed by 5 fouls in 8 minutes against the Clippers. I think I have seen enough. I know N'Diaye isn't ready, but someone else should get his minutes. |
NOTE: Andray Blatche, Rashard Lewis, Mustafa Shakur, and Cartier Martin were left off this week's Keys to the Palace because they did not receive enough playing time for a fair evaluation.
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Comments
I guess I'll start off the conversation this week.....
I agree with you on Nick Young. Two poor shooting games….. And although I think his knee is still hurting and I gotta give him props for toughing it out – he didn’t do much else to offset his poor shooting… especially since in both games, the Wizards could have used some offense.
As for Wall – yeah 4-14 is poor shooting, but you have to have a little context. There were a lot of times he went hard to the basket and came away with nothing, even though there was plenty of contact…. Derrick Rose gets those calls. Westbrook gets those calls. AND John Wall will get those calls, NEXT year. As it was, he still flirted with a triple-double with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
As for JaVale McGee – well, all I can say is I think you got it all wrong giving JaVale a guest pass….. If you look just at his ending totals, 9 points 13 rebounds against the Bucks and 12 points, 8 rebounds against the Clippers – it doesn’t look too bad. If JaVale can average a double double, I’ll take it.
BUT
6 of his points, and 4 of his rebounds against the Bucks came when the game was already out of reach, after the Bucks had built a 15 point lead.
Twice, early in the Bucks game, he took a pass at the top of the key and put up a wild shot attempt – really ugly, with absolutely NO chance of going in… Two completly wasted offensive possessions.
He missed 4 of the 5 free throws he took.
He turned the ball over 4 times
He had another stupid goaltending violation.
He didn’t get past half-court on a couple defensive possessions – with the crowd vigorously booing the second time.
Against the Clippers
TWO absolutely moronic goal tending violations….The first he goaltended an obvious miss, then a minute 25 seconds later, touched the ball after it had hit the glass for another dumb goaltending violation
Chris Kaman beat JaVale down court for a lay in. Let me let that sink in….. Chris Kaman!!!
On one possession, Javale got the rebound but couldn’t immediately find someone to pass to, so he dribbled the ball up court, with Wall screaming for the ball behind him the whole way. It didn’t result in a turn over, I think only because it caught the Clippers off guard – he still almost traveled.
He WATCHED Bledsoe blow by him for a dunk – LOL – just watched.
Every rebound he got (except one) were of the fall in his lap variety – not one box out the entire game.
DeAndre Jordan out played McGee…. (That’s DEANDRE Jordan, not Michael Jordan)
Wall made a perfect oop pass, and McGee was not paying attention…it bounced off his arm.
If he just stuck to the simple things:
box out and rebound
Win the battle against your match up (beat YOUR man).
score ONLY on alley oops, put-back dunks and shots within 5 feet of the basket that don’t require any dribbling
STOP going for blocked shots
STOP dribbling the basketball
Run hard on BOTH sides of the court
Put forth effort on EVERY possession
NOTHING else, NOTHING fancy, NOTHING tricky, NOTHING showy……
If he’d do that, he could be a very, very good starting Center….. but right now? He’s not even a good reserve.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Mar 14, 2011 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
If Javale couldn't dunk and was only 6'11
He would get no minutes and nobody outside DC would know who he was.
He doesn’t do ANYTHING you want from a your center
He sucks.
by spotless on Mar 14, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Im actually starting to hate him
He has been around long enough to know how to do the basics
Yet, he doesnt.
He is a mental child.
I don’t see that changing
Trade him for anyone.
Yeah, no basics for a big. He should dominate but He gets dominated most every game. Without fundamentals you can't outplay your guy and help your team.
Now I’m really impressed by Josh Harrelson. At 6’10 He seems short but He knows fundamentals. He’s played under Tubby Smith and Calapari. He know how to box out create space and grab rebounds. His hands are incredible. He can pass from the top and spin roll to the hoop. His shot is not bad either. Every team has learned to not cheat off Him to double Knight or T Jones, as He burns them to the hoop. Here’s why I think Harrelson improved exponetially this season. He practices against Kantner.
So is it possible to get Kantner and Harrelson as His high minutes backup. (spare his knees).
THANK YOU
Sometimes it seems like he is actively tyring to make the wrong basketball play. His minutes should be capped at 20 and he should only start if there is an injury for the forseeable future.
Play Njaye and Booker from here on out for goodness sakes. McGee is a career bench player and the sooner he (and the Wizards organization) understands that, the better. Blatche and McGee need to go unless they want to come off the bench
"STOP going for blocked shots"?
That makes no sense.
And if this team is rebuilding and the emphasis is on player development, you don’t tell players to do only what they are currently capable of doing. For example, I am fairly sure that the Wizards coaching staff wants JaVale to use in games the post moves and hook shots across the lane that they have been working on. They don’t want him to, ‘score ONLY on alley oops, put-back dunks and shots within 5 feet of the basket that don’t require any dribbling." That would be shortsighted. Just because he stinks at it, and just because you are tired of seeing him stink at it, doesn’t mean that it isn’t necessary for him to learn and develop these skills to be the player he can be. John Wall’s jumpshot is as ugly as JaVale’s one dribble drives or one or two dribble post moves, but no one’s suggesting Wall stop shooting.
yup.
some folks will be sick to their stomachs next season (and remainder of this) when the ball is going into Mcgee in the post and he’s attempting post moves….just as Flip said would be the case earlier this year. I rag Flip a lot, but you do see the semblance of a plan with many of these guys. He said he wanted Mcgee to work on his defensive rebounding etc and then the coaches would add post moves to his game. His def reb has improved all year and now we’re seeing more of those hooks etc
That's not a bad Idea. It's looks so easy to go around him- fake a shot He jumps. If He quits going for the block, and just played straight up D on His man,
He’d stop goaltending and stay on the ground to offer rotational straight up d on drives.
Seraphin had just as awful a goaltend against the Clips
Clearly he is learning from the Master, because he swatted the ball on the way down off the glass when it was a foot left of going on. Honestly had to laugh at that one, he’s around Javale too much
Understandable in Seraphin's case....
Even though the rules are similar for goaltending, International Referees rarely call goaltending on a ball that has no chance of going in the basket…. NBA referees ALWAYS call it….
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
0pts/2rebs/3PF/1goaltend for Keveen on Saturday
but there is ample excuse for all of it, if only Javale played the right way and didnt score any points, grabbed less rebounds, and fouled more
Isn't it really petty and small to non stop bash Seraphin or any other Big that plays or could play for the Wiz?
I agree with you that the McGee bashing can be a little over the top but to consistently make snarky, shitty little comments about everyone else in response doesn’t make any sense and is borderline troll-like. Whether it’s Kanter or Booker or Seraphin there’s always some small little comment that adds nothing thrown in. Your a man on a mission, but if you want to defend McGee please do. If your only defense is to bash other players well…… I guess that says alot.
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 14, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm just trying to apply the same standards.
How come calling Perry Jones lazy or lacking bball iq is somehow different than pointing out stuff about Kanter or Sullinger’s possible limitations? It’s my opinion on how these guys will pan out, just a fricking guess really- same as everybody else puts forward.
If there was a C or PF in this draft who IMO was the real mccoy, believe me, I would be all over drafting them. I dont like how Mcgee is playing either, but it’s over the top to pin every single poor aspect of the team on one guy.
And I’m not bashing Seraphin, I want him to play a lot, just pointing out I dont see the logic in treating the players differently in what we expect them to accomplish.
Seraphin is not the starting 5, McGee
and if the team does not have a starting 5 who can defend then this team is toast
by hambonejackson on Mar 14, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I find your reply disingenous
especially in light of a thread where Seraphin only gets mentioned because of a snarky, totally unrelated, non sequitur you threw into an discussion about McGee. But hey the only good defense is a good offense eh?
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 14, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Thankfully I couldnt care less what you think.
But I will say I apologize to anyone who thinks I’m trying to insult them, or belittle their opinions. I’m really not.
My point is
that I think Seraphin will learn the goaltending rules in the NBA…. I have very little faith (after 3 years) that McGee will do the same.
Now – I could be wrong…. but I think my past player evaluations have been pretty good…. I liked Darren Collison in 2009… I liked Westbrook, a lot (although I didn’t think he’d be drafted 3rd)… I liked Hibbert, the Lopez brothers, Speighes, JJ Hickson, Mario Chalmers, Kevin Love.
Didn’t particularly care for Michael Beasley, OJ Mayo, D.J. Augustin
I’ve had a miss or two ( Kyle Weaver, Joe Alexander) – but not many….
So, when I say that from what I have seen from Seraphin so far – it looks like he has the potential to be a very good defensive player – and a SMART player – I think I have the background to at least get some consideration for my opinion.
And when I say that I think JaVale McGee is exactly the same player he was in 2007, and in 2008 and in 2009 – and that he doesn’t seem to have gotten any better – and that I don’t believe he will ever become a credible starting NBA Center – And that the Wizards will never be a decent defensive team with McGee in the line-up – I think I deserve some consideration for my past player evaluations… I don’t have a lot of stats to back up my claims (although McGee’s per 40 minute stats have not improved, and his PER has been stagnant for 3 years, and he’s not a very efficient scorer for a Center 54%) – but it’s also not hard for me to see the difference between someone playing GOOD basketball, and someone that is not.
He can do some incredibly athletic stuff….. like dunking two different basketballs on two different hoops at the same time – and jumping 40 inches into the air – but that’s not good basketball………….. that’s carnival side show stuff.
Meanwhile, we watch as Kevin Seraphin shows that he has learned to establish and hold deep post position. Something he didn’t do early in the year – but is a fundamental skill needed by any big man worth his contract. He has learned to go left or right from that deep position and put up a left handed hook or a right handed hook. He hasn’t added any spin moves, or counters, or drop steps, or other moves yet…. It’s apparent to me that he’s taking baby steps forward… Learn ONE thing; practice it; use it in games – then move on to the next skill. It shows that he’s improving incrementally. That he’s taking what he’s being taught in practice, and applying it on the floor during games. One small step at a time…. He’s not jumping ahead in his development to throwing up fall away jumpers from 14 feet away…. or dribbling behind his back, or trying to dunk from the foul line. He’s taking his development slow – steady – and deliberate.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Mar 14, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
mcgee
i keep going back and forth on McGee. I haven’t studied it like some of you, but i have watched many wiz games in the last three years.
It’s hard to give up on him. He’s still young. He has real talent and it’s easy to see him being a real contributor for years to come. On occasion, espeically early on this year, he did contribute. It seem to me that early in the year opposing players thought twice about drive down the lane when he was in. He also added some energy on the court.
Lately he’s been pretty terrible. Could be an attitude issue; there have been many signs. It was reported that he had a hissy-fit when his buddy Armstrong was traded (he’s nowhere near good enough to make waves about anything). Could be he just can’t figure it out.
without any inside knowledge of some incorrigible unwillingness to learn, i think it’s way too early to give up on him. bench him maybe, but not give up. he could still be worth having. I think what he might need is a veteran mentor, somebody to show him the right path. They need to find a respected veteran big man ending his career who could work with him. or bring in a lambeer to help him out. i’d make that investment if i were wiz management. give it a couple years and punt if it doesn’t work. seven footers that can move don’t grow on trees.
there are many signs that he might not be interested, but i would give up yet.
Well MJ had a turnover one time...
Javale tends to average one of those per game. I would bet my last week’s paycheck that Javale averages over one atrociously awful goaltend a game.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 14, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
And if this team is rebuilding and the emphasis is on player development, you don’t tell players to do only what they are currently capable of doing.
BEFORE you start using sweeping hook shots across the lane, fade away jumpers from the baseline, dribble drives to the rim, and other higher skilled offensive moves during games – I believe it’s more important to perfect BASIC post moves less than 5 feet away from the basket, that don’t require dribbling (or a lot of dribbling)…..
How about working on establishing DEEP post position first?
How about working on a drop step?
Or a baby hook from the LOW POST position….
Instead of trying to fly in from the foul line, or dribble through traffic from the elbow…… THAT was my point…. Establish some basic, fundamental big man basketball skills -and practice THOSE skills in the actual games….
As for my suggestion to “STOP going for blocked shots” –
Considering that JaVale doesn’t seem to know the rules about goaltending – and considering the fact that EVERY player in the League seems to know that a simple up fake will get JaVale off his feet – and considering the fact that EVERY time he leaves his feet to go for a block, HIS MAN is left wide open under the basket…. I think the trade off would be worth it….
Instead of going for every potential block – JaVale should stay on his feet… Play fundamentally sound (move his feet, stay in front of his man, contest the shot, rebound the basketball). He is long enough to contest shots without leaving his feet…. I GUARANTEE his defense (and the Wizards overall defense) would improve.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Mar 14, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Dunks, dribbling and blocks get you on Sportscenter
I still feel if boxing out, running back on defense, and post defense made Sportscenter then that is what Javale would do.
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 14, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I like the fact that McGee is rebounding better
And I don’t mind his attempt at post moves because that’s how he’s going to improve his basics. Still can’t take the constant jumping at nearly every shot!!!
by thewiz06 on Mar 14, 2011 3:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
good points all
How about working on establishing DEEP post position first?
How about working on a drop step?
Or a baby hook from the LOW POST position….
But I think you’re asking him to do the impossible. Literally. The guys just doesn’t have the strength to get down there. Thats why he makes a complete arch through the lane on his “drives”. He’s trying go arouuuuuuunnnnnndddd. God that drives me nuts. Like Bruce Smith goin for a sack in his “golden years” with the Skins.
by CJHutch on Mar 14, 2011 6:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The stop going for blocks comment made me laugh for a second too
But when you really think about it, he averages 2 blocks per. he changes some shots too, but that has not been happening a ton lately. But now lets factor in the 2 offensive boards per game he gives up after contesting dumb stuff. The 1 goaltend that was likely going to miss, but he turned into a sure 2 points. And the couple shots that he would have probably altered enough anyway, had he not left his feet to contest, but instead picked up a foul or left his man wide open for the easy pass down low.
I think if Javale didn’t make an effort to be a shot-blocking specialist, he would be a better basketball player. And trust me, he would still be getting blocks(maybe fewer) but he would often be in a better position to do other things, more important than blocking shots.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 14, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
The only time I go for blocks would be
in Wii Sports Resort or NBA Street.
To be serious, going for blocks too often doesn’t help him much, and the basket interferences/goaltends negate the impact of blocks and altered shots.
The refs are now not even giving him the benefit on floaters that he blocks more often than not, and this exacerbates things. He has blocked shots that were borderline and the refs called them against him.
And he's the son of one of the best basketball players ever!!
Who would have thought that he’d be unable to do any of the simple things you suggested. The guy was raised watching professional basketball since he was born!
Palace? Keys?
To the dungeons… Off with their heads…
We keep saying we knew it would not be pretty but did we imagine it could be this ugly?
OK enough for the self pity. Get out their and play some ball guys!!!
What a mystery JaVale is.
How in the world can you be surrounded by basketball your whole life, and not know how to play the game intelligently? His mom went to USC and played pro ball; his dad was a good college player at Illinois and was drafted in the second round. But Javale decided to go to…Nevada for college? WHAT? Why not Kentucky, Duke, UNC, Michigan, Kansas, anywhere with a storied program that can make you into a capable player. But he went to Nevada…there’s a story there, somewhere. Wait, he shot 33% from the three point line in college. Think about that, too. You can’t blame Ernie too much, though, he was the no. 18 pick the year we drafted him. Would love to see the NBA scouts’ reports on him the year he came out.
Yeah, he grew after declaring and during college
I don’t think Javale was legit Center or even Power Forward height when he was recruited by colleges and, as spotless said above, he wouldn’t be anything if he wasn’t tall and couldn’t dunk. So I think that’s why he ended up at Nevada and not a bigger program – he simply wasn’t good and wasn’t tall. Then he grew and he bolted for the NBA first chance he could get. I remember when the Wiz drafted him Wilbon mentioned in one of his “don’t ask me to grade the draft” articles, that McGee looked like he could be a beast someday and picking a 7 footer who isn’t afraid to put a knee in a defenders chest at #18 didn’t seem like a bad idea.
JaVale was listed as 6'11" in High School
…as a “combo forward”
http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=486461
Interesting about McGee
This is what they said at the time (2007):
Especially McGee, who can play on the wing and shoot from long range. There are few players in the WAC that can defend a player with his size on the wing.
No wonder he has NO post skills…. He’d been groomed as a 3-point wing player……
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
He wasn't a wing player in Nevada. He played behind Nick Fazekas
by hambonejackson on Mar 14, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Just quoting what the School's paper was reporting at the time....
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Nevedas coach called him a 3 even though they played McGee as a 4/5
McGee is a player without a position. He is like the Flying Dutchman, only the ports are positions. He lacks the skill sets for any particular position.
by hambonejackson on Mar 14, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
javale has shown us
That he is able to shoot from midrange. I don’t think he should be turned into a swingman but maybe a guy like a Bargnani? The other big man with him will be the banger… that quote also kind of gives us some reason why our starting frontcourt is so “soft”.
by thewiz06 on Mar 14, 2011 5:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Nick Young shouldn't play less until he's healthy
He’s nowhere near the player we expect offensively; he’s not contributing much defensively and he’s not even working as a “decoy.” I’d rather we put on IR now and just suffer the rest of the season as opposed to him risking further injury (assuming he’s part of the John Wall Dynasty).
At the very least, they should play him sporadically. By all accounts, he seems to do better after a day or two rest anyways.
No IR any more.....
Just DNP-CD’s
So it’s up to Flip to play or rest his players….
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
McGee. This is from 3 years ago in draft express. Sound familiar?
The problem is he’s extremely far from reaching his full potential—so far that you have to wonder if he’ll ever make it considering the way he looks at times on the court. Struggles to establish position and finish in the paint, settles for some incredibly awkward off-balance shots, and is virtually a black hole with his passing skills—averaging 4 turnovers for every 1 assist. Looks very disinterested at times, doesn’t hustle, gives up on plays, late getting back down the floor, and might be the worst man to man defender we’ve ever evaluated in the post. Gets pushed around, gambles excessively for steals, has no stance or fundamentals, doesn’t move his feet, and is a complete non-factor even against the mediocre competition he faces. According to Synergy’s "PlayType QuickTable stats," McGee was scored on 66% of the time when being posted up in the paint (against the likes of Fresno State, Utah State, Houston, etc). Is light years away from being able to compete on an NBA level defensively, if ever.
From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/JaVale-McGee-1197/#ixzz16sHMYK8k
http://www.draftexpress.com
by hambonejackson on Mar 14, 2011 1:34 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Who would draft a guy like that?
Same guy handling this year’s draft.
You have to read the whole evaluation
but the negatives 3 years ago have not changed. He has not improved at all.
by hambonejackson on Mar 14, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
that Draftexpress review sure makes it look like he hasn't changed a bit!
So why do we need to wait any longer? Is there any SIGNIFICANT indication that this dude is ever going to get it? Trade him for Kaman already.
by Tbonebullets on Mar 14, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
This is something I wrote in 2008, before the Wiz drafted McGee
Take a look at the “athletic” Centers in this draft and tell me any one of them that doesn’t have BUST written all over them.
You want to talk about Projects? Here’s just a couple of examples:
DeAndre Jordan – 7-ft Center. Is leaving after one (1) year of College at Texas A&M. Incredible physical specimen. Freakish athlete. BUT
• Not productive
• Poor fundamentals
• Extremely limited w/back to the basket
• Lacks strength to hold spot on block
• Mediocre footwork
• Struggles finishing through contact
• Poor passer/Black hole?
• Atrocious free throw shooter
• Not incredibly active
• Poor Defensive awareness
• Gets Pushed around in post
• Not a shot-blocker
• A long ways away from contributing
• High bust potential
JaVale McGee – 7-ft Center. Leaving Nevada after two (2) years. Incredible physical specimen. Terrific athlete. BUT
• Extremely weak physically
• Struggles holding spot on the block
• Inability to finish through contact
• Poor fundamentals
• Poor Footwork/Post-moves
• NO Left hand
• Extremely poor Shot-selection
• BAD Free throw shooter
• Poor Decision making
• Low Basketball IQ
• Lacks experience
• Atrocious defender
Roy Hibbert, on the other hand, has tremendous size and strength. Excellent hands. He plays hard. Efficient on the Offensive end. Excellent passer. Good Mid-range jumper. Excellent Back to the basket scoring. Soft touch around basket. Good Basketball IQ. Great Work Ethic. Experienced. Good Overall defensive ability.
Compare Hibbert’s negatives with the other guys above:
• Lacks Athleticism
• Has a Mechanical post-game
• Lacks Quickness in paint
• Poor Lateral quickness
• Question about Conditioning
• NBA teams preferring to play small-ball
• Lack of improvement from junior to senior year
It almost looks like they’re hard pressed to find anything bad to say…
Hibbert is certainly NOT a project – and in my opinion is the most NBA ready Center in this year’s draft.
He may not have a “tremendous upside” – and he may not be a “physical freak” or an “incredible physical specimen” – He may not be a “tremendous athlete” – but give me players with good fundamentals, and a great work ethic … and they’ll beat your team of Poor fundamental, Low basketball IQ, freakish athletes every time.
Posted by: Rook | June 6, 2008 6:01 PM
And I feel the same way today that I did then…..
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
I wanted Hibbert and then Indiana took him
the luck of the Wiz
by hambonejackson on Mar 14, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
This season
He was hard to watch, but the Clippers only used him in situations unlike the Wiz and McGee. I always thought Haywood would be the last Wiz standing. I felt like he was needed the most by this team. I think this team should have done with McGee what the Clippers did with Jordan. I sometimes consider McGee the neglected child on the team in that his development was more assumed than nurtured. McGees development may be an organizational mistake.
by hambonejackson on Mar 14, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Jordan is JUST NOW starting to get it....
BUT- at the time, he was considered a mid-first round pick – right in the Wizards wheelhouse (they had #18 that year)…. I didn’t like either JaVale or DeAndre for the Wizards. My favorite picks were (in order, and assuming the Wizards had a shot at drafting them) Roy Hibbert, Robin Lopez, Maurice Speights and JJ Hickson.
As everyone knows, Hibbert was picked 17th, Speights 16th and Lopez 15th.
For where he was picked, 35th by the Clippers, Jordan was not a bad gamble for the Clippers… It doesn’t hurt that Jordan and Blake Griffin became friends and workout partners while Griffin was out last year… Jordan was never considered to be a guy with a great work ethic – but that seems to have changed last year.
He still has a ways to go, but DeAndre Jordan could be on his way to becoming a decent starting Center in the Tyson Chandler mold…
Unfortunately, JaVale didn’t bond with a “gym rat”…………………..
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
I think the Wiz rushed McGee and he started to get the Kwame"give me the ball" mentality
Like Brown, McGee thinks he is there already. Who needs skills? McGee seems to be rethinking and he is actually trying to apply his own instructional videos on skills like setting picks, boxing out, taking a charge, passing, rebounding, post moves; McGee will teach you, even though he had no need for them himself.
by hambonejackson on Mar 14, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm pretty sure the Wizards would have taken him if Indiana hadn't in the slot before them.
by Elvin_is_my_Elvis on Mar 14, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, the Pacers took him as part of a trade.
Fire Johnson and hire Brown - I'm telling you Thorn was smoking somethin' when he let Brown slip away in the night.
by diehardNFFLbarnone on Mar 14, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
The ability to play basketball is not a prerequisite to play for this team
I think the Wiz should try to do the impossible. They should try to get Valalnciunas and Kanter and Preldzic. Thats a 5,4,3. All of them can play basketball. They have the rights to Preldzic. They will be in a position to draft Kanter or Valanciunas. Better if they are in a position draft Kanter. Then they can swing Valanciunas. Kanter is ready to go. He can step right in at the 5. Valanciunas needs a couple of seasons. Call Kanter and Valunciunas the new Blatche and McGee. Only, they won’t need a lifetime to develop. This would take care of their interior defense problem for years. The all the team has to focus on is perimeter players and Preldzic will have an immediate impact there. I can’t vouch for Preldzics defense, although I know he can block shots. He has no problem crashing the boards for rebounds. He is 6’9" and has no problem dropping 3’s. He has no problem handling the ball and he is a very skilled passer. Why isn’t here? This team can throw 3 players on this team who can play basketball. Or is it always about potential?
by hambonejackson on Mar 14, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
That is where all the Mcgee negativity comes from.
The negatives have not changed. So frustrating.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 14, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess
it looks like I’ll be the one to take up for Crawford here. It seems that people are looking past the fact that he’s a rookie too. I keep hearing how he was “4-16”. So what? Weren’t Wall’s numbers exactly the same in the previous game? Which is ok, cuz he’s a rookie. But so is Crawford. Don’t worry, I’m NOT comparing the two, just saying they are both rookies, both will have growing pains.
Again, Crawford will never be an all-star. But you BUILD a team with role players, and I think he can be a good role player for this team. I hate to keep using this comparison, but Jamaal Crawford is a guy who just didn’t seem to “fit” into a “generic” role with a couple of teams. But when they stopped trying to define his role, and just let him play off the bench, he thrived. I see the same situation with our Crawford.
I kinda like Crawford
I don’t think he will ever be a PG and we shouldn’t even try. I do think he has enough feel for drive and kick to be effective as a combo guard. He has a long ways to go, and maybe Nick Young’s development is biasing me, but I think he can shore up his 3pt shot and alter his shot selection to make him a valuable reserve.
I also like how hard he goes. He makes his cuts at 100mph. Several times this season I’ve seen him do such an aggressive v-cut that his man falls down. Thats something NY still needs to work on as he tends to make softer, less effective cuts when people get physical with him. I still remember during a Celtics game this year Yi tried to set a pick for NY and it was like 12 seconds of ultimately aborted effort cuz Ray Allen handchecked NY until he trapped himself against the sideline and Glen Davis hip checked Yi so fiercely YI gave up on getting to the proper spot.
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 14, 2011 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
WooHoo
Glad to see I’m not alone on the “JC Bandwagon”.
I just don’t get people knocking him for his shot selection. This is an AWFUL team. We’re not going anywhere, and we’re not stacked with talent. We have a bunch of guys that need to develop, and he’s one of them. Frankly, I like that he’s not afraid to shoot it. I wish some of that would rub off on Wall. That confidence is lacking in plenty of other players on the team, including Young. Sure, NY can get it going, but he is also easy to rattle. I don’t think Crawford is. I guess only time will tell. Except i don’t see him taking as much time as Young did. Just my opinion though.
I think his shot selection should be knocked honestly
It’s horrific. I just think/hope that can be fixed and there are alot of other things I like about him. I’m interested to see how all the Rookies look next year after a full offseason. Very interesting time to be a Wizards fan IMO.
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 14, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
thats fair
But if his shot selection, as a rookie should be knocked, then what do you say about McGee dribble driving from the top of the key, or Young jumping into a crowd of 3 and shooting an EASILY blocked scoop shot?
Sure, Crawford needs some work on his shot. Just like Wall and Booker. But they’re rookies, so I give them a pass. Crawford moreso because he hasn’t had the playing time these other guys have. Truthfully, he’s fighting for a spot on this team which, in my opinion, makes his aggressiveness (and bad shot amnesia) commendable.
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