James Singleton is the 5th best PF in the NBA

Post #1 » by **nate33** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:58 am

It's pretty ridiculous how good James Singleton has been since he joined the Wizards late this season. In 8 games (183 minutes), here are his per-36 numbers:

15.0 points
11.0 rebounds
1.6 assists
1.6 steals
1.6 blocks
1.0 turnovers
.636 TS%
22.5 PER

Going by PER, Singleton ranks as the 5th best PF in the league behind only Love, Aldridge, Griffin and Jefferson; and ahead of Monroe, Duncan, Nowitzki and *ahem* Faried.
link

How was this guy available? What's it going to cost to keep him?

closg00 · Post #2 » by **closg00** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:03 pm

Anybody miss Booker since JS came to town? We can't let JS get-away again, he's a core-piece for our bench.

Spence · Post #3 » by **Spence** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:30 pm

Really important to keep Singleton around for next season. Wizards should have plenty of cap room so there shouldn't be a problem bringing him back and still having lots of flexibility to do other things.

I'm not really looking for some big free agent bonanza anyway. I don't see any of the bigshots coming to DC until the team proves it can win without them. [That's what the star free agents want now -- to be the final piece of the puzzle, not the centerpiece of the whole thing.] I'd like to see the Wiz get one of the top three picks in the draft, bring back Singleton and probably Martin, too, and get improvement from Wall, Crawford, Vesely, Seraphin, Booker. Have Nene around for 70 games next year. With Singleton rounding out a suddenly deep front court, that's a team that should jump up in the standings a bit.

Post #4 » by **nate33** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:56 pm

Spence wrote:Really important to keep Singleton around for next season. Wizards should have plenty of cap room so there shouldn't be a problem bringing him back and still having lots of flexibility to do other things.

I'm not really looking for some big free agent bonanza anyway. I don't see any of the bigshots coming to DC until the team proves it can win without them. [That's what the star free agents want now -- to be the final piece of the puzzle, not the centerpiece of the whole thing.] I'd like to see the Wiz get one of the top three picks in the draft, bring back Singleton and probably Martin, too, and get improvement from Wall, Crawford, Vesely, Seraphin, Booker. Have Nene around for 70 games next year. With Singleton rounding out a suddenly deep front court, that's a team that should jump up in the standings a bit.

It might be tough. If we don't amnesty Blatche, we'll have just $5M in cap room. We need a SF who can shoot even more than we need a fifth big man. Singleton might cost $3 or $4M (though hopefully on a one-year deal). If we sign him, the best we can do at SF is a Cartier Martin type of player.

If we want a true starting caliber SF like Danny Green or someone, then we might not be able to retain Singleton.

There's also a concern that Singleton might not want to play here where there is such a log jam up front.

Nivek · Post #5 » by **Nivek** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 1:26 pm

He's been good, but I wouldn't get too excited, and I wouldn't spend much on him beyond a year. He's 30 years (turns 31 in July) and his PER and efficiency numbers are off the charts in comparison to what he's done in his previous 2990 minutes in the NBA.

I mention efficiency specifically, because his other numbers are up a little over his previous career norms, but not a ton. I'm wary of him being able to replicate this kind of performance over an extended stretch.

leswizards · Post #6 » by **leswizards** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:22 pm

Never give a guy a huge contract based upon what he does in the last year of contract. Studies have shown that players in all sports on average always perform much better in the final year of their contract. Based upon what Singleton has done over the course of his career, I wouldn't offer him a very huge contract. Maybe 3 times the league minimum is the highest I would go. And it would be a short term deal.

closg00 · Post #7 » by **closg00** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:37 pm

As-much as we like him, no-one the board is advocating spending foolishly to keep him. A two-year deal with Team option on the 2nd for the a little above th minimum would be fair.

fishercob · Post #8 » by **fishercob** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:49 pm

I heard him interviewed by Glenn Consor during the postgame. He said the improved jumper is something he added over the past couple of years. He's playing like a less chuckish Al Harrington.

I wouldn't mind giving him a 2 year deal at $3M/yr if that's what it took to keep him, though I would love to have him for less. At that price he is eminently tradeable; he can play roles for contenders and rebuilding teams alike.

It would be nice to get Davis and then trade Booker and Vesely for a studly young win.

jivelikenice · Post #9 » by **jivelikenice** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:51 pm

Singleton is a good veteran role player to keep around. I'd invest a 2-year deal into him because he provides a good veterean presense who also has the ability to contribute at a high level more consistently than our other vets can.

But this goes back to the gm question. Ernie will see the value in Singleton. A new gm won't....

pancakes3 · Post #10 » by **pancakes3** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:59 pm

i don't think singleton's a flash in the pan. his career per-36 numbers are pretty steady at ~10 pts, 10 rebs, 1.X steals and blocks. i wouldn't take too much stock in fg% because it's real hard for a spot-minutes guy to play with consistently high efficiency.

i think the vet min is fair.

plus i think we just HAVE to use the amnesty be it lewis or blatche. it just wouldn't make financial sense not to.

Post #11 » by **Ruzious** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:20 pm

He's the best Singleton on the Wizards.

The 2 year / 3 mil offer that Fish mentioned sounds reasonable to me.

Spence · Post #12 » by **Spence** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:25 pm

I don't care if Singleton is on the wrong side of 30 unless someone can tell me they have it on good authority he's scheduled to suffer a devastating injury on his 31st birthday. The Wizards tried having a team of 22-year-olds. It's awful. Even with Singleton and Nene around the Wiz are a pretty young team, particularly if Mo Evans isn't back next year. I'd be worried about Singleton's age if he was showing signs of decline, but that's obviously not the case.

truwizfan4evr · Post #13 » by **truwizfan4evr** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:12 pm

Whats Kevin rank apon centers?

GhostsOfGil · Post #14 » by **GhostsOfGil** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:44 pm

Kevin has a per of 15.6 which is just over the league average. However, I have a feeling that hes probably top 5 in PER for the month of April.

go'stags · Post #15 » by **go'stags** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:48 pm

He seems slimmer than his last tour here. That's probably why he has looked so quick on his moves to the basket.

I'm not going to like, I'v had thoughts about him becoming a very tough match up as a "stretch 4", to go along with his defense, rebounding, and toughness on both sides of the court.

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #16 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:14 pm

Spence wrote:I don't care if Singleton is on the wrong side of 30 unless someone can tell me they have it on good authority he's scheduled to suffer a devastating injury on his 31st birthday. The Wizards tried having a team of 22-year-olds. It's awful. Even with Singleton and Nene around the Wiz are a pretty young team, particularly if Mo Evans isn't back next year. I'd be worried about Singleton's age if he was showing signs of decline, but that's obviously not the case.

Yeah, I agree. Keep James Singleton because he plays the right way. He has the right set of skills and desire to be a valuable reserve. He can play SF or PF. I like the way James Singleton has evolved and improved as his career goes on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Sing ... basketball)

His success in China, Italy before the NBA, and his improved outside shot make this guy one of the most seasoned, toughest competitors on the Wizards. We really do not need a team full of 22 year olds.

I think they need to step up and give him a 2-yr deal.

Nivek · Post #17 » by **Nivek** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:31 pm

I'm happy to bring back Singleton, but I wouldn't pay him a ton of money, and I wouldn't give him more than a team option on the 2nd year. Maybe he's found a quality NBA game at this point. Maybe what we're seeing is a function of 183 minutes over 8 games. I think a pump of our collective brakes is warranted.

dobrojim · Post #18 » by **dobrojim** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:39 pm

fishercob wrote:I heard him interviewed by Glenn Consor during the postgame. He said the improved jumper is something he added over the past couple of years. He's playing like a less chuckish Al Harrington.

I wouldn't mind giving him a 2 year deal at $3M/yr if that's what it took to keep him, though I would love to have him for less. At that price he is eminently tradeable; he can play roles for contenders and rebuilding teams alike.

It would be nice to get Davis and then trade Booker and Vesely for a studly young win.

great interview with Consor. I really like this guy(JSing). Very down to earth.

Consor now loves my daughter who was on last night yet again.

Post #19 » by **nate33** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:21 pm

Nivek wrote:I'm happy to bring back Singleton, but I wouldn't pay him a ton of money, and I wouldn't give him more than a team option on the 2nd year. Maybe he's found a quality NBA game at this point. Maybe what we're seeing is a function of 183 minutes over 8 games. I think a pump of our collective brakes is warranted.

Wait. So you're saying he is NOT one of the top 5 power forwards in this league?

Nivek · Post #20 » by **Nivek** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:45 pm

nate33 wrote:
Nivek wrote:I'm happy to bring back Singleton, but I wouldn't pay him a ton of money, and I wouldn't give him more than a team option on the 2nd year. Maybe he's found a quality NBA game at this point. Maybe what we're seeing is a function of 183 minutes over 8 games. I think a pump of our collective brakes is warranted.

Wait. So you're saying he is NOT one of the top 5 power forwards in this league?

I have him 6th.