The Official Washington Basketball Thread: Wizards, Mystics etc

[Thinking Skins]

Are you saying Okafor should be playing more or less? If it's the former, there's a good reason why he's glued to the bench. He's been AWFUL in the first 3 games. We're getting better production from other guys on the roster.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I hope Witt is close to ending the Okafor/Ariza starting experiment.

FWIW, Wittman has been doing a hell of a job so far. Guys are playing hard for him.

Beal played OK. Didn't like that it took 15 shots to get 16 points, but he'll get better.

I've been hard on Singleton, but he stepped it up. He should be rewarded with more PT on Friday.

I agree with all of this. Right now I'd have Barron ahead of Okafur. I have a feeling that we've replaced one empty roster spot in Lewis (or two if you count Blatche) with two in Ariza and Okafur. I kinda want them to still get some playing time in hopes that eventually they'll adapt and at least become viable bench options, or trade bait.

The problem with Beal was that he started slow. He as like 1/6 in the first quarter. After that, he was like 6/10, which is much more respectable.

[SuperBash]

We're looking ahead to the draft already???

Didn't you just describe Bradley Beal?

Well, I saw a comment about the draft so I figured why not. I mean, we already have had a 2013 NFL draft thread for a while. But Beal can't really create his own shot yet. I'm talking more of a SF type player and not an off guard.

[pjfootballer]

We're looking ahead to the draft already???

Didn't you just describe Bradley Beal?

Because we're 0-3 and the team perpetually sucks?

[StillUnknown]

I agree with all of this. Right now I'd have Barron ahead of Okafur. I have a feeling that we've replaced one empty roster spot in Lewis (or two if you count Blatche) with two in Ariza and Okafur. I kinda want them to still get some playing time in hopes that eventually they'll adapt and at least become viable bench options, or trade bait.

The problem with Beal was that he started slow. He as like 1/6 in the first quarter. After that, he was like 6/10, which is much more respectable.

Barron was the reason we stayed in the game against Cleveland, I don't think he's gotten off the bench since though for some reason.

[Rocky21]

Are you saying Okafor should be playing more or less? If it's the former, there's a good reason why he's glued to the bench. He's been AWFUL in the first 3 games. We're getting better production from other guys on the roster.

I was thinking more minutes. The guy is better than this, right? I keep hoping he can play through whatever problems he's having and be more like the player he can be / used to be.

[StillUnknown]

I was thinking more minutes. The guy is better than this, right? I keep hoping he can play through whatever problems he's having and be more like the player he can be / used to be.

He still a little more than serviceable, but he has almost no lift in his legs. It hurts him on rebounding and his defense.

[Going Commando]

I really wonder if there will be another trade in the works for either Ariza or Okafur (or both). I can't really see many teams wanting them right now, but I wonder if they get into a productive stretch if we'd try to move them before the trade deadline.

Well, it seems like we wanted these guys, so I wouldn't bet on a trade. If a deal was made, I think it wouldn't be until next year for Okafor at the earliest--when his contract is expiring. He could be a really useful trade chip by that point--a good player that can give valuable depth to a playoff team, 14.5 million dollar expiring deal just as we're moving into the big luxury penalty year. With Okafor, we're in good shape. We can let his contract run out and use the cap space to make room for our extensions, or we can trade him for something that **should** be valuable.

Ariza is more difficult to plan for in some ways. His salary is lesser, but he's got a player option next year. I'd like to deal him this season if possible, but I don't see us finding a suitable deal. The Lakers could use him back... a lot of the contenders that he'd be useful for don't have desirable trade chips that make sense for us.

Long term, I think we've got this year as our last lotto pick of the John Wall era. I think injuries will sink us, and our young players, though improving, aren't experienced enough to come out with those close wins like we've seen the past three games. By next year though, Seraphin, Crawford, Wall and Booker will be in their fourth seasons and starting to come into their own. Vesely and Singleton will be in their third, and we're likely to see them start looking like the NBA players they will eventually become. Plus Beal will be a sophomore and probably a lot more comfortable by that point, and Nene should still be good.

One thing I notice is that we don't have any pure "X" position front court players. We've got three true bigs in Okafor, Nene, Booker, and Seraphin, but each are more of the PF/C type. Vesely and Singleton are SF/PF types.

Because of that, I think that the front court players we have to look at are more hybrid types. Otherwise you're kind of wasting your versatility if you get a guy who can only play the 5 or the 4 forcing everyone else around him into certain positions.

I also think the NBA is starting to move towards "positionless" ball because of how good big men are getting at shooting from mid to long range and dribbling.

What I look for is adding a third forward who can play the 3 and 4, but is more offensively minded than Singleton or Ves are. We've three young guards, one a pure point, another a pure 2, and the third a combo guy and bench scorer. I feel we're pretty well set here. We've got three big men for the long term in Seraphin, Book, and Nene. We've got two combo forwards that are defensive types. I see an opening for a third forward that scores, which would give us a core of nine good players and the tenth can be a veteran backup PG. That ten man rotation makes a lot of sense to me.

That's why, if we pick fairly high in the lotto, I hope we go after James McAdoo. He'd be a nice fit for us. He's a bit like a forward version of Beal--tremendous intelligence, great character, doesn't need a lot of shots to stay in the game, super high BBall IQ, graceful looking athlete with a good NBA body, potential for a really nice inside out game. I've seen Shawn Marion comparisons (although I think that doesn't match up perfectly given how graceful McAdoo's game is). Maybe some Grant Hill version 2 (not the ridiculous player he was before the injuries) or some Danny Granger. I could even see a little bit of David Lee. I've seen a James Worthy and Bob McAdoo comparison although I think those are pretty dated and driven by the UNC/family connection. McAdoo isn't nearly the player they were. But it gives you a kind of picture of his playing style when you hear he's in that kind of mold.

I think this year's class is going to be seen as a down year following last year's tremendous class. I think teams will be more willing to part with high picks this year. The only real blue chip looking guys are Noel and Shabazz but both have some flaws. I think after those top couple of guys go, it would be a good opportunity for us to move up into range and target McAdoo (assuming we're not already picking there... :paranoid:)

Then what you do is start working out how to get all of your players extended. Nene is the only guaranteed contract we have on the books for the summer of 2014. He's signed for 13 million.

Then we can pick up the team options for Beal, Ves, and Crawford for another 11.6 million.

That's four players for 24.6.

The we can probably keep Booker and maybe Crawford for their qualifying offers that summer, totalling about 6.6 million. So we've got 6 players for 31.2.

We'll have to max out Wall and we'll have room to do so. We're also going to have to pay a lot to keep Seraphin most likely. I think he'll probably be worth it. These are two players who probably need to be signed early to keep them off the open market. Anyway, doing those things should put us near the cap, but probably still under it. I don't expect Ves, Crawford, Booker, and Singleton to be expensive contracts once they get into their final years of team control, but you never know. Beal will probably be expensive. At some point, we're going to probably have to get out of Nene's deal to keep our young core intact. Maybe we'll be able to let it expire.

---------- Post added November-8th-2012 at 12:11 PM ----------

Shabazz Muhammad. Period.

He's getting #1 overall projections. I don't think we'll get a shot at him.

[StillUnknown]

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/11/8/3616538/washington-wizards-trevor-ariza-emeka-okafor

There are two damming ways to think about the trade now that we're into the regular season. First, consider what the Wizards would look like without those two playing at all. Martell Webster and Kevin Seraphin would likely start, and unless their games fell off a cliff for some reason (which rarely happens when bench players become start), they would provide more production, especially offensively. Cartier Martin would jump into the rotation, and all of Okafor's minutes could be made up with more time for Vesely and Earl Barron. How much worse would the Wizards be? Would they even be worse?

Second, we once again must consider what Ernie Grunfeld could have done differently. I know, I know, coulda woulda shoulda, we don't know what was available, etc. But I think enough time passed over the summer that several more cost-efficient options existed. The Wizards could have released Rashard Lewis for $14 million, or bought him out for less. They could have entered the amnesty bidding and claimed a veteran like Elton Brand, Luis Scola or even Brendan Haywood for a fraction of the price Okafor cost. They could have then used the remainder of their cap space to acquire shooters like Dorrel Wright or Kyle Korver, both of whom were salary-dumped by their teams. It's still early, but those options sure look good right now. More patience would have mitigated some of this problem.

Instead, we all sit here hoping that Okafor and Ariza truly aren't this bad. On the one hand, it's nice that Randy Wittman is willing to sit them if other players are producing. On the other hand, it really shouldn't have to come to that.

more in the link

[Destino]

The Okafor and Ariza trade is looking worse with each game. Many of us hated this trade from the start but what is done is done. I doubt it's the last bad move as Ernie Grunfeld remains with the franchise.

[earl]

The Okafor and Ariza trade is looking worse with each game. Many of us hated this trade from the start but what is done is done. I doubt it's the last bad move as Ernie Grunfeld remains with the franchise.

I seem to be in the minority but i think EG has done a masterful job. Okafor and Ariza for Rashard Lewis was a great trade. We traded away the most untradeable contract since Juwann. or Gilbert. Are they great? no, but they give us depth at positions of need and more importantly they were brought here to compete. they are vets that compete everyday w/ our very young nucleus. Seraphin, singleton and ves will benefit greatly by competing w/ these guys. What was Rashard Lewis bringing to the table? and they have shorter contracts... Both should be off the books by 2014 coincidentily the next big FA class.

EG built the big 3. The best bullets team i've seen in my life time. then when Gilbert messed up, got hurt and was a huge cap hit he decided to rebuild. Last years offseason doesn't really count because it was a strike year. So bascially 1.5 years after they decided to blow up the team he was able to trade Gilberts huge long term contract for Ariza and Okafor's expiring contracts. and lets be real, thier contracts are large but the Wiz aren't gonna be an attractive desination for a superstar FA right now or next year. and even if someone did come for a money grab it wouldn't be enought to put us over the hump anyways. Talk about lemons into lemonade.

He's also managed to get rid of our our team cancers..... sure he brought them here but we got rid of blatche w/ the amnesty. Orlando had to waste thiers on Gilbert. and traded mcgeee and young for Nene. Sure Nene is hurt and doesn't have the upside of mcgee, but mcgee doesn't help develop our young core and wall like nene does. EG's moves have created an environment that is conducive to developing young talent by making them at least competititve. and thats what we do have. young talent.

Wall, Beal/ (maybe Crawford), Singlton/ Ves and Seraphin are the long term plan. But they still have to develop. so in 2 years, because of the vet leadership and competition he has brought in they should be ready to emerge as serious players. and coincidentally all the dead money will be off the books and we will be sitting pretty w/ a ton of cap room to resign wall and make a real push for another superstar. I'm hoping John Wall's BFF Demarcus Cousins. imagine wall, beal, singleton/ ves/ seraphin and cousins!!! throw in a lottery pick or two and we look like the eastern version of the thunder. Ted's vision realized building through the draft. even if we don't get cousins we'll be able to sign a great player or two.

As a life long bullets fan i remember the Wes GM days. or worse yet Jordan. sure EG has made mistakes but not even Jerry West was right everytime. But in my eyes he's done a solid job. He built the big 3 and no one was complaining then. No one could predict the fall of Agent Zero. He's moved on with a new plan and i think its a good one. Even if the turn around is moving too slow for most people, we at least have a direction and a bright future.

[pjfootballer]

The Bullets or Wizards have been rebuilding since the disco era. I'll believe they are a good team when I see it. Until then, on with the 35 year rebuilding plan.

[SiCkSoULjA]

I seem to be in the minority but i think EG has done a masterful job. Okafor and Ariza for Rashard Lewis was a great trade. We traded away the most untradeable contract since Juwann. or Gilbert. Are they great? no, but they give us depth at positions of need and more importantly they were brought here to compete.

So you seem too think trading 1 really bad contract for 1 year for 2 bad contracts for 2 years is a good deal? Couldn't you just straight out amnesty him and be on your way? Or if you got too get Blatche off the team then amnesty him and just eat the Lewis deal for 1 year by having him play it out. Okafur has been getting out played every game, Sideshow Bob made him his ***** rebound after rebound. Ariza's defense have been solid but he is terrible offensively just terrible "Charles Barkley voice"

[StillUnknown]

So you seem too think trading 1 really bad contract for 1 year for 2 bad contracts for 2 years is a good deal? Couldn't you just straight out amnesty him and be on your way? Or if you got too get Blatche off the team then amnesty him and just eat the Lewis deal for 1 year by having him play it out. Okafur has been getting out played every game, Sideshow Bob made him his ***** rebound after rebound. Ariza's defense have been solid but he is terrible offensively just terrible "Charles Barkley voice"

Would've been cheaper to eat Lewis' deal and bid on one of the other amnesty players at forward. Probably end up with more production if we go that route as well.

[Sticksboi05]

John Wall now has NO TIMETABLE for his return. This is a joke. Our fake medical staff misdiagnoses a common injury and now our best player could be out who knows how long. Don't count on the end of November. This is going to be another long season. When he comes back they'll have probably forgotten to finish treatment and he'll miss another 1-2 months. The medical staff tomfoolery with this franchise has gone on long enough. If I'm Ted I throw all my money to the Phoenix Suns's staff and beg them to come to D.C.

[SiCkSoULjA]

Would've been cheaper to eat Lewis' deal and bid on one of the other amnesty players at forward. Probably end up with more production if we go that route as well.

Thats right if I remember correctly we could have brought Lewis deal out for 12 million or something right? The deal for Ameka and Ariza was garbage.

[the burgundy and gold]

John Wall now has NO TIMETABLE for his return.

Link?

[No Excuses]

John Wall now has NO TIMETABLE for his return.

If true, I called this a month ago.

Like a whole bunch of other things, but I won't pat myself on the back or anything. I'm just making assumptions based on the overall pattern of idiocracy displayed by the GM and the owner.

[the burgundy and gold]

If true than this season is going to be veeery ugly. Over/under Nene playing 41 games this season?

[RonArtest15]

Hold your horses...

Wall appears to be on course for a return by the end of the month after visiting with a doctor and receiving what Coach Randy Wittman said was a “positive report.”

“Everything is looking [good], going in the right direction,” Wittman said of Wall’s MRI. “Big difference from the last one, showing the healing and everything.”

Wall discovered the problem in late September, when he visited orthopedic specialist David Altchek in New York. The Wizards projected that he would miss at least eight weeks. While those close to him have hoped that he could return by Nov. 30 in New York, Wall said he doesn’t have a scheduled return in his mind.

“No target at all,” Wall said, shaking his head. “No. I wish I did.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/john-wall-gets-positive-report-no-target-return-date-set/2012/11/08/41e60ec4-29f7-11e2-aaa5-ac786110c486_story.html

[Skin'emAlive]

Un- ****ing Believable! God damnit.

[nuposse87]

Calm down...he actually got positive news. He's actually on schedule and has no setbacks, for the wizards medical staff, that in itself is a massive achievement.

[Skin'emAlive]

"While those close to him have hoped that he could return by Nov. 30 in New York, Wall said he doesn’t have a scheduled return in his mind.

“No target at all,” Wall said, shaking his head. “No. I wish I did.” "

That is all i needed to read right there to know we are looking at another lottery season.

[nuposse87]

"While those close to him have hoped that he could return by Nov. 30 in New York' date=' Wall said he doesn’t have a scheduled return in his mind.

“No target at all,” Wall said, shaking his head. “No. I wish I did.” "[/color']

That is all i needed to read right there to know we are looking at another lottery season.

You're referring to an article from yesterday. He got updated today and told he was on track. I understand being worried, but if he's on track no reason to completely lose hope.

[Going Commando]

The Bullets or Wizards have been rebuilding since the disco era. I'll believe they are a good team when I see it. Until then, on with the 35 year rebuilding plan.

Not going to lie, I find your pessimism entertaining. What's going to happen if you ever actually get to root for a good team again?

---------- Post added November-9th-2012 at 08:51 AM ----------

John Wall now has NO TIMETABLE for his return. This is a joke. Our fake medical staff misdiagnoses a common injury and now our best player could be out who knows how long. Don't count on the end of November. This is going to be another long season. When he comes back they'll have probably forgotten to finish treatment and he'll miss another 1-2 months. The medical staff tomfoolery with this franchise has gone on long enough. If I'm Ted I throw all my money to the Phoenix Suns's staff and beg them to come to D.C.

I can't wait for the day when we can just put people in healing tanks Luke Skywalker style.

Maybe then a team from DC will finally win a championship.

[Sticksboi05]

You're referring to an article from yesterday. He got updated today and told he was on track. I understand being worried, but if he's on track no reason to completely lose hope.

That's an article from the 8th of November and on track means who knows. This franchise is cursed. The least we can do is get a real GM in the meantime.