Bub Carrington

[dobrojim]

^ he is definitely a heady player

[prime1time]

Excited to see how Bub will come back next year. He was clearly playing his best basketball at the end of the year. In April Bub averaged 17.6/7.1/4.9. He shot 39.3% from 3 on 56 attempts. For perspective during that same stretch AJ Johnson averaged 11.3/3.4/2.1 and shot 35.3/22.9. Also impressive for Bub was his durability. He played every game this season. I'm excited to see where he goes from here.

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[FAH1223]

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[TGW]

Nah only me, and I will compare Bub to Deni every chance I get, since its my belief Bub will have a better career than Deni over time. Bub is da kid. Happy we got him no matter who we traded away to get him. It's just fun poking Deni stans because they take the bait every time.

It just comes off as desperation - Deni is beasting and feasting in Portland and it bothers you. To use a game winning shot from the last game in one of the most pathetic seasons in franchise history, (a game they should have lost btw...#soWizards) to justify Carrington over Deni is peak cope.

But by all means, continue.

[doclinkin]

Funny since I’m the guy who’s happy with the front office, and not the one griping in every thread.

Deni’s a good player. And we still got a good deal. Bub is a key piece of that.

I’ll make a signature bet that Bub gets a triple double at a younger age than Deni did. I liked Deni on the squad. Argued for him to get more PT but I’m 100% certain Bub will develop quicker and produce more in his first contract than we ever got from Deni. In part because of his focus and poise at this age.

And we will hear from Deni fans about he woulda but but but. Ok. But you make your own opportunities, as we saw from Deni when he finally figured it out and became assertive — under the development plan of this front office.

Bub clearly doesn’t have that issue. As games like this demonstrate. Hardest thing that ever happens in a persons life is losing close family. And he carried himself tough the whole season. Aside from March itself when his dad was dying he showed solid advancement. Then finishes with his 2nd strongest month and a game winning exclamation point to the season.

I pick at the Deni stans because we had a few who were here only for him and made every excuse you could think of for him except: he needs to get better. Til he did. Yeah Bub needs to get better, and in his rookie year he shows flashes. Putting up 2 months of 40% from 3. A couple months of 90% FT shooting. Multiple double double rebounding games. And an ast/to ratio that pops despite having no go-to finisher on his team. (And playing next to a guard in Poole who can’t shoot without multiple dribbles, erasing an assist from the score sheet).

It’s the Bub thread. Try admitting you kinda like the kid, and he could be good some day soon. Otherwise we’re just probably just hearing the bitterness of a one player only fan, or a guy who follows this franchise mostly because it gives them something to constantly complain about. True enough that

[TGW]

Well, it's the dog days of yet another Wizards offseason, so like I said, do you bud. I'm sure you are happy with the front office. Like you were happy with the previous one too.

[queridiculo]

Oh hell naw, bro took the jelly out of my donut.

I was on my way to RealGM Wiz board glory until he made that shot.

[queridiculo]

Read on Twitter

Leonsis really is an insufferable turd.

Even when he's right he rubs me the wrong way.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Ted got a few, "Sell the team" comments.

[doclinkin]

Well, it's the dog days of yet another Wizards offseason, so like I said, do you bud. I'm sure you are happy with the front office. Like you were happy with the previous one too.

Guilty as charged. I was ecstatic that we had Tommy over another 14 years of Grunfeld. Preferred Ujiri or Connelly or Troy Weaver or Kevin Broome or the collected RealGM wizfan brain trust. But if it had to be Tommy then okay.

Likewise I was happy with Grunfeld over Wes or O’Malley or Nash or MJ even.

Each has been an upgrade over the last. The problem is the franchise has been so terrible that even incremental upgrades can’t pull us out of the sewer. And part of that is the constant attempts to win the race from the middle of the pack. And by ‘win’ I mean: make the playoffs.

Shoot we were always gunning for the fictional 9th seed before the play in games existed. Always with late season string of wins that only hurt our lotto odds.

Because we were never willing to bottom out intentionally and use our assets intelligently. Both Abe and Ted would hold on to players past their peak value. Then call it loyalty, when really it was simply fear of lost ticket revenue and the desire not to upset fans of their best (if mediocre) players.

This team is doing the opposite. Deni had a really good year. He could equally have blown out a knee or whatever. As our last 3 ‘stars’ did. They gambled they’d hit on a couple out of the 5 assets we got. Instead of hoping for Deni to carry us alone. I personally am looking forward to how it turns out.

If Bub and the rooks are evidence of this front office crew’s talent assessment skill. Then I’m happy. I trust them with the other assets. Bub had a better year than Avdijas rookie year. George is among the league leaders in deflections and 3 pt defense. Sarr showed more than I expected since I was a top doubter in the draft thread.

I think we are headed in the right direction. First down. Then up. And way up.

[payitforward]

Your last point is the key one: we actually have intention to create a title-contending organization.

No more of the Grunfeldian idea of "make the playoffs then hope to get hot at the right time."

[AFM]

Honestly I'm the biggest Terd hater here, but even I don't really have anything negative to say about Ted recently. Seems like he's letting Dawkins and Winger do their thing.

[AFM]

I've moved on to hating other people by the way

[prime1time]

I've been watching a lot of Bub tape. This will be a very important offseason for him. There are still a wide range of possibilities for his future but the issues that he has are so glaring and unique that I don't really have any other players to off of. At some point this season Bub decided that he was going to live and die on jumpers. 3's and mid range pull-ups dominate Bub's shot chart. It's actually impressive that Bub had as much success as he did given that he really didn't attack the rim.

The entire offensive approach for Bub needs to be revamped. The mid range jumpers need to drastically decrease and he needs to drastically increase the amount of shots at the rim or close to the rim. It's tough to theorize why he really sought to attack the rim but the reality is that he needs to attack the rim more. By attacking the rim, he can force defenses to help and thus make the game easier for his teammates. Or he could also end up with an high percentage shot.

Once that's the basis of his game, then there can be a limited amount of space for mid-range jumpers. End of game must score situations. End of shot clock situations etc. But increase the number of 3's and increase the number of layups. That's modern basketball. If he does this, increases his 3-point attempts to 8+ while increasing his 3-point shooting % to 35 - 37 then we're looking at a really solid basketball player.

I also think Bub needs to add some muscle and work on his passing out to the 3-point shooters/lob game when he attacks downhill. I've never seen a player with the handle and touch that Bub has be so avoidant of attacking the hoop. It gives me hope that the issue is simply one of his choices.

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[The Consiglieri]

I've posted this for a while, but Bub was basically tiny through his sophomore year in high school. He's grown like 9 inches since like 2021. He spent all of his basketball playing career as the smallest or one of the smallest players on the court until his senior year in high school. That's basically why he's a jumper guy, he developed that part of the game to compensate for his lilliputian size. To break him of habits built during more than a decade as the smallest guy around will require more than simply fall 2022 to early 2025. I do tend to think with a summer free of draft related obligations he can work on his game far more, unimpeded, same with Sarr and his struggles inside. Rookie years, they do the combine, workouts, draft circus related nonsense through the end of June, and then get a short time in summer league before their first training camp. Not a lot of time for individualized training. I'm hoping both of them work on the very obvious issues in their game the next two offseasons while also further enhancing what they already do well.

[nate33]

There is a real art to driving and finishing around the rim that players rarely learn in high school and college.

The NBA game is officiated in a different manner. They are much more likely to call fouls on incidental contact when a guard drives the lane. As a result, NBA guards eventually figure out how to generate contact and force the shot-blocker to back off for fear of being called for a foul. The fact that Bub hasn't figured this out yet doesn't surprise or concern me. I think very few rookie guards come into the league with that skill because high school and college refs permit more contact. I think Bub will eventually figure it out and that will boost his FTA numbers.

[DCZards]

I've been watching a lot of Bub tape. This will be a very important offseason for him. There are still a wide range of possibilities for his future but the issues that he has are so glaring and unique that I don't really have any other players to off of. At some point this season Bub decided that he was going to live and die on jumpers. 3's and mid range pull-ups dominate Bub's shot chart. It's actually impressive that Bub had as much success as he did given that he really didn't attack the rim.

The entire offensive approach for Bub needs to be revamped. The mid range jumpers need to drastically decrease and he needs to drastically increase the amount of shots at the rim or close to the rim. It's tough to theorize why he really sought to attack the rim but the reality is that he needs to attack the rim more. By attacking the rim, he can force defenses to help and thus make the game easier for his teammates. Or he could also end up with an high percentage shot.

You sound surprised that Bub shot a lot of midrange jumpers. Did you not know that Bub’s midrange shooting was one of his core strengths coming out of college?

I agree that Bub needs to attack the basket with more frequency and effectiveness. That’s a glaring weakness in his game. He also needs to continue to increase the number of 3pters he takes. But I totally disagree that Bub's entire offensive approach needs to be revamped. The short jumper and midrange shot can be a very effective weapon. It certainly has been for players such as Chris Paul, DeRozan, and SGA. Bub needs to continue to utilize his midrange game. It's an important part of his offensive arsenal.

[The Consiglieri]

let me add that we'll know before his rookie contract's wrapped whether or not he'll ever start clicking on this aspect of his game. If we don't see improvement there, we'll have a big decision on what to do with him by those winter deadlines in '27 and '28 (and maybe the summer too).

I find the story of the height issue impacting development quite persuasive, but its definitely fair to say that tells us nothing regarding whether or not he'll work on it and develop said skills, or how much he can improve there in terms of scale.

[doclinkin]

I've been watching a lot of Bub tape. This will be a very important offseason for him. There are still a wide range of possibilities for his future but the issues that he has are so glaring and unique that I don't really have any other players to off of. At some point this season Bub decided that he was going to live and die on jumpers. 3's and mid range pull-ups dominate Bub's shot chart. It's actually impressive that Bub had as much success as he did given that he really didn't attack the rim.

The entire offensive approach for Bub needs to be revamped. The mid range jumpers need to drastically decrease and he needs to drastically increase the amount of shots at the rim or close to the rim. It's tough to theorize why he really sought to attack the rim but the reality is that he needs to attack the rim more. By attacking the rim, he can force defenses to help and thus make the game easier for his teammates. Or he could also end up with an high percentage shot.

You sound surprised that Bub shot a lot of midrange jumpers. Did you not know that Bub’s midrange shooting was one of his core strengths coming out of college?

I agree that Bub needs to attack the basket with more frequency and effectiveness. That’s a glaring weakness in his game. He also needs to continue to increase the number of 3pters he takes. But I totally disagree that Bub's entire offensive approach needs to be revamped. The short jumper and midrange shot can be a very effective weapon. It certainly has been for players such as Chris Paul, DeRozan, and SGA. Bub needs to continue to utilize his midrange game. It's an important part of his offensive arsenal.

Yeah I'm the complete opposite way on Bub. Agreeing with Zards here. When you have a player who does something well, you ask them to do more of it, not less.

Check it:

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/carrica01/shooting/2025

Bub shot the exact same percentage from that 10'-16' jumper as he did on dunks. Literally same number on the inside as on pull-ups in space. Zards cited some of the names who take those shots, and Bub's percentages rank right up with them:

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/shooting?DistanceRange=8ft%20Range&dir=D&sort=8-16%20ft.%20FGA

In that 8-16ft range Bub shoots 50%. That's up there with Chris Paul, DeRozan (51%) better than Kawhi, DJ Murray, Fox, Luka.

From long two, from 16'-3pt range, Bub hit 46.2%. Same as Jamal Murray, better than SGA, Brunson, Kyrie, Klay:

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/shooting?DistanceRange=8ft%20Range&TeamID=0&dir=D&sort=16-24%20ft.%20FGA

The thing that Bub did not do enough of at all was shoot. If he could maintain these same percentages but increase the volume, he'd be elite. Top echelon.

The thing is the majority of those shots are self created. Bub dribbles to an empty space then pulls up. He can get to that shot any time he wants, and is unhurried in doing so. Yeah it helps when he has a Valanciunas on the team to set screens to pop him free, but the shot is there for him and the right thing to do is knock it down.

Second point:

Bub played 82 games. Highest minutes on the team. Even as the team's 2nd leading defensive rebounder. You didn't draft Bub for his ability to push and shove among the giants. He gives you extra benefit as a back line rebounder, but he's not a first step fast attack jet with an ability to soar above the rim and slam it down. Picture all the times John Wall or Bradley Beal had to pick themselves up off the floor after getting bounced on their way to the hoop. See Agent Arenas. Now picture Gerald 'Crash' Wallace diving into Gilbert's leg under the basket, and oh well, no more Hibachi era.

Bub's job is not to attack the hoop and bang through the monsters to force the ball home. That's barking up the wrong tree. His mission is to knock down open shots, and set his teammates up for success. That part of his job he is doing damn well, you just want him to do more of it. You want him to be more aggressive in seeking his scoring chances as well as increasing his assist totals.

The way I see it though it's that last bit that Bub needs to work on more. He plays so well off of picks to set up his own shot, but does not really set up his Big to score in the roll game. Not enough anyway. I want him to have a big athletic monster at 4/5 that he can work well with to get them rolling at the basket with force while he either stops for his pull up or hits them with a lob to do the heavy work underneath. That's the smart play from that.

Yes I expect him to get bigger and stronger. Nice if he works with Smart and Middleton to learn low post play. That's an extra bonus. Both of them are ground bound types who don't have to fly to score underneath. Likewise Middleton. But all three of those guys are injured with leg issues. There's a reason why.

Ultimately I think Bub is doing it right. I want him to get *more* confident with his jumper. As he gets bigger I hope it extends the range on his 3-ball. I want him comfortable outside the arc, if not out to Curry/Lillard range. I want the ball in his hands because he makes smart decisions with it. As the game slows down for him, I want him to be better at setting up his finishers. For him to take the reins from Poole and move JP to the bench, on merit, as a true Point Guard. Difference is he will need actual finishers on the team for him to bump those assist numbers.

Draft front court beasts who know how to set screens for him. Who play well off the pick and roll. That pull-up jumper will make teams pay if they overcommit to stop the roll man. Give him Maluach. Give him Queen. Give him Sorber or CMB. Bub will start to torture teams who double to stop the roll man and give him that long jumper. Wrong choice, 2 points for Bub and he's already got a head start on the transition defense.

[prime1time]

I've been watching a lot of Bub tape. This will be a very important offseason for him. There are still a wide range of possibilities for his future but the issues that he has are so glaring and unique that I don't really have any other players to off of. At some point this season Bub decided that he was going to live and die on jumpers. 3's and mid range pull-ups dominate Bub's shot chart. It's actually impressive that Bub had as much success as he did given that he really didn't attack the rim.

The entire offensive approach for Bub needs to be revamped. The mid range jumpers need to drastically decrease and he needs to drastically increase the amount of shots at the rim or close to the rim. It's tough to theorize why he really sought to attack the rim but the reality is that he needs to attack the rim more. By attacking the rim, he can force defenses to help and thus make the game easier for his teammates. Or he could also end up with an high percentage shot.

You sound surprised that Bub shot a lot of midrange jumpers. Did you not know that Bub’s midrange shooting was one of his core strengths coming out of college?

I agree that Bub needs to attack the basket with more frequency and effectiveness. That’s a glaring weakness in his game. He also needs to continue to increase the number of 3pters he takes. But I totally disagree that Bub's entire offensive approach needs to be revamped. The short jumper and midrange shot can be a very effective weapon. It certainly has been for players such as Chris Paul, DeRozan, and SGA. Bub needs to continue to utilize his midrange game. It's an important part of his offensive arsenal.

Yes, I'm very aware. But it's also irrelevant. The long mid-range, the medium mid-range, the short mid-range it's all the same. Barring extraordinary circumstances, these should never be the primary shots that a player is trying to get. Unless a player is an outlier when it comes to efficiency. Bub is not. I guarantee you that everything I'm saying they are telling him in his exit interviews. 1 ft a game is not going to cut for a starting guard in the league with a respectable usage rate.