Boyz II Men: Tracking the WizKids

[Hoopalotta]

My hope for Booker at this point is that he could be a cheap backup power forward for us. The classic 'third big' really needs to be able to go 24+ minutes and fill in as a spot starter in case of injuries and that well might be more than Booker can pull off.

He probably only gets real minutes this year if someone gets hurt, but it would be convenient if he were able to play for 12-16 minutes next year as a relatively steady backup. Seraphin too, hopefully. If so, we've filled a hole that won't need to be plugged with Darius Songaila type contracts for a few years. It doesn't sound very sexy and he'll be outperformed by guys picked later, but I'm not going to go on a rampage (I figure others will pick up the slack there).

[verbal8]

He probably only gets real minutes this year if someone gets hurt, but it would be convenient if he were able to play for 12-16 minutes next year as a relatively steady backup. Seraphin too, hopefully. If so, we've filled a hole that won't need to be plugged with Darius Songaila type contracts for a few years.

From my understanding of Leonsis' vision of team building a long MLE deal doesn't fit. I think the MLE will likely be split half for 2 or 3 year deals to outbid LLE offers. The only situation where I could see the Wizards using a max MLE deal would be on a guy like Wesley Matthews, and I don't think he is quite good enough to warrant the whole MLE.

[go'stags]

I can foresee Booker being used as somewhat of a match-up problem off the bench. Once he develops a consistent midrange game, he *should* be able to combine that with his quick first step and beat PF's off the dribble. His ball-handling is pretty good for a PF. Hes also a nifty and smart passer, so he won't be a black hole. Combine that with the fact that he'll be able to beat any PF in the league down the court and finish with thunder (hell he might even beat Wall down the court, if you believe the combine sprint times), and some offensive rebounds, he could be a pretty effective bench player, the type that when you look at their stats you think they could start. However his size restricts him to a bench player IMO.

On defense, there aren't many PFs who will give him fits down low or on the boards, especially if paired with a longer center.

This is obviously the best case scenario, but if he works hard enough he can accomplish it.

[fishercob]

Bump.

3 original WizKids gone -- Critt, DMac and Pech.

Blatche showed real growth last season and got the big extension this summer. He may be worthy of his own thread by now

Add Seraphin and Booker to the mix. Wall's 20, but he's clearly in another conversation.

Not trying to sound critical, but I don't understand what Booker is or what his role is going to be. I get that he's a wide body and can run fast, but I don't see unbridled tenacity on the boards that I'd expect and hope to see.
Seraphin is clearly raw as sushi, but he's got some wonderful phsyical tools. I don't mind him getting very limited minutes at this point if he's so far from being ready. You don't take a 15 year old out on the beltway during rush hour the day he gets his learners permit. You gotta take baby steps, and they're clearly going to be patient with Kev.

Copy that. I repeat exactly what you wrote to myself every time I see Booker on the court. Booker clearly is not an SF (nor a wannabe SF) and he isn't a Jason Maxiell clone, so what's he gonna do in the NBA?

Re: Seraphin, please have a plan for him Ted besides warming the bench. The beast is there waiting to come out.

Warming the bench and having a plan are not mutually exclusive. I have no problem if this season is spent with Seraphin learning the language, culture, how to be a pro, Flip's system, and adjusting to the grind of NBA life, travel, etc. He's got to get through much of that before he can get to the next level of his development, and I think he's better off doing that with the Wiz than riding buses in the D-League.

[closg00]

Bump.

3 original WizKids gone -- Critt, DMac and Pech.

Blatche showed real growth last season and got the big extension this summer. He may be worthy of his own thread by now

Add Seraphin and Booker to the mix. Wall's 20, but he's clearly in another conversation.

Not trying to sound critical, but I don't understand what Booker is or what his role is going to be. I get that he's a wide body and can run fast, but I don't see unbridled tenacity on the boards that I'd expect and hope to see.
Seraphin is clearly raw as sushi, but he's got some wonderful phsyical tools. I don't mind him getting very limited minutes at this point if he's so far from being ready. You don't take a 15 year old out on the beltway during rush hour the day he gets his learners permit. You gotta take baby steps, and they're clearly going to be patient with Kev.

Copy that. I repeat exactly what you wrote to myself every time I see Booker on the court. Booker clearly is not an SF (nor a wannabe SF) and he isn't a Jason Maxiell clone, so what's he gonna do in the NBA?

Re: Seraphin, please have a plan for him Ted besides warming the bench. The beast is there waiting to come out.

Warming the bench and having a plan are not mutually exclusive. I have no problem if this season is spent with Seraphin learning the language, culture, how to be a pro, Flip's system, and adjusting to the grind of NBA life, travel, etc. He's got to get through much of that before he can get to the next level of his development, and I think he's better off doing that with the Wiz than riding buses in the D-League.

You are probably right about the development-pace for Kevin, but I don't trust Flip. Mozgov (24) did not speak English when he was signed by the Knicks this summer and he is set to get his 1st start tonight. Moz has been playing longer than Kevin, but he still had to learn English,the Knicks system, NBA life etc. I was hoping that KS would be brought along at a pace where he could be a contributor should we make the playoffs....let's see what happens.

[Induveca]

Don't blame English......by everything I see in Paris and from hearing his few English blurbs he speaks English about as well as most city dwelling 18-25 year old Frenchmen(which is quite well). Personally I'd blame his basketball skills. The size/strength he had in the French league for Cholet does not translate over here, one bump or awkward turn with his size will not get him open.

He looks completely lost on the floor, first year Kwame Brownish lost. The competition level coming from a French league to the NBA must be overwhelming physically and mentally. He is years away from being anything.

[closg00]

Don't blame English......by everything I see in Paris and from hearing his few English blurbs he speaks English about as well as most city dwelling 18-25 year old Frenchmen(which is quite well). Personally I'd blame his basketball skills. The size/strength he had in the French league for Cholet does not translate over here, one bump or awkward turn with his size will not get him open.

He looks completely lost on the floor, first year Kwame Brownish lost. The competition level coming from a French league to the NBA must be overwhelming physically and mentally. He is years away from being anything.

Do you think a year in the D-League would help or hurt him?

[Induveca]

Hurt, he actually got a promise from the Wiz he would never be sent to the D-League. That's why he came over this year.

I suspect being a Parisian he simply wanted to remain in a major city. Ending up in the Dakotas would be a major major culture shock of the worst kind of way for a city dwelling frenchman like Seraphin.

I am sure DC is not what he thought (much smaller city feel, most Euros are always surprised the capital isn't the dominant cultural city like in all of Europe). My conclusion is he may be unhappy as he likely expected a New York City experience akin to Paris or London. Instead he is likely driving for the first time in his life, and is living in some suburban house in Virginia. Depression must be there a bit.

Most French cities are architecturally beautiful and the style of life is nothing like the DC area. It will take him some time to accept his surroundings in a DC strip mall focused suburb. Tony Parker mentioned the same thing about the US/reliance on cars for simple daily tasks etc and how much it shocked him many years back.

[fishercob]

From DX

A native of French Guiana, a colony on the northern coast of South America, he only started playing basketball at the age of 15 and has been in France for just four years now. He was discovered in his native country by Cholet junior team coach Jean-Francois Martin after growing up as a soccer player.

I don't think he's your typical Parisian and am a bit puzzled as to why we'd assume he's living in the Virginia suburbs.

[closg00]

Hurt, he actually got a promise from the Wiz he would never be sent to the D-League. That's why he came over this year.

I suspect being a Parisian he simply wanted to remain in a major city. Ending up in the Dakotas would be a major major culture shock of the worst kind of way for a city dwelling frenchman like Seraphin.

I am sure DC is not what he thought (much smaller city feel, most Euros are always surprised the capital isn't the dominant cultural city like in all of Europe). My conclusion is he may be unhappy as he likely expected a New York City experience akin to Paris or London. Instead he is likely driving for the first time in his life, and is living in some suburban house in Virginia. Depression must be there a bit.

Most French cities are architecturally beautiful and the style of life is nothing like the DC area. It will take him some time to accept his surroundings in a DC strip mall focused suburb. Tony Parker mentioned the same thing about the US/reliance on cars for simple daily tasks etc and how much it shocked him many years back.

I met and spoke with Kevins mom during a Wiz open house and they both are enjoying their time in the DC area it-seems. Kevin lived the Paris burbs as-well and he is very much a home-body like Gilbert, no clubs etc and he is very careful with women that are after him.

While DC is no NY, it is has plenty to offer on a smaller scale. Kevin could get some city flava if he wanted to, but he is in the VA burbs apparently - his choice.

[Induveca]

Hurt, he actually got a promise from the Wiz he would never be sent to the D-League. That's why he came over this year.

I suspect being a Parisian he simply wanted to remain in a major city. Ending up in the Dakotas would be a major major culture shock of the worst kind of way for a city dwelling frenchman like Seraphin.

I am sure DC is not what he thought (much smaller city feel, most Euros are always surprised the capital isn't the dominant cultural city like in all of Europe). My conclusion is he may be unhappy as he likely expected a New York City experience akin to Paris or London. Instead he is likely driving for the first time in his life, and is living in some suburban house in Virginia. Depression must be there a bit.

Most French cities are architecturally beautiful and the style of life is nothing like the DC area. It will take him some time to accept his surroundings in a DC strip mall focused suburb. Tony Parker mentioned the same thing about the US/reliance on cars for simple daily tasks etc and how much it shocked him many years back.

I met and spoke with Kevins mom during a Wiz open house and they both are enjoying their time in the DC area it-seems. Kevin lived the Paris burbs as-well and he is very much a home-body like Gilbert, no clubs etc and he is very careful with women that are after him.

While DC is no NY, it is has plenty to offer on a smaller scale. Kevin could get some city flava if he wanted to, but he is in the VA burbs apparently - his choice.

Interesting, but even the Paris burbs aren't like the DC burbs. They are really just smallish very very dense towns that still have a "walk everywhere" vibe. VA or MD (same thing, trees....strip malls and highways), will grate on his nerves after a bit. Great place to live, just has to be a major culture shock coming from Paris/Europe.

[closg00]

George Panakagos from the Examiner was nice-enough to reply to my inquiry about Kevin Seraphin and he offered some general observations about some of the rooks/new guys.

I would have to assume that both Seraphin and N'Diaye are limited due to Jianlian, Armstrong, and Booker up front. Since Seraphin has to make the transition from playing ball in France to playing a faster paced game in the States, he does seem to need more practice than the other bigs on the team. However, Flip Saunders definitely seems to support the play of Armstrong as of late. When he fouled out two games ago against Milwaukee, Flip went on record saying Armstrong played the best pick and roll / screen defense, better than anyone, and had nothing but praise for Hilton. I found it somewhat surprising, because to me, Hilton comes off a Chris Weber type -- not in body, mind you, but in soul. Hilton seems like he has an immaturity, a sort of lack of enthusiasm when things don't go his way -- whereas I guess you could say N'Diaye, one of my fan favorites, gives the appearance of immaturity with an abundance of enthusiasm.

When I watch Booker, N'Diaye, and Seraphin in pre-game warm ups, Booker seems to give to least in post-up situations. N'Diaye, with his length, is the most creative, while Seraphin, with his size, can push his opponent the most, but has the same routine each time. Booker, without the length and size, is best in the fastbreak or with a mid-jumper, it seems. Each player is different enough, I think, to have roles on this roster -- however, it will be interesting to see if Seraphin and N'Diaye get any minutes outside of blow-outs this season.

Booker seems to give-up the least in post-up situtations? I'm not sure what he meant to type there.

[Ruzious]

Hurt, he actually got a promise from the Wiz he would never be sent to the D-League. That's why he came over this year.

I suspect being a Parisian he simply wanted to remain in a major city. Ending up in the Dakotas would be a major major culture shock of the worst kind of way for a city dwelling frenchman like Seraphin.

I am sure DC is not what he thought (much smaller city feel, most Euros are always surprised the capital isn't the dominant cultural city like in all of Europe). My conclusion is he may be unhappy as he likely expected a New York City experience akin to Paris or London. Instead he is likely driving for the first time in his life, and is living in some suburban house in Virginia. Depression must be there a bit.

Most French cities are architecturally beautiful and the style of life is nothing like the DC area. It will take him some time to accept his surroundings in a DC strip mall focused suburb. Tony Parker mentioned the same thing about the US/reliance on cars for simple daily tasks etc and how much it shocked him many years back.

If that's really the case, then why wouldn't he simply live in DC - like... where the team plays... and where there's a very nice subway system that he could take from home to work and for all other simple daily tasks?

[verbal8]

George Panakagos from the Examiner was nice-enough to reply to my inquiry about Kevin Seraphin and he offered some general observations about some of the rooks/new guys.

I would have to assume that both Seraphin and N'Diaye are limited due to Jianlian, Armstrong, and Booker up front. Since Seraphin has to make the transition from playing ball in France to playing a faster paced game in the States, he does seem to need more practice than the other bigs on the team. However, Flip Saunders definitely seems to support the play of Armstrong as of late. When he fouled out two games ago against Milwaukee, Flip went on record saying Armstrong played the best pick and roll / screen defense, better than anyone, and had nothing but praise for Hilton. I found it somewhat surprising, because to me, Hilton comes off a Chris Weber type -- not in body, mind you, but in soul. Hilton seems like he has an immaturity, a sort of lack of enthusiasm when things don't go his way -- whereas I guess you could say N'Diaye, one of my fan favorites, gives the appearance of immaturity with an abundance of enthusiasm.

When I watch Booker, N'Diaye, and Seraphin in pre-game warm ups, Booker seems to give to least in post-up situations. N'Diaye, with his length, is the most creative, while Seraphin, with his size, can push his opponent the most, but has the same routine each time. Booker, without the length and size, is best in the fastbreak or with a mid-jumper, it seems. Each player is different enough, I think, to have roles on this roster -- however, it will be interesting to see if Seraphin and N'Diaye get any minutes outside of blow-outs this season.

Booker seems to give-up the least in post-up situtations? I'm not sure what he meant to type there.

I think he means that Booker does seem to have much of a post up game. It probably should be:

Booker seems to give the least in post-up situations.

[verbal8]

I met and spoke with Kevins mom during a Wiz open house and they both are enjoying their time in the DC area it-seems. Kevin lived the Paris burbs as-well and he is very much a home-body like Gilbert, no clubs etc and he is very careful with women that are after him.

While DC is no NY, it is has plenty to offer on a smaller scale. Kevin could get some city flava if he wanted to, but he is in the VA burbs apparently - his choice.

Where in the VA burbs makes a ton of difference. Some of the close-in areas(especially near the metro) are very urban-like. Outside the beltway it tends to resemble the "typical burbs", although some areas are starting to develop as "urban centers".

[fishercob]

We're so dumb.

[Kanyewest]

My rankings

1. Young
2. McGee
3. Blatche
4. McGuire
5. Crittenton
6. Pech

I wasn't too far off

But yeah, have to say we were all thirsty for water and we were in the desert kind of situation.