Line-ups, rotation, analysis thread.

[nate33]

My why we are underrated, and if not who cares, rant…

I believe we are in a position to create one of the best teams we’ve had in decades. Better than the Wall years. Better than the Arenas years. Better than the Jordan years. And people are missing some key reasons why. No doubt that us being good (and I mean fourth in the conference good) is based on some gambles paying off. But, here’s the thing. If they don’t pay off, they probably will lead to disaster (a complete meltdown). And that disaster is a ticket to the Victor sweepstakes.

First misconception
If healthy, KP is going to kill it next year. If not, see the Victor sweepstakes outcome. However, all signs point to him shutting a lot of people up, next season. Because we are going to do the unthinkable (for most NBA franchises). We are going to base our offense around a guy like KP. And that’s all he’s ever wanted. It’s insanity. No franchise would do it. And it just could work.

KP had problems in New York because of bad press. He had problems in Dallas because Luka, the system and injuries. First, I think Luka is an arrogant prick. I’d have problems with him too. But, Dallas stuck a guy with knee problems and delusions of grandeur out on the trey line. That’s not where he belongs. He is late stage Tim Duncan. And we should build the team, since we aren’t dismantling it, around that idea. You plant him at the foul line because he’s unstoppable from there with a myriad of shots and moves, and don’t task him with moving a lot (thus risking his knees). And on D, you stick him under the basket and let him clog the lane and block shots. Especially since he’s stronger now than he’s ever been.

Second Misconception
Beal is done. Man, this board loves proclaiming that everyone over the age of 23 and 1/2 are washed up. Beal is an emotional player/guy. That effects a lot of his game. Last year, he had Covid three times, his grandmother died, and half the team rebelled against him calling him the ball hog he called Wall. Beal, at heart, is the “let everyone eat” guy. When you ask him to do too much, he tries too hard on offense. Making him a point guard is like asking a kid to guard the cookie jar.

You need a smart point making the decisions of when and where Beal gets the ball. When the pressure is off him to “be the man,” he takes smarter shots and plays good enough defense to not be a liability (if the rest of the team is defensive-minded to be his safety net).

Misconception Three
We blew the draft. I mean, we probably did blow the draft, by picking a guy who doesn’t have the highest ceiling. I’m quite certain there will be a handful of players who end up better than Davis that we passed on. But, when you are creating a team around Beal and KP (two guys who have complained about point guards taking all the shots), you want guys like Morris and Davis at the point. Guys from Denver said Morris is so smart and likable he should run for President. Davis is a levelheaded leader in the making as well. If we can get Davis to become half-Morris/half-Delon, that’s kinda the perfect point to pair with Beal. I wanted Murray and I like KCP quite a bit, but Morris is Kuzma’s buddy, and that helps team stability.

Misconception Four
This team is in disarray. They had a meltdown last year, and they have no direction or unity. I don’t see that. I see a team that seems to hang together more than any team we’ve ever had. I think that is Kuzma’s greatest strength. He a good guy. Rui and Deni are good guys. And KP got welcomed into a place that wants to build around him. He’s happy. Beal’s happy.

So, don’t stress me on the strained Spurs analogy. I get we aren’t the Spurs and certainly don’t have their coach or talent. I’m merely using them as a framework. So, to be Spurslike, what do you need? We have aging Tim Duncan posted at the key. Now, you need a second scorer in aging Parker. We have Beal. Not the same, obviously. But, at least offensively, they do similar jobs. You need a very good scorer off the bench. We might have that in Rui or Davis (obviously ours is a tad worse than theirs). You need great team passing; great defense; and shooters like Green. Look I said the analogy was strained. And we aren’t winning a championship next year. But…

Morris/Davis
Beal/Delon
Deni/Kispert
X/KP/Taj
KP/Gafford

Looks sorta like what I mean about the Spurs. Delon, Deni, Taj and Davis are going to be good defenders. KP is going to block shots. Kisp and Morris are good shooters. Now, you have Barton (expiring), Kuzma, Rui and draft picks to trade at trade deadline get X. And how good you get out of X determines how good this team will be. And there is still a 12% - 16% chance Rui or Kuzma become the player we need in terms of high teen scoring, distribution and roaming help defense.

So, the goal of the start of next season is to showcase those three, and then trade them (with picks) for a guy like Siakam. Problem is you have to showcase them, without letting their lack of defense kill you, and stay around a five seed. Then, trade them with picks for a star who plays defense. It is an insane plan that no other team would dream of doing, but it might work.

And if not, GOOD. I want Victor anyway…

I don't disagree with the general gist of this argument, only in the magnitude. There are arguments to be made that the team will be significantly improved from last year with the integration of Porzingis, the upgrade at PG, and hopefully with a rebound year from Beal. But if everything breaks right, I still don't see "best team in decades". I see a 44-46 win team - and that's assuming a lot of good luck with injuries. The East is just too good for this team to push 50 wins to be the best team in decades.

The absolute peak upside of this team is 46 wins and a 6th seed. That's nothing to get excited about.

The part of your argument that I disagree with is the Plan B part: the Victor Sweepstakes. That's the part that's not going to happen. In the likely event that Porzingis gets hurt and ruins their playoff chances, the rest of this team is just good enough to stay out of the bottom 5. And we know they will never tank. They'd rather post a few extra meaningless wins in April. So it's not an either or scenario: playoffs or Victor. It's the exact opposite. It's highly likely that they are mired in the 32-44 win area where they either make the play-in or finish as the 11th seed. And that's not going to improve over time because they have no young player with star potential that make the leap and vault them into contender status.

[barelyawake]

Good retort, Nate. To which, I’d say a) the east is better than we have seen in decades (so we can be our best version and still be sixth seed) and b) our previous versions aren’t that difficult to top. But, I’d say if it works, we’ll be better than sixth. Some team will be a paper tiger. And that’s just the first year with KP and Beal. It could get better the year after.

Also, if KP gets injured, I think Beal will go back to trying too hard and the bottom will come quicker than you think.

[FAH1223]

My why we are underrated, and if not who cares, rant…

I believe we are in a position to create one of the best teams we’ve had in decades. Better than the Wall years. Better than the Arenas years. Better than the Jordan years. And people are missing some key reasons why. No doubt that us being good (and I mean fourth in the conference good) is based on some gambles paying off. But, here’s the thing. If they don’t pay off, they probably will lead to disaster (a complete meltdown). And that disaster is a ticket to the Victor sweepstakes.

First misconception
If healthy, KP is going to kill it next year. If not, see the Victor sweepstakes outcome. However, all signs point to him shutting a lot of people up, next season. Because we are going to do the unthinkable (for most NBA franchises). We are going to base our offense around a guy like KP. And that’s all he’s ever wanted. It’s insanity. No franchise would do it. And it just could work.

KP had problems in New York because of bad press. He had problems in Dallas because Luka, the system and injuries. First, I think Luka is an arrogant prick. I’d have problems with him too. But, Dallas stuck a guy with knee problems and delusions of grandeur out on the trey line. That’s not where he belongs. He is late stage Tim Duncan. And we should build the team, since we aren’t dismantling it, around that idea. You plant him at the foul line because he’s unstoppable from there with a myriad of shots and moves, and don’t task him with moving a lot (thus risking his knees). And on D, you stick him under the basket and let him clog the lane and block shots. Especially since he’s stronger now than he’s ever been.

Second Misconception
Beal is done. Man, this board loves proclaiming that everyone over the age of 23 and 1/2 are washed up. Beal is an emotional player/guy. That effects a lot of his game. Last year, he had Covid three times, his grandmother died, and half the team rebelled against him calling him the ball hog he called Wall. Beal, at heart, is the “let everyone eat” guy. When you ask him to do too much, he tries too hard on offense. Making him a point guard is like asking a kid to guard the cookie jar.

You need a smart point making the decisions of when and where Beal gets the ball. When the pressure is off him to “be the man,” he takes smarter shots and plays good enough defense to not be a liability (if the rest of the team is defensive-minded to be his safety net).

Misconception Three
We blew the draft. I mean, we probably did blow the draft, by picking a guy who doesn’t have the highest ceiling. I’m quite certain there will be a handful of players who end up better than Davis that we passed on. But, when you are creating a team around Beal and KP (two guys who have complained about point guards taking all the shots), you want guys like Morris and Davis at the point. Guys from Denver said Morris is so smart and likable he should run for President. Davis is a levelheaded leader in the making as well. If we can get Davis to become half-Morris/half-Delon, that’s kinda the perfect point to pair with Beal. I wanted Murray and I like KCP quite a bit, but Morris is Kuzma’s buddy, and that helps team stability.

Misconception Four
This team is in disarray. They had a meltdown last year, and they have no direction or unity. I don’t see that. I see a team that seems to hang together more than any team we’ve ever had. I think that is Kuzma’s greatest strength. He a good guy. Rui and Deni are good guys. And KP got welcomed into a place that wants to build around him. He’s happy. Beal’s happy.

So, don’t stress me on the strained Spurs analogy. I get we aren’t the Spurs and certainly don’t have their coach or talent. I’m merely using them as a framework. So, to be Spurslike, what do you need? We have aging Tim Duncan posted at the key. Now, you need a second scorer in aging Parker. We have Beal. Not the same, obviously. But, at least offensively, they do similar jobs. You need a very good scorer off the bench. We might have that in Rui or Davis (obviously ours is a tad worse than theirs). You need great team passing; great defense; and shooters like Green. Look I said the analogy was strained. And we aren’t winning a championship next year. But…

Morris/Davis
Beal/Delon
Deni/Kispert
X/KP/Taj
KP/Gafford

Looks sorta like what I mean about the Spurs. Delon, Deni, Taj and Davis are going to be good defenders. KP is going to block shots. Kisp and Morris are good shooters. Now, you have Barton (expiring), Kuzma, Rui and draft picks to trade at trade deadline get X. And how good you get out of X determines how good this team will be. And there is still a 12% - 16% chance Rui or Kuzma become the player we need in terms of high teen scoring, distribution and roaming help defense.

So, the goal of the start of next season is to showcase those three, and then trade them (with picks) for a guy like Siakam. Problem is you have to showcase them, without letting their lack of defense kill you, and stay around a five seed. Then, trade them with picks for a star who plays defense. It is an insane plan that no other team would dream of doing, but it might work.

And if not, GOOD. I want Victor anyway…

I don't disagree with the general gist of this argument, only in the magnitude. There are arguments to be made that the team will be significantly improved from last year with the integration of Porzingis, the upgrade at PG, and hopefully with a rebound year from Beal. But if everything breaks right, I still don't see "best team in decades". I see a 44-46 win team - and that's assuming a lot of good luck with injuries. The East is just too good for this team to push 50 wins to be the best team in decades.

The absolute peak upside of this team is 46 wins and a 6th seed. That's nothing to get excited about.

The part of your argument that I disagree with is the Plan B part: the Victor Sweepstakes. That's the part that's not going to happen. In the likely event that Porzingis gets hurt and ruins their playoff chances, the rest of this team is just good enough to stay out of the bottom 5. And we know they will never tank. They'd rather post a few extra meaningless wins in April. So it's not an either or scenario: playoffs or Victor. It's the exact opposite. It's highly likely that they are mired in the 32-44 win area where they either make the play-in or finish as the 11th seed. And that's not going to improve over time because they have no young player with star potential that make the leap and vault them into contender status.

This roster is more like the 2011 Mavericks than the 2013-14 Spurs.

[doclinkin]

My why we are underrated, and if not who cares, rant…

.. snip ..

it might work.

And if not, GOOD. I want Victor anyway…

Good to see BA back, and in full rant. I've made a number of these points, and still think we are unlikely to be 'good'. But one wild card also overlooked: Tommy Sheppard is a dangerous free radical. Most of the moves he made were crater-making meteors from a blue sky. At any moment if things are not working he may get restless and pull off something loopy. He does not sit still for long, even on big free agent signings like last year's Dinwiddie. He has no conscience on his mistakes, at any minute willing to sandblast something that looked otherwise chiseled in stone. And aside from Beal it seems like this team is mostly made of moveable parts. Never know what deal may be patched together.

[tleikheen]

"Starting Five: Monte Morris, Bradley Beal, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis

2021-22 Net Rating: N/A

After a 2021-22 season spent without a reliable starter at the point guard position, Washington Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard outlined the obvious for reporters: "I think we need somebody that is a pass-first point guard; somebody that will be able to contain the dribble on the defensive end and help us keep people out of the paint."

Morris has never averaged more than 5.6 assists per 36 minutes over a full season, and he's certainly not known as a stopper, so Sheppard whiffed on both counts. And yet Washington was so inept at the point that Morris is still a serious upgrade on what they had.

Washington's starters will fill it up on offense, as all five players are either quality spacers, useful ball-movers or both. Avdija's shooting is the most suspect in the group, and plenty of projections have Will Barton starting ahead of him. But the Wizards finished 25th in defensive efficiency last season. Avdija was quietly one of the most promising young stoppers in the league last year and easily topped all Wizards in Defensive Estimated Plus/Minus. With great size, fiery competitiveness and quick feet for a 6'9" combo forward, Avdija's too valuable to leave on the bench. That's to say nothing of the potential for growth from a lottery pick that won't turn 22 until January.

It'll take an All-Defensive Team level of impact from him to keep opponents from lighting this bunch up, which is why we can't quite justify moving this potent offensive unit into the top half of our rankings." ........from the Bleacher Report today

Morris is an upgrade but he makes the Wiz small in the backcourt and not much of a defender. So I am glad to see Avidja listed as a starter ,he and Kuzma can bring the ball up the court so its not always in Morris hands.
Im betting on Kuzma ,Avidja ,Hachimura ,Kispert ,and Gafford all playing better this year. I think they'll get stronger and more competitive if the minutes are for them.

[payitforward]

I like Morris a lot, as you know. He'll be extremely good. But the guy you don't mention is even more important in a way: Delon Wright.

Wright is one the most underrated players in the league. He's by no means a volume scorer, but he has a huge impact on the other main desideratum: extra possesssions.

Wright rarely turns the ball over & he gets a lot of steals. Moreover, terrific defender though he is, he rarely fouls. Plus, he's an outstanding rebounder for a guard.

[tleikheen]

Wright rarely turns the ball over & he gets a lot of steals. Moreover, terrific defender though he is, he rarely fouls. Plus, he's an outstanding rebounder for a guard.

I watched alot of Denver basketball which tempers my enthusiasm for Morris and Barton. I know why Denver fanz are happy getting KCP for these two.
My worry is that WUJ isnt a very good coach and will start the year out with a smallish back court and the Wiz lose early. Id rather see the 6'5" Delon Wright start at PG making the Wiz a tall starting lineup .

PG) Delon Wright 6'5"
SG) Bradley Beal 6'4"
SF) Deni Avidja 6'9"
PF) Kyle Kuzma 6'9"
C) Kristaps Porzingas 7'3"

I think this lineup will be harder for other teams to deal with.
Ive also been an advocate of the longtime team mates Morris and Barton play together until Kispert takes Bartons minutes from him at SG. Also Hachimura should get as much minutes as Avidja and Kuzma. Gafford of course backs up KP but hes' gonna force minutes on the Wiz with his play also .

[Frichuela]

Wright rarely turns the ball over & he gets a lot of steals. Moreover, terrific defender though he is, he rarely fouls. Plus, he's an outstanding rebounder for a guard.

I watched alot of Denver basketball which tempers my enthusiasm for Morris and Barton. I know why Denver fanz are happy getting KCP for these two.
My worry is that WUJ isnt a very good coach and will start the year out with a smallish back court and the Wiz lose early. Id rather see the 6'5" Delon Wright start at PG making the Wiz a tall starting lineup .

PG) Delon Wright 6'5"
SG) Bradley Beal 6'4"
SF) Deni Avidja 6'9"
PF) Kyle Kuzma 6'9"
C) Kristaps Porzingas 7'3"

I think this lineup will be harder for other teams to deal with.
Ive also been an advocate of the longtime team mates Morris and Barton play together until Kispert takes Bartons minutes from him at SG. Also Hachimura should get as much minutes as Avidja and Kuzma. Gafford of course backs up KP but hes' gonna force minutes on the Wiz with his play also .

This line-up would make sense but Wes is likely to start (and play significant minutes) his "teacher pets" in Morris and Barton. And I sincerely hope I am wrong...

[tleikheen]

but Wes is likely to start (and play significant minutes) his "teacher pets" in Morris and Barton. And I sincerely hope I am wrong...

I share the fear also.... WUJ is a follower ,not a trendsetter ,another mistake by the Wizards FO.
He's still doing smallball lineups. Bleacher Reports top 5 lineups are all bigger at the PG (Morris 6'2/183lbs),SG (Beal 6'4/207 lbs),SF(Barton 6'5" 180 lbs) positions.

#5) Denver PG Murray 6'4", SG KCP 6'5", SF MPJ 6'10"
#4) Clippers PG Wall 6'3" ,SG George 6'8",SF Kawhi 6'7"
#3) 76ers PG Harden 6'5", SG Maxie 6'2", SF Harris 6'7"
#2) Boston PG Smart 6'4" ,SG Brown 6'6",SF Tatum6'8"
#1) GS PG Curry 6'3",SG Thompson 6'7", SF Wiggins 6'7"

[payitforward]

Actually, I think the single most important line-up issue is to get @ 2300 minutes of PT for both Morris & Wright. Wright is a combo guard; he can play behind both Morris & Beal, but it'll still take some thought to get him the minutes he needs. Figure Brad at about the same # of minutes.

Davis is simply a question mark at this point. Barton fills in at the 2 & 3.

Kispert should play 1800 minutes & Deni somewhat more than that.

Given that some of Deni's minutes come at the 4 (as was the case last year), we obviously still have one too many forwards. If we were able to trade one of Rui or Kuzma for future assets, that would be helpful. Especially since Anthony Gill sufficiently productive that he could easily handle twice the 463 minutes he got last year.

But, the key to maximizing wins for this team is to make sure Wright & Morris play enough.

[doclinkin]

Whichever line Rui is in is where I want Morris. Morris may not be a top assist man in the league, but he has a solid sense of the moment and should be able to translate where he wants Rui to be at any moment. A bench line-up of:

Morris
Kispert
Barton
Rui
Gafford

Has spacing for Gafford in the middle posting 4 out, smart backdoor cuts by Kispert, ranged shooting at all points of the arc if you look at the hotspots in the shot chart of each.

Given that we may run the offense through KP I'd be interested to see a starting line of

Delon
Beal
Deni
Kuz
Porzingis

Since anyone aside from KP can bring the ball up the court, and all are smart enough to play off the ball. The only issue in my mind is three point shooting if KP and Beal are still in a slump (and Kuz is streaky, and Deni hasn't shown a reliable 3 ball yet).

[payitforward]

.... WUJ is a follower ,not a trendsetter, another mistake by the Wizards FO.
He's still doing smallball lineups. Bleacher Reports top 5 lineups are all bigger at the PG (Morris 6'2/183lbs),SG (Beal 6'4/207 lbs),SF(Barton 6'5" 180 lbs) positions.

#5) Denver PG Murray 6'4", SG KCP 6'5", SF MPJ 6'10"
#4) Clippers PG Wall 6'3" ,SG George 6'8",SF Kawhi 6'7"
#3) 76ers PG Harden 6'5", SG Maxie 6'2", SF Harris 6'7"
#2) Boston PG Smart 6'4" ,SG Brown 6'6",SF Tatum6'8"
#1) GS PG Curry 6'3",SG Thompson 6'7", SF Wiggins 6'7"

I'm having some trouble understanding this. Help me out:

1. Where did you learn this thing about WUJ? I.e. that he's "a follower, not a trendsetter"? Did you read about it on Bleacher Report? Is that it? Or, is it something he told you personally? Maybe it's something you've observed in some context?

2. So... since other lineups are bigger at the PG, we should become trendsetters by following their lead...? Is that what you're saying?

3. Steph has always been listed at 6'2". Klay Thompson has always been listed at 6'6". Then again, Brad is 6'3". OTOH, Barton is 6'6".

4. Paul George is a SG??? Now there's some interesting news! You should get in touch with Bleacher Report & let them know about this development!

[nate33]

Whichever line Rui is in is where I want Morris. Morris may not be a top assist man in the league, but he has a solid sense of the moment and should be able to translate where he wants Rui to be at any moment. A bench line-up of:

Morris
Kispert
Barton
Rui
Gafford

Has spacing for Gafford in the middle posting 4 out, smart backdoor cuts by Kispert, ranged shooting at all points of the arc if you look at the hotspots in the shot chart of each.

Given that we may run the offense through KP I'd be interested to see a starting line of

Delon
Beal
Deni
Kuz
Porzingis

Since anyone aside from KP can bring the ball up the court, and all are smart enough to play off the ball. The only issue in my mind is three point shooting if KP and Beal are still in a slump (and Kuz is streaky, and Deni hasn't shown a reliable 3 ball yet).

If the team is clearly suffering because of the poor 3-point shooting from Deni/Kuzma, then insert Kispert in the starting lineup for either one of them (preferably Kuzma).

[queridiculo]

Morris is an upgrade but he makes the Wiz small in the backcourt and not much of a defender. So I am glad to see Avidja listed as a starter ,he and Kuzma can bring the ball up the court so its not always in Morris hands.
Im betting on Kuzma ,Avidja ,Hachimura ,Kispert ,and Gafford all playing better this year. I think they'll get stronger and more competitive if the minutes are for them.

I am not convinced that Morris will be the starter.

Wright seems far better suited to fill the role of a starter alongside Beal because of his defensive impact and the size he adds to the lineup.

Wright has a tendency to disappear and seems far better suited to play as third of fourth option, while Morris would seem like a more natural fit to run a team when Beal is not on the floor.

[bsilver]

but Wes is likely to start (and play significant minutes) his "teacher pets" in Morris and Barton. And I sincerely hope I am wrong...

I share the fear also.... WUJ is a follower ,not a trendsetter ,another mistake by the Wizards FO.
He's still doing smallball lineups. Bleacher Reports top 5 lineups are all bigger at the PG (Morris 6'2/183lbs),SG (Beal 6'4/207 lbs),SF(Barton 6'5" 180 lbs) positions.

#5) Denver PG Murray 6'4", SG KCP 6'5", SF MPJ 6'10"
#4) Clippers PG Wall 6'3" ,SG George 6'8",SF Kawhi 6'7"
#3) 76ers PG Harden 6'5", SG Maxie 6'2", SF Harris 6'7"
#2) Boston PG Smart 6'4" ,SG Brown 6'6",SF Tatum6'8"
#1) GS PG Curry 6'3",SG Thompson 6'7", SF Wiggins 6'7"

More than anything, coaches want to win. So, eventually we’ll have the best players out there.

Surprised that Phoenix lineup of Paul, Booker, and Bridges isn’t in the list. I’d take them over Denver, and 76ers.

My dream lineup -
PG Avdija 6’9”, SG Kispert 6’7”, SF Kuzma 6’10”, PF Porzingus 7’3”, C Tacko Fall 7’7”
Of course we don’t have Fall, but need to get him. He’s pretty good from 15 feet in, but I guess that doesn’t work these days.

[DCZards]

Morris is an upgrade but he makes the Wiz small in the backcourt and not much of a defender. So I am glad to see Avidja listed as a starter ,he and Kuzma can bring the ball up the court so its not always in Morris hands.
Im betting on Kuzma ,Avidja ,Hachimura ,Kispert ,and Gafford all playing better this year. I think they'll get stronger and more competitive if the minutes are for them.

I am not convinced that Morris will be the starter.

Wright seems far better suited to fill the role of a starter alongside Beal because of his defensive impact and the size he adds to the lineup.

Wright has a tendency to disappear and seems far better suited to play as third of fourth option, while Morris would seem like a more natural fit to run a team when Beal is not on the floor.

I’m totally convinced that Morris will start. The Zards want to put a ball handler and playmaker next to Beal so that BB doesn’t have to fill that role…as he too often has had to do in the recent past. Morris is better fit in that regard than Wright.

I understand the value of starting Wright next to Beal for his size and D…but I also see (and agree with) the argument for starting Morris.

[Frichuela]

Morris is an upgrade but he makes the Wiz small in the backcourt and not much of a defender. So I am glad to see Avidja listed as a starter ,he and Kuzma can bring the ball up the court so its not always in Morris hands.
Im betting on Kuzma ,Avidja ,Hachimura ,Kispert ,and Gafford all playing better this year. I think they'll get stronger and more competitive if the minutes are for them.

I am not convinced that Morris will be the starter.

Wright seems far better suited to fill the role of a starter alongside Beal because of his defensive impact and the size he adds to the lineup.

Wright has a tendency to disappear and seems far better suited to play as third of fourth option, while Morris would seem like a more natural fit to run a team when Beal is not on the floor.

I’m totally convinced that Morris will start. The Zards want to put a ball handler and playmaker next to Beal so that BB doesn’t have to fill that role…as he too often has had to do in the recent past. Morris is better fit in that regard than Wright.

I understand the value of starting Wright next to Beal for his size and D…but I also see (and agree with) the argument for starting Morris.

In that case, I hope Wes "sees the light" and starts a big wing at the 3 (preferably Deni), instead of Barton. A Morris-Beal-Barton trio is a train wreck defensively, which will be abused relentlessly by our opponents.

[Dat2U]

Whichever line Rui is in is where I want Morris. Morris may not be a top assist man in the league, but he has a solid sense of the moment and should be able to translate where he wants Rui to be at any moment. A bench line-up of:

Morris
Kispert
Barton
Rui
Gafford

Has spacing for Gafford in the middle posting 4 out, smart backdoor cuts by Kispert, ranged shooting at all points of the arc if you look at the hotspots in the shot chart of each.

Given that we may run the offense through KP I'd be interested to see a starting line of

Delon
Beal
Deni
Kuz
Porzingis

Since anyone aside from KP can bring the ball up the court, and all are smart enough to play off the ball. The only issue in my mind is three point shooting if KP and Beal are still in a slump (and Kuz is streaky, and Deni hasn't shown a reliable 3 ball yet).

If the team is clearly suffering because of the poor 3-point shooting from Deni/Kuzma, then insert Kispert in the starting lineup for either one of them (preferably Kuzma).

I don't think we'll see a Wright/Advija combo in the starting lineup for that reason. Teams will just sink in and dare them to take shots they'll likely pass on.

[payitforward]

I am not convinced that Morris will be the starter.

Wright seems far better suited to fill the role of a starter alongside Beal because of his defensive impact and the size he adds to the lineup.

Wright has a tendency to disappear and seems far better suited to play as third of fourth option, while Morris would seem like a more natural fit to run a team when Beal is not on the floor.

TBH, it doesn't much matter who start, Morris or Wright. These are both quite good players. What matters is that they each get enough minutes -- 2300 minutes each would be great. With Brad getting the same number of minutes (assuming his wrist is fully healed). That would leave about 1000 minutes available at guard, which I hope Johnny Davis would earn.

Even though it doesn't much matter who starts, Morris would be preferable all the same. There are two main reasons:

1. Delon Wright is not a shooter. He's an efficient, low-volume, opportunistic scorer. The more he's on the floor with Brad, the more shots Brad will take. Not what we should be planning for.

Another way to see this is to look at his rebounding. Wright gets 70% more offensive boards than an average PG, yet he takes only 70% as many FGAs as an average PG. You would assume that some of those offensive boards lead to easy points rather than to shots off a re-initiated offensive set.

2. Wright's not a pure PG; he's a combo guard. He can be on the floor w/ either Morris or Beal. To get sufficient minutes for Monte Morris & Delon Wright, we have to take advantage of that fact.

The other element in the discussion of Morris & Wright on this board is the usual lingering idea that, having been taken in R2, late in R2 at that, it just isn't possible Monte Morris is actually a good player. No matter how many times the facts show this to be a false prejudice, it just refuses to go away.

Thing is, Monte Morris is a really really good NBA player. He's proven it in multiple seasons. He only played 25 minutes as a rookie, & then his second season he was 3d in minutes on the Nuggets -- a much much better team than the Wizards.

Delon Wright is a terrific player too. Overall he's probably even better than Morris. For the Wizards to have as good a season as possible these two guys must play as much as possible. That's easier to accomplish if Morris starts at PG.

[DCZards]

2. Wright's not a pure PG; he's a combo guard. He can be on the floor w/ either Morris or Beal. To get sufficient minutes for Monte Morris & Delon Wright, we have to take advantage of that fact.

I expect to see some lineups where Beal, Morris and Wright are all on the floor at the same time. Wright is a good defender who is tall and long enough to defend SFs, as well as SGs and PGs. Wouldn't be surprised to see the three of them on the floor together in the closing minutes of close games.