Long Term Plan? (merged threads)

[GilArenas88]

My long term plan would be to surround Haywood, Arenas, and Butler with young players and a few savey bench veterans.

Our core:

Arenas- Go to scorer, franchise player, distributer, draws double/ triple teams, pace maker.
Butler- Glue guy, does a little of everything, toughness, leadership, 2nd option.
Haywood- Defensive anchor and commander, veteran presence, underated low post option.

Future core/young players:

Crittenton- Future backup point, speed, distrubution, penetration ability, if develops shot can be very good.

Young- Probable future two guard, gifted scorer/dunker, developing consistency and defensive effort key to developement.

McGuire-Defensive wing, excellent rebounder, good passer, if he continues to develope his shot which is vastly improved from last year, I think he could be a better Bruce Bowen.

Blatche-Skilled big man, decent jumper, good but inconsistent rebounder, nice passer, again like Young consitency is key, and needs to bulk up.

McGee-Athletic freak, massive reach and wing span, has many tools that point to him being very good, must gain weight and strength.

Projects:

Pecherov- I'm still not ready to declare him a bust. Do I think he'll ever be a starter on a healthy team, no. But I think he maybe be able to be a fourth/fifth big. He stretches the floor and is a decent rebounder. Has to play inside offensive more. Also it time to give him consitent 10 or so minutes per game, he's never been given a stretch of games to really prove himself.

Vermenko- Our other Euro who is still playing overseas. Didn't think he was terrible from the little I saw from him in SL. May never come over, but he's a prospect in our farm system so to speak.

Draft picks:

1st round pick- We will in all likely hood have a top 5 pick ranging from either one of Griffin, Thabeet, Harden, Monroe.

2nd round pick- Maybe if Hansbourough still available, I dont know somebody.

Veterans:

Dixon- Automatic offense off bench, could be our Vinny Johnson type player.

Songalia- 5th big off bench, could be useful if we need floor stretched to open things up, help mentor some of young bigs. If only Songalia could jump and was 3 inches taller.

Free agents- We need a defensive big who can bang and rebound for a few minutes. A sharp shooter at the 2/3 position ala Mo Pete, Mason Jr would be nice.

Need to be traded-

James- He's not in our longterm plans at all, send him to a team who need vet back-up pg.

Thomas- Doesn't fit on this team, not to mention he sucks, and has never lived up to his contract.

Stevenson- I think he wants to be a starter, but I think next year Young should probably get the nod. Despite how much he's sucked this year, last two playoff apperances, if we can't trade him he can still be a valuable piece with a healthy Arenas. From everything I remember he's a nice compliment when Arenas plays, pretty much has sucked without Gil playing.

Jamison- Again nothing personal against Jamison brings it every night, but him starting at PF I think really hurts us. Now if he decided to come of the bench, I'd probably say keep him on the team. Fact is i dont see that happening though. I'd be open to maybe moving him to the three though, but in all likely hood that sends Caron to the bench. If we could get a pretty good shooting guard, like Jackson, which some of you have mentioned, and a pick, I'd probably pull the trigger.

[Ruzious]

"As long as I'm on this team and as long as I'm not doing that and [Butler]'s not doing that, it won't happen," Jamison said. "And I don't want to hear 'Play the young guys and get them ready' either. Nah, I'm not going to be a part of that. It's about going out there and competing with the guys you feel can help you win the game. Of course we've got to have some guys play minutes they wouldn't normally play, but in the words of Herman Edwards: 'You play to win the game.' That's what I plan on going out there and doing."

That's fine that Jamison feels that way, but I think he needs to be told that he ain't coaching the team. It'd be one thing if what they were doing was working - or was close to working, but when you've got the worst record in the NBA... things gotsta change.

[LyricalRico]

"As long as I'm on this team and as long as I'm not doing that and [Butler]'s not doing that, it won't happen," Jamison said. "And I don't want to hear 'Play the young guys and get them ready' either. Nah, I'm not going to be a part of that. It's about going out there and competing with the guys you feel can help you win the game. Of course we've got to have some guys play minutes they wouldn't normally play, but in the words of Herman Edwards: 'You play to win the game.' That's what I plan on going out there and doing."

That's fine that Jamison feels that way, but I think he needs to be told that he ain't coaching the team. It'd be one thing if what they were doing was working - or was close to working, but when you've got the worst record in the NBA... things gotsta change.

EXACTLY!

Why is Mr "I've Never Won Anything" dictating team policy? And the fact that he's doing it through the media makes it even worse IMO. And him saying that he wants them to play guys that can help them win games is absurd because it's a proven fact that those guys aren't helping them win games. If I'm a young player on that team, I'm pissed because this is basically veterans trying to hold onto their jobs at this point.

You know what, eff Jamison. He can't be the leader of this team going forward because he's not going to have the respect of anybody who's been in the league less than 3 years (which is going to be half our team next year). He's making sure of that with his comments. Get him outta here!

[nate33]

Butler's on/off differential is -3.4. Jamison's on/off differential is just +0.4.

These stats should be taken with a grain of salt since there is insufficient "off" time to get a good sample size, but nevertheless, the stats seem to indicate that neither player has been more effective than the stupid, lazy youngsters playing behind them.

It's great that Jamison wants to win games and that he feels that winning should take priority over player development. But he needs to understand that playing the young guys is not synonymous with throwing games. Statistically speaking, the young guys have been as effective as the vets. Blatche and Young in particular have been dramatically more effective than the vets. (Blatche is +7.5. Young is +9.0, though that's partially aided by the horrific suckitude of Stevenson earlier this season.)

[fishercob]

Butler's on/off differential is -3.4. Jamison's on/off differential is just +0.4.

These stats should be taken with a grain of salt since there is insufficient "off" time to get a good sample size, but nevertheless, the stats seem to indicate that neither player has been more effective than the stupid, lazy youngsters playing behind them.

It's great that Jamison wants to win games and that he feels that winning should take priority over player development. But he needs to understand that playing the young guys is not synonymous with throwing games. Statistically speaking, the young guys have been as effective as the vets. Blatche and Young in particular have been dramatically more effective than the vets. (Blatche is +7.5. Young is +9.0, though that's partially aided by the horrific suckitude of Stevenson earlier this season.)

Well which is it?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

"As long as I'm on this team and as long as I'm not doing that and [Butler]'s not doing that, it won't happen," Jamison said. "And I don't want to hear 'Play the young guys and get them ready' either. Nah, I'm not going to be a part of that. It's about going out there and competing with the guys you feel can help you win the game. Of course we've got to have some guys play minutes they wouldn't normally play, but in the words of Herman Edwards: 'You play to win the game.' That's what I plan on going out there and doing."

That's fine that Jamison feels that way, but I think he needs to be told that he ain't coaching the team. It'd be one thing if what they were doing was working - or was close to working, but when you've got the worst record in the NBA... things gotsta change.

I think he needs to be traded to Portland, New York, New Jersey, or Houston.

Herman Edwards is such a good coach that he got fired again. Give me Tomlin or some other Dungee disciple, and listen to what they say. Edwards is intense, was a great player, but as a coach was not so good.

As for Jamison, the record speaks for itself. This team's not winning shyt and he's playing big minutes. If Jamison thinks the young guys don't need minutes he's being selfish. If he think he's winning this team games this year, as I was called in another thread yesterday, he's being delusional.

The "I'm not going to be a part of that" makes me think that with all likelihood a new coach coming on, Antawn doesn't have to be a part of whatever happens down the road. I love Antawn's competitiveness and up until now his character. But right now he's being a prima donna IMO.

Buit right now I agree with Lyrical, 100%, somebody with some nuts needs to tell Jamison he's not coaching the team. The best way to do that would be to sit him down on the bench a while. 30 minutes a game, man. How hard is that?

What's he going to do? Sulk? Get over it and look at your bank account!

[Wizards2Lottery]

Tankscott is a clown. The inmates are running this asylum.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

When I said the Wizards would be better playing the young guys I was not being delusional.

Blatche, Young, McGuire, McGee will do more over the long haul than two shot jacking vets who never played much defense and who both seem to suddenly have a sense of entitlement. Now that EJ's been fired and Tapscott is coaching, as a result of the most recent losses, the chemistry on this team is bad. Both those guys thinking they're all stars is ludicrous to me.

Really doesn't matter much to me now, with the season sucking the way it is. I'm just curious as to what will happen. Jamison and Butler have career numbers and pride on the line. Tapscott's I guess playing for a job. Grunfeld might be sitting back and praying for lottery balls.

Only thing I HATE is this is discouraging for the fine young talent on the Wizards.

To end on a positive I'm pleased that Gil's not saying a word as he heals and that Haywood's in good shape. IN A WAY I'm not upset with Jamison or Butler for thinking highly of themselves and their play. They are real competitive. Jamison did average 32/10 in a playoff series and has put up back-to-back 50 point games. What I think they're each probably doing is talking their way into trades.

[miller31time]

What Jamison said would make sense if we had more than, oh, 10 wins. Clearly, heavy minutes for the veterans is NOT leading to wins, and judging by an array of stats (and use of the eyes), veterans like Mike James, DeShawn Stevenson and Darius Songaila (who I will give credit to, since he does bust his butt when in the game) are not as effective as our young talent (Blatche, Young, McGee). And to add insult to injury, the veterans are not going to get any better, while we can get a jumpstart to developing young talent if we just play them more.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Butler's on/off differential is -3.4. Jamison's on/off differential is just +0.4.

These stats should be taken with a grain of salt since there is insufficient "off" time to get a good sample size, but nevertheless, the stats seem to indicate that neither player has been more effective than the stupid, lazy youngsters playing behind them.

It's great that Jamison wants to win games and that he feels that winning should take priority over player development. But he needs to understand that playing the young guys is not synonymous with throwing games. Statistically speaking, the young guys have been as effective as the vets. Blatche and Young in particular have been dramatically more effective than the vets. (Blatche is +7.5. Young is +9.0, though that's partially aided by the horrific suckitude of Stevenson earlier this season.)

Which is why in the other thread I said if Blatche played more 4 and McGee played more 5, and if Young was counted on to score--with the young players the Wizards would win more games than with the vets who are currently logging heavy minutes.

McGee at 5 hasn't been as effective under Tapscott, but I'd take my chances that he's a better C than Songaila. (I'm not mad at Darius, however. He's been okay IMO).

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

To end on a positive I'm pleased that Gil's not saying a word as he heals and that Haywood's in good shape. IN A WAY I'm not upset with Jamison or Butler for thinking highly of themselves and their play. They are real competitive. Jamison did average 32/10 in a playoff series and has put up back-to-back 50 point games. What I think they're each probably doing is talking their way into trades.

I hadn't even thought of that. And it's a good point. I'm not exactly mad at Jamison, he's just extremely short-sighted. Whereas Gil sitting out for a prolonged amount of time and not pushing to jump back into big minutes in a bum season shows planning and vision for next year. Jamison's got to see that he and Butler playing 40 minutes a game has led to the worst record in the league and this season is a wash, and that playing the youngsters this year isnt an affront to his talent but darned good planning for next year and beyond when we need their talent and experience. His lobbying for minutes is only going to hurt the team in the long haul, and possibly add mileage to his already long career.

Like I said, I'm not mad at him, but I kind of hope he gets a bum ankle and has to miss a couple games so he'll sit his butt down on the bench and eat a piece of humble pie.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

I think he needs to be traded to Portland, New York, New Jersey, or Houston.

Would AJ for David Lee (and one of their contracts like Malik?) be dreaming too big?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I think he needs to be traded to Portland, New York, New Jersey, or Houston.

Would AJ for David Lee (and one of their contracts like Malik?) be dreaming too big?

It doesn't hurt to dream big, NBTW.

I think this is exactly the kind of deal the Wizards should consider. Dump salary. Get a robust, rebounding PF, if Lee's resigned.

No worries if he isn't.

[nate33]

NY won't trade for Jamison's contract.

[nate33]

Butler's on/off differential is -3.4. Jamison's on/off differential is just +0.4.

These stats should be taken with a grain of salt since there is insufficient "off" time to get a good sample size, but nevertheless, the stats seem to indicate that neither player has been more effective than the stupid, lazy youngsters playing behind them.

It's great that Jamison wants to win games and that he feels that winning should take priority over player development. But he needs to understand that playing the young guys is not synonymous with throwing games. Statistically speaking, the young guys have been as effective as the vets. Blatche and Young in particular have been dramatically more effective than the vets. (Blatche is +7.5. Young is +9.0, though that's partially aided by the horrific suckitude of Stevenson earlier this season.)

Well which is it?

It's not an either or situation. The stats aren't right or wrong, they're just less accurate with smaller sample sizes. The margin of error is greater. My guess is that both Butler and Jamison are more helpful than their numbers suggest because they play in all of the important minutes when the competition is more fierce. But in Butler's case, being more effective than -3.4 is damning with faint praise. And Jamison being a bit better than +0.4 isn't much to write home about either.

I'm fine with Jamison and Butler wanting to be on the floor because they're competitive. I'm just a little concerned with the implied message in Jamison's statement. He is basically saying that he and Butler are carrying their weight and nobody else is helping out. The numbers suggest that that's not entirely true. It's probably not a good idea to voice such an opinion even if it's accurate. It's definitely a bad idea to voice such an opinion when it's inaccurate.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

NY won't trade for Jamison's contract.

Oh yeah, good ol' 2010. Thanks for the reality check. I guess we can scratch New Jersey off of that list too.

[AAEXPRESS]

One thing that is all quiet on the Wizards front is any discussion about who our next Coach will be. If it is either Tapscott or Unseld Jr this franchise is going down the tubes even faster. Tapscott is worse than EJ if you ask me he needs to go soon. Media coverage for the Wiz in Washington sucks. I used to live in NY and if a player got a hang nail it got coverage in the media. I hate the coverage by the Washington media.


My other question would be if the teams goal is continuty or to get good enough to win a championship. I ask that because if we do not make any moves and everyone comes back healthy next year, we still cant beat the Cavs or Celts. I think its time for us to move Jamison and Songalia if we can. We also need to be committed to getting the youngins run for the rest of the season. In the offseason, there was a lot of debate about whether the Wiz should make a move or stand pat, I was on the side of making a move which included not re-signing Jamison. At some point, fingers need to point to EG because he is the one putting the team together. The only reason I can stomach watching a Wiz game now is because I want to see what the young players are doing. Watching Jamison and Butler play almost 40 minutes does not excite me at all.

[DCZards]

"As long as I'm on this team and as long as I'm not doing that and [Butler]'s not doing that, it won't happen," Jamison said. "And I don't want to hear 'Play the young guys and get them ready' either. Nah, I'm not going to be a part of that. It's about going out there and competing with the guys you feel can help you win the game. Of course we've got to have some guys play minutes they wouldn't normally play, but in the words of Herman Edwards: 'You play to win the game.' That's what I plan on going out there and doing."

That's fine that Jamison feels that way, but I think he needs to be told that he ain't coaching the team. It'd be one thing if what they were doing was working - or was close to working, but when you've got the worst record in the NBA... things gotsta change.

Jamison is talking like the competitor that he is. Nothing wrong with that. AJ brings it every night and, like just about every athlete who has made it to the pro level, expects to and wants to win every game. Tanking is something that only some so-called fans believe in.

[Ruzious]

"As long as I'm on this team and as long as I'm not doing that and [Butler]'s not doing that, it won't happen," Jamison said. "And I don't want to hear 'Play the young guys and get them ready' either. Nah, I'm not going to be a part of that. It's about going out there and competing with the guys you feel can help you win the game. Of course we've got to have some guys play minutes they wouldn't normally play, but in the words of Herman Edwards: 'You play to win the game.' That's what I plan on going out there and doing."

That's fine that Jamison feels that way, but I think he needs to be told that he ain't coaching the team. It'd be one thing if what they were doing was working - or was close to working, but when you've got the worst record in the NBA... things gotsta change.

Jamison is talking like the competitor that he is. Nothing wrong with that. AJ brings it every night and, like just about every athlete who has made it to the pro level, expects to and wants to win every game. Tanking is something that only psuedo-fans believe in.

They don't need to tank - they've got the NBA's worst record playing it Jamison's way!

[barelyawake]

On paper, a Blatche/Haywood front court sounds great -- dominating even. It's what this team has been planning for some time. Which is why AJ said long ago that he was basically grooming Blatche to take over this team. Blatche hasn't shown one ounce of leadership ability thus far. So, to me it's a paper tiger. I hope I'm proven wrong. As is, there is no way in hell I would put faith in that being a championship front court. You trust Blatche to make the critical shot in game five of a tough series, while he's limping a lil after getting hacked in the third quarter? I really do not see it. I hope he proves me wrong. I have a lil more faith in Bosh doing it. And a lil more faith than that in Griffin doing it. Again, I'm sorry but I have much more faith in JO doing it. I'd have more faith in Blatche with a tougher vet here on the bench (someone banging Blatche in practice everyday). So, then the game five shot seems easy in comparison. Potential is great and all. But, potential doesn't make critical shots on a bum leg. McGee will make that shot once he develops -- especially if we get one of those tough vets on him in practice. At the very least, we need a McDyess or Joe Smith in Song's place, if you want to keep this front court together. That's my opinion.