Post#267 » by DukeLecker » Mon Jul 22, 2024 8:46 pm
As has been mentioned in the Alex Sarr thread, he has more potential than any other Wizards player this century. While contemplating the great things ahead for such a talented player, I reminisced about three similarly high potential Wizards, who for a brief period of time, strung some games together that made me think they were on the cusp of a legit breakout, and poised for stardom. Kwame, Andray, and Javale.
Kwame – in March 2004, he strung together consecutive 21/6, 30/19, 27/11, and 21/12 games. I thought we were looking at the next Jermaine O’Neal. He looked confident, quick, and physical. Then that summer he broke his foot, he got out of shape, had chemistry issues with Gilbert, and he was shipped out for Caron.
Andray – Post blow-up of 2010, he had a 32-game streak where he posted 22/8.5. He was the next KG! Admittedly on so-so efficiency. The following year he because the self-professed captain, but his work ethic never matched his skill, and was cut using the amnesty provision before his extension kicked in.
Javale – Near the end of 2011, he had a 7-game stint where he was dominate averaging 18/12/3. During this time, he had the infamous block on Wes Matthews where he snatched the ball out of the air instead of swatting it in the 15th row like he did in Sacramento before trying to dunk from the free throw line. He never got it mentally, and was shipped out before the end of the following season for Nene, which ended up being a good trade by EG.
Anyways, this thought exercise made me wonder which of these tantalizing players is the biggest “what if?” If circumstances were a little different, would any of these players have been something more than what they amounted to? If EG wasn’t around? If MJ wasn’t unruly? If the shoe-pooper helped create a better culture? I dunno. Part of me still believes that if Kwame didn’t hurt his foot in ‘04, and came to camp in shape, him and Gilbert would have connected and been a force.