How do you fix this team?

[Severn Hoos]

Complete list of 2011 and 2012 FA's.
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b8ksw

Wow, that's a lot of.....garbage.

One interesting name, though. Suppose the Wiz draft Sullinger & trade Blatche. The frontline would consist of Sullinger, Booker, Seraphin, and McGee, in no particular order. The one thing that group desperately needs is a big who can stretch the floor and keep defenses from clogging the lane - especially if you ever want Wall to see year 4 in the league.

According to that list, Ryan Anderson will be an unrestricted Free Agent in 2012.

Just sayin'.

[WizarDynasty]

Sullinger is always going to be a 6th man bench player on a championship team because he gives up defense everything that he earns for you offensively. Those type of players are normally bench players on a deep playoff teams. Jason terry of powerforwards.

Definitely not a two way player but a helpful player. You always run the problem of stephen curry playing shooting guard trying to guard kobe bryant. Same thing happens with sullinger. Very good offensively but can't be a starter because he can't guard the top powerforwards in the game effectively because he is undersized.

[fishercob]

Sullinger is always going to be a 6th man bench player on a championship team because he gives up defense everything that he earns for you offensively. Those type of players are normally bench players on a deep playoff teams. Jason terry of powerforwards.

Definitely not a two way player but a helpful player. You always run the problem of stephen curry playing shooting guard trying to guard kobe bryant. Same thing happens with sullinger. Very good offensively but can't be a starter because he can't guard the top powerforwards in the game effectively because he is undersized.

It's a very interesting point. Something to consider when comparing Sullinger and Kanter side by side. Kanter is 6-11 can match up better with prototype 4's.

[nuposse04]

Sullinger is always going to be a 6th man bench player on a championship team because he gives up defense everything that he earns for you offensively. Those type of players are normally bench players on a deep playoff teams. Jason terry of powerforwards.

Definitely not a two way player but a helpful player. You always run the problem of stephen curry playing shooting guard trying to guard kobe bryant. Same thing happens with sullinger. Very good offensively but can't be a starter because he can't guard the top powerforwards in the game effectively because he is undersized.

It's a very interesting point. Something to consider when comparing Sullinger and Kanter side by side. Kanter is 6-11 can match up better with prototype 4's.

Sullinger is also 18 I think, he still has some growing to do (potentially). Kanter isn't a bad consolation prize, but Sullinger could be something special I think. At 6'9, Sullinger isn't really that undersized at the 4.

[DaRealHibachi]

Sullinger is always going to be a 6th man bench player on a championship team because he gives up defense everything that he earns for you offensively. Those type of players are normally bench players on a deep playoff teams. Jason terry of powerforwards.

Definitely not a two way player but a helpful player. You always run the problem of stephen curry playing shooting guard trying to guard kobe bryant. Same thing happens with sullinger. Very good offensively but can't be a starter because he can't guard the top powerforwards in the game effectively because he is undersized.

It's a very interesting point. Something to consider when comparing Sullinger and Kanter side by side. Kanter is 6-11 can match up better with prototype 4's.

Sullinger is also 18 I think, he still has some growing to do (potentially). Kanter isn't a bad consolation prize, but Sullinger could be something special I think. At 6'9, Sullinger isn't really that undersized at the 4.

AJ undersized right...???

Anyway, I wouldn't be mad if we draft him... He fills a huge need on this team, since no one (or atleast those who should) on this team can rebound...

[nuposse04]

Jamison's game was undersized to begin with. Assuming Sullinger doesn't grow at all, even still at 6'9 his game is with a lot energy and he hasn't decent enough athleticism to compensate with his physical limitations. As many have said, his motor is whats going to be great for the team. He could essentially be a taller booker with greater offensive abilities at 19 years old for us should we get the chance to draft him. I'm not sure what I'd be expecting with Kanter.

[crackhed]

Well, we see Blatche's ceiling now. He's a skilled player who can get you some offensive production, plays better defense than Jamison, has an ongoing problem with focus. You get the feeling that not only has McGee not hit his ceiling but he hasn't even finished growing into his frame yet.

Hey, maybe he's got ADD. Give that boy some ritalin and see what happens. Wasn't there an article in the WaPo about a Nats player that improved tremendously after being diagnosed with adult ADD?

in the right hands, i think both blatche and mcgee can be outstanding.
they both have the tools, they just need a respected coach with a legit system and a no-nonsense approach imo.

[hands11]

McGee keeps making the same mistakes over and over. I have no problem with the team starting Seraphin and Booker. However, I want to know if McGee is so bad how is this possible:

[http://www.82games.com/1011/10WAS16.HTM

Code: Select all

                   Stat      ON Court   OFF Court   Net
                   Minutes   1033       858         54%
Offense: Pts per 100 Poss.   107.0      99.7        +7.3
Defense: Pts per 100 Poss.   108.9     111.0        -2.2
Net Points per100 Possessions -1.9     -11.4        +9.4


Javale is on the court for the Wizards approximately 54% of the time, or about 26 minutes a game.
When McGee is on the court the offense scores 107 points per 100 possessions.
When McGee is off the court the offense scores 99.7 points per 100 possessions.

Over the average 48 minute game, the Wizards would score 7.3 pointes more points with McGee than without. He makes the offense MUCH better.

When Javale is on the court the defense allows 108.9 points per 100 possessions.
When Javale is off the court the defense allows 111.0 points per 100 possessions.

Over average 100 possessions the defense allows 2.1 points less with McGee playing. He even is an improvement defensively.

The team net is +9.4 points/48 minutes with McGee on the court

If you don't like that look at PER. His is 16.5, a slight dip from 17 the past couple seasons.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... eja01.html

And if you don't like those particular metrics, here's a list of Cs sorted by efficiency per 48 minutes.

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fa ... /6/eff/1-3

Javale is 26th out of 90, right after Bogut (25) and ahead of Okafor (27). He's also ahead of Kaman, Marc Gasol, Biedrins, Cousins, Robin Lopez, Haywood, and Seraphin.

In my opinion, McGee is a tremendous athlete and creative thinker who is playing for the WRONG COACH and in the WRONG SYSTEM. Telling a guy to do what he CANNOT DO WELL and penalizing him when he fails at it is part of the reason Flip's lost 16 of the last 18 and is 40 up and 104 oor so down the past two seasons.

Javale McGee is a good player IMO.

The data from 82games was last updated on January 19. Look at data updated through March 2 at http://www.basketballvalue.com, and it shows the Wizards +7.15 per 100 possessions offensively when McGee is on the floor, and 0.99 points per 100 worse defensively. The adjusted +/- data on the site (which is based on Dan Rosenbaum's work) indicates the standard error exceeds McGee's APM, which means the data isn't very reliable.

But, let's look at the offensive number anyway. Could McGee be responsible for making the Wizards 7.1 points per 100 possessions better offensively? Well, let's see. He is the team's most efficient regular (using offensive rating), but he's also low usage (basically the lowest usage rate of any regular). His offensive rebounding is pretty good, which helps. He doesn't commit many turnovers. On the other hand, players have indicated he doesn't know the playbook very well. He's not a good screener and his offensive game when they go to him in the post is primitive. Shoot him in short-shorts and on black-and-white film, he'd look like someone from the late 50s or early 60s.

Basically, I have a tough time attributing the team being better offensively when McGee is on the floor to McGee. So, why would there be this difference? Maybe it's because a significant share of the other center minutes have been consumed by Hilton Armstrong (-8.44 offensively), Yi (basically no difference), and Seraphin (-2.32). I think everyone can agree that McGee is a better center than Armstrong, Yi and Seraphin. That's a far different statement than saying McGee is a good NBA center.

I agree with you completely that McGee is a tremendous athlete. I even agree he's creative. He's not a PF, though -- he has zero PF skills. Maybe a team could use him there with a good shooting center. But, he has the size and game of a center.

Almost three seasons into his pro career, he's still getting by almost exclusively on athleticism. Out of curiosity, how is a coach supposed to help a player improve if he's not supposed to tell a guy what his weaknesses are?

I mean, if we're making a list of McGee's strengths, what are they exactly? Running and jumping. Dunking. Blocking shots.

What does he need to work on? Shooting. Strength. Learning the playbook. Boxing out. Positional defense. Not goaltending. Running the floor hard in both directions. Concentration. A post-up game. Setting screens. Others can probably think of more.

The guy produces nice box score stats because he's one of the top athletes in the NBA -- which is really saying something considering the level of athleticism in the league. But he needs to learn how to play basketball in a way that can help a team win games.

Thanks for digging up the updated stats. That's what I was saying to CCJ stats about McGee.

What was behind him ? Also, who plays with those players behind him was the second half of it.

I still like McGee for a year or two down the road, but for now, he doesn't have what we need in a starting center and he isn't going to fix what is missing in these final games. He got his burn as a starter, time to move him to back up.

[hands11]

I'm with CCJ on starting Booker and McGee. Maybe some of Booker's toughness could rub off on McGee.

As for McGee at PF, every one of his flaws would be magnified at PF because he'd have guard people away from the hoop a significant part of the time. He'd have a ton of trouble with stretch 4s. Plus, it would negate his biggest defensive asset -- the ability to block shots. Even though he makes a TON of defensive mistakes, he still can intimidate players who enter the paint. Keep him at center.

You can agree that you want to see that but IMO it is less likely to happen vs

Booker/Dray

or

Dray/Seraphin

If someone is going to the bench to end this season and it is between Dray and McGee, how likely is it really that it is Dray that goes ? Specially if you want to move him at some point.

[Ruzious]

They could try playing the 3 together for stretches - McGee, Blatche, and Booker. Booker would play PF offensively and SF defensively, and Blatche would go the other way. Just tell Blatche not to dribble - either shoot over the shorter defender or pass.

[hands11]

Once Lewis comes off the books, the next biggest contract is Dray at 7M

On the books longer term are Seraphin, Booker, Crawford till 2013/14 for only 2-2.7M and Wall for 7.5M That's looking pretty good.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/washington.htm

So if Ted has another dump of cash into his bank account and feels like cleaning up the plate, can he pay off Lewis and resign him to less ? Take the cap hit next year and have a clean slate to sign FA's in 2012/13. Or, can't that expiring contract be used to bring in a star in 2012/13 in a trade ? That is the year Howard has a player option of 19.2 M.

While the team sucks right now, it seems like they are in a nice position to make moves moving forward. Wall, Booker, Seraphin, Crawford, Nick, McGee and maybe Hamady and maybe D Williams and a huge expiring contract in Lewis. The team has another year of of developing before it needs to make a big move. And Dray signed to something reasonable if they want to move him.

With just the young players you have plus Lewis at SF

Wall
Nick/Crawford

D Williams/Booker
Seraphin/McGee/Hamady

They have another first (ATL) and Dray as assets to move if they want. I think all things being equal, Dray just doesn't feel like a good fit anymore. Just based on his personality. So they have Dray, a first and Lewis's huge expiring as assets. By 2012 McGee proves what he is one way or another and that is when he is do to resign anyway. He is either a starter or a valued back up.

They may need to keep extra assets barred on the bench for a year until they cash in in 2012. The big question is what to do with J Howard. Do they want him as a back up SF once they are reloaded ? If they do something with Lewis contract to move him, that would be nice.

20011/12

Wall/?
Nick/Crawford
Lewis/Howard
D Williams/Booker
Dray/McGee/Seraphin/Hamady

Trade the ATL first for a future first

Then in 2012/13 trade Dray/Lewis (exp) /McGee/First to Orl for Howard +

Wall/?
Nick/Crawford
Howard/(1st)
D Williams/Booker
Howard/Seraphin/Hamady

A man can dream. That would be an amazing front 4 and Wall, Nick, Crawford arent bad.

[hands11]

They could try playing the 3 together for stretches - McGee, Blatche, and Booker. Booker would play PF offensively and SF defensively, and Blatche would go the other way. Just tell Blatche not to dribble - either shoot over the shorter defender or pass.

Are you saying

McGee/Booker/Dray on offense with Dray being the SF Lewis like spot up shooter with the occasional bump fake drive ? Lord knows Dray would love to play some SF on offense.

Then on D

Dray/McGee/Booker ? As long as McGee isn't out there at center getting eaten up, I'm fine.

Hell, I would be willing to watch anything other than straight up McGee/Dray

The rule for me is either Booker or Seraphin have to always be on the court.

[Bickerstaff]

Okay, he's horribly inefficient, has been throughout his career, was just as inefficient even when putting up the pretty per game scoring numbers the last 30 games of last season. His shot selection is awful. Physical conditioning, preparation (physical and mental) are not priorities, he rarely takes responsibility for himself (many, many blame-shifting quotes throughout the season). While he possesses good skills in the abstract, he has zero interest in using those skills to help his team win -- it's almost like they're tricks he does for the purpose of demonstrating he can do them.

I agree with you until the part about him having no interest in using his skills to help his team win. You say this like it's a fact, but what evidence do you have? Do you know what he does to prepare for games? This sort of thinking appears multiple times in your post. There have indeed been many blame-shifting quotes, but he's in no way alone there (in fact, I'd say John Wall is alone in ever accepting blame on record, though he's done his share of deflecting along the way). There have also been just as many relatively perceptive quotes, and his overall style with the press seems markedly improved. Either way, quotes don't win ballgames (I'll detract this if you can show an inverse correlation between blame-shifting and wins), and admittedly, neither, this year, does Andray Blatche. His shot selection has been miserable. For me, though, he earned enough leeway the 2nd half of last season for me to write off the first couple months of this season as the after effects of his foot injury. I don't doubt that a more driven player would have worked harder to get back into shape faster, but I do not expect Andray Blatche to be a particularly driven player. That's just not who he is.

Anyway, I know better than to get into this with a stat guy, so I'll concede and say that you're probably right, that Blatche will probably never figure it out. The difference between us, I guess, is that I see no point in giving up hope. If I were the GM, I'm sure I'd think differently, but, you know, I'm just a fan. My job is to root for the team.
[/quote]

[JonathanJoseph]

Okay, he's horribly inefficient, has been throughout his career, was just as inefficient even when putting up the pretty per game scoring numbers the last 30 games of last season. His shot selection is awful. Physical conditioning, preparation (physical and mental) are not priorities, he rarely takes responsibility for himself (many, many blame-shifting quotes throughout the season). While he possesses good skills in the abstract, he has zero interest in using those skills to help his team win -- it's almost like they're tricks he does for the purpose of demonstrating he can do them.

I agree with you until the part about him having no interest in using his skills to help his team win. You say this like it's a fact, but what evidence do you have? Do you know what he does to prepare for games? This sort of thinking appears multiple times in your post. There have indeed been many blame-shifting quotes, but he's in no way alone there (in fact, I'd say John Wall is alone in ever accepting blame on record, though he's done his share of deflecting along the way). There have also been just as many relatively perceptive quotes, and his overall style with the press seems markedly improved. Either way, quotes don't win ballgames (I'll detract this if you can show an inverse correlation between blame-shifting and wins), and admittedly, neither, this year, does Andray Blatche. His shot selection has been miserable. For me, though, he earned enough leeway the 2nd half of last season for me to write off the first couple months of this season as the after effects of his foot injury. I don't doubt that a more driven player would have worked harder to get back into shape faster, but I do not expect Andray Blatche to be a particularly driven player. That's just not who he is.

Anyway, I know better than to get into this with a stat guy, so I'll concede and say that you're probably right, that Blatche will probably never figure it out. The difference between us, I guess, is that I see no point in giving up hope. If I were the GM, I'm sure I'd think differently, but, you know, I'm just a fan. My job is to root for the team.

[/quote]

I think this is a great post and summarizes my take on Blatche. I don't think anyone disputes the obvious and significant faults with Dray, but his biggest problem is immaturity and he's only 24 and under contract for a reasonable amount of money until he's closer to 30. There's no reason to "sell low" on Blatche.

In his past 3 games, Blatche is averaging 18.3 pts (50% FG)/9.0 rebs/4.7 ass/1.7 stl/1.7 turnovers. This comes after Blatche shot 49.3% FG during February. I've been as disappointed in Dray as anyone, but it's too early to give up on Blatche given how reasonable his contract is.

[hands11]

I'm with CCJ on starting Booker and McGee. Maybe some of Booker's toughness could rub off on McGee.

As for McGee at PF, every one of his flaws would be magnified at PF because he'd have guard people away from the hoop a significant part of the time. He'd have a ton of trouble with stretch 4s. Plus, it would negate his biggest defensive asset -- the ability to block shots. Even though he makes a TON of defensive mistakes, he still can intimidate players who enter the paint. Keep him at center.

You can agree that you want to see that but IMO it is less likely to happen vs

Booker/Dray

or

Dray/Seraphin

If someone is going to the bench to end this season and it is between Dray and McGee, how likely is it really that it is Dray that goes ? Specially if you want to move him at some point.

Wow. Booker did that and he was sick.

I also caught that Flip said he was talking to EG about some things.

Me things, Booker is starting next game at PF

[hands11]

That JaVale McGee continues to hang on with Team USA remains amazing to some, but he is using this as an opportunity to improve as a defensive rebounder while taking advice from veterans such as Billups and Odom on the fundamentals. Billups described McGee as “a sponge” who “could be really special.”
“He’s not here by accident or mistake. He’s one of the most athletic players I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Odom, an 11-year NBA veteran who went over some individual low post drills with McGee during practice on Friday. “He’s 7-1, got like a David Robinson build, springs off the floor real quick, goes over the rim. If he can just get his feel for the game together, he can have an impact on a team. Because
the game is called basketball, not run and jump.”

Nutshell. Long way for the kid to go, but IMHO it's waaaay to early to pull the plug on him. CCJ, not sure if you saw my post on the last page of the just-locked trade thread, but I took great joy in agreeing with you.

McGee is not Blatche, but Blatche is a cautionary tale with respect to McGee's development.

From day 1, Blatche should have been given strict rules on his role: jumpers off the pass only, run the floor, rebound, be in great shape. Instead he tried to do too much too soon, and he's got no base or fundamentals. He's a complete mess.

Keep McGee's role simple and his minutes in the 20-25 minute range until he's mastered affecting the game every night by running, rebounding and defending. No need to start him. McGee's upside is so high and his athleticism is so out of this world, that he's worth waiting for.

That's the side I have been on. It is only potential but the possible upside is pretty damn high. That said, there is no reason to start him now. He doesn't have the strength or post skills to do it. Vs a guy like Booker who has the body, strength, drive to do it. But Booker is in this first year after learning in college. McGee is the same age but has been in the pro for two plus. With a freak big like McGee, you just have to wait if you want to pick him 18th. If he was more polished he would go top 4. Those picks are harder to come by.

[hands11]

Wall/Mustafa
NY/Crawford/Martin
Howard/Mo
Booker/McGee/Yi
Dray/Seraphin


Wall/Mustafa
NY/Crawford/Martin
Howard/Mo
Dray/Booker/Yi
Seraphin/McGee

Looks like they are going to go with option 1 but I hope they don't ignore option 2 because it works better for getting Seraphin minutes also while also getting McGee minutes at center. Also, they still need to decide what they are going to do with Lewis who played last night because they were short handed without Howard ( hammy) and Nick ( flu )

Mo is playing pretty well and brings some needed vet presence and muscle. I would image if Howard is able to play, they just sit Lewis since he is hurt. They seem to still need Martin active because Crawford is to erratic at this point and they need another guard option. So if they actually wanted to have Howard and Lewis active it's a tough call. You could us Howard to cover third SG and deactivate Martin or you can sit Yi. But it you sit Yi, then there is little use for Mo.

Should be interesting to see what they do. I would think they sit Lewis. If not it looks like

Wall/Mustafa
NY/Crawford
Howard/Mo/Lewis
Booker/McGee/Yi
Dray/Seraphin

It will be interesting to see what they do with Seraphin. Will they play him and McGee together? and if so, who is at center and who is at PF. I hope they try it as listed above and let McGee try some PF. Let Seraphin clear our the baseline for McGee to swoop in like Booker does. Dray and Seraphin are the best and strongest centers on the team.

[Ruzious]

Interesting quotes from Jason Reid in yesterday's Post:

He (Wall) has financial security, having signed a five-year contract that guarantees him almost $10.7 million in his first two seasons. At only 20, Wall has done about as well as could be expected while shouldering the weight of a franchise eager to create a new, successful image.

Did he really sign a 5 year contract?

The Wizards could have about $20 million in cap room next season - assuming the cap remains at a little more than $58 million after the seemingly inevitable lockout coming this summer - and two draft picks. Grunfeld's critics would counter that serendipity has played a part in creating the team's recent roster flexibility, such as guard Mike Bibby, shortly after being traded from Atlanta, giving up his entire $6.2 million salary next season as part of a buyout to leave the Wizards and sign with Miami.

I think they're roughly about 41 mil committed to players currently under contract - plus about 6 mil for Nick (assuming they keep him) plus about 6 mil for rookies. That's 53 mil, so assuming they keep Nick, that 20 mil figure he mentioned isn't in the ballpark.

[DaRealHibachi]

By acquiring rebounders at the front-court this offseason... We're getting killed on the boards night in and night out...

[closg00]

By acquiring rebounders at the front-court this offseason... We're getting killed on the boards night in and night out...

...not to mention all of the 2nd & 3rd chance points opponents are making.