Round 2, Game 1: SET THE TONE! Wizards @ Pacers 7 PM TNT 5/5

Jay81 · Post #721 » by **Jay81** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:11 pm

Wall has been in a shooting slump for 2 months...at some point its best not to call it a slump and call it what it is...he is still a terrible shooter. The rest of his game is fine but he needs to be drawing 10 free throws a game like DJ augestine lol

Gortat has also been shooting terrible which is more perplexing since most of his shots are bunnies.

Sonny Carson · Post #722 » by **Sonny Carson** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:20 pm

Jay81 wrote:Wall has been in a shooting slump for 2 months...at some point its best not to call it a slump and call it what it is...he is still a terrible shooter. The rest of his game is fine but he needs to be drawing 10 free throws a game like DJ augestine lol

Gortat has also been shooting terrible which is more perplexing since most of his shots are bunnies.

The thing people keep forgetting...

People are saying "he's playing fine"

but overlook the fact he's able to get away with that because Nene (scoring 3 more than his average), Beal (scoring 3 more than his average/and getting more assists), Ariza (scoring almost 3 more than his average)

Those 3 guys have STEPPED UP in the playoffs. Because if they didnt...Wall would be catching a lot of heat right now.

The Glass Half Full version is.....imagine how good you could be when Wall starts playing to his norm...or take it up a notch in the playoffs like others.

Its a luxury the Wizards have with others picking up slack..but eventually a star must emerge.....unless the star is Beal.

FAH1223 · Post #723 » by **FAH1223** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:23 pm

fishercob wrote:I watched several of the postgame pressers -- Randy, Ariza, Vogel, George, Lane, Hibbert.

I cannot remember ever seeing a team so utterly despondent after going down 1-0. Not once did I hear "it's just one game; we'll be ready on Wednesday" for Vogel or any of the Indy players. They are emotionally fragile, if not broken.

If the Wiz can take care of business on Wednesday, I think this series is done -- and no, I can't believe I am saying this.

Edit: Here's Vogel. Does this guy believe his team has a chance?

Charles Barkley was laughing hysterically at David West shaking his head after a question about Hibbert. :lol:

Brenice · Post #724 » by **Brenice** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:27 pm

But still, Wall is setting a tone defensively and owning the pace offensively while running an efficient offense. Why is Ariza getting open looks? Answer, because defenses are keying on Wall, not Ariza, not Beal, not Nene, not Gortat. So yes, the numbers for the other starters are up, but it's because of Wall.

Wall led the team in +-

pancakes3 · Post #725 » by **pancakes3** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:28 pm

I think some of you guys are morphing into single-issue voters with respect to Wall's shot selection.

Post #726 » by **Zonkerbl** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:29 pm

Yeah, I think the Wizards are taking what the defense is giving them. They WANT defenses to key on Wall because he is a much better distributor than a scorer. Taking away Wall's offense is playing to his strengths.

Dark Faze · Post #727 » by **Dark Faze** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:32 pm

Sonny Carson wrote:
Jay81 wrote:Wall has been in a shooting slump for 2 months...at some point its best not to call it a slump and call it what it is...he is still a terrible shooter. The rest of his game is fine but he needs to be drawing 10 free throws a game like DJ augestine lol

Gortat has also been shooting terrible which is more perplexing since most of his shots are bunnies.

The thing people keep forgetting...

People are saying "he's playing fine"

but overlook the fact he's able to get away with that because Nene (scoring 3 more than his average), Beal (scoring 3 more than his average/and getting more assists), Ariza (scoring almost 3 more than his average)

Those 3 guys have STEPPED UP in the playoffs. Because if they didnt...Wall would be catching a lot of heat right now.

The Glass Half Full version is.....imagine how good you could be when Wall starts playing to his norm...or take it up a notch in the playoffs like others.

Its a luxury the Wizards have with others picking up slack..but eventually a star must emerge.....unless the star is Beal.

Wall is doing what we need him to in order to win. Could we use him knocking down more jumpers? Sure. But you just have to watch the sort of penetration Indiana gets when Wall is out, how much better our defense is with him in, how much better our offense works and the ball gets moved. Against both Indiana and Chicago the name of the game is turnovers. You have to keep them low. Playoff basketball is about possessions.

Sonny Carson · Post #728 » by **Sonny Carson** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:40 pm

Dark Faze wrote:
Sonny Carson wrote:
Jay81 wrote:Wall has been in a shooting slump for 2 months...at some point its best not to call it a slump and call it what it is...he is still a terrible shooter. The rest of his game is fine but he needs to be drawing 10 free throws a game like DJ augestine lol

Gortat has also been shooting terrible which is more perplexing since most of his shots are bunnies.

The thing people keep forgetting...

People are saying "he's playing fine"

but overlook the fact he's able to get away with that because Nene (scoring 3 more than his average), Beal (scoring 3 more than his average/and getting more assists), Ariza (scoring almost 3 more than his average)

Those 3 guys have STEPPED UP in the playoffs. Because if they didnt...Wall would be catching a lot of heat right now.

The Glass Half Full version is.....imagine how good you could be when Wall starts playing to his norm...or take it up a notch in the playoffs like others.

Its a luxury the Wizards have with others picking up slack..but eventually a star must emerge.....unless the star is Beal.

Wall is doing what we need him to in order to win. Could we use him knocking down more jumpers? Sure. But you just have to watch the sort of penetration Indiana gets when Wall is out, how much better our defense is with him in, how much better our offense works and the ball gets moved. Against both Indiana and Chicago the name of the game is turnovers. You have to keep them low. Playoff basketball is about possessions.

Oh I'm not knocking it.

He's been playing an EXCELLENT floor game throughout the playoffs. WInning basketball.

It just helps that Beal, Ariza, Nene have picked their game up big time in the playoffs. He just hasnt played like the all star that he is. Beal on the other hand....is playing like an all star...at 20.

doclinkin · Post #729 » by **doclinkin** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:48 pm

Sonny Carson wrote:
Jay81 wrote:Wall has been in a shooting slump for 2 months...at some point its best not to call it a slump and call it what it is...he is still a terrible shooter. The rest of his game is fine but he needs to be drawing 10 free throws a game like DJ augestine lol

Gortat has also been shooting terrible which is more perplexing since most of his shots are bunnies.

The thing people keep forgetting...

People are saying "he's playing fine"

but overlook the fact he's able to get away with that because Nene (scoring 3 more than his average), Beal (scoring 3 more than his average/and getting more assists), Ariza (scoring almost 3 more than his average)

Those 3 guys have STEPPED UP in the playoffs. Because if they didnt...Wall would be catching a lot of heat right now.

They've been able to step up in part because defenses are keyed into denying Wall, overplaying him, which opens up options for other players. They overload John on the pick and roll which opens up Nene as our highpost triple threat option (pass, drive, shoot) and then in trying to cover both Ariza gets free on the side.

Well okay Beal has definitely stepped up and begun maturing though. No doubt. Nice to see. And looking at his assists and rebounds you have to nod your head and respect how swiftly he is developing into a veteran player. Crazy to say that about a guy in his 2nd season, but while most players take 3-4 years to make the Leap, he looks like he made his leap starting in March. Or if not, imagine what it will look like when he does make that leap...

FAH1223 · Post #730 » by **FAH1223** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:50 pm

When defenses stop keying in Wall, he'll have a huge game

Jay81 · Post #731 » by **Jay81** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:52 pm

FAH1223 wrote:When defenses stop keying in Wall, he'll have a huge game

and we will lose LOL

dlts20 · Post #732 » by **dlts20** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:54 pm

Jay81 wrote:Wall has been in a shooting slump for 2 months...at some point its best not to call it a slump and call it what it is...he is still a terrible shooter. The rest of his game is fine but he needs to be drawing 10 free throws a game like DJ augestine lol

Gortat has also been shooting terrible which is more perplexing since most of his shots are bunnies.

2 months? Where are you getting this? It has been 11 games. Wall shot 44.5% in Feb and 45.5% in Marchl. He was playing his best basketball the last 2 months. We only played 8 regular season games in April and he shot 50%, 57%, and 47% in the first 3 games. Then his slump started in the last 5 games of the year and into the playoffs. You are so wrong like he's been playing like Hibbert or Paul George was since the first month of the year. Wall was beasting until the final 5 games of the year. Look it up. He basically averaged 20 & 9 on 45% shooting for the final 2 months of the year. Hardly any PG was playing better.

FAH1223 · Post #733 » by **FAH1223** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:54 pm

Jay81 wrote:
FAH1223 wrote:When defenses stop keying in Wall, he'll have a huge game

and we will lose LOL

47 points aka vs Memphis last year

Higga · Post #734 » by **Higga** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:55 pm

I'm not worried about Wall's shooting. Teams are focusing on stopping him and as a result, other guys are getting good looks. Besides, the rest of his game is fine. He had 9 dimes, a steal, and two blocks last night. He's managing the game and making the guys around him better.

Beal is blossoming into a star though. Kid has come of age quick. Soooo happy we drafted him, knew he'd be a stud, just not this fast.

We just looked like a better team last night. From start to finish. The score looked closer because we missed some FTs and they hit a bunch of 3s late.

Post #735 » by **nate33** » Tue May 6, 2014 1:58 pm

I continue to have no problems whatsoever with John Wall. He's not perfect, but I believe he is doing everything in his power to maximize his skill. He's going to keep getting better, even if it doesn't always show up in the box score. The guy is a warrior.

Higga · Post #736 » by **Higga** » Tue May 6, 2014 2:00 pm

nate33 wrote:I continue to have no problems whatsoever with John Wall. He's not perfect, but I believe he is doing everything in his power to maximize his skill. He's going to keep getting better, even if it doesn't always show up in the box score. The guy is a warrior.

Yeah the only thing he's not really doing well is shooting. He's still getting guys involved and he's playing lockdown defense. Eventually he'll get hot shooting, then look out....

dlts20 · Post #737 » by **dlts20** » Tue May 6, 2014 2:02 pm

Higga wrote:
nate33 wrote:I continue to have no problems whatsoever with John Wall. He's not perfect, but I believe he is doing everything in his power to maximize his skill. He's going to keep getting better, even if it doesn't always show up in the box score. The guy is a warrior.

Yeah the only thing he's not really doing well is shooting. He's still getting guys involved and he's playing lockdown defense. Eventually he'll get hot shooting, then look out....

Fans and bloggers are so annoying. If you go around reading all there post, they will say that Wall isnt doing anything and is playing bad. However, if you watch any TV show, they are all praising Wall and saying he's the one controlling these games and making everyone better. I think every fan and blogger is Sonny Carson........lol

Rondo can miss every shot but control a game and everyone brags on him. The same with Jason Kidd. With Wall if he doesnt get 25 on 50% shooting then he sucks. Again, he was 20 & 9 on 45% shooting the last 2 months. How many guys in the league were playing better? His slump just started when we went to his hometown in Charlotte the last 5 games of the season and into the playoffs. Hopefully he gets it back but as long as he pushes the tempo, sets the table, and play good D then we will be hard to beat. Also, Miami and these WC teams play more to his strengths so if we advance then he will have it easier as a scorer

Dat2U · Post #738 » by **Dat2U** » Tue May 6, 2014 2:03 pm

Sonny Carson wrote:
Jay81 wrote:Wall has been in a shooting slump for 2 months...at some point its best not to call it a slump and call it what it is...he is still a terrible shooter. The rest of his game is fine but he needs to be drawing 10 free throws a game like DJ augestine lol

Gortat has also been shooting terrible which is more perplexing since most of his shots are bunnies.

The thing people keep forgetting...

People are saying "he's playing fine"

but overlook the fact he's able to get away with that because Nene (scoring 3 more than his average), Beal (scoring 3 more than his average/and getting more assists), Ariza (scoring almost 3 more than his average)

Those 3 guys have STEPPED UP in the playoffs. Because if they didnt...Wall would be catching a lot of heat right now.

The Glass Half Full version is.....imagine how good you could be when Wall starts playing to his norm...or take it up a notch in the playoffs like others.

Its a luxury the Wizards have with others picking up slack..but eventually a star must emerge.....unless the star is Beal.

You don't simply understand the game of basketball. The ball is in Wall's hands a vast majority of the time. Guys are getting open looks against some of the best defenses the league has to offer. Our offense has been very good this postseason. Criticizing Wall for not putting up "numbers" that are acceptable in your eyes is laughable and shows a lack of depth in understanding what constitutes being a star and doing what it takes to lead your team to victory.

The Wizards are 5-1 in the playoffs and 4-0 on the road, and you want to make this about how Wall hasn't stepped up yet. Man GTFOH with that bullsh*t!

Higga · Post #739 » by **Higga** » Tue May 6, 2014 2:05 pm

IIRC whenever Wall put up big scoring games during the regular season we would lose, because other guys weren't getting involved.

I'd rather Wall continue to manage the game and let teammates get involved then go Kyrie Irving mode and score 25+ and lose by 20.

queridiculo · Post #740 » by **queridiculo** » Tue May 6, 2014 2:05 pm

One thing that's worried me, Miller looked like a liability out there against the Pacers.

His fluke three was great, but boy, did he look like three gears slower out there than everybody else. Really hoping he finds a way to contribute in this series or some of those second unit scoring lulls could be the difference in this series.