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GUYANNAGRIZZLI wrote:Wittman has change this team to one of the worse team in NBA with players who thought they could coach themselves for a potential playoff team.
WHY?
the team is now becoming very clear. You have a very good point guard in my opinion between 8th to 10th better pg in nba.

You have in my oppinion for next year with VES KS NENE booker and singleton if he stays, the 5th to 10th better big guys roster in NBA in field goal% and scoring.

You have now with nene and singleton, mason some vets who have talent and brings some respect especially with the young guys who think they know everything ( crawford) and also with the departure of mcgee, blatch and young the roster is fresh and ready for a new start.

The team is coherent, but it needs to improve sf and sg starters because singleton it's not enough in the scoring area even if his defense is okay and crawford in my oppinion is a beat selfish and when he is not heating shots, he continues doing some really poor percentage.

The team also needs to sign one or two reliable players who has a good 3point shot coming from the bench for the postion 1,2,3.

Mack needs to improve because when Wall is on the bench the relay of Mack is rarely effective. Globaly the scoring from the bench needs to be more consistent.

The defense of the team is also very solid now and very energic.
This team has also lots of real and reliable talent like Wall, Nene, SERAPHIN, Vesely and that's the most important because the team can reach a very high level with that axis : wall ks nene

For next year i see wiz with 40 wins.

Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:I would be leery of a Nene injury. Otherwise, this team will win over 40 games. They have too many young guys who are really fast and really decent on defense, along with a true post scorer in Seraphin not to win over 40.

I think they'll win around 40 to 45 games, if not more.

nate33 wrote:Yup. 40 wins if Nene plays 65+ games and Wall plays 75+.

cwb3 wrote:I am leery of predicting a 40 win season for next year. We have seen other Wizards squads play decent in April, add a piece in the offseason, then go on to stink the next Novemeber/December. The Wizards are still so talent short. I hope Wall can improve his shooting over the summer. I hope Nene can stay healthly next season. Booker, Singleton and Seraphin have made great strides this year, but are not NBA caliber starters. Good role players off the bench, but should not be 30+ minute a night players on a contender. We should get a good draft pick, which will help. Hopefully lose AB and Lewis and have some money to use in free agency. But I still see this as a year or two away from being a real playoff contender. Just can't trust these last 2 week surges in April.

Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:I would be leery of a Nene injury. Otherwise, this team will win over 40 games. They have too many young guys who are really fast and really decent on defense, along with a true post scorer in Seraphin not to win over 40.

I think they'll win around 40 to 45 games, if not more.

Teddy dotcom Leonsis wrote:Exit Interviews
Posted on April 29, 2012

I had the opportunity to speak to a few of our Wizards players on Friday as they prepared to leave for home and begin to prepare for next season. Everyone noted how important this off season was to them individually and to our franchise. They also noted how different the team culture had become and how uplifted they were by the last 20 games of the season and the progress they all saw in each other and as a team.

I was pleasantly surprised by the positive discussions with several players. Here are a few highlights via verbatim notes:

“The last 20 games or so of the season were the most fun I have ever had. This is a tight and great group of guys to play with. We hang out together on the road. It is really enjoyable to play for this team. Everyone wants everyone to be successful.”

“This is a serious no nonsense locker room now. We can’t wait to come back and play next season. This is our business. We don’t take it lightly.”

“No one cared about stats – only team victories. If we had had another 12 games to play I think we could have won more than half of them. This is a totally different team now. We are all excited about next season.”

“Nene is one of the best big men in the East. I really didn’t know how good he was to have an inside presence now changes everything. We have so much great spacing now. He really knows the game. He is a great guy. I think if we had had him all of this season we would have made the playoffs.”

“We are all getting ready for next season. We will work out together and practice together in the off season. You get us a few more pieces and some additional vet presence and we will be a vastly improved team. We will surprise everyone. I will get stronger and know what I have to work on and I promise you I will and I am so positive about how much I can improve alongside my teammates.”

“My coach had confidence in me and gave me minutes. I worked hard for him and my teammates. I know I can play now and contribute. I am very grateful.”

“It was like a light switch was turned on. We knew we could win games and be tough to play against if we played like a group and played hard and played man up tough defense. We are athletic and smart now. We know how to win. This will carry over to next season.”

“I love my teammates.”

“First time I have ever been around a group of guys that don’t care about their own stats. They only care about the team. This is a good change and they respect the coach and staff. We want to get better.”

“I was surprised at how much talent was on the team. We make some smart moves this off season. We will be a dangerous team. No one will want to play against us because we are big, young, and fast and we really like to play defense. We get at it.”

Jan Vesely, in some czech blog also by way of Truth About It wrote: ‘Never in my life I lost so many games’
April 30, 2012 via Sport.CZ

I have to say that the first year in the NBA was a vast experience for me. I never lost so many games in a season, and dealing with that was difficult. But I kept gaining confidence in how to deal with game situations, and I had an opportunity to indulge the unique atmosphere of the most prestigious basketball league of the world. With the end of season, the improvement of the team and positive feelings came after all.

We started producing much more team ball, and we understood how we have to play in order to be successful. Everything culminated with a six-game winning streak and, actually, it’s a pity that we won’t play anymore this season. Definitely we have something to build on for next season, and if we keep playing this way, the Wizards could achieve great things.

I take the whole season as a really strong experience. I had a chance to compete daily with the best basketball players in the world, of which I always dreamed about. In a lockout-shortened season, there wasn’t time for long analyses, as we [the Wizards] didn’t even have any official conclusion to the season. Rather I’d see it like we, teammates and staff members, will go have a dinner over the weekend, and we’ll talk until we all scatter home.

From a human point of view, the stay overseas has enriched me too. I had to use foreign language before when I played for Partizan, so I didn’t have a problem with it, although it’s different to speak English in Serbia and in the US. In a half-year here, I don’t dare to assess the lifestyle of Americans, but still, I’ll be getting used to it for a while. In the Czech Republic, I lived with family, then in Serbia I had to get used to the fact that I’m by myself. It looks like to me that in America, people follow by certain system/rules in basketball as well. But they seem to me the least relaxed from all the nations which I‘ve had an opportunity to get to know closer.

Since we didn’t advance to the playoffs, I’m rooting for Washington’s NHL team. I had a chance to meet with the Capitals hockey players several times and to see their games as well. Now they have a valuable scalp of Boston, and I’ll continue to keep my fingers crossed for them.

I fly home on Monday [April 30]. I’m looking forward to seeing my girlfriend Eva and my whole family. After return, I’ll take a break for a while, then I begin working out individually. I know there’s an interest from the national team, but their training camp starts in July, so there’s enough time for debate regarding my possible participation in the Eurobasket qualification. It will depend on my plans, apparently summer league awaits me overseas.

-Jan V.

doclinkin wrote:

Jan Vesely, in some czech blog also by way of Truth About It wrote: ‘Never in my life I lost so many games’
April 30, 2012 via Sport.CZ

I have to say that the first year in the NBA was a vast experience for me. I never lost so many games in a season, and dealing with that was difficult. But I kept gaining confidence in how to deal with game situations, and I had an opportunity to indulge the unique atmosphere of the most prestigious basketball league of the world. With the end of season, the improvement of the team and positive feelings came after all.

We started producing much more team ball, and we understood how we have to play in order to be successful. Everything culminated with a six-game winning streak and, actually, it’s a pity that we won’t play anymore this season. Definitely we have something to build on for next season, and if we keep playing this way, the Wizards could achieve great things.

I take the whole season as a really strong experience. I had a chance to compete daily with the best basketball players in the world, of which I always dreamed about. In a lockout-shortened season, there wasn’t time for long analyses, as we [the Wizards] didn’t even have any official conclusion to the season. Rather I’d see it like we, teammates and staff members, will go have a dinner over the weekend, and we’ll talk until we all scatter home.

From a human point of view, the stay overseas has enriched me too. I had to use foreign language before when I played for Partizan, so I didn’t have a problem with it, although it’s different to speak English in Serbia and in the US. In a half-year here, I don’t dare to assess the lifestyle of Americans, but still, I’ll be getting used to it for a while. In the Czech Republic, I lived with family, then in Serbia I had to get used to the fact that I’m by myself. It looks like to me that in America, people follow by certain system/rules in basketball as well. But they seem to me the least relaxed from all the nations which I‘ve had an opportunity to get to know closer.

Since we didn’t advance to the playoffs, I’m rooting for Washington’s NHL team. I had a chance to meet with the Capitals hockey players several times and to see their games as well. Now they have a valuable scalp of Boston, and I’ll continue to keep my fingers crossed for them.

I fly home on Monday [April 30]. I’m looking forward to seeing my girlfriend Eva and my whole family. After return, I’ll take a break for a while, then I begin working out individually. I know there’s an interest from the national team, but their training camp starts in July, so there’s enough time for debate regarding my possible participation in the Eurobasket qualification. It will depend on my plans, apparently summer league awaits me overseas.

-Jan V.

Here.

Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:

Jan Vesely, in some czech blog also by way of Truth About It wrote:
From a human point of view, the stay overseas has enriched me too. I had to use foreign language before when I played for Partizan, so I didn’t have a problem with it, although it’s different to speak English in Serbia and in the US. In a half-year here, I don’t dare to assess the lifestyle of Americans, but still, I’ll be getting used to it for a while. In the Czech Republic, I lived with family, then in Serbia I had to get used to the fact that I’m by myself. It looks like to me that in America, people follow by certain system/rules in basketball as well. But they seem to me the least relaxed from all the nations which I‘ve had an opportunity to get to know closer.

I wonder how much of that is Jan sensing the vibe in the DC Metro area or is it him sensing the competitive mentality of the average NBA player? I think he is right. It is a struggle and not very relaxed from what I can tell. There are many battles and not much respect for opponents, either.

The culture of the NBA teams doesn't seem to be like a family to me. One team that does seem to have a sense of relaxed family and continuity to it is the San Antonio Spurs. Guys they like stay a while with the team.

Jan was a good find for Ernie Grunfeld. I like his perspective.

Teddy dotcom Leonsis wrote:Exit Interviews
Posted on April 29, 2012

I had the opportunity to speak to a few of our Wizards players on Friday as they prepared to leave for home and begin to prepare for next season. Everyone noted how important this off season was to them individually and to our franchise. They also noted how different the team culture had become and how uplifted they were by the last 20 games of the season and the progress they all saw in each other and as a team.

I was pleasantly surprised by the positive discussions with several players. Here are a few highlights via verbatim notes:

“The last 20 games or so of the season were the most fun I have ever had. This is a tight and great group of guys to play with. We hang out together on the road. It is really enjoyable to play for this team. Everyone wants everyone to be successful.”

Nene

“This is a serious no nonsense locker room now. We can’t wait to come back and play next season. This is our business. We don’t take it lightly.”



“No one cared about stats – only team victories. If we had had another 12 games to play I think we could have won more than half of them. This is a totally different team now. We are all excited about next season.”

Seraphin/b]

“Nene is one of the best big men in the East. I really didn’t know how good he was to have an inside presence now changes everything. We have so much great spacing now. He really knows the game. He is a great guy. I think if we had had him all of this season we would have made the playoffs.”

[b]Mo Evans

“We are all getting ready for next season. We will work out together and practice together in the off season. You get us a few more pieces and some additional vet presence and we will be a vastly improved team. We will surprise everyone. I will get stronger and know what I have to work on and I promise you I will and I am so positive about how much I can improve alongside my teammates.”

Wall or possibly Crawford

“My coach had confidence in me and gave me minutes. I worked hard for him and my teammates. I know I can play now and contribute. I am very grateful.”


Vesely possibly Seraphin

“It was like a light switch was turned on. We knew we could win games and be tough to play against if we played like a group and played hard and played man up tough defense. We are athletic and smart now. We know how to win. This will carry over to next season.”

Singleton

“I love my teammates."


“First time I have ever been around a group of guys that don’t care about their own stats. They only care about the team. This is a good change and they respect the coach and staff. We want to get better.”


Cook?


“I was surprised at how much talent was on the team. We make some smart moves this off season. We will be a dangerous team. No one will want to play against us because we are big, young, and fast and we really like to play defense. We get at it.”

Lewis maybe?

1. Nene needs to be healthy and used only as a center, and continue to produce as he always has produced when used primarily as a center.
2. Okafor has to accept that his minutes will be limited to primarily the back up center spot, and he needs to produce no less than he did last season, but hopefully his game can rebound a little.
3. Bradley Beal has to have a strong rookie season, and earn the starting SG spot.
4. It would be awesome if this were John Wall's breakout season, but I am content for him to just keep making the steady improvements he has made over his first two seasons.
5. Jordan Crawford has to become a more efficient scorer, and with the influx of talent on the team, I think he is going to have less opportunities to take bad shots.
6. 82games.com says that when used exclusively as a PF, Kevin Seraphin is a well above average PF. With the addition of Okafor, I am hopeful that Seraphin will be used exclusively as a PF, and have a breakout season. (I recognize that many people have problems with 82games.com data, but it is the only data that I have available that breaks down production by position.)
7. Melvin Booker has to get over his foot problems and provide the solid contributions he is capable of at PF.
8. Whoever plays back up point guard, whether it is Mack, Price or Crawford have to be no worse than slightly below average.

leswizards wrote:7. Melvin Booker has to get over his foot problems and provide the solid contributions he is capable of at PF.

Nivek wrote:

leswizards wrote:7. Melvin Booker has to get over his foot problems and provide the solid contributions he is capable of at PF.

Might be a tough comeback for Melvin. The transition from PG to PF will be difficult for a 6-1 guy, especially for a guy who's 39 and hasn't played in the NBA for 15 years. Worth a shot, I guess.