Predict the Eastern Conference Standings

closg00 · Post #181 » by **closg00** » Sun Sep 9, 2012 10:46 pm

http://www.hoopsworld.com/six-reasons-w ... -playoffs/

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #182 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:47 am

closg00 wrote:Sheridan Hoops Power Rankings, Wiz 25
http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2012/09/04 ... -rankings/

1st thought: Lakers 1st? Nope. San Antonio 4th? Absolutely not. With those two at or near the top, I'm thinking this is probably terribly off…

There are several teams ranked ahead of the Wizards that I think are going to end up worse. Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento, and probably Cleveland will lose more than the Wizards. I believe the Bulls are going to struggle a lot. I am not sure Milwaukee will be that much better this season. A team I think that is very overrated is the Knicks.

I think the Wizards will finish with around the 18th-22nd record, and they very well could get the eighth seed, but probably will finish around 9th.

Post #183 » by **nate33** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:33 pm

closg00 wrote:http://www.hoopsworld.com/six-reasons-why-toronto-makes-the-playoffs/

Translation: Dwayne Casey is a genius. His schemes will improve all defense, rebounding, and opponent FTA woes without detracting whatsoever from their offense. Getting Bargnani healthy will improve the offense and have no adverse effect on the D. Simple!

Post #184 » by **nate33** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:52 pm

Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:
closg00 wrote:Sheridan Hoops Power Rankings, Wiz 25
http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2012/09/04 ... -rankings/

1st thought: Lakers 1st? Nope. San Antonio 4th? Absolutely not. With those two at or near the top, I'm thinking this is probably terribly off…

There are several teams ranked ahead of the Wizards that I think are going to end up worse. Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento, and probably Cleveland will lose more than the Wizards. I believe the Bulls are going to struggle a lot. I am not sure Milwaukee will be that much better this season. A team I think that is very overrated is the Knicks.

I think the Wizards will finish with around the 18th-22nd record, and they very well could get the eighth seed, but probably will finish around 9th.

For the life of me, I can't see any way one could predict Orlando to finish higher than Washington. Who is Orlando's best player? J.J. Redick? Glen Davis? C'mon son.

verbal8 · Post #185 » by **verbal8** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 3:47 pm

nate33 wrote:For the life of me, I can't see any way one could predict Orlando to finish higher than Washington. Who is Orlando's best player? J.J. Redick? Glen Davis? C'mon son.

I agree. They look like the Rockets East, although the Rockets are better off at least this season with Lin and Kevin Martin. If the Magic had kept Ryan Anderson, I could see some argument they have a shot at being a decent team.

However a starting line-up of:
Nelson
Redick/Ayon
Turkoglu
Glen Davis
Ayon

doesn't look play-off caliber to me.

hands11 · Post #186 » by **hands11** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 12:56 am

How the Redskins played yesterday just enforces my take on the Wizards this year.

Yeah, I know we didn't draft RG3 on the Wizards, but this is year 3 for Wall and it his first team with a viable roster. And he has put in the work with the right people this offseason.

The main thing that keeps the Wizards ranked low by most reporters and fans is simply the past and a first year coach.

But I believe in this coach in a major way and I see a roster that is nothing like the ones of the past.

Now I'm not saying the Redskins are going to the super bowl. They could still struggle against the better teams. Injuries happen. But that are far ahead of where people thought that would be. They are a legit NFL team now. Watching what they got done of the field yesterday proved that.

I see the Wiz as the same. They are legit. Anything can happen once you reach that level. They still have a ways to go to reach that upper level of teams but it is more likely then not that they play like a legit team this year and that means a playoff run.

Folks just aren't going to get on the bus until they see it on the court. Fair enough. I get it. But am I fan, not a reporter so I can call it now. We have the inside scoop. Just like we did on LeBron. We know he was a douche before the media figured it out.

payitforward · Post #187 » by **payitforward** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 1:02 pm

hands11 wrote:How the Redskins played yesterday just enforces my take on the Wizards this year....

I see the Wiz as... legit. Anything can happen once you reach that level. They still have a ways to go to reach that upper level of teams but it is more likely then not that they play like a legit team this year and that means a playoff run....

...I am a fan, not a reporter....

Yup! And the proper attitude of the fan is optimism, I totally agree and applaud you for it. As to "...a playoff run", that's a different matter -- can't see it. Hope you are right and I am wrong.

How you manage to stay optimistic after these many years of frustration is another question. Probably worthy of even more applause come to think of it!

closg00 · Post #188 » by **closg00** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 1:23 pm

Lengthy Wiz season preview. Rico should make an appearance for a :bowdown:

because the Hoopsworld guys really like Ernie. :-)

http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-2013-was ... n-preview/

Post #189 » by **LyricalRico** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:37 pm

^ Brought tears to my eyes, closg. Quality journalism - it does still exist!

Seriously, it seemed to be pretty even handed overall IMO. Nobody in the article picked the Wizards as a lock to make the playoffs, but they cited reasons why it's also not impossible for them. They showed clear recognition of the teams' weaknesses, but also mentioned the things that guys like Okafor and Ariza bring to the table. And, of course, props for Ernie are always welcome.

I'm assuming that the guys that predicted us to be third in the Southeast were putting Miami and Atlanta ahead of us? I think that's a safe prediction, although I think Atlanta might take a bigger step back than most are predicting (which could open the door for us). And even if the Wiz do finish third, they could still challenge for the 8th seed.

Can't wait for the season!

Nivek · Post #190 » by **Nivek** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:42 pm

Hoopsworld wrote:Ernie Grunfeld: A year ago the Washington Wizards possessed talented young players such as JaVale McGee, Nick Young and Andray Blatche, but the team’s locker room was filled with selfishness and immaturity. The longtime league executive decided the club needed to surround Wall with veteran talent to spur his growth and dealt McGee to Denver, Young to Los Angeles (Clippers) and used the one-time amnesty provision on Blatche, basically paying the forward $24 million to go play elsewhere. The remaining return for those players, Nene, Okafor and Trevor Ariza, won’t win many name recognition contests but the Wizards are in much better shape on and off the court from a chemistry standpoint.

It's a shame the team was saddled with selfish and immature players like the guys mentioned. Good thing Ernie took over from the guy who assembled that roster and kept it together for so long. That guy's GM skills were highly questionable. Wait, who was that guy again?

DCZards · Post #191 » by **DCZards** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 7:43 pm

Nivek, I find it hard to take issue with the drafting of McGee and Blatche. Both guys were quality picks given when they were taken. And Young was probably the top player on the board when he was drafted.

You can argue that Blatche should have never been re-signed. But, as far as McGee and Young are concerned, I don't have any problem as to how long EG and the Zards kept them around with the hope that they could be key pieces. And I'm happy EG was able get something of value for Javale in Nene, a big part of that maturity and chemistry that the Zards lacked.

Nivek · Post #192 » by **Nivek** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:13 pm

Zards: Not interested in adjudicating each of Ernie's moves again. I'm really just pointing out the weird way in which Hoopsworld constructed that section. They hailed Ernie for roster moves while at no point acknowledging that he was the guy who put together the previous group. They describe him as a "longtime league executive," but don't mention that Ernie is entering his 10th season as Wizards GM.

verbal8 · Post #193 » by **verbal8** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 12:50 pm

Nivek wrote:Zards: Not interested in adjudicating each of Ernie's moves again. I'm really just pointing out the weird way in which Hoopsworld constructed that section. They hailed Ernie for roster moves while at no point acknowledging that he was the guy who put together the previous group. They describe him as a "longtime league executive," but don't mention that Ernie is entering his 10th season as Wizards GM.

I think the format is going to lead a lot of inconsistencies. The one part they definitely nailed was:

The Burning Question

Is John Wall Truly A Franchise Player?

Wall is the story that really that is what matters this season. I think the Wizards need him to perform at least at the level of a 3rd team All NBA selection. It will depend on the supporting cast, whether that leads to the play-offs. However there definitely needs to be significant progress.

hands11 · Post #194 » by **hands11** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:24 pm

DCZards wrote:Nivek, I find it hard to take issue with the drafting of McGee and Blatche. Both guys were quality picks given when they were taken. And Young was probably the top player on the board when he was drafted.

You can argue that Blatche should have never been re-signed. But, as far as McGee and Young are concerned, I don't have any problem as to how long EG and the Zards kept them around with the hope that they could be key pieces. And I'm happy EG was able get something of value for Javale in Nene, a big part of that maturity and chemistry that the Zards lacked.

And they played the Nick thing pretty well. They didn't extend him for two much. The brought him back for one more year cheap and the moved him.

Both Nick and McGee were talented and cheap which helped a ton as you had to get the dead weight of Gil fully cleared through the system which still hasn't fully happened but now you are at least getting production for the money you are spending. We didn't get that with Lewis.

And while McGee always had an unlimited upside to him, they needed to make decisions. They couldn't go pure kiddy land forever. They needed more vet leaders. The post players needed a vet leader. They needed to complete the culture change. Nene provided that and the dude is way cool. He plays like beast. He has a mid range. He can drive. He is the complete package and probably my current favorite player on the team.

The team is not without big time talent. Wall, Beal, Nene That is the core.
Obviously Wall and Beal have a lot to prove and we haven't even seen Beal yet but worst case scenario, that should be good core 3. Best case, they could be elite. Everyone else is auditioning for supporting cast and with the blend of other young talents and vets, they have a good group to find two other starters who can fill in. I really like the defense focus of all the players. They will allow the team to build a core approach to the game and if you can be a top defensive team, you should be in most games. Its also what you need come playoff time. And with defensive players, it makes moving the pieces around easier. Kevin provides a nice post game. Nene Jr. Ves showed some mid range in summer ball to go with his high IQ team game. Trevor A has been to the dance before. They have a few potential scoring options. etc. etc.

But I come back to the core 3. Wall, Beal, Nene.
So if you believe Wall is going to step it up this year with his shooting and Beal is for Real and the Nene will stay healthy, then you are positive on the team given the core and supporting case. And if you think this core could be good this year, you have to be pumped about what they would look like next year and moving forward because Wall and Beal are so young.

If you think Wall won't make progress and Beal was the wrong choice, Nene will miss 30% or more of the games then you are probably negative.

It really comes down to that. Now if they can find their answer at SF. Someone who can drive, get fouls, make FTs and hit from outside, that will make them up another level. That is the next piece.

hands11 · Post #195 » by **hands11** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:26 pm

Nivek wrote:Zards: Not interested in adjudicating each of Ernie's moves again. I'm really just pointing out the weird way in which Hoopsworld constructed that section. They hailed Ernie for roster moves while at no point acknowledging that he was the guy who put together the previous group. They describe him as a "longtime league executive," but don't mention that Ernie is entering his 10th season as Wizards GM.

Because it can't be properly adjudicated until we see what they have.

With Abe. Without Abe.

We will have a more clear picture of that after this year and next.

Nivek · Post #196 » by **Nivek** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:29 pm

hands11 wrote:
Nivek wrote:Zards: Not interested in adjudicating each of Ernie's moves again. I'm really just pointing out the weird way in which Hoopsworld constructed that section. They hailed Ernie for roster moves while at no point acknowledging that he was the guy who put together the previous group. They describe him as a "longtime league executive," but don't mention that Ernie is entering his 10th season as Wizards GM.

Because it can't be properly adjudicated until we see what they have.

With Abe. Without Abe.

We will have a more clear picture of that after this year and next.

Hoopsworld couldn't acknowledge the fact that Ernie is entering his 10th season as the Wizards general manager until they see how his most recent roster moves turn out?

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #197 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:36 pm

payitforward wrote:
hands11 wrote:How the Redskins played yesterday just enforces my take on the Wizards this year....

I see the Wiz as... legit. Anything can happen once you reach that level. They still have a ways to go to reach that upper level of teams but it is more likely then not that they play like a legit team this year and that means a playoff run....

...I am a fan, not a reporter....

Yup! And the proper attitude of the fan is optimism, I totally agree and applaud you for it. As to "...a playoff run", that's a different matter -- can't see it. Hope you are right and I am wrong.

How you manage to stay optimistic after these many years of frustration is another question. Probably worthy of even more applause come to think of it!

I need a hit of what hands is on, and I don't even get high.

Post #198 » by **Ruzious** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:46 pm

Nivek wrote:
Hoopsworld wrote:Ernie Grunfeld: A year ago the Washington Wizards possessed talented young players such as JaVale McGee, Nick Young and Andray Blatche, but the team’s locker room was filled with selfishness and immaturity. The longtime league executive decided the club needed to surround Wall with veteran talent to spur his growth and dealt McGee to Denver, Young to Los Angeles (Clippers) and used the one-time amnesty provision on Blatche, basically paying the forward $24 million to go play elsewhere. The remaining return for those players, Nene, Okafor and Trevor Ariza, won’t win many name recognition contests but the Wizards are in much better shape on and off the court from a chemistry standpoint.

It's a shame the team was saddled with selfish and immature players like the guys mentioned. Good thing Ernie took over from the guy who assembled that roster and kept it together for so long. That guy's GM skills were highly questionable. Wait, who was that guy again?

"Who" indeed.

I'll Tip My Hat To The New Constitution
Take A Bow For The New Revolution
Smile And Grin At The Change All Around
Pick Up My Guitar And Play
Just Like Yesterday
Then I'll Get On My Knees And Pray
We Don't Get Fooled Again
Don't Get Fooled Again
No, No!

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Meet The New Boss
Same As The Old Boss

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #199 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:59 pm

closg00 wrote:Lengthy Wiz season preview. Rico should make an appearance for a because the Hoopsworld guys really like Ernie.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-2013-was ... n-preview/

Except for Lang Greene, I'm wondering if all those other named contributors were really just LR or hands writing for Hoopsworld. Talk about optimistic and full of EG love.

LyricalRico wrote:^ Brought tears to my eyes, closg. Quality journalism - it does still exist!

Seriously, it seemed to be pretty even handed overall IMO. Nobody in the article picked the Wizards as a lock to make the playoffs, but they cited reasons why it's also not impossible for them. They showed clear recognition of the teams' weaknesses, but also mentioned the things that guys like Okafor and Ariza bring to the table. And, of course, props for Ernie are always welcome.

I'm assuming that the guys that predicted us to be third in the Southeast were putting Miami and Atlanta ahead of us? I think that's a safe prediction, although I think Atlanta might take a bigger step back than most are predicting (which could open the door for us). And even if the Wiz do finish third, they could still challenge for the 8th seed.

Can't wait for the season!

Oh, thanks, LR. I didn't read every word. I saw those thirds and one second in the Southeastern division and forgot that's out of only 5 teams.

What they've done IMO is just react to the negative culture Flip Saunders cultivated when he labled players knuckleheads. They've reacted to Javale off-the-backboard and him running the wrong way downcourt. They've reacted to blowing cinnamon out the nostrils. They've reacted to neck fat. With all those guys gone, these writers are happy. They like "professionals", Okafor, Ariza, Webster, and especially Nene. Most of them like Jordan Crawford's game. Oooookay….

Fair enough, but I think the only one of those writers with a clue is Lang Greene. He questions whether Wall is a superstar. He picks them fourth in the SE.

What I think is they've paid a lot to approach mediocrity and that every player EG and Ted Leonsis invested in is coming in under dubious circumstances. Most of the veterans are castoffs coming off their worst seasons. Nene was let go because of his injuries and he couldn't play all Olympics. How will he hold up over 82 games? He's the sole big guaranteed contract.

It could turn out either way. Okafor will be way better than last season, when he was hurt. However, Okafor's best hasn't been that good. Ariza's coming off of downers since his days in LAL. Webster hasn't been healthy but he should bounce back. I could see a lot of players bouncing back. OTOH, I could see Nene and Booker injured and Wall still not shooting well.

What I do see is no cap flexibility and better players who might have been Wizards on other teams. EG love is something I don't get. He's the one that rewarded Andray Blatche in the first place. He drafted the guys who will play their best basketball for other franchises. Watch McGee and Young this season. The Wizards are paying Blatche's full deal.

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #200 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:00 pm

Nivek wrote:
hands11 wrote:
Nivek wrote:Zards: Not interested in adjudicating each of Ernie's moves again. I'm really just pointing out the weird way in which Hoopsworld constructed that section. They hailed Ernie for roster moves while at no point acknowledging that he was the guy who put together the previous group. They describe him as a "longtime league executive," but don't mention that Ernie is entering his 10th season as Wizards GM.

Because it can't be properly adjudicated until we see what they have.

With Abe. Without Abe.

We will have a more clear picture of that after this year and next.

Hoopsworld couldn't acknowledge the fact that Ernie is entering his 10th season as the Wizards general manager until they see how his most recent roster moves turn out?

+1