B-easy wrote:My biggest worry is if Wall hasn't improved at all. Lets hope he is ready to take the next step.
I'm not very worried about that. Besides, he really doesn't have to be all that much better then he was for the team to benefit.
He worked with Hoops over the summer on his shoot. Hopefully that translates.
He has put up a lot of shots so that should help.
He has watched a lot of basketball. Including his new teammates so he knows where they need it.
He has better players with him in total this year.
In a line up with Beal or Crawford, Trevor A, Nene and Okafor, it should be easier for him to be successful by mixing in his passing with his drives and fast breaks. Webster is going to benefit a lot since he is a good spot up corner three shooter and that is an area the team needs help. Should also help get more fast break shots for Beal which which should help him get more FTA. Transition will also help Ves get involved in the offense more.
Consider this for a moment. Here is what he has already done.
First year Wall shot .409 and .296 from 3 with 8 assists 5.7 FTA 16 pts
2nd year Wall shot .423 and .071 from 3 with 8 assists 6.1 FTA 16 pts
If all he does is .425 and .296 from 3 with 8 assists
6.1 FTA 16 pts the team will start winning more.
Consider how weak this team has been at PG this year.
So far their best PG (besides Crawford) was AJ Price .366 and .342 with 4.9 assists
0.9 FTA 8.5 pts
If you don't have a LeBron, Kobe level ball in hand player, no PG is going to kill a teams offense.
Just adding what he has already proven he can do would help a lot. Wall will help players get easier looks.
He adds the FTA they are missing and those fouls will limit the other team by getting them in foul trouble. And Walls drowing fouls will get everyone more FTA because the other team will be in the penalty sooner. Also, he forces the other team to focus on getting back on defense more which zaps their energy. And because of what Wall does, the team won't have as many long scoring droughts which is one of the main things that has been killing them. Is Wall Magic Johnson? No.
But he is exactly what this team is missing which is a legit pro level starting PG that can draw fouls and pass. And he can start a play off a time out or in crunch time. Remember last year to Wall to Nene pick and roll to end the game for a win.
Their pace is currently 18th at 93.8. Last year with Wall they were 7th at 95.1
They are currently last in average pts scored at 88.7 Last year with they were 93.6
Adding Wall is going to help them score more and get more FTA which are two of their biggest problems. They are 11th in defensive eff. They are 6th in rebounding. They are 22nd in assists. Even without Wall the team is actually been passing better. Assist Ratio last year was 26th at 13.5. This year they are 24t at 16.1 That is going to go up more with Wall back.
I can't wait for them to get everyone healthy finally so we can see how these pieces actually look when put together. Its been a painful start to the year watching them without Wall and Nene and with so many support pieces missing. I still feel the same way I did before the season started. When healthy, I think this is a .500 or better team that will be fun to watch. They are just as good or maybe a step below MIL who are currently in 6th place. For a team that finished last year 2nd worst in the league. I think that would be a lot of improvement.
Now they have to get everyone out there and show this is true. I like their chances to do that and I think the team is hungry to prove it.
Will none of this add up and they end up still being bad. Maybe. But I can also see how it does work out and its not even a stretch. They really only need Wall to initially be what he has already proven he is. That said, I think he will be that plus more efficient. More then anything, first he has to fit in and make his teammates better which I think he can do. I think that will be his initial focus.
Should be really fun to finally get to see the complete team. Getting the key pieces out there is only the start. Then they have to learn to play together. Here's to hoping for the best. I hope it works out. Time to get back to where things were headed when they finished last season. Wall and Rose will be neck and neck for comeback player of the year.