GT #15: HEAT @ Wizards 7 PM (NBCSW/1500 AM)

[dckingsfan]

And so ends FAH's run

[dckingsfan]

By the way, the Wizards are currently 9-6. That's a pace for 49 wins. It's not like they're in a tailspin.

Given the strength of record they have played - it is if you expected 55+ wins!

[bsilver]

We will all just agree to disagree. Its not about Beal, Wall or Otto. Its something about either the coaching or we have the wrong roster. The wiz have lost to too many bad teams after having a easy schedule while the Celtics are running away with it and the cavs are in cruise control-> The Heat cant be the measuring stick if you got 3 max players- one a 4 time allstar and considered the best pg in east and best two way point guard in the league- one of the top 5 shooting guards -> Another guy that was one of the hottest free agents last summer and offered a Max contract->...plus Morris (they got one of those on the Celtics too) Kelly who plays hard every day even when his shots not falling-> Meeks who can shoot lights out-> Gortat~ an above average (at WORSE)big man on a good contract-> JS who is a glue guy with a high motor....that should be enough but they still got Frazier and Sato...servicable guards if played right and Ian...but its just one Ian.. WHY ISNT THIS ENOUGH? I’m not saying its a great roster but its not as bad as this record against THE teams they have faced. TOO many all time bad quarters - we had a 10 point quarter and a 12 point quarter in the last 2 games- a 29 point HALF...(btw Houston had 90 in a half-that did happen)- too many bad games. 18% of the season is OVER already- when is a team what it is? After 20% of the games...30 or 50% of the games? The wiz are broken and people taking solice in Beals good half of playing hero ball to only have it come down a mid range jumper to tie the game against MIAMI AT HOME - make or miss that shot - win or lose that game- the wiz are NOT contenders and after signing Wall, Beal and Otto to max deals they are not in position to make any moves that significantly make them better and THEY HAVE TO GET SIGNFICANTLY BETTER. I’m not down on Wall Beal or Otto...but they are who they are and they are not enough to win significant games based on how they are performing.

It's way to early in the season (18%) for all this pessimism. Unless anyone thought we might be the best team in the East, which was not realistic. We were 5-10 last year at this time.
Reasons for optimism:
Defense has picked up, holding opponents under 100 5 games in a row. Terrible defense was main reason we lost to bad teams.
Beal, Porter, Oubre have improved. It would have been great if Beal took and made the 3-pointer, but many great players, in all sports, fail for a while in that situation. It takes a while, and Beal has the ability and desire. I really can't agree with statement that our stars, "they are who they are and they are not enough to win significant games based on how they are performing".
Wall's shooting has been terrible, but should improve. It won't be great,but no reason it can't get to last year's level.
Gortat not showing age yet as some expected, so at least there's no decline at starting C.

On the pessimism side, the bench.
Scott has been the lone expected good news.
Mahinmi stinks as we've all seen, but Brooks has been blind for some reason. Hopefully Smith convinced Brooks last night he deserves Mahinmi's playing time.
Frazier is not the answer. He does few things well - not many turnovers and maybe that's it. He's a poor defender. He can't create for others because he can't create for himself. Opponents dare him to shoot or drive to the basket because he does't produce, so they guard others closely. (except Mahinmi who's no threat either.) Sato hasn't produced either, but deserves more chances, if only because Frazier's game not likely to improve.
Meeks hasn't shot well, because he gets so few open looks. The Frazier effect? There's still hope for improvement there.

The bench has to get better. That's the main concern. The starters can compete with just about everyone.

[AFM]

that was like a "monte playing HORSE" jumper

Except mine would have been 2 points

Putrid 1st half, gripping finish. Beal should have just shot the 3. Wall should have shot the 3 immediately. Oh well.

AFM, you had a good thread record last year. When are you getting into the game?

Only watched 3 full games so far this year. I'll start a GT when I know I'll be watching the games.

[TheBabyMaker]

Can Otto shoot more, PLEASE, no one is stopping him. Not Wall or Beals fault.