AFM wrote:CCJ, I admire your optimism. I do have a hard time seeing what Vesely does well except kiss his girlfriend on the mouth.
From 2011-2012, his rookie season, here are some box scores of Jan's best games:
Game 1
http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 00WAS.htmlIn 16 minutes, he only took 2 shots and made both. He had 5 steals. It takes tremendous energy and effort to do so much in so little time.
Game 2
http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 20DET.htmlIn 28 minutes, Vesely had 10 points (4-5FG), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. To fill a stat sheet also takes desire and effort at both ends of the court.
Game 3
http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 50BOS.htmlIn 25 minutes, Vesely had 11 points (5-6FG), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block.
Game 4
http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 30WAS.htmlAs a starter during the team's end of the season winning streak; Jan played 24 minutes, had 16 points (8-8 FG), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals. This was a dominating performance and the best of Jan Vesely.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 60WAS.htmlAlso starting with Chris Singleton and Kevin Seraphin, Vesely in 23 minutes had 11 points (5-7 FG), 8 rebound, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 1 block.
AFM, I did pluck a few games out among many not-so-good. I certainly ignored the bad or worst of Vesely. You wrote you had a hard time seeing what he does well. I agree. You and most other fans watching right now do. But what did you see last April, when Vesely was a starter at the end of the season?
I think Vesely is best used as a mobile PF in a running lineup. He plays very well with Seraphin and Nene because they can create offense, and allow Jan to roam for rebounds. Vesely moves extremely well for a big man. He is energetic, opportunistic, and I believe and exceptionally intelligent player. He is, however, a very bad shooter and he lacks physical strength. His confidence is being damaged this season IMO. He has been slowed by weight gain, injury, and the insistence that he play C; which requires that he bulk up.
The Wizards are mishandling him badly, IMO. What else is new? Vesely NEVER should have been selected 6th. He is belongs in the league, however. I think Jan will end up back in Europe sooner than later, if the Wizards do not get him a more suitable role.
When Vesely came to the NBA, he was considered a SF prospect, but there were concerns EG should have seen.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QZxGrVco3o[/youtube]
Very poor FT shooter, relatively weak hands, not strong enough to post with great success against NBA PFs, and not quick enough to guard athletic SFs. I don't see how this player was drafted #6. That said, he plays with passion and is so long and so mobile, that Jan can be a disruptive defender and a good garbage player on offense.