Andray Blatche - Resurgence Thread ( Merged )

[miller31time]

Lol at all the homers, dun get me wrong Blatche going to be a good player in the league for a long time, but now u guys compare him to CWebb? Shaq? KAJ? Olajuwon? I know it's hard for you Wiz fan this year, but please dun jinx Andray yet or he is going to be another Gilbert.

No one is saying he's anywhere near as good as those players. But in terms of physical make-up and various moves, there are resemblances.

It's akin to saying "a poor man's _____".

[montestewart]

Lol at all the homers, dun get me wrong Blatche going to be a good player in the league for a long time, but now u guys compare him to CWebb? Shaq? KAJ? Olajuwon? I know it's hard for you Wiz fan this year, but please dun jinx Andray yet or he is going to be another Gilbert.

Cherry picking positions to contradict makes for a weak argument, much like the type used by lawyers to convince foolish, emotional juries to find stone killers not guilty. Huh? That's what I was thinking.

PS: Blatche will be the GOAT, and you'll be following behind that battleship in a little dinghy, rather than be left behind. Rules allow that you know, so no need to hedge your bets now.

[ErikChowbay023]

Dont know if this was posted already

Andray Blatche is on a ridiculous roll
No doubt, Andray Blatche had a monster performance in the Wizards' 89-85 win over New Jersey on Sunday night, as he posted a career-high 36 points with 15 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. But it also was a historic performance.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, Blatche is the first player in Bullets/Wizards franchise history since Elvin Hayes to reach those statistical marks in one game. On Feb. 26, 1975, Hayes had 39 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocked shots in a 104-98 win over the Seattle SuperSonics.

Blatche is also the only NBA player to score 36 or more points, with 15 or more rebounds, four or more assists, two or more steals and two or more blocked shots in a game this season. The last player to reach those numbers was Al Jefferson, who had 36 points, 22 rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks on Feb. 7, 2009.

Blatche is averaging 26.6 points and 11.7 rebounds in the first seven games since the all-star break, which is a startling development, since Blatche has often been criticized for his lack of consistency. There's no denying that Blatche is playing the most consistent basketball of his career, but he is producing at a rate that rarely happens in the league. And, if you add in his last game before the all-star break, when Blatche had 15 points against Charlotte, he has now joined some elite company with Shaquille O'Neal.

Blatche has shot 62.2 percent (84 of 135) over the past eight games, and has shot better than 52 percent in each of those contests. O'Neal was the last player to attempt at least eight field goals and shoot better than 52 percent for eight consecutive games, according to Elias. He actually accomplished that feat this season, from Jan. 19 to Feb. 2. The last Wizard/Bullet to do that was Cliff Robinson, from Nov. 10-27, 1984. Robinson did it for nine consecutive games.

"I've been waiting for this my whole career," Blatche said after practice on Monday of this opportunity.

He also credited Coach Flip Saunders for helping him tap into that potential. "Flip is a great coach and we have a great coaching staff. They are bringing the play out of all the guys on the team, making us work hard and play hard," Blatche said. "We had many conversations, it was pretty much that he was going to bring the best player out of me that he can, and it's showing. He stuck with me, doing extra drills after practice, all the hard work is paying off that he did with me."

Saunders was asked how Blatche can maintain this current pace. "Is he going to play at this level all the time? That'd be pretty difficult, but you don't know," Saunders said. "I think the thing is, you just got to keep playing the right way. There might be games he might not score as much, but he might get 18 and 11 and 7 assists. It's a matter of him continuing to make the right play. I'm more impressed that he's trying to make the right play. He doesn't try to get hyper. The main thing with him is trying to maintain his energy."

Saunders said that he has been impressed with Blatche's demeanor and approach since the Wizards traded away Brendan Haywood, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler.

"I tried to harp on him from day one, about professionalism and preparing yourself to be successful, and that starts, not when you step in the gym, but prior to that. And that's lifting weights, taking care of your body, preparing your body, understanding scouting reports and knowing what they are going to do to you," Saunders said. "I think prior, when we had Caron and Antawn, he never really took that to heart. 'It really doesn't matter what I do.' When those guys left, I think he understood. All of a sudden he's lifting more. He's quiet in the locker room. And all of a sudden his game has coincided with improving with that. He's understanding that as you prepare, you prepare to win and you prepare to lose and he's preparing himself to be successful."

I think what I bolded is key...You can really tell just by watching him, his demeanor has changed.

[hands11]

one thing that has struck me has been the accuracy of his outside shot
and his FT shooting. He has simply been all wet in both regards.

his post game is nice with the array of up/under, fadeaways and
reverse layups, but the outside shot is something that you have
to wonder how well it will last.

I would compare how he's played during this stretch to
both Amare and KG. That said, that list of players who
have played this well over a season is unbelievable.
Wilt and Kareem are both top five all-time. Baylor top ten.
So this would be unbelievably fortuitous if it were to continue
for a longer period of time.

Why would his outside shoot change. The biggest difference is that he is shooting like a number 1 and shooting in rhythm. There is no one on this team that would cause that to change.

But your exactly right. What is the most powerful about what he is doing is that his shot is just wet from all over. If a team takes away his inside, he can just move outside. And if they follow him there, he has enough size and handles to drive by them. And if they cover him on the drive dude also have great floor vision and is unselfish and can pass. He can run a break and dribble it up court.

So if all that is true, why couldn't he be a number one option.

And I still believe he can extend his range all the way to the 3 line.

SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE WHAT I WANT IN A NUMBER ONE OPTION

[yungal07]

just for hands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gAjjwkip1A

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Reading multiple reports that Blatche has been hitting the weights with a passion (after reports early in his career that he was all but allergic to weights) has me geeking out. He had said he has been getting winded in recent games, if he gets physically 100% both muscularly and aerobically, both this season and over the offseason, these past few games could just be the floor of his potential.

[montestewart]

Reading multiple reports that Blatche has been hitting the weights with a passion (after reports early in his career that he was all but allergic to weights) has me geeking out. He had said he has been getting winded in recent games, if he gets physically 100% both muscularly and aerobically, both this season and over the offseason, these past few games could just be the floor of his potential.

Reportedly, he started hitting the wights and dedicating himself last summer, hence "Seven-Day Dray." Now, he is likely discovering that was enough to transition to being a starter, but in his new role, he is a heavy-minute go to option. A heavy, year-round conditioning regimen is perhaps just dawning on him. Why team-supervised year-round conditioning isn't written into contracts is a mystery to me.

[GoneShammGone]

Well the Andray-bandwagon is getting really crowded now that Wilbon has finally done a 180 and started touting Blatche:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03865.html

Wilbon was one of the biggest 'Tawn supporters in the media, and was always incredibly dismissive of Blatche, so this is a significant development.

[no D in Hibachi]

Well the Andray-bandwagon is getting really crowded now that Wilbon has finally done a 180 and started touting Blatche:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03865.html

Wilbon was one of the biggest 'Tawn supporters in the media, and was always incredibly dismissive of Blatche, so this is a significant development.

Once upon a time I had extreme respect for Wilbon as a journalist. However, since he joined the four letter word he's become a mindless talking head with no real insight and I generally disagree with everything he says/writes. Same goes for Tony. I used to never miss his radio program. Now I'd rather listen to Mike Wise...Oh how the mighty have fallen.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Yeah but I even read an article- can't find it now to save my life of course- where it said he's upped his intensity tenfold with the weights since the trade deadline. I'd hope he can push himself a little further, if he's been lifting 100% since last offseason then his current physique is the one we're likely stuck with. I guess its not the end of the world if it is, but his arms still look like noodles. Dray is basically flexing in this picture: http://www.wfrv.com/Photo.aspx?content_id=365f6574-09e5-413e-92b8-006dd49ece34... like I said I guess its not the end of the world, I need to stop dreaming he becomes Alonzo Mourning physically and go look at pictures of Chris Bosh to console myself.

[montestewart]

Well the Andray-bandwagon is getting really crowded now that Wilbon has finally done a 180 and started touting Blatche:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03865.html

Wilbon was one of the biggest 'Tawn supporters in the media, and was always incredibly dismissive of Blatche, so this is a significant development.

Once upon a time I had extreme respect for Wilbon as a journalist. However, since he joined the four letter word he's become a mindless talking head with no real insight and I generally disagree with everything he says/writes. Same goes for Tony. I used to never miss his radio program. Now I'd rather listen to Mike Wise...Oh how the mighty have fallen.

That four-letter word would be the Post, which he joined just out of college. You must be an early reader if you ever liked anything of his. Kornheiser is a Dave Barry-type knockoff (constant jokes, rarely funny) with a fake bluntness that's "refreshing," and all his shortcomings are even more exposed when he writes in any section besides Sports. Don't mean to be harsh, but those two have undermined local sports coverage for years. I can't recall any decent analysis of basketball from either one, ever, and their pieces are frequently riddled with inaccuracy and hyperbole.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

However, since he joined the four letter word he's become a mindless talking head with no real insight and I generally disagree with everything he says/writes.

therein lies the turning point in my opinion. the hype machine has rubbed off on him and now everything he writes seemingly is the obvious just taken to some extreme to hype it. for example how the wizards would go through a rough spell after trading away our core. duh. but we aren't the d-league team he claimed we'd become among other things.

i'd rather read sally jenkins. (and that's not some joke, i genuinely like her stuff)

[montestewart]

Yeah but I even read an article- can't find it now to save my life of course- where it said he's upped his intensity tenfold with the weights since the trade deadline. I'd hope he can push himself a little further, if he's been lifting 100% since last offseason then his current physique is the one we're likely stuck with. I guess its not the end of the world if it is, but his arms still look like noodles. Dray is basically flexing in this picture: http://www.wfrv.com/Photo.aspx?content_id=365f6574-09e5-413e-92b8-006dd49ece34... like I said I guess its not the end of the world, I need to stop dreaming he becomes Alonzo Mourning physically and go look at pictures of Chris Bosh to console myself.

I can't tell whether that's a "Yes, I made it," or a "Darn, I missed it" photo, but in either case, that's not going to be a maximum-Mourning flex event; wait until he slam dunks or blocks, then locks hands at mid-torso and yells from deep within his belly, head off center and eyes askew. That's the best time to measure his arms.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Yeah but I even read an article- can't find it now to save my life of course- where it said he's upped his intensity tenfold with the weights since the trade deadline. I'd hope he can push himself a little further, if he's been lifting 100% since last offseason then his current physique is the one we're likely stuck with. I guess its not the end of the world if it is, but his arms still look like noodles. Dray is basically flexing in this picture: http://www.wfrv.com/Photo.aspx?content_id=365f6574-09e5-413e-92b8-006dd49ece34... like I said I guess its not the end of the world, I need to stop dreaming he becomes Alonzo Mourning physically and go look at pictures of Chris Bosh to console myself.

I can't tell whether that's a "Yes, I made it," or a "Darn, I missed it" photo, but in either case, that's not going to be a maximum-Mourning flex event; wait until he slam dunks or blocks, then locks hands at mid-torso and yells from deep within his belly, head off center and eyes askew. That's the best time to measure his arms.

True. At least he ain't Oliver Miller, right?

[montestewart]

I'd love to see a really strong center (like, uh, Haywood) form a triumvirate with Blatche and McGee. I like the idea of an even stronger Blatche, but Mourning-like brute strength doesn't have to be his game, and tough bodies to partner with Blatche and McGee could help their games, and McGee particularly might learn a lot from it.

No, not Oliver Miller.

[dobrojim]

Do we really need to be throwing Max money at Bosh at this point. That's not how you rebuild. See Portland. I'm tired of overpaid superstars. We need to build a no name Championship Detroit Pistons team.

Those no names had a bunch of players with near max contracts, and what exactly has Portland done lately? Everybody likes to talk about the talent level of the Blazers, but the only thing I can say about them of note is that they passed on the most gifted player in the draft in favor of Oden.

We need a center, and we'll either have to find him in FA or through the draft.

one of the more interesting aspects that I heard re POR decisions to go with Oden
was that when they brought Durant in for a workout, he didn't miss a shot. And they
still didn't take him. Ouch/stubborn.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

I'd love to see a really strong center (like, uh, Haywood) form a triumvirate with Blatche and McGee. I like the idea of an even stronger Blatche, but Mourning-like brute strength doesn't have to be his game, and tough bodies to partner with Blatche and McGee could help their games, and McGee particularly might learn a lot from it.

No, not Oliver Miller.

Demarcus Cousins much?

[dobrojim]

one thing that has struck me has been the accuracy of his outside shot
and his FT shooting. He has simply been all wet in both regards.

his post game is nice with the array of up/under, fadeaways and
reverse layups, but the outside shot is something that you have
to wonder how well it will last.

I would compare how he's played during this stretch to
both Amare and KG. That said, that list of players who
have played this well over a season is unbelievable.
Wilt and Kareem are both top five all-time. Baylor top ten.
So this would be unbelievably fortuitous if it were to continue
for a longer period of time.

Why would his outside shoot change. The biggest difference is that he is shooting like a number 1 and shooting in rhythm. There is no one on this team that would cause that to change.

But your exactly right. What is the most powerful about what he is doing is that his shot is just wet from all over. If a team takes away his inside, he can just move outside. And if they follow him there, he has enough size and handles to drive by them. And if they cover him on the drive dude also have great floor vision and is unselfish and can pass. He can run a break and dribble it up court.

So if all that is true, why couldn't he be a number one option.

And I still believe he can extend his range all the way to the 3 line.

SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE WHAT I WANT IN A NUMBER ONE OPTION

I'm a little surprised you would ask why his outside shot would change.
It's simple. As a general rule, longer shots are harder and require the
shooter to be more 'on his game' than layups and dunks. If you're a little
off one game, you can still probably make the easier shots, but the harder
ie longer shots are probably NOT going to fall as often. That's why jump shooting
teams are hot and cold. That's why the foot on the 3 pt line jumper is the worst
shot in basketball. That's why we were an inconsistent team since the last
time we had really good post players (Ruland?).

[montestewart]

I'd love to see a really strong center (like, uh, Haywood) form a triumvirate with Blatche and McGee. I like the idea of an even stronger Blatche, but Mourning-like brute strength doesn't have to be his game, and tough bodies to partner with Blatche and McGee could help their games, and McGee particularly might learn a lot from it.

No, not Oliver Miller.

Demarcus Cousins much?

Despite various things I've heard about Cousins' attitude, I haven't yet heard anything so compelling as to convince me he would be a flake or a headache. He sounds like a kid to me, a strong kid. If he's available at the Wizards pick, and Turner's gone, that would be my choice at this point.

[keynote]

Why would his outside shoot change. The biggest difference is that he is shooting like a number 1 and shooting in rhythm. There is no one on this team that would cause that to change.

I'm a little surprised you would ask why his outside shot would change.
It's simple. As a general rule, longer shots are harder and require the
shooter to be more 'on his game' than layups and dunks. If you're a little
off one game, you can still probably make the easier shots, but the harder
ie longer shots are probably NOT going to fall as often. That's why jump shooting
teams are hot and cold. That's why the foot on the 3 pt line jumper is the worst
shot in basketball. That's why we were an inconsistent team since the last
time we had really good post players (Ruland?).

Not to mention the fact that some players get the 'yips' and lose their mojo completely.

That being said, confidence and muscle memory go a long way in separating the consistently dead-eye shooters from the "practice shooters" who can't get it done in game conditions. And, most inconsistent/streaky shooters are guards/swingmen; it's rare to find a tall F/C who ends up being streaky from outside (Spencer Hawes, perhaps?). Maybe they're less likely to be effectively challenged/bothered on their jumper; I dunno. I tried doing a quick query on Basketball Reference, but I couldn't really suss out a conclusion from the data. Still: when I think of streaky shooters, players 6'7" or so and under come to mind.

In any event, Blatche was showing a marked improvement on his jumper at the beginning of the season as well - which indicates that he put in the time to get his form down. You can see the difference in his shooting from now versus that YouTube clip somebody posted of his high school highlights (his release point is more consistent, and a little higher/behind his head than before). And, at this point, he's generated enough positive reinforcement that his confidence is likely at an all-time high. As such, while Blatche might have the occasional game where his jumper is "off," I don't see him completely regressing to an impossibly streaky shooter like a Juan Dixon or Flip Murray.