The Official Washington Basketball Thread: Wizards, Mystics etc

[Going Commando]

We do need a PF. We probably need a SF too. If not SF, then definitely SG. We need a star caliber scorer somewhere in the lineup if we want to win a championship. Everything else that we have on the roster is in place to support that type of scorer.

I'm not convinced that either Booker or Singleton will develop into good starters, both smack of rotational type to me. Starting them together means points will be hard to come by. I don't really know what to make of Vesely yet. He clearly needs to get stronger or else he's going to languish in foul trouble. He will eventually, but for right now, my guess is that he's going to show us some ugly play. My current read is that he's the long version of Singleton and Booker--high energy, defensive minded combo forward.

Right now our front court is composed entirely of defensive specialists except for Blatche and Rashard, and Rashard is clearly not part of our long term plans.

I'm not sure getting an Anthony Davis or Andre Drummond makes a ton of sense for us right now. Drummond a little more so than Davis, but they're kind of redundant to what we've already got. We're better off getting a natural scorer like one of the 2 guards, Barnes, or Quincy Miller.

Edited January 12, 2012 by stevemcqueen1

[No Excuses]

I don't buy Wall not knowing how to run an offense. You don't average 8 assists a game as a rookie by not knowing how to run an offense. That's more than Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Deron Williams etc.

His problem is his complete lack of offensive game. When you don't have a single reliable offensive move, teams will not respect anything you do. It also doesn't help that our roster from 1 to 15 can't shoot worth a lick. Like I said, Nick Young can shoot, but he's not interested in catch and shoot. Really frustrating watching him come off of screens and then dribbling even more and wasting possessions.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

I don't buy Wall not knowing how to run an offense. You don't average 8 assists a game as a rookie by not knowing how to run an offense. That's more than Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Deron Williams etc.

I misspoke.

The scouts question Wall's ability to run a HALF-COURT offense.

[No Excuses]

I misspoke.

The scouts question Wall's ability to run a HALF-COURT offense.

He can do that, but part of it is his own limitation. He is not incapable of running the half court, but he struggles because he can't do much in a half court because of being a poor shooter and finisher. This is a horribly put together roster. A player like Wall needs to be surrounded by floor spacing players and our GM has not done that.

[Burgold]

Could be a sophmore slump aggravated by a short pre-season which is bound to impact a very young team more than a vet team.

By the way, on a Redskins note... some were advocating that the Redskins in their rebuild get rid of all their good players and any vet over 30. The Wizards are a prime example of why that is not a good idea. Although I guess if we did we could have walked to Luck...

[Rocky21]

I was thinking last night what I have read over and over in this thread. Wall can get to the hoop - he just can't finish. I saw him miss a couple of layups last night. It's maddening.

The Bulls were getting way too many offensive rebounds / second chances last night.

It's funny. We used to be the team that could score at will but nobody played defense. Our new look team with Booker and Singleton plays pretty scrappy D but can't score. (Man did Nick Young have an off night.)

Why did Vesely attempt 1 shot last night? I hope he will get more aggressive on the offensive end as he gets used to the pro game in the States.

[WhoRUSupposed2Be]

Wall can get to the rim at will. He's been cold this year but go back to last year and he had no problems finishing.

I think Wall's biggest area for improvement outside of his outside shooting is his feel for pacing the game--varying his speeds, learning when to take the game over on his own and start attacking, etc.

The only way to get those qualities is experience. It takes a lot of time to learn how to manage an NBA game. Rose took three years and playing for the U.S. National team to really make that leap.

Side note, there was something about that summer for the national team that made a ton of young guys take a mega leap forward: Rondo, Rose, Westbrook, Love, Gay, Gordon, etc. These guys went from high potential to stars last season after playing together. Even Durant rounded out his game and went from uber gifted and creative scorer to potential MVP and greatest scoring wing in NBA history candidate.

Sucks that Javale didn't make that team.

Coach K makes a world of a difference doesn't he.

Also, take notice of Kyrie Irving as well.

[grhqofb5]

Why did Vesely attempt 1 shot last night? I hope he will get more aggressive on the offensive end as he gets used to the pro game in the States.

Simple, its because we have guys like Jordan Crawford, Andray Blatche, and Nick Young. Perhaps the 3 most selfish players in the league (well maybe not, there's quite a few in the league). Crawford shouldn't be in the NBA, and Blatche and Young are tossing up as many bombs as possible while auditioning for their next team. Why pass the ball to the new guy?

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Jeremy Lamb or Andre Drummond. Those are the two we should be focusing on.

Jeremy Lamb this year, James McAdoo next year. That's my dream.

---------- Post added January-12th-2012 at 10:42 AM ----------

And honestly, we suck. We know we suck. Seeing people, day after day, find new ways of saying it is getting boring.

---------- Post added January-12th-2012 at 10:53 AM ----------

Or Andre Drummond this year and Shabazz Muhammad next year. That's probably even better than a Lamb/McAdoo combo. Wall/Drummond/Muhammad would put Durant/Westbrook to shame.

Edited January 12, 2012 by G.A.C.O.L.B.

[grhqofb5]

---------- Post added January-12th-2012 at 10:42 AM ----------

[/color]And honestly, we suck. We know we suck. Seeing people, day after day, find new ways of saying it is getting boring.

Yeah, but i just started paying attention last Friday. I get to say it at least five more times before I become obnoxious.

[Samuels]

We do need a PF. We probably need a SF too. If not SF, then definitely SG. We need a star caliber scorer somewhere in the lineup if we want to win a championship. Everything else that we have on the roster is in place to support that type of scorer.

I'm not convinced that either Booker or Singleton will develop into good starters, both smack of rotational type to me. Starting them together means points will be hard to come by. I don't really know what to make of Vesely yet. He clearly needs to get stronger or else he's going to languish in foul trouble. He will eventually, but for right now, my guess is that he's going to show us some ugly play. My current read is that he's the long version of Singleton and Booker--high energy, defensive minded combo forward.

Right now our front court is composed entirely of defensive specialists except for Blatche and Rashard, and Rashard is clearly not part of our long term plans.

I'm not sure getting an Anthony Davis or Andre Drummond makes a ton of sense for us right now. Drummond a little more so than Davis, but they're kind of redundant to what we've already got. We're better off getting a natural scorer like one of the 2 guards, Barnes, or Quincy Miller.

Davis is the #1 pick for sure it don't matter what team gets it. He is gonna be a dominant bigman and alot of people think he is better then Dwight Howard was at his age. He was actually a guard who had a huge growth spurt. He can handle the ball for a big but I have'nt seen enough of Kentucky to see if he is sticking the Jumper. But either way defensively he is a monster.

Drummond just seems like a lazy plodder to me.

MKG would be my pick if we end up #2 overall.

We could defintely use Harrison Barnes shooting and he is a good all around player.

Sullinger is the type of post player we need much like Cousins. Sully will beat you up physically on the block and rebounds. Defensively he is a grounded player who plays position defense which might be good to let McGee get backside blocks. He was stroking jumpers and even hit a long 3 the other night.

Alot of people don't want Barnes or Sully because there not athletic freaks so everyone assumes they have no potential to get better. I personally like guys that are fundamentally sound and know how to play.

I think Singleton will be the starting 3 he is to good defensively and the energy he brings this team needs. He has hit a few 3's this year and that should continue to improve.

[No Excuses]

We are ranked #11 in team defense and this is with completely abysmal defensive rebounding. It's also easier to defend after making shots, so we are playing pretty darn well on defense.

That is at least one thing to be optimistic about for the future. Building a culture of defense now, will only reinforce good habits for most of these players. Won't be like the EJ years where defense, even after it was obvious we sucked at it, was pretty much a lost cause. Once you lose the motivation, you don't get it back.

[Rocky21]

Simple, its because we have guys like Jordan Crawford, Andray Blatche, and Nick Young. Perhaps the 3 most selfish players in the league (well maybe not, there's quite a few in the league). Crawford shouldn't be in the NBA, and Blatche and Young are tossing up as many bombs as possible while auditioning for their next team. Why pass the ball to the new guy?

Blatche didn't toss up any bombs last night (DNP) but I get your point. Vesely is playing some hustle D but he is too timid on the other side of the ball. I'm hoping that will change as he gets used to the NBA game.

[StillUnknown]

We could defintely use Harrison Barnes shooting and he is a good all around player.

Sullinger is the type of post player we need much like Cousins. Sully will beat you up physically on the block and rebounds. Defensively he is a grounded player who plays position defense which might be good to let McGee get backside blocks. He was stroking jumpers and even hit a long 3 the other night.

Alot of people don't want Barnes or Sully because there not athletic freaks so everyone assumes they have no potential to get better. I personally like guys that are fundamentally sound and know how to play.

I think Singleton will be the starting 3 he is to good defensively and the energy he brings this team needs. He has hit a few 3's this year and that should continue to improve.

I agree, coming out of this draft we need a player, hopefully a couple of lottery picks, with a ready skill set. I'm not sure I want to spend another pick on a hyper athlete hoping he figures how to turn it into a skill.

We are ranked #11 in team defense and this is with completely abysmal defensive rebounding. It's also easier to defend after making shots, so we are playing pretty darn well on defense.

That is at least one thing to be optimistic about for the future. Building a culture of defense now, will only reinforce good habits for most of these players. Won't be like the EJ years where defense, even after it was obvious we sucked at it, was pretty much a lost cause. Once you lose the motivation, you don't get it back.

This is also with a coach who doesn't really have a history of stretching defense. Get a defensive minded coach to really teach these guys, and we would really give some teams some fits.

Edited January 12, 2012 by StillUnknown

[Gator Bait]

Jeremy Lamb or Andre Drummond. Those are the two we should be focusing on.

Jeremy Lamb this year, James McAdoo next year. That's my dream.

I used to beat the Andre Drum as well....but he will get drafted on potential. I'm sick of "potential" draft picks. We need someone who can come in and produce right away. I think Lamb can produce right away as a scorer.

[Hersh]

Davis is the #1 pick for sure it don't matter what team gets it. He is gonna be a dominant bigman and alot of people think he is better then Dwight Howard was at his age. He was actually a guard who had a huge growth spurt. He can handle the ball for a big but I have'nt seen enough of Kentucky to see if he is sticking the Jumper. But either way defensively he is a monster.

So if we have the #1 pick:

Do we take Davis and look to sign and trade McGee.

Do we trade down a few spots?

Do we draft someone else #1?

[RonArtest15]

Who exactly is comparing Davis to Dwight Howard? They are two ENTIRELY different players. If anthing, I think Davis projects well to Marcus Camby, but with a higher offensive upside.

[SiCkSoULjA]

We ae in pretty bad shape here people our point guard is regressing horribly. We need a PF bad Blatche and Booker should be coming off the bench. At SF Lewis is a bum and I think Singleton is a great guy coming off the bench. SG Nick Young should be coming off the bench he's having trouble shooting the ball, I think he needs too go too the basket more and try too create foul opportunists the man is money at the free throw line. Crawford and Saraphine should not be playing right now.

I don't follow college that much Everyone talks about how deep this draft is but we don't need a solid too good starter we need a superstar. Are there any Carmello's or Wade's in the draft? I have seen Barnes play and I am not impressed.

[Gator Bait]

Who exactly is comparing Davis to Dwight Howard? They are two ENTIRELY different players. If anthing, I think Davis projects well to Marcus Camby, but with a higher offensive upside.

Drummond would be the one to compare to Dwight Howard. A Super Poor man's Dwight Howard. Anthony Davis to me is more like an Anthony Randolph or JaVale McGee. I don't want to have the skinniest front court in the NBA! I think we need to take a wing who can score with the lottery pick. I'm going with Jeremy Lamb. Although, if the opportunity arises and I can trade that lottery pick for a proven NBA scorer (like Rudy Gay) I'm doing that.

---------- Post added January-12th-2012 at 11:05 AM ----------

I don't follow college that much Everyone talks about how deep this draft is but we don't need a solid too good starter we need a superstar. Are there any Carmello's or Wade's in the draft? I have seen Barnes play and I am not impressed.

In my opinion this draft has about 10 players who can start and contribute to your team right away, but it doesn't have a Durrant/Wade/LeBron/Howard/Griffin type franchise Super Star who everyone knows is going to be a star right out of the gate.

Sullinger and Lamb are probably the safest bets to turn into a Robin for John Wall (Batman) so we all have to hope that Wall reaches his potential (like I think he will)

[Weganator]

Drummond would be the one to compare to Dwight Howard. A Super Poor man's Dwight Howard. Anthony Davis to me is more like an Anthony Randolph or JaVale McGee. I don't want to have the skinniest front court in the NBA! I think we need to take a wing who can score with the lottery pick. I'm going with Jeremy Lamb. Although, if the opportunity arises and I can trade that lottery pick for a proven NBA scorer (like Rudy Gay) I'm doing that.

I need to go back and watch more of Jeremy Lamb.

I saw him vs Rutgers and left unimpressed. I know it was his worst game of the year, but he just didn't seem to have that leader vibe that we need a young superstar to come out with, even when he is having a bad game.

Its not the kiss of death or anything and I wouldn't even remotely consider myself a good basketball talent evaluator.

Mostly just thought I would mention it and ask what games from this year would be good ones to go back and watch?

[Samuels]

So if we have the #1 pick:

Do we take Davis and look to sign and trade McGee.

Do we trade down a few spots?

Do we draft someone else #1?

I'd take Davis without hesitation he alters the game defensively. He can play PF and I would'nt pass him up unless the offer blew me away but its doubtful we win the lottery anyway.

Who exactly is comparing Davis to Dwight Howard? They are two ENTIRELY different players. If anthing, I think Davis projects well to Marcus Camby, but with a higher offensive upside.

I read the other day that scouts were saying he was better then Dwight at 18 years old. Alot of people are giving him the KG comparison but better on defense. I can see the Camby comparison but he is blocking shots at a record pace for a true freshman this kid will make a huge impact defensively.

[Destino]

If you're thinking about improving the team stop thinking center unless we can't resign McGee. A team this bad shouldn't be replacing strengths.

PG - Wall / Mack. Wall is going no where and Mack has given no reasons to get rid of him.

SG - Young / Crawford. Here is a spot that needs help. Young isn't worth the money and Crawford isn't maturing though because he's young and cheap they might want to keep him.

SF - Singleton / Lewis / Vesely. Lewis is gone but Singleton and Vesely are going no where. Anyone signed here is going to have limited minutes.

PF - Booker / Blatche / Singleton. Hopefully someone likes the 6th man idea and trades for Blatche. This is a major area of need as Booker is clearly a back up (and frankly, a pretty good one)

C - McGee / Turiaf / Seraphin. Seraphin has to go but I doubt we'll be replacing someone buried on the depth chart with anyone exciting.

In summary, SG and PF.

[shuler74]

lol Davis is no mcgee......davis is awesome with a offensive game and one heck of a unibrow. He was a 6'3 guard and grew seven inches, so he can shoot and play on the low block very very good player a no brainer for me if we had the top pick. He can play the 4 spot ....

Drummond needs some work, great upside but we have no more room on our roster for"upside"......

Edited January 12, 2012 by shuler74

[Samuels]

lol Davis is no mcgee......davis is awesome with a offensive game and one heck of a unibrow. He was a 6'3 guard and grew seven inches, so he can shoot and play on the low block very very good player a no brainer for me if we had the top pick. He can play the 4 spot ....

x2 Chad Ford said every front office guy he has spoken to said Davis is a lock for the #1 pick. This team is in no position to start drafting need over BPA anyway, we suck.

[Destino]

x2 Chad Ford said every front office guy he has spoken to said Davis is a lock for the #1 pick. This team is in no position to start drafting need over BPA anyway, we suck.

Davis can play the 4 so everyone's a winner.