GT Wiz vs Pistons (11/21/10)

[GhostsOfGil]

Wiz (4-7) travel to the palace to face the Pistions (4-8, 2-3 at home)
6:00 game time
The Palace at Auburn hills

Pistons are on a 2 game slide after losses to GS and LAL

Georgetown stand out greg monroe is averaging 3.7 ppg and 4.5 rbg in 16.5 mpg
Wall is day to day

Game info:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview;_yl ... 2010112108

some good luck videos
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAJyHmY8pXs&feature=fvst[/youtube]

hopefully this guy will play
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1c64LUjnNs&feature=related[/youtube]

[Donkey McDonkerton]

so close to that 8th spot, it's a must win

[willbcocks]

Our schedule is pretty nice early in the season. With that said, this is a road game, and we haven't won any of those yet. So I predict 134-83, Wiz beatdown.

I would like to see a game between Detroit's starters and bench. Is there any letdown between the two at all?!?! The only letdown for that team is when you compare either 5 man squad to a real NBA team.

Stuck vs Bynum --> Bynum usually kills us
Rip vs Gordon
Tay vs Mcgrady
Daye vs Maxiel
Big Ben vs Monroe


Anyway, I sentence Ben Wallace to a long night of getting facilitated by Mcgee.

[nate33]

I would like to see a game between Detroit's starters and bench. Is there any letdown between the two at all?!?! The only letdown for that team is when you compare either 5 man squad to a real NBA team.

I'd like to say this is an easy win, but we're not good enough to have any easy wins. Detroit swept us last year. They were 23-55 against the rest of the league, and 4-0 versus us. We certainly didn't match up well against them.

That said, we're a completely different team this year. Last year's team had an embarrassing guard lineup - the worst in the league. This team may have the best guards in the league (or they will once Wall has a season or two under his belt).

One thing that concerns me is that Detroit has a reputation of playing hard, smart basketball. They may not be all that talented, but they play to the best of their ability. We usually don't do so well against teams like that (think Charlotte).

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Stuckey went off on Wall in preseason. Wallace played like a youngster against the Wizards bigs. Charlie V is capable of going off. I'm also waiting for Austin Daye to have a huge night.

This game could be a letdown game for the Wizards. Hope not, but they haven't sustained success this season. For Washington to win I think grinders like Al Thornton and Kirk Hinrich will have to come up big defensively. Also, it would be nice for Blatche to get it going offensively.

One guy I think could put up numbers if Flip plays him is Nick Young.

[TheBigThree]

Charlie V ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, kills us. Hopefully Wall is back and we can win this one. For whatever reason I really dislike the Pistons.

[Wizards2Lottery]

In the few minutes I saw Booker play last night, I thought he was really impressive. Any chance he starts cutting into Yi's minutes?

[willbcocks]

I think the biggest factor is its a road game. I wouldn't be surprised if we only win 5 road games this year...

[dlts20]

I said before last game that I think Gil will play good because he's going against guys like Mayo, Young, & Greivas who he plays alot with in the Offseason when everyone says he is dominant. I feel the same exact way about this game. Bynum went to Arizona and plays alot with Gil in the Offseason. I remember when we played them last Preseason and Gil had like 24pts in the 1st half. I wouldnt be shocked to see him go off again.

The only problem is on defense. He is never ever going to want to guard and maybe never even play well against teams that have SG's that run non stop off of screens. I thought we shouldve put Gil on Rondo and let Kirk chase Ray. I might feel the same this game. He's going to be late chasing Rip off screens and its going to wear him down on Offense. However, I also feel better about Gil guarding Rondo than Stuckey for some reason, maybe because Stuckey is more of a scorer than Rondo. In this case I might rather have Gil guard Rip than Stuckey, or maybe just play alot of zone. Still, there is no way in hell that Rip can stay with him on the other end if he plays right.

Have you guys been watching Detroit? Maxiel is hurt and is short even when he's healthy. With him out they start a short Ben Wallace at Center while starting Daye & Prince at the forward spots. I say that Flip should tell them to attack all day. No one settle for jumpers unless you are wide open. We can kill them in the paint if we play right. Still, I dont care what anyone says. Gil needs to start with Wall. It would be horrible to sit him down now after he started 3 games. You might mess a guy up like that. Put Kirk back in his natural role and let us have a killer 3 man backcourt. Putting Gil back on the bench now would slow down his process of getting back right. He's fine now so leave him out there

[closg00]

Charlie V ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, kills us. Hopefully Wall is back and we can win this one. For whatever reason I really dislike the Pistons.

I was gonna post that also, DET has been a bad match-up for us.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Regardless of how this game turns out, one thing I believe is evident is that the Wizards best starting 5 is Arenas, Hinrich, Thornton, Blatche, and McGee.

Injuries have helped simplify roster rotations and have resulted in better combinations of players on the floor. Thornton's defense at SF is so much better than what the Wizards have when they go small. Much as I love Wall's talent, the Wizards play a lot better when Nick Young gets burn at SG. Most of all, Gil's still a very knowledgeable player. He and Hinrich really compete well. Wall's got some excellent mentors who just have a bunch more NBA experience. Last, Yi being out means more McGee, more Booker, and more Thornton--thus the Wizards are more physical.

If the Wizards beat Detroit without Wall that would be three wins in four games. Sometimes teams do better without their most talented player. OKC just beat Boston in Boston without Durant. I like the Wizards five of Arenas, Hinrich, Thornton, Blatche, McGee. Good experience. Young, Armstrong, Booker, Martin, Hudson off the bench make that at least a scrappy team.

[dlts20]

Regardless of how this game turns out, one thing I believe is evident is that the Wizards best starting 5 is Arenas, Hinrich, Thornton, Blatche, and McGee.

Injuries have helped simplify roster rotations and have resulted in better combinations of players on the floor. Thornton's defense at SF is so much better than what the Wizards have when they go small. Much as I love Wall's talent, the Wizards play a lot better when Nick Young gets burn at SG. Most of all, Gil's still a very knowledgeable player. He and Hinrich really compete well. Wall's got some excellent mentors who just have a bunch more NBA experience. Last, Yi being out means more McGee, more Booker, and more Thornton--thus the Wizards are more physical.

If the Wizards beat Detroit without Wall that would be three wins in four games. Sometimes teams do better without their most talented player. OKC just beat Boston in Boston without Durant. I like the Wizards five of Arenas, Hinrich, Thornton, Blatche, McGee. Good experience. Young, Armstrong, Booker, Martin, Hudson off the bench make that at least a scrappy team.

but see, IDK if thats true. 1st people were saying that Kirk should start over Gil because Kirk & Wall probably will have better chemistry since Kirk wont demand the ball like Gil does. Its Wall's team now and it might be better for him to have the ball all the time and start Kirk. Both of them also had the best training camp according to the coaches & media. Now Gil starts and we play better and everyone says that its clearly better having 2 vets back there that know the game and both of them play great together. We can then use Wall off the bench as the change of pace guy and still give him 30mpg.

Im on the other side. Im on the side that says we dont know anything until both Wall & Gil start together without Kirk. I think alot of people are seeing Wall's bad faults and our halfcourt struggles but forgetting how he was dominating in stretches. I just refuse to believe him & Gil dont mesh well. Its obvious that Gil & Kirk are better than Wall & Kirk but I still think Gil & Wall are by far the best combo. All of Wall's struggles came from not having that other dynamic scorer on the floor to take the pressure off of him. All of Gil's struggles come from always having to score one on one or off of screens. With Wall driving & kicking or with Wall on the break we will look dominant. Basically Gil can cover up Wall's flaws & vice versa, atleast the flaws that Gil has now as he's working his way all the way back.

In these last 3 games weve been good in the halfcourt but still hardly get any easy baskets or transition baskets. Thats where Wall comes in. Him & Gil's games are so different but they also have the things in common that you need to win. I think its going to work great unless Flip ruins it. He'll ruin it by putting Gil back on the bench one more time or he'll ruin it by starting Kirk at the 3 again and sitting Al. Start Wall, Gil, & Al while coming off the bench with Kirk & NY. Thats a perfect mix to me. Wall & Gil will easisly have the ball enough to make themselves happy as long as there isnt a 3rd player in Kirk to take it out there hands. Kirk also will get the ball in his hands more coming off the bench and we would have that vet to play with the younger guy in NY. Its a perfect mix to me.

The bottom line is that Kirk & Wall are good enough to beat the 3rd level teams, Gil & Kirk are good enough to beat the 2nd level teams, but it has to be Wall & Gil if you dont want to get smoked by the Celtics of the world. Even if it doesnt work at 1st, you stick with it. There good enough to figure it out and then we will be dangerous. Then you leave Howard on the bench when he comes back and we will have vets like Kirk, Howard, Yi, HA, and NY to go along with a good starting group. Thats when we'll be a really good team. There has been no proof at all to say that Gil & Kirk are better than Gil & Wall. You can say that there obviously better than Kirk & Wall but you cant say its better than Gil & Wall. Some may argue that Gil & Wall have played together and were ok in the Preseason and sucked in the regular season but that was a Arenas who was just coming back. Now it will be different.

[LyricalRico]

Regardless of how this game turns out, one thing I believe is evident is that the Wizards best starting 5 is Arenas, Hinrich, Thornton, Blatche, and McGee.

I really don't think that specifically has to do with the absence of Wall. I think it has to do more with Hinrich playing PG and Gil accepting his role as an off-the-ball scorer (which had the opportunity to happen due to Wall's absence but isn't because of Wall's absence, if that makes sense).

When Hinrich starts next to Wall, he's expected to be a shooter/scorer and that's not his game. Him getting to play PG and just manage the offense while playing pesky defense is a better role for him. And Gil seems to be more at ease with his scorer's role when Hinrich is in because he knows he's going to get the ball as long as he runs the play.

The question then becomes will that dynamic persist once everyone is healthy? Obviously Wall at PG is a huge upgrade over Hinrich at PG. But the key is Gil maintaining his off-the-ball mentality when he's playing with Wall. Wall is going to look for other guys in addition Gil because he's a talented passer, and when Howard comes back Gil won't be the only veteran scorer looking for the ball. As long as Gil rolls with it and doesn't try to force anything, this could really work.

I'm officially excited about this season!

[closg00]

Regardless of how this game turns out, one thing I believe is evident is that the Wizards best starting 5 is Arenas, Hinrich, Thornton, Blatche, and McGee.

Injuries have helped simplify roster rotations and have resulted in better combinations of players on the floor. Thornton's defense at SF is so much better than what the Wizards have when they go small. Much as I love Wall's talent, the Wizards play a lot better when Nick Young gets burn at SG. Most of all, Gil's still a very knowledgeable player. He and Hinrich really compete well. Wall's got some excellent mentors who just have a bunch more NBA experience. Last, Yi being out means more McGee, more Booker, and more Thornton--thus the Wizards are more physical.

If the Wizards beat Detroit without Wall that would be three wins in four games. Sometimes teams do better without their most talented player. OKC just beat Boston in Boston without Durant. I like the Wizards five of Arenas, Hinrich, Thornton, Blatche, McGee. Good experience. Young, Armstrong, Booker, Martin, Hudson off the bench make that at least a scrappy team.

but see, IDK if thats true. 1st people were saying that Kirk should start over Gil because Kirk & Wall probably will have better chemistry since Kirk wont demand the ball like Gil does. Its Wall's team now and it might be better for him to have the ball all the time and start Kirk. Both of them also had the best training camp according to the coaches & media. Now Gil starts and we play better and everyone says that its clearly better having 2 vets back there that know the game and both of them play great together. We can then use Wall off the bench as the change of pace guy and still give him 30mpg.

Im on the other side. Im on the side that says we dont know anything until both Wall & Gil start together without Kirk. I think alot of people are seeing Wall's bad faults and our halfcourt struggles but forgetting how he was dominating in stretches. I just refuse to believe him & Gil dont mesh well. Its obvious that Gil & Kirk are better than Wall & Kirk but I still think Gil & Wall are by far the best combo. All of Wall's struggles came from not having that other dynamic scorer on the floor to take the pressure off of him. All of Gil's struggles come from always having to score one on one or off of screens. With Wall driving & kicking or with Wall on the break we will look dominant. Basically Gil can cover up Wall's flaws & vice versa, atleast the flaws that Gil has now as he's working his way all the way back.

In these last 3 games weve been good in the halfcourt but still hardly get any easy baskets or transition baskets. Thats where Wall comes in. Him & Gil's games are so different but they also have the things in common that you need to win. I think its going to work great unless Flip ruins it. He'll ruin it by putting Gil back on the bench one more time or he'll ruin it by starting Kirk at the 3 again and sitting Al. Start Wall, Gil, & Al while coming off the bench with Kirk & NY. Thats a perfect mix to me. Wall & Gil will easisly have the ball enough to make themselves happy as long as there isnt a 3rd player in Kirk to take it out there hands. Kirk also will get the ball in his hands more coming off the bench and we would have that vet to play with the younger guy in NY. Its a perfect mix to me.

The bottom line is that Kirk & Wall are good enough to beat the 3rd level teams, Gil & Kirk are good enough to beat the 2nd level teams, but it has to be Wall & Gil if you dont want to get smoked by the Celtics of the world. Even if it doesnt work at 1st, you stick with it. There good enough to figure it out and then we will be dangerous. Then you leave Howard on the bench when he comes back and we will have vets like Kirk, Howard, Yi, HA, and NY to go along with a good starting group. Thats when we'll be a really good team. There has been no proof at all to say that Gil & Kirk are better than Gil & Wall. You can say that there obviously better than Kirk & Wall but you cant say its better than Gil & Wall. Some may argue that Gil & Wall have played together and were ok in the Preseason and sucked in the regular season but that was a Arenas who was just coming back. Now it will be different.

I'm with you on this one dlts, I think the Gil/Wall back-court could be our strongest line-up and I'd like to see it again and tried for a few games. KH is a weak-link in our transition game and we have to slow things down to a half-court for him when he's running the point. Too-often, a fast break is started, but since KH can't finish, he pulls up and starts passing the ball around allowing the defense to catch-up...it's a real moment-killer.

[TGW]

Much as I love Wall's talent, the Wizards play a lot better when Nick Young gets burn at SG.

This stuck out in your post. What exactly are you saying here?

[doclinkin]

Much as I love Wall's talent, the Wizards play a lot better when Nick Young gets burn at SG.

This stuck out in your post. What exactly are you saying here?

That Gil + Hiney + Wall make for a crowded backcourt, tough to find minutes for Nick at the gunner spot where he plays best. And Nick plays better at both ends when he has confidence, that he loses confidence when he's looking over his shoulder waiting to get yanked. That Nick plays best next to Gil when Gil has the ball alot, but Flip loves him some Hiney and is wedded to Wall so that particular configuration is more rare.

CCJ can correct me if I'm putting words in his mouth, but I agree with his statement, without yet looking at the player-pairs data.

I do think it's kinda shameful that the team was handed to John Wall with Gil as an afterthought shunted to the side. I'm happy that Gil is regaining his game and think the team could have been even more dynamic with that two-guard system that Flip flashed early last year. He's gone back to a more PG dominant deal, especially when Wall is in the game. Not bad, but more predictable, even if Johnny Balls is often too quick to stop.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

No correction needed, doc. That's EXACTLY what I meant.

Nick is the odd man out in the numbers game in the backcourt when Wall is healthy. When he knows he's not going to play much it seems to totally throw off Young's game. He's of little value to the team. However, without Wall that means Nick gets those minutes.

doc, I also totally agree with your last paragraph. Nick plays best next to Gil.

I believe Nick can play well next to Gil, Kirk, or John Wall--whichever is at PG. The key is that Nick needs minutes at SG to be effective. The Wizards always seem to play competitively when Young gets off to a good start at SG.

Nick's either the best bad player around or the worst real good player around. All those shots and so few rebounds--yet, he seems to help the team more often than not. One thing I think, however, is that ball dominanat Wall paired with instant offense Young might be a pretty decent backcourt in two or three years. Nick can drop 20 a night, easily, IMO.

[pineappleheadindc]

.


Wall and Yi out for Sunday's game.

[Donkey McDonkerton]

.


Wall and Yi out for Sunday's game.

looks that way..sucks

MrMichaelLee Michael Lee
John Wall said he will "probably not" play vs. DET. Yi Jianlian is also out. http://wapo.st/9pxoEV

[Pollinator]

Sounds like Wall's getting better, even though he may be out of few more games. Probably needed some rest anyway- I think that was the same ankle he tweaked at the end of preseason.

Amazing that the kid has started his NBA career averaging almost 18 and 10... and probably hasn't been 100% physically the whole time.