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

[Dat2U]

The teams that would have drafted Seraphin (or were reportedly interested) Portland & OKC? could afford to stash Sera away for years w/o feeling any pain. We really, really need some front-court depth now. I thought on draft night that we should have walked away with an upgrade for Nick, an upgrade/prospect SF, and front court help. Seraphin is front-court help, but he may not be a rotational player for years. It's frustrating that now we have to pin all of our hope on Booker being able to help this year.

Let me be clear. I think we missed on the 17th pick in the draft. Not because he won't develop until 2-3 years down the road, its because I think the odds are stacked against him being any good period.

He's just too raw & and too unskilled. He is without a doubt, the rawest player drafted in the 1st round. He reminds me alot of Alexis Ajinca who was another "high uspide" big drafted in the 18-22 range a few years back. There's just too much to overcome. The language barrier. The knowledge of the game. The speed of the game. The total lack of any developed skill. Maybe if stayed overseas for another 3-4 years and played against the best competition over there it might be a different story but I don't see how practice against NBA players going half speed is going to stimulate his development. He needs minutes and lots of them. He needs years, maybe half a decade. He needs hands-on one-on-one coaching. Will he get that from Flip & the rest of the staff when they have to worry about 13-14 other players?

Like I said, the best thing about rookies is the hope that they'll improve so I understand the optimism by most here. But nearly every fan on all 30 message boards will tell you in October that their rookie(s) are going to be solid NBA players one day. But facts will tell you that a majority of these guys will not live up to their pre-draft status. Seraphin's learning curve seems so great, it will take an incredible amount of growth, maturity & work ethic just to become a useful player. The odds are heavily stacked against him.

[Rafael122]

Would be a good idea to get a big man coach in here and teach him something. Anything.

[closg00]

Would be a good idea to get a big man coach in here and teach him something. Anything.

+1 I hope we break from the past and invest in a combo of full-time NBDL play along with coaching. Apparently we gave KS assurances that he wouldn't have to go to the D-League, but he won't be seeing the court much this year except perhaps to trot him out for fouls against Dwight and some of the other muscle bigs.

[Ruzious]

The teams that would have drafted Seraphin (or were reportedly interested) Portland & OKC? could afford to stash Sera away for years w/o feeling any pain. We really, really need some front-court depth now. I thought on draft night that we should have walked away with an upgrade for Nick, an upgrade/prospect SF, and front court help. Seraphin is front-court help, but he may not be a rotational player for years. It's frustrating that now we have to pin all of our hope on Booker being able to help this year.

Let me be clear. I think we missed on the 17th pick in the draft. Not because he won't develop until 2-3 years down the road, its because I think the odds are stacked against him being any good period.

He's just too raw & and too unskilled. He is without a doubt, the rawest player drafted in the 1st round. He reminds me alot of Alexis Ajinca who was another "high uspide" big drafted in the 18-22 range a few years back. There's just too much to overcome. The language barrier. The knowledge of the game. The speed of the game. The total lack of any developed skill. Maybe if stayed overseas for another 3-4 years and played against the best competition over there it might be a different story but I don't see how practice against NBA players going half speed is going to stimulate his development. He needs minutes and lots of them. He needs years, maybe half a decade. He needs hands-on one-on-one coaching. Will he get that from Flip & the rest of the staff when they have to worry about 13-14 other players?

Like I said, the best thing about rookies is the hope that they'll improve so I understand the optimism by most here. But nearly every fan on all 30 message boards will tell you in October that their rookie(s) are going to be solid NBA players one day. But facts will tell you that a majority of these guys will not live up to their pre-draft status. Seraphin's learning curve seems so great, it will take an incredible amount of growth, maturity & work ethic just to become a useful player. The odds are heavily stacked against him.

While it's clear that he's raw, we simply don't have the information to jump to most of the conclusions that you've jumped to.

[REDardWIZskin]

How are you guys getting so much info to tell whether or not we hit or missed on KS, did u guys see him play more than 7 or 8 mins in a game? I know i haven't. Lets not forget that he hasn't played full speed really since he hurt his knee which was April or May. Not sure exactly but it had been atleast 3-4 months. Its alot easier for a guy of his build to get out of shape, so dont compare him with dray missing time. And even Dray gained a little weight.
I'm curious to see what ends up happening to H, hopefully he can find a place to develop. I think he could end up being a contributor down the road but he will have to find a place to develop his strength and rebounding.

[Nivek]

Would be a good idea to get a big man coach in here and teach him something. Anything.

+1 I hope we break from the past and invest in a combo of full-time NBDL play along with coaching. Apparently we gave KS assurances that he wouldn't have to go to the D-League, but he won't be seeing the court much this year except perhaps to trot him out for fouls against Dwight and some of the other muscle bigs.

The Wizards have a big man coach -- Gene Banks.

[closg00]

Would be a good idea to get a big man coach in here and teach him something. Anything.

+1 I hope we break from the past and invest in a combo of full-time NBDL play along with coaching. Apparently we gave KS assurances that he wouldn't have to go to the D-League, but he won't be seeing the court much this year except perhaps to trot him out for fouls against Dwight and some of the other muscle bigs.

The Wizards have a big man coach -- Gene Banks.

The 51 y/o Banks is an Assistant Coach with the Wizards and he played Forward in college.

[Nivek]

I don't think it's a pre-requisite that a guy played center in the NBA for him to teach post-up moves, boxing out and help defense. What matters is knowledge and teaching ability. From what I've heard, Banks is good in both regards.

[Ruzious]

Besides, Banks went to Duke, so he knows all the dirty tricks that officials won't call. And he was regarded as the top high school player in the country back in the day - despite not having much physical ability - so the guy must have some smarts and/or toughness.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm old enough to remember him coming out of HS. Way back when I was 15 or 16, I went to the Capital Classic HS game with Gene Banks featured. Ruz, Banks and Albert King each had hype as the best HS player coming out that year. A few short years later, I met Albert. I grew up close friends with his wife's brothers and actually was in Albert's wedding party way back in the day. Gotta say he had more ink coming to college partially because of his big brother's success with EG as part of the Bernie and Ernie Show.

As for who was the best HS baller between Banks and Albert King .... another dude named Earvin Johnson also played in that Capital Classic game. I noticed Magic but only because I saw his picture in the game programe and thought I look like that guy in the face. Over the years he's gotten better looking with wealth, health, fame, and fortune. Me? My smile's still nice, any way.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Nivek, Banks as big man coach? I know at Pete Newell's (that ended a couple years before his death) back in the day a lot of short guys helped coach the college and NBA bigs.

Rick Carlisle I met and spoke with there. Coach Wojo of Duke. Merv Fernandez, who coaches the Big Island Chaminade team that beat Sampson's UVA squad in college's greatest upset. That guy's really short. Shorter than my 5'8" IIRC. Niv, clearly little guys can teach. Fratello and JVG have been successful NBA coaches and they are munchkin sized.

OTOH, I also met and spoke with Clifford Ray at Pete Newell's. NBA big man with a ring. Did what he can teach others how to do. Players have to respect that. Marc Iavaroni was a succesful NBA big because of his knowledge. He could help Yi Jianlian with first hand stuff.

My opinion, and that's all it is, is I'd rather have a guy like Ray if he's available. Give me a Kermit Washington, because he's got a rep and he's a teacher. I want a hammer-type coach for this young, soft team.

Just my two cents and no reflection at all on Banks, who for all I know could be a fine coach.

[Ruzious]

I'm old enough to remember him coming out of HS. Way back when I was 15 or 16, I went to the Capital Classic HS game with both playing. Ruz, Banks and Albert King each had hype as the best HS player coming out that year. A few short years later, I met Albert. I grew up close friends with his wife's brothers and actually was in Al'bert's wedding party way back in the day.)

As for who was the best HS baller between Banks and Albert King .... another dude named Earvin Johnson also played in that Capital Classic game. I noticed him but only because I saw his picture and thought I look a bit like that guy in the face. Over the years he's gotten better looking with wealth, health, fame, and fortune. Me? My smile's still nice, any way.

Cool story. I remember Banks mostly from him being on the cover of my first Street & Smith magazine. They had big articles on him and Albert King and a guy named Glenn Grunwald - as the brightest HS stars. Apparently, Banks was the only HS player in history to be a 3 time HS All-American. It was hard to believe how ordinary he was when he went to Duke - I think Gminski was there at the time - a much better college player.

[Ruzious]

Btw, some negative nabobs here take a deep breath and relax, because Ammo and Marks have been waived by the Wiz.

[Ruzious]

My opinion, and that's all it is, is I'd rather have a guy like Ray if he's available. Give me a Kermit Washington, because he's got a rep and he's a teacher. I want a hammer-type coach for this young, soft team.

A friend of mine who's not a basketball fan but knew Kermit Washington as a schoolmate at AU just raved about him as a person - the nicest person you could hope to meet. It's a shame he had that incident with Rudy T - so out of character. As a player, he was maybe the toughest rebounder I've ever seen, so I'd love to see him get a shot to be an assistant coach here.

[hands11]

How are you guys getting so much info to tell whether or not we hit or missed on KS, did u guys see him play more than 7 or 8 mins in a game? I know i haven't. Lets not forget that he hasn't played full speed really since he hurt his knee which was April or May. Not sure exactly but it had been atleast 3-4 months. Its alot easier for a guy of his build to get out of shape, so dont compare him with dray missing time. And even Dray gained a little weight.
I'm curious to see what ends up happening to H, hopefully he can find a place to develop. I think he could end up being a contributor down the road but he will have to find a place to develop his strength and rebounding.

Seems like they really like Hamady and are leaning toward keeping him around.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03355.html

Saunders said he would prefer to keep Ndiaye around because of his "huge upside" and the boundless energy he displays in practice and games.

"I'm hoping there's a way," Saunders said. "We really like him. He's a guy that can be in this league for a long time, because he's got unbelievable energy, can block shots. He's fearless with how he plays. He's not afraid of any type of challenge. He's got extremely high intelligence. When you have a guy like that, who is a willing learner and a willing worker, those guys find a way to stay in the league, especially when you're 7-foot and can run and jump. That's why we took him."

And, for someone who was so excited to make his preseason debut that he lost his headband while blocking a shot, Ndiaye is willing to be patient for his opportunity. "It doesn't really bother me that I didn't play a couple of games, even though it's preseason," Ndiaye said. "As coach said, we've got a lot of big guys on the team. I'm learning, from the bench. I'm paying attention to every single detail.

[pancakes3]

i'm not entirely sure how kermit got such a bad rep. yeah, it was tragic what he did to rudy T but under the circumstances, i totally understand. a brawl in a foreign arena and someone is charging you out of the corner of your eye? it could be a drunken crazed fan trying to end your career. it's way more justifiable than the malice at the palace yet kermit's name is being dragged through the mud and artest was "just being artest".

[verbal8]

i'm not entirely sure how kermit got such a bad rep. yeah, it was tragic what he did to rudy T but under the circumstances, i totally understand. a brawl in a foreign arena and someone is charging you out of the corner of your eye? it could be a drunken crazed fan trying to end your career. it's way more justifiable than the malice at the palace yet kermit's name is being dragged through the mud and artest was "just being artest".

Arenas might relate to Kermit's experience of being made a villain based on one mistake.

[Nivek]

Kermit became the villain for the same reason Dunta Robinson got such a hefty fine for hitting Desean Jackson -- the result. He reacted in the heat of the moment and threw a punch that shattered Tomjanovich's face. The ugliness of the fight and the outcome made Kermit the bad guy. It probably didn't help Kermit that he's black and Tomjanovich is white. And smaller than Kermit.

Then look at the way media operates. Measured and thoughtful opinions aren't valued -- columnists go to extremes to generate controversy (attracting readers) and to top each other. This creates a sorta feeding frenzy where writers try to top each other by making even supposedly factual descriptions more vivid and dramatic; where writers try to surpass each other with superlatives or condemnation. So, the story goes from a horrible result from an understandable reaction to Kermit the thug wrecking the life of an opponent. Writers also love to play up the ironies in a story like Tomjanovich getting his face shattered when he was running over there to break up the fight. The peacemaker gets wounded.

To verbal8's point -- yeah, we saw the same thing with Arenas. It was a stupid prank, but that's all it was. The reaction went way over the top very quickly.

[montestewart]

i'm not entirely sure how kermit got such a bad rep. yeah, it was tragic what he did to rudy T but under the circumstances, i totally understand. a brawl in a foreign arena and someone is charging you out of the corner of your eye? it could be a drunken crazed fan trying to end your career. it's way more justifiable than the malice at the palace yet kermit's name is being dragged through the mud and artest was "just being artest".

I remember reading "The Breaks of the Game," which portrayed Kermit Washington as the exact opposite of the image of the incident, and subsequently wondering why that was largely the only place I saw such a version of Washington and the incident. As Nivek observes, it's connected to sensationalistic journalistic oversimplification. Or SJO for short.

[Hoopalotta]

Marc Stein, at it again.....

One source with knowledge of Washington’s thinking said recently that extensions for No. 6 Yi Jianlian and No. 14 Al Thornton would definitely be discussed, but that’s as far as it’s gone to this point. (Although I tend to believe that the Wiz, having watched Yi follow up his strong play in the World Championships in China with a good start in DC, could still try to sell him on an Andray Blatche-type deal.)

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... extensions

Yeah right, an Al Thornton extension and "trying to sell Yi" on $35 million right before the new CBA. The Nets just coughed up $3 million in Russian rubles and swallowed Quintin Ross to get out of one crummy year of Yi at $4 million. Sure there were circumstances there, but now we're trying to talk him into $35 million guaranteed?

This is what happens when you "cover" all thirty teams. Embarrassing.