Top 10 List: Upgrading the Wizards

[verbal8]

I'm not that crazy about getting Stoudemire.

Exactly. I don't get why a 20-10 player who needs plays run from him is better than a 20-10 player who doesn't. Because one slams the ball for his points? I suppose the only thing people see here is that Amare's defense is a tick better than AJ's, and that Amare can draw double teams. I'm not sure that's the difference maker.

That's exactly why. Bigs who command a double team give you a HUGE advantage - that's why Elvin Hayes was so valuable to the Bullets. Also, I don't buy what so many sell as his defensive short-comings. He's defended Duncan about as well as anyone I've seen. Then again, so has Kwame Brown, but KB's just a bit lacking offensively.

I think Amare has more ability to be a good defender and issues with focus. Jamison just does not have the ability to be anything above an average defender.

[DaRealHibachi]

Amare shoots a better %, which already makes me want him over AJ... He's also a better shotblocker, which we definitely can use... He can be a much better defender, b/c he has the body and speed, he just needs to put his mind to it...

[Brenice]

I am not one to believe that these wizards have a window the length of Jamison's best years left. I think that as currently constituted, they have enough to do some damage in the east. Bringing in a 30+ shooting guard will not win the championship. That being the case, I keep the 5th pick and strenthen my post Jamison era. I don't trade nobody unless the gun is in the wizards hand, not the other teams hand. Everybody but Gilbert and Jamison have reasonable contracts so trading them you won't get dollar for dollar. And trading a bad contract that falls off the books after this year is pointless as well, unless we hold the gun.

[ptown]

I'm not that crazy about getting Stoudemire.

Exactly. I don't get why a 20-10 player who needs plays run from him is better than a 20-10 player who doesn't. Because one slams the ball for his points? I suppose the only thing people see here is that Amare's defense is a tick better than AJ's, and that Amare can draw double teams. I'm not sure that's the difference maker.

That's exactly why. Bigs who command a double team give you a HUGE advantage - that's why Elvin Hayes was so valuable to the Bullets. Also, I don't buy what so many sell as his defensive short-comings. He's defended Duncan about as well as anyone I've seen. Then again, so has Kwame Brown, but KB's just a bit lacking offensively.

+1 Ruzious. Let's also remember that when you're dunking the ball and drawing double teams you have the tendency to get fouled more often, which is also a huge advantage in a game (especially with an aggressive attacking PG). In their last full seasons (2 seasons ago) Jamison went to the line 438 times and shot 76% while Amare went to the line 691 times and shot 80%. So Amare went to the line 57% more than Jamison and shot a better percentage.

[fifthstop]

Exactly. I don't get why a 20-10 player who needs plays run from him is better than a 20-10 player who doesn't. Because one slams the ball for his points? I suppose the only thing people see here is that Amare's defense is a tick better than AJ's, and that Amare can draw double teams. I'm not sure that's the difference maker.

Yes but one of the two is literally an iron man, recent owner of the most-games-played streak. The other has two bad knees and is so damaged, he's not allowed out of the house. Think about that for a second. If all goes well for him, he'll be able to drive a car and whatnot. If all goes exceptionally well, he'll be able to shoot a ball with accuracy while unmolested. A return to top form is by no means certain, or in my book all that likely.

Let's just say that AJ is 80% as good as vintage Amare, which is fair I think. How certain are we that Amare will be 80% of that Amare? I have my doubts. And you blow up core of the team to do it. Face it: the Amare you all dream of is does not exist...

[doclinkin]

I would honestly like for someone to explain to me the Mike Miller thing. Not attacking. Simply asking why people settled on that guy as someone who could help us. I mean, explain to me on the defensive end what you envision happening.

I'll take that one (as a museum guide more than soap box preacher).

Nice outside shot, rebounder, passes well. Big (6'8") guard who can play next to Gil due to nice handle (shoots a pretty pull-up) and low-ego game (see passes well and willingly). Basically if Joe Johnson is too expensive, consider Mike Miller.

Defense is 'eh' but he's big. In a zone he'd be better than iso'ed man-on. Synergy bonus: Flip has been a Minny commentator since being out of the coaching seat, he's familiar with the man and his game.

Statwise, among 2 guards or SF's he's top 5 in eFG%. Top 3-10 (depending if you call him SF or SG) in Pure Passer rating.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I am not one to believe that these wizards have a window the length of Jamison's best years left. I think that as currently constituted, they have enough to do some damage in the east. Bringing in a 30+ shooting guard will not win the championship. That being the case, I keep the 5th pick and strenthen my post Jamison era. I don't trade nobody unless the gun is in the wizards hand, not the other teams hand. Everybody but Gilbert and Jamison have reasonable contracts so trading them you won't get dollar for dollar. And trading a bad contract that falls off the books after this year is pointless as well, unless we hold the gun.

I agree, Brenice. Keep the 5th pick and strengthen the team this season. Wait until the trade deadline to see what deals seem necessary.

The only scenario for trading the 5th would be to receive a huge upgrade at SG plus a later pick somewhere between 8th and 21st. The Wizards could still add a future asset in the draft at those positions in the draft while a trade can improve them this season.

Try to win it all now and also add a wrinkle or two in the future.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

On not being crazy about Amare, I think the eye, his knees in the past, and my perception that he's not a good teammate all add up to me not being crazy about him.

He's way better than Jamison, though, for reasons Ruz pointed out.

... Bigs who command a double team give you a HUGE advantage - that's why Elvin Hayes was so valuable to the Bullets. Also, I don't buy what so many sell as his defensive short-comings. He's defended Duncan about as well as anyone I've seen. Then again, so has Kwame Brown, but KB's just a bit lacking offensively.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Oh yeah, now I remember another reason: Nash makes Amare look about 10% better than he is offensively.

I'd be tempted to go another route besides Amare.

My current hope is the Wizards forget about the cap, and get Carter and the #12 for something like Young, James, Songaila, the #5 pick plus future considerations.

Essentially, get a superstar on the cheap and keep the current core, too.

[barelyawake]

Oh the phrase "I'm not sure that's the difference maker," understand that I mean the difference between us winning a championship and not (not only based on his skills, but what we would have to trade to get him). Obviously, I think he's "better" than AJ. I don't think he's better enough to push us over the top. We need more defense. Getting Amare, although that would be great and all, is using our trade assets to move up by small degrees. My fault for phrasing it poorly.

And Doc, yeah I get the bit about Mike on O. My problem again is that we have god awful perimeter defense, and we keep thinking that will change by getting "eh" or even "decent" defenders. Thus is not the case. We need great perimeter defenders. If you're talking about bringing him off the bench, then I see it. If not, then I'll again ask, "When the hell are we going to get to defense?" After we get Mike Miller, Amare and Curry? Because that's the feeling I get. Not "eh" defenders, we need extraordinary defenders to right this ship.

[Zerocious]

hedo

[Pradamaster]

I hear ya Ced. Well its my opinion that if that's the case, then the front office is completely shortsighted. But I don't necessarily think that's its a 100% sure bet they'll trade the pick. Nothing is 100%. Even I gotta give the Wizards more credit than that. If Grunfeld doesn't find a deal to his liking I doubt he's going to take less than what he wants b/c its the only thing out there. There's nothing written that says the Wizards must trade the pick now! And there's nothing wrong with drafting an asset now and possibly making a trade abit later down the road whether its this offseason or closer to the trade deadline.

With that said, here's my suggestion of our blue print for following what Boston did and contending for a Ring as mentioned in my previous post:

Trade 1 Assets: Use to acquire an upgrade at SG

Nick Young
Future 1st round pick
Expiring contract (James or Thomas)

Trade 2 Assets: Use to acquire a big man, someone that can push Jamison to 6th man status.

5th pick (or whoever we draft)
Andray Blatche (or Javale McGee - but only for an absolute stud)
Expiring contract (James or Thomas)
Filler (Critt and/or Pech)

This is a couple pages back, and I don't actually comment here much, but I felt the need to respond a bit.

This strikes me as a bit too inflexible. I agree wholeheartedly that we cannot sacrifice too many assets on draft day because we'll need the ones we don't trade for another trade later. But if you look at the Boston scenario, they traded their draft pick first, then the rest of their assets. They got their upgrade when they could and didn't say to themselves "You know, we'll wait to do both moves at once." With all the potential opportunities on the table, I don't think it makes any sense to hold onto the fifth pick for something better if a team really wants it. That asset is only going to decrease in value once you wait. You trade it now, you give the trading team the chance to get their pick of the guy they want. You wait, you force them to take the guy the Wizards wanted.

You wait too long, you turn into the Chicago Bulls and miss out on a chance to get Pau Gasol.