GT #1: Bullets @ Pacers 7 PM (Monumental SN/980 AM) [10/25/23]

[FAH1223]

YOUR Washington Bullets are starting off the 2023-24 season FOR REAL!

New front office, some new coaches to the staff, a revamped roster with gaping weaknesses will make for a year with no expectations for postseason play or the pointlessness of making the Play-In game.

No, this season is about seeing what young guys we have who can be part of a contending core.

It's early but it seems like 7th overall pick Bilal Coulibaly has the physical tools and already the mental acumen to play in the NBA. I think I speak for most of the fan base that his rookie season will be one of the only reasons we will be watching this season.

The season opener is in Indiana once again. Last year, the Bullets blitzed the Pacers and held on to win.

The Pacers look to be an exciting team led by Tyrese Haliburton and company. NBA Champion by way of Denver, Bruce Brown and his money bag, are in Indy. Myles Turner remains and he has been a Wizards killer in the past.

I think this one goes to the home team rather easily!

It's SHOWTIME

Watch on YouTube

-------------------------VS-------------------------



Projected Lineups :











Bench:

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

If this organization wants to be taken the least bit serious under our new management, Deni will be the starter.

I'm excited as the next about Bilal's potential, but he isn't there yet and didn't do anything close to in the way of performing in pre-season that would merit starting. I also think starting him, whether next to Deni or not, may not be the best thing for him at this point. Yes, he has the ability to get blocks and steals at this stage, but he is likely going to be pushed around on the regular by NBA caliber talent given his current weight. Offensively, he just doesn't have any semblance of a game and getting frozen out by Kuzma and Poole ain't going to help with that.

Start Deni, another young prospect, that has shown he can defend at this level, guarding multiple positions. If his three point shoot improvement is legit (his form looks much better, but only games will tell), then this is a no-brainer that only the Wizards organization could find a way to screw up.

[Hidden Eye]

If this organization wants to be taken the least bit serious under our new management, Deni will be the starter.

I'm excited as the next about Bilal's potential, but he isn't there yet and didn't do anything close to in the way of performing in pre-season that would merit starting. I also think starting him, whether next to Deni or not, may not be the best thing for him at this point. Yes, he has the ability to get blocks and steals at this stage, but he is likely going to be pushed around on the regular by NBA caliber talent given his current weight. Offensively, he just doesn't have any semblance of a game and getting frozen out by Kuzma and Poole ain't going to help with that.

Start Deni, another young prospect, that has shown he can defend at this level, guarding multiple positions. If his three point shoot improvement is legit (his form looks much better, but only games will tell), then this is a no-brainer that only the Wizards organization could find a way to screw up.

Yeah watching Bilal getting punked all season isn't going to be fun to watch. He shouldn't be starting.

[FAH1223]

If this organization wants to be taken the least bit serious under our new management, Deni will be the starter.

I'm excited as the next about Bilal's potential, but he isn't there yet and didn't do anything close to in the way of performing in pre-season that would merit starting. I also think starting him, whether next to Deni or not, may not be the best thing for him at this point. Yes, he has the ability to get blocks and steals at this stage, but he is likely going to be pushed around on the regular by NBA caliber talent given his current weight. Offensively, he just doesn't have any semblance of a game and getting frozen out by Kuzma and Poole ain't going to help with that.

Start Deni, another young prospect, that has shown he can defend at this level, guarding multiple positions. If his three point shoot improvement is legit (his form looks much better, but only games will tell), then this is a no-brainer that only the Wizards organization could find a way to screw up.

Yeah watching Bilal getting punked all season isn't going to be fun to watch. He shouldn't be starting.

I have no faith in Avdija being a better shooter or showing more than he's shown. He is what he is IMO.

If Wes opts to start Bilal, I will not be mad at it. Kevin Broom has done a good analysis on teenager rookies.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

If this organization wants to be taken the least bit serious under our new management, Deni will be the starter.

I'm excited as the next about Bilal's potential, but he isn't there yet and didn't do anything close to in the way of performing in pre-season that would merit starting. I also think starting him, whether next to Deni or not, may not be the best thing for him at this point. Yes, he has the ability to get blocks and steals at this stage, but he is likely going to be pushed around on the regular by NBA caliber talent given his current weight. Offensively, he just doesn't have any semblance of a game and getting frozen out by Kuzma and Poole ain't going to help with that.

Start Deni, another young prospect, that has shown he can defend at this level, guarding multiple positions. If his three point shoot improvement is legit (his form looks much better, but only games will tell), then this is a no-brainer that only the Wizards organization could find a way to screw up.

Yeah watching Bilal getting punked all season isn't going to be fun to watch. He shouldn't be starting.

I have no faith in Avdija being a better shooter or showing more than he's shown. He is what he is IMO.

If Wes opts to start Bilal, I will not be mad at it. Kevin Broom has done a good analysis on teenager rookies.

Seems like a biased take. Plenty of guys improve their trey ball several seasons in. As many have pointed to, that's the big knock on Deni's game, and that his strengths are things that are either unteachable or very hard to teach. Throwing the towel in on a player, at Deni's age, on a team the severely lacks talent is just plain silly. And again Bilal did nothing that jumped off the page to deserve a starting nod. So if the reasoning is, as someone else put it, is to start Bilal to give the fan base hope, then this franchise still has no clue how to be run.

Kevin Broom, while is a respected opinion, shouldn't be the end all and be all for personnel decisions.

Now if Deni say 20 or so games into the season can't knock down the three with any consistency, then I think it's fair to reevaluate his role/future on the team.

[FAH1223]

Seems like a biased take. Plenty of guys improve their trey ball several seasons in. As many have pointed to, that's the big knock on Deni's game, and that his strengths are things that are either unteachable or very hard to teach. Throwing the towel in on a player, at Deni's age, on a team the severely lacks talent is just plain silly. And again Bilal did nothing that jumped off the page to deserve a starting nod. So if the reasoning is, as someone else put it, is to start Bilal to give the fan base hope, then this franchise still has no clue how to be run.

Kevin Broom, while is a respected opinion, shouldn't be the end all and be all for personnel decisions.

Now if Deni say 20 or so games into the season can't knock down the three with any consistency, then I think it's fair to reevaluate his role/future on the team.

I am very biased. Deni hasn't shown anything offensively that shows he can be a net positive player on that end.

Shooting sub-30% from three doesn't change to 37%-40% unless we're talking about a rookie. He's now entering year 4. I am not being fooled by those workout videos again.

He just got an extension so let's see if he plays more free. Defensively, I have no concern with his ability but the kid is not mentally strong. For a guy who has played professionally since teen years, that's a big concern.

Also, obviously Wall started his rookie year.

Beal started his rookie year when we had Jordan 'Who else gon shoot' Crawford playing many minutes at the 2.

Otto Porter was redshirted.

Kelly Oubre barely played.

Rui started immediately.

Deni started immediately.

Bilal isn't coming in like Otto and Oubre IMO. I have no qualms if he starts early on. As many minutes as possible.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

We’ll either shock with a win or get blown out. There doesn’t seem to be an in between with this group. Poole will score 45 or 5

[nate33]

If this organization wants to be taken the least bit serious under our new management, Deni will be the starter.

I'm excited as the next about Bilal's potential, but he isn't there yet and didn't do anything close to in the way of performing in pre-season that would merit starting. I also think starting him, whether next to Deni or not, may not be the best thing for him at this point. Yes, he has the ability to get blocks and steals at this stage, but he is likely going to be pushed around on the regular by NBA caliber talent given his current weight. Offensively, he just doesn't have any semblance of a game and getting frozen out by Kuzma and Poole ain't going to help with that.

Start Deni, another young prospect, that has shown he can defend at this level, guarding multiple positions. If his three point shoot improvement is legit (his form looks much better, but only games will tell), then this is a no-brainer that only the Wizards organization could find a way to screw up.

I'm a supporter of Deni, but I wouldn't be all that heartbroken if Bilal starts the season as a starter. I think Deni deserves more total minutes, but I could see the argument that Deni is more helpful to a second unit that lacks ball handlers. Meanwhile Bilal, at this stage of his offensive development, fits better with the starters because all he has to do is stand in the corner. Deni might get too frustrated in that role.

If we are to judge by the preseason, I think Wes Jr. is handling things just fine. The key is that Kispert is playing some minutes at SG. That should leave enough minutes at the two forward spots for Kuzma, Deni and Bilal. The only question is whether Gallo plays PF or C. If Gallo plays forward, that's going to squeeze minutes from somebody - probably Bilal.

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Seems like a biased take. Plenty of guys improve their trey ball several seasons in. As many have pointed to, that's the big knock on Deni's game, and that his strengths are things that are either unteachable or very hard to teach. Throwing the towel in on a player, at Deni's age, on a team the severely lacks talent is just plain silly. And again Bilal did nothing that jumped off the page to deserve a starting nod. So if the reasoning is, as someone else put it, is to start Bilal to give the fan base hope, then this franchise still has no clue how to be run.

Kevin Broom, while is a respected opinion, shouldn't be the end all and be all for personnel decisions.

Now if Deni say 20 or so games into the season can't knock down the three with any consistency, then I think it's fair to reevaluate his role/future on the team.

I am very biased. Deni hasn't shown anything offensively that shows he can be a net positive player on that end.

Shooting sub-30% from three doesn't change to 37%-40% unless we're talking about a rookie. He's now entering year 4. I am not being fooled by those workout videos again.

He just got an extension so let's see if he plays more free. Defensively, I have no concern with his ability but the kid is not mentally strong. For a guy who has played professionally since teen years, that's a big concern.

Also, obviously Wall started his rookie year.

Beal started his rookie year when we had Jordan 'Who else gon shoot' Crawford playing many minutes at the 2.

Otto Porter was redshirted.

Kelly Oubre barely played.

Rui started immediately.

Deni started immediately.

Bilal isn't coming in like Otto and Oubre IMO. I have no qualms if he starts early on. As many minutes as possible.

Looks like new management doesn't agree with you, emphasized by that new contract. And based on that practice video nate posted, should seal the deal. It's the smart move to start Deni for a variety of reasons, just glad we have new guys running this team that realize that.

Also, Deni hitting at a 35% clip would be fine with the other things he brings to the table, he just needs that percentage in the mid-30s to make him much more of a threat from three.

[pancakes3]

if Dani was 8/10 pissed that Poole didn't pass to him in a preseason game, how mad would he be that he's getting benched for a rookie for the opener?

[dobrojim]

If this organization wants to be taken the least bit serious under our new management, Deni will be the starter.

I'm excited as the next about Bilal's potential, but he isn't there yet and didn't do anything close to in the way of performing in pre-season that would merit starting. I also think starting him, whether next to Deni or not, may not be the best thing for him at this point. Yes, he has the ability to get blocks and steals at this stage, but he is likely going to be pushed around on the regular by NBA caliber talent given his current weight. Offensively, he just doesn't have any semblance of a game and getting frozen out by Kuzma and Poole ain't going to help with that.

Start Deni, another young prospect, that has shown he can defend at this level, guarding multiple positions. If his three point shoot improvement is legit (his form looks much better, but only games will tell), then this is a no-brainer that only the Wizards organization could find a way to screw up.

Yeah watching Bilal getting punked all season isn't going to be fun to watch. He shouldn't be starting.

I have no faith in Avdija being a better shooter or showing more than he's shown. He is what he is IMO.

If Wes opts to start Bilal, I will not be mad at it. Kevin Broom has done a good analysis on teenager rookies.

Would like to read it. Link?

[CobraCommander]

if Dani was 8/10 pissed that Poole didn't pass to him in a preseason game, how mad would he be that he's getting benched for a rookie for the opener?

He gonna have to cry in that sack Of
Money he got.

[CobraCommander]

Beal not playing tonight for the wizards OR the Suns - at least that’s not our problem

[LyricalRico]

Let's gooooooooooooooooooooo!

[Tyrone Messby]

Poole goes for 60, Wiz by 30.

[BearlyBallin]

We are not our past
We are the resources and capabilities gleaned from it
The basis of all new beginnings…

GO WIZARDS !

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[penbeast0]

The "Read on Twitter" things aren't opening for me. Shame, I'd like to read your takes.

[BEEFBROTHER]

We get 40PP point Poole but lose at the end in a fun one 123-117

[payitforward]

I'm really hyped for this game -- no one can deny it: this is the biggest game of the season so far!