Flip Saunders Press Conference 12/2/11

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Mike Prada of Bullets Forever put up transcript comments.

Flip Saunders Press Conference Recap: Washington Wizards' Coach Optimistic

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2011/12/2 ... on-wizards

On Jordan Crawford: "I didn't know he was as good as Michael Jordan. I didn't know that. That's one thing I didn't know. But I did know he had a lot of confidence."

On Nick Young, JaVale McGee and maturity: "They all need to show their maturity, not only on the floor, but off the floor. Cinnamon, that thing doesn't cut it."

Flip doesn't get it IMO. I expect most of you to disagree. Young and McGee were on Good Morning America, and the bit was funny. During a lockout they had fun. McGee put in a ton of work and matured. I am not at all worried about what he said about Crawford--I agree with Flip there. Too much confidence is better than not enough, generally.

On what McGee needs to do to take the next step: "From a basketball standpoint, we need to get him to be a better defensive rebounder. He had trouble against centers with lower body strength, and continue to grow and become a low-post kind of scorer. He showed some signs as far as being able to shoot that jump hook and more."

On Kevin Seraphin: "He's in the best shape he's ever been. From a basketball standpoint, he's going to be coming in playing at a really high level and with a lot of intensity. He can be that backup center. He's going to push [JaVale]."

The last two comments show exactly where I disagree with Saunders the most. First of all, forget about forcing McGee to score exclusively from the low post. Also, of course he had trouble with Cs rooting him out. The jump hook and more need to start from the outside in IMO. If you let McGee shoot a few 10 foot face up shots it would give him the ability to run by an opponent instead of backing him down. And defensively, if you played him with Seraphin against the low body strong Cs, Kevin can defend them.

His last sentence shows he wants Kevin to push McGee's minutes.

If you check his comments I did not quote, he defends Andray. (Surprise)

Flip totally doesn't get it as far as I am concerned.

When McGee was with Mike Miller, Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, and a host of other NBA players; I noticed he came out early and really seemed to connect with fans. He had fun. (Give Mike Miller credit here, too, because he was having fun with fans until the bus pulled away from Schofield Barracks Gym. i and other fans appreciate that.

Here are some links to McGee in other videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/bigdaddywoo ... WzYBah0GWM

http://www.youtube.com/user/bigdaddywoo ... nd=22&ob=5

Doing silly stuff like planking shouldn't obscure the fact McGee's playing with the USO, playing in the Philippines, running on the beach to stay shape (same thing guys lke Magic did in his heyday).

I do' not like a coach who BEGINS WITH NEGATIVITY and this crack-the-whip mentality. It reminds me of NBA ownership's approach with the players. They didn't take the players seriously at all until the players lawyered up (with mostly middle aged white attorneys representing the players in court). I do not think Flip has a racist bone in his body. Shoot, Flip LOVES him some KG. I just think Flip is too old school to appreciate the younger guys at time and he's too much of a skills and system type coach.

I don't like Flip's ways, but I do know he is strong on repetition and teaching HIS system.

[montestewart]

CCJ, I'm out of the loop. What is that "Cinnamon" reference? What was objectionable about it?

[dobrojim]

Why shouldn't KS push McGee for minutes?

With McGee it's never been about his physical ability, 'just'
the understanding of how to play. It's hard to think of another
player who combines having fans watching either jump to their
feet in disbelief at something he did, and 2 minutes later shake
their head at his inability to do something simple and fundamental.

I see nothing wrong with what Flip said. We DO need him to be
a better defensive rebounder. That might mean not trying to
block every shot taken. It should mean a more thoughtful
approach to contributing to actual Ws, again, as opposed
to simply making highlight reel plays.

I didn't see/hear anything to indicate that McGee won't
be the starter and get big minutes AS HE DID LAST YEAR
(above avg minutes for a C).

But the best thing just MIGHT be if Kevin did play
well enough to be a starter. McGee thrives against
second tier players and struggles against some of the
better, often bigger/stronger/bulkier opp. I don't
see a problem if this were to happen. It would also
make McGee easier to re-sign which is something
I certainly want to see happen. But my reasoning
here is based on the belief that Flip is not simply
going to hand the starting job to KS without good
reason or because he doesn't like JM.

Just sayin'....as a season tix holder who saw McGee
all year long, no player leaves me feeling more
frustrated and simultaneously optimistic for what
he could become at such time as the light goes on.
And the light I'm talking about is not motivational,
it's the habit of fundamentally sound basketball.
He got better as the season went on; stop skying
on every head fake, fewer goaltends better shot
selection. It's just that as much as I see the potential
as well as the production that he does bring, he
still has vast untapped potential. And it's not
Flip that holds him back from that.

[TheBigThree]

I don't disagree with a single thing Flip said in that interview. Can't wait for the season to start.

[pancakes3]

i wouldn't take any of this too seriously. it's just flip giving soundbytes to beat writers. clearly he's not going to make JV a focal point, or even a node on the offensive. the ball will seldom stop at mcgee's hand in a half-court - not with wall, young, blatche, crawford, and shard on the team.

as for chiding mcgee and nick? it might be a response to the culmination of all the youtube videos that big daddy wookie has put up. that or he's not been terribly impressed by the pick-up game highlights and wished they had staged hermit-closed door workouts like dwight. either way it's no harm no foul in my opinion.

[montestewart]

as a [partial-]season tix holder who saw McGee all year long, no player leaves me feeling more frustrated and simultaneously optimistic for what he could become at such time as the light goes on. And the light I'm talking about is not motivational, it's the habit of fundamentally sound basketball. He got better as the season went on; stop skying on every head fake, fewer goaltends better shot selection. It's just that as much as I see the potential as well as the production that he does bring, he still has vast untapped potential. And it's [primarily] not Flip that holds him back from that.

Co-signed, with minor amendments. Saunders or no Saunders, McGee could make adjustments to greatly improve his game. Weight room, positional discipline, working on his shot, focusing on [dedicating himself to learning] fundamentals. Will he, or is this alternately exciting and maddening level he's reached good enough for him?

Maybe I'm in the wrong thread for that rant.

[dobrojim]

I'm not sure that more weights is going to change McGee into
something he simply isn't genetically destined to be. And that's
OK. He can still maximize his strengths a great deal better.

And I'll agree with CCJ that there are shots that
I would be much happier seeing McGee take than
other shots that Blatche takes.

[montestewart]

^
Yeah, I'll retract the weight room, as I've never really considered him in bad shape (in the Blatche mode), especially since the asthma revelation explained his being winded at times.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

CCJ, I'm out of the loop. What is that "Cinnamon" reference? What was objectionable about it?

Flip found this objectionable.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJKxdjEMBzE[/youtube]

Flip says this is a lack of maturity, according to this statement:

On Nick Young, JaVale McGee and maturity: "They all need to show their maturity, not only on the floor, but off the floor. Cinnamon, that thing doesn't cut it."

I say this coach showed himself to be a hater with style over substance comments. Flip reminds me a lot of Mike Shanahan. He makes a lot of money to lose a lot of games. I thought this when he first got here and I really think it two years later.

McGee makes a lot of videos that are really, really funny. He is 23 years old and seems to really enjoy life. Flip OTOH sees things Flip's way. He has shown a propensity to deflect blame and to say how others have to step their game up. I think he's been a bad coach for this team.

Said it and mean every word of it.

[TGW]

I don't disagree with a single thing Flip said in that interview. Can't wait for the season to start.

This.

Flip's on-court tactics may not work, but his view of the team is valid. This roster is superflawed.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

i wouldn't take any of this too seriously. it's just flip giving soundbytes to beat writers. clearly he's not going to make JV a focal point, or even a node on the offensive. the ball will seldom stop at mcgee's hand in a half-court - not with wall, young, blatche, crawford, and shard on the team.

as for chiding mcgee and nick? it might be a response to the culmination of all the youtube videos that big daddy wookie has put up. that or he's not been terribly impressed by the pick-up game highlights and wished they had staged hermit-closed door workouts like dwight. either way it's no harm no foul in my opinion.

bigdaddy DID put out a ton of videos. He put out more over the lockout than Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas combined in a career.

pancakes, I can see where you make sense. If Flip thought they were garbage games and Javale still looks like a 98-pound weakling then there is a real problem. I think Flip has consistently fixated on what McGee IS NOT, yet he makes excuses for what Blatche does not do well. McGee is skinny and gets moved around. So did Keon Clark. One season, Lenny Wilkens got the best out of Keon, even in the playoffs.

Javale is NOT Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum or Greg Oden (healthy). I keep saying watch Larry Nance from way back. McGee rushes offense and looks spastic when forcing things, but that IMO is largely because Flip keeps playing him like he's a Brad Daugherty. No, McGee is closer to a Nance.

Any way, I digress. Thanks, pancakes for enlightening me and giving me insight on what Flip might be thinking. I just disagree with the coach.

[JWizmentality]

The cinnamon thing was freakin hilarious!! WTF is Flip's problem?

[MJG]

The cinnamon thing was freakin hilarious!! WTF is Flip's problem?

I was going to say this exact same thing. I think that video makes me want to retain Young even more than before.

[LyricalRico]

^ Did anyone actually watch the presser, to see if Flip was being tongue-in-cheek with the cinnamon thing?

[no D in Hibachi]

When Prada did his write up of the presser he said Flip was joking about the cinnamon comment. Remember 93 percent of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal cues. We have no idea how he said the comment other than that Prada said he was joking. Some people always have nit's to pick, gee my nitty.

[go'stags]

CCJ, I don't think anyone has shown a propensity to deflect blame more than you have in regards to Javale. Of course, none of this matters since we're just on a message board.

[montestewart]

The cinnamon thing was freakin hilarious!! WTF is Flip's problem?

Javale can't hold his cinnamon, but Saunders should give Young props for totally manning up.

I can see the team being a little twitchy about hijinx because of what happened with cutup Arenas, but a spoonful of cinnamon is pretty far away from gun play.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

When Prada did his write up of the presser he said Flip was joking about the cinnamon comment. Remember 93 percent of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal cues. We have no idea how he said the comment other than that Prada said he was joking. Some people always have nit's to pick, gee my nitty.

On JaVale McGee, Part I: "He has to become more a player of substance than of highlights."
On JaVale McGee, Part II: "We're going to eliminate his full-court dribbling. If he does it, he's going to be sitting with Michael Lee over there."

If he said this tongue-n-cheek, mocking the things that folks like me went on about, then Flip got me. Great sense of humor, coach.

If he said them literally, then it is right back to square one. When you say he's got to be of substance and not dribble full-court, I would like to see how many times in the SEASON McGee did that. How many times did Javale go Magic Johnson and how did it impact games?

My first thought was I have seen Shaq do it. If a big guy is hustling and having something like a triple double game, I say let him dribble. In fact, since McGee can change momentum with a dunk or a a blocked shot like no one else on the roster, what is so wrong with letting him dribble every now and then? This team sucks in wins and losses but at least one guy is entertaining pretty much always.

Last, even if "lack of substance" or "dribbling" characterize flaws with McGee, I don't think the presser is where you mention that. It is a new season. Why not say you are SURE McGee has improved and you think he's going to do GREAT THINGS? This coach likes to play hard ass and I as a fan just think about the losses that another coach might not have suffered even with this roster. Lack of substance for McGee? Flip's answers seem to be very literal, especially when he defended Andray against people who are critical of Blatche.

No, I think Flip meant what he said about McGee, particularly about Seraphin pushing McGee. FLIP, why can't Seraphin push Blatche and McGee?

Because Coach Saunders doesn't think it is possible. I posted a link to Antoine Carr and I've posted Seraphin reminds me of both. This coach thinks Blatche is it, and NONE OF THE FLIP LOVERS can say otherwise.

If you agree with every word Flip said, you agree with his coaching and his sink-or-swim with "when we played well Blatche played well" or words to that effect. Blatche is the key. This coach doesn't pore over stats, apparently that show that year after year Blatche has a very low effective field goal percentage. The scouting report on Andray Blatche on draft express is really very good. Andray has strengths an weaknesses. This coach is trying to make a player WEAK in finishing his go to guy.

Sorry for the rant, but you have to admit I've been consistent on this for YEARS now.

[crackhed]

i think what flip is looking for is a higher level of focus and seriousness towards basketball in their attitude. think MJ, Kobe, PPierce, KDurant etc. dont think you can clown around your way to an nba title.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

i think what flip is looking for is a higher level of focus and seriousness towards basketball in their attitude. think MJ, Kobe, PPierce, KDurant etc. dont think you can clown around your way to an nba title.

Again, Flip is looking to change people.

Pau Gasol didn't wan JACK his first 7 or 8 seasons. Was he a hard core student of the game before he went to the Lakers? Was he taken seriously as a competitor. What kind of attitude does Gasol have, still?

Ray Allen won precisely what before he was with Boston? I remember him, Sam Cassell, and Gary Payton with the Milwaukee Bucks. Ray Ray sucked on defense. That team didn't win much. Allen had a BAD reputation as a non-competitor. Now he looks like a HOF player. But he still just works on his jump shot a bunch.

Personally, I think Flip needs to step back and let McGee do what McGee can do. Stop stifling creativity and just see what unfolds on the court. Asking a guy who might be as flitty and ditzy about the game and not an older, tough-minded guy to suddenly morph into a shark like a Kobe or MJ is not going to happen.

I wish Flip just allowed McGee to be carefree and the player Javale is. That is good enough. McGee is better than Blatche IMO.