The Stretch Run Wishlist
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Apr 1, 2011 10:00 AM EDT
in Team Analysis
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PrintTalk about some signs of life and identity from this team as we close out the season...I think we're starting to see the team Ted talked about. The one that lost a lot of games but nobody wanted to play. There's a lot of credit to hand out here. Flip Saunders is always teaching during the game, and he was out on the court so fast to get Juwan Howard off Javale McGee I thought he was John Wall. Javale McGee has been staying home on defense more consistently while being given more freedom in the post. While that's led to some questionable decisions, he's also been more effective on putbacks, and even showing a few post moves we can live with. In short, he's realizing some of his upside. John Wall is attacking, in more ways than one, showing a refreshed energy, and I think we know who to credit for that.
Much as Jordan Crawford takes some (okay, many) bad shots, he's given new life to this season. Maybe it's an illusion, but as JC has gotten minutes, this team is playing with increased fire in their eyes. We all cringe when he's waving off Wall asking for the ball (something's gotta give there), but there's no denying he forces teams to respond when he's on the floor, and that takes some of the focus off John. John is showing more late game energy, and that's because having JC on the floor lets him keep some gas in the tank.
With Andray Blatche back and Nick Young (hopefully) on the way, we're getting a glimpse of what Flip is going to be working with come training camp next season. We want to see Andray and Javale coexist peacefully, or Flip to adjust the rotation to maximize their strengths. We want Yi Jianlian at the end of the bench...or not. You know, whatever. We want Kevin Seraphin on the floor. We want Othyus Jeffers, period(.) And we want pizza, because the hostages are hungry. But every list starts out with item number one, what's yours?
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I think we already have most of the answers we needed
Wall, Young, Crawford, and the two d-leaguers are good enough for the backcourt
We need a stand-out in the draft at the 3 (Barnes or Williams, with Williams offering better short term results). Mo Evans is a good back-up. Booker can back up the 3 and 4.
We have a problem at the 4 and 5. This should have been Blatche’s year to shine and he faded. He also seems to have some off-the-court issues. Blatche and McGee are not complementary. Net, net: the Wiz need to move Blatche (possibly with the Atlanta pick and get a bruiser at the 4 either in the draft or in a trade). They also ought to buy out Lewis.
McGee will have gotten 2000 minutes and will have shown quite a bit of improvement over last year. He’s got more room to improve and needs to cut down on the silly mistakes. An influential big man’s coach would be a godsend. Seraphin really is a third stringer, so the Wiz need to find a second stringer who will not upset the applecart.
Finally, EG’s reign of terror should come to an end. Flip ought to be the GM and Cassells, the coach. Whitman and Tapscott should see the door.
The goal next year should be 41 wins. The goal for the year after that should be to be a contender.
Hopefully, Leonsis makes some hands-on decisions and changes, or I’m afraid we’ll see only very little steps.
You were making a lot of sense for a minute there
What makes you think that Flip can GM or that Cassell can head coach. What’s wrong with Whitman? Has Tapscott even crossed your vision this year, why does he need to get the boot?
by MR on Apr 1, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree with your draft focus.
I’m really hoping we go big (cough Kanter, cough), but with the crapshoot of talent in the draft, it’s hard to know what will or won’t pan out for us.
As far as moving Blatche, I’m betting he has one more year to figure it out before the front office gives up on him. Concerning buying out Lewis…unless we get major concessions from him, it’s counterproductive. For now, debating as complex an issue as buying out a partially guaranteed multiyear contract is pointless until a new CBA in place.
I think it’s way too soon to call Seraphin a third-string talent. If that does turn out to be the case and we hold on to him as an end of bench big man…with Jeffers there with him, our end of the bench would already be championship level, heh.
EG out, Flip at GM, and Cassell at coach. Allow me to say ‘u crazeh’…for the love of god, why? Jordan Crawford was a guy we had high on our draft board, he was targeted, brought in, and bringing in a guys that fit is exactly what we need right now.
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Apr 1, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Regarding Seraphin
If it is too soon to write Seraphin off as a “third string talent”, fairness dictates that it is also too soon to pencil in anything more from him than a 3 point/4 rebound 10 minutes off the bench energy guy. My own observations this year lead me to believe that he will not be able to make the jump to be a starter or to be considered one of the “core”. There’s nothing wrong with that. He still should be able to have a good career as an energy backup guy.
Seriously. It's laughably early to make that judgment.
His per 36 numbers (9.3 pts, 8.7 reb, 1.7 blk) aren’t bad compared to other rookie big men.
by MR on Apr 1, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Your observations of a sparingly played rookie who is less than 21 years old
leads you to believe he’ll never amount to anything in the NBA? You’re really setting his ceiling as a 3 point/4 rebound 10 minutes off the bench energy guy Really?? I mean, really??
by PhenomenalSwag on Apr 1, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I read him to mean you cant assume he'll be much better than what he is
just as you cant assume he’ll never amount to anything.
C'mon...
He still should be able to have a good career as an energy backup guy.
Sounds a lot like writing him off…
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Apr 2, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn't read it that way
I’m with hotplate here actually – his only point is hoping for dramatic improvement (not plain old improvement, but dramatic improvement) is as much an assumption as suggesting he is what he is right now.
Well, its just my opinion of course
and I qualified it as my own personal “belief”. But yeah, I think it is far more likely that he ends up as a career backup rather than a starter. Nothing wrong with that. Think Reggie Evans or Michael Ruffin. And I never said he “will never amount to anything in the NBA”. I think having an NBA career of more than 3 years even as a backup is quite an accomplishment.
What happens to Seraphin if we draft Markeif or Faried with the Atlanta pick?
Or another of the many interesting PFs that are in this year’s draft? He’s supposed to be our tough, rebounding, defensive guy off the bench. So far to me he looks like he will actually be better offensively than defensively/boards. Guess we’ll see, but PT is going to be a big issue next season with so many young, 1st rounders on the roster. Good problem to have I guess
Many late first round picks get booted to the bench for years
I am ok if that happens to him. If we have a better player(and hopefully we do draft a better big man at some point in this draft), then the better player needs to play.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
Stress fractures are inevitable when you kick as much ass as Trevor Booker does.
by returnofswagger on Apr 1, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Seraphin has a higher ceiling than Faried
just because he had a great game in the tourney doesn’t have me all googly eyed over a guy like Faried.
by PhenomenalSwag on Apr 1, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe its opposite day
because I don’t think the back court is near good enough. i don’t count 3-minute Shakur or a late season D league call up on the long term roster. Those are both positions that should be upgraded. As a franchise we have to stop falling for players barely getting by in the league. Instead lets build a deep and talented roster. thinking in terms of ‘good enough’
I don’t get why JaVale gets more time but Seraphin is who is is going to be. He’s is in his 5th year of organized ball. He has the tools. He needs work. We all knew that when we picked him.
We still need a long-term 3 4 and 5. have to get one of those in the draft. Deeper you get the more we look into role players like a reserve ball handler/defender, wing defener, etc.
because I don’t think the back court is near good enough. i don’t count 3-minute Shakur or a late season D league call up on the long term roster.
I think that most people see , including myself, that the Wizards have 3 very good young Guards…. All of whom need something (Wall needs a jump shot, Young needs to round out his game, and JC needs better shot selection and fewer turn overs)… but all of whom have shown that they MAY be part of the core of a good back court… Of course, you need a couple guys behind them, in case of injuries, foul trouble, or for late game situation substitutions… Hence Othyus Jeffers gets a nod from my direction because he’s tough, he can rebound, and he is an in-your-face, chest-to-chest man up defender; something the Wiz can use in certain circumstances.
As you alluded to , there are bigger holes to fill than at guard… This team just cannot rebound the basketball. Our interior (read low post) defense is atrocious; and (unless McGee is getting a lob from John Wall) they cannot consistently score easy buckets in the paint. They need more wing scoring in the area of shot creation (slashing) and 3-point shooting.
The fire is there. The desire is coming… The willingness to work to achieve? I think that’s coming as well… at least from most players.
If the Wizards, either through the draft or by acquisition, can get a low post scorer, a rebounding beast and a wing scorer – they may be well on their way………..
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
we are not winning 41 games next season…good goal though
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
It IS coming together....
The makings of a very nice “young” backcourt are here… JW, NY and JC for the big minutes, OJ as defensive stopper and MS as insurance.
The wing… I really do think EG is going to draft a wing with the lottery pick… Barnes is safe and has enough of an upside that he should pan out and maybe more than that. Buying out Shard is not in the cards at this point, and with time to take care of his ailments, he could come back a productive player (there is nothing hideously wrong with paying $12 million for an $8 million performer .. see Garnett, Kevin .. in the short run. If Evans can be signed for the right amount, yes, do it… he and Flip are on the same wave length.
Unless someone wants Blatche badly enough to take him and the Atlanta pick to give us a crack at a low-risk high-gain Euro big in the 6-7-8 draft position, he stays for a last chance and we take the best available big guys at 17 and 30-whatever. If there is room to sign Yi for the end of the bench, then keep him too. Somewhere in the mix of JVM (who is beginning to get it I think), KS, AB, TB, Yi, Hamidy, and the two new guys there will be a reasonable rotation… but obviously a BIG big is tops on the 2012 wish list.
It seems 2012 would be a better time to target a wing
Kanter top 5 this year and a SF like Jordan Hamilton, Singleton or Jeff Taylor with ATL’s pick. There’s also a lot of talented freshmen and returning college players at wing that should be available in next years draft (maybe including Barnes). Plus Gallinari and Batum will be RFAs and a guy like Wilson Chandler is a UFA. I’m personally hoping that we can make a move to trade for Gallinari. Maybe send Blatche and an asset for Danilo and the bad contracts of Harrington and Chris Anderson.
I'm with khrabb on the draft
Not that I agree with it, but I think Ernie will draft Harrison Barnes or Derrick Williams (whichever is available, in that order)… Kanter is just not Ernie’s kind of player. Grunfeld likes explosive, athletic, dynamic players with high upside. (Booker, Young, McGee, Dom McGuire)… Seraphin is the only big, strong inside player Ernie’s ever drafted.
And face it, Barnes and Williams look much more like Booker/Young/McGee/McGuire than Kanter does. So although I think Kanter is going to be a great player – I’ve resigned myself to rooting for Barnes or Williams (neither of which is a BAD pick. The only worry I have is that Williams is a kinda “tweener” – without an NBA position… but I could be wrong)…
Certainly adding Barnes or Williams will greatly expand the talent pool around John Wall.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Wow, this is almost breaking news coming from you.
I agree that it’s probably Ernie’s way of looking at things. Either way, I think we’ll be in position to draft one of those three so I’m fine with that. This obviously isn’t a great draft at the top but I think the top 5 will produce some pretty good players. It’s an even worse year to be sitting at 7, 8, 9, etc.
by PhenomenalSwag on Apr 1, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
But what if Barnes and Williams are off the board?
Perry Jones? Prototypical EG guy, but not someone it seems many fans want. If we end up 5th, will he really pass on Kanter for a wing no one is even talking about now? Or will he trade the pick for Kyle Korver and Corey Brewer?
while your observations are correct
I think your logic is wrong…in that because he has picked those types of players, I think he will look to complement them with the a strong physical presence….that would only make sense…
that being said I dont know why anyone would want any player other than barnes in this draft….he is a solid player…with high IQ, and has shown a desire to compete, and of high character…seems like the perfect complement to wall….
I just cant understand everyone’s infatuation with kanter on this board….if he starts working out against other players during draft time and impresses, then I will be sold….but isnt it way to early to be so high on a player you have seen so little of, other than video of when he was essentially bigger and stronger than his competition….I just think if barnes is on the board it would be a huuuuggeeee mistake to pass him…that being said I dont see him being available when we pick unless we get lucky.
barnes is a top 3 pick i think…for all the reasons u mentioned
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Except that Booker/Young/McGee/McGuire
were not lottery picks. I believe he will go big with the 1st pick. I think Grunfeld will draft a player like Kanter or Valanciunas or PJones. He is more likely to look for a shooter with the 2nd pick. I think he might go big with both 1st rounders as I think it’s imperative for the team to get control of the boards.
by hambonejackson on Apr 1, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Never say never
I was drinking some beers at the the bar, my phone rang and I heard EGs voice over the phone and he said, “in the NBA, size matters” and then he hung up. So I assume he is looking tall and Valanciunas is tall.
by hambonejackson on Apr 1, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
again
why do we need to draft rebounding? We picked Seraphin and Booker to develop them into those positions. We already “went big” to a certain extent last year.
2 reasons:
The Wiz are getting killed on the boards and the offense with Wall is predicated on the fast break and there will be no fast breaks without boards.
by hambonejackson on Apr 1, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
i understand that we need to rebound better.
but why do we have to DRAFT rebounding. its only one of 3 ways to pick up players yet everyone focuses on 1 way, the draft. We picked two bigs and need to develop them. that doesn’t take bigs off the table in teh draft, but it certainly opens us up to getting the best players and not thebest need fillers for our current roster. Have to look at this 2-5 years down the line and not just added to this group.
Which 2 bigs?
Seraphin and Booker are not exactly bigs. They are not 6’11" and 7’0. The team unloaded Armstrong and I have no reason to think at this point that the team will shell out 5.4 mil for Yi. That means the team is down a 6’11" and 7’0 player. I can’t see this team replacing them with 6’ 7" and 6’ 8" players. Acquiring very good 7’0 players type players is difficult and can be expensive through FA. If the team has a top 5 pick, this team may not have one again for a while so get your big while you can. Tomorrow may ever come.
Crawford was the 28th pick and Young was the 16th pick and this shows that the team can draft shooters in the middle and later part of the 1st round.Thats a tough part of the draft to find a good big. Pecherov and McGee. The 1st was a bust and the other is still struggling to become competent after 3 seasons. The 2nd round of the draft brought Ramos and McGuire and Blatche. Seraphin and Booker are both undersized and our FAs are Armstrong and Yi. I really think they will have to draft early to get that big man. The only thing this team has in their bigs is a bench. Grunfeld has to see this.
by hambonejackson on Apr 1, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Grunfeld also sees that just because you need a big
doesnt mean that there is a Big worth a top5 pick available.
1000% totally agree…this team needs kanter sooo bad. i have not seen more than whats been posted here…but the NEED is that desperate. and it is hard to get a skilled true big outside the lottery spots. the world caught on…the andrew bynums of the world are top 10 picks easily and usually top 3. kanter might drop because people have not seen him play this year…but he might not.
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm all for "picking up" a great rebounder by trade or Free Agency....
but I’ve looked at the good rebounders in the League, and I don’t even ONE that might be available… Howard would never come to Washington (he’ll pick New York or LA when he’s a FA)… Zach Randolph is a FA this year – if we want to over pay… Of the young guys out there (Kevin Love, DeMarcus Cousins, Blake Griffin , Kris Humphries, Al Horford) – their teams will NEVER let them go.. Pau Gasol, Tim Duncan and DeJuan Blair aren’t going anywhere. You might be able to pry Emeka Okafor away from New Orleans if you don’t mind paying $40 Million for the next 3 years.
I don’t believe Seraphin or Booker is the long term solution to the Wizards rebounding problem in their STARTING line up… No matter how much they may “develop” over the next few years…
I’d like your opinion on how the Wizards can fix the rebounding problem other than through the draft…. Obviously a Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard or young Shaq is not going to fall into their laps – so how do they obtain an elite rebounder?
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Apr 1, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
How many teams win championships
Thanks to their “elite” rebounders??
It doesn’t take a superstar rebounder, but a stable of competent big men. Booker is a good start, maybe Seraphin too. Throw in a Morris twin or Faried, along with Javale, and we are getting there.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
Stress fractures are inevitable when you kick as much ass as Trevor Booker does.
by returnofswagger on Apr 1, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
well yeah if you have michael jordan and scottie pippen on the perimeter…size matters. this is not rocket science…the closer you are to the basket the better odds u have of scoring…it is a lot easier to shut down a perimeter than it is to defend the paint. and if u cant defend the paint, you lose 80% of the time. you see it all the time…jump shooting team makes it to the playoffs…defensive intensity picks up and unless they have a top 3 player in the league hero to bail them out, the team that can score inside and get the easy basket wins.
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel like Memphis is ready to give somebody up
And I would like Gasol
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
Stress fractures are inevitable when you kick as much ass as Trevor Booker does.
by returnofswagger on Apr 2, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Abs
As in absolutes. You use a lot of them. I don’t think things are that simple. Teams’ plans change all the time in the NBA.
Okafor is too expensive, despite a big game yesterday.
What about Al Jefferson? Utah brought him in to be part of a playoff team. Now they’re rebuilding around Derrick Favors. Al doesn’t want to play the 4. He’s owed $29M over two seasons. He’ll be 28 in the last year of the deal.
In the spirit of taking advantage of smaller market teams, Marc Gasol would be my guess as Ernie’s favorite. Smaller move would be Carl Landry. See if Detroit would pay to keep Jonas Jerebko.
we need to do more than rebound better…we are a sieve inside the paint. we are getting killed. we have to have guys big enough to defend the paint…booker and seraphin are too short for that by themselves. blatche doesnt defend and JVM is always out of position. if we need a true big…EVERY contending team- legitimate title contenders- are big inside…with big backups. Look at the lakers…they are setup perfectly…a true space eating strong skilled 7 footer in bynum, a highly all around skilled 7 footer in gasol, and someone in between in odom. that’s what u want…
one day, JVM might be that skilled guy….but he really needs to pick up his basketball IQ immensely. kanter could be a bynum. blatche might be an odom which is a shame because he really could be a karl malone if he had heart and desire.
so at this point…we dont know we have a bynum gasol or odom (who is the last piece to add since not the starter) on our roster.
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
they are undersized…hopefully booker develops a jump shot!
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
My two cents...
Obviously I love the progression and development I see from John Wall. The fire and desire to win is there… now the Wizards need to develop, draft and trade for talented players to put around around him.
I like what we’ve seen so far from Jordan Crawford. Not the scoring, necessarily (especially since he takes so many bad shots, and is extremely inefficient)… but the energy, and focus he brings on the court. I love that he can spell John Wall, and there doesn’t seem to be a huge drop off in the team’s offensive sets. I love that he always seems to be in attack mode. Now if he can only learn to shoot the ball – because 39% from the field (22% from 3) just will not cut it…
I’m hoping the Wizards can re-sign Nick Young for a reasonable contract. He’s shown this year that he can be a starting SG. Efficient volume scoring (see my post here) along with effective perimeter defense is a good base… Now he needs to expand his game a little – crash the defensive boards more… get to the line a couple more times a game…
I’m still not convinced about JaVale – the last two weeks, he’s looked much improved… but the sample size is so small as to be insignificant. Hopefully, he’ll continue to crash the boards, protect the rim, stay in position defensively, play hard on both ends, and we’ll naturally see fewer and fewer of those weird “Javale plays”.
Booker and Seraphin both improved dramatically this year. If they continue their development, both could be important bench pieces down the road.
I absolutely love Othyus Jeffers. Defense and incredible rebounding effort from a guard….. And I agree with Izman that our back court rotation could be very, very good for years to come.
As for the draft… If Sullinger is really staying at Ohio State…. then I think Ernie will draft Harrison Barnes…. He will be a good pick (although everyone here knows I would prefer Kanter)… Barnes will bring a guy that is an excellent catch-and-shoot wing, giving the Wizards 3 or 4 excellent options in that area (Young, Barnes, Rashard Lewis and perhaps Crawford). He’ll certainly be another guy that can play perimeter defense (along with Wall, Young, Trevor Booker and Jeffers). AND he’ll bring a winning attitude and a high basketball IQ.
But Barnes won’t help much with the Wizards biggest problems: Defensive rebounding, post scoring and interior defense. Maybe the Wizards can do something in Free Agency to shore up that deficiency.
I don’t see 40 wins next year….
This year, I had projected 29 wins…. and they may hit 20… So my prediction for next year 2011-2012 will be a conservative 30 wins. But watch out NBA in 2012-2013…. The Wizards will be beasting.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Agree all around
Regarding the draft, I can totally support drafting Barnes. I understand 100%, your points on drafting Kanter. The weakest part of this team is it’s defensive rebounding, and its interior D. But these things can still be improved this offseason, without spending our top pick on Kanter. Javale is improving, and while I am also not totally sold, we have our stock in the guy. We are at the point where, if we pass on Kanter, Javale is our guy. Optimistically, next season he will be at least an average defensive rebounder, and his improved discipline will have him locking down the middle.
Not to mention, there will be big men available by the time our second pick comes around. If we take Barnes or Williams we will pass on Chris Singleton(who was both of our preference) for a guy like Faried.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
Stress fractures are inevitable when you kick as much ass as Trevor Booker does.
by returnofswagger on Apr 1, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't you think you should wait to see how the draft goes, what moves we make in the summer, etc.
before predicting a win total for 2011-2012? I know I would. We probably won’t go wild in free agent spending but I’m curious to see what types of players they are targeting this off season since we do have that financial flexibility.
by PhenomenalSwag on Apr 1, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
I’m assuming that the Wizards won’t go on a wild spending spree this off-season… I assume whatever Free Agents they do sign will be of the end-of-bench variety.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
We do need
a veteran SF, maybe its Evans, that is willing to play limited minutes and bring some leadership. Maybe be the first guy off the bench. And take some pressure off of a guy like Barnes or Williams. If we take Kanter or a big, then we may need even more help at SF.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
Stress fractures are inevitable when you kick as much ass as Trevor Booker does.
by returnofswagger on Apr 1, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
AND
Any draft picks they get this summer will not necessarily immediately translate into wins….
Let’s say the impossible happens… and the Wizards get the #1 pick – and they trade the #1 pick to Cleveland (who, for arguments sake desperately wants Kyrie Irving) and Cleveland gives us the #3 and #8 picks in the draft- and the Wizards pick up BOTH Kanter (to solve their rebounding issues) and Harrison Barnes (or Derrick Williams) to fix the hole at SF….
It is still going to take a whole season or two playing together for that core group (Wall, Young, Crawford, McGee, Kanter, Barnes, Booker, and Seraphin) to get used to each other… and to get used to winning… and to develop the chemistry and character of a Championship squad…. An entire year for Flip Saunders to figure out the strengths and weaknesses of his players, and the combination that work best….. who can play how many minutes… who to play down the stretch…. Which plays to use… which ones to scrap…
Don’t get me wrong, the team will be infinitely more exciting to watch , but next year will STILL be only a 30 win season – even if EVERYTHING goes perfectly in the draft….
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
or we package the #20 and next years lottery pick and possibly AB for a pick to get kanter and barnes
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Please reconcile
“I’m still not convinced about JaVale – the last two weeks, he’s looked much improved… but the sample size is so small as to be insignificant.”
and
“I absolutely love Othyus Jeffers.”
by disgrunted on Apr 1, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
In defense
Things Jeffers does are sustainable, to say the very least. I am pretty sure you know what he means, and the difference in the two players…
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
Stress fractures are inevitable when you kick as much ass as Trevor Booker does.
by returnofswagger on Apr 1, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree on Jeffers' sustainability
Not that I don’t appreciate what Jeffers brings to the table… But the reality is that, for players like him, once his tendencies are known (IOW, once his film gets around), he’s easy to shut down.
who cares…bring in the next NBDL stud on 10 day contracts and play him effectively until he is better scouted…rinse and repeat
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Jeffers
has a history – - – throughout his career of being a high character guy. A guy that brings effort every night.
Physically, he won’t wow you… 6’4" (???)… but he’s extremely quick laterally and has a huge wingspan (close to 7-ft?).
Every stop in the NBA, every team in the D-League… every place he’s been, they have talked about his extraordinary defensive effort. He rebounds like a Power Forward – and is exceptionally athletic, getting off the floor multiple times (when slower guys are just getting up for their second jump, Jeffers has already secured the rebound)… He’s incredibly strong, looking like an NFL Line Backer rather than an NBA Shooting Guard….
What he brings to the Wizards is not smoke and mirrors… it’s not “style”… He’s not going to be on ESPN with any highlights…. What he brings instead is a lunch pail work ethic, stubborn defense, high basketball IQ, rugged rebounding, and an unrelenting energy.
THAT’S why I love Othyus Jeffers……
Need to know more about Jeffers? Read this...
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Apr 1, 2011 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
As for JaVale....
Ever since he was drafted, I’ve had the same opinion…. All flash, no basketball skill…. He just does not know how to play the game. Tremendous athlete. Great jumping ability. Unbelievable length. Exceptional speed. Fluid movements. Coordinated. Wonderful to watch – until he tries to do something that requires any kind of basketball skill.
He can’t box out. He can’t hold position in the post. He doesn’t have any post moves to speak of. He’s got terrible foot work. He seems to have a low basketball IQ, because he keeps making the same mistakes over and over again (dribbling the ball like a guard, shooting wild scoop shots from 15 feet away, out of position on defense, goal tending, goal tending, goal tending and more goal tending.)
He’s poor on Pick-and-Roll defense. He can’t set a decent screen. He falls for ANYONE’s pump fake (even guys that he could block flat footed)… He is a black hole (his assist ratio is even lower than Nick Young’s, which I didn’t think was even possible). He’s a poor free throw shooter; and a poor shooter overall.
In short, the same weaknesses that JaVale had in College are the same weaknesses he has today. He can dunk and he can block shots… that’s it.
NOW – over the past two weeks, it appears that someone (Flip maybe?) has finally gotten through to McGee and told him to stop chasing everything around the court… Stay in position on defense. Guard the rim. Rebound the basketball, FIRST before running the floor. Take shots close to the rim. – - – and he seems to have listened…. But it’s only been two weeks – and we still occasionally see him dribbling the ball up the court, or throwing up a wild shot from 12 feet away…..and he still apparently doesn’t know the rule about goal tending…. BUT IF HE CONTINUES playing the way he has for the last two weeks…. I can live with the OCCASIONAL brain fart.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
funny that when Yi dribbled 3/4 court and dunked everyone was elated
when Javale dribbles more than 3ft everyone screams..
Its funny how Javale is going to demand a relatively healthy contract next offseason
while the fans that are screaming for Yi, know as well as anybody that he is not a part of this team.
Obviously the standards are different for Yi and Javale. And how many times do you see Yi actually take it up court, recklessly turning it over, anyway?
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
Stress fractures are inevitable when you kick as much ass as Trevor Booker does.
by returnofswagger on Apr 1, 2011 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
i think it is a matter of expectations…JVM is expected to be a major contributor and starter…locking down the paint
othyus is not expected to be more than an off the bench role player
since the stakes are different…think u can feel safe drawing conclusions at different rates
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
usually every year chad ford puts out an article, regarding drafting by tiers….regardless of rebounding being a biggest deficiency…barnes to me is a clear tier above kanter….pretty sure we will see that to hold true come draft time….and I dont think you pass on an overall better player, to address a specific position of need…
but i defintely would rather have kanter over sullinger…
Kanter may do private, limited workouts on the advice of his agent.
Not saying he wouldn’t do well in more open workouts, but if his stock is high enough he has no need to prove himself the way guys like Curry did. Wall worked out for us once, for 20mins or so right?
I love the combine because it’s just fun…but have come to think most of it past the straight height/weight/length measurements is bunk.
Your headline hits on one of the most compelling issues of the upcoming draft
I think you are exactly right that Kanter’s agent will not allow him to work out against other players during the draft process. If Kanter is projected to go top 8 without playing a minute this season, having him play against other players in a workout scenario is VERY risky. What if he doesn’t do well, and word gets out? Kanter’s draft stock could drop like a rock.
So what you end up with is forcing GMs to make the choice on Kanter blind. Reminds me of the Yi situation, where Yi worked out against chairs in his team visits leading up to the draft. And look how that turned out.
the routine is to go Grover and get your vert as high as possible
dehydrate yourself before you test and max out at a number far better than what you’ll be when you are in playing shape. Everyone ohs and ahs about what a great athlete you are, see Luke Babbit ….then you get to the league as your real self and look pedestrian athletically. Babbit tested out like Blake Griffin.
I am NOT saying that means Kanter will be a bad pro or anything like that, just that he (and many others) are training right now for a vert test whose results wont necessarily translate to anything more than a higher draft stock.
i go by
height in shoes, standing reach, 3/4 court time and shuttle time.
then compare those historically, not just against the same draft class.
When you say historically...
I hope you mean against similar body types, position, etc…
Absolutely fair to compare Booker to say DeJuan Blair or Paul Millsap…. but not to Nick Young or John Wall. (Although interestingly, Booker was faster than John Wall in the sprint)
Similarly, Kanter should be compared to 6’11" guys with some bulk – not against 7-ft jumping bean poles….
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
I'd liek to see
Kanter versus Valanicius but for all we know its chandler versus Kwame all over again. No way would either of their agents let them workout against guys like Rick Jackson or Vernon Macklin.
but i think he played and dominated against the other lottery players at the nike summit last year…dominated—-did yi do that?
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
My draft board
Has Kyrie Irving, Barnes, Sullinger, Derrick Williams and Kanter all in the first tier…. (Williams jumped to the first tier from the second tier late in the season)…
Last year, John Wall was in a tier all by himself… The year before, Rubio and Blake Griffin were the top guys being discussed for potentially being the #1 pick. In 2008, the fight was between Beasley and Rose….as to who would be the top pick. In 2007, it was clear that Oden and Durant were the best of the draft…
This year, there is no consensus #1 pick… and at one time or another, ALL of the guys I listed above have been listed as #1…. All of them (except Williams) have been in the top 10 all year – and most have been in the top 5….
The differences between Barnes and Sullinger are minuscule – Same for Sullinger vs Kanter… and Williams vs Irving… There is just no clear cut CREAM when you put these 5 guys in a bowl and mix them up… All have strengths and weaknesses… and in my opinion, it’s really, really difficult to take one over the other…. Hence, on my draft board, they are all in the FIRST TIER.
Then it comes down to team need…. The Wizards need a Small Forward. They need rebounding and post scoring. If Ernie and Ted are to be believed, they want the team to be tougher, and more defense minded…
Since Sullinger has said he is not coming out this year…. and the Wizards don’t need Kyrie Irving (PG), it comes down to Kanter, Williams and Harrison Barnes….
Which one (or ones) will be available when the Wizards pick?
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
that is not entirely true…all skillsets are not created equal…there is a scarcity value that HAS to be taken into account…there are plenty of good SF prospects…there are very few players in this league that can defend score and clean up inside. n if u can get one…u have to. if they cant stop u inside…all u have to do is get the ball to them consistently and u win (if they can make a free throw).
by les boulez bomber on Apr 2, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
But Barnes won’t help much with the Wizards biggest problems: Defensive rebounding, post scoring and interior defense.
this pick is about the next decade, not the most immediate need for this roster. it will be turned over by another 40-50% by this time next year.
My ideal offseason:
1. Draft Derrick Williams to play PF. Draft at PG or SF with the #20 pick.
2. Resign Nick Young to a Nick Collison style contract. Instead of paying him $5M a year for 4 years, pay him $12M next year and $2.3M a year for the following 3 years.
3. Resign Maurice Evans to a 1-year contract.
4. Get Blatche into Tim Grover’s camp. Tell him to bulk up in prepartion to be our backup center.
5. Booker, Wall and Crawford improve their jumper
Lineup next year:
PG Wall/Crawford
SG Young/Crawford
SF Lewis/Booker
PF Williams/Booker
C McGee/Blatche
Seraphin, Evans and our #20 pick get the scrap minutes.
I'm afraid Dray would take a fat dump all over that scenario.
by DCrez on Apr 1, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
As he should, but no coach tells a starter, "prepare to be a backup next season."
A coach would say, “Everyone’s job is up for grabs.”
But I definitely agree with the first sentence of #4, and I like #2 and #5.
As for the rest, my ideal draft is to draft the best three players available, and then let everyone compete in training camp and during the season.
With all due respect
This is exactly what I see happening with EG as GM (i.e., small steps and pieces that don’t fit) with the result being 30 wins next year and long-term mediocrity.
by Izman on Apr 1, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
team improvement due to key injuries.
The roster I think is a mess. The team’s improved play and development by young guys Mcgee and Crawford is due to no Young and Blatche.
I’m sorry but both guys need to go. Blatche and mcgee don’t work because Blatche gets in Mcgee’s way on the boards and won’t pass to him and refuses to guard anyone ever.
How is JCraw and Young gonna co exist that many bad shots from 2 players can’t exist on one team with any aspirations at all. I have hope that Jcraw can be molded with rigourous coaching from the bad shots and the overdribbling because he plays wih more energy on both ends. I think Nick Young is the blackhole he is and it won’t ever change.
Howard has to go but Lewis is tolerable because of his lowkey personality and basically untradeable contract.
Booker could be a bench sf who gives us a swing 3/4 situation, Seraphin I;m not as high on as others he needs to be a 4 man. Too short to play 5 he needs to drop weight and play 4 exclusively.
Yi has to go though he has been better lately his lack of defensive intensity well intensity period is a problem.
we need a 3/4 type player on this team that is competitive but is a good character guy as well.
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