Andray Blatche - Resurgence Thread ( Merged )

[queridiculo]

I had a hearty laugh this morning reading the Post's recap of the game.

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

Andray Blatche approached the scorers’ table to check in the second quarter of the Wizards’ 101-83 defeat at Philips Arena, when a heckler seated nearby decided to give him a hard time. The man shouted, “Have another burger, Dray!”

Sad when fans of the other team are noticing your gut.

[fishercob]

BTW, it is really cathartic to go to twitter, and read all the tweets about Andray Blatche - the best part is he's most certainly read most of these. For those not familiar, go here (switch the toggle from "top" tweets to "all"):

http://twitter.com/#!/search/%40drayblatche

My favs so far:

- "hey @drayblatche who you gonna blame this game on? Coach? Teammates? Refs? Reporters? Your out of shape body? Mental weakness? Or Twitter?"

- "clearly the Bullets need to get @drayblatche the ball in the post more, since he was 2 of 7 in the paint tonight"

- "Will your next be in a jersey that doesn't say "Wizards" on it? RT @drayblatche Letting go of last game and focused on the next"

- "Yea he needs to start over lazy @drayblatche RT @WillPizzano: @C_SING31 keep working hard man. Hope to see you starting soon. #Wizards"

- "@drayblatche if Dray was 3 in shorter, he'd be flipping burgers at McDonalds. #worstplayerinthenba"

- "@drayblatche - way to back up your b!tching with another lame game. sure it was the coach's fault again..."

- "@drayblatche way to put the team on your back. Get your bum ass out of washington #anotherdayanotherloss"

- "maybe its time u stop making excuses for urself and admit ur lazy and will never put in the time or effort to be a good player @drayblatche"

- "@drayblatche ur the biggest waste of space playing for a sports team in this city I have ever seen...& that's saying a lot. #FakeAssCaptain"

Cathartic? I find this disgusting. So, Blatche sucks. Is he trying to suck? No. He's got a crappy work ethic, which the last time I checked was not a capital offense (and by the way, we all hang out on a message board, so, glass houses, people). None of these losers would have the nuts to say a word of this to Blatche's face, especially not in a private setting.

I take no pleasure -- and don't see how one can take any pleasure -- at the mental image of Blatche reading what amounts to hate mail from his team's supposed fans. He's failing, yes. That's frustrating for us as fans. But no reason to not act like decent human beings to one another.

[GhostsOfGil]

- "@drayblatche if Dray was 3 in shorter, he'd be flipping burgers at McDonalds. #worstplayerinthenba"

thought this one was pretty good

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If Blatche had another coach who benched him when he needed to be benched and who played him when he was balling, this would be a non-story.

If the object was to win game 2, Flip should not have had Blatche on the court that long. Andray's ability is well documented from lots of games this past 6 seasons. Andray has brought much drama, including his tweets/statements. We know about him, but we also know that in April that dude is a beast on the basketball court. His PER is better than average. I consider him better than average.

The problem with Andray is Flip has made the guy relevant in the first place. Flip has put the dude on front street and he's made Blatche his go to guy. I have no sympathy for Blatche's plight, because he's under a nice contract. Those comments were kind of funny to me, kind of harsh, and kind of sad at the same time.

Like hermitkid, I don't see Blatche's woes as a good thing. I also think Flip Saunders deserves the same kinds of taunts. That first preseason loss to Philly was the most disgusting coaching I have witnessed from Wizards team. Not Ed Tapscott. Not EJ's protect the paint. Not EJ hating on Haywood. Flip laying down that stink in the home opener just made me feel really bad.

For all the hate Blatche gets, I can never come close to disliking his work as much as a guy who continues to skate. Flip Saunders.

[LyricalRico]

^ Actually, CCJ, I seem to recall Flip wanting to bench Dray last year and then the front office telling Flip that he essentially couldn't do that. Maybe Flip wants to do something different and his hands are tied?



I continually cite Blatche's new contract as Ernie's biggest mistake. It would be even worse if Ernie is also making it impossible for Flip to coach him. I just hope that Ernie sees the light (or Ted sees it for him) at some point this season. He cannot continue to hitch his wagon to this guy.

[popper]

I wish I could help AB. His issues are all correctable with the right kind of attention.

1. He is weak and out of shape (solution: daily time with a personal trainer that will push him)

2. He has no lift (solution: do the appropriate stretches and other exercises)

3. His mental approach to the game needs an adjustment (solution: time with a sports physchologist)

4. His professional approach to accomplishing the above is inadequate and has been throughout his career. (Procure outside assistance to change the status quo)

If I was spending huge dollars on players that lacked the tools or motivation to accomplish team goals I would go ahead and spend a bit more to ensure their success. Another $150,000 per year in outside assistance will transform AB.

If the Wizard's FO wants some help in this regard I would be more than willing to offer mine. Crawford looks like he could use some attention as well.

[dobrojim]

crawford's issues are an entirely different set

[dobrojim]

^ Actually, CCJ, I seem to recall Flip wanting to bench Dray last year and then the front office telling Flip that he essentially couldn't do that. Maybe Flip wants to do something different and his hands are tied?



I continually cite Blatche's new contract as Ernie's biggest mistake. It would be even worse if Ernie is also making it impossible for Flip to coach him. I just hope that Ernie sees the light (or Ted sees it for him) at some point this season. He cannot continue to hitch his wagon to this guy.

biggest Ted era mistake

[MF23]

BTW, it is really cathartic to go to twitter, and read all the tweets about Andray Blatche - the best part is he's most certainly read most of these. For those not familiar, go here (switch the toggle from "top" tweets to "all"):

http://twitter.com/#!/search/%40drayblatche

My favs so far:

- "hey @drayblatche who you gonna blame this game on? Coach? Teammates? Refs? Reporters? Your out of shape body? Mental weakness? Or Twitter?"

- "clearly the Bullets need to get @drayblatche the ball in the post more, since he was 2 of 7 in the paint tonight"

- "Will your next be in a jersey that doesn't say "Wizards" on it? RT @drayblatche Letting go of last game and focused on the next"

- "Yea he needs to start over lazy @drayblatche RT @WillPizzano: @C_SING31 keep working hard man. Hope to see you starting soon. #Wizards"

- "@drayblatche if Dray was 3 in shorter, he'd be flipping burgers at McDonalds. #worstplayerinthenba"

- "@drayblatche - way to back up your b!tching with another lame game. sure it was the coach's fault again..."

- "@drayblatche way to put the team on your back. Get your bum ass out of washington #anotherdayanotherloss"

- "maybe its time u stop making excuses for urself and admit ur lazy and will never put in the time or effort to be a good player @drayblatche"

- "@drayblatche ur the biggest waste of space playing for a sports team in this city I have ever seen...& that's saying a lot. #FakeAssCaptain"

Cathartic? I find this disgusting. So, Blatche sucks. Is he trying to suck? No. He's got a crappy work ethic, which the last time I checked was not a capital offense (and by the way, we all hang out on a message board, so, glass houses, people). None of these losers would have the nuts to say a word of this to Blatche's face, especially not in a private setting.

I take no pleasure -- and don't see how one can take any pleasure -- at the mental image of Blatche reading what amounts to hate mail from his team's supposed fans. He's failing, yes. That's frustrating for us as fans. But no reason to not act like decent human beings to one another.

Please, he's a grown man. He made a choice to join twitter and use it. Last year he proved he can't handle anonymous criticism on twitter. Why is he still using it? I know all about playing sports in the DMV. If you're not mentally tough you shouldn't be playing. There's a lot that comes with being an athlete and criticism is a part of it.

Also, IMO judging anonymous comments online is a waste of time. You go on certain sites and read these comments. It's like they aren't even people their just these negative things who have no substance in reality.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

^ Actually, CCJ, I seem to recall Flip wanting to bench Dray last year and then the front office telling Flip that he essentially couldn't do that. Maybe Flip wants to do something different and his hands are tied?



I continually cite Blatche's new contract as Ernie's biggest mistake. It would be even worse if Ernie is also making it impossible for Flip to coach him. I just hope that Ernie sees the light (or Ted sees it for him) at some point this season. He cannot continue to hitch his wagon to this guy.

Wow, this is what I call ironic.

Ernie is the one who drafted Andray. Yet, it is hard not to acknowledge Blatche has far out-performed 49th pick draft expectation. But if Ernie is busting Flip's chops to keep Blatche out there or else, the solution is fire them both. Flip for not having the cojones to get the win and go out (get fired) like a man. He is under contract and gets paid, regardless. Saunders should want the heck out of town. Fire Ernie for interfering with what needs to go down on the court.

LR, I do believe Ernie is in Blatche's corner and your speculation makes a lot of sense as to Flip's actions and inactions.

[sfam]

Cathartic? I find this disgusting. So, Blatche sucks. Is he trying to suck? No. He's got a crappy work ethic, which the last time I checked was not a capital offense (and by the way, we all hang out on a message board, so, glass houses, people). None of these losers would have the nuts to say a word of this to Blatche's face, especially not in a private setting.

I take no pleasure -- and don't see how one can take any pleasure -- at the mental image of Blatche reading what amounts to hate mail from his team's supposed fans. He's failing, yes. That's frustrating for us as fans. But no reason to not act like decent human beings to one another.

This is a guy who uses twitter as his primary communication medium to the media. He has challenged guys in a bar to a fight through his twitter account and then lied about it. Just this week he told everyone to shut up through his twitter account. Clearly Blatche is putting himself out there for good and bad. Celebs can use twitter to get thousands of "you're the greatest eva!" adulation posts, but as the saying goes, live by the sword, die by the sword.

Bottom line, if you get that disgusted for these minor comments, I hope you never venture to the comments section of a blog, on, say, the WashingtonPost or some such. You might not survive it.

[sfam]

^ Actually, CCJ, I seem to recall Flip wanting to bench Dray last year and then the front office telling Flip that he essentially couldn't do that. Maybe Flip wants to do something different and his hands are tied?



I continually cite Blatche's new contract as Ernie's biggest mistake. It would be even worse if Ernie is also making it impossible for Flip to coach him. I just hope that Ernie sees the light (or Ted sees it for him) at some point this season. He cannot continue to hitch his wagon to this guy.

Why would EG do that? The only reason I can think of is to prop up his trade value, which, really, I don't see will ever go that high.

[Severn Hoos]

Wow, this is what I call ironic.

Ernie is the one who drafted Andray. Yet, it is hard not to acknowledge Blatche has far out-performed 49th pick draft expectation.

Unless the guy he passed on who was taken #50 and was the obvious pick to, well, at least some board members, has even further outperformed his draft position....

[7-Day Dray]

^ Actually, CCJ, I seem to recall Flip wanting to bench Dray last year and then the front office telling Flip that he essentially couldn't do that. Maybe Flip wants to do something different and his hands are tied?

Nah, Flip loves Dray to a fault. Even when he plays with lackluster effort, he still keeps him in and lets him play through it. And I can't find the quote, but I remember Flip last season saying "If he could keep his weight down, he could be a dominant PF in this league."

[GhostsOfGil]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NGo8RO23tE[/youtube]

It really is sad. Look how quick he used to be. See 45 second mark for his quickness and creativity in the post.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

^ Actually, CCJ, I seem to recall Flip wanting to bench Dray last year and then the front office telling Flip that he essentially couldn't do that. Maybe Flip wants to do something different and his hands are tied?

Nah, Flip loves Dray to a fault. Even when he plays with lackluster effort, he still keeps him in and lets him play through it. And I can't find the quote, but I remember Flip last season saying "If he could keep his weight down, he could be a dominant PF in this league."

I agree, 7DD.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NGo8RO23tE[/youtube]

It really is sad. Look how quick he used to be. See 45 second mark for his quickness and creativity in the post.

He'll get the back once he's traded. Don't worry. The curse of the Bullets/Wizards is bound to strike once this guy is traded.

That's the main reason I'm thinking hold your horses; fire the GM, fire the coach, and only later evaluate trade possibilities for all players.

[fishercob]

BTW, it is really cathartic to go to twitter, and read all the tweets about Andray Blatche - the best part is he's most certainly read most of these. For those not familiar, go here (switch the toggle from "top" tweets to "all"):

http://twitter.com/#!/search/%40drayblatche

My favs so far:

- "hey @drayblatche who you gonna blame this game on? Coach? Teammates? Refs? Reporters? Your out of shape body? Mental weakness? Or Twitter?"

- "clearly the Bullets need to get @drayblatche the ball in the post more, since he was 2 of 7 in the paint tonight"

- "Will your next be in a jersey that doesn't say "Wizards" on it? RT @drayblatche Letting go of last game and focused on the next"

- "Yea he needs to start over lazy @drayblatche RT @WillPizzano: @C_SING31 keep working hard man. Hope to see you starting soon. #Wizards"

- "@drayblatche if Dray was 3 in shorter, he'd be flipping burgers at McDonalds. #worstplayerinthenba"

- "@drayblatche - way to back up your b!tching with another lame game. sure it was the coach's fault again..."

- "@drayblatche way to put the team on your back. Get your bum ass out of washington #anotherdayanotherloss"

- "maybe its time u stop making excuses for urself and admit ur lazy and will never put in the time or effort to be a good player @drayblatche"

- "@drayblatche ur the biggest waste of space playing for a sports team in this city I have ever seen...& that's saying a lot. #FakeAssCaptain"

Cathartic? I find this disgusting. So, Blatche sucks. Is he trying to suck? No. He's got a crappy work ethic, which the last time I checked was not a capital offense (and by the way, we all hang out on a message board, so, glass houses, people). None of these losers would have the nuts to say a word of this to Blatche's face, especially not in a private setting.

I take no pleasure -- and don't see how one can take any pleasure -- at the mental image of Blatche reading what amounts to hate mail from his team's supposed fans. He's failing, yes. That's frustrating for us as fans. But no reason to not act like decent human beings to one another.

Please, he's a grown man. He made a choice to join twitter and use it. Last year he proved he can't handle anonymous criticism on twitter. Why is he still using it? I know all about playing sports in the DMV. If you're not mentally tough you shouldn't be playing. There's a lot that comes with being an athlete and criticism is a part of it.

Also, IMO judging anonymous comments online is a waste of time. You go on certain sites and read these comments. It's like they aren't even people their just these negative things who have no substance in reality.

Do tell.

As to my original post, I'm not absolving Blatche of anything. My comment was about those tweeting at him.

This is a guy who uses twitter as his primary communication medium to the media. He has challenged guys in a bar to a fight through his twitter account and then lied about it. Just this week he told everyone to shut up through his twitter account. Clearly Blatche is putting himself out there for good and bad. Celebs can use twitter to get thousands of "you're the greatest eva!" adulation posts, but as the saying goes, live by the sword, die by the sword.

Bottom line, if you get that disgusted for these minor comments, I hope you never venture to the comments section of a blog, on, say, the WashingtonPost or some such. You might not survive it.

It's different; those commenters (many of which are also stupid) are to a story. These are people tweeting directly at Blatche to basically say "hey, you suck and I hate you." It's lame.

[sfam]

It's different; those commenters (many of which are also stupid) are to a story. These are people tweeting directly at Blatche to basically say "hey, you suck and I hate you." It's lame.

You could also make the case that its lame to boo the home team when they're playing bad. Or that its lame to ask Blatche if he wants another hamburger as he walks by your chair. But others may tell you they think its warranted or at least justified, especially if they paid for the ticket. Twitter is no different from this - the consequence of celebrities bypassing the media to talk directly to their fanbase is that common fans now have a voice as well. Celebrities have the option of being there or not. Blatche has clearly decided to use Twitter as his main communication medium. If you look at the comments, you'll also find insane praise comments - it comes with the territory. Especially when Blatche tweets hypocritical stupidy comments like his ones this week. Call it lame if you like, but its hardly surprising.

[tontoz]

If i was posting on his twitter account (which i have no interest in) i would be making specific criticisms about his play (dribbling between his legs/behind his back, settling for fadeaways, lack of rebounding/defense).

It probably wouldn't make him change anything but just attacking him personally seems pretty weak.