Marvin Bagley thread: Redemption in the DMV?

[doclinkin]

Bigs develop slow. Injuries will derail any player's career. Teams may invest draft picks and minutes on a player in the same position. There are any number of reasons why a players career may stall. Sometimes a change of scenery and the right team/right coach give a player a new perspective and passion for the game.

I was pleasantly surprised with Bagley's output for us last year. He sneakily had the best year of his career here. Rebounding, efficient shooting, passing, free throw shooting. He even hit 47% on 3's here (on a small sample size. 8 of 17 in 20 something games). A nice start, I think he may be poised for a breakout season.

In interviews going into the season you hear his name surprisingly mentioned by the rookies coming in as a guy who has been mentoring them and exemplifying work ethic etc in the gym. Sarr in particular cited him as a guy who has worked with him on technique etc. A good sign given that he too was a 19 year old #2 pick with high expectations, who has lived with the criticism that he has underperformed. To take the rookie under his wing and help him out shows a maturity and understanding of the challenge the kid enters the league with. Coach BK cites him as a guy who stays extra for work and constantly asks questions looking to improve. Jordan Poole mentioned him as a guy who has been working with him on screening angles etc.

Only 24 with a career that was stunted by a pandemic and injuries. He was given up on by Sacramento after being drafted #2 and having a solid Rookie campaign. In Detroit he was buried on the bench behind lotto pick Jalen Duren and "Beef Stew" while dealing with tweaks and dings. Could be that he is prone to damage, even here he caught a knee injury and had to sit out.

Maybe he no longer has the explosion he had in college or as a rookie. Though he still seems pretty bouncy. He does appear stronger than lean. Either way, it would help him to learn a more ground bound game if he is going to have a career in the NBA, to use his size instead of athleticism and so extend his time playing with good health. The knock on his game has been that for all his size and physicality he has only ever put up empty stats. He will rebound but has not played positional defense. He can score on easy buckets but has not added a team game of screens and work off the ball. Sounds like those skills are being input now, with a coaching staff that asks for more effort on both sides of the ball and works with him on the details. He has added the ability to take a charge with the Wizards, so the positional D has begun to improve.

I suspect he is one player who will benefit most from the example of a guy like Valanciunas. Screening, pick setting, sealing his man on rebounding, keeping a low base, using his superior strength. Only 24 he still has a lot to learn about the nuances of battling in the paint and playing a complete game at both ends, his game coming into the league was based on raw talent and athleticism, now 5 years in he finally is with a team that is committed to development of the players they have on the roster. Just in time for Bagley since this is a contract year for him. I would not be surprised to hear the Wizard re-up him early on an extension at a reasonable rate before he does break out and raise his market value. Sounds like he went into the offseason focused and hungry to work:

Watch on YouTube

[nate33]

Yeah, Bagley was actually downright impressive during his brief stint with the Wizards last year. Per 36, he averaged

19.9 points
12.1 rebounds
1.8 assists
1.2 blocks
0.9 steals
1.9 turnovers
.622 TS%
+4.2 on/off differential

If he can do that while also sticking a few jumpers, that's a good player. He is still a bit of tweener though - not big enough to really protect the rim, nor does he shoot well enough to play the 4. He needs to either get stronger or knock down shots with consistency if he wants to become a starter.

[payitforward]

Amen !!!

[nate33]

Bump because of the recent free agency acquisition.

I was just thinking, is it possible that Bagley is the best center on the roster? Sarr will surely start because the goal is to develop him for the future, but I'm bracing for some solid on/off differentials from Bagley, with him anchoring the second unit and actually grabbing some rebounds.

[tontoz]

Bump because of the recent free agency acquisition.

I was just thinking, is it possible that Bagley is the best center on the roster? Sarr will surely start because the goal is to develop him for the future, but I'm bracing for some solid on/off differentials from Bagley, with him anchoring the second unit and actually grabbing some rebounds.

I am hoping to see Tristan play ahead of him, at least early on. We need to see what we have.

I think we know what Bagley is at this point.