NBA Season Suspended Indefinitely

[DCZards]

22nd and last team in the playoffs? We'll take it. Anytime your team--especially the young players--get a chance to compete, learn and get better it's a good thing. Losing or getting your a** whipped by a much better team is the last thing you should worry about when you have an opportunity to be in the playoffs...especially when you're playing with house money.

Unfortunately, without spectators it will be far from a playoff atmosphere.

[doclinkin]

But depending on the structure of the playoffs, we might get to see Rui vs Giannis again. An opportunity to test himself and see how far he really needs to go before he is not looking up at the underside of 'good'. A few games of that, even blow-out losses, would be useful learning experiences even without crowds.

If it is a play-in game then we get to battle a squad with a similar record and talent level, a contest against equivalent competition.

I am curious how the playoffs will be structured. Will we see a 'Best of 5'? Play-in game?

[Ruzious]

22nd and last team in the playoffs? We'll take it. Anytime your team--especially the young players--get a chance to compete, learn and get better it's a good thing. Losing or getting your a** whipped by a much better team is the last thing you should worry about when you have an opportunity to be in the playoffs...especially when you're playing with house money.

Unfortunately, without spectators it will be far from a playoff atmosphere.

That's a plus, since we certainly aren't going to be a home team.

[dlts20]

I'm with it and would be excited. I would love to see wall and KD but I don't think that most of the new age guys are built like that. It's funny because I actually think that Kyrie is the type to say f it, Idc about looks. Let's go ball

[LyricalRico]

22nd and last team in the playoffs? We'll take it. Anytime your team--especially the young players--get a chance to compete, learn and get better it's a good thing. Losing or getting your a** whipped by a much better team is the last thing you should worry about when you have an opportunity to be in the playoffs...especially when you're playing with house money.

Unfortunately, without spectators it will be far from a playoff atmosphere.

That's a plus, since we certainly aren't going to be a home team.

Exactly! As a fan of a team that has zero expectations and nothing to lose, I'm hoping that a lack of fans will make things completely unpredictable. I just wonder if them extending things all the way to October is giving the virus too big of a widow to interrupt things again.

[montestewart]

So, Washington is the 22nd team of the 22 teams that will be playing? https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/258314/NBA-Moving-To-Complete-Details-Of-22-Team-Resumption-Of-Season

22-skidaddle?

[80sballboy]

Wonderful. MIxed feelings about all of this. Didn't want to see us back in this format, but it is what it is. Hopefully, they can play safely and we can see some live sports again.

[dlts20]

Where do you guys stand on Wall? I want to see him play but I just think that these guys are glass half empty types now days. All they see is the negative on if they fail. No way that MJ wouldn't try to play if he were Wall or KD. I even think that guys like Kobe, AI, and even Westbrook would definitely go. I just don't think most have the heart to fail these days. I could see Kyrie trying which could make KD try.

If you think about it, the season is basically going to start in August while a normal training camp starts in September so Wall would almost be back anyways. Just go for it

[DCZards]

Where do you guys stand on Wall? I want to see him play but I just think that these guys are glass half empty types now days. All they see is the negative on if they fail. No way that MJ wouldn't try to play if he were Wall or KD. I even think that guys like Kobe, AI, and even Westbrook would definitely go. I just don't think most have the heart to fail these days. I could see Kyrie trying which could make KD try.

If you think about it, the season is basically going to start in August while a normal training camp starts in September so Wall would almost be back anyways. Just go for it

I seriously doubt that Wall is worried about failure. Professional athletes are extremely competitive and I don't believe that fear of failure factors into their thinking. In that respect, Wall is no different than MJ or the others you name.

The bigger question is could Wall have a setback if he played. I'm pretty certain he hasn't been able to maintain his same training and recovery routine the last couple of months due to the shutdown. That increases the chances for a re-injury.

If Wall did play there's no way he would play more than 15-20 minutes a game. It might hurt the Zards chances to win those "playoff games" if they try to make sure Wall gets minutes.

[nate33]

The play-in tournament will include the No. 8 and No. 9 teams -- if the ninth seed finishes the regular season within four games of the eighth, sources said. In that case, the No. 8 seed enters a double-elimination tournament, and the No. 9 seed a single-elimination tournament, sources said.

I'm not 100% sure what that means. It sounds like we could face Orlando in the play-in tournament where we have to win two games in a row to advance (and play the Bucks), but if Orlando wins just once, we're out.

Wall should play. He's reportedly healthy enough. It didn't make sense to play him so long as the Wizards were essentially eliminated; but now, we have a real chance to get some playoff experience. I could see the Wizards with Wall going 4-4 in the 8-game season while Orlando goes just 2-6. That closes our gap with Orlando to 4 games and we make the tournament. Then, just win 2 in a row against Orlando and we earn the right to play 4 more playoff games against Milwaukee. We will surely lose in 4 or 5, but that's essentially 7 games of playoff experience.

[payitforward]

In short, for me at least, the more games we play the better. & the more games we win the more games we play. So... win 'em all..\

[badinage]

And what does this mean for the draft? Can we make the playoffs and still be in the lottery? This would be like having your cake and eating it too!

Happiness!

... As the strong man goes full-fascist, and as the regime records more than 100k deaths in three months, and we teeter on the brink of civil war ...

But still — happiness!

[Ruzious]

And what does this mean for the draft? Can we make the playoffs and still be in the lottery? This would be like having your cake and eating it too!

Happiness!

From what little I've heard - I don't think so. It sounds like there's going to be some kind of play-in for the 8th playoff spots, and I "assume" if you earn that 8th playoff spot, it means you're out of the lottery.

[DCZards]

The play-in tournament will include the No. 8 and No. 9 teams -- if the ninth seed finishes the regular season within four games of the eighth, sources said. In that case, the No. 8 seed enters a double-elimination tournament, and the No. 9 seed a single-elimination tournament, sources said.

I'm not 100% sure what that means. It sounds like we could face Orlando in the play-in tournament where we have to win two games in a row to advance (and play the Bucks), but if Orlando wins just once, we're out.

Wall should play. He's reportedly healthy enough. It didn't make sense to play him so long as the Wizards were essentially eliminated; but now, we have a real chance to get some playoff experience. I could see the Wizards with Wall going 4-4 in the 8-game season while Orlando goes just 2-6. That closes our gap with Orlando to 4 games and we make the tournament. Then, just win 2 in a row against Orlando and we earn the right to play 4 more playoff games against Milwaukee. We will surely lose in 4 or 5, but that's essentially 7 games of playoff experience.

I prefer that John not play given the heightened risk of injury due to the reduced activity and training stemming from the shutdown. And even if Wall does play he'll be on a minute restriction so I don't know how much help he'll be in going 4-4 as opposed to 2-6.

I'd rather just roll with Ish and Shabazz.

[nate33]

The play-in tournament will include the No. 8 and No. 9 teams -- if the ninth seed finishes the regular season within four games of the eighth, sources said. In that case, the No. 8 seed enters a double-elimination tournament, and the No. 9 seed a single-elimination tournament, sources said.

I'm not 100% sure what that means. It sounds like we could face Orlando in the play-in tournament where we have to win two games in a row to advance (and play the Bucks), but if Orlando wins just once, we're out.

Wall should play. He's reportedly healthy enough. It didn't make sense to play him so long as the Wizards were essentially eliminated; but now, we have a real chance to get some playoff experience. I could see the Wizards with Wall going 4-4 in the 8-game season while Orlando goes just 2-6. That closes our gap with Orlando to 4 games and we make the tournament. Then, just win 2 in a row against Orlando and we earn the right to play 4 more playoff games against Milwaukee. We will surely lose in 4 or 5, but that's essentially 7 games of playoff experience.

I prefer that John not play given the heightened risk of injury due to the reduced activity and training stemming from the shutdown. And even if Wall does play he'll be on a minute restriction so I don't know how much help he'll be in going 4-4 as opposed to 2-6.

I'd rather just roll with Ish and Shabazz.

They're going to get another whole month to get back into playing shape.

[Ruzious]

I'm not 100% sure what that means. It sounds like we could face Orlando in the play-in tournament where we have to win two games in a row to advance (and play the Bucks), but if Orlando wins just once, we're out.

Wall should play. He's reportedly healthy enough. It didn't make sense to play him so long as the Wizards were essentially eliminated; but now, we have a real chance to get some playoff experience. I could see the Wizards with Wall going 4-4 in the 8-game season while Orlando goes just 2-6. That closes our gap with Orlando to 4 games and we make the tournament. Then, just win 2 in a row against Orlando and we earn the right to play 4 more playoff games against Milwaukee. We will surely lose in 4 or 5, but that's essentially 7 games of playoff experience.

I prefer that John not play given the heightened risk of injury due to the reduced activity and training stemming from the shutdown. And even if Wall does play he'll be on a minute restriction so I don't know how much help he'll be in going 4-4 as opposed to 2-6.

I'd rather just roll with Ish and Shabazz.

They're going to get another whole month to get back into playing shape.

I think it makes sense in pretty much every way for him to play - but with a minutes restriction. Remember, there's not going to be much time after this season and before next season. This would provide him with a tune-up for next season - rather than going in cold. And it would help give the Wiz a better idea of where they are as a team - with Wall. Again - just limit his minutes. I don't want to see him playing 35 minutes in a game.

[doclinkin]

And what does this mean for the draft? Can we make the playoffs and still be in the lottery? This would be like having your cake and eating it too!

WHERES THE CAKE!

Bring that cake in.

Actually yeah with the play-in I think the team that gets into the playoffs is out of the lottery. Still, it's unlikely we make it, and the experience could be useful, and with this draft with few top end hypertalents, who knows the real value of the 10th pick and the 15th pick. (I mean besides our man PIF and his Kevin Pelton chart )

I think it's fine if Wall sits out, I like Bazz and Ish. I'd bet Bazz plays well enough that we lose him. (A strong possibility anyway, given John's likely return). Bertans might garner more interest as well with a solid run to the finish line. But at this point who cares. It'd be exciting to see our guys with something to fight for, to see how they bear up under pressure.

[Jimmy Recard]

Apologies if this has already been answered, but how will this affect out draft pick?

[payitforward]

I was thinking the same thing.... Of course it would be fun to get into the playoffs, but as doc points out it would cost us draft spots. In fact, worst of all would be if we won the title! In that case -- my God! -- we'd have the lowest pick in R1. There's no way to get a good player that low in the draft! What a drag?

Do I have that right, doc? That's what you meant. Yet... you were saying you'd be interested to see hyper-defender Rui Hachimura -- the best rookie defender in years, I believe you called him? -- up against the Greek Freak.

So, what exactly are you saying? That we should trade Rui? Because that way we wouldn't make the playoffs? Is that it?

[doclinkin]

I was thinking the same thing.... Of course it would be fun to get into the playoffs, but as doc points out it would cost us draft spots. In fact, worst of all would be if we won the title! In that case -- my God! -- we'd have the lowest pick in R1. There's no way to get a good player that low in the draft! What a drag?

Do I have that right, doc? That's what you meant. Yet... you were saying you'd be interested to see hyper-defender Rui Hachimura -- the best rookie defender in years, I believe you called him? -- up against the Greek Freak.

So, what exactly are you saying? That we should trade Rui? Because that way we wouldn't make the playoffs? Is that it?

Ha! Nope. None of the above. I think you’re getting Partzheimers old man. Not ALLZheimers, not losing it all, just dribs and drabs. Here you’re dribbling a little bit. Let me get a napkin and clean it up for you. There you go:

Above I’m saying let’s see what we get. I for one don’t think we’d even beat Orlando twice in a row. But if we did I’m happy. I think they’re talking about letting us play the rest of our schedule first. And in that case hell, we may even slip. But that’s not bad either. It’s all Wins as far as I’m concerned: we get to play longer and get valuable experience (unlikely) —or— we slip and marginally improve our lotto odds. That ‘Luck’ stuff that you don’t believe in.

(But even you cede that the Top 3 in most years do tend to pan out. So. Math is math. A better percentage of a top 3 player is not a bad thing. In the current structure the only way we jump up Any amount is if we land top 4. Never know. The chances are scanty. But we’ve pulled a high number a few times in my fandom. We might get a chance to pick the next Kwame Brown!!!!!)

And ha! No. I said nothing of the sort on Rui. I said I think he’s learning and improving, that he defends well straight up on opposing Bigs. Witness him getting physical on Giannis and his ability to prevent that Euro step. But he’s still a mess in team defense. And needs a mentor on D. Both coach and a skilled defensive captain in the front court who can move him like a chess piece. Nah my thing on Rui is he’s learning quickly so he’s one of our best prospects if his effort can let his skill set catch up with his significant raw talent.

You must be recalling any of a dozen other peeps who mess with you.