Randy Wittman, The Wizards And Pushing The Ball
by Mike Prada on Jan 25, 2012 12:47 PM EST
in Team Analysis
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PrintOne of the things Randy Wittman said during his first press conference as the Washington Wizards' head coach is that he wants to get out and run a little more. This was laughed off by a number of people who noted that the Wizards are already second in the league in pace factor, so it's not like they can push the ball more.
On the one hand, I'm snickering with them in this respect: the phrase "we want to get out and run" is the "I want to lose weight" of NBA coach-speak. Everybody says it, but few have the discipline to actually follow through. Coaches find that pushing the ball doesn't always lead to easy layups, and players find that sprinting up and down all the time makes them tired. Many coaches and players -- some being very good ones, mind you -- just realize it's not possible to stay disciplined to follow through on their promises.
But on the other hand, I think screaming "LOOK AT THEIR PACE NUMBERS, LOL" misses the point. This brings up a issue I've long had with pace factor: it doesn't differentiate between fast breaks and quick shots. If a player forces a turnover and scores a fast-break layup in five seconds, it counts as a possession. If a team forces a dumb shot in a half-court set in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock, it counts as a possession. The former jives with the idea of "getting out and running," but the latter does not. Nevertheless, if you do the latter a lot, you're going to have a high pace factor.
In the Wizards' case, they do the latter a lot. They're fourth in the league in jumpers from 16-23 feet and hit 33 percent of them. They shoot 54 percent of their shots within the first nine seconds of the shot clock. They are a below-average offensive rebounding team. This all means that they end a ton of possessions with missed jumpers in half-court sets. When they do fast break, it's often John Wall rushing against three defenders and missing with his teammates lagging behind him. This all drives up the Wizards' pace factor, but it also means the team as a whole isn't "getting out and running" as Wittman suggests.
To reiterate: I'm skeptical that Wittman can actually get the Wizards to run more effectively. I'm just combating the idea that they're doing it already. They're not, despite being a "fast-paced team."
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I don't think this refutes your point...but they also
apparently are near the top of the league in fast break points…
That doesn’t mean they can’t improve, but it is another measurement some threw out there questioning where the can get out and run more…
I like the idea of more effective TEMPO on the whole…just a greater sense of urgency….I think, and hope, that was his point.
It’s just about too late to trade McGee for maximum value anyway — we’d have to sign him to an extension, and today’s the deadline. This particular deal might work, though: I believe Batum is also a free agent over the summer, just like JaVale; so we’d be exchanging one free agent for another. I would think we could do better than this deal, though…there’s no rush, we have until the trade deadline to suss out offers for JaVale.
by Tbonebullets on Jan 25, 2012 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
They need to get into their halfcourt sets faster.
I think one of their problems is that they don’t get going in the halfcourt until the shotclock is at 14 seconds. By the second pass, its down to 7 seconds and the likelihood of getting a good shot is down to null.
Yes
and then after they do get in them, there is a lot of hesitation. If Wittman is the drill master he seems to be, then hopefully this will get ironed out.
Agreed but Mack gets them in a set quicklier than Wall
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 25, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
It would help if we used JaVale to set more picks out beyond the free throw line
If he has to grab the defensive rebound, run baseline to baseline, then set up in the low post or set a baseline pick, that takes a good 8+ seconds, unless we’re willing to drastically cut his minutes to manage his asthma.
I’d like to see our offense be based more on the 1-5 pick and roll/post anyway.
I agree that this is the issue
and I assumed this is what Wittman was talking about.
by Elvin_is_my_Elvis on Jan 25, 2012 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
I agree this happens
But I also think if it really happened as much as we thought, it’d be reflected in the pace number.
The bigger issue I think is taking the first shot even if it’s a bad one in a halfcourt set.
Better shot selection is needed.
But we all know that.
How can Wittman make that happen?
Means more Booker and Vesely
Less Lewis and Blatche.
by jmpalomo on Jan 25, 2012 1:22 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Abra ka Dabra!
Looks like he’s about to perform a magic trick, Or rather he will need to to right this ship…
He looks more like Jim Jones than David Copperfield...
But can he get them to drink the Kool-Aid?
by khrabb on Jan 25, 2012 1:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm scared
Today is the deadline, and we fired Flip yesterday, and Ernie is still here? Will we be freaking out about a max deal for JaVale before tonight’s game?
NO pr with this team is so bad no way they extend Mcgee now though it would be smart
Mcgee will get a deal in the offseason. I suspect we wil play alittle better with Wittman as coach.
nope....
I highly doubt Pam McGee would have given that interview if he was about to get an extension…plus the current situation is way to bad for that type of move…
I also suspect Ernie is on thin ice….and the checkbook is not currently open….trades on the other hand…
we have a weird sorta dynamic that does't suit running in the traditional way.
Blatche is chubby doesn’t run the floor, Lewis is older and sluggish, Nick Young has lost some athleticism this season not as quick or fast,
Mcgee runs the floor very well but if we started doing this I got a feeling unless coached vigoriously against it would just leak out and say hell with the boards.
and the way we throw passes it could elevate the turnover situation to joke like levels.
But we should run more we’d have to play Booker Ves, and Singleton alot more along with Crawford.
by jazzy1 on Jan 25, 2012 1:56 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
It will be interesting to see who gets the start tonight against Charlotte...
I assume Wall, Young and McGee for sure. If Randy is up for running, I might try Book and Ves from the get go.
The coach and the players I am sure are quite psyched to win this one big, and Paul Silas obviously knows that. At least the fans who show up will get a chance to see Kemba and Biyombo, two guys we passed up on at #6.
Chad Ford doesnt trust anyone lol and he makes me sad
Big Ern (DC)
Will the Wiz extend JaVale McGee? Do McGee, Young, or Blatche have ANY trade value?
Chad Ford (1:09 PM)
I wouldn’t. They’ll still own his restricted rights this summer. Why overpay now? I can tell you that a lot of these guys are asking for a ton of money. McGee thinks he’s a near max player. But he’s not helping the Wizards win. The one complicating area for teams is that this summer, there will be a lot of teams with cap space. They do run the risk that a team will swoop in and offer McGee a ridiculous deal that they don’t want to match. But given McGee’s questionable attitude, I’d probably say good riddance.
by KurisuDevil on Jan 25, 2012 2:11 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Thats why we should do whatever it takes to trade him...because he is really the only tradeable piece we have
by WAAAAALL-E on Jan 25, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
True but...
If you don’t trade him and he gets a high $ deal in the summer, we get nothing in return. Might as well try and unload him now… With 1 caveat, we don’t pick up any long/expensive contracts as a result.
Hell, I would be happy if we just got a handful of <$1mill salary players who’ve been playing bench minutes in exchange or him.
"Kentucky (adj.) Fitting exactly and satisfyingly; The last book which exactly fills a bookshelf is said to fit 'real nice and kentucky'" -Douglas Adams, The Meaning of Liff
"Got a word for it in the states; Spell it N-E-R-D-S" -MC Frontalot
by Cap Town Cat on Jan 25, 2012 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
Hadn't thought of that
Keep thinking the extended the roster size more than they actually did. That makes amnesty seem like a decent idea
"Kentucky (adj.) Fitting exactly and satisfyingly; The last book which exactly fills a bookshelf is said to fit 'real nice and kentucky'" -Douglas Adams, The Meaning of Liff
"Got a word for it in the states; Spell it N-E-R-D-S" -MC Frontalot
by Cap Town Cat on Jan 25, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
I agree, and it really sucks. This is Ernie’s fault: GMs are supposed to be able to foresee the development of a player, especially this once since the team has known him for a while. We could have traded him last year for much better than we can get now. AND even if we do match a horribly overpaying offer, there’s no way to get return on the value unless he continues to improve and plays up to his contract price. What are the odds he improves into Tyson Chandler? Otherwise we’ll be stuck with an overpaid, knucklehead player that no one will trade for….Gilbert Arenas comes to mind as an example.
by Tbonebullets on Jan 25, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That would be great…but Tyson always had a better head for the game; he improved as soon as his body filled out. I’d put it at 25%, butt I hope I’m wrong.
by Tbonebullets on Jan 25, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Chandler improved gradually.
He wasn’t a particularly heady player in his Chicago days. It wasn’t until his 6th season that he hit his stride (that may have happened a year or so earlier if it wasn’t for the toe problems he had). McGee right now in his fourth year is better than Chandler was in his fourth year.
I assume we both watched Chandler: I did, and I was more impressed with him than I ever have been with JaVale; I mean with his head for the game, so I strongly disagree with you. Though JaVale has him beat on dunks, hands-down.
by Tbonebullets on Jan 25, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Chandler was being coached to play defense by Skiles.
Cant overestimate that effect as opposed to having an offense-first coach like Flip
Always seemed to me that the Wiz organization wanted him to concentrate on defense
whilehe wanted to concentrate on offense.
Obviously, just my opinion . . .
I watched a lot of Chandler in his Chicago days.
To me, he had a comparable number of lapses and a comparable lack of strength. In fact I’d say that back in his Chicago days he was a defensive liability. Its impressive the way he’s turned it around, back then I didn’t see the player he’s become.
He was always a scrappy, max-effort type player however and I enjoyed him with those baby bulls teams as well. But I would say McGee has demonstrated at times this year a higher ceiling than Chandler did in his first four or five years.
I dont think its the knucklehead factor that makes a guy un-tradable
Its career altering injuries, If gil hadnt been injured but still had the gun-gate episode and we decided we wanted to trade him, i think it woulda been worlds easier. Cuz somebody out there is gonna say to themselves ‘wow that was insanely stupid but dammit he’s a 50pt threat every night, we have the strong locker room, lets get him.
Even if Mcgee has a high contract and has knucklehead moments as long he isnt injured, i think we can find suitors. That being said….im at the point now where i really dont care what happens…trade…re-sign…blah w/e, im just rdy to move on from Blatche and Lewis
It sucks because he has upside..that being said do you mortgage alot by signing him to a max..
no, I would not do that, trade him if you can get more pieces
by WAAAAALL-E on Jan 25, 2012 2:14 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
If we trade him, doesn't his RFA status transfer too?
In other words, wouldn’t the team that traded for him still get the opportunity to match whatever offer he gets next offseason?
i think so...but then they put themselves in the position we are trying to avoid but even worse
as they would have given up something good to get him from us…who wants to do that given his current reputation?
Hey DCrez
where can I find Opponent PER stats? I can’t find it on NBA.com, 82games or basketball reference?
Run Forrest Run
I don’t think running more means more fast breaks. I think it is more important to get back quickly before the D has a chance to set up and get mismatches. This means that “EVERYONE” needs to run not just Wall.
Gonna be interesting rest of the season.
Easier said than done
With this bunch… I suspect we’re going to be busy before the trade deadline.
Yea- right on point
John Wall runs, everyone else is running to catch him.
Run Wall and Mack together for a while so John can realize that his tempo is not the tempo that works best. He needs to slow down a bit and learn how to reward the big’s if they do run.
by DCPerspective on Jan 25, 2012 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
Prada's post on the main site; questions or fellow Wiz fans
his #3 & #4 (get rid of blatche somehow and only Wall is untouchable in trades). What does everyone think we should be looking for to build his roster?
As just generic ideas, if you re-re-rebuild around Wall, you need 2 things
1. Range shooters, preferably at all positions, but definitely at the 3 & 4. And I mean relatively consistent stroke kind of guys.
2. A solid Big. Not a lanky guy, but a real big. A guy who vacuums rebound and slams down put backs. Watching Wall in college, what made things easy for him was being able to drive the lane and, if he got into trouble, dump it off to the backside to Cousins for an easy dunk.
I think there are plenty of options around the league for #1 via trades or even waiting to the offseason and getting someone via FA. And we wouldn’t have to spend too much.
The second one though…solid big men are few and far between in the league. I know we have some prospects on the roster…but I have serious doubts.
Thoughs? Anyone?
"Kentucky (adj.) Fitting exactly and satisfyingly; The last book which exactly fills a bookshelf is said to fit 'real nice and kentucky'" -Douglas Adams, The Meaning of Liff
"Got a word for it in the states; Spell it N-E-R-D-S" -MC Frontalot
No one? Anybody? Bueller?
"Kentucky (adj.) Fitting exactly and satisfyingly; The last book which exactly fills a bookshelf is said to fit 'real nice and kentucky'" -Douglas Adams, The Meaning of Liff
"Got a word for it in the states; Spell it N-E-R-D-S" -MC Frontalot
by Cap Town Cat on Jan 25, 2012 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
we just drafted 2 SFs, one of them a lottery pick.
if we already need to get another one to be the starter, Ted cant let EG make anymore picks
The Ves pick set us back...horribly
that is by far the most damaging moment of the rebuild so far
by KurisuDevil on Jan 25, 2012 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I wish we had just skipped last year's draft
Just traded off all our first round picks.
"Kentucky (adj.) Fitting exactly and satisfyingly; The last book which exactly fills a bookshelf is said to fit 'real nice and kentucky'" -Douglas Adams, The Meaning of Liff
"Got a word for it in the states; Spell it N-E-R-D-S" -MC Frontalot
by Cap Town Cat on Jan 25, 2012 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
This upcoming FA sucks for us
Go down the list….who would u make a run at. (keep in mind, b/c of how bad we get clowned and how much we suck, we will have to overpay the person w/o a doubt)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-11-12
oh yeah AND we HAVE to spend 85% of the cap for the new CBA
and with the amnesty of Blatche and possible release of Lewis or w/e, that plays right into Mcgee getting a huge payday from us, and some bama from free agency who doesnt deserve it
i would love Asik but he'll never, ever come here. Kaman maybe? Mahinmi? I dont know
no one wants to come here….so it will be DJ MBenga
Doesn't look that great for us. These are the guys I would consider:
Eric Gordon
Roy Hibbert
Matt Barnes
O.J. Mayo
Sam Young
Ersan Ilyasova
Michael Beasley
Landry Fields
Ryan Anderson
Brandon Bass
Nicolas Batum
J.J. Hickson
"Blake Griffin is the American Jan Vesely" - Jan Vesely
by PhenomenalSwag on Jan 25, 2012 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Hibbert/Gordon could be like intelligent/passing versions of our current SG/C.
by Mr. E on Jan 25, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Gordon was offered a max extension by the Hornets....
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
did charlotte's plane crash on the way to dc?
because the wiz are 7 point FAVORITES tonight … yes i know charlotte stinks, but still
by wizfan2247 on Jan 25, 2012 3:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I would be surprised if we were -7 against no one
not sure we would be able to make our jumpers…
but that’s just me…
random question
where would you get that shirt that randy whitman is wearing. I can’t find that shirt on the wizards website. thanks
No trades unless its Young or Blatche
need to ride this mess of a season out see who develops with some of the young guys see where we are in regards to how high we pick and who’s in the draft.
Nothing we do now is gonna fix this mess right now.
Mcgee and Wall are the core pieces nothing changes that pay Mcgee in the offseason and move on.
He’s not a max guy and won’t expect to be but the going rate for good young centers is steep so we’re gonna have to fess up. Mcgee coulda been a total bust like the bust Patrick O’Bryant the Warriors drafted but he’s not he can play.
hire the new coach then see what is to be done with molding the roster around that coach’s philosophy.
Interestingly enough abt this match up tonight
ESPN’s trade machine says we can straight up trade Blatche for the Bobcats Tyrus Thomas
ha
Well thats not the point, its a pipe-dream to get something of value in return for Dray, the goal is to just get him off our team
If we deal Blatche it will be a straight up suckitude swop
with the hope that a new environment will help both players and teams. This is a real test for Ernie.
I would trade Blatche straight up for a two week old ham sandwich
"Blake Griffin is the American Jan Vesely" - Jan Vesely
by PhenomenalSwag on Jan 25, 2012 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
Wittman might bench Wall
He talked about how younger can’t expect minutes to be handed to them no matter what. Hè then went in to explicitly say you can’t give poor effort and then expect to play 38mpg. Of all the young guys we have, only 1 plays 38mpg: Wall
He also called Wall out for walking the ball up court to slow. In fact, he didn’t name any other player but Wall.
Not sure if Wittman will keep him out of the starting line up but I think this was a message to John. I also think this means more minutes for Mason, Evans and Blatche since they are vets
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
more minutes to Jan and Seraphin too imo
for some reason I felt like he was talking about Mcgee and Dray a lot
One can only hope...
that Randy gives more minutes based on effort and not based on front office concerns. But i don’t see that happening….
by endos2000 on Jan 25, 2012 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't expect much of a difference
but I’d like to be wrong.
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