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nate33
Forum Mod - Wizards
Forum Mod - Wizards
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Post#21 » by nate33 » Tue Jan 8, 2008 4:09 am

Randy Ayers has done a real nice job as the defensive assistant in Washington. Last year, the team had the 28th best defense (by points per possession). This year the defense is ranked 19th despite the loss of Arenas who is (believe it or not) a better defender than Daniels.

But the greatest assistant coach of all time is the Wizards current shooting coach Dave Hopla. He's the guru who once hit 1000 consecutive free throws. Hopla has turned Brendan freaking Haywood into a money FT shooter. Haywood is a career 59% FT shooter. This year, he is shooting 73%. He shot 50% in October, 65% in November, 80% in December, and 91% in January! How many vets make that dramatic of an improvement after 6 years in the league?

Hopla has also helped Caron Butler improve his 3-point shooting from a career 31% to his current 41%.
Wiz99
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Post#22 » by Wiz99 » Tue Jan 8, 2008 4:12 am

I almost don't want to say anything, lest we jinx them, but Nate's right: several of the Wizards are having career seasons in FG% or FT%, and its all due to Hopla.

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