GT#47: Portland Trailblazers @ Washington Wizards 2/3 7:00PM

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Trevor Booker not being in the arena could save the season

Booker, age 26 and a bit undersized, is IMO most trade-able because he must be re-signed. His on/off shows other younger, longer, taller subs can are perhaps more effective.

Vesely and Seraphin started the last 15 games in 2011-2012 with Booker sidelined due to injury. The Wizards were 8-2 the last 10. They won the last 6...with Vesely and Seraphin starting.

Booker is pretty good but IMO very expendable.



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[dangermouse]

Seraphin playing with effort, on both ends. He isnt a good defender but it was great to see him boxing out on rebounds. If he gives that effort every time, and he takes good shots and doesnt get his patented tunnel vision, he deserves minutes.

How amazing would the Wizards be with Aldridge? Just their pick/pop game would be unstoppable.

[hands11]

Trevor Booker not being in the arena could save the season

Booker, age 26 and a bit undersized, is IMO most trade-able because he must be re-signed. His on/off shows other younger, longer, taller subs can are perhaps more effective.



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That echos my take on things. Always wanted to see more Kevin at PF. He is a tweaner. I think as he improves his ball handling, passing out of doubles and court awareness, he can play there more.

As for Booker. He is a nice option. They just need to not get stuck on him because he is not an every game 25 minutes option. Not yet he isn't. Specially with his injury history and their other options. He is good for offensive rebounds and an improving mid range. Kevin is better for more scoring and post pts with upside to add a power game. Both need to improve on defense and between the two, Kevin is younger, bigger and stronger so he can handle post player better. Neither is an ideal option but neither is terrible either. They just have to be used properly. And Ves still can contribute as well. Sadly he doesn't get any regular burn on this team to grow his game. Even after he plays well.

With Nene, Gortat, Booker and Kevin settling in, its going to be tough for Ves to find many minutes with Randy as coach. Looks like its not going to happen for Ves this year and it might not happen on this team. But if I was them, I would resign him cheap. Another good off season from him and he should be set for a better year next year. Like Kevin, he was a project player big and those types take time to grow. This is Veselys 3 year while its Kevins and Bookers 4th

[jangles86]

Cant wait to watch Wall in the playoffs!!!

[Ruzious]

Just want to point out a KS and Nene front court is scary bad on the boards. Seraphin looks massive out there though.

I didn't get to see the game. I think Gortat/Vesely would be a better rebounding combination.

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Ves came in, made one good defensive play... Then proceeded to be embarassingly bad.

You know, Ves' only problem, and perhaps I'm splitting hairs here, is that he can't actually play basketball.

Yeah, it was ugly. The 2 shots he took were both blocked... after he bobbled the ball going up. Actually, there was a 3rd shot he arguably took - that nearly went for a Portland basket. He was going for a defensive rebound, and nearly knocked the ball in the basket. It rolled around the rim before falling out of the basket. If that had gone in, it would have been so disheartening and could have changed everything.

It goes without saying that Seraphin has distanced himself from Vesely. The one problem teaming him with Nene is that they don''t rebound well. But Portland didn't get a whole lot of offensive rebounds. Seraphin didn't have a good +/-, but his offense kept the Wiz from going into a drout - particularly when playing with Vesely and Temple. He went hard to the basket and earned those 6 foul shots. Even on one jump shot that he didn't get a foul call on, he created contact with the defender - a very good sign. And he MAKES his foul shots. 85.6% on the season - obviously on not a lot of attempts but it shows he's WORKED at it. And 15 feet and in - if he's not guarded well, he'll make the shot consistently.

[tontoz]

Seraphin's TS is up to 55.6%.

[payitforward]

the suns are what? 10 gaves above .500? It took them one year to rebuild..its taken us 30

You're not wrong -- we have an incompetent GM, and we have little flexibility moving forward....

Still, I don't think this thread is the right one for bitching.... No matter what, it's a pleasure to have a winning record and see some good play by guys in DC unis!

[payitforward]

...Coach Wittman is winning commensurate to the extent of the talent he is coaching. ....

Bingo. This is -- and obviously has to be -- the way it is for any coach. Yes, there is a small handful of guys who get more out of players than the average coach, but even those guys, ultimately, are limited by the talent on their rosters. They make a marginal difference -- a few wins on a season, say? -- but that's as far as it goes.

A good jockey will get better results on an average horse than will an average jockey. But that doesn't mean he's going to win a lot of races! Wittman's nothing special; I don't care if he's fired (coaches who don't get fired are few and far between!), don't get me wrong, but I can't find any reason to pin much on him -- failures or successes!

Very happy for Seraphin's good play last night. And Ariza had just a great game. Wall was terrific too.

[stevemcqueen1]

Each of Seraphin, Booker, and Vesely are backups with a 50/50 effort night to night. Each bring something different to the table, but each take something important off of it too.

Booker is the best player of the group, can finish inside, has a bit of a jumper, and is the best rebounder on the team. But his pick and roll game is awful because he sets really bad screens and he's a poor defender. Not a capable defender on bigs. And he's missed a lot of time due to injury in four seasons.

Seraphin is more valuable because he brings ISO scoring to the table. He has legit big man strength and he gets off his feet pretty well. He has the back 2 basket game with a reliable hook and he can face up and hit jumpers. When he doesn't get lazy, he can set good screens and so pick and pop is an option with him. And he can play decent man defense in the post.

But he doesn't have the length to be a true C and out rebound and defend 7 footers. He doesn't have good instincts, is a serious threat to turn it over or start chucking--especially when they trap him in the post. He's a poor rebounder that doesn't play the ball off the rim well. He's a poor passer and can stop the ball. And he gets cement shoes on D where he ball watches and isn't a reliable help defender.

Vesely is the best defender of the three by far, he's the best athlete, and has the best length. He brings energy play and has become a pretty good rebounder. He's also the best passer of the three. But he's the worst scorer of the group and is a terrible FT shooter. That effects him when he catches the ball inside like last night because he took it up soft instead of going up strong and forcing them to foul. He's not a reliable inside finisher. And he still has strength issues for guarding other 7 footers. You saw it come up last night against Aldridge, where Ves chose to play off of him instead of bodying him up. Aldridge just faced up and made shots on him.

The issue is that there are very few complete bigs in the league, and almost none that are back ups. Then fewer still that will hit FA. You're choosing from flawed players who you have to try and cover up in some way. There is a systemic shortage of quality back up bigs in the NBA. Even the Miamis of the league have problems finding reliable third and fourth bigs.

So if they continue to work cheap, I'd probably keep all three and just keep trying to find the one who will give me the good effort that night. Unless we luck into a decent back up, that's just about the only approach you can take.

[Altered_Beast]

Wow wiz beating some great teams lately. Gonna be dangerous come playoff time

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[fishercob]

Seraphin's TS is up to 55.6%.

Over his last 18 games his TS% is .607 with and ORtg of 107.
Over his last 10 games his TS% is .667 with and ORtg of 116

The fact that he's shooting so well and his ORtg isn't somewhat instructive. He still turns it over a bunch and isn't great on the boards, though he has improved of late. I'm glad he;s playing well and hope it continues.

[tontoz]

Seraphin's TS is up to 55.6%.

Over his last 18 games his TS% is .607 with and ORtg of 107.
Over his last 10 games his TS% is .667 with and ORtg of 116

The fact that he's shooting so well and his ORtg isn't somewhat instructive. He still turns it over a bunch and isn't great on the boards, though he has improved of late. I'm glad he;s playing well and hope it continues.

Turnovers are a major problem with him. He just lacks basic basketball awareness. It remains to be seen whether he can wise up enough to be worth keeping around.

You can't teach talent/size and he has both but he is so clueless. Not sure what to do with him.

[hands11]

Each of Seraphin, Booker, and Vesely are backups with a 50/50 effort night to night. Each bring something different to the table, but each take something important off of it too.

Booker is the best player of the group, can finish inside, has a bit of a jumper, and is the best rebounder on the team. But his pick and roll game is awful because he sets really bad screens and he's a poor defender. Not a capable defender on bigs. And he's missed a lot of time due to injury in four seasons.

Seraphin is more valuable because he brings ISO scoring to the table. He has legit big man strength and he gets off his feet pretty well. He has the back 2 basket game with a reliable hook and he can face up and hit jumpers. When he doesn't get lazy, he can set good screens and so pick and pop is an option with him. And he can play decent man defense in the post.

But he doesn't have the length to be a true C and out rebound and defend 7 footers. He doesn't have good instincts, is a serious threat to turn it over or start chucking--especially when they trap him in the post. He's a poor rebounder that doesn't play the ball off the rim well. He's a poor passer and can stop the ball. And he gets cement shoes on D where he ball watches and isn't a reliable help defender.

Vesely is the best defender of the three by far, he's the best athlete, and has the best length. He brings energy play and has become a pretty good rebounder. He's also the best passer of the three. But he's the worst scorer of the group and is a terrible FT shooter. That effects him when he catches the ball inside like last night because he took it up soft instead of going up strong and forcing them to foul. He's not a reliable inside finisher. And he still has strength issues for guarding other 7 footers. You saw it come up last night against Aldridge, where Ves chose to play off of him instead of bodying him up. Aldridge just faced up and made shots on him.

The issue is that there are very few complete bigs in the league, and almost none that are back ups. Then fewer still that will hit FA. You're choosing from flawed players who you have to try and cover up in some way. There is a systemic shortage of quality back up bigs in the NBA. Even the Miamis of the league have problems finding reliable third and fourth bigs.

So if they continue to work cheap, I'd probably keep all three and just keep trying to find the one who will give me the good effort that night. Unless we luck into a decent back up, that's just about the only approach you can take.

That exactly what I have been saying. Its all about getting them cheap though and off them, Booker is slated to get a QO of 3.4M. That isn't cheap enough so they probably need to trade him. I might still resign him, but he would be slated for a trade if money gets tight.

They lost control of Ves so he could be lost. Ves for 2M for a year or two would be good.
Then there is Kevin who has a QO of 3.8M Again. Probably more then you want to spend on him

They would really have to thread the needle and get everyone on 2 year deal.

TA, Gortat, Booker, Kevin and Ves isn't a terrible group of bigs. Specially with Nene still around and looking healthier. Then you can trade from there. Otto would be your best chip. Something would need to happen between him and Webster.

Nothing wrong with keeping the core together if they can clean up the Otto, Webster, Maynor situation. I might add Glen to that list of player to move as well.

[WizarDynasty]

I wish there was a way to keep this team together but i just don't see it. Gortat and Ariza. Seraphin showing all the things you need from your number one bench big.

[AFM]

WizD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fishercob]

I wish there was a way to keep this team together but i just don't see it. Gortat and Ariza. Seraphin showing all the things you need from your number one bench big.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVS3WNt7yRU[/youtube]

[Higga]

I posted this in the OKC gamethread yesterday...

"We'll beat the Blazers tonight and go up over .500, and stay there the rest of the season."

Another good win against a quality team.

NOBODY BEATS THE WIZ.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Just want to point out a KS and Nene front court is scary bad on the boards. Seraphin looks massive out there though.

I didn't get to see the game. I think Gortat/Vesely would be a better rebounding combination.

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Ves came in, made one good defensive play... Then proceeded to be embarassingly bad.

You know, Ves' only problem, and perhaps I'm splitting hairs here, is that he can't actually play basketball.

I respect you a ton, as a fellow 40-year long suffering Bullets/Wizards fan, lsbf.

I disagree about Vesely. He just doesn't excel in spot minutes before forced to play the way Wittman and teammates allow him to play. IMO Vesely is a pretty good player.

Short minutes, quick hook, two full years after he STARTED 15 straight games. The Wizards concluded on a 6-game win streak. The problem with Vesely is largely mental and discouragement IMO. That and he is not in the game long enough.

What about the game he had 3 blocks and 3 steals in very limited minutes? What about the double figure scoring games. What about the game he shot 8-8 FG. Ibaka just set a Thunder record with 12-12 FGS and got all kinds of press hype.

Vesely sucks in the mind of Wizards fans who pounce on player mistakes and very, very rarely look at the larger picture. They like Nick Young in LA. They love Blatche in Brooklyn. Jordan Crawford did well on the court in Boston and he was desired in a trade by GS. Shelvin Mack, who many thought sucked as a Wizard; is a darn sight better than Eric Maynor. Mack plays more than a very promising first round pick, Shroeder. Mack's team has a better record than the Wizards. Vesely sucks like other castoffs because this team NEVER develops player wrong. Vesely sucks just like Otto Porter, meaning he's catching fan wrath.

Jan destroyed FIBA competition, only being defeated by the FT line. Vesely was a very strong player in summer league. I KNOW the guy has a Dirk Nowitzki=form jumper because he made it a ton. I KNOW JAN CAN REBOUND. I also know which playing lineups suit him best.

I won't post game logs where his game score was good and Vesely was a net plus. I won't post 82 games that shows VEsely is way higher in +/- than Booker. I won't post the two-man synergy between Vesely and Gortat. I won't post his recent game logs.

All I will do is say I'm pretty doggone sure Vesely (and especially Gortat) is way better than given credit. I still think he's potentially a very useful NBA player (who probably can't wait to run back to be a star in Europe).

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

...Coach Wittman is winning commensurate to the extent of the talent he is coaching. ....

Bingo. This is -- and obviously has to be -- the way it is for any coach. Yes, there is a small handful of guys who get more out of players than the average coach, but even those guys, ultimately, are limited by the talent on their rosters. They make a marginal difference -- a few wins on a season, say? -- but that's as far as it goes.

A good jockey will get better results on an average horse than will an average jockey. But that doesn't mean he's going to win a lot of races! Wittman's nothing special; I don't care if he's fired (coaches who don't get fired are few and far between!), don't get me wrong, but I can't find any reason to pin much on him -- failures or successes!

Very happy for Seraphin's good play last night. And Ariza had just a great game. Wall was terrific too.

Gortat finished +23, the same as Wall.

Just like the other big, white guy, Gortat gets no love. Marcin had 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 turnovers and he only took 6 shots in 35 minutes. He's the reason guys like Nene can get 15 shots but only 6 or 7 rebounds every night. Gortat not in your list makes me think of Russell Wilson. Neither gets much credit.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I wish there was a way to keep this team together but i just don't see it. Gortat and Ariza. Seraphin showing all the things you need from your number one bench big.

Me, too, WD on wishing this team could stay together.

February 20 is the trade deadline. About the best deal I've seen is Ariza and Gortat for Asik and a first round pick.

I don't want to see Gortat or Ariza to go, but the team for the betterment of winninglong term might need to make a move.