How Big Is Your Tank

[nate33]

I can understand valuing Seraphin higher than Booker, but not Singleton. Singleton is terrible. I honestly don't think there's anything Singleton can do that Booker can't do better.

[nuposse04]

Booker is the best backup big we have. He doesn't the potential or upside of Seraphin or Singleton if those two worth a damn, but alas, they are not worth a damn. Obviously I'd like to see Booker play 70+ games, but I would explore other options as well. Next season will be big for him. If he stays healthy, we'll actually have a decent bench.

[jivelikenice]

Pure opinion, but I think Singleton has more room to grow as a player and offers more versatility. He's still making the transition from someone who played down low in college. He was terrible when he did get his chances but I think there's a chance he can be the player he looked like tonight, which was pretty effective. He's also durable....

Booker is who he is. He had a great opportunity to start this season but was terrible in the nine games leading up to his injury averages 6.7 and 5.5 in 24 minutes per game.

I'm valuing a more versatile 23 year old who has some raw talent and is durable over an undersized reserve PF who has reached his potential and is injury prone. I'm not saying you're wrong, just how I would evaluate it....especially if we add another 4/5 to the roster either via the draft or trade.....

[mhd]

Kings up 1 late in the 4th!

[mhd]

Ugh, spoke too soon. Kings now down 5 with 45 sec to go.

[hands11]

Cousins had a monster game.

We should keep in mind, next off season, he might want to join John and by then, he might be a player we would want to add. The team will be more established by then. If Cousins can grow up so he is more of a R Wallace instead of a Cousins, then you can add him to your team.

Big year for him next year.

Everything would have to go right, but if it does, that could make things interesting. He is still only 22. At some point, maybe he grows up and matures some.

He has a ton of physical tools. And 6-11 270 and athletic. Not a lot of that in the league.

[hegotgame132]

He also played some of the worst pnr defense I've seen in my entire life. The clips ran right at him the whole game. He put up a monster stat line but gave up just as much or more on the other end.

[Dark Faze]

huh?

Griffin had 7 points and Deandre had 8. Not sure how he gave up as many points.

[fishercob]

I can understand valuing Seraphin higher than Booker, but not Singleton. Singleton is terrible. I honestly don't think there's anything Singleton can do that Booker can't do better.

One thing: perimeter defense against big wings. It's hardly a reason to justify his NBA existence, but Singleton has done a good job in stretches on the likes of Melo, Durant, etc.

What's most disappointing about Singleton -- somewhat similar to Vesely -- is his complete lack of confidence that is completely evident in his body language and facial expression. If you'll recall, in first several NBA games, he played with a reckless abandon; he brought an energy seemed to impact the game. That has entirely disappeared. He appears to have lost all belief in himself, and as such isn't playing as hard.

When I was at the game in Brooklyn, I noticed how broken his jumper was in a way I had never seen. I saw him shoot from behind -- a vantage point you almost never see on TV, and a really good one to assess someone's mechanics. I knew he wasn't lighting the world on fire from the outside, but I just checked and saw he shot 19% from three this year! That's after a respectable and somewhat auspicious 34.6% as a rook.

I am big on personal responsibility when it comes to player development and generally believe that if guys don't get better, it is on them. That said, the way Vesely, Seraphin, and Singleton have all regressed this year has been bizarre and conspicuous. Wall got better. Beal got better as the season went on. But those three got worse -- significantly so -- and have lost all confidence. That has to be a topic of internal discussion.

[nate33]

I can understand valuing Seraphin higher than Booker, but not Singleton. Singleton is terrible. I honestly don't think there's anything Singleton can do that Booker can't do better.

One thing: perimeter defense against big wings. It's hardly a reason to justify his NBA existence, but Singleton has done a good job in stretches on the likes of Melo, Durant, etc.

I'm not convinced he is better than Booker at that either. Booker has very quick feet. Singleton might be a bit better now that Booker has gained some weight to play full time PF, but Booker as a rookie was a better perimeter defender than Singleton now.

[Dark Faze]

Singleton is terrible in every aspect of basketball right now.

[WizardsWorld]

Proud of our tank.... week ago looked like we'd be picking 10th or so... now barring some lottery magic we are 7th or 8th. Nice job guys.

And yes Singleton is terrible. I hope he's not back next year.

[Illuminaire]

What's most disappointing about Singleton -- somewhat similar to Vesely -- is his complete lack of confidence that is completely evident in his body language and facial expression. If you'll recall, in first several NBA games, he played with a reckless abandon; he brought an energy seemed to impact the game. That has entirely disappeared. He appears to have lost all belief in himself, and as such isn't playing as hard.

I remember this! He showed quick, powerful hands and a knack for breaking up passing lanes. He was an aggressive defender (probably too much so), and now he just seems... neutered. The team defense was good most of the year, so maybe that's not a bad thing, but it does make me raise my eyebrows.

I can't help but feel like a Popovich-type coach would have done a lot more with Singleton. Given him defined goals and a role he could achieve, then worked in other elements slowly. Maybe Whit tried that, I'm not in their huddles, but I don't get the same sense of order and harmony with the Wiz that I do when watching San Antonio's bench enter the game.

[Dark Faze]

I can't blame coaching. Ariza plays the way he needs to despite coming off the bench. Singleton has gotten his chances.

[Ruzious]

Pretty much everyone who's played in the NBA has had a few very good games - no matter how bad they were for their career. Every dog has his days. But those days shouldn't be used to rationalize away a players suckritudinal qualities. Success is due to a high level of competence on a consistent basis - not 1 good game out of 10. Suck is suck - not short for success.

[MDStar]

On March 1st, I bet a friend of mine that the wizards would win 30 games this season. Considering, how well we had begun to play with Wall and Beal, i figured we would rech about 33-34 wins. Relecutantly he took the bet. He concluded the team sucked and even though Wall was starting to ball, it wouldn't be enough. By the close of April 2nd, we had 28 wins with 8 games to go. He had pretty much conceded the bet. Fast forward to today and the season is over and we have 29 wins.

Moral of the story:

God doesn't condone gambling and never count out the Wizards ability to dissapoint even the lowest expectations.

Go Caps, Go Orioles and when does RG3 come back?

[sfam]

I can understand valuing Seraphin higher than Booker, but not Singleton. Singleton is terrible. I honestly don't think there's anything Singleton can do that Booker can't do better.

One thing: perimeter defense against big wings. It's hardly a reason to justify his NBA existence, but Singleton has done a good job in stretches on the likes of Melo, Durant, etc.

What's most disappointing about Singleton -- somewhat similar to Vesely -- is his complete lack of confidence that is completely evident in his body language and facial expression. If you'll recall, in first several NBA games, he played with a reckless abandon; he brought an energy seemed to impact the game. That has entirely disappeared. He appears to have lost all belief in himself, and as such isn't playing as hard.

When I was at the game in Brooklyn, I noticed how broken his jumper was in a way I had never seen. I saw him shoot from behind -- a vantage point you almost never see on TV, and a really good one to assess someone's mechanics. I knew he wasn't lighting the world on fire from the outside, but I just checked and saw he shot 19% from three this year! That's after a respectable and somewhat auspicious 34.6% as a rook.

I am big on personal responsibility when it comes to player development and generally believe that if guys don't get better, it is on them. That said, the way Vesely, Seraphin, and Singleton have all regressed this year has been bizarre and conspicuous. Wall got better. Beal got better as the season went on. But those three got worse -- significantly so -- and have lost all confidence. That has to be a topic of internal discussion.

Singleton helped hold Anthony to 36, 31 and 30 points this season. You could look at it positively that Anthony scored less every game I suppose.

But to your larger point, I totally agree. Whatever Wittman and his crack team off assistants are doing, they should publish a white paper on how not to engage in player development for marginal prospects. They have totally screwed the pooch there as all three really have receded quite significantly. It would be nice to see the Wizards coaching staff and FO response to that.

[fishercob]

On March 1st, I bet a friend of mine that the wizards would win 30 games this season. Considering, how well we had begun to play with Wall and Beal, i figured we would rech about 33-34 wins. Relecutantly he took the bet. He concluded the team sucked and even though Wall was starting to ball, it wouldn't be enough. By the close of April 2nd, we had 28 wins with 8 games to go. He had pretty much conceded the bet. Fast forward to today and the season is over and we have 29 wins.

Moral of the story:

God doesn't condone gambling and never count out the Wizards ability to dissapoint even the lowest expectations.

Go Caps, Go Orioles and when does RG3 come back?

Nah, the moral of the story is to be a better gambler.

Before the season I made a similar win total bet with a friend. I took the over on 27.5 wins. On January 14 (after they had won 3 in a row to improve to 7-28) we went double or nothing on 18.5 wins. I won both bets

[hands11]

What's most disappointing about Singleton -- somewhat similar to Vesely -- is his complete lack of confidence that is completely evident in his body language and facial expression. If you'll recall, in first several NBA games, he played with a reckless abandon; he brought an energy seemed to impact the game. That has entirely disappeared. He appears to have lost all belief in himself, and as such isn't playing as hard.

I remember this! He showed quick, powerful hands and a knack for breaking up passing lanes. He was an aggressive defender (probably too much so), and now he just seems... neutered. The team defense was good most of the year, so maybe that's not a bad thing, but it does make me raise my eyebrows.

I can't help but feel like a Popovich-type coach would have done a lot more with Singleton. Given him defined goals and a role he could achieve, then worked in other elements slowly. Maybe Whit tried that, I'm not in their huddles, but I don't get the same sense of order and harmony with the Wiz that I do when watching San Antonio's bench enter the game.

Singleton slipped down the draft. It looks like it was for a reason. We were just stupid enough to think we were getting a bargain.

But they wanted defense and he was know for being good at that.

[hands11]

On March 1st, I bet a friend of mine that the wizards would win 30 games this season. Considering, how well we had begun to play with Wall and Beal, i figured we would rech about 33-34 wins. Relecutantly he took the bet. He concluded the team sucked and even though Wall was starting to ball, it wouldn't be enough. By the close of April 2nd, we had 28 wins with 8 games to go. He had pretty much conceded the bet. Fast forward to today and the season is over and we have 29 wins.

Moral of the story:

God doesn't condone gambling and never count out the Wizards ability to dissapoint even the lowest expectations.

Go Caps, Go Orioles and when does RG3 come back?

Nah, the moral of the story is to be a better gambler.

Before the season I made a similar win total bet with a friend. I took the over on 27.5 wins. On January 14 (after they had won 3 in a row to improve to 7-28) we went double or nothing on 18.5 wins. I won both bets

Better gambler or have stupid friends. Whatever you want to call it. Congrats on taking his money.