Keys To The Palace
Keys to The Palace: Looking at the First Four Games of the Randy Wittman Era
by Sean Fagan on Jan 31, 2012 11:16 AM EST
in Keys To The Palace
'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
Today marks the return of our semi-regular feature, Keys to the Palace. In case anyone new to the blog finds themselves pondering why this feature was bequeathed its name, it comes from the above statement made by dearly departed Wizards interim coach Ed Tappscott, when asked why Nick Young wasn't getting more PT:
We have played around with this feature for a bit, using different metrics to judge whether a player gets a "key to the palace" or whether that player is "locked out." In honor of new head coach Randy Wittman, we are starting with a fresh slate for every player and only judging them based on the four games under his regime.
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.
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Keys to the Palace: Winning!
by Jon Kelman on Apr 3, 2011 11:00 PM EDT
in Keys To The Palace
Keys to the Palace: March to the Lottery
by Jon Kelman on Mar 28, 2011 2:39 AM EDT
in Keys To The Palace
Keys to the Palace: What Matters Most
by Jon Kelman on Mar 21, 2011 12:05 AM EDT
in Keys To The Palace
A 1-3 week shouldn't be any reason for excitement, but there is 1 'thing' that can override almost all the losing: the development of John Wall. Specifically, Jimmy has shown remarkable consistency lately.
The team was ravaged by injuries this week, with only 9 players getting more than 15 total minutes in the 4 games(!). The revolving cast around Wall just underscores how great he has been in maintaining a high level of play. His scoring and rebounding has jumped, and the slight decrease in assists is partly due to him needing to take more shots because of all the injuries. He also has gotten back to being a peskier defender and getting more steals.
It is important to see the other young players develop, but what matters first and foremost for this franchise is the development of John Wall. How good he is will be the primary driver in the future success of the Wizards.
Keys to the Palace: Short and Not That Sweet
by Jon Kelman on Mar 14, 2011 1:34 AM EDT
in Keys To The Palace
2 games, 2 blowout losses. I am running out things to say about this team. Blake Griffin did not score a point in the 2nd half of the Clippers game (and sat for the entire 4th quarter), and the Bucks were up 23 going into the final quarter on Tuesday. With that in mind, no one earned a regular Key to the Palace this week.
The good news is that despite all of the losing, John Wall and Trevor Booker 'look like they give a crap' every night, which is no mean feat when many nights are blowout losses. Their efforts are that of team leaders. Jimmy showing his frustration makes me nervous about the team keeping him happy, but Cook Book is someone he should be proud to play with. Now we just have to fill out the rest of that roster.....
Keys to the Palace: A Glimmer of Hope
by Jon Kelman on Mar 6, 2011 10:55 PM EST
in Keys To The Palace
Keys to the Palace: Some Awful and a Mini-Rebound for the Wizards
by Jon Kelman on Feb 28, 2011 1:00 PM EST
in Keys To The Palace
In full disclosure, I had some family stuff to deal with this week, so I only watched the Pacers game. I just got back in town tonight, so didn't have too much time to write and really only went by the box scores for my evaluation. Let me tell you though, that Pacers game was horrendous, and in the running for our worst performance of the season. The offense looked like it had no plan, other than let Jimmy drive and figure out last second where he could pass. The defense was even worse, looking indifferent and a step slow - we managed to make the Pacers look like a well-oiled machine.
Getting blown out by the 76ers and having the face of the franchise question his teammates effort are about as bad as it gets, but then the team seemed to rebound slightly and get a couple moral victories against the Heatles and Mavericks.
I'm tired of moral victories though, and the Pacers game was unacceptable. The coaches can be blamed, but Flip Saunders has a track record in the NBA, whereas many of these young players do not. The players have to look in the mirror and be leaders. The absolute last thing this franchise needs is to have John Wall's develop stunted by poisonous teammates, so something has to change dramatically.
Keys to the Palace: 2 Stars, Kind Of
by Jon Kelman on Feb 20, 2011 11:58 PM EST
in Keys To The Palace
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