Celtics @ Wizards - 11/3/12

[popper]

I wonder if we could buy Ariza out for say $4 M in the offseason. We save $3 M and he avoids further humiliation. He obviously sucks.

Beal may need some D league time to further hone his skills.

[MJG]

I can't imagine Ariza is going to accept any sort of buyout. If he just spends the whole season mailing it in, his next contract is going to be for the minimum, so he'd be giving up money that he won't be making back as a free agent.

[DCZards]

Totally agree with the suggestion that Beal needs to be teamed with Crawford. Jordan is the only guard the Zards have with the aggressiveness it takes to break down defenses and create open shot opportunities for Beal and the others.

Regardless of how we feel about Jordan the Chucker, right now he's this team's alpha dog on offense....along with Seraphin.

[closg00]

Regarding the way the game ended coach Whitt said:

“I was searching to find a go-to guy in that situation,” Coach Randy Wittman said after his team dropped to 0-2. “We just don’t have that now.”

I've been saying this the last two drafts

[montestewart]

Regarding the way the game ended coach Whitt said:

“I was searching to find a go-to guy in that situation,” Coach Randy Wittman said after his team dropped to 0-2. “We just don’t have that now.”

I've been saying this the last two drafts

You have to admire (through tears) the bluntness of the assessment.

[montestewart]

Shoot, I'd start

Okafor
Seraphin
Booker
Beal
Crawford

3 shooters, 3 rebounders, and bench Crawford when he forces long jumpers in double coverage . . . sub in as needed but if they have a 2/3 at the 3 spot, post Booker on him, if not, post Seraphin although I hate to waste Booker's defensive strength hanging outside by the 3 point line . . . still, it's better to force mismatches rather than respond to the other team.

I assume you're counting Seraphin as one of the three shooters, and it shows how far he's come since year one to be called that. It sure was good seeing him on the court. I hope he can stay healthy.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

ccj, you're doing a whole lot of psychoanalyzing of Beal. What makes you believe he bonded with Mack?

You guys should come off of the ledge as it relates to Beal. The kid has struggled but he'll be fine. It's two games in what I expect to be a long NBA career.

It's was great fun being at an exciting game tonight...just too many damn Celtic fans in the house.

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

What makes me think he bonded with Shelvin? Beal played a lot with Shelvin over the summer.

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

Bradley Beal, Shelvin Mack get in extra practice

The practice court at Verizon Center long had emptied on Thursday afternoon, with most of the Washington Wizards’ minicamp players getting ready for the trip to Las Vegas for the NBA summer league.

Then Bradley Beal and Shelvin Mack emerged from the locker room, strolled back to the court and spent another half an hour participating in shooting drills.

They practiced jumpers and floaters in the lane, caught and released the ball coming off screens and dribbled between a folding chair and an oversized rubber obstacle similar to a tackling dummy before pulling up for a shot.

I said my opinion of something that might be affecting Beal as he seems to be pressing. DCZ, that was my analysis or psychoanalysis of the situation. My opinion: Beal was an honors student in HS. He's from a classy family. He is pressing and knows the NBA is a business. The Wizards just lopped off Mack's head right in front of Beal, so to speak. Bond or none, that affects the chemistry. I think Wittman and Grunfeld once again did the wrong thing. Price OR Pargo, but not both, and keep Mack is what they should have done.

DCZ, the main thing is maybe Beal is hurt. It is one thing that could be responsible for him playing worse.

I think Beal is so much worse that something is the matter. I don't doubt he won't be okay and NOTHING I have said indicates he won't have a long career.

What I want is him to come off the bench until he performs better and with more confidence. Could also be until he heals up because I would almost bet he hurt himself worse than he let on.

[TheBigThree]

Quality veteran leadership on display, from Beal's postgame :

On what he's been told: "Trevor [Booker or Ariza, not sure which] pulled me aside and said to me, 'This might not be your year. You never know.

Hopefully he listens to what Crawford has to say, because he's 100% right.

On what he'd tell Bradley Beal: "You've got to be aggressive. It's not in his game to force it. He likes to let the game come to him. [But] as a two guard in this league, you've got to be aggressive, bring some of that attention to you and open it up for other players."

It's nice to hear Beal say he can be a decoy out there and wants to let the game come to him, but defenses in this league aren't going to just give you shots. You need to go out there and make your own luck. I hope he realizes that sooner rather than later.

[Knighthonor]

Quality veteran leadership on display, from Beal's postgame :

On what he's been told: "Trevor [Booker or Ariza, not sure which] pulled me aside and said to me, 'This might not be your year. You never know.

Hopefully he listens to what Crawford has to say, because he's 100% right.

On what he'd tell Bradley Beal: "You've got to be aggressive. It's not in his game to force it. He likes to let the game come to him. [But] as a two guard in this league, you've got to be aggressive, bring some of that attention to you and open it up for other players."

It's nice to hear Beal say he can be a decoy out there and wants to let the game come to him, but defenses in this league aren't going to just give you shots. You need to go out there and make your own luck. I hope he realizes that sooner rather than later.

How do the Wizards develop this guy? they need him to be above avg. They need it soon. How to get this done?
all these word games do no good without effects.

[jivelikenice]

I'm beginning to think that Ted may have gone the vet route one year too soon. I agree with Dray, McGee, and Young being out of the equation and I still like the Nene trade assuming he gives us 60-65 games, but I think that could have been enough if we coupled it with a few lesser FA moves. Nenes impact was so positive that Ted and Ernie seemed to go overboard. The '10 draft picks may be ready. Seraphin is legit, Crawford may actually work as a 6th man if he continues to attack the basket, and Booker isn't a star but i think what we saw today is more indicative of his norm. If Wall has improved at all, then you have the makings of a good foundation. Vesely has been a solid reserve , not worthy of the 6th pick, but a decent reserve nonetheless. But now we've tied two yrs of cap space into these clowns. I admit, I thought they could add something, but I was wrong. My argument was who would come here, but if we agressively pursued moderately priced FAs it could have been enough. Who here wouldn't take a Gerald Green over Ariza?

I can see keeping Okafor around as a backup, but Ariza won't last here with his body language and attitude. He seems like the anti-Nene. What could we realistically get for either? It would have to be a bad contract for a bad contract....but I'd do it. Ariza is just that bad...

[jivelikenice]

Quality veteran leadership on display, from Beal's postgame :

On what he's been told: "Trevor [Booker or Ariza, not sure which] pulled me aside and said to me, 'This might not be your year. You never know.

Hopefully he listens to what Crawford has to say, because he's 100% right.

On what he'd tell Bradley Beal: "You've got to be aggressive. It's not in his game to force it. He likes to let the game come to him. [But] as a two guard in this league, you've got to be aggressive, bring some of that attention to you and open it up for other players."

It's nice to hear Beal say he can be a decoy out there and wants to let the game come to him, but defenses in this league aren't going to just give you shots. You need to go out there and make your own luck. I hope he realizes that sooner rather than later.

Sorry, but its not nice to hear he wants to be a decoy. If they're taking away his shot, than he has to excel in other areas. Being a decoy is garbage, he needs to be assertive, move without the ball, and take it to the hoop....the harder you are to defend, the tougher it will be to take away a strength. Terrible attitude by Beal...all that nonsense about him improving his handle pre draft, where is it?

[TheBigThree]

Sorry, but its not nice to hear he wants to be a decoy. If they're taking away his shot, than he has to excel in other areas. Being a decoy is garbage, he needs to be assertive, move without the ball, and take it to the hoop....the harder you are to defend, the tougher it will be to take away a strength. Terrible attitude by Beal...all that nonsense about him improving his handle pre draft, where is it?

Sorry I wasn't clear, I agree. It's just lip service. He needs to man up and get it done. Get aggressive like Crawford says. I don't care if you can't dribble, you have to at least give the defense the idea that you can put it on the floor and blow by them.

It's ironic, because it's the exact same problem Wall has, only in reverse.

I just can't get over Ariza (I assume) telling the kid that, after two games, it just might not be his year. What a **** joke. As if that trade wasn't bad enough from a production stand point....

[jivelikenice]

ccj, you're doing a whole lot of psychoanalyzing of Beal. What makes you believe he bonded with Mack?

You guys should come off of the ledge as it relates to Beal. The kid has struggled but he'll be fine. It's two games in what I expect to be a long NBA career.

It's was great fun being at an exciting game tonight...just too many damn Celtic fans in the house.

I have been to enough head shrinkers ….

DCZ, the main thing is maybe Beal is hurt. It is one thing that could be responsible for him playing worse.

I think Beal is so much worse that something is the matter. I don't doubt he won't be okay and NOTHING I have said indicates he won't have a long career.

What I want is him to come off the bench until he performs better and with more confidence. Could also be until he heals up because I would almost bet he hurt himself worse than he let on.

I think he'll be fine, but my fears of him have played out. He's athletic, but doesn't play to his athleticism. Maybe getting his shots blocked frequently in preseason has gotten to him? All I can tell is he's not a strong finisher given his measurable, he's tentative to attack off the dribble, and has shown no fierceness to his game....that's the problem when you draft for need over BPA....

I don't agree with moving him to the bench though. I like how Crawford is playing in a Sixth man role. I don't want to ruin that unless Walls return date gets pushed back....

[jivelikenice]

Sorry, but its not nice to hear he wants to be a decoy. If they're taking away his shot, than he has to excel in other areas. Being a decoy is garbage, he needs to be assertive, move without the ball, and take it to the hoop....the harder you are to defend, the tougher it will be to take away a strength. Terrible attitude by Beal...all that nonsense about him improving his handle pre draft, where is it?

Sorry I wasn't clear, I agree. It's just lip service. He needs to man up and get it done. Get aggressive like Crawford says. I don't care if you can't dribble, you have to at least give the defense the idea that you can put it on the floor and blow by them.

It's ironic, because it's the exact same problem Wall has, only in reverse.

I just can't get over Ariza (I assume) telling the kid that, after two games, it just might not be his year. What a **** joke. As if that trade wasn't bad enough from a production stand point....

Agreed.. Crawford's advice is perfect. We need Crawfords attitude to rub off on Beal.

[mhd]

At least Crawford gives a crap. Booker and Crawford always play hard. They might not play smart all the time, but you can always count on those two giving 100%. I can't say the same for Ariza (for sure) and Emeka (looks like it).

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I think he'll be fine, but my fears of him have played out. He's athletic, but doesn't play to his athleticism. Maybe getting his shots blocked frequently in preseason has gotten to him? All I can tell is he's not a strong finisher given his measurable, he's tentative to attack off the dribble, and has shown no fierceness to his game....that's the problem when you draft for need over BPA....

I don't agree with moving him to the bench though. I like how Crawford is playing in a Sixth man role. I don't want to ruin that unless Walls return date gets pushed back....

He sure did get 3 {or more) shots blocked one game.

I think Beal is just 19. He looks strong but at 19 he's not fully grown-man strong yet. I will have to watch League Pass to see how he's elevating on open looks and if Bradley Beal makes good cuts on defense, and how he gets back defensively. Could be that his body is fine but his head is messed up on offense from fear of rejection (pun intended). I really wish Wall was healthy because John's speed would create a lane for Beal to trail and finish, or Wall would create spacing with his penetration and Beal would get a lot more clean looks. He wouldn't have as many shots blocked. A. J. Price is not a facilitator. Beal isn't getting fed as he will with Wall.

jivelikenice, the one thing I feared could be playing out. This player might just play like a scared 19 year old and it could take Beal a good while.

[dangermouse]

Quality veteran leadership on display, from Beal's postgame :

On what he's been told: "Trevor [Booker or Ariza, not sure which] pulled me aside and said to me, 'This might not be your year. You never know.

Hopefully he listens to what Crawford has to say, because he's 100% right.

On what he'd tell Bradley Beal: "You've got to be aggressive. It's not in his game to force it. He likes to let the game come to him. [But] as a two guard in this league, you've got to be aggressive, bring some of that attention to you and open it up for other players."

It's nice to hear Beal say he can be a decoy out there and wants to let the game come to him, but defenses in this league aren't going to just give you shots. You need to go out there and make your own luck. I hope he realizes that sooner rather than later.

My money is on Ariza. Get him off this team, please. Crawford shot us out of the game, too.

[dangermouse]

On the positive side, Seraphin looked like an all-star. That turnaround hook is pure currency, and nigh unguardable. He also played quality defense and hustled for boards. You have to like that, he is our PF of the future, im 100% convinced now. Its great to see at least ONE of our guys developing.

I thought Ves had a decent game too, he made smart little plays to help us out. The kind of veteran/glue guy plays a team needs from time to time. Pity he had really nothing else going that was worth mentioning.

Now, while i said Crawford shot us out of the game, he actually played rather well I thought. He looks great in transition, made some good plays for others. But he took at least 2 long threes, especially that one in the 4th quarter when we were up by 2, those hero-ball shots. They have to stop. He's right though, Beal needs that confidence. Price seems to have the same issue.

Ariza needs to be cemented to the damn bench and traded asap.

Those are just some of the thoughts i had on the game anyway. Still cheering about Seraphin, silver lining in every cloud, and I think we've struck gold.

[dangermouse]

Oh and I didnt even notice Okafor? Just checked the box score and he only played 16 minutes. Injury?

[montestewart]

Crawford was 8-14 FGs, and of those six misses, a couple were layups defensed. He didn't shoot them out of the game, he only took (and missed) one shot down the stretch, a long shot late in the clock. It wasn't a perfect game by far (a few misguided passes) but it was one of the better games I've seen from him, and his driving to the basket and scoring was something they really need.

That one Rondo hail mary tap back from like for fifteen feet with no seconds on the clock sort of reminded me of Jamison.