Our Projected Depth Chart

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

+1

My 12-yr old was watching it one day and I watched with him. Phineas and Ferb is a really well-written, funny show. I couldn't believe how entertained I was by a "today's" kid show.

[LyricalRico]

^ Yeah, I actually think it's the best written kids cartoon since Animaniacs.

[closg00]

Has anyone considered that Nene will not be able to run with Wall? His movements are very labored.

[Illuminaire]

Nene doesn't need to run with Wall. That's what Beal, Crawford, Vesely, Booker, and Singleton are for.

On any given fast break we only really need Wall plus one more guy, and a trailer. We'll have that covered even if Nene never breaks past a jog.

[nate33]

Hell, Wall is a one-man fast break. We don't need anybody to run with him.

[hands11]

They really need to add a 7-0 strong back up center who can score around the basket. Need to find a way to turn Okafor, Booker and maybe Ves into that player.

Maybe borrow Dr. Doofenshmirtz's "combine-inator"?

Good call Lyrical

[LyricalRico]

Good call Lyrical

Yes. Yes it is.

[hands11]

http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400277972

Well they had another line up change and another injury.

Price
Beal
Trevor A
Singleton
Okafor

But it was more then Singleton starting that was new. Beal via foul trouble came out early in the first even though he scored pretty well. And he didn't play at all in the 4th. He totaled 17 minutes.

Trevor A strained an calf which put Webster out there for 31 mins.

And Okafor didn't sniff the 4th quarter either. 13 total minutes.

Randy also installed a fast break offense with their 3 days off.

Nene played his 3rd straight game and 5 of the last 6 after missing the first 9 games of the year. Still pissed at him that he played in the Olympics instead of healing himself up to start the year. They would have won some of those closer games with Nene out there and Randy wouldn't have struggled with the line ups as much. They could easily have 3 or 4 more wins right now. Maybe more. 5-10 or 6-9 would look a lot better while they are waiting for Wall to return.

Price looked really good last night. Almost like a new player, yet Randy still turned to Livingston down the stretch. Active smart coaching.

Booker still out. Now Trevor A will most likely miss a few games. Maybe a few weeks. Wall still mending. I expect he should start practicing soon. But honestly, if Price can play like he did and they have Livingston, they shouldn't rush Wall back.

Overall, they played really well against Miami. They ran. They passed. They took it to the hoop and got to the line. Kevin rebounded. Singleton is coming alone nicely and playing more aggressive. Webster needs to play. Beal in at less vital moments is good for now. He shouldn't even be starting in my book. This could very well be a turning point game. Randy lined them up better and they responded.

Singleton 8 FTAs
Webster 5 FTAs
Crawford 6 FTAs
Nene 6 FTAs

Thats why they won. They drove, ran and got to the line. 22-29 and 44 rebounds. Now if they can get Kevin to discover he is 6-9 275 and nimble such that he starts to take it to the hoop more, they may actually have a style of play that can win some games. Coaching is the key IMO. They will play as well as Randy lines then up and tell them what offense to run.

[nate33]

Ariza out should be a blessing in disguise. Webster is going to play more minutes and he can ball. Also, with Vesely banished to the bench, Wittman is forced to play Seraphin or Nene at PF when Singleton sits and that's working for us.

I'm pleasantly surprised at how much Seraphin has improved his perimeter shot. It's not just that he can make them when he's open and square to the basket, the guy is making off-balance shots with a hand in his face.

With offensive zeros like Vesely and Ariza out, and with Okafor getting fewer minutes as Nene rounds into shape, our offense should no longer be so pathetic. Livingston is an upgrade at backup PG as well. I don't like the starting frontcourt of Okafor and Singleton though. Okafor should come off the bench with either Seraphin or Nene starting.

I think Wittman should try to minimize the amount of time Crawford and Seraphin spend on the court together. Both guys are chuckers and they tend to ruin ball movement. So if Seraphin is going to start, I'd continue to start Beal, but play Crawford generous minutes - particularly when he is hot.

With the current injuries, I'd go like this:

PG Price/Livingston
SG Beal/Crawford
SF Webster/Martin
PF Seraphin/Singleton
C Okafor/Nene

[LyricalRico]

If Seraphin actually becomes a full-time PF, I think that really opens up our options going forward.

[closg00]

http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400277972

Well they had another line up change and another injury.

Price
Beal
Trevor A
Singleton
Okafor

But it was more then Singleton starting that was new. Beal via foul trouble came out early in the first even though he scored pretty well. And he didn't play at all in the 4th. He totaled 17 minutes.

Trevor A strained an calf which put Webster out there for 31 mins.

And Okafor didn't sniff the 4th quarter either. 13 total minutes.

Randy also installed a fast break offense with their 3 days off.

Nene played his 3rd straight game and 5 of the last 6 after missing the first 9 games of the year. Still pissed at him that he played in the Olympics instead of healing himself up to start the year. They would have won some of those closer games with Nene out there and Randy wouldn't have struggled with the line ups as much. They could easily have 3 or 4 more wins right now. Maybe more. 5-10 or 6-9 would look a lot better while they are waiting for Wall to return.

Price looked really good last night. Almost like a new player, yet Randy still turned to Livingston down the stretch. Active smart coaching.

Booker still out. Now Trevor A will most likely miss a few games. Maybe a few weeks. Wall still mending. I expect he should start practicing soon. But honestly, if Price can play like he did and they have Livingston, they shouldn't rush Wall back.

Overall, they played really well against Miami. They ran. They passed. They took it to the hoop and got to the line. Kevin rebounded. Singleton is coming alone nicely and playing more aggressive. Webster needs to play. Beal in at less vital moments is good for now. He shouldn't even be starting in my book. This could very well be a turning point game. Randy lined them up better and they responded.

Singleton 8 FTAs
Webster 5 FTAs
Crawford 6 FTAs
Nene 6 FTAs

Thats why they won. They drove, ran and got to the line. 22-29 and 44 rebounds. Now if they can get Kevin to discover he is 6-9 275 and nimble such that he starts to take it to the hoop more, they may actually have a style of play that can win some games. Coaching is the key IMO. They will play as well as Randy lines then up and tell them what offense to run.

Nice recap hands. Randy could have helped himself and the team earlier by giving Webster more minutes sooner and Beal fewer minutes.

[pancakes3]

Decently balanced lineup especially given what we're given to work with. That's actually a very solid 2nd unit. The hopes of us becoming the Baby Griz may hold water yet.

[hands11]

Ariza out should be a blessing in disguise. Webster is going to play more minutes and he can ball. Also, with Vesely banished to the bench, Wittman is forced to play Seraphin or Nene at PF when Singleton sits and that's working for us.

I'm pleasantly surprised at how much Seraphin has improved his perimeter shot. It's not just that he can make them when he's open and square to the basket, the guy is making off-balance shots with a hand in his face.

With offensive zeros like Vesely and Ariza out, and with Okafor getting fewer minutes as Nene rounds into shape, our offense should no longer be so pathetic. Livingston is an upgrade at backup PG as well. I don't like the starting frontcourt of Okafor and Singleton though. Okafor should come off the bench with either Seraphin or Nene starting.

I think Wittman should try to minimize the amount of time Crawford and Seraphin spend on the court together. Both guys are chuckers and they tend to ruin ball movement. So if Seraphin is going to start, I'd continue to start Beal, but play Crawford generous minutes - particularly when he is hot.

With the current injuries, I'd go like this:

PG Price/Livingston
SG Beal/Crawford
SF Webster/Martin
PF Seraphin/Singleton
C Okafor/Nene

First, thanks closg. I now it has been tough on the board but maybe, just maybe, they don't totally such. I know its easy to give in and say F it all. Lets tank. But I have watch to many years of losing to want to see that again it they can avoid it.

That is one way that could work as long as they don't leave Beal or Okafor out there to long. Leaving them both out there until the 3 or 4 minute mark ... I just don't believe that will work. Both seem to be better in shorter more energetic bursts.

Actually, what Beal did yesterday worked pretty well. Go out there and go all out. Don't worry about the fouls because your coming out after 5-6 minutes anyway. Just go all out. Tell him we are not looking for you to carry the team. Your 19. Go give us some energy.

Another option I like was starting Nene and pulling him at the 5 minute mark.

Point is, there are better options then what Randy had been doing. If I were to guess, I bet he goes

PG Price/Livingston
SG Beal/Crawford
SF Webster/Martin
PF Singleton/Seraphin
C Okafor/Nene

KS comes in to battle Zaza
Webster should get some major burn
Beal may start, but Crawford get most the minutes.

Wizard 2 wins in 3 games have been at home. I think they should have a good chance to get their first road win riding the momentum of a big Miami defeat. The players have to be feeling better about themselves and the team after playing a lot of close game and now winning two in three and one against the NBA champs.

Plus they seem to have adopted this us against the world attitude. Same thing the Skins did before they ripped off 3 wins and beat NY.. the NFL champs.

Not expecting a win. But wouldn't be surprised either.

[hands11]

The Price injury may well turn out to be the best thing that could happen to this team since Randy wouldn't line them up correctly by choice.

With Price down, they are finally down to Crawford and Livingston at PG and they are running thin on bodies with the two Trevors out. Looks like they will need to shuffle the deck up which should get Ves back on the court.

Crawford/Livingston
Beal/Webster
Singleton/Martin
Nene/Kevin
Okafor/Ves/Barron or Barron/Ves or start either over Okafor. I wouldn't be upset at all.

And to think they let Dray go for nothing because the fans ran him out of town. Nice.

Now they got Price out of the starting line up finally and in doing so, they should be adding Crawford. That is a double win. This may also get Webster into the SG slot which I have wanted to see.

The Price injury might be the best thing that could have happened to this team. If Randy was smart, he would start Webster at SG instead of Beal. But I'm not counting on it. But Beal should look better with Crawford and Nene out there.

Limited options is going to make Randy look like a better coach.

They are 2-15. They need to start focusing on developing more then just Beal which I think they have done to much to soon. Kevin can become a legit stud. Focus on him more. Let him loose. See what Crawford can do as the lead PG. And time to get Ves out there again.

PS. Can't wait for them to get Okafor off the team. He plays to stiff. Can't we come up with a mystery injury for him so we can get him on the bench a few games. I would rather have Barron on the court.

[nate33]

Crawford/Livingston
Beal/Webster
Singleton/Martin
Nene/Kevin
Okafor/Ves/Barron or Barron/Ves or start either over Okafor. I wouldn't be upset at all.

No need to play Vesely or Barron. Just go with a 9-man rotation. 4 bigs and 5 smalls. The bigs are Nene, Okafor, Seraphin and Singleton. The smalls are Livingston, Crawford, Beal, Webster and Martin.