Keys to the Palace: Where the Bench Disappears
by Sean Fagan on Feb 13, 2012 2:07 PM EST
in Keys To The Palace
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Print'No I don't have a dog house, I have a Palace of Good Play.' I'm looking for someone who's playing well so I can put them in that palace."-Ed Tapscott
It was a week that saw the Wizards heavily involved in Lin-sanity, but ended on a positive notes as they team finally turned the tables on an opponent and ran up the score rather than finding themselves at the opposite end of a 20 point shellacking. And as much as it may seem strange to say, two wins out of a possible five games is a noticeable uptick for this team. So that leaves one with the question, who are the Wizards responsible for this increase in production?
Note that players are graded on a sliding scale as regards their importance to the team. Thus, it easier for Shelvin Mack or Kevin Seraphin to get into the Palace bases on their roles on the team, while it is harder for John Wall or JaVale McGee. Heavy is the the head that wears the crown.
Each week, we'll be handing out golden keys to the players who have earned them the right to stay in the Palace of Good Play.
Likewise, those who do not play well enough to enter the Palace of Good Play will receiver their own logo. Their scarlet letter will come in the form of the Red Lock of Shame.
After the jump, we'll take a look at each player on the roster to see who gets to stay in the Palace, and who will be forced to sleep in the cold.
Hurt. Sad. Is he worth Boris Diaw? Is he worth half of Boris Diaw?
Final Verdict
Boom. Trevor Booker hasn't made the "leap," but he continues to build upon his strong play from the previous week. The only game that Booker did not show up for was the blowout against the Clippers, and very few Wizards left a positive impression during that outing. Booker's jumpshot continues to improve and as long as he takes that shot with confidence and makes it with any frequency he should be assured a starting role. A further note should be made of Booker's both in the P&R and in screen setting, both of which have helped John Wall over the course of the past week.
Final Verdict
Oof. The honest answer is that Crawford will remain locked out until he learns to something about shot selection.
Final Verdict
Evan continues to confuse by sometimes providing stability when placed in rotation and then confabulating everything by drawing up his own iso play such as in the Detroit game. I'm not sure if its rust that he is shaking off, but to earn regular minutes he needs to prove to be a more valuable cog in the wheel.
Final Verdict
Lewis was dinged up for most of the week and then came during the Detroit game to score his 15,000 point and pour the dirt over the pistons. At this point, I would rather use Lewis as a situational relief pitcher and have him come in every couple of games to do his damage, rather than drag his knees around at 40% of his capability.
Final Verdict
So why can' t this guy get a little off-guard action in during games?
Final Verdict
Hits em in practice. Not so much in games.
Final Verdict
JaVale turned around what had been a terrible set of performances earlier in the week by putting in a sterling effort against the Heat and Pistons. Maybe his infamy earned due to running the wrong way woke him up, but I've seen a more committed player on both ends of the court. However, he is still doing things like attempting no look passes from the top of the key, initiating his own fast break, and again - running the wrong way. So JaVale gets locked out this week, but has a strong opportunity to return to the Palace, if only he can remember which way to run.
Final Verdict
Happy trails.
Final Verdict
The emergence of the Manbearpig was short lived. He possibly went back into hibernation.
Chris Singleton's timidity is going to earn him a long sit at the end of the bench. The player who was a defensive terror for the Wizards during the first week is a shell of himself and action may need to be taken to break down and rebuild his game. At this point, he is a starter by default, but this is due only to the lack of better options.
Final Verdict
Still hurt.
Final Verdict
Lost for most of the week, Vesely still did the little things, but the sliding scale demands more from the rookie. The Detroit game is what we should expect from Jan at least twice weekly, as it demonstrates his effectiveness when allowed proper space to operate.
Final Verdict
Mark down the Detroit game as the emergence of the "real" John Wall. Or if you prefer your PG as a primary scorer, you could mark down either the NY or Toronto game as your favorite. Either way, John sits on the throne this week.
Final Verdict
The statlines state that Young has been better as of late, but I'm more worried about his defensive intensity. He keep falling behind his man through screens and offensively is making poor decisions when not in a catch and shoot situation. Nick squeaks in this week (again), but the same type of play will see him locked out next week.
Final Verdict
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Didn't watch much of the games
But I am wondering why the negative comments on Chris Singleton?
Is it that he has not been as agressive as he formerly was?
Has his intensity decreased?
Just curious as to why the opinion here has gone from positive to negative on Chris…
he started off hot in the season
But lately he seems he can’t make a single open shot. I think he’ll find his grove soon but the last few games it looks like he’s uncomfortable out there. His d looked a little better these last couple games to me but he has to make the open shot
by no more kwame's in dc on Feb 13, 2012 3:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
He's also reaching way too much and just playing silly ball.
In the second half yesterday he tried a 1on1 spin move thing that didn’t work and then was clearly frustrated so he started pressuring the ball handler right around midcourt. He basically fouled the guy 5 times before it was called as the guy was blowing past him. His defense is just bad right now.
by BayAreaBullet on Feb 13, 2012 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Not to be dumb...
.. But did JaVale run the wrong way TWICE this week? I know about the highly publicized one, but the way this summary was written, it sounds like he “again [ran] the wrong way.”
by Kenny Sky Walker on Feb 13, 2012 3:08 PM EST reply actions
What's the story with McGee's asthma?
They said in a Washington Post article that he got some kind of treatment for it recently, and that the dip in his production was related to breathing troubles.
They found a new drug...one that dont make him sick. One that makes him run real hard, and set a pick
HT Huey Lewis and the News
by les boulez bomber on Feb 13, 2012 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
.
… don’t lie, and tell me that you need me
…don’t cry, and tell me nothing’s wrong
I’ll be alrightone way or another
So let me go, or make we want to stay.
.
"I'm not present I'm a drug that makes you dream I'm an aerostar I'm a cutlass supreme In the wrong lane Trying to turn against the flow I'm the ocean I'm the giant undertow I'm the ocean..." - N. Young
I think there could be a re-cap of a future blowout
done entirely in lyrics from 80’s songs. Why? I don’t know…
It could start off with, “I always feel like…. no one is watching me…”
.
"I'm not present I'm a drug that makes you dream I'm an aerostar I'm a cutlass supreme In the wrong lane Trying to turn against the flow I'm the ocean I'm the giant undertow I'm the ocean..." - N. Young
Well, apparently our CRACK MEDICAL STAFF
decided it wasn’t worth the effort to monitor McGee’s asthma treatment. On a whim, McGee went TO HIS OWN DOCTOR and asked why he was still having issues and the doctor must have adjusted his medication or something. After which he had two monster games.
I am really disappointed. I thought Ted was going to change the culture around here.
Here's the scorecard on the Wizards Medical Staff and JaVale's asthma:
Diagnosis: Fail — McGee’s asthma was diagnosed by Flip Saunders, M.D.
Monitoring and Treatment: Fail — McGee had to detect the problem and pursue treatment himself.
My conclusion: Ted isn’t interested in improving anything that will cost money.
by disgrunted on Feb 13, 2012 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
he installed those new beer dispensing machines ;-)
by les boulez bomber on Feb 13, 2012 7:54 PM EST up reply actions
I replied to you in order to keep thread continuity
instead of my reply ending up down the page.
Believe me, I didn’t do it to save money.
by MR on Feb 15, 2012 6:28 AM EST up reply actions
hahaha, yes you did! Just admit it, you cheap Ted!
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 Feb 15, 2012 7:16 AM EST up reply actions
Exercise-induced asthma
is not something that is effectively treated by your ordinary doc.
I’m sure a specialist originally prescribed a medication that became less effective over time. When McGee again consulted a specialist, he had his medication changed.
As someone with experience of this (although everyone’s experience is different), I’ll say that expecting anyone other than JaVale himself to deduce accurately how he feels his current med is affecting him is simply not realistic. For better or for worse, dealing with his condition is always going to be primarily McGee’s own responsibility.
Still
This is something the medical staff should be checking on regularly. If they aren’t constantly on him to make sure his medication is working then they aren’t doing their jobs plain and simple. The medical staff gets paid to make sure the players are in the best possible shape to play and this staff has a history of not doing its job properly.
by blackdog3377 on Feb 13, 2012 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
They can help by monitoring his breathing
but I think the situation’s a bit more complicated than you’re assuming.
According to Michael Lee
After the Wizards lost to New York last week, the coaches convinced McGee finally to get checked out because he was getting exhausted too quickly.
As McGee gains more experience living with the asthma and the changing effects of different medications, I suspect he’ll become more proactive himself in trying to get properly evaluated when he feels unnaturally tired. But that’s hard to do too—hard to tell what’s normal and what isn’t.
Let’s just hope that the condition remains controllable by medication.
interesting Mike Lee changed his original statement
After the Wizards lost to New York last week, McGee finally decided to get checked out
That is what he first reported
Well, I hope that's it.
Still, when McGee is looking gassed, would it kill the medical staff to pull him aside and ask him if he’s having asthma symptoms? Isn’t it possible to tell the difference between asthma and just being gassed?
Assuming they can always "hear" his asthma,
then no, not really, without a complete workup (which requires time and the proper facility).
And that’s why I said that it may be difficult for JaVale himself to tell too, although he’ll probably be better able to evaluate his condition as time goes on and he gains more experience living (and playing) with the asthma.
Javale - How did you feel this week?
Done.
Put it on the checklist for Monday’s?
I don’t think this absolve the training staff from anything. They are not paid to simply react, they are also paid to monitor.
by DavidDunn on Feb 13, 2012 9:13 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Asthma
has nothing to do with his knucklehead plays
by WAAAAALL-E on Feb 13, 2012 4:36 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I'm not sure this is entirely true
McGee’s concentration pretty clearly wanes when he gets gassed. I’m not saying the meds will make his SAT scores go up, but it seems to me that he makes dumb plays when he’s been on the court for more time. I do think the asthma affects his court awareness.
by Elvin_is_my_Elvis on Feb 13, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
Uh, Brain Needs Oxygen Too.
No stuff.
Plus his earlier medication might also have affected what one doctor I know used to call “mentation”….
Asthma is a serious chronic disease, and you cannot expect the average team physician to know how to manage it…
JaVale’s asthma needs to be managed and monitored regularly by a competent specialist in asthma, allergy and immunology. And JaVale would also be a great role model for the hundreds of thousands of kids with asthma who are trying to live a normal, active life.
More may be expected of JaVale than other players on the team, but the high quality games he played after his medication probably warrants a gold key even if with an asterisk.
Oh, and planking in a food freezer is distinctly not advised for someone with asthma.
by khrabb on Feb 13, 2012 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Try taking any aspect of your job and then do it while completely gassed and fighting for breath
I bet you’d find alot of mental lapses and a dip in your work performance. I don’t think it explains everything by any means but I do think being that winded can help produce some of those plays.
by BayAreaBullet on Feb 13, 2012 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Well, actually, it kind of does
Since physical fatigue leads to mental fatigue.
by Mike Prada on Feb 13, 2012 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I barely notice when singleton is playing unless he’s picking up fouls. Wittman said he wanted him to be more aggressive. Waiting to see
by Jordo on Feb 13, 2012 5:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I was there...it happened...
not close enough to hear it (other side of court), but the fan instigated it walking down the sideline during a free throw…security also had to intervene…
a few things
The hate remains strong for Mcgee with Sean its clear. Mcgee has playe terrific since the medication switch. He’s bending over less and more attentive. The mental lapses are a result of being worn down.
Maybe Momma Mcgee should be more in tuned with her sons health and less intune with the health of the franchise. Get on your job PAM.
come on man Nick gets in and Booker is out come on thats a travesty. vesely has done enough of the little things to warrant getting in I see nothing that warrants Nick getting in for that matter.
on another note just some light hearted ribbing Sean I think the whole thing is funny. Not real mad at anyone being locked out the whole roster could be locked out.
But if wall gets in for the Pistons game then the coach of the Pistons saying Mcgee was MVP of the game should get him in. just saying. lol
i've waited four years for that game from him. i would have given him his first key for that game alone =)
by les boulez bomber on Feb 13, 2012 7:57 PM EST up reply actions
he wasnt guarding monroe most of the game. booker was primary. he's 6' 6 1/4
by les boulez bomber on Feb 14, 2012 12:41 AM EST up reply actions
McGee started out on Monroe
Got beat several times in a row including 1 or 2 fouls, so then the assignment was changed.
ok but Monroe did not put up most of his 27 on JVM which is my point
JVM had a great game. he has many bad ones. pick one of those to beat him up. he earned his 15 seconds of fame on this blog last game
by les boulez bomber on Feb 14, 2012 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
McGee was in the week before
He really took a dip in production prior to Miami. If I was judging him on Miami/Detroit slowly, he would be in. Booker should be in. Vesely got in the first week for the “little things” but you need to see improvement, especially from where he should be developmentally. If he puts together a game like last night a few times next week, he will be in again.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
But what would happen
If you judged him really fast?
by blackdog3377 on Feb 13, 2012 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
all good. its hard to give out too many keys when you are 2-5 on the month
a key per victory is about right!
by les boulez bomber on Feb 14, 2012 12:44 AM EST up reply actions
Mcgee had fallen off bad prior to the heat game I agree
But vesely on the strength of last night should get in. Still don’t get why Nick is in.
I would say this every week Nick averages more tha 1 assist per game I’d let him in off the strength of that alone.
hmmmm
Blatche not worth half of Boris Diaw? Really? What will people say if Dray comes back reinvigorated and starts putting up big numbers again? This guy is in his prime w/a world of potential; unfortunately, he’s hurt right now. I know he wasn’t having the best season anyway, but perhaps this 3-5 weeks off is just what he needs. I have met Dray at the Ikon on South Beach before. He is a very cool dude; humble, easy to talk to, relaxed, the kind of guy you want to root for and get behind (he was repping wizards gear too). Perhaps some criticism is warranted but he seems to have become an afterthought to Wizards fans, and in some cases, the blunt of cruel jokes. I just hope Wittman gives him the chance to quiet his critics when he returns.
by Uknowit2309 on Feb 14, 2012 2:13 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
It's not so much about Blatche vs. Thomas. It's just that Thomas is a terrible player in his own right.
And he is locked up just as long as Blatche. It would be a latteral movement and no, it would not be addition by substraction because you bring in a TURRIBLE player.
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 Feb 14, 2012 6:06 AM EST up reply actions
I am with you, and at this point Blatche prolly has more upside.
Interesting in that Thomas was a lottery pick, I recollect #3 over Aldrdige, and Blatche was mid second round.
Now if the swop was Blatche to Suns for Hakim Warrick and a #2, I might listen.
used to see him in Bethesda and seems cool...
but dude doesn’t (or just can’t) play defense. doesn’t set hard screens. doesn’t fight for rebounds consistently. takes a lot of low percentage shots…basically doesn’t pretty much the opposite of what is required to help a team win. putting up points on a bad team doesn’t mean anything.
and its all about that U!
3-5 weeks off with a leg injury means he'll gain 10 more pounds and be completely out of shape
it is hard enough for truly dedicated 7footers to stay in shape through leg injuries….for a guy like Dray chances are it wrecks an already bad season
Nay - I disagree on Young again...
He was a bit better this week… but he’s still dribbling too much… He’s been absolutely terrible at the rim, getting numerous layup and dunk attempts blocked, and his defense has not been up to his usual standards. (Which, depending on who you speak with, and what day of the week you ask, is either terrible, below average, average, or very good)…. But he’s had real difficulties getting around screens, and especially rotating out to shooters.
And although he shot 45% from the field (32-70), his best contribution to the team is his 3-point shooting…. and he was sub-par for the week, going 9-29 (31%)….
He had a terrible game against the Clippers.
Had a good game in the win against Toronto
Had a terrible shooting performance against New York
Followed that up with a so-so offensive game against Miami (but he played awful defense)
and had a good game against Detroit (shot well, had 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals)
Two good games (in wins) gets you in the Palace? I disagree.
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
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