Nick Young traded to Clippers/McGee to Denver/Nene to DC

[fishercob]

Strength of schedule too.

The schedule with Nene hasn't been that weak:
@ NJ
vs IND
vs ATL
vs DET
@ IND
vs PHI
vs MIL
@ MIA
vs CHA

That's 4 solid playoff teams, 2 borderline playoff teams and 3 bad teams. That's probably worse than average schedule, but it's not like they played Charlotte 3 times. By the way, that +7.8 differential with Nene would tie the Wizards for 3rd with OKC. The 94.0 points allowed per 100 possessions would lead the league in defense.

Miami and Chicago should come with asterisks though. Miami with essentially no Wade, Lebron or Bosh and Chicago with neither Rose nor Deng are very different than if those teams were even close to full strength.

[GhostsOfGil]

^ Good teams with good defensive systems nonetheless. Asterisks yes, but just a small one

[Severn Hoos]

The reason I think the Wiz can be a playoff team next year is because they are showing in the past month that they can beat the teams that they should beat. Whether it's Charlotte and Milwaukee at "full strength" or Miami & Chicago with their stars out, they have taken care of business. Wins against the Lakers and OKC are nice, but if you give back the gimmes, you'll be sitting on your couch come playoff time.

And even some of the losses - Indiana, Atlanta, Detroit - they had big leads but just didn't have the horses to finish. With reasonable health and some new players (draft picks, J. Singleton, maybe a FA), those games would be Ws next year.

Still on the fence about Wittman. I do like what the team has become - and if the players (particularly Wall) are supportive, then I guess I'd bring him back. But I also see this as the opportunity to set the course for the next 5-10 years. Becoming a tough call...

[dobrojim]

I think it's completely possible for us to be a playoff team next year without
much of a contribution from whatever rookies we end up getting.

C- Sera, Nene, JSing
PF - Ves, Book, JSing
SF - CSing, Martin, Evans OR Crowder!!!!
SG - Beal(?), Craw, Martin/Evans
PG - Wall, Mack

I expect that team, if healthy, would finish with 5-8 seed

[Ruzious]

Strength of schedule too.

The schedule with Nene hasn't been that weak:
@ NJ
vs IND
vs ATL
vs DET
@ IND
vs PHI
vs MIL
@ MIA
vs CHA

That's 4 solid playoff teams, 2 borderline playoff teams and 3 bad teams. That's probably worse than average schedule, but it's not like they played Charlotte 3 times. By the way, that +7.8 differential with Nene would tie the Wizards for 3rd with OKC. The 94.0 points allowed per 100 possessions would lead the league in defense.

Miami and Chicago should come with asterisks though. Miami with essentially no Wade, Lebron or Bosh and Chicago with neither Rose nor Deng are very different than if those teams were even close to full strength.

Plus NJ and Cha weren't just bad; they're epically bad. Not that Nene hasn't had a great effect, but that 7.8 shouldn't just be taken with a grain of salt; it should be taken with the proverbial pound and a half.

[nate33]

Plus NJ and Cha weren't just bad; they're epically bad. Not that Nene hasn't had a great effect, but that 7.8 shouldn't just be taken with a grain of salt; it should be taken with the proverbial pound and a half.

Oh, I agree. I'm not standing here arguing that the Wizards are the third best team in the league with the league's best defense. But I do think that post-trade statistical sample is growing large enough to become meaningful. And the fact that our point differential suggest a near -.500 team despite missing Nene for 14 of those 23 games is extremely encouraging.

[hands11]

Keep the stats coming Nate. The late to get it folks will come around eventually though I expect some hard core hold outs that won't get it until the playoffs are a lock.

I give you credit for changing your view from what it was.

[montestewart]

Keep the stats coming Nate. The late to get it folks will come around eventually though I expect some hard core hold outs that won't get it until the playoffs are a lock.

I give you credit for changing your view from what it was.

Name some names Hands.

[hands11]

Keep the stats coming Nate. The late to get it folks will come around eventually though I expect some hard core hold outs that won't get it until the playoffs are a lock.

I give you credit for changing your view from what it was.

Name some names Hands.

You mean you want me to click a few pages back and start reporting ?

Maybe another time.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=320424001

At least Nick is starting to ball. lol

Should be interesting to see what kind of offers Nick and McGee get. Starting price was what again.

9M and 14M ?

Had that not gotten moved, who knows what either would have been offered.

[montestewart]

I'm guessing their new starting prices will probably be around 6M and 10M respectively, and work downward from there. Young might be lucky if he gets much of a raise from this year.

[hands11]

I'm guessing their new starting prices will probably be around 6M and 10M respectively, and work downward from there. Young might be lucky if he gets much of a raise from this year.

Funny thing is if Nick stays on a winning team whereby he needs to improve his game to get minutes, I think he could become a valuable asset by the time he is 28. Maybe even next year.

Moving Nick and McGee out of here was best for them and for the Wizards. They need to be on more establish teams where they are forced to fit in to get minutes. Established team with leaders. CP3 should be really good a Nick. CP is a serious dude. Plus CB is there. I think in time, if he stays there, Nick should be ok. But in not being a starter, hard to see Nick getting much. 4M feel about right. Because of that, wounder if Nick chases the money to a lessor team where he can start again and get more money. Or will they let Foye walk and keep Nick as the starter ?

Had Nick taken to instructions better earlier in his career, he would be in a much better position. As it stands, its looking like he blow it. We will see. I mean so far, he can't beat Foye out of the starting line up. But lots can change.

Funny thing is the Clips have so many X Wizards. Two guards and two SFs. I guess all the Wizards needed was to add Blake and CP3 and they would have been winners.

[keynote]

TNT/NBA posted a poll during their "Shaqtin' A Fool" segment: worst McGee play.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2012/04/2 ... in-a-fool/

Of course, the Inside the NBA gang kept saying "oh, McGee was turrible when he was a Wizard. He's better now as a Nugget." "There's something bad in the water in DC," etc. Blaming the Wizards' for McGee's goofy knuckleheaded ways.

[fishercob]

That sucks, key. It hurts. McGee is no longer here to bring shame on to the franchise though. So there's that.

[Ruzious]

Nick's going to get very little interest in free agency and is not going to get 6 mil or whatever number people have been throwing out. After his 2 games where he supposedly getting better, he's followed up by scoring a total of 10 points in the last 3 games - with zero foul shots and pretty much zeroes in everything else. After so many years, you are what you are. Nick will have a couple good games and fool people that he's turning the corner. Then he'll revert back. Consistency isn't a luxury; it's a necessity to succeed in the NBA, and Nick is only consistent in what he doesn't do.

[nate33]

Nick's going to get very little interest in free agency and is not going to get 6 mil or whatever number people have been throwing out. After his 2 games where he supposedly getting better, he's followed up by scoring a total of 10 points in the last 3 games - with zero foul shots and pretty much zeroes in everything else. After so many years, you are what you are. Nick will have a couple good games and fool people that he's turning the corner. Then he'll revert back. Consistency isn't a luxury; it's a necessity to succeed in the NBA, and Nick is only consistent in what he doesn't do.

I'm really surprised at how poorly Young has performed in LA. I figured he'd be set with a big man like Griffin to draw defensive attention, and a PG like Paul to get him the ball in his favorite spots. I thought he'd shoot about 40% from 3-point range, play some good D, and fill a lane on the fast break. It was a perfect opportunity for him.

He blew it.

[TGW]

That sucks, key. It hurts. McGee is no longer here to bring shame on to the franchise though. So there's that.

So embarassing. To think, some people were actually defending that jackass.

Even though I can't stand EG, and despite the massive contract, Nene is a godsend for this team.

[Nivek]

Why would folks be surprised that Young isn't playing well for the Clippers? It took him almost three and a half years in Washington to learn the playbook, and even then it was because Flip stripped it down to almost nothing. Coming into a playoff-bound team mid-season, Young had to adapt to what they were doing -- the coaches didn't have time to hand-craft an offense around what he can remember. They needed him to come in and use hoops IQ to fit in. And "hoops IQ" isn't one of Young's strengths.

Also worth pointing out that Young's play in LA is about the same as it was in DC this season. Same efg. Within 2 made 3pters from shooting the same percentage from 3. His FT% is down a shade, but is a) still excellent; and b) within 2 made free throws of what he shot in Washington this season. Rebounding is about the same, ditto for steals and blocks. His usage is down a little, his turnovers up slightly but still low. His assists are down, but they were already incredibly low. The production he provided in Washington is basically the same production he's providing for the Clippers.

[montestewart]

^
McGee's production isn't strikingly different either (better FG%).

[youngthegiant]

Update on mcgee:

So McGee has had his up and downs in Denver. Started off decent, than had a really bad stretch that sent him to the bench. But as the nuggets have come together these last few games, McGee has been able to show some vast improvement. The coaching staff is doing an incredible job on him defensively. It has been awhile since he has committed a boneheaded play. He no longer tries to jump up and block everything. He is doing a good job in the short amount the staff has worked with him. Cannot wait to see him next season, when we get him in shape and help him improve his post game.

[Zonkerbl]

Update on mcgee:

So McGee has had his up and downs in Denver. Started off decent, than had a really bad stretch that sent him to the bench. But as the nuggets have come together these last few games, McGee has been able to show some vast improvement. The coaching staff is doing an incredible job on him defensively. It has been awhile since he has committed a boneheaded play. He no longer tries to jump up and block everything. He is doing a good job in the short amount the staff has worked with him. Cannot wait to see him next season, when we get him in shape and help him improve his post game.

Oh, sure, rub it in.