The Dominic McGuire Problem?

[Ruzious]

He has potential to be a great role player, with bits of Marion, Bowen, Rodman, Pippen in his basketball DNA. He's not Terry Davis. He's 23. One a team stacked will ball-dominant scorers and light on defensive stalwarts, he has potential to be the perfect glue guy for the Wiz.

Actually, as I recall - Dom said when interviewed after the draft - he patterns his game after Pippen - the player he wants to be like. But guys, pardon me if I try to be a little realistic. He's not going to be Pippen. He's not going to be Marion. He's not going to go down as one of the NBA's top 50 or even top 100 players. He could become a very good role player - in time, and that's fine. In fact, it's a need.

[fishercob]

He has potential to be a great role player, with bits of Marion, Bowen, Rodman, Pippen in his basketball DNA. He's not Terry Davis. He's 23. One a team stacked will ball-dominant scorers and light on defensive stalwarts, he has potential to be the perfect glue guy for the Wiz.

Actually, as I recall - Dom said when interviewed after the draft - he patterns his game after Pippen - the player he wants to be like. But guys, pardon me if I try to be a little realistic. He's not going to be Pippen. He's not going to be Marion. He's not going to go down as one of the NBA's top 50 or even top 100 players. He could become a very good role player - in time, and that's fine. In fact, it's a need.

Ruz, I didn't say -- nor do I expect -- Dom to be any of the guys that I listed. I was saying that I see bits of their games in his. He's a gifted defender, rebounder and facilitator and is smart enough to be deferential to the right guys on offense. He's a keeper to me.

[LyricalRico]

It admittedly is hard to come up with a linear comparison to McGuire. Maybe Derrick McKey but with less range? Junk Yard Dog with handles and a shot?

[barelyawake]

What does our team need with Arenas on the floor?

A distributor. A guy who can defend PGs and SGs. A guy who can cover the lane in a zone and/or rotate in case Arenas gets beat. A tough rebounder who can allow second chances for when Arenas, Caron, etc jack up shots.

Dom does all that.

What does our team need with Caron on the floor?

A distributor who can feed a posted-up Caron, or thread to an open Caron or Arenas on the wings. A guy who can shotblock in case Caron gets beat. A guy who can help defend and channel a driver into Haywood.

Dom does all that.

The guy is a hardworker. He'll develop a decent enough shot (that'll be good for 4 pts). He has a decent step to the hoop (there's 2). He has a great ability to putback (there's another 2-4 pts). He'll dive for loose balls and rebounds. I see lots of plays where Dom rebounds and outlet, Flutie passes downtown to a jetting Caron, Blatche and Arenas.

Seriously... what's the problem? You're judging the guy who is meant to compliment Arenas, without seeing him run with Arenas? Dom is not the problem. Dom is the solution. What we need is one more guy like Dom, who has a better outside shot. Between Dom, Crit, Blatche and Haywood, our defense is going to be damn good. And with two more moves, we could become one of the best defensive teams in the league. That is, if we get the right coach.

[Ruzious]

He has potential to be a great role player, with bits of Marion, Bowen, Rodman, Pippen in his basketball DNA. He's not Terry Davis. He's 23. One a team stacked will ball-dominant scorers and light on defensive stalwarts, he has potential to be the perfect glue guy for the Wiz.

Actually, as I recall - Dom said when interviewed after the draft - he patterns his game after Pippen - the player he wants to be like. But guys, pardon me if I try to be a little realistic. He's not going to be Pippen. He's not going to be Marion. He's not going to go down as one of the NBA's top 50 or even top 100 players. He could become a very good role player - in time, and that's fine. In fact, it's a need.

Ruz, I didn't say -- nor do I expect -- Dom to be any of the guys that I listed. I was saying that I see bits of their games in his. He's a gifted defender, rebounder and facilitator and is smart enough to be deferential to the right guys on offense. He's a keeper to me.

Right, but when you make those comparisons to great players, you're feeding into the creeping mentality around here that Dom is actually another word for God. Actually, If you change the letters around, reverse them, and then flip em over... Dominingus Dominante... The Dominator has arrived. Let us pray. Role player???? How dare you. Know that your role is to bow down before The Dominator.

[Ruzious]

Seriously... what's the problem? You're judging the guy who is meant to compliment Arenas, without seeing him run with Arenas? Dom is not the problem. Dom is the solution. What we need is one more guy like Dom, who has a better outside shot. Between Dom, Crit, Blatche and Haywood, our defense is going to be damn good. And with two more moves, we could become one of the best defensive teams in the league. That is, if we get the right coach.

Actually, I think Green from UNC would be a fine complement - as he'd be the one defensive specialist we'd have who'd be a very good spot up 3 point shooter, but I got shot down in the draft thread.

[fishercob]

Actually, as I recall - Dom said when interviewed after the draft - he patterns his game after Pippen - the player he wants to be like. But guys, pardon me if I try to be a little realistic. He's not going to be Pippen. He's not going to be Marion. He's not going to go down as one of the NBA's top 50 or even top 100 players. He could become a very good role player - in time, and that's fine. In fact, it's a need.

Ruz, I didn't say -- nor do I expect -- Dom to be any of the guys that I listed. I was saying that I see bits of their games in his. He's a gifted defender, rebounder and facilitator and is smart enough to be deferential to the right guys on offense. He's a keeper to me.

Right, but when you make those comparisons to great players, you're feeding into the creeping mentality around here that Dom is actually another word for God. Actually, If you change the letters around, reverse them, and then flip em over... Dominingus Dominante... The Dominator has arrived. Let us pray. Role player???? How dare you. Know that your role is to bow down before The Dominator.

Hey, I can't be responsible for other people's stupidity Seriously, I don't think the Bowen comparison is crazy. They're different builds and contribute differently on offense (McGuire as more of an assist man, Bowen with the spot up 3). Even if McGuire never develops the reliable 3 that Bowen has, at 23 he's already a much better rebounder and shot blocker. He's going to have a long career in the League, hopefully here.

[queridiculo]

Actually, as I recall - Dom said when interviewed after the draft - he patterns his game after Pippen - the player he wants to be like. But guys, pardon me if I try to be a little realistic. He's not going to be Pippen. He's not going to be Marion. He's not going to go down as one of the NBA's top 50 or even top 100 players. He could become a very good role player - in time, and that's fine. In fact, it's a need.

That's funny. In last nights game against the Hawks I couldn't help but think of Pippen. Although we lost, he continued to impress.

He strikes me like a guy that just gets it. While Young is out there trying to be a baller, McGuire is steadily progressing and finding ways to contribute night in and night out.

[PerkinsFor3]

How about a younger Boris Diaw guy?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

How about a younger Boris Diaw guy?

Exactly. Only McGuire blocks shots and rebounds better. He distributes just as well. With offensive improvements, he'll be better than Diaw.

Here's what I said earlier in this thread.

(edited) I believe McGuire's like Jared and Boris Diaw in that he can play 2, 3, or 4 pretty effectively. Here's how Dom lines up statistically with those two players each his second NBA season:

(edited)

http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/ ... 01&y3=2005

Per-36 Minutes for each player in second NBA season

Code: Select all

     FG FGA  FG%  3P  3PA  3P% FT FTA  FT%  ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF  PTS
Diaw 3.0 7.0 .435 0.2 0.9 .197 1.3 2.0 .665 1.9 4.0 5.9 3.8 1.1 0.6 2.5 3.6 7.6
Jeff 3.4 8.7 .389 0.1 0.6 .222 2.0 3.3 .605 3.4 4.5 7.9 1.8 0.9 0.5 2.1 3.9 8.9
McGu 2.3 5.6 .419 0.1 0.2 .300 1.1 1.8 .615 2.5 5.3 7.8 2.7 1.0 1.4 1.8 3.3 5.8

Dominic is a far better shotblocker than either Diaw or Jeffries. He's as good a rebounder as Jeffries, who was a very strong rebounder for his position with the Wizards. Dom's Ast/TO (not shown) is virtually identical to Diaw's. Although Dom doesn't have the assist totals of Diaw there's reason to believe McGuire could really distribute the ball as well in an emerging role.

McGuire IMO could already be the Wizards SG of the future. I think he lines up real well next to Gil because McGuire defends the perimeter very well. Dom's lack of offense would be no problem at all next to Gil because McGuire's so effective doing other things.

[DCZards]

Actually, I think Green from UNC would be a fine complement - as he'd be the one defensive specialist we'd have who'd be a very good spot up 3 point shooter, but I got shot down in the draft thread.

I agree with you on Green. I've become a big fan of his all-around play. The thing I've been most impressed about him is that he's gotten noticeably better on offense each season. Green's defense has always been special.
No, Green won't be a great player but with the right time he'll be a very good role player. I expect him to be either a late first round or early second round pick. He could sneak into the middle of the first round.

[WizarDynasty]

dmac completely dominates p/g's and s/gs on defense but normally gets shot over by 6'8 players with large wingspans because DMAC's wingspan is 6'10 like Marvin Williams, Pierce, Tayshaun, R. Lewis..which is why we need Aminu's 7'4 wingspan out on the perimeter against the elite s/f's. DMAC is perfect compliment for guarding p/gs and s/gs and undersized s/f that give gilbert arenas fits. Wizards still don't have a defensive answer against big s/f that can shoot and post up. I think it safe to say that DMAC is closer to an oversized s/g than he is to an oversized s/f defensively. His lateral quickness is what makes him deadly against against s/g and p/g's. Marvin Williams and his 7'3 wingspan exposed DMAC's defensive weakness today.

[TheSecretWeapon]

In the offseason, all Wizards players should be required to get bone lengthening surgery on their arms. Then they'd have the bestest wingspans in the whole league and their defense would be much improved. Especially if they could simultaneously have their legs bowed.

[cwb3]

So he's kind of a youngish Lebron James/Moses Malone/Bob Cousy hybrid but with more upside?

[BigA]

In the offseason, all Wizards players should be required to get bone lengthening surgery on their arms. Then they'd have the bestest wingspans in the whole league and their defense would be much improved. Especially if they could simultaneously have their legs bowed.

They could go Medieval with one of these:

[Mr. Grundle]

Dominic McGuire does indeed have a unique skillset. He is the only NBA player I've seen that is right-handed but can only dribble with his left.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

In the offseason, all Wizards players should be required to get bone lengthening surgery on their arms. Then they'd have the bestest wingspans in the whole league and their defense would be much improved. Especially if they could simultaneously have their legs bowed.

Here's just the (witch) doctor to perform leg bowing:



Says he can make Jamison a DPOY candidate with his radical O-leg bow-leg spell.

[dandridge 10]

I respect how hard the guy plays, he overachieves..........but I just don't see a role for him as a starter in the NBA. He kills us offensively.

Mike James/Dominic McGuire as starters = worst team in the NBA. Both of those guys are painful to watch.

I completely disagree that Dom doesn't have a role as a starter. Assuming GA, CB, AJ and BH are the starters next year, we will already have plenty of offensive weapons to work with...we don't need another person in the starting line-up to dominate the ball. Dom would fit in quite well as a distributor of the ball, defender and rebounder. He is the type of glue guy that GA, CB, AJ and BH need in the starting line...a guy that knows is role and plays it well. Saying that McGuire does not belong as a starter is akin to saying that you have to be a scorer to be a starter. That's not true.

I also disagree that McGuire kills us offensively. While I wouldn't call Dom an offensive machine, McGuire is becoming more and more consistent in knocking down open jump shots and is finishing better around the rim. I don't see opposing teams leaving Dom wide open anymore, which indicates that they are respecting his ability to knock down an open shot. In that regard, I don't see him as an offensive liability. I actually think Dom could average close to 10 points a game on just hustle points alone, which is all we need with GA, AJ, and CB in the same line-up.

I've been a Wiz fan long enough, and through many a long losing season such as this one to spot fool's gold. His hard work is a bright spot in a very dark season, but I just don't see him as a starter on anything but arguably the worst team in the league (us).

I've watched Terry Davis have 12 rebound games, Tracey Murray drop a 50 point night, Tim Legler score 25 points, Jahidi White have a 20/15 night and the list goes on. None of those guys had any business starting on an NBA team, but they all did start on some of the worst Washington teams in history. Give anyone enough minutes in the league as a starter, and they'll have some eye popping box scores.

We're losing damn near every game, anointing McGuire starter material is part of the problem.

As fishercob said, I've been around just as long...actually longer. The players you mentioned on the previous Bullets teams were pretty much one dimensional players (Tracy and Tem Legler could hit open jump shots, but did little else; Davis and Jahidi were pretty much rebounders). They were also much older than Dom when they had those occasional big nights. Dom is just a second year player and has already shown that he can fill up the stat sheet, if given the minutes.

Hey, I admit that Dom will never be an all-star or even a star. However, there are plenty of teams that have won championships or conferences with role players like Dom in the starting line-up. The Spurs with Bowen is just one. The Bulls with Rodman is another. If Dom can develop a three point shot, I think he will be even more valuable.

I also think he is going to be even more productive when we have Arenas and Haywood back. He certainly will get more open looks. He will also likely rack up more assists as he will be playing ball with people that actually know what to do on the court.