Wiz 2010 General Season Tracker - Grading - How we doing ?

[hands11]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... .html#more

Training camp concerns Part III: Do the Wizards have enough size?

The 22-year-old McGee is far from a finished product, his time with the U.S. national team serving as evidence of the areas where he needs to improve -- defensive awareness and patience on offense. But the Wizards are hoping that it all starts to come together for McGee, as he opens the season as the favorite to start at center and doesn't have a superior veteran behind him forcing him to look over his shoulder. In order for McGee to stay on the floor, he will have to stay out of foul trouble, while protecting the rim and rebounding.

McGee and the 6-11 Andray Blatche give the Wizards a unique starting combo of agile, quick and athletic big men who can create matchup problems for opposing teams. But they are also finesse big men, which led the Wizards to look for some physical competitors in the draft. They found them in Kevin Seraphin and Trevor Booker.

eraphin, a 6-foot-9 bruiser who has been compared to Denver's rugged center Nene, is a bit of a project but he has good instincts and has been turning heads in scrimmages at Verizon Center the past few weeks. He has fully recovered from his minor knee injury suffered last May, but still wears a protective brace. One observer said that if he could, all-star point guard Chris Paul would gladly take Seraphin back with him to New Orleans, given his physical style of play and court awareness. There is a chance that the 20-year-old Seraphin could see some quality minutes since he is not afraid to mix it up down low and throw his body around.

Booker plays bigger than his size, but his speed and desire to compete on the defensive end also gives the Wizards another dimension that they've lacked in the past.

Yi Jianlian is the only other 7-footer on the roster, and he thrived in the low post while playing for China during the world championships. But in the NBA, he is better suited for a role similar to Orlando's Rashard Lewis, another supersized shooting guard.

Hilton Armstrong hasn't done much to support his lottery selection four years ago, but he's worth giving an opportunity since he came so cheap (the league minimum) and has a reputation for being a hard worker.

Rebounding will be an area of concern for the Wizards, especially since they don't have any players with strong reputations for doing work on backboards. Teams routinely attacked the Wizards inside, realizing that they had little bulk to offer much resistance. The midseason trades opened up opportunities for McGee and Blatche to play significant minutes, but the Wizards will still have one of the more inexperienced front lines in the NBA.

Between McGee, Blatche, Armstrong, Yi, Seraphin and Booker, the Wizards have a combined 14 years of NBA experience on the frontcourt. Training camp invitee Sean Marks is a 10-year veteran with an outside shot of making the roster and would provide a much-needed tutor in the interior. But the young guys will have to grow up quickly this season.


- Not a lot new here from what we have been saying but good to hear that Seraphin's knee is all better.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Not sure how a team would "address" an asthma problem other than to recognize that its a medical condition that should be monitored, And treated paliatively. Javale's not going to be able to condition himself out of it. His lungs are compromised. Coaches/trainers (and Javale himself) should learn to recognize his limitations and rest him accordingly.

Edited to add: That said, it does seem like Javale tends to over-exert himself on the court (trying to block every shot, charging three-point shooters, etc...); maybe he's learning how to reign in some of that exuberance in an effort to keep his wind.

I have asthma (have had it since I was a kid and now I am 36y/o). The medication for asthma comes in two kinds: preventive and reactive. The preventive kind (advair and the like) you take once or twice a day regardless of whether you have an asthma attack. These are usually corticosteroids and they are very effective when I was taking them. The downside is they make you hungry like hell... may not be a problem if he has a good nutritionist. In any case, if you are already in shape and your stamina is good, then the preventive medicine does the job and he would most likely not have an asthma attack while playing basketball.

In the case that an asthma attack occurs while playing, the reactive medicine (pro-air or albuterol) is an inhaler that you take two puffs of and it immediately treats the condition (basically expanding your lungs' alveoli so that air can pass through). I have had asthma attacks while playing basketball... took a couple of puffs, waited about 1 minute, then I was good to go again. During those times I was playing basketball and forgot to bring my inhaler with me, it would not be a good thing. An asthma attack at that time will basically render me unable to breathe properly and there is no way of continuing to play until the attack subsides (i.e. the alveoli stop being constricted).

So, the fact that they diagnosed him with asthma is good because now they can give him the preventive medicine and also have the reactive medicine ready in case he has an attack while playing. If he is generally in good shape, the asthma will not be a hindrance to him playing to full potential.

That was really informative, ZeroWiz! Thanks for a terrific post.

When I was growing up my best friend had asthma. I couldn't understand how the same guy who took my spot as a sprinter on the track team, and who could beat me one-on-one most of the time on the basketball court could be balling one minute and laid up in the hospital a while with asthma attacks the next. I knew he really suffered with asthma but had no understanding of what might have been going on with him.

I'm a bit older than you and I wonder if back in the 70s they had as effective medications, whether preventative or reactive.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Not sure how a team would "address" an asthma problem other than to recognize that its a medical condition that should be monitored, And treated paliatively. Javale's not going to be able to condition himself out of it. His lungs are compromised. Coaches/trainers (and Javale himself) should learn to recognize his limitations and rest him accordingly.

Edited to add: That said, it does seem like Javale tends to over-exert himself on the court (trying to block every shot, charging three-point shooters, etc...); maybe he's learning how to reign in some of that exuberance in an effort to keep his wind.

asthma could be caused by different things. Maybe it was a food allergy or something.

The was he said it, it sounded like they got to the cause and it was something new. I guess we will have to wait and see if anything is written about it.

I know this goes back to last season when they discovered it but it seems the treatments are having a positive affect which is good news.

Saunders recommended late last season that the 22-year-old McGee get checked out and he was diagnosed with the condition, which he has been able to control with medication.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... .html#more

His recent diagnosis with asthma and subsequent treatment has given him more endurance.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... s-ast.html
JaVale McGee thriving since discovering he has asthma

I was able to catch up with JaVale McGee after Team USA practice at the New York Knicks practice facility in Tarrytown, N.Y., on Friday afternoon and he confirmed that he discovered late last season that he has asthma

In his first two seasons in Washington, McGee's coaches always seemed to notice a precipitous drop in production the more he stayed on the floor.

- This could contribute to explaining some of the times he got pulled.

Coach Flip Saunders first suggested that something else was likely contributing to his inability to play more than short bursts on the court.

McGee said that it was comforting to discover that asthma had been holding him back for so long. Since he began treating the condition, McGee said he has more energy and can be more effective for longer stretches.

"Great relief, because I thought I wasn't in shape. I feel like I would've been diagnosed in college, I would've been in great shape [before entering the NBA]," said McGee, who has even intensified his offseason workout regimen to include boxing. Boxing "is great for conditioning. And the weightlifting program that my boxing instructor has on me is crazy."

Oh boy, trust and concern by Coach Flip led to the asthma discovery? McGee boxing and lifting weights--exactly what I think he should be doing to avoid his reluctance to mix it up? His goal being great conditioning?

I really think the Wizards are going to have a young team with a lot of different looks and guys who will be able to run late in games. McGee in the fourth with fresh legs and him going over the top of and sprinting past players is going to be effective. Wall will get him the ball.

Young with muscles will force his way on to some minutes.

Folks should not also underestimate Hinrich's toughness in practice and Seraphin along with Booker mixing it up in practice.

This team is going to be much better than most predict. (45 wins at least IMO)

[no D in Hibachi]

I love your optimism CCJ, it's refreshing, but I simply can't see this team winning 45 games. I see too many growing pains for Wall and McGee, and I think there will be chemistry problems for the first 20 games while everyone figures out their roles. I think the chemistry will improve during the course of the season unlike last year where the chemistry just spiralled out of control before the team got blow up. One way or another, the seaon can't come soon enough. No matter how good the team is they will surely be entertaining.

[closg00]

I love your optimism CCJ, it's refreshing, but I simply can't see this team winning 45 games. I see too many growing pains for Wall and McGee, and I think there will be chemistry problems for the first 20 games while everyone figures out their roles. I think the chemistry will improve during the course of the season unlike last year where the chemistry just spiralled out of control before the team got blow up. One way or another, the seaon can't come soon enough. No matter how good the team is they will surely be entertaining.

+1 The East has also gotten a lot tougher, the other teams are deeper and improved, we cannot discount that.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I love your optimism CCJ, it's refreshing, but I simply can't see this team winning 45 games. I see too many growing pains for Wall and McGee, and I think there will be chemistry problems for the first 20 games while everyone figures out their roles. I think the chemistry will improve during the course of the season unlike last year where the chemistry just spiralled out of control before the team got blow up. One way or another, the seaon can't come soon enough. No matter how good the team is they will surely be entertaining.

I was optimistic when I married my ex; and more so, years later, when I married my soon-to-be ex. I see what that got me.



Some nice looking, smart kids!

(EDITED-- Plus other stuff I didn't ask for, too personal to go into).

Now that I've shared all that, I will say WTF? Why not be (perhaps overly) enthusiastic and optimistic about the Wiz?

[Dat2U]

I love your optimism CCJ, it's refreshing, but I simply can't see this team winning 45 games. I see too many growing pains for Wall and McGee, and I think there will be chemistry problems for the first 20 games while everyone figures out their roles. I think the chemistry will improve during the course of the season unlike last year where the chemistry just spiralled out of control before the team got blow up. One way or another, the seaon can't come soon enough. No matter how good the team is they will surely be entertaining.

+1 The East has also gotten a lot tougher, the other teams are deeper and improved, we cannot discount that.

I don't know, there's a bunch of bottom feeders IMO. No doubt Miami is a monster or Chicago got significantly better but it took the total destruction of two teams (Toronto & Cleveland) to create Miami's superteam. Detroit seems stuck in quicksand and looks to be as bad as they were last year.

Philly & Indy will have serious questions with their front line. Philly dumped Dalembert (their only capable interior defender) for the incredibly soft Spencer Hawes & Nocioni's skeletal remains. Indy had to give up their only starting quality PF in Murphy to procure a starting PG in Collison. Leaving only a broken-down Jeff Foster & a huge question-mark in Tyler Hansbrough left behind to answer the bell. Sorta like creating one hole to fill another.

NY & NJ have improved, but how much? Will Troy Murphy & and using free agency to build a bench be enough to equal playoffs in NJ, a team fresh off an 11-win season? I'm not so sure. Can D'Antoni's offense cover up and incredibly suspect backcourt trio of Felton, Mason & Douglas? I have some doubts.

Atlanta seems destined for some slippage. I think the worst thing they could have done was keep that core together after all the negative fallout from their playoff exit last season. Boston's core of Garnett, Pierce & Allen is a year older and with the additions of Shaq & JO, it's gotten even older. How much do they have left in the tank? I suspect they may have a little left but its doubtful they'll extend themselves during the regular season.

Bottom line, every year we say the East is much improved. I've been guilty of this the past three years and each year it seems like the more things change, the more they remain the same. There's one superteam. A couple of good teams, a couple of also-rans (were in this category IMO) and a couple of miserable teams. There's plenty of opportunity IMO for a team like the Wizards to surprise.

[hands11]

I love your optimism CCJ, it's refreshing, but I simply can't see this team winning 45 games. I see too many growing pains for Wall and McGee, and I think there will be chemistry problems for the first 20 games while everyone figures out their roles. I think the chemistry will improve during the course of the season unlike last year where the chemistry just spiralled out of control before the team got blow up. One way or another, the seaon can't come soon enough. No matter how good the team is they will surely be entertaining.

That probably more like it. A 45 win or better team but since it' could take them a little time to ramp up to that level with the new players and recovering injuries, it could be hard for them to reach that mark this year.

It's going to take training camp before we have a more clear picture of how quickly they can get there.

No reason not to be optimistic. Whats the point. I would rather think the best until proven different then think the worse until proven different. I mean with in reason. This team has some talent so there is a reason to be optimistic.

[hands11]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... t-i-w.html

Just going back and reading some stuff and wanted to highlight this.

Seemingly taking a cue from Mike Shanahan and Albert Haynesworth, Flip Saunders is requiring every player to pass a conditioning exam before participating in training camp in two weeks. Saunders wants the Wizards to be a running team next season, so he is making his players run four sets of 10 full-court sprints, with 2 ½ minute breaks between each set. Guards have to complete each set in an average aggregate time of 57 seconds.

The combination of this and the installation of the two guard offense to end last season gives us a peek at what we may see this year.

With Gil and Wall out there together I think the default mode will be to get it to Wall on a fast break. That is given that Wall is ramped up and ready to handle the duties. So is anyone rebounds, they look for Wall. So Gil will release and be filling the lanes.

So what happens if Gil gets the rebound ? That will be something to watch. Since I think rebounding is likely to be a team effort, there will be a few rebounds by Gil. Maybe 3-4 a games. So while this shouldn't be a big deal, it will be interesting to see what they do in that situation. I think Gil will look for Wall but if he isn't around, Gil will bring it up. Same way Dray would in some situations. That said, I think Wall is smart and he will look to get Gil the ball by mid court or sooner on some fast breaks. Smart PGs get their players involved so they are happy and ramped up and Wall is a smart PG.

So they will be running and that should far well for McGee because that may well be the best part of his game. The idea of a fast break with Wall bringing it up and Gil, Dray and McGee filling the lanes should be very effective and will give teams a lot to deal with. Like some posters have highlighted, we could have a strategy of running teams until they can't run with us anymore ala Show Time. We have lots of young legs to do it. Play to your strength. We should have a very high pace this year.

So if we aren't running, then we are playing a two guard set like we ended last season. Dray on the wing or off post. Wall driving and dishing. Gil setting up for three balls and then driving when he is over played.

I don't think Flip is going to lock these guys down with to many set plays using his 1 PG sets even though he finally have a PG who could do it. I believe Flip is going to surprise of lot of people with how much differently he runs the offense. Yeah, he does have that one PG, but looking at the team in total, he has 2 3/4 PGs and of bunch of young athletic horses to run.

I think a team like Boston is going to have a really hard time keep up with us.

[hands11]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... .html#more

Training camp concerns Part V: Is John Wall ready to lead?

Not much here that hasn't been said but this part was good.

And, for all of his antics, Gilbert Arenas's passion for basketball and willingness to work on his game at any time of the night is legendary. He pushed himself to greatness before with an unwavering work ethic and will to succeed. In that respect, he could also be a positive influence on Wall. Given his body of work, Arenas remains the best player on this team -- but that never equated to him being a leader.

[Ruzious]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/09/training-camp-concern-part-i-w.html

Just going back and reading some stuff and wanted to highlight this.

Seemingly taking a cue from Mike Shanahan and Albert Haynesworth, Flip Saunders is requiring every player to pass a conditioning exam before participating in training camp in two weeks. Saunders wants the Wizards to be a running team next season, so he is making his players run four sets of 10 full-court sprints, with 2 ½ minute breaks between each set. Guards have to complete each set in an average aggregate time of 57 seconds.

Am I wrong to have a nagging doubt about Javale passing the test? I hope so. I do like that Flip is emphasizing everyone get in shape.

[Mr_Wizard]

@Ruzious:
http://twitter.com/bigdaddywookie/status/24492603021
?

[nate33]

Bottom line, every year we say the East is much improved. I've been guilty of this the past three years and each year it seems like the more things change, the more they remain the same. There's one superteam. A couple of good teams, a couple of also-rans (were in this category IMO) and a couple of miserable teams. There's plenty of opportunity IMO for a team like the Wizards to surprise.

Good perspective.

Another way of looking at it is to analyze who has left the West to join the East and vice versa. Here's my quick summary of the major moves:

West to East:
A.Stoudemire
C.Boozer
R.Brewer
E.Dampier?
D.Gooden
C.Maggette
T.Outlaw
A.Randolph
R.Turiaf
S.Hawes
L.Barbosa

East to West:
A.Jefferson
D.Lee
A.Harrington
R.Foye
M.Barnes
M.Beasley
D.West
J.Childress
H.Turkoglu
S.Dalembert

The balance of power hasn't shifted much. Two stars have moved east (Amare and Boozer) while one has moved West (Jefferson). The rest of those lists are pretty much a wash. One should also factor that the East was recently depleted of Butler and Haywood while getting only Thornton and J.Howard in return.

[closg00]

@Ruzious:
http://twitter.com/bigdaddywookie/status/24492603021
?

Hey, it all werked-out for JaVale.

[hands11]

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/d ... ef:nbahpt1

9) Josh Howard, Wizards
• INJURY: Torn left ACL (2/22/10)
• PROGNOSIS: Out until end of November at earliest
The Wizards and Howard are gambling on one another. Washington is hoping Howard can return to the form he showed in a brief four-game stint for the Wizards after his arrival from Dallas and before his injury, when he averaged 14.5 points per game and expressed a willingness to try and be a team leader. Howard is hoping he can impress enough on a one-year deal to get a better contract for 2011, either in Washington or elsewhere.

But the calendar is conspiring against both of them. While Howard does not have any swelling in the knee and his strength is good, and he can walk on an anti-gravity treadmill, he still can't run or do any full-speed basketball drills, and certainly has not been cleared yet for contact or any basketball activities. Right now the Wizards are saying December looks possible, but a return from an ACL injury usually takes a year at least. Whenver Howard comes back, it's likely there will still be minutes available at small forward, where Al Thornton is Washington's only proven player entering camp..
"I think people forget what a good player Josh was," GM Ernie Grunfeld said Sunday. "He played very well for us those four games. Unfortunately he got hurt. But we felt he would be a good fit for us. We knew he wouldn't be ready for the begining of the season but we're in rebuilding mode. we have a young team and we need somebody from a winning environment who plays hard every night."


Should be plenty of minutes for Nick at SF as they start the season.

[verbal8]

I liked Micheal Lee's comparison of the wiz using Yi in a rashard lewis type of role. I'd like it better if he could shoot with Lewis consistency from Deep tho

Yi shot a lot of 3s two years ago(3.5 per game) and hit a decent percentage(34.3%). This year his attempts were way down, but his 3 point shooting percentage was 36%. I looks like he is close to being a three point threat, he just needs to reduce the number of long 2s that he is taking.

[hands11]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... l#comments

Logging it for the run to camp. Roster filling out since we have an open spot because of Howard not being ready.

He has won two championships with the Lakers, but in an interview last July, Morrison expressed a desire to get back on the court. He was unable to crack the rotation in Los Angeles, where Trevor Ariza and then Ron Artest held down the small forward position, with Luke Walton serving as the primary backup.

Morrison worked out for several teams in Las Vegas, including the Wizards, and an individual workout with Coach Flip Saunders. "I haven't played basically in two years, so I'm just looking for a place to get some quality minutes and try to get back in that rhythm again," Morrison said in Las Vegas.

Morrison worked out for the Boston Celtics last week, but selected the Wizards because he hopes to find that rhythm in Saunders's offense, according to a league source. The same source said Morrison worked out at Verizon Center on Tuesda

[hands11]

I liked Micheal Lee's comparison of the wiz using Yi in a rashard lewis type of role. I'd like it better if he could shoot with Lewis consistency from Deep tho

Yi shot a lot of 3s two years ago(3.5 per game) and hit a decent percentage(34.3%). This year his attempts were way down, but his 3 point shooting percentage was 36%. I looks like he is close to being a three point threat, he just needs to reduce the number of long 2s that he is taking.

His ass need to get closer to the damn hoop and use his height period. Hopefully his time with the China team got him into a grove.

I want him at PF and Center. Not interested in him at SF for this team. I would sooner have Dray at SF is it is McGee, Yi and Dray. I know Dray is the best center of the group but he is also the best PF and SF of the group. Bottom line, Yi and McGee need to step it up with some toughness.

[dlts20]

Another Wiz Pickup Game Vid


http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/2010/0 ... index.html

If this isnt it then just look at that 2nd vid on the page where it says pickup game. Gil is obviously sitting out anytime there is a camera around because he was there. NY's body looks great. Again, I love the Hinrich trade but if NY proves to be better than him then I dont want any politics. Let him be the 3rd guard. Everyone seems to be in great shape & getting along well

[willbcocks]

I am hopeful that Wall will be a good leader for our team. We have so many goofballs who need to learn that they can have fun but must be able to turn on -- an keep on -- when necessary.

Gil is a gym rat which is good, but he was never really a leader so I'm not sure how of his own intensity he imparted to his teammates. Caron and Jamison, on the other hand, were almost another generation, and I'm not sure the young guys could connect to them.

I hope he has the same presence here he seemed to have at Kentucky.