Nivek wrote:I see what you're saying, dat, and I do agree with that part of it. While I think it's the player's job to get his ass in the gym and work on his game, if I was running the team I'd have a load of resources ready for the player. I'd have expectations established, plans in place, etc. No one on the team would have to wonder what they should be working on.
That said, in fairness to the front office (which I think needs to be replaced), they're already doing a lot of this stuff. Players have one-on-one sessions with coaches. They spend time doing skills work. In the offseason, every player receives written instructions of what they're supposed to be working on. I don't know how much offseason follow-up they're doing to see whether or not guys are following their offseason plan.
There just isn't a shortcut for player development. At some point, the player has to get his behind in the gym and do the work.
What the Wizards have done is acquire too many young players who need to work on shooting and not enough veterans who shoot it well. When too many players lack the same skill set there's only so much coaches can do to hide a team-wide deficiency.
Martell Webster and Cartier Martin are the only guys who consistently put the ball in the hole. Crawford made strides forward this season. Seraphin has taken a giant step backward in accuracy while making a quantum leap in zeal to shoot more frequently. Beal had good shooting in January that was the mirror opposite of his epically bad DeShawn Stevenson impersonation in November and December. Wall, Crawford, and Beal collectively are bad shooters. I can't put that on the coaching staff.
Right now, when the guards shoot well the Wizards can win with Webster, Nene, and Okafor playing their normal games. The single biggest culprit at the moment is John Wall with a .427 eFG%. That needs to be much higher (along the lines of .475) for the Wizards to have a better shot at winning ball games. hands and others are rightfully down on Wittman for allowing Seraphin, who is shooting .430 eFG% to be a go to guy. That goes back to player development above.
The one guy the Wizards really need to tighten up on is Seraphin. His force shots are really hurting the Wizards. Nene, when he has no lift, and John Wall, when teams dare him to shoot, are also hurting the Wizards. Coaching needs to work around trouble spots. They didn't have to worry much with the Clippers missing three players.
I think what really needs to happen is simply trades for shooters and a good draft.
