Playoffs? Ya Kiddin me? Wizards vs. Bulls Game 1 Thread

[Dark Faze]

It's like the difference between a QB who telegraphs his first read, vs the elite QBs who use nuances in the pocket to keep the secondary guessing until the moment the ball leaves their hand. Wall is like RG3/Kaepernick right now, we need him to be Brady/Manning.

Wall can keep his dribble alive in the half court--you see it when he occasionally plays a patient but effective pick and roll game with Gortat.

It's heavily inconsistent though, but he's made enough leaps over the last two seasons for me to have confidence that it'll improve.

[dobrojim]

on vacation in Canada ...was expecting like most to be playing TOR so I was sure to bring my Wiz Jersey to represent. Only on page 2 of the thread so far. My key to the series is making sure Augustin doesn't go off. Noah is gonna do what he's gonna do. We beat them when we had both Tat and Nene. Also we beat them before we had an actual bench. Miller could be key in the half court slow down that ChiTown is sure to try to play. Hopefully we can hide him defensively when he is in the game. Our 3 ball game can't go on vacation. I think we actually may have more depth as the only guy on their bench (well DJ Aug) is Taj. Nene needs to punk Boozer. And for the sake of both teams, I hope the reffing is reasonable. Sometimes when a team like CHI sets a physical tone, esp in the playoffs, whistles get swallowed on what are definitely fouls. If the series goes that direction, that probably favors CHI but Nene and Tat should both like that so we'll see. It's a pick em series as many a 4-5 matchup is.

[payitforward]

Yeah, my predictions are so terrible that I came in 2nd in the draft predictions this off season. Nailed Noel dropping. VO rising. Beal rising and us picking him way before went up to top 3. And likely going to have two of the three top ROTY right. Also said EG wouldn't get fire early. And said they would extend Randy and EG for two years.

That reminds me of the time you posted about what a good game Olapido had because he scored in double figures and had a few rebounds and assists - intentionally leaving out the fact that he had around 9 turnovers - and when I pointed it out, you whined about it being irrelevant. When you're blowing your horn there, you're leaving out all your turnovers. But to you, that's likely the way it's supposed to be.

He is a rookie. It was irrelevant because I was posting about what good he was doing. Wall has had lots of turnovers also. Specially early in his career. That is to be expected when rookie are trying to learn the NBA game.

VO and Burke will be in the running for ROTY. As I predicted before the draft.

Congratulations, Hands; you've turned yourself into a complete jerk.

[Illmatic21]

It's like the difference between a QB who telegraphs his first read, vs the elite QBs who use nuances in the pocket to keep the secondary guessing until the moment the ball leaves their hand. Wall is like RG3/Kaepernick right now, we need him to be Brady/Manning.

Wall can keep his dribble alive in the half court--you see it when he occasionally plays a patient but effective pick and roll game with Gortat.

It's heavily inconsistent though, but he's made enough leaps over the last two seasons for me to have confidence that it'll improve.

I hope it'll improve too, but to this point it doesn't seem like something he's been coached to do on a consistent basis. Hopefully he emphasizes that in the offseason.



Thibodeau ESPN radio interview on the Bulls-Wiz matchup, John Wall:

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=10795137

[pancakes3]

And for the sake of both teams, I hope the reffing is reasonable. Sometimes when a team like CHI sets a physical tone, esp in the playoffs, whistles get swallowed on what are definitely fouls.

Or worse yet, the instigators are given the benefit of the doubt and the retaliators aren't. It's really frustrating to watch one team "play toughnosed, old school defense" and have the other team try and adjust but get whistled out of the game when really there's not much differentiating the two.

[hands11]

It's like the difference between a QB who telegraphs his first read, vs the elite QBs who use nuances in the pocket to keep the secondary guessing until the moment the ball leaves their hand. Wall is like RG3/Kaepernick right now, we need him to be Brady/Manning.

Wall can keep his dribble alive in the half court--you see it when he occasionally plays a patient but effective pick and roll game with Gortat.

It's heavily inconsistent though, but he's made enough leaps over the last two seasons for me to have confidence that it'll improve.

I hope it'll improve too, but to this point it doesn't seem like something he's been coached to do on a consistent basis. Hopefully he emphasizes that in the offseason.



Thibodeau ESPN radio interview on the Bulls-Wiz matchup, John Wall:

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=10795137

Thanks for posting the link. Good stuff.

[hands11]

Good retort. So by default Wall is the "Go-to guy". In terms of playoff teams, where does that put Washington? If game was tied 110-110 with 10 seconds left, who you going with?

1. Miami - James
2. OKC - Durant
3. Indy - Paul George
4. SAS - Parker, Duncan
5. LAC - Paul, Griffin
6. Dallas - Dirk
7. Houston - Harden
8. GSW - Curry
9. Portland - Aldridge
10. Brooklyn - Pierce
11. Memphis - Z-Bo
12. Charlotte - Al Jefferson
13. Washington - Wall
14. Toronto - Derozen?
15. Chicago - Noah
16. Atlanta - Millsap

Maybe I've been tainted so much by the Arenas years, where I was 100% confident Arenas could get a make a shot whenever he needed, or could carry the team for an extended stretch if the they were falling apart.

Perhaps a better question is, who on the Wizards is capable of winning a game just because that's who they are? For example, I've heard that the GSW scare teams this playoffs because they will absolutely have 1 or maybe 2 games in 7 where Curry just goes off, and maybe 1 game where Thompson hits 9 threes. That's 2 to 3 games where the individual brilliance of one player swings a series. Does Washington have one player who will win a game singlehandedly? Maybe I'm dumb and I'm reading into this too much, but I can't predict a single victory for this team because I know such-and-such will carry them. Surprisingly I do see 1 game where Ariza will have like 8 3's and the Zards win because that. Beyond that, though, I'm mystified. Oh well, I guess that's why we watch the games.

my prediction is bradley beal will soon be where the wizards go when they need 2 pts

Wall and Beal will be those players but right now with the Wizards, the good thing is it can be lots of players.

I trust TA to take that last shot. He can't ball in hand iso him but he can take the last shot.
Nene can be that player as well if you get him to ball mid range or left past.
Gortat as well on a PnR or PnP
Webster from 3

So with the Wizards, there advantage is balance. TA, Webster, Nene, Gortat, Beal, Wall.. They could all take the last shot. And hell, with Book playing offense like he is and doing his mid range iso, you might even be able to add him to the list.

Obviously you wonder about Wall and Beal the most but that is to be expected until they prove consistency.

[LPHotspur]

Well, can't say I'm too surprised. Though I would have thought that if 18 people were going to make picks, maybe we'd have one or two more people picking us.

[dobrojim]

I will say this though. If Wall realizes he's the most talented player on the court, and is ultra aggressive, the Bulls may be in trouble because they really don't have an answer for him at his best. Problem is Wall often falls into the Wittman line of thinking, any open shot is a good shot, and his aggressiveness is based on whether he's hitting the jumper or not (more often it's not).

How much respect will Wall get from the zebras? That's a big key to the series. Especially early on
in games and in the series. A lack of calls might turn Wall passive which could make it a short series.

[gambitx777]

Well, can't say I'm too surprised. Though I would have thought that if 18 people were going to make picks, maybe we'd have one or two more people picking us.

I do not understand why we are so disrespected! We took 2 of 3 against them this year, we match up well with them. Not only that but we can play pretty good D and they can't score well with out rose.

[dobrojim]

Good retort. So by default Wall is the "Go-to guy". In terms of playoff teams, where does that put Washington? If game was tied 110-110 with 10 seconds left, who you going with?

1. Miami - James
2. OKC - Durant
3. Indy - Paul George
4. SAS - Parker, Duncan
5. LAC - Paul, Griffin
6. Dallas - Dirk
7. Houston - Harden
8. GSW - Curry
9. Portland - Aldridge
10. Brooklyn - Pierce
11. Memphis - Z-Bo
12. Charlotte - Al Jefferson
13. Washington - Wall
14. Toronto - Derozen?
15. Chicago - Noah
16. Atlanta - Millsap

Maybe I've been tainted so much by the Arenas years, where I was 100% confident Arenas could get a make a shot whenever he needed, or could carry the team for an extended stretch if the they were falling apart.

Perhaps a better question is, who on the Wizards is capable of winning a game just because that's who they are? For example, I've heard that the GSW scare teams this playoffs because they will absolutely have 1 or maybe 2 games in 7 where Curry just goes off, and maybe 1 game where Thompson hits 9 threes. That's 2 to 3 games where the individual brilliance of one player swings a series. Does Washington have one player who will win a game singlehandedly? Maybe I'm dumb and I'm reading into this too much, but I can't predict a single victory for this team because I know such-and-such will carry them. Surprisingly I do see 1 game where Ariza will have like 8 3's and the Zards win because that. Beyond that, though, I'm mystified. Oh well, I guess that's why we watch the games.

my prediction is bradley beal will soon be where the wizards go when they need 2 pts

Perhaps I am being optimistic, or perhaps it just makes sense that your young high draft pick
SG would become your go to player. So part of me thinks you're absolutely right. Then I consider
how difficult it often is for him to get clean looks. This leads me to think he needs to work
on a go-to move himself or the team needs better execution when everyone is going to know
where the ball is going. That's the real mark of a closer, when everyone knows who's getting
the ball but the defense still can't stop it.

[TheKingOfVa360]

Well, can't say I'm too surprised. Though I would have thought that if 18 people were going to make picks, maybe we'd have one or two more people picking us.

I do not understand why we are so disrespected! We took 2 of 3 against them this year, we match up well with them. Not only that but we can play pretty good D and they can't score well with out rose.

I don't understand it either. This Bulls team with Deng was beat before in the playoffs by the 76ers. They aren't some juggernaut and don't have a single player who can score 20 ppg. I think the Bulls fans and the media is in for a rude awakening.

[dobrojim]

This BF post touches on something I've been saying all season:

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/4/17 ... cago-bulls

Simply put, Wall HAS to learn how to keep his dribble alive in the halfcourt. It is his biggest flaw as a point guard, and what separates him from being on the CP3, Parker level. Even less talented vet PGs like Dragic, Conley Jr are able to do this.

Every time we've played Chicago, they've taken away the corner-three skip pass. Wall would prematurely leave his feet then realize the pass isn't there midair, which usually resulted in some awkward turnover. Or he'd throw it and Jimmy Butler would pick it right out of the air like Richard Sherman. Wall will have to learn how to keep his dribble alive when his first option isn't there, and wait for something else to develop. Either someone else will make themselves open, or if the defense is on their heels he can dart to the rim and score.


This is why I wanted to face Chicago in the postseason, because the way they play team defense is going to force Wall (and Beal) to make adjustments in their game and become smarter players. John may not have learned these lessons in the few regular season games we played against the Bulls. But in a seven-game series when you're facing the same defensive coverage over and over, you will have to improve quickly.

Wall is the head of the snake, he controls the ball more than any other player in the league. No one else can create with the ball on this team, so the success of our offense depends 100% on how smart he plays. If he telegraphs what he's going to do in the half court, it makes our entire offensive attack all too easy to shut down and the Bulls will throttle us. But if he's crafty and unpredictable with the ball, it will keep Chicago's defenders on their toes the entire series and open up things for everyone else.

It's like the difference between a QB who telegraphs his first read, vs the elite QBs who use nuances in the pocket to keep the secondary guessing until the moment the ball leaves their hand. Wall is like RG3/Kaepernick right now, we need him to be Brady/Manning.

I've felt since earlier this year that Walls success with jumping to pass has been a mixed
blessing. He's gotten a lot of 3 pt assists that way, but that doesn't change the fact it's a
fundamentally bad play. One way he has managed to get away with it is by leading the
recipient to spots. It's still a risky play so I hope JW is aware that CHI will certainly
be trying to make him pay for it.

[gambitx777]

Well, can't say I'm too surprised. Though I would have thought that if 18 people were going to make picks, maybe we'd have one or two more people picking us.

I do not understand why we are so disrespected! We took 2 of 3 against them this year, we match up well with them. Not only that but we can play pretty good D and they can't score well with out rose.

I don't understand it either. This Bulls team with Deng was beat before in the playoffs by the 76ers. They aren't some juggernaut and don't have a single player who can score 20 ppg. I think the Bulls fans and the media is in for a rude awakening.

Yeah I mean for crying out loud, our back court out classes their's by a mile. and really, none of the rest of there positions out classes ours, I mean NENE, Booker and Gortat can hold there own pretty well with Noah, Gibson and boozer. I really would not be shocked if the wiz took this in 5 and its not stupid to think there is a chance of the wiz shutting them out and taking it in 4 either.

[GimmeDat]

Another Bulls fan here - best of luck.

Enjoyed watching you guys play throughout the season, I think you've definitely found a bit more of an identity this season and deserve a good playoff run. That said, you're versing us in the 1st round, so hopefully that run's pretty short lived!

I'm anticipating this will be one of the closer initial matchup's.. just looking at those ESPN picks above, it makes it look pretty one-sided, but I wouldn't bat an eyelid if this goes to 6 or 7 games either way. You guys match up really well against us.

[Kanyewest]

In regards to the expert picks, I actually enjoy being the underdog. I will say though that the Wizards are getting some respect by the people who did pick the Bulls in 7 because those people at least see that the Wizards are on par with the Bulls and perhaps are only picking the Bulls because they would have homecourt in 7 games. Still I expected a few more people to pick the WIzards. It may have to do with the fact that national writers don't really watch the Wizards as much as they watch the Bulls given that the Bulls are on national TV a lot more.

[Illmatic21]

The Bulls + Noah + Thibs have been getting a lot of media hype lately (and rightfully so), I'm not surprised everyone's picking them. They've been on a roll going into the playoffs and no one wants to pick against them.

I think we can win the series in 6 tbh. But to the neutral observer picking the games this Washington team has never been to the playoffs, while Chicago is there every year and has a great coach. It all adds up to the media people picking the Bulls. And some of them were burned by picking the Nets over the Rose-less Bulls last year, they're afraid of going against the Bulls again which makes sense.


Bulls fans will be surprised to find out that Washington is actually a better defensive team than they thought. It's not exactly easy to score on the Wizards, and the Bulls already struggle to score as it is. At some point the lack of offensive talent will catch up to them, and I think we'll see that play out in this series.

[dlts20]

look at this Chicago writer. He sounds like Jay Marrioti and other bulls reporters last time we played them. All of they were dogging us hard and very dismissive of us. Now again:


http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketba ... 1DFt1eE-QI

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Damn I hope we come with a major chip on our shoulders in this series and bring it to them. Too many people crapping on us. I'm going to cry if Beal and Wall go off on them. I'm calling a 7 game toss up.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

I do not understand why we are so disrespected! We took 2 of 3 against them this year, we match up well with them. Not only that but we can play pretty good D and they can't score well with out rose.

I don't understand it either. This Bulls team with Deng was beat before in the playoffs by the 76ers. They aren't some juggernaut and don't have a single player who can score 20 ppg. I think the Bulls fans and the media is in for a rude awakening.

Yeah I mean for crying out loud, our back court out classes their's by a mile. and really, none of the rest of there positions out classes ours, I mean NENE, Booker and Gortat can hold there own pretty well with Noah, Gibson and boozer. I really would not be shocked if the wiz took this in 5 and its not stupid to think there is a chance of the wiz shutting them out and taking it in 4 either.

Less not crazy now. I like the spirit but not happenin.'