SOMEBODY HOLD DOWN CCJ -- Morris Almond signs!!

[Ruzious]

got to meet Morris last night. I mentioned that he had a really big fan
on our BB that wanted him here since he left school. He was genuinely
pleased to hear that and said to say thanks.

I expect we'll go undefeated next year with MA and JSing doing
most of the damage.

Thanks, jim.

If he makes the team long term, it would be nice to have Morris on as a regular. Actually, a new blog is something I've been considering.

We'll see.

Maybe your blog followers would like to be called MorMonds? Okay, that might need some work. But Almond Joy's got copywright infringement issues out the ying yang.

[doclinkin]

Naw man, they'd be the MoMoney's Millions. See because he's money with the ball in his hands.

[Ruzious]

Or since he made his way from the D League and lights up the scoreboard - The Almond D Lights?

[Knighthonor]

has he lived up to your hype?

[willbcocks]

Mo Money doesn't live up to hype--hype lives up to him.

[doclinkin]

UNDEFEATED! That's the power of Mo 'Mond son.

[hands11]

Or since he made his way from the D League and lights up the scoreboard - The Almond D Lights?

That's not bad young man.

[jivelikenice]

Its time to see Almond get some run. Crawford is hobbling around and separately proved yet again why he shouldn't be viewed as an option to start next year. He was absolutely horrible today and although he was fouled by Miller on the 2nd to last possession, he was stuck with nowhere to go. The most troubling part of his game is his inability to hit open jumpers w/ no defender around him. How many times did Wall find him for an uncontested J and Crawford either missed, or dribbled into a more difficult shot?

[closg00]

I missed most of Almond's defacto first game last night to watch the Caps. The little I saw of him he appeared to know how to defend and his shot looks good. I could see him being a better option over Crawford once he became comfortable with the team. The negative is that he did not appear to have good handles, Crawford would have the edge there.

This could all be a mute point if we end-up with Beal, but I'd be curious to read other assessments of Almond's game at this point, he's got last shot to really stand-out.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

has he lived up to your hype?

Knighthonor, I didn't get to see the second half of the Cleveland game. At half, things seemed promising. Mo had hit his only three point attempt. He was 2-3 with 5 points. However, in the second half he went 0-6. As a Wizard, he's only shooting 4-11 with 9 points scored in 40 minutes. His PER is 9.9. Yesterday was unfortunate for him. He shot 2-9. From the box scores and my eye, I would say so far Almond hasn't made the most of his limited minutes. He has not been quick to react and he appears to be very nervous. Morris has not been fluid. I'm disappointed.

I get the feeling he is "deer-in-the headlights nervous". I can only hope Morris Almond has done enough in practice or behind the scenes to impress coaches enough to let him try out next season. He is up against Cartier Martin and Maurice Evans. Both guys are more athletic and much more well established NBA veterans. Crawford is quick and confident, and already a sold-minute starter.

When the Wizards signed him, my hope was that Morris Almond would step in confident and wow them, but that second half in Cleveland must have gone really poorly. I might get a chance to watch the second half on DVR. Judging by the numbers, that was really bad for him. Mo Evans only shot 1-9, so that makes Almond's 2-9 seem not as bad, but that doesn't really matter when you're trying to make a team and make it in the NBA.

We'll see how it goes, but no, he's not setting the world on fire. It is what it is.

[nate33]

It's still awesome that your signature remains true after 5 games. One more game and you'll be able to keep that signature all summer.

[dobrojim]

has he always shot the ball kinda sideways like?

I know he was a good shooter in college but his form to me doesn't
appear to be classic orthodox good shooter.

He doesn't seem to prefer to square up to the basket.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

has he always shot the ball kinda sideways like?

I know he was a good shooter in college but his form to me doesn't
appear to be classic orthodox good shooter.

He doesn't seem to prefer to square up to the basket.

When he catches and shoots, without even thinking about it, his shot seems pure. He made 4 of his first 5 FGAs. I didn't see his 0-6 second half. Those must be the sidewinder shots you speak of, jim.

Using a metric that is more accurate than +/- Almond hasn't significantly been more or less effective than Evans or Martin during the games he's been a Wizard.

http://www.nerdnumbers.com/splits?team= ... F25%2F2012

Jordan Crawford has been really ineffective. He has been injured, but he's the only Wizard who has been a large net negative the past 5 games. The surprisingly effective player during this stretch is Chris Singleton. Vesely is obviously doing better but Chris Singleton's court time has coincided with good things for the Wizards.

[dobrojim]

just to be clear, what I was noticing is not like a Noah shot
but simply that he doesn't get his shoulders square to the hoop.

[7-Day Dray]

I'm also not a fan of his form. He has a pretty low release too, so he'll have a tough time shooting when defended.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

His form looked like a sidewinder snake but Mo Almond graded very high in terms of effectiveness while on the court.

http://www.nerdnumbers.com/splits?team= ... F26%2F2012

Ironically, his defensive positioning was pretty good and he didn't turn it over or force things. In retrospect, if he can get his legs under him and square up on his shot; all Almond needs to do is hit shots at an average rate and he's a good contributor. The shots looked way uncomfortable and nervous to me. Maybe all he needs is offseason workouts and strength/agility improvements to meet with growing confidence.

We'll see. I don't feel bad about hyping Mo up at all.

[closg00]

Justin Dentmon, the 2012 NBA Development League Most Valuable Player, is joined by Reno Bighorns guard Blake Ahearn, now a member of the Utah Jazz, Dakota Wizards’ forward Edwin Ubiles, Los Angeles D-Fenders forward Malcolm Thomas and Rio Grande Valley Vipers center Greg Smith on the 2012 All-NBA D-League First Team, as voted on the NBA D-League’s 16 head coaches. All five members of the First Team earned Call-Ups during the 2011-12 season.

Named to the Second Team were 2012 NBA D-League Impact Player of the year and 2012 Champion Eric Dawson of the Austin Toros, Springfield Armor center Jeff Foote, Los Angeles D-Fenders guard Courtney Fortson, who finished the NBA season with the Houston Rockets, Tulsa 66ers forward Marcus Lewis and Los Angeles D-Fenders guard Elijah Millsap. Of the five members of the Second Team, three spent time in the NBA during the 2011-12 season.

The Third Team consists of Maine Red Claws guard Morris Almond, who finished the NBA season with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles D-Fenders forward Brandon Costner, forward Dennis Horner and guard Jerry Smith, both of the Springfield Armor, and Texas Legends center Sean Williams, who is currently with the Boston Celtics. Four of the five members of the Third Team earned Call-Ups during the 2011-12 season.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... z1tkcj2WSb

Mo Almond makes the 3rd team for best of D-Leaguers, not the best endorsement, but I'd like to see him get a camp invite if we don't get Beal or a better prospect via the draft.

My Mack replacement candidate Justin Dentmon was named MVP.

[closg00]

Per Wiz Insider, Mo Al has been invited to play on our SL team.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Per Wiz Insider, Mo Al has been invited to play on our SL team.

Success!

God is Good, all the time. Dreams do come true.

It is good to know the Wizards see enough in Morris Almond to want to see more. (After all, they are undefeated since signing Morris Almond! ) I really wanted Mo to have the opportunity to train with this team. He can probably help John Wall with something as simple as a suggestion about John's hands, elbows, and the need for a consistent release point. Morris strikes me as a deadly shooter but one who is physically challenged. Nevertheless, Morris might actually help John Wall with the mechanics of his shot. (If Wall asks and is receptive). A person can teach without being able to do their skill with the athleticism that someone else might possess. Mo scored over 50 and set D-League records because at some level he's a big-time shooter and scorer. (Mo's confidence and FTs will improve, as will his FG%, when he just lets go and lets God. Believe the ball is going in because you put the work in.)

Conversely, this summer Wall is going to get that shot to fall. John's tremendously gifted athletically, He learned a lot this year about changing speeds in his attack. It was beautiful to see! There were times as a playmaker that Wall looked like super fast Steve Nash. However, the mechanics of John Wall's shot were all over the place. John matured a whole lot, ESPECIALLY when Crawford was not on the court. But for all his physical skills, Wall kept taking and kept missing jumpers. He's missing different ways because he's very inconsistent mechanically and MOST OF ALL he is not relaxed.

Wall's stroke once he gets mechanically right and relaxed is going to be a beautiful thing. He will surpass Payton and be like a Dwayne Wade but more of a facilitator when that happens.

A guy like Almond, to make his mark long term, must keep playing smart and hustling as he did in 6 games with the Wizards; but he must also be DEADLY ACCURATE when left open.

I am really happy that people moved on Morris Almond's behalf, and also that fans can help if even in the slightest ways.

(Never a doubt W.A.)

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Justin Dentmon, the 2012 NBA Development League Most Valuable Player, is joined by Reno Bighorns guard Blake Ahearn, now a member of the Utah Jazz, Dakota Wizards’ forward Edwin Ubiles, Los Angeles D-Fenders forward Malcolm Thomas and Rio Grande Valley Vipers center Greg Smith on the 2012 All-NBA D-League First Team, as voted on the NBA D-League’s 16 head coaches. All five members of the First Team earned Call-Ups during the 2011-12 season.

Named to the Second Team were 2012 NBA D-League Impact Player of the year and 2012 Champion Eric Dawson of the Austin Toros, Springfield Armor center Jeff Foote, Los Angeles D-Fenders guard Courtney Fortson, who finished the NBA season with the Houston Rockets, Tulsa 66ers forward Marcus Lewis and Los Angeles D-Fenders guard Elijah Millsap. Of the five members of the Second Team, three spent time in the NBA during the 2011-12 season.

The Third Team consists of Maine Red Claws guard Morris Almond, who finished the NBA season with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles D-Fenders forward Brandon Costner, forward Dennis Horner and guard Jerry Smith, both of the Springfield Armor, and Texas Legends center Sean Williams, who is currently with the Boston Celtics. Four of the five members of the Third Team earned Call-Ups during the 2011-12 season.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... z1tkcj2WSb

Mo Almond makes the 3rd team for best of D-Leaguers, not the best endorsement, but I'd like to see him get a camp invite if we don't get Beal or a better prospect via the draft.

My Mack replacement candidate Justin Dentmon was named MVP.

NBA GMs are finally using the D-League like baseball uses their farm system.

Of the 15 players who made the D-League's first three teams, eighty percent (12) of them did get called up. The top D-League guys are proving themselves as reliable and in some cases, solid rotation players in waiting. Morris is in that bunch. Morris should be very encouraged that he got the summer league invite. closg00, that is more interest than 1st teamer above, Edwin Ubiles, achieved in his time with the Wizards. It doesn't matter what you were rated once you get your foot in the door.

closg00, my Mack replacement: I hope for either Marcus Denmon or Scott Machado.