Keys to the Palace: What Matters Most
by Jon Kelman on Mar 21, 2011 12:05 AM EDT
in Keys To The Palace
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A 1-3 week shouldn't be any reason for excitement, but there is 1 'thing' that can override almost all the losing: the development of John Wall. Specifically, Jimmy has shown remarkable consistency lately.
The team was ravaged by injuries this week, with only 9 players getting more than 15 total minutes in the 4 games(!). The revolving cast around Wall just underscores how great he has been in maintaining a high level of play. His scoring and rebounding has jumped, and the slight decrease in assists is partly due to him needing to take more shots because of all the injuries. He also has gotten back to being a peskier defender and getting more steals.
It is important to see the other young players develop, but what matters first and foremost for this franchise is the development of John Wall. How good he is will be the primary driver in the future success of the Wizards.
Keys to the Palace
| Player | Week 21 PER | Week 20 PER | Difference | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Wall | 15.1 | 15.1 | 0 | Let's see....he has become much more consistent, showed a terrific jumpshot in the Nets game, completely took control against NJ, and has a new Reebok commercial. There are all kinds of good things happening here. My wishlist for him down the stretch is to continue showing confidence with the jumpshot, and being a bit more controlled going to the rim in the sense that he should know where his best passing options are as he's driving, rather than making the last second decisions he appears to make (this is also on his teammates to get in good spots). |
Guest Passes
| Player | Difference | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Crawford | 12.1 | 12.1 | 0 | I seriously considered giving him a full Key. This was a very good week for Crawford; he took advantage of the opportunity presented by Young Sushi's health and did score over 20 points in his last 3 games. There are still some problems though: Crawford suffers from the same type of shot selection as Nick (hence him shooting under 50% in every game this week), needs to shoot the 3 better, and should also get to a line a bit more for someone with his athleticism. The good news is that he is a rookie, and the ability is there. |
| Trevor Booker | 15.6 | 14.7 | 0.9 | Up and down and up and down....His numbers were excellent against Toronto, a ghost against Chicago, and solid/ok against the Nets and Thunder. Numbers don't tell the whole story for him though, which is why he still gets a Guest Pass. He needs to take a page from Jimmy and become a bit more consistent, and not allow himself to have those low impact games. I think he is about 1 week away from having the bar raised a little higher - this performance next week would likely get him locked out. |
| JaVale McGee | 16.9 | 16.5 | 0.4 | Looking back, he wasn't outstanding in any games (even against Chicago), but clearly had a good week. One point I particularly like is his minutes picking up to where they should be for our best big man. He wasn't great against the Nets, but was at least efficient in going 8-for-9. The team and he are taking a lot of flack for running plays to get him a triple-double, but let's not forget he had an insane 12 blocked shots! If he can combine that kind of shot blocking and rebounding presence with playing within the offense (meaning just dunks, layups, and putbacks), he could finally be reach his potential. |
| Maurice Evans | 8.8 | 7.3 | 1.5 | I wavered between a Guest Pass and locking him out, but the last 2 games were solid efforts, and he gets extra points for saving his best effort for a close win over the Nets. I also like his offensive positioning in spacing the floor for Jimmy, even if he isn't a feared shooter. |
Locked Out
| Player | Difference | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yi Jianlian | 9.9 | 9.9 | 0 | I know, he had the clutch steal against NJ, but in a 1-3 week he didn't do anything exciting. He mostly benefited from the injuries, which made him just about our only PF (counting Booker at SF). The 14 and 6 against Chicago was nice, but he shot 40% or less in the other 3 games and only 8 rebounds in 69 minutes over the last 2 games. |
| Hamady Ndiaye | 6.8 | 0 | 6.8 | He barely qualifies for my arbitrary threshold of at least 15 minutes with a whopping 19 this week. Just getting minutes was enough to earn him a Key last week, but the bar has no been raised and Ndiaye didn't do anything of note in these past 4 games. I did find out his birthday is 1 day before mine, so there's that.... |
| Nick Young | 14.7 | 14.9 | -0.2 | Nick only played in 1 game this week, and it was a 4-16 outing against OKC. Not even Rook can argue this one......Between the knee and flu, he hasn't been right, so let's hope he has a strong finish to this season. |
| Kevin Seraphin | 8.3 | 8 | 0.3 | A low minute and low impact week for the young big man. After a solid 22 minutes against OKC, he barely played in the past 3 games. It appears that JaVale's increased minutes may be directly affecting his opportunities, but in the words of Keyshawn Johnson and company, "Come on man!" Particularly with this team rendered shorthanded by injuries, I have a hard time stomaching a developmental player averaging about 6 mpg in our past 3 contests. |
NOTE: Andray Blatche, Nick Young, Rashard Lewis, Josh Howard, Cartier Martin, Mustafa Shakur, and Othyus Jeffers 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
Yi did play good defense yesterday
Best pick and roll defense i have seen this yr from a Wizard except for maybe Armstrong
"If you don't shoot, you can't score"
Johan Cruijff
" My psychiatrist just doesn't know what I go through. He is a Lakers fan" Hambonejackson
Seraphin's play or lack thereof is a little troubling
at least in terms of where the Atlanta pick should be used. Do we need to get another defensive, rebounding big in here? There was a sequence against the Nets where Humphries and Lopez played keep away from Keveen, just batted the ball above his reach en route to what felt like 4 FGAs and two trips to the FT line all in one possession. He was in good position, just couldnt get up high enough to have any effect.
I am for taking another big man, if we don't take one with our top pick.
If we do take Kanter or Sullinger though, I think we definitely need perimeter help from the ATL pic. I like Seraphin but as we all know, he is d-league material and was when Ernie drafted him. He brings some good stuff to the table but he just isn’t ready and there is no guarantee that he will be anytime soon.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I suspect they are disappointed in Seraphin
because it seems odd he was guaranteed no DLeague time given what we see from him on the court. Oh well, hopefully he improves.
re: Kanter, if they pick him is it curtains for Blatche or Mcgee? Now I am thinking it would mean they’d move Blatche at all costs with visions of a bulldog and greyhound in the frontcourt
Yeah I guess I wouldn't use disapointed
I can’t say what people were actually expecting, but he is probably exactly what we should have been expected.
Reports said the ideal situation for him would be d-league.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
"playing within the offense (meaning just dunks, layups, and putbacks)"
It seems to me that Flip and Ernie have grander ambitions for Javale than being a garbage man offensively. He took several 15ft Js this week that appeared to be by design (all misses tho) and he’s been getting the ball in the post at a decent clip. Showed off hooks and a finger roll yesterday. Just a guess…but I think we’re going to see more of it next season after a summer of instilling some post fundamentals.
"A summer of instilling fundamentals..."
Would do a lot of good. I just think it will take more than a summer. And learning a post game would take a lot of time. Time away from getting that core stronger(do some squats Javale!) and time away from becoming a student of the defensive end. It will take a lot of work, I really hope he has the commitment in him. If he is only capable of working on one thing per season, then I am going to have to learn some patience.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
What was being instilled in him the previous summers?
by BayAreaBullet on Mar 21, 2011 12:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well it appears not much.
Maybe they were working on him, but he didn’t absorb. I think it is more likely that Javale was not a primary focus in the past. Surely Tapscott was not concerned with developing players with a long term view in mind. And Flip was worrying about a deep playoff run with his vets last summer. Not an excuse for Javale not to get better, but maybe an explanation to some degree.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I've said all along that his breakout year will be next year.
But anyhow, to my eye, it looks like he turned a corner this past week. Maybe that ‘mini-training-camp’ that Flip ran a couple weeks ago may have been just the ticket. Or maybe its Blatche’s absence forcing him to step up?
Either way, he’s put four consecutive good games together.
Scared to say he turned the corner
because he had me thinking the same earlier this year. I haven’t gotten to watch the last two I think so it’s hard for me to say.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Not ‘the’ (proverbial) corner, just ‘a’ corner. LOL!
He’s got to turn a few more corners to represent a proper ROI, but still, progress is progress…
I think both Blatche and McGee
would benefit from a bit more competition.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
Funny
Surely Tapscott was not concerned with developing players with a long term view in mind.
Funny, since he was the Director of Player Development
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
I didn't know that.
But as an interim head coach for a season, with Haywood as his starting C, do you actually think he was concerned with Javale’s development for that year? Cuz I don’t. I’d say he wanted to win games and get his name out there.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
NO - I actually believe you're right....
In my opinion, neither Eddie Jordan nor EdTapscott did anything to “develop” the Wizards young players at the time… I believe that both Nick Young and JaVale McGee’s development was retarded under E.T. I also think that Pecherov and (especially) Dom McGuire could have benefited from some “real player development”.
In a refreshing turn – it appears that Flip Saunders DOES have at least some player development skills… We’ve seen tremendous strides made by Nick Young and John Wall. Booker has steadily improved all year – as has Seraphin. We’ve seen Jordan Crawford given the opportunity to get quality minutes. And although I rail on the fact that McGee makes so many mistakes on the basketball court – to Flip’s credit, h e continues to give the kid every opportunity to improve with tons of playing time.
I will be very interested to follow the team this off-season. I know Flip closely monitored all the young guys last Summer – and (at least in the case of Nick Young) gave them specific things to work on in the off-season. I also know that there were some semi-organized (non-team organized) sessions, scrimmages and games at the VC last Summer – and I’ll be interested to find out which players participate this year.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Ohhh
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions
lol
I lose.
Or… given that title, I could blame Tapscott for every Javale Mcgee shortcoming in the history of Javale Mcgee. Yeah, I’m gonna take that route!
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
He should gain noticeable lower body muscle this offseason.
ted says our trainers are as good as any in the league….he’s 23yrs old and there is no reason he cant get significantly stronger every single offseason on the proper diet/lift routine. We have so many young players, what happens over the summer with them is arguably just as important as their PT over the rest of the season
Agree all around
He needs to do a lot more improving this summer than he did this season. It is one thing to observe that he needs to get stronger, as we have been doing for a couple years, but another to get him in the weight room and put some lbs on.
I am actually more worried about him getting stronger than learning the sky hook. Some things can be learned in-season. But seriously improving lower body strength is a thing for the offseason.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm actually suprised by some of the recent development
As much as McGee has made me cringe this season I’ll commend him for finally passing the ball a few times and actually being somewhat patient on some of his recent post moves.
I think Nick and Jordan bring different things to the table. They both can shoot but Nick has the better 3. But Jordan clearly is the better slasher. I don’t get nervous when he drives to the hole. I like his finishing abilities. Has anyone else noticed how on inbound passes he kinda crouches down trying to hide under bigmen running the other way and then tries to steal the ball once it’s passed? He’s kinda sneeky defensively.
Although he hasn’t made a huge impact Jeffers had at least one great defensive sequence against the nets where he was out on the perimeter guarding somebody on the nets, and they tried everything to get past him. He did go for any pump fakes, stayed in front of his man the whole time, and then when the guy had to finally shoot Jeffers just stuck his long arms straight out. The shot didn’t even come close. I finally saw his defensive talents on display.
Oh, and since my wife is a big Tar Heels fan we see every game. Barnes is the real deal. He does everything from guarding the other team’s best player, to getting rebounds, to hitting long NBA range 3’s. But most of all this guy is straight clutch. I mean he’s hitting big shots every game. When the game is on the line he wants the ball, and he will get his shot off. I was doubtful at first, but after seeing him hit big shots the past 10 or 15 games I’m convinced he has something the Wiz need right now.
by SteelmaticSP02 on Mar 21, 2011 10:21 AM EDT reply actions
Crawford deserves a Key.
He did more than just score.
If he wasn’t out there – these past few games woulda been a lot worse than they were.
I like his game for a rookie.
He could develop into a goto guy.
He looks much better than Nick did his rookie year.
Maybe Javale is finally getting it?
Agreed
Crawford is definitely further along than Nick was his first year. Seems like what he said when he first got here about getting better through more playing time is very true in his case. You can visibly see the improvement from game to game.
by SteelmaticSP02 on Mar 21, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
Just think where Nick would be if he were given the opportunity to get significant minutes as a Rookie (ala Crawford)….
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
mmmmm
I’m not sure I agree Rook. I would say “just think if Young got the opportunity AND had his game adjusted.” You can’t just overlook the fact that Saunders overhauled Young’s game. You yourself almost threw in the towel on him last year.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
Yes I did...
But I cannot help but think that Nick Young’s development (and McGee’s as well) was severely curtailed by coming into a situation where the Wizards had a team full of veterans, trying to win. A coach known for teaching a very difficult offensive system, geared towards intelligent veteran players. Playing time allocated based on team need – and/or playing mistake free basketball. An Organization not known for “developing” mid-round draft picks.
Jordan Crawford has come into a completely different situation in his Rookie year. So – naturally, I just wonder if Nick had come into a similar situation (a Coach with a track record of developing young players – a team in the middle of a rebuild – playing time readily available. Players allowed to play through mistakes. ) – I just wonder if it would have made a difference in Nick Young’s develoopment.
Logically – you would have to think so.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
To put it another way -
Let’s pretend….
Let’s just say that last year was Nick Young’s Rookie season…. He had some ups and downs… the last 30 games or so, he really seemed to “get it”.
This year, his second year in the League, he has continued to make significant strides, becoming a more consistent scorer, and more importantly a more efficient scorer. In addition, some of the flashes of defense we saw last year – are now a consistent part of his game – as he’s becoming a fairly competent perimeter defender…especially against the bigger wings in the League. Even his rebounding, one of his weak points, has improved – if only a tiny bit.
Wouldn’t the BF nation be all ga-ga over Nick? Wouldn’t there be an almost consensus that Nick Young and John Wall were the building blocks of the next Wizards contender?
Everyone here assumes this off-season that John Wall will be working diligently on his mid-range jump shot. Coming off pick-and-roll screens to stop and pop… And, almost everyone here assume he WILL get better.
Well, Nick Young will be working on things this Summer too. Flip will have an agenda for Nick….. just like last year. Having learned how to shoot coming off screens this year – maybe he’ll be looking to perfect that. Maybe work on rebounding the basketball – or keeping his head up coming off screens looking for teammates.
The point is – This is like Nick’s second year in the league – and I, for one, believe that BOTH John Wall AND Nick Young will be better next year.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Nick is an important part of the puzzle a streak shooter can be a big spark off the bench. Nick is great but
what I would consider a very one demensional player. When He’s off the mark His long High shots off the back iron are like a fast break pass for the other team. I really like JC. He is what I would call a Natural. Has 100% of the tools a killer instinct and great confidence. I say He is so perfect for Wall to get the ball to. They can become our Frazier/Monroe for the next ten years.
Crawford displays an intensity that I've never seen in Young.
He’s better going to the basket and probably a better finisher. Much better passer, much better feel for team offense at least from what I’ve seen.
His jump shot is pretty ugly and he has poor shot selection, however. NY is a beautiful shooter.
I would say Crawford’s upside is higher than NY’s at the same time in his career. Whether that upside translates into success is up in the air.
I do think we have to stop blaming everyone in the district for young players not stepping up and improving their games in the past. To call this like Nick’s second year in the league is absurd. Dismissing two years of practicing and observing, three summer leagues, and 3000 minutes of actual game play (almost 20 minutes per game) as if they never happened is silly.
As far as intensity goes
NY really doesn’t have it, which is cool. I still consider him a very good young player but he’s just too meek. He lacks aggression and most of his drives to the rim are soft and he doesn’t get calls as result. Wish he showed a little more effort in helping out on the boards too.
Well
Would you say that Jordan Crawford was “developing” on Atlanta’s bench? Observing…. practicing….
Or is he developing FASTER, while playing 25 minutes a night for Washington in his Rookie season?
To call this like Nick’s second year in the league is absurd. Dismissing two years of practicing and observing, three summer leagues, and 3000 minutes of actual game play (almost 20 minutes per game) as if they never happened is silly.
Those two years, he may as well have been playing street ball….
Or – perhaps I’m just looking at a player that was in a terrible situation – A player drafted in the middle of the first round – with terrific talent, but with holes in his game…. His rookie year with no direction from Coaches – with no hope of consistent playing time – NOW in a situation where he is allowed to flourish; given specific direction as to how he should be playing from a Coach that knows how to develop young players; and getting consistent and significant IN-GAME playing time without threat of being pulled for mistakes…. and we, as Wizards fans are starting to see the results………………from BOTH Crawford and Young.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Put away the violin.
NIck Young played 75 games his rookie year, averaging 15.4 minutes. He played in all 82 games his second year and averaged 22.4 minutes.
Over 1200 shots during that time.
So explain to me why I’m supposed to buy your story that a rookie arriving to training camp on his first day is equivalent to someone who has played 3000 minutes, scored 1453 points in 157 games, been to the playoffs, been through 2 training camps etc etc.
Rook-
If you want to make a point that Young developed slower under EJ then he should have then make that point.
When you construct a “pretend” world that ignores his first two years altogether and then use that “pretend” world to extrapolate Young’s development then all you are doing is fudging the numbers.
For example real rookies have to deal with all kinds of issues like living on their own, having money, having new fake friends, flying all around the country, back to back games, playing twice as many games as ever before, having the world’s top competition etc etc. All the while they have to work on their games. That’s why rookies struggle.
To ignore that Young has already adjusted to all those things and measure his growth against a player who is dealing with all of those things for the first time is just not accurate and weakens your larger argument.
by MR on Mar 22, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rook - every player is coached
even on the veteran Wizards teams. There is no “hey rookies” go play in the corner while the veterans run the real drills. What pushed these guys to improve in practice is having someone push for their position. Further, SG has not been a position that was “locked down” the last three seasons. Young could have beaten out Stevenson or Foye at any point if he had made the necessary improvements earlier.
Yes, Tapscott or Jordan could have stripped Young’s game down and built it back up. But what you are seeing from Jordan is that there is not as much tear down that needs to take place as there was with Young.
I find the argument absurd that just because a player isn’t starting and getting tons of minutes means he shouldn’t improve. It allows one to keep apologizing for the consistent mistakes of the player while sweeping under the rug the fact that he has had AMPLE practice time over the course of several years to correct those mistakes.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
I think
all the public criticism of McGee may have opened up his eyes a little. Hopefully he keeps it up!
by travonino on Mar 21, 2011 11:21 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
This has a stranglehold on best caption
It even looks like he is shooting whatever it is they all shoot out of their hands
Right on with all the keys I'd say.
Jimmy’s Reebok commercials are pretty weak though.
by PhenomenalSwag on Mar 21, 2011 11:55 AM EDT reply actions
I support the move
despite the fact that I’d like to see some dream candidates here. If I were Ted or Ernie, I’d evaluate the team based on how players were playing at the beginning of the season vs. the end of the season, and also if the players enjoy playing with each other. If there are positive trends all around in those areas, then Flip did a good job for this season. Wins and losses really can’t be a big thing for this season at least.
The tough part about this team is that the Southeast Division is looking like the MLB’s AL East last couple year, because we have three teams perennially in playoff contention for the last couple years and for the future, two of them with a substantial chance at being a championship contenders, and a fourth team is also now a playoff bubble team if not a little better, while we’re developing.
Even after our team gets a couple more stud rookies and we all play for another year or two, can we be better than 4th place in the Southeast Division, much less making the NBA playoffs, assuming the CBA doesn’t force some highly paid players to move to other teams? Minny is asking themselves the same question.
Wall showed something
I liked his 15 foot J. He said he’d been working on it with Sam C. If he can make that much improvement during the season. Look out after he has the off season to work on the J & the 3.
Maybe some is rubbing off on Javale too. I think he just might be a late bloomer & get better year by year.
Hey Flip! Should I grab it? -(my caption)
All the folks who are big on using our lottery pick on Sullinger, I want to see what happens when He runs up against my sleeper (for our 2nd pick) Josh Harrelson this Friday. Harrelson gets better and more determined every game. His fundamentals are already developed. This guy could be our Kevin McHale for the next ten years.
Not even close (In terms of McHale)
Harrelson has been putting up decent numbers though. He’s solid but you won’t need to waste a pick to get him, he may go undrafted. As far as other big men for later picks:
-Keith Benson (Oakland)
-Markeiff Morris (Kansas)
-Kenneth Faried (More-whatever)
-Jordan Williams (Maryland); not really though
Yi— “Coach, look what I learned…. KAMEHAMEHA!!!!”
Rest of arena—- Left in ruins.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 11:15 PM EDT reply actions
Dragon Ball Z reference. for you oldtimers.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 21, 2011 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I liked it better when Goku had a tail and Kamehame broke cars rather than mountains
(oldtimer reference). Bah, humbug.
by Tbonebullets on Mar 22, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL.
Welcome dude
"If you don't shoot, you can't score"
Johan Cruijff
" My psychiatrist just doesn't know what I go through. He is a Lakers fan" Hambonejackson
by Dutch Hoopfan on Mar 22, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
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