Wizards Summer League 2013 - Mini Camp 8th Games July 13

[jivelikenice]

Jan's a worse shooter from the line than he would be taking a shot from the exact same spot in the flow of the game. He's not thinking when he's on the floor. Thinks too much when he gets to the line.

He's not in a great situation for him here. You build your confidence from seeing success. But to see success you have to get in games and play real minutes. You have to know you can get X number of minutes the next game even if you make mistakes.

Unfortunately for him, the coaches aren't going to give him that kind of rope here. We don't need him to play right now. And the coach is trying to get his next contract. Winning comes first, developing the marginal young players comes second. It sucks, but I don't see a solution. He's probably going to have to find a better situation somewhere else to develop.

Ernie has to simplify things for the coaches by limiting his options and not have three inconsistent young players competing for the same spot and minutes. The opportunity is here for Jan. After Néne and Okafor, the top reserve spot is WIDE OPEN. There's no reason he can't be the top reserve if he plays with confidence and plays with a high motor.

[80sballboy]

I did like that when he got frustrated he started going to the basket. he needs to keep attacking the rim. He has a knack for getting to the hoop and getting his shot off.

Rice's ability to take it to the hoop, absorb contact and still score has been probably the most impressive aspect of his game.

Rice was also unselfish on the fast break- when he could have gotten a layup himself he fed it to the open teammate for an easier shot on consecutive possessions.

I still don't know what to make of his game other than I don't think he'll play much this year. He was supposed to be the most NBA-ready player in the draft yet the jumper is not where it needs to be, his defense is subpar and while he can dunk and attack the rim, he doesn't seem to be able to finish with a floater or a shot off the glass once he gets in the lane. I know it's nitpicky for a second-rounder but we did trade up to get him and I have a lot more expectations than I would for somebody like Shelvin Mack, who athletically was never suited to play the point.

[jivelikenice]

^i agree he might not play much but I don't agree in your analysis. His D has been solid with good closeouts, solid rebounding, and some steals. The shot hasn't been there but he's shown a decent runner/floater....he has a chance to get pt at backup two guard unless we make a deal but I dont think it will happen until midseason.

[RustyMagoo]

The fact that we are even talking about Jan is enough reason to have some hope. It could happen!

[dangermouse]

I don't think GRJ will get much run. Both Webster and Ariza have the ability to play backup SG. Not to mention the times last year where we had Wall at the 2 guard and Price at the point. I'm guessing Whitman will experiment with Maynor and Wall on the floor together, but my immediate gut reaction is that Price/Wall was a much better fit. I'd like to see GRJ hit the d-league to start the year, work on that shot a bit, at least until we move Ariza. He won't get playing time otherwise, with Porter needing SF minutes it pushes Webster and Ariza into playing some minutes at SG/stretch 4.

I wouldnt mind Jan playing a few games in DL too. Just give him a run, if he has a couple of good games in a row call him back up to the big boys league. Just for that confidence boost that hopefully carries over.

[TGW]

Vesely should have been sent down to the d-league a LONG time ago. It's just that this front office was too scared to send down a recent lotto pick to the d-league because it would make them look bad. It was a selfish, short-sighted decision that was detrimental to Vesely's development and demeanor. Now he thinks he's "too good" for the NBDL, although there are players there that would destroy him on the court.

Another misstep by this organization, and nothing I'm surprised with.

[Knighthonor]

I don't think GRJ will get much run. Both Webster and Ariza have the ability to play backup SG. Not to mention the times last year where we had Wall at the 2 guard and Price at the point. I'm guessing Whitman will experiment with Maynor and Wall on the floor together, but my immediate gut reaction is that Price/Wall was a much better fit. I'd like to see GRJ hit the d-league to start the year, work on that shot a bit, at least until we move Ariza. He won't get playing time otherwise, with Porter needing SF minutes it pushes Webster and Ariza into playing some minutes at SG/stretch 4.

I wouldnt mind Jan playing a few games in DL too. Just give him a run, if he has a couple of good games in a row call him back up to the big boys league. Just for that confidence boost that hopefully carries over.

Rice is looking better than Porter from what I seen in the DL from him as well as summer league. He has a higher ceiling than Porter. He has more skills. Only thing is, people are judging his skills based on where he was choose in the draft compared to the lotto pick the Wizard's got.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Jan's "Dirk shot" looks good. Judging by the new form on his jump shot, I believe Vesely is capable of being a fundamentally-sound, good, free throw shooter.

Vesely just needs a little self-confidence. I think the beard works for him. (Funny, we suggested as much a while back.) Jan with confidence is a contributor. I would say the guy just needs faith that he belongs in the NBA, that he has worked extremely hard, and that his shot drops now.

I bet he's taken a ton of free throws to get that jumper right. That's really all one needs to do to get his shooting form down pat IMO. Jan has definitely put work on that shot. There's no reason why he can't at least be a 75% FT shooter.

He threw up an airball during the game today that was about 3 feet short of the basket. I seriously doubt he'll get to 75% from the line. Frankly, I'd be really surprised if he breaks 60%. But at least that's better than the 31% he shot last year.

nate, it can't be that hard. Just 60%? There's not a reason other than confidence that he cannot do much better. Wall went 3-42 one season from 3PT, only to come back have a 3-3 game the next. I think Jan can go from 31% to at least twice as good but better than that in the future.

[Dat2U]

I think Ves can get up to 60% in another year when he's back overseas.

Part of the reason Jan lacks self-confidence is because he didn't put the work into his game that he should of. If he had a better work ethic and actually worked on developing his skill, maybe he'd have that self-confidence.

[nate33]

He's not in a great situation for him here. You build your confidence from seeing success. But to see success you have to get in games and play real minutes. You have to know you can get X number of minutes the next game even if you make mistakes.

Unfortunately for him, the coaches aren't going to give him that kind of rope here. We don't need him to play right now. And the coach is trying to get his next contract. Winning comes first, developing the marginal young players comes second. It sucks, but I don't see a solution. He's probably going to have to find a better situation somewhere else to develop.

Vesely blew it last year. Last year, after the early losing, the Wizards were not in contention and Vesely had his opportunities with no pressure, but he still failed miserably. I don't have any sympathy for him.

[nate33]

I think Ves can get up to 60% in another year when he's back overseas.

Part of the reason Jan lacks self-confidence is because he didn't put the work into his game that he should of. If he had a better work ethic and actually worked on developing his skill, maybe he'd have that self-confidence.

Agreed. He clearly doesn't put in the work. The tell tale sign is that his shooting form is so wildly inconsistent. Sometimes, it looks textbook perfect. Other times it looks ugly as hell. A 23-year-old, 2-year NBA vet should have consistency in his shooting form by now. He should have shot about half a million times in the past 2 years alone.

[dckingsfan]

I don't think GRJ will get much run. Both Webster and Ariza have the ability to play backup SG. Not to mention the times last year where we had Wall at the 2 guard and Price at the point. I'm guessing Whitman will experiment with Maynor and Wall on the floor together, but my immediate gut reaction is that Price/Wall was a much better fit. I'd like to see GRJ hit the d-league to start the year, work on that shot a bit, at least until we move Ariza. He won't get playing time otherwise, with Porter needing SF minutes it pushes Webster and Ariza into playing some minutes at SG/stretch 4.

You are probably right but...

At the beginning of the season I could see a minutes restriction on Beal and that could open up a few minutes for Rice.

And as the season wears on and Webster and Ariza need to be rested (little nagging injuries) Porter and Rice will get more opportunity to play. I am still not sold on Maynor and think his time will end up being strictly as a backup guard to Wall. Maybe 8-15 mpg.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

He's not in a great situation for him here. You build your confidence from seeing success. But to see success you have to get in games and play real minutes. You have to know you can get X number of minutes the next game even if you make mistakes.

Unfortunately for him, the coaches aren't going to give him that kind of rope here. We don't need him to play right now. And the coach is trying to get his next contract. Winning comes first, developing the marginal young players comes second. It sucks, but I don't see a solution. He's probably going to have to find a better situation somewhere else to develop.

Vesely blew it last year. Last year, after the early losing, the Wizards were not in contention and Vesely had his opportunities with no pressure, but he still failed miserably. I don't have any sympathy for him.

It's not about sympathy. It's about understanding reasons why he didn't succeed.

Wittman is not a cheery coach when you're on his bad side. Acquiring Okafor and Ariza, while promoting Singleton to PF play ahead of Jan (because Singleton is terrible at SF and there are Webster and Ariza at that position), and while Booker returned from being injured the season before are a lot of why Jan played little at PF. Not playing with Wall hurt him the most IMO. He passes the ball and only scores reasonably well in a transition game.

I believe the best thing to do is to forget the past and to see what Vesely does this season. He has improved, and the question will be if there is a carry over into this season. Last season there is no way he was going to play, even if he had been good. This season, the roster is the same but at least Vesely appears to have put work in on his shooting.

I personally hope Vesely is traded and that he finds time in the rotation of another team.

[dckingsfan]

I think there are two likely scenarios this year.

Scenario 1: We are in the hunt for a playoff spot. Booker, Singleton, Seraphin and Vesely will be on a short leash. It is likely that only two of them get any meaningful minutes and it could well be that Vesely isn't one of them.

Scenario 2: We stink at the beginning of the season and it becomes clear the Wiz aren't going to make the playoffs. Look for trades of Okafor or Ariza at the trade deadline and also look for auditions of the 4 above in order to maximize their trade value.

Either way, I could see all 4 being off of the Wiz by next season unless one or two really breakout this season.

[LyricalRico]

The fact that we are even talking about Jan is enough reason to have some hope. It could happen!

Exactly! Maybe he just needs to see one of his own highlight videos and get HYPED!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSbMtFF2b7s[/youtube]

Let's get the same chant at 4:00 going at Verizon. Jan - we believe!

[Kanyewest]

Apparently Vesley is working with his Czech coaches this offseason as opposed to the Wizards training staff. Not sure if they are doing anything specifically to reach him but his offensive game has seemed to improve. Then again it is summer league. Blatche was hitting his jumper with a lot of consistency in summer league and really couldn't do it at the NBA level.

[deneem4]

Little booker plays well...il keep an eye on him...

Vesley is looking like a different player...not jus summer league competition, but hid game jus looks different

Singleton is very capable of being a sefolosha...he has a high ceiling, he need to not limit his self... and work on tht 3pt

[GhostsOfGil]

Vesely has indeed improved if you compare last years Summer League numbers to this years..

For what it's worth:

[pancakes3]

FT is exactly doubled. The fact that he could have doubled his FT% is... almost as encouraging that he's doubled his turnovers.

[Nivek]

The difference in playing time is fairly significant. Here are his numbers per 40 minutes:

Code: Select all

PER 40  2012    2013
GMS     5       4
MPG     23.5    27.1
REB     8.9     10.7
AST     2.4     2.6
STL     2.0     3.0
BLK     1.0     2.6
TOV     3.1     5.9
PTS     12.6    18.1


I'll see if I can take a bigger look at the team's summer league stats next week. Sample sizes are a major issue -- we're talking less than 150 minutes per summer league. A little better rebounding. Block and steal numbers are up -- maybe indicating more activity. Turnovers are WAY up, which means his overall efficiency is probably not much better even though he's shooting better from the floor and the FT line.