The Washington Wizards And Rookie Contracts
by Mike Prada on Jan 29, 2012 12:32 PM EST
in Team Analysis
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PrintI knew the Washington Wizards had a lot of young players, but I guess the uniqueness of their roster didn't really sink in until Randy Wittman mentioned this fact prior to the game against the Houston Rockets.
Coach Randy Wittman provided an interesting stat: Nine of the 15 players on #wizards roster on their rookie contracts
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) January 27, 2012
That's kind of crazy. Two-thirds of the Wizards' roster has less than four years of experience. More fundamentally, eight of those nine players have less than two years of experience. There's young, and then there's the Wizards.
It's easy to look at this and think that better days are ahead. Alas, here's the problem: can all of these guys actually develop? If so, will the Wizards have all their weaknesses addressed as they look to become a winning team?
Before we answer that question, it's important to keep in mind that the six "veterans" aren't exactly stable on the roster. Here are those six:
- Nick Young
- Andray Blatche
- Rashard Lewis
- Maurice Evans
- Roger Mason
- Ronny Turiaf
Young's on a one-year qualifying offer and is likely gone next summer. Blatche is Blatche. The other four are essentially on one-year contracts, assuming the Wizards buy out Lewis for $10 million of his $23 million contract next summer. There's a very good chance that all six of those non-youngsters are not on the roster as soon as next season.
The Wizards are then essentially left with the following nine-man "core."
- John Wall
- Jordan Crawford
- Chris Singleton
- Jan Vesely
- JaVale McGee
- Trevor Booker
- Shelvin Mack
- Kevin Seraphin
- Hamady Ndiaye
Suppose all those players become the very best player they can be. You have the point guard position set, with Mack providing the perfect backup to Wall. Otherwise, what do you have? Crawford's best-case scenario is to be like his namesake Jamal, in which case he's probably not a starter. Singleton would become a three-and-D guy. Vesely becomes Thaddeus Young, a small-ball power forward who needs to either play a limited role or be paired with an elite rebounding center, which McGee probably won't become. Booker's ultimately a good frontcourt reserve, and who knows with Seraphin and Ndiaye.
Best-case scenario, all these guys develop ... and there are still significant holes. Who can play pick and roll with Wall? Can anyone post up if need be? Who can man the shooting guard position? Can anyone truly be a back-line anchor defensively? Can anyone create offense alongside Wall? These are serious questions, and as we all know, it's a really tall order to develop nine players to their full potential anyway.
There are potential fixes to these problems that could arrive next summer. However, the Wizards will still have several roster spots tied up to young players that, best-case scenario, develop into duplicate parts. Roster spots are finite in this league (even guys sent to the NBA Developmental League count towards the maximum roster). A developing team can't afford to hold those spots to youngsters unless they have a clear idea of what role they'll fill on the team when it improves.
With that in mind, I think it's time for the Wizards to consider dealing some of those nine players for players that can help solve some of those above questions. It may seem counter-intuitive to deal youngsters for proven talent at this stage, but given the overlapping skills of their young players, it actually helps the rebuilding process. I like Vesely, Singleton and Booker, but if I can deal two of those three to get a wing player in his prime (i.e. not over 28) who is already a good enough shooter, defender and playmaker to start, I do it in a second. Not only does this provide Wall with some help to take some of the load off his shoulders, but it also clarifies the development for whichever of the three remain. The Wizards can now go about developing that player into the role they want him to fill rather than having to choose between three guys to fill that same role. These are the kinds of deals the Wizards should be looking to do now instead of waiting until they become a winning team.
Granted, I don't have any specific players to throw out there. It's always tough to find available guys in a trade, and it's also too early in the season to know which teams are buying and which teams are selling. That may sound like a lame cop-out, and if so, I'm sorry.
But it also doesn't change the bigger-picture point, which is that it's time for the Wizards to start exploring ways to consolidate their rookie-contract players now in the name of filling holes that the roster will need going forward.
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The biggest hole that needs to be fixed this Summer?
Shooting !!!
There’s not a player on that 9 man “core” that can shoot… (and don’t try telling me that Crawford can shoot – because he CAN’T. His TSP is only a couple points higher this year than his putrid shooting mark last year)…
Wall can’t shoot
Vesely can’t shoot
Booker can’t shoot
Singleton can’t shoot (reliably)
Without shooters (and I mean MULTIPLE shooters), the Wizards will be very, very bad again next year.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 12:45 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
Additional thoughts
It’s great to try to change the “culture” of the team… and I applaud the franchise for drafting tougher players… Players with energy and high motors. . . Guys with great intangibles (coach-able, tough, with court awareness, good character players with high basketball IQ’s, etc…)
But there comes a time when you have to play basketball. And the object of the game is to put the ball into the basket, and prevent the opponent from putting the ball in the basket.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
hopefully that time is this off season
I liked the picks they’ve made the last two years. Sets things up for them to be able to go after a guy who can light it up offensively – Harrison Barnes? Still need a physical big who at least can make a 12-15 jumper consistently.
and when it comes to free agency they can leave Eric Gordon alone. Need to be smart going after 2nd/3rd tier guys and not significantly over paying them. i’ll be more specific later if i remember.
You're wrong, Rook
Ernie already decided this team doesn’t need a shooting coach. They shoot just fine.
by disgrunted on Jan 29, 2012 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
and...when Nick goes, that means more rookies if we don't trade as Mike said...
we could have 10-11 players with 3 or years less.
It is great to stockpile draft picks and assets. But you also have to know when to take those assets and trade them in for more value.
If McGee goes, which is likely unless the Wizards come up with a premium offer, that could mean even more youth.
On a side note, this is also food for thought for Redskins fans hesitant to trade picks for a franchise QB if one is available. There is a limit to how much youth can be developed simultaneously.
I'd like to see a shooting coach work with the Wizards every day. 7 days a week, game days, weekends, Holidays.
Wall needs it the worst. Crawford lost his touch from last year.
I’d love to see us get a great spot up chatch and shoot guy ala Ray Allen. I know of one We can get in the Draft
A 6’8" gaurd that will be overlooked due to AD and MKG fever.
My choice for a spotup shooter, catch and release guy: Darius Miller from UK. A four year man that is a team player and gives you a “Big” in the SG spot. He can guard any forward, hit from the arc, good interior skills. Great rebounding.
My List of which Players is most Crucial to be Developed for the Wizards to advance
1. John Wall
2. JaVale McGee
3. Jan Vesely
4. Chris Singleton (maturity will bring leadership which will bring awesome defensive intensity)
5. Jordan Crawford (could be the difference between having an average back court to a great back court)
2nd Tier:
1. Trevor Booker (developing the best so far)
2. Shelvin Mack (a nice surprise)
3. Kevin Seraphin (jury is out-looks like an OK backup to the 12th man on the bench)
by jmpalomo on Jan 29, 2012 12:48 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
Agree
Except for Crawford …
At no point during his stay here in Washington has he shown even the slightest ability to play off the ball with John Wall. He needs the basketball in his hands to be effective… and while some people point to his assists, and ability to create shots for himself and others as a positive – I view the fact that he simply cannot seem to coexist in the same back court as John Wall, playing off the ball, as a HUGE NEGATIVE.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
I think the DREAM is that Jordan can make the transition to the off guard
We have 2 more years after this year to find out.
My biggest problem with Crawford...
besides the fact that I really don’t think he fits next to John Wall -
My biggest problem is that he cannot shoot… A Shooting Guard that cannot shoot, and plays porous defense is NOT what the Wizards need next to John Wall for the next two years….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm watching Jason Terry right now
And finding it really difficult to think Crawford is going to be as useless as you think he will.
I have this (crazy?) idea that he’s going to keep getting better at defense, and his shooting percentages will keep getting better too. Sane basketball minds should not find it outrageous to think he can develop a 3 pt shot. Hell, he’s in his second NBA season, how crazy would it be if his rebounding and assists went up as his career goes on too?
My problem is, for somebody who endorsed Nick Young so heavily for the last year, do you not believe Crawford can be even a contributor in the NBA? Young had more issues than Crawford has in his first two seasons. Not saying you should be writing Crawford into your all-star ballot this year, be I don’t think we should be writing him off as a career ball hog either.
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
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by returnofswagger on Jan 29, 2012 9:16 PM EST via Android app up reply actions 1 recs
Great - IF he improves...
He needs to improve his shot – so that he’s making at least 44% (TSP around 54% or better)… Currently 39% and 47% respectively….
He needs to improve his 3-point shot…. perhaps somewhere around 38% would be nice… Currently 28%
He needs to improve his shot selection…. and decrease his usage a tad… Perhaps by taking more catch-and-shoot jumpers… and more shots coming off screens… You know, shots that are created within the context of the offense (as opposed to long, contested shots off the dribble with 18 seconds left on the shot clock)..
He needs to drastically improve his on-ball defense. Growing 3 inches, and getting significantly stronger would help, but I doubt he’ll be able to accomplish that – so I’d settle for just being able to stay in front of his man, and contest shots.
He needs to give the ball up to John Wall – and play second fiddle… and not try to be the first, second and third scoring option.
That sounds like a lot to me…. So I doubt he’ll be able to actually do it… But if he does, then he might become a decent starting Shooting Guard….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 11:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
By the way.... Young has ALWAYS had at least one definitive NBA skill...
He’s had a picture perfect jump shot since College… and he’s been a good shooter since coming into the League….
He didn’t play defense. He didn’t pass. He didn’t rebound. He was a poor help defender. He didn’t have a very good handle. Not especially good at finishing at the rim. He took a long time to learn the offense. He made tons of mistakes……..
But from day one, he could ALWAYS rise up over his opponent and stroke that jump shot. That was, and still is a critical NBA skill. More important than athleticism. More important than quickness. More important than “potential”..
It was a viable NBA skill that he could build on….
Jordan Crawford doesn’t have that. He has energy. He has intensity. He has confidence. He has quickness. He has ball handling skills. He has court vision. But he can’t shoot.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 11:51 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Crawford has really struggled this season
But, I think he could still be a combo guard off the bench for instant offense. Especially if the Wizards continue to draft defense first.
I, however, agree with you that our main problem is a lack of shooters. Especially until Wall has a mid-range game.
by GJennings on Jan 29, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Disagree on Seraphin
He’s starting to show flashes of serious offensive moves. Once or twice a night he’s now doing something that leads me to sit up and verbally say “wait, what?”
We drafted the guy as a project. He’s still rough, certainly, but the flashes he’s showing are crazy-tantalizing.
by sierradave on Jan 29, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
seraphin might slip thru
as we’re consolidating and be that piece that teams overlook, but ends up developing into a really nice part of the big rotation. i think about how the celtics were able to hold onto perkins, but sent back flashier prospects like telfair and gerald green. minny should hav taken perkins and jefferson.
yeah Seraphin is a long term project
and i doubt he’ll be expensive to hold onto long term so it makes it worth it.
This is great!
Although I would pretty much remove Crawford and Seraphin
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by WorldWiEdWard on Jan 29, 2012 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
I still think it's too soon
Will the 2012-13 Wizards have Anthony Davis, Harrison Barmes, Perry Jones, Andre Drummond, or Thomas Robinson? Once we know that, then we can start crafting a team around Wall and whoever that is. We don’t want to trade assets for, say, Batum and then decide that Barnes is our guy.
my hope is
The wiz have already begun scouting and have an idea of which of those players they prefer already. I’d hope they aren’t waiting until tournament/combine/workouts
by Mike Prada on Jan 29, 2012 12:58 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
that is the question
What is our scouting department really working on? Hopefully both, i believe they should have a couple scouts doing both. A few working on the draft side and a few scouting our own players not just Grunfeld.
One hopes the college scouting is active and good intelligence is coming in...
But the way things are going in the NBA right now, as potentially contending teams face a rash of injuries and roster shortcomings, I think it would behoove the Wizards to look NOW to make some deals to bring in new players or draft choices or both.
The list of possibile trading partners is substantial, and most have been cited previously:
1. Orlando is imploding. If they have to deal Howard soon, even if it is unrealistic to expect that this would be his destination, the Wizards might be a valuable third party to help bring off s deal that works for everyone.
2. Minnesota is desperate for an SG. We have a pretty good one playing on a QA.
3. Houston wants a big man.
4. Memphis needs a PF to hold the fort while Z-Bo heals.
5. Cleveland smells a playoff berth off its road win off Boston yesterday. They too need a productive SG.
6. Phoenix is going to have to make a rebuild or reload choice soon. They need a PF.
EG knows he is not going to save his job by waiting until the June draft. It is too soon to make any lists of who will or won’t be here to play alongside our draftees. Management’s position should be that anyone but Wall can be had for the right deal.
The key is
To already know what you need. As Ted has stated they key to drafting in his beliefs is to draft the player that fits your system. The problem with that statement is we don’t know our system, we kinda do but don’t implement it on the regular. You fire flip which and you put Wittman as interim hc which prob means he won’t be here so we will have to learn a new system. Ted should have found his guy n stick with that man for the future. As hard as that might be due to the horrible record and no coach would like to jump on board a sunning ship.
by pdub117 on Jan 29, 2012 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think the Wizards really have a 1 man core
The rest of the team is just auditioning to see who can play with John Wall. I’m pretty sure EG would part with any of those players.
The Wizards drafts can be divided, I think, into two period. The Gilbert Arenas era, where the Wizards reached on high ceiling players, hoping to get luck and land the missing piece. If McGee or Young had developed faster and Arenas hadn’t gotten hurt, this team might have looked very different. The problem was these players were not selected for their defense. They were not selected for their basketball IQ. They were selected because they could be that “missing piece.” gamble that fixed the Wizards. None of these players truly fit into the second rebuilding phase.
The second period, the Leonis Rebuild phase, placed an emphasis on good defensive players. The reason the Wizards reached for Booker was because he was a great defender. The reason the Wizards drafted Vessely was because of his ability to be disruptive on the defensive end. Singleton was selected for the same reasons. If Wall had developed into Rose, these picks wouldn’t look as bizarre. The Wizards could have tried to function like Iverson’s 76ers Eastern conference championship team. One man show on offense, vicious defense. The problem is that Wall’s development has been more akin to Rondo or Gary Payton’s. He can’t be a one-man show on the offensive end.
Needless to say, both rebuilding plans made critical errors. Both draft objectives are also somewhat incompatible. However, I’m not sure that the Wizard problem was drafting redundant players. Outside of the top 10, Rookies are basically like lottery tickets, who knows which ones are going to succeed. The problem is when they selected them. The Wizards didn’t have Nick Young locked into an extension, and Crawford, while he played well last season, lacked the size to be a permanent fixture in the SG position. The Wizards should have drafted another SG as insurance if Nick signed elsewhere or wanted too much money to resign with Washington. In contrast, the Wizards already had Trevor Booker under contract. Drafting both Singleton and Vessely means they have 3 highly similar players who will all be under contract for the next couple of years.
I should clarify
That I don’t have a problem with drafting all these guys. As assets, they work. It’s keeping all of them.
by Mike Prada on Jan 29, 2012 1:07 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
And really - drafting Singleton after drafting Vesely was a NO BRAINER...
Singleton was not supposed to fall that far… when he did, the Wizards had to take him, regardless of need, fit or duplication….
Talent is talent…. never pass up better talent for need…in the draft.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 1:09 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
absolutely, no question
I just want the wizards to be proactive in thinking about their future team instead of waiting and seeing if players fit the roles.
by Mike Prada on Jan 29, 2012 1:12 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
In other words....
While they have all these assets – trade some for other players…
Trade a young SF for a young SG…. for instance… I get it.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
And with that in mind... here's a trade proposal
Washington trades Trevor Booker to New Orleans for Xavier Henry….
I’ve liked Henry since he was in College -
The Hornets have already stated they want to retain Eric Gordon… they also have Marco Belinelli and Greivis Vasquez…. But they need front court help….
Henry has good size (6’6" , 6’11" wingspan) and athleticism. He plays hard on defense… At Kansas he was a very good shooter, especially from distance – but in the Pro’s he’s been mostly hurt…. He’s supposedly got a “hitch” in his shot – but I’ve watched 6 or 8 of his College games and never saw a hitch.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Not sold on Xavier Henry
I worry Xavier Henry is a bit of a headcase. I would much rather we see if Singleton’s 3 pt shoot continues to improve.
That just feels like shuffling deck chairs
Henry’s young too, so the problem of having so many rookie-contract guys is still there.
I threw out a Booker/Crawford for O.J. Mayo idea on Twitter.
Why Mayo?
I’m just a bit confused. I don’t see him as substantial upgrade.
1) Is your goal to get fewer inexperience players on the Wizards? Because Mayo is only in year 4.
2) Is the goal to package multiple prospect to achieve a top tier talent? Because I’m not sure I’d prefer Mayo over Nick Young.
3) Is the goal to reduce redundancies in our roster? I think Mayo is an upgrade over Crawford, but he’s not a long-term answer at SG either. I’m also willing to believe that Crawford may in a sophomore slump and may have been harmed by the lockout.
4) Is it to create some stability? Because OJ Mayo will be a restricted free agent next team, I believe.
All fair points
I’m not entirely sure Mayo’s the answer, just thinking of guys who might fit into this plan. Reasons I thought of Mayo:
1. It’s so hard to find good shooting guards in today’s NBA. I’m assuming Nick’s gone. Mayo’s still young, is a really good deep shooter, has enough playmaking ability to fit into a lot of different offensive styles, can play with and without the ball and is capable of defending. I like his ability to fit into a system and be efficient far more than Crawford’s.
2. He’s available, I’d think.
3. Wouldn’t cost a ton in terms of assets, and I think there’s a far better chance of securing him for an affordable long-term price in the summer after a trade than just signing him outright.
4. He’s going to get money earmarked for Young anyway, and I’d rather pay him than Young.
5. He’s played for a playoff team and comes from a defense-first system. He’s also logged heavy minutes in the league already despite his age. He may be in his fourth year, but he has far more meaningful game experience than Young, who never sniffed good minutes on a playoff team and didn’t start until midway through his fourth year.
6. He’d definitely reduce roster redundancies. I’m not even thinking in terms of position necessarily. He’s a better spot-up shooter than anyone projected to be on the 2012 roster. He’s a better playmaker than any wing player outside of Wall.
Again, it’s just an idea. Plenty of negative with Mayo too, from the gambling thing to the fact that he could get overpaid too.
I'd rather just sign him this summer
Memphis wants no part of matching an offer on him. Eric Gordon might be in a similar situation of NO not wanting to give him a contract. i think we just need to hold off until the summer to address SG.
New Orleans intends to re-sign Eric Gordon....
They offered a 4-year extension (best they could do under the current CBA), but they can offer a 5-year deal this Summer – and that’s what Eric Gordon wants….
All other teams, including the Wizards, can only offer 4-year deals…
Eric Gordon will NOT be available this Summer… he will re-sign with New Orleans for 5-years.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Link
From Hoopshype
The league office apparently approved a four-year contract extension for Gordon in the neighborhood of $50 million. By rejecting that, and waiting to become a restricted free agent at season’s end, Gordon can solicit four-year offers from other teams that will likely be higher or he could sign a five-year extension with the Hornets for closer to maximum money. "I think the facts are with Eric that are getting lost on people is that we would have loved to have Eric part of a committed relationship now, but the fact is if Eric was to sign anything less than a full max deal, he could only do it for four years," Weber said. "This summer, potentially we could do it for five years, which is really what Eric in his communication with us said, ‘You know, I like it here. I like the coaching staff, I like the direction of the team, I like the city, and I want to be able to put an anchor down and say I’m going to be here for the long haul.’
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
I'm not completely sold on him resigning
There were a few stories about how he wanted to play in Indiana. Additionally, I doubt Eric Gordon would say “I want out of here,” even if it was so. He would get blasted by the media. With David Stern as the de facto owner, I’m not sure it’s a wise decision either. (it’s pretty amazing that chris Kaman hasn’t said anything about being deactivated) However, whether a player would want to tie himself to the Hornets, not knowing who their owner will or where they’ll play, is not an easy question to answer.
Additionally, I’m not sure the Hornets are willing to give him a max. $80 million for the next five years for Eric Gordon would be overpaying him. If he wanted that much, I think the Hornets would be willing to entertain some sign and trade proposals.
I’m not disagreeing that it is likely he’ll end up with the Hornets. I just don’t think it’s a given.
Yeah, Mayo looks like a better option
I figured we’d be in a good position this summer to negotiate with Nick, OJ, and Gordon and maybe a fallback plan like Landry Fields. But not interested in Gordon for near the max.
I think OJ can be a nice steal because he’s super talented, but too pampered. Remember he was supposed to be the consensus #1 in that class. But it seems like his experience in Memphis has humbled him and helped him grow up.
I think he’d be a nice complement to Wall. I’d love to see a starting unit next year of Wall, Mayo, Barnes, Vesely, and McGee. I know McGee needs a strong defender and rebounder next to him, but Ves is a really intelligent player and I think he’ll start to get in his groove next to McGee by the end of the season. He can become a quality defender and rebounder if the organization really focuses on him adding weight and strength.
We already have OJ Mayo on our team
His name is Nick Young.
Dont we really NEED a power forward. Once we get a PF, not named Blatche, the whole team imroves.
We don’t need a SG. WE ALREADY HAVE A SG
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NY is in the last year of his contract
He will likely be gone.
Plus Mayo is 100x the better playmaker
He’s more like Gordan than Young imho
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 30, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
Gotta be honest, haven't seen much of Brooks
Know he’s putting up some great numbers, but haven’t been able to see how he’s scoring his points.
i like oj but
his style of play is a carbon of crawford’s but with better shooting…
he doesnt play well of the ball
and his shot selection isnt good either
i wouldnt mind having him though….like someone said earlier we can sign him this off season with nick gone…..maybe 7-8 mill a year?
Enduring the pain of wizards basketball....one game at a time
I haven't caught any Griz games this year
but my understanding from various reports was that he’s improved a lot in those areas and been willing to embrace the sixth man role for the team. Maybe I’m wrong, but those are the types of things I was touching on when I said his Memphis experience has humbled him.
I'd do that in a heart beat.
Brooks is looking like a star now. He plays like a refined Nick Young, or Kobe 0.5 .
TNT should've treated Lebron's return to Cleveland game like 2k11 and cut the game off after the Cavs were down by 30. lol
by Krobify on Jan 29, 2012 4:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Harden over Evans
is an example of fit over talent. So I don’t think it’s always a bad idea to pick fit over talent. However, I’m torn because I really like Singleton and what he brings. And there was no way for EG to predict he’d fall into our laps when he selected Jan V. However, I wonder if the Wizards shouldn’t have tried to package the pick they used to get Mack to trade into the first round and land a back-up SG. The Wizards don’t select players to fill gaps that will develop on their team. That’s the position I’m clumsily trying to articulate.
Wizards need to work a miracle
and get two lottery picks bad. We need sullinger and and wing player bad
by MurlandTerps on Jan 29, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
Sullinger and Barnes could work really nice....
If they allow JaVale to leave, then Drummond and Jeremy Lamb…
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Drummonds and Bradley Beal
would be more likely. I could see the Wizards being able to acquire another pick in the 8-12 range.
Having Drummond and Lamb would be amazing.
if you could get
Drummond and Lamb it would be amazing for the simple fact that you would get two premiere players and continuity.
I would love that
although i dont know why people arent high on sullinger, his potential is still through the roof. I mean ohio st just has a sick team, so i dont think he is standing out as much.
by MurlandTerps on Jan 29, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
The problem with Sullinger is fit
I can’t see him running the floor with John. So he hurts our transition game. On the other hand, it would be great to have a wizards player who was a threat in the post.
by GJennings on Jan 29, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
yea but we got vesely at sf for that
and I think he helps our half court game tremendously. I get it that we want to get out and run but when we play the good teams or in the playoffs games tend to slow down, cause people are actually getting back on defense.
by MurlandTerps on Jan 29, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
If you play Jan V. at the 3
You’re going to have issue with spacing until he develops his shoot. Right now, JV is better as a small ball 4. You could try a Sullinger-Ves combo at 4-5, but I think you’d have serious problem defensively against post-players, especially against a team like LA or Memphis.
by GJennings on Jan 29, 2012 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
you are right
but I think atleast for the first year you start Jan at the 4 and bring jared for a change of pace, and right now i take the player who is just as talented and has been in college for two years over the freshman
by MurlandTerps on Jan 29, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions
Not every player on the floor needs to be fast for a team to be a running team
For example, the Showtime Lakers with Kareem
I think you will be surprised at Sullinger's athleticism....
PLUS – as I have alluded to many times, you need the basketball to run… and Sullinger is the best defensive rebounder in College… a skill that translates very well to the NBA…
Then there’s always the case that when the game gets close, and the other team shuts down the running game, who do the Wizards go to to get a basket when they really NEED one…?
Rebounding, Shooting and post offense – things the Wizards need…. Sullinger provides two of the three…
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Right. Sullinger is a better rebounder than JaVale.
Sullinger would be the one getting the boards and giving it to Wall. McGee would be able to run as usual. I think the two of them (McGee and Sullinger) pair up nicely at the 4/5.
"Blake Griffin is the American Jan Vesely" - Jan Vesely
by PhenomenalSwag on Jan 29, 2012 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
Jan hasnt played one minute of SF according to 82games
so what happens if we draft Sullinger? Quite possibly they let Mcgee go and try to slide Jan into the 5 spot, that wouldnt surprise me at all.
But DCrez - you've seen him play
He’s very good at moving his feet… He’s got very good lateral quickness… he’s intense, active and alert on defense…. He’s pretty good as a post defender, especially against smaller guys. Plus, he’s long as hell….
Why couldn’t he play SF?
I’d love to see him playing defense on guys like Pierce, Durant, Iguodala and Melo…. They shouldn’t be able to post him up… Shooting over him should be difficult because of his length… So driving is the only option – (Hopefully right into the shot blocker McGee)…
I don’t understand the reluctance to play a 6’11" guy at SF…. That is where he played his entire European career – at SF…!!!
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And - I don't think they'll "let McGee go"....
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
so why hasnt he played any SF yet?
I saw Scola score on him at will the other night and Diow seemed able to get past him off the dribble….so I cant assume he could check Durant and Melo etc.
he does move his feet very well etc but right now he is very much a tweener i think
by DCrez on Jan 29, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
but really i am talking about the draft
if you take Sullinger, he will be the day1 starter at PF. If you take Barnes, he’ll be the day1 starter at SF. But we just drafted Jan and Singleton, and Booker is only in his 2nd year. So one thing about getting all these picks is we may be using them to replace players who we’ve only seen for a year. Odd scenario
a SF that can't shoot a lick...
rather just let him focus on getting stronger and work on mid range jumpers instead of always wishing he had 3 point range too. i look at a guy like Robert Horry who had about the same size coming into the league and played SF at first. But he grew into a PF – weight gain is a given. And Horry had much better handle and way better range than Jan. Still become a PF.
by Staybon on Jan 29, 2012 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree
it’s much easier to build your strength than learn perimeter skills like dribbling and shooting. The problem with Jan at the 3 is more on offense than defense, but I really feel like his greatest impact comes as a guy that wreaks havoc in the paint.
He doesn’t wreak havoc like Dwight Howard, but more that he’s a pest and a guy that gets lost in the crowd. It allows him to get those unexpected putbacks, blocks, and steals. Having a smart player like him in the paint is necessary to help cover up some of McGee’s mental lapses.
by gorebd on Jan 29, 2012 6:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
counting on a player to develop better handles and reliable J is basically a pipe dream
when the guy is 7’ tall. Jan just said the other day the big difficulty for him is how fast and strong nba players are….his biggest improvement is going to come from the weight room
It's still important that we try to develop his ball-handling and shooting
I still think that the organization wants to move Jan to SF eventually, but are playing him at PF right now because he doesn’t have the skills for a SF yet. But I think they want him to be a SF eventually.
Formerly know as iNFamous SWaGG
The good thing about that
is that I believe I remember him commenting on the difference in resources here. He played at a high level in Europe, but the organization really focused on team development rather than individual growth. Here they can get him eating the right things and working with trainers that can help him to reshape his body.
Yeah
I think he’ll eventually fall into a SG perimeter role, more than at PF.
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
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by returnofswagger on Jan 29, 2012 9:24 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Meant SF
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
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by returnofswagger on Jan 29, 2012 9:24 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Cousins wasn't known for his speed up the court
and he did fine with Wall cause when it was the half court set Cousins was a great post guy, hit the mid range shot and set hard screens. Sullinger isn’t Cousins but he brings those same qualities.
Drummond and McGee are Centers.....
and I don’t see either one as being able to play PF….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Drummond-McGee Line could work
On defense, I think it would work okay. I wouldn’t mind McGee guarding a quicker PF. His lateral quickness is pretty good. Additionally, he seems to struggle with very strong centers. Howard and Dalembert slaughtered him. Drummond would do better against those traditional centers.
In terms of rebounding, it’d be a no-brainer. Those guys would give us great control on the boards.
My concern is offense. Their spacing would be horrendous. You would need great shooters at all three positions.
Paul Gasol
is significantly better at short-range jumpshot than either Drummonds or McGee.
by GJennings on Jan 29, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Pau can play the high post....
Neither McGee or Drummond can play the high post….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Pau has center athleticism despite pf skills its why the Lakers are struggling
having 2 bigs who aren’t any good in the pick and roll defensively is a problem for the Lakers and would be for the Wizards with Drummond and Mcgee
The Lakers Problems
1. Lack of a Quality PG. Blake is injured. Fisher is a dinosaur.
2. Meta World Peace
3. Mike Brown’s inability to coach offense
4. Lack of Lamar Odom/Any viable option on the bench
Gasol’s “center athleticism” isn’t even in the top 10 reasons,
by GJennings on Jan 29, 2012 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Drummond is only 18
Could he develop into a PF? Sure. It’s not like he’s 7’1 and 280 lbs. He would have been a PF in the NBA 20 years ago and there’s no reason why he couldn’t develop into a beast of a PF in the NBA today. A Drummond-McGee combo would be something most teams would have trouble matching height and size wise.
Obviously hiring a big man coach or seasoned vet would be needed, especially if you’re investing big money into McGee and a high pick into Drummond.
by SpecialSauce on Jan 29, 2012 5:20 PM EST up reply actions
I'm sure he could play PF Offensively...
Unfortunately, there’s NO WAY he could guard NBA Power Forwards… especially on the perimeter….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
And by the way...
Drummond is 6’11", and 265lbs…. and only 18 years old… He very well could grow to 7-ft, 280 before his first NBA Training Camp.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
That would be a plus...
If he grew to that size. That’s part of his upside/ceiling, he’s physically gifted with rare skills for a big man his height and weight. He’s no stick and has the body to become that “bull”/bruiser in the paint that makes you like Sullinger so much. Sullinger is more refined right now, but Drummond has the potential to develop into an elite rebounder, with athleticism and size to score down low.
by SpecialSauce on Jan 29, 2012 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
"potential" is precisely why I don't like Drummond...
He has no basketball skills… He’s all raw talent and athletic ability… He can run. He can jump. He is big. He is strong….
He can’t shoot.
He can’t dribble.
He can’t set screens.
He can’t defend. (beyond blocking shots)…
He can’t create shots.
He can’t do anything that shows a “basketball skill”…
We might as well be talking about a Football player, or a tremendously tall Baseball Pitcher… because he has just as many Baseball skills as he has Basketball skills. NONE.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
And I for one...
am tired of the Wizards drafting guys based on their “potential” – just because they are tall, and can jump.
I’d rather draft players that have some actual skills – like Sullinger and Harrison Barnes.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
To Much Potential
I’ve watched the last 6 UCONN games to see Drummond and Lamb, yet I come away baffled that the Huskies don’t ever give Drummond the ball on the block. They have such a huge height mismatch most games with Drummond and Oriaki (sp), but let Lamb and Napier dribble out the shot clock.
Drummond fits the role of need (big PF) and has the most upside potential in the class.
I like Davis, MKG, and a few others, we’ll never agree on Sully, but they’ll have a chance to land a very solid player in the draft regardless.
by SpecialSauce on Jan 29, 2012 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
if we draft Barnes, i would like to see an agressive move made
via trading Singleton and/or Book. If we draft Sullinger, I would hope Ves and/or Book are spun into another pick or legit shooter
I'd like to see an aggressive move
If we draft Sullinger too. Land a SF or SG, exactly how Mike mentions, and we have our core pretty set up.
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
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by returnofswagger on Jan 29, 2012 9:28 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
i think barnes needs
one more year of college
by MurlandTerps on Jan 29, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
I would like to get william buford
in 2nd or late 1st
by MurlandTerps on Jan 29, 2012 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
We need to trade down in the draft
hope that things fall in place to trade back with NO. I’d love to see us get the #1 and NO have #3 and #7. They could move up for Davis. We take Barnes at 3 and Sully at 8. Thats the miracle we need.
Good post
McGee and Wall are the core. Both are exceptional athletes, but below average shooters in the half court. Pam McGee was right in that these guys should be the new face of the NBA. Blocks and dunks are a big part of the game now. The Wizards need to think about how to exploit these talents and how to build around them.
For example, Barnes has been an underachiever so far this year, but if the Wiz had the first choice, I would take him because he works well with McGee and Wall. Similarly, Gilchrist would work well at the 2. Finally, Sullinger would work at the 4 (and possibly the Jones boys would work as well although they seem erratic on the offensive end).
Does EG think strategically? No, he draft Veseley – presumably because he can run. But that’s not what they needed.
Gilchrist at the 2?
That would be terrible. Gilchrist is a 6’7’’ player who draws Gerald Wallace comparisons. It would be worst than we started Jared Jefferies at the 2.
Our current SG is 6'7" and...
….and is taller than Gilchrist. But that’s not the point. If we get rid of Young, we ought not to replace him with everybody’s first choice – namely, Jeremy Lamb. From an NBA perspective, Lamb is a skinning, one-dimensional player. In contrast, at the 2, Gilchrist could shoot medium range jumpers, rebound, defend and pass. (Jefferies could do none of those things, except maybe defend). The Wiz need to think of blending talent of the young players. McGee, Sullinger, Barnes, Gilchrist and Wall is an example of a team that would be more balanced than is obvious.
A backcourt of Wall-Gilchrist would be terrible
It would mean the entire defense could sag in because neither of them could shoot 3s. It would be embarrassing. Sullinger and McGee could be double-teamed without any reprisal from us on offense. That line-up is a “see you in the lottery” proposal.
I like Gilchrist. He’s a 3 though. Not a 2. Lamb and Bradley have 3 point range. That’s the major difference, and that’s what the Wizard need.
You miss my point
Conventional is out when you have McGee and Wall. Boston leads the league in 3 point % this year, but they are 9 and 9. With a big line-up, the Wiz could rebound, run and dunk. The FG% would be very high. The premium would be on smarter play and less turnovers.
And what happens in the last 5 minutes of the 4th quarter...
When teams step up their defensive pressure – choke off your fast break…. and make you play half court basketball… where you need to execute a basketball play to perfection to score?
They simply get back on defense… clog the lane.. dare every Wizards player on the court to shoot a long 2 or 3-point shot…and WIN THE GAME!!!
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
In my example...
….I had McGee, Wall, Sullinger, Barnes, and Gilchrist. The FG% of Barnes, Gilchrist, and Sullinger from mid-range is over 50%. The best shooting percentage in the NBA is Miami at 48%. I think these guys could score in a close game. All three of them have an iron will to win.
The Wizards need smart players, all-around athletes (particularly shooters and rebounders), and players who fit with Wall and McGee. Sullinger, Barnes and GilChrist seem to be a better fit than the conventional wisdom coming out of the draft.
If you prefer to think of existing NBA players who would meet the criteria, Iggy (on Phily) and Rudy Gay would fit the bill.
Gilchrist is not really a shooter...
Barnes is a SF , not a Shooting Guard…..
We can already see what happens at the end of games. This year’s Wizards team has really only one shooter that teams need to pay attention to (Nick Young). He will be gone next year…
If the Wizards Amnesty Blatche… Buy out Rashard Lewis… Draft Sullinger…. They will need to obtain at least TWO knock down, dead eye shooters….
Gilchrist is NOT one of them…. And “mid-range” won’t cut it… You need 3-point shooters to spread the floor enough to create gaps for John Wall to penetrate…. and to punish teams for double teaming your low post scorer….
Mid-range shooters don’t create enough space….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
If your point was
they can run and dunk a lot, yes, they could. Would they win a lot? No. They’d be terrible in the half-court set. You have basically taken the worse part of our team “half-court” offense and made it even worse.
Additionally, when you play 2, you play on the perimeter. A guy like Gilchirst at the 2 would be playing against his strengths. The fact that he is 6’7’’ isn’t the reason he shouldn’t play at the 2, his game is better suited to playing at the 3. Trying to convert Gilchrist into a “catch and shoot” player wouldn’t take away from a lot of what he does well.
A player we need to look out for
who people are sleeping on is augustus gilchrist from south florida, he is 6’10 and pretty much averages a double double, i think he is a solid player if we could get him in the 2nd
by MurlandTerps on Jan 29, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
How about Le'Bryan Nash?
Tough kid who could play the 2 or the 3. He’s not much of a shooter right now but I feel like its been improving during this season. There hasn’t been much talk about him though, so who knows if he’ll even come out.
by oakhillswag on Jan 29, 2012 4:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
LeBryan Nash is an all athleticism, no skill, tweener forward
Where have I heard that before?
His name
sounds like he should be good…. It’s like a weird hybrid of Lebron, Nash, and Bryant.
by GJennings on Jan 29, 2012 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
When I first heard it
I thought he was made up
the best part about it is that
he isn’t named after any of them.
by thewiz06 on Jan 29, 2012 5:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Finally! Thank you Mike!
I haven’t read the comments yet but I have been ringing this bell over and over again:
We have Wall and a bunch of ‘nice to have’ role players. THAT’S IT.
Ernie should have focused on acquiring core pieces. that’s what we NEED.
Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge
What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh
We haven't been able to acquire enough top 10 picks over the years, that's why.
Wall and Vesely, that’s it. The rest are either mid 1st round, late 1st round, early 2nd round picks. If you look at Minnesota, they have Rubio, Williams, Love, Beasley, Johnson, Darko, Randolph, all top 10 picks I believe. It’s a matter of talent. We don’t have enough of it. I like Singleton and Booker a lot and hope they develop, but at best they are really nice role players. This up coming draft should be make or break for the Wiz. Ernie or whatever GM needs to acquire an additional lottery pick to get some actual talent in here.
"Blake Griffin is the American Jan Vesely" - Jan Vesely
by PhenomenalSwag on Jan 29, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Yes -
and if you look at OKC – they have Durant (#2), Westbrook (#4), Harden (#3) – three top 4 picks in three years…. And in one of those years, a true Super Star was available… You just cannot duplicate that kind of draft luck…
Super Star players are not available in every draft year…..
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
look at Philly's roster
How many players do they have that the BF community would have been dead set against acquiring? Brand and Iggy are owed about $80mill between them, i’m sure most of us would have balked at those contracts and nobody wanted to draft Turner (still dont of course) but that’s whom they got…….and now they are one of the best teams in the league. Yet we wouldnt have wanted virtually any of their players…interesting
ehh....border-line lottery
My main point is that Ernie has usually made his mark by drafting well in the mid to late first round. We need more high picks no matter what, especially if Ted is reluctant to spend any of his mountain of cash.
"Blake Griffin is the American Jan Vesely" - Jan Vesely
by PhenomenalSwag on Jan 29, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
agree
if your talents (except for wall) were drafted around #15 and lower (young, mcgee, singleton, jcraw, booker, seraphin instead of around #3 (OKC, MIN), your best shot is becoming the league’s 15th best team (simplistic view, but still).
I like the Bullets
Sorry - that didn't add anything to the "discussion"
Josh Childress is overpaid already… and does not solve ANY of the Wizards current issues (lack of shooting, lack of rebounding, etc…)
Childress cannot shoot… and he’s not a very good rebounder… so I fail to see what skills he brings to the Wizards beyond “run and jump”….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Plus he's a Small Forward -
and don’t the Wizards already have like 27 small forwards?
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Wing
I like Vesely, Singleton and Booker, but if I can deal two of those three to get a wing player in his prime (i.e. not over 28) who is already a good enough shooter, defender and playmaker to start, I do it in a second.
I think there is more to Childress than you are seeing.
He can defend, he can move the ball and even though he is not a great shooter, I have always thought he was a decent scorer. He is an intelligent guy and I think he could be very productive here… but it depends what happens with our other, as you say, 27 forwards.
a couple issues I have with this roster
Rook is right we have no shooters on this squad NONE. Crawford nor Nick are shooters they are scorers of the low efficiency variety.
I think we have a core Wall and mcgee. Mcgee is not just another guy he’s an athletic shot blocking rebounder, shot blocking finisher they are hard to find with his skills.
You dump Mcgee you create a huge hole on this team.
I think Ves and Booker are growing as players everyone else is subject to being dumped.
Only players I think fit this squad in the coming draft are Sullinger, Robinson, Barnes, Kidd Gilchrist and Lamb.
Drummond is at last 3 years from being productive if he can pull it together motor and mentally wise and Davis to me has a limited ceiling on this level with his light frame and raw offensive skillset.
To hell with that OKC model like Rook mentions finding that level of talent in successive drafts is unlikely.
If we get one of the drafted players I mentioned I think it helps develop a cohesive squad we gotta start getting guys who are winners and have more developed skills
Trade a couple of them for Eric Gordon.
He’s not going to extend with the Hornets. So I think we can pull off an extend and trade.
by BballBrit on Jan 29, 2012 3:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
See my post above re: Eric Gordon and the Hornets....
I don’t think everyone understands WHY Gordon rejected the 4-year extension from New Orleans….
The new CBA restricts extensions to 4-years….
He didn’t reject because he wants to leave – or field offers from other teams… It’s because this Summer, when he’s a restricted Free Agent, New Orleans can offer him a 5-year deal… Other teams, like the Wizards, can only offer 4-year deals… Eric Gordon is holding out for that 5-year deal…
He WILL RESIGN WITH THE HORNETS FOR 5 YEARS !!!
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He also wanted more money
It wasn’t just the 4 years vs. 5 years. He wanted the maximum.
Actually if you read his comments...
it sounds like he’s more interested in the longer contract…. but that’s just my opinion…
team president Hugh Weber:
"This summer, potentially we could do it for five years, which is really what Eric in his communication with us said
Eric Gordon said:
‘You know, I like it here. I like the coaching staff, I like the direction of the team, I like the city, and I want to be able to put an anchor down and say I’m going to be here for the long haul.’
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't disagree with you that much
He obviously wants a long-term deal. He wants the maximum. He prefers 5 years to 4. I think there’s a 80% chance he stay, but I wouldn’t call it a lock yet. Especially given how well Indiana is playing.
Nothing is a lock...
But to talk about going after Gordon as a part of the Wizards “plan” (as some people have posted), is ignoring the fact that:
1. He is most likely going to sign with New Orleans
2. If he doesn’t sign with NO, he’ll sign with Indiana
3. The Wizards are probably #30 on his list of teams to sign with…..
I see tons of posts like this : “Sign Eric Gordon” – and they’re completely ignoring the fact that he’ll be a Restricted Free Agent – meaning NO can match ANY offer that Washington or any other team makes – Not only that, but this Summer, New Orleans can offer Eric Gordon a 5-year maximum contract… something no other team can do..
The chances of the Wizards somehow magically obtaining Eric Gordon are somewhere between slim and none….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Jan 29, 2012 7:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
What's he supposed to say?
If we offer Gordon the 4-year max of $62 million, the Hornets in all likelihood won’t match. Particularly not if they’re still owned by the NBA — there’s no way NBA owners will be willing to foot the bill for his contract. Of course, it’ll be moot if the Pacers make the same max-offer and he opts to go to them (better team, his hometown, match made in heaven)
“It wasn’t that I turned down anything, it works both ways. Yes, I’ll be restricted, but I am just a basketball player right now and the future is unclear. All I can do is worry about coming back at this point to try and help the team win games at the end of the year. It’s not the best situation, but it’s also not the worst. As long as I get back playing that will be the thing.’’
According to sources close to the talks, Gordon wanted a four-year deal worth no less than $55 million — $5 million to 7 million shy of the projected four-year max — while the Hornets’ offer topped out at around $50 million.
If the Hornets aren’t ready to offer more than $50 million now, what makes you think they’ll match a $62 million deal, let alone give him a more lucrative 5-year deal?
by Max Zamphirescu on Jan 29, 2012 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
How about Wilson Chandler?
Might have to go 10M+/per to sign him, but he can shoot, run the floor and defend.
or the other China guys
JR Smith would fit at SG. Crazy but 3 year deal to hold down the SG spot might not be a bad idea. Chandler would be preferable though. But is Chandler still a restricted FA after this year?
wow
if we got JR, sullinger and another sg…
by MurlandTerps on Jan 29, 2012 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
JR Smith
should be nixed. We criticize Nick Young for Hero ball/Being a blackhole. JR Smith makes Young look like Nash.
ha
true but I think jr will always be more talented than nick. When Jr is hot he could light you up for 30 plus and when nick is hot its like 24 points
by MurlandTerps on Jan 29, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
Huh?
2010-2011 Season…
Nick Young = TWENTY-TWO 20 point games, SIX 30 point games, ONE 43 point game…. in 64 games played
JR Smith = NINE 20 point games, TWO 30 point games… in 79 games played
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
VERY VERY FEW Shooting Guards in the League
are better at putting the ball in the basket than Nick Young… PERIOD !!
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
And JR Smith is not one of them....
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
It's not that I'm no longer a fan...
However, Nick has not been shooting as well this year as I expected….
I expected to see steady improvement…. but instead I’ve seen some regression back to the “old” dribble, dribble, dribble, shoot Nick Young from his first two years… Less shots off the catch… fewer shots coming off screens… and more isolation shots. Not good…
In addition, it’s painfully clear to me that the Wizards are distancing themselves from Young – in anticipation of him leaving this Summer… and Young seems to be doing the same…
I am VERY, VERY disappointed in the Wizards Management for their short sighted-ness in the Nick Young matter. This team needs shooters. This team DESPERATELY needs shooters… and they couldn’t figure out how to extend Young… They extended Blatche for crying out loud… !!!! But it appears that they will lose Young (with zero compensation), and they are in danger of losing McGee the year after as well…
Now, neither of those two may be the Super Star player the Wizards need to play next to John Wall… But by losing their starting Shooting Guard, that means one more hole to fill… and if they lose McGee, that’s ANOTHER hole to fill…
I don’t see another quality Starter on the roster (with the possible exception of Singleton, if he improves his shot – and Vesely, if he improves his shot – but those are big if’s)… So now we’re down to ONE core piece….
So, yeah…. I’m trying to understand where the Wizards think they are going…. They already have a REALLY young team… and they are going to get even younger next year with Blatche, Young and Lewis leaving… I cannot see any trades that would immediately make a big difference in the rebuild… and Drafting a couple more first rounders, simply means 3 more years developing young players….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
On this we are in complete agreement.
So many teams are looking right now for someone who fits Nick’s description. Or as the old song said, “You don’t know what you got til it’s gone…”
"They extended Blatche for crying out loud… !!!"
Yes, and seeing what happened after Blatche’s extension may be the very reason they were reluctant to “figure out how to extend Young” beyond a figure they felt was appropriate.
I agree that lack of decent shooting on the team is worrisome and that Nick’s been the best of our (poor) shooters. Like you, I’ve also noted the regression in Young’s play this year, and that’s been disappointing to see in a player who was supposedly out to prove all the teams in the league wrong about not giving him his 9 mil.
Given Nick’s play to date this year, if Ernie had given Nick what he wanted, I think we’d all be screaming even more loudly than we are for Ernie’s head on a platter.
over the last 10games he is averaging 19pts on 44%FG, 35%3PT
definitely not worth what he was asking, but also rounding back into form from the looks of it
I was talking more about the fact that he's regressing...
While his shot seems to be coming back, he’s regressing to the old Nick Young…
Flip Saunders, for all his faults and crappy rotations, really does understand how to (gradually) improve and develop young players. In Nick Young he saw a very inefficient jump shooter – and changed him into a rather efficient jump shooter by changing the types of shots he was taking…. He did a similar thing with McGee – who has ALSO shown growth from two years ago….
This year, Nick seemed to understand that he needed to become a more rounded player if he wanted to get the kind of payday he wanted… That means more assists and more rebounds… and he even said as much, once he returned to the team at the end of training camp… And at first it looked like he WAS TRYING to pass more… His turn overs were up as a result, but he was trying to make passes to teammates for assists (as opposed to passing back to the PG to reset)…
But when it wasn’t working, he went back to “old” Nick – chucking and jiving… Fewer catch-and-shoot… fewer shots off screens… (Not sure if this is a change in philosophy from Flip to Randy , but it seems there are many fewer screens under Whitman)…
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
He is going to the basket more
but it is also showing why he has previously been hesitant…he has a tough time finishing, and it means he is dribbling more, another change with limited benefits due to his handle limitations.
If he were simply the teams shooter, constantly moving, coming off screens, and passing when he is doubled before the double team gets there, I would be upset if he left. Now, I am pretty sure he is leaving, but I also don’t think in his current form he should be paid an above average amount.
Lose Lose for everyone involved if we can’t find a good replacement shooter to add with other shooters we need to draft. Very disappointed with the short term rebuild steps, but they still can be corrected with some wise moves.
add in Kenyon Martin as a FA coming back from China
would look good at PF. Actually might make it worth keeping McGhee since if Martin’s toughness can’t rub off on him then no one’s can.
No JR
I’m open to Chandler but he’s not a great shooter either, more of a guy who creates off the dribble.
Not Chandler for that kinda money
He’s a secondary piece a good piece but he doesn’t need to be here playing outside of a winning role feeling the presure to jack shots we already have a couple of those guys in Blatche and Nick already.
idea is we won't have Blatche or Nick next year tho.
Chandler showed at Denver that he can be a the main scorer on a young and upcoming team. He’d just be one piece. Plus he plays best at SF and we got plenty, but none as good as him. Shoot bring in Chandler and JR Smith combined with Wall and you got a nice nucleus. Can grab a PF or Center in the draft with the top pick.
no to JR smith
he is more wacky than Young and Blatche combined. Has the shot selection of a total idiot.
May or may not be a total headcase off the floor a bad character type guy.
by jazzy1 on Jan 29, 2012 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The DMV Model
Being patient means actually having patience, not just saying it because it sounds good, and the lockout shortened 2011-12 season was truly going to test the patience of many men, you and I included.
The Wizards are a young team, we know this and we knew this going into the season. There was no rookie camp, no Vegas, no multiple week training camp, and THERE ARE NO PRACTICES….this was not setup to be our year from the signing of the new CBA.
In three games with Wittman I have seen more of an “identity” then in two plus season with Flip. That’s a start! Be young, be athletic, and maximize the talents of the players that are on the roster.
1. Hire a long term solution at head coach
2. Draft the best talent they can
3. Be creative on draft day with trades and try to acquire an additional 1st
4. Re-sign McGee (because you have to)
5. Let the young guys show you what they’re made of. Lets not trade away Sing, Book, Craw,or Ves without giving them the chance to learn the league and see if they can swim in the waters.
Here's a list of free agents that I think would fit on the Wizards
Kirk Hinrich – UFA
George Hill – RFA
OJ Mayo – RFA
Nicolas Batum – RFA
Ian Mahinimi – UFA
Chris Kaman – UFA
Ersan ilyasova – UFA
Ryan Anderson – RFA
Ted HAS to be aggressive in bringing at least two of these guys to D.C.
Geting it done.
That's not a great dream
That’s like a .400-.500 dream.
I like Mahinmi most of these guys
Actually I’d look at the return for your dollar him vs McGhee. Probably more bang for your buck getting Ian. Kaman I wouldn’t have a problem with either – especially if they move McGhee. He’s not what he used to be but he’s solid when healthy (the tough part for him). He won’t be getting 12 mil a year anymore. Could end up being a bargain – if healthy.
Mahinmi has the same agent as Seraphin
He probably doesn’t want them both on the same team. I prefer Ilyasova as an unrestricted stretch-4. The team could play him and Vesely together in the forward spots.
Landry Fields
is a guy that I think we should absolutely target and swipe from the Knicks. Landry will be RFA going into his 3rd year because he was a 2nd round pick. I think he’s in a unique situation where the Carmelo deal hurt his production and lowered his price tag, but if he gets any kind of deal, the Knicks likely won’t match because it could block them getting a guy like Nash.
He’s a nice shooter to add to the team. I’d love to see us with Mayo, Barnes, Fields, and Singleton as our SG-SF rotation next year.
Wall/Mayo/Barnes/Book or Ves/McGee
this could happen……..book or ves would be depending on the matchup……
i really doubt memphis will match an offer to oj
Enduring the pain of wizards basketball....one game at a time
Shelvin Mack for Landry Fields
The Wizards probably have to throw in a little extra compensation (maybe one of the 2nd round picks we got in the Turiaf trade) to make it happen, but it gives them a cheap, young PG for this year and next at least.
I really feel like Mack is one of our best trade assets, but its so hard to build his value with Wall playing so much. Hopefully if Wittman continues to ask Wall to play more full court pressure, it will give Mack more chances.
Bullets Forever: Waiting for the Fat Lady to sing since 2006. | @jakewhitacre
In need of a scorer
Longtime Bulets fan, and we really need a scorer. With that said I see three legitimate potential scores available in the draft…Harrison Barnes, Perry Jones & Jared Sullinger. Barnes scares me cuz he reminds me of Calbert Chaney ( same number and all ), Jones scares me cuz of his inability to dominate college Bball, and Sullinger scares me cuz he might be only 6’7" and weighs closer to 300lbs than 240lbs. Not sure if we can wait for A Davis to develop an offensive game. I say let’s draft Jones and sign Mayo and resign McGee…I also think Sullinger may drop to the later half of the first round and we can swing a trade for an extra pick.
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