Wizards Sign Martell Webster

[hands11]

What I want to know is, is he better than Jae Crowder or Will Barton?

...waiting for CCJ to come and splooge all over that post

mohammed10 on Fri Aug 24, 2012 2:25 pm

Not a prediction but too funny...

[dobrojim]

I wonder how much of that low BBIQ rep was based on the one play where he went for a 2 when his team was down 3? Or maybe it was the hair?

Based on everything we've seen this year, he either matured incredibly in 6 months or it was an unfair rap from the beginning. I'll take the latter. Hope he's back next year.

Agreed. Unfair rap based on one brain fart.

[hands11]

I'd rather have Crowder or Barton than Webster. Especially Crowder.

Nivek on Fri Aug 24, 2012 3:14 pm

[nate33]

If there is one thing you can't lecture Wizards fans on it's BBIQ.

Trust us, we know stupid

I have no delusions of Webster becoming a star, but he appears to be on the fast track to at least start the year at the 3.

His rep appears to have been that of a low BBIQ guy at the start of last season,
at least on these boards.

What say you folks now?

I'd say he has reasonably good BBIQ. For much of the year I loved his shot selection,
high %age of corner 3s and dunks, exactly what you want.

I wonder how much of that low BBIQ rep was based on the one play where he went for a 2 when his team was down 3? Or maybe it was the hair?

Based on everything we've seen this year, he either matured incredibly in 6 months or it was an unfair rap from the beginning. I'll take the latter. Hope he's back next year.

Agreed. If one characterizes basketball IQ as the ability to play to one's strengths and avoid one's weaknesses, then Webster definitely does not have a bball IQ deficiency.

On the other hand, if you characterize basketball IQ as the ability to make decisions with the ball under pressure, than Webster isn't so great. But then, very few non-PG's are.

[hands11]

[SizzlinSimms]

Glanced over the the past couple pages but how does Okafor and Ariza opting in effect the chances of Webster resigning?

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Glanced over the the past couple pages but how does Okafor and Ariza opting in effect the chances of Webster resigning?

It doesn't help, that's for sure. Especially Ariza.

And who woulda thought Webster would be one of the team's most durable players this year ??

[nate33]

Glanced over the the past couple pages but how does Okafor and Ariza opting in effect the chances of Webster resigning?

It makes no difference. In a way, I think it helps. If Okafor and Ariza opted out and/or renegotiated in such a way that it gave us substantial cap room this year, then it would be harder to extend a lowball offer to Webster without insulting him. The way it stands now, it is impossible for EG to pay Webster more than the MLE. And at that price, Webster is a pretty decent value ($4M a year would be better, but I wouldn't complain too much if he was paid $5.7M a year). The one thing I really wouldn't want to see is Webster signed to an $8M a year deal or something crazy like that.

[queridiculo]

The prospect that Webster's year with us is a fluke has me scared enough to entertain the idea of simply letting him walk this summer. He's given us some great games and ridiculous shooting, but he's also disappeared for stretches, has been subpar on defense and was part of that squad that put the Wizards in a 5-28 hole.

I'd rather take my chances starting Ariza at the three, and attempting to fill the void Webster leaves drafting a specialist, than to add a potential MLE albatross to the payroll.

[Rafael122]

The prospect that Webster's year with us is a fluke has me scared enough to entertain the idea of simply letting him walk this summer. He's given us some great games and ridiculous shooting, but he's also disappeared for stretches, has been subpar on defense and was part of that squad that put the Wizards in a 5-28 hole.

I'd rather take my chances starting Ariza at the three, and attempting to fill the void Webster leaves drafting a specialist, than to add a potential MLE albatross to the payroll.

Pretty much this, and if we add a kid like Bennett or the chance at getting Porter, why bring Webster back? Maybe work a sign and trade but I too am afraid of his next contract.

[Jay81]

i like martell but let him walk. Let someone else pay the MLE for him. He is such a big risk

[nate33]

Webster's season was not a fluke. He played exactly like this two seasons ago (the last time he was healthy). Maybe him staying healthy is a fluke, maybe not, but his actual performance is within norms. I'm encouraged that he'll end up playing roughly 80 games this season, and his one major health issue, his abdominal strain, is unrelated to the back trouble he had previously. With that in mind, I don't think health concerns going forward are any more of a concern than they are for any other player.

I would retain Webster for the MLE. Obviously, I'd prefer to pay him a little less, but I'd rather see him signed to a 3-year MLE contract than let him walk. Another consideration is the fact that Ariza's contract expires next year. Ariza is a bigger name with a better pedigree so he is likely to cost more on the free agency market. It's better to sign the younger Webster to a $5M a year contract rather than be forced to pay Ariza $7M a year next summer.

Webster is a solid player. A legit starter, if not an above-average one. He's just 26 and will remain in his prime throughout his contract. He is a mid first round pick type of talent that we acquired for nothing. Why would you give that away? What exactly do you intend to do with that $5M a year you saved? Who is going to be a better value?

At least we know Webster wants to play here and he is a very positive locker room influence.

[DCZards]

My main--and only--concern with Martell is his health. I agree with Nate that Webster's talent is for real and not a fluke. You don't shoot like he has all season, especially from 3 pt. range, and not be a great shooter. (Break for a little factoid: Last night during the game, they said Webster was shooting 70% plus on threes from the left corner when he's on the court with Wall.)

It is true that shooting is pretty much all that Martell contributes, not much of a rebounder, passer or defender, although it's not because of lack of effort. But I do like Webster's on and off court leadership, which is worth something as well.

I'd expect that with a new contract (hopefully from the Zards) and job security, and a summer to just worry about getting healthy and developing more chemistry with Wall, Beal, etc., Martell could very well come back as good or better than he was this year. That's probably worth the MLE.

[jivelikenice]

Agree on health with Webster. He just seems to really have worn down as the season has gone on. I also just think that while he seems like a good fit, is he really the best use of a multi-year MLE offer. He's limited on D, limited off the dribble, and isn't a ball handler or passer. Wouldn't a Corey Brewer be a better use of the $?

[Dat2U]

Health is not a concern to be overlooked. I think many people overlooked Nene's health as a legit issue when he was playing really well at the end of last year and beginning of this season and it's only after the tread came off his tires did folks have legitimate concerns about his long term health. I'm wary about guys that tend to break down over the course of an 82 game season. Regarding Webster, I don't think he should be a lock to return. He's been really solid in his role but he's very replaceable as there are a decent number of available wings who could step in and fill his shoes.

[jivelikenice]

The problem is I think he's worth something closer to what Danny green got (3/$12 Million), but with our cap situation, either way we're slicing into the MLE. I just look at a guy like Corey Brewer and think we can get more bang for the buck with a player like him. Someone who's more versatile and can do more things on the court. Or if we are looking for a Webster type of player, you can probably sign a guy like Budinger or Wes Johnson for half the $.

[Ruzious]

The problem is I think he's worth something closer to what Danny green got (3/$12 Million), but with our cap situation, either way we're slicing into the MLE. I just look at a guy like Corey Brewer and think we can get more bang for the buck with a player like him. Someone who's more versatile and can do more things on the court. Or if we are looking for a Webster type of player, you can probably sign a guy like Budinger or Wes Johnson for half the $.

Brewer's a 30% 3 point shooter - this season and for his career. Budinger's a better option - though I'm not sure that he's going to be much cheaper than Webster. Minnesota was anxious to get him last offseason.

[tontoz]

The problem is I think he's worth something closer to what Danny green got (3/$12 Million), but with our cap situation, either way we're slicing into the MLE. I just look at a guy like Corey Brewer and think we can get more bang for the buck with a player like him. Someone who's more versatile and can do more things on the court. Or if we are looking for a Webster type of player, you can probably sign a guy like Budinger or Wes Johnson for half the $.

Brewer's a 30% 3 point shooter - this season and for his career. Budinger's a better option - though I'm not sure that he's going to be much cheaper than Webster. Minnesota was anxious to get him last offseason.

Yeah i wouldn't take Brewer for the min. Budinger is definitely worth considering. Better rebounder than Webster and would surely get a lot of alley oops from Wall. That white boy's got hops.

[jivelikenice]

The problem is I think he's worth something closer to what Danny green got (3/$12 Million), but with our cap situation, either way we're slicing into the MLE. I just look at a guy like Corey Brewer and think we can get more bang for the buck with a player like him. Someone who's more versatile and can do more things on the court. Or if we are looking for a Webster type of player, you can probably sign a guy like Budinger or Wes Johnson for half the $.

Brewer's a 30% 3 point shooter - this season and for his career. Budinger's a better option - though I'm not sure that he's going to be much cheaper than Webster. Minnesota was anxious to get him last offseason.

I think playing w/ Wall would bump up Brewer's shooting % and offers a lot more versatility. Budinger is a better option than both because I do think he'll come cheaper, especially if Khan is out and Chase tries to up his value before signing a long-term deal.

[nate33]

The problem is I think he's worth something closer to what Danny green got (3/$12 Million), but with our cap situation, either way we're slicing into the MLE. I just look at a guy like Corey Brewer and think we can get more bang for the buck with a player like him. Someone who's more versatile and can do more things on the court. Or if we are looking for a Webster type of player, you can probably sign a guy like Budinger or Wes Johnson for half the $.

Brewer's a 30% 3 point shooter - this season and for his career. Budinger's a better option - though I'm not sure that he's going to be much cheaper than Webster. Minnesota was anxious to get him last offseason.

I think playing w/ Wall would bump up Brewer's shooting % and offers a lot more versatility. Budinger is a better option than both because I do think he'll come cheaper, especially if Khan is out and Chase tries to up his value before signing a long-term deal.

You are wrong about Brewer. You can't wish for him to shoot better and make it so. The guy is a 6-year vet and every year, the talk is: "if only he could shoot better, he'd be a good player". It's not like he doesn't realize that shooting is a weakness. He just isn't a good shooter. He won't be a good shooter alongside John Wall either. John Wall isn't a magician. He can't turn a 30% career 3-point shooter into a 40% one. And anything less than 40% is really going to crimp the floor spacing on offense (particularly when we don't have a PF with range).

Budinger is a viable option, but he will have the same injury concerns as Webster. The other really good shooting wings (Dunleavy, Korver) are up there in age.

I still think we are splitting hairs on whether we choose to pay Budinger $3.5M a year and Webster $5M a year. Either way, that's not going to be the make-or-break contract when it comes to cap room in the future. What really needs to happen is that we must decline Vesely's 4th year option, and probably Singleton's too. Those guys suck.