Raps HQ & Bullets Forever: 5 Questions about the Wizards
Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:22 am
http://www.raptorshq.com/2014/10/9/6871 ... on-wizards
(from SB Nation--I thought this would be interesting to discuss here)
Synopsis of the questions:
My answers:
1. I think Pierce will bring some leadership and toughness, but I don't think he's a difference maker in wins and losses except for maybe one game he closes with a game winner.
2. I am in on Wittman as a head coach. The years he had a terrible coaching record were years he had terrible talent. Last season he showed what he can do with a decently talented team. Wittman is a strong defensive coach. He's emotionally much more resilient that Flip Saunders or Doug Collins. I think Randy is at least competent. This contract will show if he's good. He was coached by Bob Knight and by Mike Fratello; so, I think he's going to do fine.
3. I am concerned about the Wall and Beal backcourt. They're not as strong as advertised. The team will only go as far as Wall will take them. If he practices hitting threes and making floaters to where he becomes very proficient, Wall could make me eat my words. With good health and made threes he's a beast. Beal is steady but a little on the short side. I think guys like Kentavious Caldwell Pope will make more strides. On this one I pray I am wrong.
4. Martin Gortat's contract showed the fallacy in the Wizards' offseason thinking. He's tall. I get that. What I don't get is what Ariza and Gortat didn't both get 10M or so deals. I don't want to argue this one because I spent too much time on that in the past. Gortat could have been replaced more easily than Ariza is what I think. Locking him in a long time was dubious. On the flip side, you know you're getting passion, maturity, intelligence, team first and fan favorite play from Gortat. His 31 point, 16 rebound playoff game was OUTSTANDING!
5. How will the Raptor do this season? Youth gets better with age. I think they'll win 3 or 4 more games in the regular season than the Wizards.
(from SB Nation--I thought this would be interesting to discuss here)
"The Crossover" is a season preview series we're running here at Raptors HQ in which we'll talk to other SB Nation team sites in the Eastern Conference to give us an idea of what to expect from the competition, what their expectations are for both their own team and the Raptors.
Synopsis of the questions:
1. Will Paul Pierce make a difference for the Wizards?
2. Are you in or out on Randy Wittman as a head coach?
3. How far can the backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal take the Wizards?
4. How do you feel about Marcin Gortat’s new contract?
5. How do you think the Raptors will do this season?
My answers:
1. I think Pierce will bring some leadership and toughness, but I don't think he's a difference maker in wins and losses except for maybe one game he closes with a game winner.
2. I am in on Wittman as a head coach. The years he had a terrible coaching record were years he had terrible talent. Last season he showed what he can do with a decently talented team. Wittman is a strong defensive coach. He's emotionally much more resilient that Flip Saunders or Doug Collins. I think Randy is at least competent. This contract will show if he's good. He was coached by Bob Knight and by Mike Fratello; so, I think he's going to do fine.
3. I am concerned about the Wall and Beal backcourt. They're not as strong as advertised. The team will only go as far as Wall will take them. If he practices hitting threes and making floaters to where he becomes very proficient, Wall could make me eat my words. With good health and made threes he's a beast. Beal is steady but a little on the short side. I think guys like Kentavious Caldwell Pope will make more strides. On this one I pray I am wrong.
4. Martin Gortat's contract showed the fallacy in the Wizards' offseason thinking. He's tall. I get that. What I don't get is what Ariza and Gortat didn't both get 10M or so deals. I don't want to argue this one because I spent too much time on that in the past. Gortat could have been replaced more easily than Ariza is what I think. Locking him in a long time was dubious. On the flip side, you know you're getting passion, maturity, intelligence, team first and fan favorite play from Gortat. His 31 point, 16 rebound playoff game was OUTSTANDING!
5. How will the Raptor do this season? Youth gets better with age. I think they'll win 3 or 4 more games in the regular season than the Wizards.