Predict Wiz Opening Day Roster 2010

[nate33]

If Seraphin comes over and Booker is going to play mostly at the 4, I don't see a spot for Singleton on the roster. Booker as a power 3 is intriguing, although offensively he would have a great deal of limitations. You have to have some depth at the 3 (Cartier Martin, whoever), and probably another guard or two (Jerome Randle, etc.). I would expect the Wizards will carry fourteen players on their roster and keep the fifteenth spot open for injuries or whatever.

I forgot about Martin. I definitely think we'll keep him. I edited my lineup to include him.

If Arenas is moved, then maybe we retain Randall. Otherwise, I don't think we will. We have 3 players capable of starting at the PG position already. Do we really need a 4th? I expect we'll devote that roster spot to a big man or a swing man.

I think Singleton will be retained primarily as our Kirk Hinrich of the front court - a veteran defender with a good attitude.

We currently have 10 guys on the roster:
Arenas, Hinrich, Wall, Young, Thornton, Booker, Seraphin, Blatche, Yi, McGee.

I figure it's a pretty good bet we'll add:
Ndiaye, C.Martin and Singleton

That's 13 guys. We might keep two roster spots open. I don't see a compelling need at any other position except perhaps backup center if Ndiaye is too raw.

[Zonkerbl]

Huh. I wasn't feeling Booker at the three because of his jumper (or lack thereof), but if he's on the floor at the same time as Yi, huh, why not?

[closg00]

If Seraphin comes over and Booker is going to play mostly at the 4, I don't see a spot for Singleton on the roster. Booker as a power 3 is intriguing, although offensively he would have a great deal of limitations. You have to have some depth at the 3 (Cartier Martin, whoever), and probably another guard or two (Jerome Randle, etc.). I would expect the Wizards will carry fourteen players on their roster and keep the fifteenth spot open for injuries or whatever.

I forgot about Martin. I definitely think we'll keep him. I edited my lineup to include him.

If Arenas is moved, then maybe we retain Randall. Otherwise, I don't think we will. We have 3 players capable of starting at the PG position already. Do we really need a 4th? I expect we'll devote that roster spot to a big man or a swing man.

I think Singleton will be retained primarily as our Kirk Hinrich of the front court - a veteran defender with a good attitude.

We currently have 10 guys on the roster:
Arenas, Hinrich, Wall, Young, Thornton, Booker, Seraphin, Blatche, Yi, McGee.

I figure it's a pretty good bet we'll add:
Ndiaye, C.Martin and Singleton

That's 13 guys. We might keep two roster spots open. I don't see a compelling need at any other position except perhaps backup center if Ndiaye is too raw.

Man I hope you're wrong Nate, I don't think Kirk will be around as he will have value as a decent player with an expiring contract next year. Having Wall & Randle (possibly even Jon Scheyer) as our young and developing PG's fits the Ted Leonsis rebuild model.

[nate33]

:( Man I hope you're wrong Nate, I don't think Kirk will be around as he will have value as a decent player with an expiring contract next year. Having Wall & Randle (possibly even Jon Scheyer) as our young and developing PG's fits the Ted Leonsis rebuild model.

I just don't see management shelling out half a million dollars for a guy that they know full well will NEVER play on the basketball court except in the stinkiest of garbage time.

Guys like Randall are available every year. If Arenas or Hinrich get moved at some point this season, they'll find a 3rd string PG next year. Heck, there's a pretty good chance that Randall himself, will be available next year. Chances are, he'll sign somewhere else this season on a one-year deal and may end up as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

[closg00]

Based on our current depth-chart, the only team that might have a worse record than us in the East is Toronto.

[Hoopalotta]

Based on our current depth-chart, the only team that might have a worse record than us in the East is Toronto.

That sounds about right to me, I mean, give or take some sad-sack of forlorned "could'a been a contender" free agent wooer.

We've basically got an absolute wet dog of a tank squad that happens to have Arenas on it.

The backcourt is nice, but the front court is just historically raw, so it's hard to imagine that the defense is going to come together. And I'd imagine we have some kinks in the halfcourt as of now as we're probably in the bottom rung as far as team shooting.

[closg00]

Updated to include Flip Saunders likely rotation

PG Kirk Hinrich - 32, Wall 18
SG Gilbert -30 Nick Young 10
SF Al Thornton - 30, Booker, 10
PF Yi - 25, Sweets? 10, Booker 5
CE Javale McGee - 25, Kevin Seraphin 10, Hamady N'Diaye 5


Reserves
Jerome Randle
Martin
Blatche (Injured)

[willbcocks]

Based on our current depth-chart, the only team that might have a worse record than us in the East is Toronto.

That sounds about right to me, I mean, give or take some sad-sack of forlorned "could'a been a contender" free agent wooer.

We've basically got an absolute wet dog of a tank squad that happens to have Arenas on it.

The backcourt is nice, but the front court is just historically raw, so it's hard to imagine that the defense is going to come together. And I'd imagine we have some kinks in the halfcourt as of now as we're probably in the bottom rung as far as team shooting.

I feel like you and I are forming the Asian time zone get along gang lately.

But anyway, I agree. Our roster is starving and EG's feeding it cucumber salad. 3 legit starters, one a rookie, one hurt, one suspended all of last season, no defensive in the middle and no depth. I'm not seeing it.

[willbcocks]

Updated to include Flip Saunders likely rotation

PG Kirk Hinrich - 32, Wall 18
SG Gilbert -30 Nick Young 10
SF Al Thornton - 30, Booker, 10
PF Yi - 25, Sweets? 10, Booker 5
CE Javale McGee - 25, Kevin Seraphin 10, Hamady N'Diaye 5


Reserves
Jerome Randle
Martin
Blatche (Injured)

No way the #1 pick and flip's gift from heaven starts the season on the bench.

[verbal8]

Updated to include Flip Saunders likely rotation

PG Kirk Hinrich - 32, Wall 18
SG Gilbert -30 Nick Young 10
SF Al Thornton - 30, Booker, 10
PF Yi - 25, Sweets? 10, Booker 5
CE Javale McGee - 25, Kevin Seraphin 10, Hamady N'Diaye 5


Reserves
Jerome Randle
Martin
Blatche (Injured)

Wall will get more than 18 minutes a game. Marbury got 34 mpg and Wally Szerbiak got 29 as rookies. Ronald Stuckey got 19 minutes as a rookie on a team that reached the ECF.

The rest of your minutes seem reasonable to me. I think Singleton probably replaces the mystery big.

[Liverbird]

After Blatche returns:

FIrst team:

PG: Wall
SG: Arenas
SF: Thornton
PF: Blatche
C: McGee

Rotation:

PG: Hinrich
SG: Young
SF: Booker
PF: Yi/Seraphin
C: Seraphin/N'Diaye

I think we'll see Serahin play a little of both PF and C depending on the rotation. I also like having Booker in the starting lineup instead of Thornton as it balances out the lineups - we need someone to protect Blatche and Arenas. But since he's still a rookie - I'll have him coming off the bench.

[verbal8]

After Blatche returns:

FIrst team:

PG: Wall
SG: Arenas
SF: Thornton
PF: Blatche
C: McGee

Rotation:

PG: Hinrich
SG: Young
SF: Booker
PF: Yi/Seraphin
C: Seraphin/N'Diaye

I think we'll see Serahin play a little of both PF and C depending on the rotation. I also like having Booker in the starting lineup instead of Thornton as it balances out the lineups - we need someone to protect Blatche and Arenas. But since he's still a rookie - I'll have him coming off the bench.

The team doesn't seem as good on paper as last year's team. However it seems like it fits together better. It may be a little frustrating watching McGee as starting center and even Seraphin to some degree, but this is definitely a team that should get better as the season goes on.

[Hoopalotta]

Our roster is starving and EG's feeding it cucumber salad.

That definitely sums it up nicely.

I also liked how Ernie was talking about how we got Yi for his play rather than his marketing potential, but then also noted "he'll have to earn his minutes here". Did he say that about anyone else? Seems to kind of acknowledge the marketing angle.

So, at least our cucumber salad is well flavored, if not particularly substantive.

But he knows that he's putting together here. He knows that this is in no way, shape or form a winning squad.

[AceDegenerate]

(2008 Chicago Bulls)

PG-Derrick Rose/Kirk Hinrich
SG-Ben Gordon/Thabo Sefolosha
SF-Luol Deng/Andres Nocioni
PF-Tyrus Thomas/Drew Gooden
C-Joakim Noah/Aaron Gray

Vs.

(Potential 2010 Washington Wizards)

PG-John Wall/Kirk Hinrich
SG-Gilbert Arenas/Nick Young
SF-Al Thornton/Trevor Booker
PF-Andray Blatche/Yi Jianlian
C-JaValle McGee/Kevin Seraphin/Hamady N'Diaye

I don't see how these teams differ that much, and I also doubt the East as a whole improves much over last season (with FA considered). So I see the team fairing similarly to that Bulls team, a 6-8 seed who may fight hard and could maybe Win a 1st Round series with a lucky matchup, but will most likely be out in the 1st Round.

[nate33]

Based on our current depth-chart, the only team that might have a worse record than us in the East is Toronto.

That sounds about right to me, I mean, give or take some sad-sack of forlorned "could'a been a contender" free agent wooer.

We've basically got an absolute wet dog of a tank squad that happens to have Arenas on it.

The backcourt is nice, but the front court is just historically raw, so it's hard to imagine that the defense is going to come together. And I'd imagine we have some kinks in the halfcourt as of now as we're probably in the bottom rung as far as team shooting.

I feel like you and I are forming the Asian time zone get along gang lately.

But anyway, I agree. Our roster is starving and EG's feeding it cucumber salad. 3 legit starters, one a rookie, one hurt, one suspended all of last season, no defensive in the middle and no depth. I'm not seeing it.

The Wizards played at a 32-win pace following the trade. We have the same team now with the following changes:

Wall > Livingston
Arenas >>> Foye
Hinrich > Gee
Booker = Singleton
Seraphin = Oberto
???? < Miller

The one unknown is that we don't know who will be replacing Miller. Whoever it is, it'll probably be a bit of a downgrade, but I don't think that comes close to offsetting the massive upgrade at guard. We should also get incremental improvement out of Blatche, Young and McGee.

Everyone always says the competition got better, but that's simply not true. Players age. Teams lose players. On average the league is the same every year. Some teams will improve, others will fall back. Miami and Chicago will be better, but Cleveland and Toronto will be worse. Atlanta lost some veteran depth and their backcourt is getting old. NJ will only be marginally improved because Favors isn't NBA ready. NY won't be much better, unless they get Lebron (which hurts Chicago). Indy didn't improve. Philly's roster is a mess with no outside shooters. Boston is older and without Perkins.

I can see us winning 30-35 games easy.

[nate33]

(2008 Chicago Bulls)

PG-Derrick Rose/Kirk Hinrich
SG-Ben Gordon/Thabo Sefolosha
SF-Luol Deng/Andres Nocioni
PF-Tyrus Thomas/Drew Gooden
C-Joakim Noah/Aaron Gray

Vs.

(Potential 2010 Washington Wizards)

PG-John Wall/Kirk Hinrich
SG-Gilbert Arenas/Nick Young
SF-Al Thornton/Trevor Booker
PF-Andray Blatche/Yi Jianlian
C-JaValle McGee/Kevin Seraphin/Hamady N'Diaye

I don't see how these teams differ that much, and I also doubt the East as a whole improves much over last season (with FA considered). So I see the team fairing similarly to that Bulls team, a 6-8 seed who may fight hard and could maybe Win a 1st Round series with a lucky matchup, but will most likely be out in the 1st Round.

Holy crap! Those teams are practically identical! Deng gets an edge over Thornton, and Noah is better than McGee. On the other hand, Arenas is better than Gordon and Blatche is better than Thomas. We also have better offensive balance because we have a legit low post option in Blatche.

We can't discount the strength of their backup frontcourt players though. Miller and Gooden are crafty vets with some skills. We've got nothing but raw athleticism off our bench. Our bigs have no idea how to play basketball.

[verbal8]

We can't discount the strength of their backup frontcourt players though. Miller and Gooden are crafty vets with some skills. We've got nothing but raw athleticism off our bench. Our bigs have no idea how to play basketball.

That is why I would like to keep Singleton for a year or 2. I think he can hold down the fort a little while the front court struggles. With a time machine - Kurt Thomas from 2 years ago was available, he would be the vet big I would want.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

(2008 Chicago Bulls)

PG-Derrick Rose/Kirk Hinrich
SG-Ben Gordon/Thabo Sefolosha
SF-Luol Deng/Andres Nocioni
PF-Tyrus Thomas/Drew Gooden
C-Joakim Noah/Aaron Gray

Vs.

(Potential 2010 Washington Wizards)

PG-John Wall/Kirk Hinrich
SG-Gilbert Arenas/Nick Young
SF-Al Thornton/Trevor Booker
PF-Andray Blatche/Yi Jianlian
C-JaValle McGee/Kevin Seraphin/Hamady N'Diaye

I don't see how these teams differ that much, and I also doubt the East as a whole improves much over last season (with FA considered). So I see the team fairing similarly to that Bulls team, a 6-8 seed who may fight hard and could maybe Win a 1st Round series with a lucky matchup, but will most likely be out in the 1st Round.

Holy crap! Those teams are practically identical! Deng gets an edge over Thornton, and Noah is better than McGee. On the other hand, Arenas is better than Gordon and Blatche is better than Thomas. We also have better offensive balance because we have a legit low post option in Blatche.

We can't discount the strength of their backup frontcourt players though. Miller and Gooden are crafty vets with some skills. We've got nothing but raw athleticism off our bench. Our bigs have no idea how to play basketball.

There's the rub and the question I pose to my fellow posters... if you were EG and had a chance to grab a serviceable big for this year at a reasonable cost, would you?

That is, do you think the other four spots, plus reserves are indeed 2008 Bulls like and primed for a run at the lower half of the EC playoff spots with a decent center?

Or do you care?

Would you rather just give McGee and Seraphin minutes and potentially tank?

[Hoopalotta]

I'd go with the kiddos.

Despite my view that we're going to be pretty darn stanky next year, I am still quite optimistic long term on the young bigs.

[AceDegenerate]

I don't think this team will tank regardless.

Injuries could easily put us back in the lottery because there is not a lot of legitimate depth on the squad, however if everything falls right they should be a low Playoff seed.