Andray Blatche - Resurgence Thread ( Merged )

queridiculo · Post #1061 » by **queridiculo** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:52 pm

You can certainly tell how much work he's put in by his physique.

Post #1062 » by **Zonkerbl** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:40 pm

I wonder if the reason Dray has so much difficulty keeping weight off is he drinks too much. Actually his being an alcoholic would explain a lot.

Nivek · Post #1063 » by **Nivek** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:06 pm

I posited the "too much drinking" theory as well. Doesn't make sense that a healthy, professional athlete who claims to be working hard in the weight room with a professional trainer would remain so flabby and undefined.

MF23 · Post #1064 » by **MF23** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:40 pm

http://www.shawnlebrunfitness.com/weight-lifting/building-muscle-mass.html

Post #1065 » by **Zonkerbl** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 2:43 am

MF23 wrote:http://www.shawnlebrunfitness.com/weight-lifting/building-muscle-mass.html

Hah! I knew it!

FAH1223 · Post #1066 » by **FAH1223** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 2:50 am

MF23 wrote:http://www.shawnlebrunfitness.com/weight-lifting/building-muscle-mass.html

makes perfect sense

JonathanJoseph · Post #1067 » by **JonathanJoseph** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:35 am

Good gracious has this thread jumped the shark.

Some bodies just aren't meant to look certain ways. Lamar Odom was skinny forever and Zach Randolph will look pudgy no matter what shape he's in.

fishercob · Post #1068 » by **fishercob** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 3:07 pm

JonathanJoseph wrote:Good gracious has this thread jumped the shark.

Some bodies just aren't meant to look certain ways. Lamar Odom was skinny forever and Zach Randolph will look pudgy no matter what shape he's in.

Lamar Odom had muscle definition and no gut. Randolph was always strong as an ox. Blatche is the NBA's version on Mr. Furley skinny and fat at the same time.

hands11 · Post #1069 » by **hands11** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 5:39 pm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wiz ... _blog.html

Posted at 10:01 AM ET, 12/23/2011
Why is the Wizards’ Andray Blatche ‘willing to die for this’?

I know I know. This means nothing until he actually does it game in and game out on the court, but all things being equal, I would rather read this then something that clearly shows he doesn't get it.

Also, I have read this a few times now from players. They need to decide who is the first, second and third options so everyone isn't just gunning. I couldn't agree more. This offense needs some sense of order. I think one of the problems has been Wall trying to be a first option to often. Same with Crawford.

It is pretty clear who the most effective number one scorer is on this team. Its Nick. Dray would be number two. And since Dray actually has decent court vision, he needs to open his passing game back up. He made a nice pass to Ronny for a 3 pts play last game. He used to be really good at that. Three would be to get McGee involved. Get him enough touches in the post so that he finally slows down a little. Plus, this gets him involved more and energizes him. Wall as the PG should manage this distribution, run breaks and shot enough to keep the D honest. But if Nick, Dray and McGee are getting it done, Wall should not be shooting just because. Specially if he isn't hitting. He needs to check his ego at the door. Assists and wins are the flag of a great PG. Scoring comes after that.

So who is the best final piece ? Clearly to start the year it will Lewis. I guess he can fill in were needed. But longer term, you want the best defensive player out there since you already have your 1-4 scoring options. So if that in Singleton, then start him and let Lewis provide offense with the second unit. Lewis should be the #1 or #2 option on the second unit, not the #5 on the first unit.

Scoring from the starting unit should not be a problem for this team as long as they have the right people shooting the most. Wall should not be taking more then 12 shots to begin the season. He was gunning way to much last year. Now if he is the hot hand and the mismatch that evening, then fine. You always feed the hot hand. But he shot .409 last year and average 14 shots a game while having many game in the 15-20 range. Dray was shooting .445. Nick .441 & .387 from 3 and McGee converts at the rim at .550

So hopefully Wall has added a nice J for when team play off of him. If not, he isn't going to be that good a PG, unless he learns to eat up space like Rondo does. But most PGs can hit from outside. It makes the job a lot easier. He also need to learn to use picks much better. It spreads the floor for the dish or drive. Wall has a lot to improve on this year. Shooting. Using picks. Defense. Drive and dish and shot selection. He is a raw talent but far from a NBA quality PG. Right now, I see him as more like McGee is at center. Very raw but very athletic.

Nivek · Post #1070 » by **Nivek** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 5:53 pm

I agree Young probably needs to be the team's #1 option. Blatche needs to become a lot more efficient to be a true 1st or 2nd option.

Scoring is going to be a big problem for this team -- including the starting unit. They don't have enough efficient scorers. I'm hoping McGee will emerge as a true offensive threat this season. He's worked on his game and looks improved. Hopefully he can carry a higher usage load while maintaining some efficiency. That would make life easier on his teammates.

Nivek · Post #1071 » by **Nivek** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 6:07 pm

Blatche is willing to die for the team? Yeah, okay.

Is he willing to work out until he's exhausted? Is he willing to "feel the burn" from lifting weights? Is he willing to go to bed at a reasonable hour? Is he willing to limit himself to one or two alcoholic drinks a night and then switch to water? Is he willing to eat a healthy and balanced diet? Is he willing to listen to coaching, accept criticism and accept responsibility? Is he willing to consistently make smart decisions on the court? Is he willing to play with maximum effort on defense? Is he willing to battle for rebounds?

I'd rather have any/all of those things than more hot air about how much he cares.

fishercob · Post #1072 » by **fishercob** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 6:19 pm

Nivek wrote:Blatche is willing to die for the team? Yeah, okay.

Is he willing to work out until he's exhausted? Is he willing to "feel the burn" from lifting weights? Is he willing to go to bed at a reasonable hour? Is he willing to limit himself to one or two alcoholic drinks a night and then switch to water? Is he willing to eat a healthy and balanced diet? Is he willing to listen to coaching, accept criticism and accept responsibility? Is he willing to consistently make smart decisions on the court? Is he willing to play with maximum effort on defense? Is he willing to battle for rebounds?

I'd rather have any/all of those things than more hot air about how much he cares.

He could die from any of those things!

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #1073 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 6:37 pm

Nivek wrote:Blatche is willing to die for the team? Yeah, okay.

It's true. This is Andray's new intro theme music:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxLXB-uimmw[/youtube]

Shiela E was hot back in the day. Check her out at 1:16. So was Lisa.

Hoopalotta · Post #1074 » by **Hoopalotta** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 6:55 am

Blatche once took a bullet for this team and I don't think any of us should forget that.

Well, it was something like that, at least; maybe I have the details off by a bit.

Post #1075 » by **Ruzious** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 9:24 am

Hoopalotta wrote:Blatche once took a bullet for this team and I don't think any of us should forget that.

Well, it was something like that, at least; maybe I have the details off by a bit.

Oh yeah, that was when Javaris Critendon shot at Gil, but Andray pushed Gil aside and took the bullet himself.

Post #1076 » by **montestewart** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:41 pm

Ruzious wrote:
Hoopalotta wrote:Blatche once took a bullet for this team and I don't think any of us should forget that.

Well, it was something like that, at least; maybe I have the details off by a bit.

Oh yeah, that was when Javaris Critendon shot at Gil, but Andray pushed Gil aside and took the bullet himself.

He also took some poop in the shoe. And didn't he work vice undercover related to a prostitution sting operation? And he's frequently seen at clubs promoting his PSA: "Friends Don't Let Friends Drink Alone"

Just kidding Andray. Happy Christmas

no D in Hibachi · Post #1077 » by **no D in Hibachi** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:13 am

And this is why EG and Flip hang on to and stand by Blatche.

David Thorpe:
Indeed, the landscape of NBA draft history is littered with remnants of super-talented guys with lazy streaks, everyone from Stromile Swift to Andray Blatche -- who's as talented as anyone at his position but has not come close to realizing that potential. It won't be enough for Drummond to play well, if he wants that No. 1 spot in the draft. He'll need to play with reckless abandon, destroying guys most nights and not looking cute and crafty. It's great that he likes to pass, but top overall picks need to show a disposition to dominate.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?name=nba_draft&id=7034017&_slug_=nba-draft-uconn-andre-drummond-no-1&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fblog%3fname%3dnba_draft%26id%3d7034017%26_slug_%3dnba-draft-uconn-andre-drummond-no-1

tontoz · Post #1078 » by **tontoz** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:31 am

As talented as anyone at his position? I just threw up in my mouth a little.

7-Day Dray · Post #1079 » by **7-Day Dray** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:34 am

tontoz wrote:As talented as anyone at his position? I just threw up in my mouth a little.

That's true. He's one of the most skilled big men in the league, but he's not interested in maximizing it and becoming the best.

Wizardspride · Post #1080 » by **Wizardspride** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:37 am

tontoz wrote:As talented as anyone at his position?

Yes.