Celtics Vs. Wizards Postgame Quotes: John Wall Wanted To Guard Paul Pierce Straight Up
by Mike Prada on Jan 22, 2012 4:44 PM EST
in First-hand reporting
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PrintWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Here are your postgame quotes from today's 100-94 Wizards loss to the Celtics. The most striking ones involve John Wall seemingly disagreeing with all the late double-teams on Paul Pierce when he was guarding him. Here they are:
John Wall
On who decided he'd guard Pierce: "I wanted to. I was ready to guard him."
On why he asked to guard Pierce: "We were trying different ways. He was just scoring, so why not try another person on him?"
On the Wizards' strategy to double-team him: "With a player like that, it's tough to double-team him because he does a good job of picking you apart. That's what he did."
On whether he wanted to guard Pierce straight up with no double-team: "Yeah, I think I would have. He's a great player for a reason. He's going to find a way, so I would have tried to guard him straight up and, if not force him into a tough shot, force him to find a man in the paint where there's an opportunity for a shot block then. When you send the double-team early, you give him an opportunity to pick us apart and find shooters, especially that basket Kevin Garnett hit."
Flip Saunders
On who made the call to have Wall guard Pierce: "Both [our decisions]. He did as good a job as anybody, really. At the end, he got into him and used his quickness. But it's tough, because when great players get it going early, it's tough all of a sudden to put someone on him and stop him, because he gets into such a good rhythm."
On Chris Singleton's defense: "Chris has gotten in foul trouble the last three games going against top 3s. He's not being as aggressive as he needs to be early. He's kind of waiting to see what they do, but the great 3s in this league, they're going to be aggressive and come at you and get you back on your heels."
On the late-game offense: "We got ahead because we defended and got out and ran, but we also moved the ball offensively. All of a sudden, we got ahead and the ball had Velcro. When you're involved in a pick and roll and [Kevin] Garnett is trapping, he's the best in the league. He smothered our guys, and our guys were trying to shoot over a double team when he's 7'1'' a lot of times instead of giving yourself up, moving the ball and getting it to the weakside."
On Garnett's dunk: "If anyone would have rotated to him, he would have passed it. He didn't want to shoot unless it was a dunk. Any kind of rotation and he would have passed it. We just didn't [rotate]. I think we thought the shot clock was coming down, and he kind of surprised us with the pump fake and going to the basket."
Jordan Crawford
On his exchange where he drew a Celtics technical: "You just can't back down from nobody, no matter the circumstance. I just felt it was needed it at the time."
Andray Blatche
On how to play better late-game offense: "We got to be patient and slow the game down. The fourth quarter is when you go to your meat and potatoes. Take your time and really, really play basketball. Slow it down with everything you do. You got to go from being a full-court transition team to being a half-court team. That's when you got to be patient."
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Nice!
Nice way to run the floor N’Diaye and get the and one. I don’t care what they promised Seraphin he should be in the NBDL straight up he’s pretty much a waste of a roster spot.
Really?
Because he looked pretty good today, especially defensively and on the boards
I'm not going to think of something extra witty or clever to say, I don't want to convince you to see things my way, I just have 2 words for you: JEREMY LAMB
by qthaballa on Jan 22, 2012 7:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I figured it was John's decision to guard PP
and i applaude the Kobe-like mentality. “I wanna check ur teams best player”. Whether it was a good matchup or not is pretty obvious BUT the killer mindset of wanting /demanding that challenge is what u want.
True
An people were calling him a bust. Also somebody questioned his leadership skills, but people were defending McGee WOW he has been on melt down the last couple games 13 points and 3 rebs against O’Neal that’s my only complaint on McGee is he’s inconsistent. We want to compare Wall to every PG in the league, so I do the same with McGee and Love and McGee don’t come close and I think McGee been in the Association longer.
Love is a power forward and he isn't in the post nearly as much as McGee
I understand your point but Love isn’t the one you should compare McGee too. Compare him to other centers who have been in the league for 3-5 years.
I know
He’s got be in the post if he has more 20pts 15 rebs games then anybody in the league and I know he’s a PF.
My point was that Love's offensive game is different than McGee's and he isn't the best comparison.
However if you want to compare their rebounding rates, Love has a 20.4 True rebounding rate, while McGee’s is 18.0… McGee had bad rebounding numbers today but for the whole year its been fine, given his limited minutes. Love averages 40 mpg while McGee averages only 30 mpg.
by Wizkid4eva on Jan 22, 2012 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Fundamentals
McGee would get more minutes if he did not have so many lapses, but I understand your point.
I hate to say this.
But Andray I think get’s more run because he has a higher Bball IQ than McGee and that’s why he gets more run than McGee out of shape and all plus he is a better offensive weapon by default.
by p.robb87 on Jan 22, 2012 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Blatche might have a better Bball IQ than McGee, which is evident by his passing ability.
But at this point McGee is a way better offensive weapon, he runs the floor better gets more putbacks and was very effective in the post tonight atleast.
by Wizkid4eva on Jan 22, 2012 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Blache is some crap Mcgee shoulda been in the game when Blache failed to rotate to KG on the dunk
Blatche has terribly low IQ Mcgee is solid in comparision. when he actually challenges shots and rotates over. and hen Blatche throws up those terrible fade aways.
by jazzy1 on Jan 22, 2012 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I am not a fan of neither
Maybe McGee will rub off, and obviously Blatche is a lost cause, but when you sit here and tell me McGee is better offensively I have to laugh. McGee does not stick to what works putbacks, running hooks, and alley-oops instead he wants to be something he’s not, dude kills me when he takes those jump shots. At this point in tme its evident Blatche is a better offensive weapon by default because WE DONT HAVE ANYBODY ELSE.
Blatche is more skilled than McGee
But RIGHT NOW, McGee is by far the better offensive option. McGee never gets blocked at the rim, and is the better offensive rebounder and is a target for alley oops. And he has improved his skill set.
Blatche has more moves, but he’s overweight, so he can’t execute most of them. And he has no quickness right now and gets blocked everytime he attacks. And he’s VERY inefficient.
Formerly know as iNFamous SWaGG
RIght about one thing
He doesn’t get blocked, because he gets backed out of the paint McGee ain’t moving a brick.
dray is having a horrible season
imo what you are saying about him has been true in the past, but sure isnt this year
some kind of wishful thinking by Flip that Dray can play 37mins
Yes, Andray can be on the floor for 37mins….but he sure isnt playing after about 15.
And look at the stats, McGee has Jordan beat in almost every category...
and McGee is actually more polished offensively. I’d rather have McGee
by Wizkid4eva on Jan 22, 2012 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You must be a McGee fan
An their is nothing wrong with that, but we tend to get caught up in stats when we are playing losing ball, Jordan does not make half the bone headed plays McGee makes it’s safe to say the jury is still out on McGee.
by p.robb87 on Jan 22, 2012 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
McGee is flat out better than Jordan
Jordan is a complete one trick pony on offense (dunking), while McGee has a much more polished offensive game. And Jordan is just as bad a defender. He also is more style than substance on defense and and chases every block he can get. He bites for every pump fake just like McGee.
There’s no doubt in my mind I’d rather have McGee than Jordan.
Formerly know as iNFamous SWaGG
by DMVLeGenD on Jan 22, 2012 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
McGee CAN be the better player (by a wide margin) imo
BUT he isn’t at this point in time.
Jordan know’s what he is. He does his job on defense and limits himself to what he can do on offense. McGee is trying all kinds of stuff that he shouldn’t be trying in game.
Stick with the hookshot and the baseline spin in the post Javale. Otherwise, just try to get putbacks and lobs and most of all, focus on staying in the paint defensively, help from the weakside on blowby’s and focus on boxing out.
You’ll get 13, 10 and 3 all day everyday.
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
by Dutch Hoopfan on Jan 23, 2012 5:31 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You obviously haven't watched many Jordan games
Mcgee is a better player than Jordan Jordan is a more gross violater leabing his man for bloks than Mcgee is. he’ll chase a block and leave the whole defense vulnerable.
Mcgee is a better player than Jordan.
by jazzy1 on Jan 22, 2012 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No I have.
Like I said yall overrate our players I call like I see it, and I say he’s a better Center because he plays to his strength’s hes not trying to be something he’s not McGee gets the ball at the top of the key instead of handing it off to one of the guards he turns into a point center in his mind. He does it every game while Jordan sticks to what got him here rebounding, blocks, and putbacks in due time he will develop a low post game playing with one the elite PG in the game it’s that simple.
by p.robb87 on Jan 22, 2012 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
i liked when Mcgee took Mozgov off the dribble and dunked
everybody had cleared out, why not
Exactly
Why not use your strengths? McGee is a big man that can handle the ball a little. Why not use it to your advantage when you have a mismatch? It’s not like he’s been doing it too much. He only takes it from the top of the key when no one else is getting open and the shot clock is winding down.
Formerly know as iNFamous SWaGG
So I guess
Running over the opposition is better than nothing, that play was a designed play.
Wow
One play. Dude was a melt down that whole game I dont care about stats dude was ouplayed without their best post player. PERIOD!!!.
by p.robb87 on Jan 22, 2012 6:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
you said he plays like a "point center"
i dont recall any other plays where he was doing that
What kills me
Is that McGee gets all this support, but at the beginning of the year when Wall was in his little funk he was condemn a bust, now that he’s playing better oh it’s just 1,2, or 3 games man its funny.
McGee still averages more rebounds and about the same number of blocks
It’s obvious you have a strong dislike for McGee for whatever reason, but please be reasonable. DeAndre Jordan has no offensive moves whatsoever, McGee has worked on his hook shot and drop step, etc and you can tell its working. There was one sequence in this game where he had 3 straight possessions where he got the ball in the post, made a move and scored. You might not like McGee but he is better than Jordan in every way, and he is a very good center. He is working hard to get better and will be an even bigger force in the league in the future.
by Wizkid4eva on Jan 22, 2012 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Coach McGee ?
Is that you. Well tell him to stick to what works maybe he will get more plays in the block. In fact tell him when he gets it 10ft out he should back his defender down and try that hook shot instead of taking a jump shot. In fact tell him to fight for position down low so he doesn’t have to recieve a pass 10ft out. I will admit he has improved in some areas, but that still does not take away from his bone headed plays that are elementary and should be shaking off in 1 or 2 games, but instead he makes the same plays.
by p.robb87 on Jan 22, 2012 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
And John has a point
as a team we have a much chance on the 1on1 than a double team. We dont recover worth a damn when we double. Its like a bunch of chickens with the heads cut off. The 1on1 wasnt working but its still a better option than the double esp with a guy like PP, he’s a great passer and has great chemistry with KG, he knows what to anticipate.
He rebounded well
And was good defensively early. So no, thats not all he did
I'm not going to think of something extra witty or clever to say, I don't want to convince you to see things my way, I just have 2 words for you: JEREMY LAMB
by qthaballa on Jan 22, 2012 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
John Wall
Played another great game – not flawless but he looks very different from the player he was about 5 games ago. I’m starting to feel good when the ball is in his hands on offense and he has suddenly become almost scary good at off the ball defense. The rebounding has been great and if he had enough shooters to pass to, the assist numbers would be stellar too. All in all, I’ll take this version of John Wall please. The wiz will learn to win but first they had to learn to compete. I think they have turned that corner.
Stii, Jan gets 3 minutes!?! Flip wtf – less Lewis (who has been playing better somewhat, but really, who cares. I want to see our future.) and more Vesley and Booker.
It is very frustrating
That Wall is a non-factor in the half court. He has shown tremendous improvement as the PnR. We need to run more of them. Also, if he will not handle the rock, then at least have him run more off the ball cuts. If he can get a few points using his athleticism
in the half-court, that is huge.
The better Wall plays
the more pressure the Wiz organization feels to get him better players. So lets hope Wall is great around mid-season. Lets start making some moves.
by hambonejackson on Jan 22, 2012 6:22 PM EST up reply actions
We need to tank the rest of the year
As much as it is painful seeing us lose every game, if we’re gonna suck, I’d rather suck big-time than be mediocre. We need a stud in this draft. Not just another OK prospect.
Formerly know as iNFamous SWaGG
I agree.
I hope Grunfeld can swindle another lottery pick.
by hambonejackson on Jan 22, 2012 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
maybe find some dumb GM that would trade a lotto pick for two marginal players on 1yr deals
nah, no GM is dumb enough to do that.
by DCrez on Jan 22, 2012 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
GMs can always come on down
and take a look at all the latest “New Basketball” players on the lot. Make us an offer.
by hambonejackson on Jan 22, 2012 8:20 PM EST up reply actions
The continued use of Lewis baffles me...
After a point if you are the coach you have to admit to yourself that it is not 2005 anymore and, this dog won’t hunt. Vesely should have gotten more minutes.
Flip doesnt think Vesely is as good as much of the fanbase does apparently.
I think Flip will always lean towards players who MIGHT hit some big shots or get hot for a second over players that basically cannot score. The question is how long will he believe Shard may hit some big shots or get hot, sure doesnt look like it
i think flip has zero interest in playing vesely at small forward
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 22, 2012 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
it's definitely starting to look that way huh?
not much choice really, Jan has shown no SF skills yet. I do think he’ll get plenty of burn, Flip is just picking and choosing matchups for him
by DCrez on Jan 22, 2012 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It really baffles me
He is the only coach in the league with a 6’11 SF and he refuses to use him that way. In limited minutes Ves has defended well on the perimeter (better than in the post), yet nowadays he’s getting more minutes against the other teams center than on the perimeter.
I honestly don't understand why he can't play SF
because he doesn’t have “traditional SF offensive skills.” Make sure everyone can defend their man and work the offense around the skills of the five guys in the game. Or when he’s in with Shard, have shard defend the 4. shard is tall enough but is so much slower.
by Llamaman on Jan 22, 2012 10:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You are who you guard
If Jan can guard SFs, he should play SF. I don’t know if he can at this level though.
Formerly know as iNFamous SWaGG
because Turiaf is injured
Blatche moves to C and Jan moves to PF.
I like the Bullets
by K-Bro on Jan 23, 2012 10:34 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I agree.
With how Blatche was playing, or really doing nothing about the 1st quarter, Vesely should have gotten some time. He plays better defense that Blatche, and SHOULD be used for offense. Lewis IS only good as a spot up shooter, he really struggles to dribble and pull up a shot. He is only a spot up shooter.
clever how you did that
maybe if john was saying something like, “i thought i was gonna get 40, but coach didn’t run enough plays for me”
by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 22, 2012 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm gonna make a bold prediction
Wall will make several all defensive teams in his career and might win a DPOY award thats how good defensively he could become.
he's really getting into defending, love to see this
John is making me happy, he’s now looking clear-cut our best player (despite all his mistakes) like he’s supposed to
by DCrez on Jan 22, 2012 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agree
I have been a huge critic of Wall and am happy to eat my words.
Me to
he’s finally finishing some shots through contact and I’ve never seen a player get some many charges in 3 straight games!
"The Wizards won thanks to John Wall JohnWalling to John Wall for the bucket for John Wall. If not for John Wall, the Washington JohnWalls would never have JohnWall’d the Utah NotJohnWalls."-mike prada
draw offensive fouls
he’s so quick, it should be easy for him to get his defensive position and have the opponent run into him. he’s been doing it more and more the last couple of games. is there a statistic for offensive fouls drawn?
I like the Bullets
I think its confidence...
early this year and all of last year to me he just didn’t look confident defending. Opponents can sense that and opposing PG’s were taking it to him and getting anywhere on the court that they wanted to. I still think he needs to improve his lateral quickness but I could see him making a couple all defensive teams with his numbers (stls & blks) at the PG postion… and if he keeps up the hustle plays (charges & deflections).
Anyone with question about Vesely
I suggest you revisit this fanpost
http://www.bulletsforever.com/2011/6/26/2245276/full-partizan-games-condensed
I don’t see him fitting in this offense currently with lack of movement without the ball in the halfcourt. Took me forever to find this post but just for anyone who hasn’t seen him play extensively yet. That system is where he is at his best.
I'm not going to think of something extra witty or clever to say, I don't want to convince you to see things my way, I just have 2 words for you: JEREMY LAMB
by qthaballa on Jan 22, 2012 8:02 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Maybe the Wiz should get players who create ball movement
and there will be ball movement.
by hambonejackson on Jan 22, 2012 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Time for Jan to 'get buckets son'
5 guys passing the ball like a well-oiled machine is all well and good in theory but it still requires great scoring talent to take you to contending status. Flip is separating the wheat and chaff right now, searching for impact players. If Jan can hit shots he needs to start taking them. Young players need a full understanding what they can and cant do in the league…I’d really like to see Jan looking to pass less and establish himself more (for now)
I was at the game
The Wiz, overall played hard and made best of their shots….until the 4th quarter.
Paul P crapped all over us. ONE THING that pissed me off though, is that when Paul had 5, with almost 8 minutes to go in the 4th, Nick Young did so much at try and take him on the 1 and 1 on offense to draw the foul. We didn’t stick it to him like we should have, We all know that Paul P is the go to guy in the clutch. I blame this on Flips leadership.
The ONE THING that really got me hot, was how Flip managed the 4th quarter. McGee was doing great from the floor, all around, but, during the 4th quarter he got really no minutes. WTF IS THAT!?! He should have been in most that quarter, and given the ball.
I was happy to see that Blatche did not get any plays on offense, I think it helped rotate the ball around for a better look.
Everything was great, until the mis management of the 4th quarter by Flip!
Meat and potatoes?
Fitting that’s what Blatche comes up with. Surprised he didn’t say Pizza and Twinkies.
But his statement shows how he is moving in the opposite direction of this team. While I agree, in theory, that we need to develop a half court offense, right now it’s just not there. So to say its our “meat and potatoes” is simply ridiculous. It just means he wants the offense to go through him (like he deserves it) and he doesn’t feel like running with the rest of the team. Better four guys slow up for him than the other way around.
Where do they teach you to talk like this? In some Panama City "Sailor wanna hump-hump" bar, or is it getaway day and your last shot at his whiskey? Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here.
meat and potatoes
Saunders later explained: "We’ve got to get to where those plays, you know we identify with meat and potato basketball, playing hard, setting screens, playing the right way and not highlight type things and we’ve been saying that many times. You know we have some players that look for highlights rather than substance."
Ted:
We need to be a meat and potatoes team; focused on fundamentals and playing the young players to gain experience. We also need to meet the other team’s runs at us – and match it with smart well executed runs of our own.
I've seen these quotes before and never liked them...
John Wall and JaVale McGee are our two best players and there is nothing meat and potatoes about those two… I would love a fundamental half court team but that’s not who we have been drafting…
by koop1122 on Jan 23, 2012 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well...
I would argue that the current FO has been drafting for meat and potato players:
Booker, Singleton, Vesely, Mack. None of these players are particularly flashy and each seems to have a strong sense of their role on the court. Also, each has a high IQ and a penchant for defense. While Wall is flashy, he also is the core guy and so flashiness is something we would expect from him. Even Wall seems to have a strong desire to step up defensively as demonstrated by his comments tonight.
Mcgee, Young, Bltache – these guys were drafted in a different frame of mind ( contending years, pressure from ownership to win now ) and represent a closed chapter in Wizards draft policy. I’m not saying they carry no value because I believe each can bring something to the table, but this FO and ownership has been consistent with their beliefs both verbally and in practice.
I think my definition of "meant and potatoes" is different
because of the players you listed I only see Mack as being a “meat and potato” type player, as are most backup PG’s. When I think of a meat and potatoes reference to basketball I think of a boring, grind it out half court game with ball movement and jump shooting. I do not believe we drafted Booker, Singleton, and Vesely with that kind of mind frame.
I agree with Teds comment way more so than Flip… Ted mentions playing the young guys and running while Flip says playing the right way but not highlight type plays… again I would love that to be the case but don’t see that coming from Booker, Singleton, Vesely, McGee, and Wall… these guys thrive in the open court.
"open court" and "meat and potatoes"
are not mutually exclusive concepts….
Sure, get out and run…. but there’s no need for the behind the back pass, when a simple bounce pass will do… An emphatic dunk will do better than a fancy, windmill reverse dunk. Back door cuts for alley oop passes are fine, but foul line dunks are not…. Running through the offense until you get a good shot is acceptable, but jacking ill-advised 3’s with 18 seconds left on the shot clock is not….
You can be a “meat and potatoes” team, and still run. Still be a fast breaking team. Still make crisp passes. Still make hard cuts, box out on rebounds, play sound fundamental positional defense,… and most of all play with energy and desire….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Looks to me
Like Flip and Ted are saying two different things. And they’re BOTH saying something different than Blathe. Flip is saying we need to get to that point where we’re playing strong fundamental basketball , but making no mention of a half court offense. What Ted is saying is similar, but he is stressing the need to play the younger players to gain them experience (something Flip has been, er, a little slow to pick up on.
Blatche, on the other hand, is saying that the half court offense is ALREADY our meat and potatoes (and, naturally, he says nothing about playing hard or fundamental) and, does anyone doubt, that he believes HE should be the focus of this offense.
Where do they teach you to talk like this? In some Panama City "Sailor wanna hump-hump" bar, or is it getaway day and your last shot at his whiskey? Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here.
CNUwizkid
Mcgee was drafted 1yr after nick, so what you’re are saying is that because wall has the ball 90% of the time and when the ball touches JM hands you never see it again thats makes them the best players on the team, by who’s reasoning, i hope not yours.
Tina Gary
Blatche in the 4th quarter
Andray Blatche, meanwhile, is scoring 11. 1 points (per 48 clutch minutes) on 50-percent shooting, while also grabbing a third of available defensive rebounds in the clutch. By the numbers, he’s the Wizards most reliable offense creator in the clutch. Will anyone hear this over the boos? Would it even matter? Probably not.
http://www.truthaboutit.net/2012/01/wizards-vs-celtics-braking-with-the-clutch.html#more-18812
TAI has some interesting analysis today.
by MeToo on Jan 23, 2012 12:51 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Wow
Funny thing is, he was great for us some moments in the clutch last year too. All that gets lost in the shuffle though
I'm not going to think of something extra witty or clever to say, I don't want to convince you to see things my way, I just have 2 words for you: JEREMY LAMB
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