Grade Flip Saunders

[hands11]

Well this team obviously has lots of issues still to address but playing the way they did ( which wasn't perfect ) against the best team in the league ( and winning ) really helps everything both individually and as a team to get to the next level - ( that would be getting off the floor and playing what people would see as NBA level team basketball).

Flip now have an amazing teaching tool to draw on which is really going to help. It won't last forever on its own but a win like this can be pointed to for a good while. Specially if they can follow it up for more progress - as Wall mentioned. They have to take this and move forward. They did things differently and they need to stick to that. I saw the fight in the dog that I mentioned in the OKC game thread.

A game like that "can" be a turning point.

Lots going on here. Wall has been making adjustments to his game from how he played at the start of the year. He seems to have found his FT stroke finally and that is really important for him since that is a key to helping a player find their rhythm and build stability and confidence in his game. He is also pulling back on some fast breaks now and setting the office. He isn't forcing things as much. And he is learning that it has to be everyone as a team winning. He has to trust his teammates to step it up. He can't do it alone. I also see him managing the pace of the offense more. They had a Marine visit and talk about how a group has to support ever member in the group when they go into battle. You are only as strong as your weakest link type speech. Nice to see the organization bringing in someone like this to help reach this young team.

Flip continues to teach and adjust the line ups as he gets more people healthy and experienced. With this game, I would say the wrapping paper was taken off Vesely. Flip said because of the schedule and his hip injury, Ves has only had 1 or 2 real practice sessions this season. The kid has been learning on the fly and mostly playing on instinct. Now Flip gave him minutes at center. That was huge in a game like this and that changes a lot. Now you have another player that can get plugged in their when needed. Now you have more then just Dray and McGee there. I now feel like Flip have no hesitation about going to Ves after this game. He trusts him on the court. So now they have 3 centers options. Plus they are still working on bringing KS up to speed ( big strong kid ). I still believe he can be used at PF or C. I don't think any of us think Flip trust KS like he does Ves yet. That would gives them 4 centers and thats without Ronny or even looking at Hamady later in the season. A coach having viable options really helps a ton when it come to coaching and line ups.

And now everyone is starting to finally make the extra pass. Dray even passed on up that he probably shouldn't have. McGee tried to pass out of the post to Wall at the top of the key but miss fired. That will get better.

This thing is really just getting started. They were not only young, but they were playing short handed. This was like the car you rebuild with all the pieces scatter around the garage before you start to put it back together. Now they have a full line up - minus Ronny.

For the record, the only two times this season they had the full roster available, they won. Not saying that makes that a season trend but it is a fact.

Should be really interesting to see what they do as team over the next 4 games at home against Denver and Boston then at Phili then at home against the Bobcats

I think they can at least win two of those. Boston and the Bobcats. If they win 3, things can get re-evaluated from there. I'm more confident they can beat the average and bad teams but will they be able to bet the better teams.

For the moment, the answer is they can do battle against the best in the league if they have a full roster and play right way. At least a team build like OKC.

We could see them at 4-14 (3-2 run) or 5-13 (4-1 run) very soon. That's still a crappy record but a lot better then 2-16 and headed in the right direction.

Not really getting ahead of things, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do it either. A full roster really helps such a young team just getting started.

Regardless. It was a huge win and it should really help this young team.

[closg00]

Flip had some success whenever he ditched his playbook and went with the 2/3? guard attack. I wonder if he will try some new things on offense with this new group?

You can call me anytime for advice Flip, glad you finally came around

Wizards Find Success In Smaller Lineup
Jan 20, 2012 12:44 PM EST

The Wizards have received some of their best production from a lineup featuring John Wall, Jordan Crawford and Nick Young on the perimeter.

The smaller trio is expected to play on Friday against the Nuggets.

“We’ve gone small a lot,” Flip Saunders said. “We’ve played Nick and Jordan and John together, and those guys have all been very effective playing together in the fourth quarter.”

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1k2YonTDJ

[Induveca]

From Ric Bucher's chat today......cross your fingers.

Chioke Hassan (Baltimore,Md)
Dear RicCould you see Flip Saunders gone after this season?

Ric Bucher
From the rumblings I've heard, it could be sooner than that.

[dlts20]

Wall Cant Shoot, But..........


he cant shoot which makes teams play off him & give him the J but he's not the 1st PG in the league that cant shoot. Rondo and a ton of other guys before that cant shoot but they still make a high percentage of there shots, get in the lane, and cause foul trouble.

The Wolves fans said that Flip lived off of KG's talent and all the Pistons fans said they hate the Offense because its designed to shoot jumpers and thats why they never advanced in the playoffs under Flip because its easy for the top defenses to stop.

Gil could shoot the lights out but dont tell me that Wall cant get to the rim like Gil or get teams in foul trouble like Gil. Its Flip's crap system. We never run that high screen that is the #1 play in the NBA that we use to live off of with Gil & Wood or Gil & AJ. It was autmatic. Gil & Wood would get so close that the PG would always get picked & then Gil was one on one with the Center.

Wall never gets that oppurtunity. Yeah the PG may go under it since Wall cant shoot but it still gives him a running start and puts the defense on there heels. I also dont like how Dray catches the ball out top a ton and even McGee gets it outside too much. I just dont like this system. I would give anything to even have EJ back right now. I think Wall lights it up in that system like Gil & Kidd. Speaking of which, how well could Kidd shoot?

Get Flip's system outta here. Even if we put together a few fluke wins, its still not going to work in the long run. Lets make a coaching trade. We hate Flip and NY hates D'Antoni. Lets trade them for eachother because I honestly think both teams look way better with the other guy

[hands11]

Post Boston game at home without Rondo or Ray Allen..

I cast my vote as the worst line ups of the year given the a full roster of available player and the worst lose for the team.

I give Flip a D- on this one.

They just got beat at home by an old Celtics team without two of their best players.

How do you win against OKC three games ago, play Denver close and then let that happen.

I think a lot get blamed on Flip that shouldn't but that stinker only belong in one persons toilet.

[Zonkerbl]

OMG it's the KISS OF DEATH:

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

It's the dreaded "the organization does not have any intention of firing Coach Flip Saunders at this time" quote from "sources with knowledge of the situation."

How many times do you hear that in the sports world and the coach is canned less than a week later?

OMG I AM A PROPHET