Do you still believe in Andray Blatche?

[dandridge 10]

I also agree his ceiling is around 15 and 8. I would put it higher if he had a better work ethic. It is rare for guys known to have a poor work ethic to change a new leaf. You either have the burning desire to be the best or you don't. I don't think Blatche has that burning desire.

[FreeBalling]

Hypo: If you had to give up Javal or Blatche in a trade, who would you give up and why?

Blatche has the better upside, he's very fluid for a big man I hope the Wizards will continue to build on his GOD given abilities and NOT try to mold him into something he's NOT. Blatche is a PF. With that said I might have just pissed off McGee.

[mohammed10]

I also agree his ceiling is around 15 and 8. I would put it higher if he had a better work ethic. It is rare for guys known to have a poor work ethic to change a new leaf. You either have the burning desire to be the best or you don't. I don't think Blatche has that burning desire.

Well stated, dandridge10. I agree that Dray is prolly projecting out as a 15-7-4 guy in the next few years. My concern with him (in addition to his work ethic) is his softness around the glass. He doesn't finish strong, and never has. He'd rather float an off balance, fade away jumper rather than stuffing it down. Still was doing this with great frequency in Vegas. It makes me want to pull out what's left of my hair thinking here's an athletic 7 footer who was clearly head and shoulders more talented than most everyone he faced in SL and still, he wouldn't 'send a message' to the rooks.

[nate33]

Why is everybody dissing Blatche's rebounding skills? 15/8? 15/7/4? WTF? He's not a small forward.

Blatche averaged 12 points and 11 boards per 40 two years ago, and 14.5 points and 10.3 boards per 40 last year. Before his tail-off near the end of last season, he was actually our best rebounder on a per-minutes basis; and that's while still being too skinny and out-of-shape for the NBA.

I figure Blatche's scoring efficiency will improve a bit with experience, and his rebounding will improve a bit with strength and conditioning. He averaged 14.5 and 10.3 per 40 last year. I expect that he'll get those per-40 averages to creep up to around 17 and 12 by the time he peaks. If he can manage to actually play 34 minutes a game in his prime, then he'll average something like 15 and 10.5.

[tkunit]

He just needs to add some muscle to that frame. Not even put on a lot of wait just good old fashion strength training, and maybe get ride of that sagging middle section lol.


I agree with the squats point he isn't explosive but with his reach and movement lower body str would go a long way to help him rebound.

[Wizardspride]

Why is everybody dissing Blatche's rebounding skills? 15/8? 15/7/4? WTF? He's not a small forward.

Blatche averaged 12 points and 11 boards per 40 two years ago, and 14.5 points and 10.3 boards per 40 last year. Before his tail-off near the end of last season, he was actually our best rebounder on a per-minutes basis; and that's while still being too skinny and out-of-shape for the NBA.

I figure Blatche's scoring efficiency will improve a bit with experience, and his rebounding will improve a bit with strength and conditioning. He averaged 14.5 and 10.3 per 40 last year. I expect that he'll get those per-40 averages to creep up to around 17 and 12 by the time he peaks. If he can manage to actually play 34 minutes a game in his prime, then he'll average something like 15 and 10.5.

Well said.

[TheKingOfVa360]

Blatche will blossom once he plays for a real coach. His ceiling is a better Rasheed Wallace, his basement is what he is right now. He needs to be a starter, when he is starting he will be good for 16-10 a night and 2 blocks per game. The Wizards as a team is no good for him. The team lacks championship leadership and the star players don't even play defense. Blatche needs to learn the game from a real PF who can get 20-10 in the post and play good defense.


I expect him to have a good season despite inconsistent minutes from his bone head coach. I can see Blatche putting up 10 ppg 7 rpg 2 bpg 1.5 apg.

[omarvelous]

yes,
did you guys see his stats from the summer league

[ZonkertheBrainless]

To average 10 per forty he has to play 40... no way with his tendency to make stupid fouls, plus he'll be pushed around the court for the last ten minutes because of his lousy conditioning... Hey, if he can stay in the game for forty minutes and get ten rebounds that would be great.

[queridiculo]

I'm still a skeptic as far as Blatche is concerned.

I'm simply not convinced that he has the mindset to consistently show the effort that got me so pumped during the early stages of the 07/08 season. His foul rate is also a remains a concern. Unless he manages to play smarter on defense I simply don't see how he's ever going to see consistent playing time.

[nate33]

To average 10 per forty he has to play 40... no way with his tendency to make stupid fouls, plus he'll be pushed around the court for the last ten minutes because of his lousy conditioning... Hey, if he can stay in the game for forty minutes and get ten rebounds that would be great.

To average 10 per forty, he has to average 10 per forty. It doesn't matter how many minutes he plays per game.

But if you read deeper into my post, I never said he would play 40 minutes a game. I said he could average about 17 and 12 per 40, which means if he actually played about 34 minutes, he could average 15 and 10.5.

[BigA]

I'm probably where alot of people are with Andray. Not expecting him to turn into KG, but hopeful that he can continue to improve and become more consistent. A solid role player/borderline starter on a cap-friendly contract. As noted by others, great value for where he was picked.

[WizarDynasty]

If he develops a burst, and the ability to change directions better, he will be an allstar.