We're gonna kick some tail from now on (Optimism thread)

[dobrojim]

It would not surprise me at all for all 3 of last year's rookies to make
significant improvements in year 2, Singleton definitely. I think EG/Wiz mgmt
(finally) started drafting players for whom dedication is a major part of
their make-up. All 3 were hurt by not having contact with the team before
the season and that lack of preparation was exposed and painful. But it
also may have had the unintended effect of steeling their resolve to really
work hard for this year.

[doclinkin]

Yay!! Exactly what I wanted to hear!

Well okay, not exactly. But for once when we hear about a Wiz player dinged with injury, instead of hearing the same old '2-3 weeks, he'll be fine' prognosis from Wiz docs, and allowing players to make their own rehab decisions, we hear that John Wall felt discomfort, staff gave him and MRI, when it showed nothing they sent him to the world reknown specialist in these issues who, on thorough examination determined he was in the early stages of something that _could have eventually_ led to a stress related injury and instead decide to sit him.

Heard Randy Wittman on 980 citing Stephen Strasburg as an example. Team is playing super cautious, giving 2 months rest from something that he would simply play through if we were in the playoffs right now. Finally, we rely on elite expertise, not Friends of Old Abe, much as I loved the guy for his loyalty.

Point two. This team has designed vulnerability and plausible excuse. He do not have a championship team, but can't go far with a high mediocre upside and lesser talent. If JWall ever does go down long term we are surely in tank mode. Lack of depth of talent at PG allows the team to accept a string of losses and add top calibre talent. We added redundancy and built the talent of our bench in the frontcourt only in our offseason acquisitions. Adding Beal gives us some potential to develop back there, but this team still needs significant talent upgrades at key positions and roleplayers.

Brings us to point three: Beal gets more PT and develops early. Trial by fire. Jordan Crawford and BBeal will share the court instead of subbing for each other. And I'd guess after JCraw's enthusiastic chuckery I suspect coaches will trust Beal's decision making out there. letting him initiate the sets, and as he develops his handle and passing he will become a competent playmaker. He'll take his knocks and learning experiences but he's the type with the capacity to adjust and fix his errors.

There are opportunities here for the team to continue to build a solid foundation, losing with dignity while still building a better future.

[doclinkin]

Um...

Okay. Still working on this. But here's the gist of it. Uh, forget about the future for a moment, and ramifications of any of this, understanding that everything on this team is in a stall pattern for the next two years when the contracts become due on GMEG and Coach Witt and John Wall and now for Oak and the RZA.

There is probably a reason we are non participants for the next couple years, a reason why we'll need to keep our heads down and allow the new CBA to begin to take full effect before we can ourselves take advantage. Never know. Something I'm not seeing, not being a billionaire with a business minded research squad working on my behalf. Some part of that may have to do with how many teams have actually already cleared cap space and will be bidding against each other over the next couple years, devaluing cap space for the short term, and earning old-style CBA contracts for the few non-mediocre free agents on the market.

Some part of it surely has to do with setting ourselves up to retain our #1#1 franchise player, both with a commitment to a changed culture and with money expiring at the right time, but without appearing cheap (the old reputation) by simply preserving cap-space, adding no one, and failing to spend to improve the team. Alienating a less savvy fanbase than those on here and potentially our star. Under a new CBA.

This kicks the capspace can down the road, while appearing plausibly competitive, tough, big, deep, with high BBIQ on court if not necessarily being visionary in the front office. Sets things up for the next GM, next coach, at a time when the ramifications of the new CBA will have focused somewhat. Until then, for now good enough is good enough.

So setting aside all of that, on court right now, what does it mean? Is it 'good enough'?

Well what it means is we're 'all in' on defense in the short term. Active, strong, smart, maybe not over-long on the interior, but athletic and tough. If you credit Ted's stated aims in building a team (no jerks, add smarts, add defense, add savvy vets at key positions when you have good talent to be tutored) they have checked a number of boxes.

Bitchy as we all are, with sand in our shorts right now, thing is, when the ball tips in the Fall it will be really easy to cheer for this team. Okay, offense right now looks like it may be a fiasco, but on defense we are set up for some really dynamic and surprisingly ferocious play. This is a never-give-up defensive squad. Ariza is an excellent defensive role-model for John Wall to shadow. And in the front court we add both shotblocking, rebounding and defensive positioning in Okafor. Do we suffer from redundancy? Maybe, or turned to an asset you can say we have added an arsenal of hard fouls or interchangeable muscle even when we inevitably take our usual run of injuries.

Personally I love the short term synergy between Nene, 'Meka. Both are smart, savvy, tough, good character team oriented guys. What is more their games may surprisingly supplement each other pretty well. Both have shown flashes of an underrated mid-range game, despite being known for their interior brawn. Developing this trend should allow either one a little more room on the inside, and allow each to set outside screens while leaving room on the inside for John Wall to rip down the lane. Left alone on the pick each ought to be able to shoot well to make an opponent pay if their man collapses to block the lane and leave them alone for JWall's kick out. Neither one has been given much freedom to explore this aspect of their game in the past, but we've seen Witt allow Nene whatever leeway he needs, encouraging this in Seraphin as well.

And when you think about it neither has played with another player as strong and athletic as the other here. There will probably be positive mismatches for one or the other on court at any given time.

In other complements, Nene is notable for raising the defensive rebounding percentage of his teammates, boxing out well and using his width to seal multiple opponents from snatching the board. 'Meka should see a lift in his already solid rebounding stats. This team has lacked the ability to secure a board after stopping an opponent shot. First requirement of a running team is to secure the ball. Both run the floor well and willingly, forcing opponent bigs to labor to keep up. And here is where redundancy adds a benefit. We can switch out and platoon interchangeably these two with the young and similar Kevin Seraphin, who now has two ideal tutors for his game (muscle, underheight, developing midrange game, current shortfall in rebounding prowess). Supplement with fresh legs in the uptempo fast break threats Jan Vesely and Trevor Booker and we can run 'em until their tongues hang out.

Yeah okay we need improved shooting from Wall, and at the 2-guard position, and the 3-spot. True. But what we may lack in offensive finesse, I suspect fans will cheer our effort at both ends of the court. Today you hate it, but again at least with this roster they won't embarrass you with oncourt slack or defensive idiocy, and you won't have to worry about offcourt shenanigans.

Really though we have some of the game's smartest players (especially when retaining Mason and Evans as assistant coaches for our summer squad). Meka finished at UConn in 3 years with a heavy academic course load graduating in the top of his class. He'll love being in the DC area with access to policy makers and political big brains. Consider too he grew up in Houston and has always counted Olajuwon as a role model, studying with him in past offseasons. I suspect he'll only be a positive influence on our developing front court talent in Vesely and Seraphin. Put it this way, you won't flinch in the offseason when you see the name of one of our players in the news. And after all, as a Wiz fan, what more can your really ask than that?

I was going to type this all out over again, but might as well merely classlessly quote myself, so I can refer to this on the same page.

[Shorty]

It would not surprise me at all for all 3 of last year's rookies to make
significant improvements in year 2, Singleton definitely. I think EG/Wiz mgmt
(finally) started drafting players for whom dedication is a major part of
their make-up. All 3 were hurt by not having contact with the team before
the season and that lack of preparation was exposed and painful. But it
also may have had the unintended effect of steeling their resolve to really
work hard for this year.

Well, Mack is gone now, but I agree with this line of thinking for Singleton and Vesely, and I think it applies even more to the previous draft class. Seraphin went from garbage to good in one year, and Booker developed a passable mid-range shot, so those guys must have been putting in the time; why wouldn't they continue to improve? Wall showed improvement too, for example, in his change-of-pace moves, but the main question for the franchise is, of course, will Wall develop a shot? He already shoots free throws respectably, plus he had a month or so of decent shooting from the field, and now he has a stress injury from overuse, so I don't see how time and effort could be the problem; the team just has to help him channel the work more effectively. Remember that James and Wade see him as part of the club of elite players; I'd claim that he wants to be great, not just good.

It has been discussed extensively here, and I know that many posters who are more knowledgeable than I am about the NBA discount it, but the team performed dramatically better after the departure of McGee, Young, and Blatche, even with Nene and Booker sidelined. That trend continued in the preseason, based on the reports I read here--much different than the shellackings that the 76ers administered last preseason. It's huge that the players apparently fought for Wittman, both on the court and with the front office.

They're hungry, and, at full strength, I can really see things snowballing in a positive direction. Defense should be respectable, and offense looks okay to me: Nene and Seraphin can score inside, and it's reasonable to hope that Beal and Webster, and perhaps Singleton, or even Booker, will fill the need for perimeter shooting adequately. And once Wall finds his shot, it's easy to imagine him averaging 20+ and 10+. With superstar calls on his drives, he'd be unguardable.

Or so I tell myself. As the NFL says after the Superbowl, we're all undefeated now. Go 'Zards!

[TGW]

I have to say that although this team doesn't have enough talent to compete, they are well coached, and I think Wittman has done a fantastic job so far given the circumstances. I've noticed at times that people complain about his lineups, but lets be honest with ourselves for a second...our best opportunities to score come on Jordan Crawford jacking shots, or feeding the ball into Seraphin, two bench players. That's a pretty sad dilemma to face as an NBA coach, because both of these guys are bench players.

So although I am very pessimistic about this team, I have to say they at least have a good, competent coach.

[dandridge 10]

I agree on the coach. I also think we should be optimistic about the develop of some of our young players. Singleton and Seraphin are improving. Crawford is looking better this year. Vesely is providing some good minutes on defense. We appear to have a deep bench. We are competitive without our 2 best players and without jack squat from Ariza and Okafor. Our defense looks much improved and we are playing with good effort. Despite a 0-3 start and despite the fact that EG is still the GM, there are still things we can be optimistic about.

[Higga]

I'm loving our defense. Don't think I've ever seen a Wizards team play D like this before.

[tontoz]

Hollinger predicted that the Celtics would win 48 games. They had all their key players healthy while the Wizards were without their two best players yet the Wizards had a chance to win both games even though Okariza were garbage.

[Nivek]

While I have liked the defensive effort thus far, keep in mind that both Cleveland and Boston were bad offensive teams last season. Now, Wiz teams in the past would likely have been torched even by bad offensive teams, so it still looks like some progress.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Wittman is a good coach. He will maximize the team's chances to win because he is willing to play whatever combination seems to be working. He's not playing contracts.

The coaching and the defense have me encouraged so far.

[dobrojim]

Hollinger predicted that the Celtics would win 48 games. They had all their key players healthy while the Wizards were without their two best players yet the Wizards had a chance to win both games even though Okariza were garbage.

anybody know what the vegas over/under was for BOS?

[W. Unseld]

Like CCJ, I'm liking Wittman's coaching. Truth About It has an article about Wittman and Doc Rivers relationship and Doc's compliments sound genuine and not like coach-speak. (I'm using the phrase "coach-speak" way too much lately).

[tontoz]

Hollinger predicted that the Celtics would win 48 games. They had all their key players healthy while the Wizards were without their two best players yet the Wizards had a chance to win both games even though Okariza were garbage.

anybody know what the vegas over/under was for BOS?

Someone posted 51.5 on inside hoops. No link though.

[Nivek]

Posted this on another thread:

Code: Select all

    EASTERN CONFERENCE
    RANK    TEAM    O/U
    1       MIA     60.5
    2       BOS     51.5
    3       IND     51.5
    4       CHI     47.5
    5       PHI     47.5
    6       NYK     45.5
    7       ATL     43.5
    8       BRO     43.5
    9       MIL     36.5
    10      CLE     32.5
    11      DET     32.5
    12      TOR     31.5
    13      WAS     31.5
    14      ORL     24.5
    15      CHA     21.5

    WESTERN CONFERENCE
    RANK    TEAM    O/U
    1       OKC     60.5
    2       LAL     59.5
    3       SAS     55.5
    4       DEN     49.5
    5       LAC     48.5
    6       MEM     48.5
    7       DAL     45.5
    8       UTA     42.5
    9       MIN     39.5
    10      POR     35.5
    11      GSW     34.5
    12      PHX     34.5
    13      HOU     30.5
    14      SAC     29.5
    15      NOH     25.5


Vegas has Boston's over/under at 51.5.

[montestewart]

They sure haven't looked like a 50 win team, but they're integrating some new players (including a rookie) into key roles. I'll give them a little early season benefit of the doubt before writing them off as done.

PS: Or maybe the scrappy Wizards are better than I think.

[dlts20]

I was going to put this in the optimism thread and literally went 28 pages deep but still couldnt find it. I probably just missed it or weve been so bad that no one has posted in that thread in forever......lol

Anyways mods, feel free to merge if you find it.


As for the topic, you can just tell guys. This isnt even all the way about the Wiz. Its about the DMV, period. Its a different era. Weve suffered through years & years of terrible teams. Now Nats & O's go deep but Nats are shutdown because of the Straus injury. Then the Skins go deep but like the Nats, they lose because of the RG3 injury. Now the Ravens are in the SB.

Its a different era and its destiny. Im telling you that one of a few things will happen. Either we go on a crazy run like the Skins and make the playoffs where we matchup truly well with the Heat and could give them hell but will probably loose like teh Skins & Nats because of some crap injury that would have us all thinking that we couldve beat them if healthy.

Or we come really close to making it but just miss out. That will give the fans hope for the future that will get ratcheted up ten-fold when we do very good in the lottery and get a high pick. Everyone will be talking about how right now the Wiz look as good as nearly any team in the East and they are adding a top pick. One of these things will happen.

Not to mention the John Wall bust label will go away. Much like Stras & RG3, Wall will look like a stud the rest of the year and be dominant down the stretch. Probably lose to the Heat without an injjuried Nene but Wall will look better than Wade and on nearly equal terms with Lebron. Everyone will be a expecting a monster year out of him next season and say that he's as good as any PG in the league right now.

Im telling you, the DMV curse is "nearly" over. Its not totally over yet because we still are getting the major injuries at the worst time but hopefully it wont derail us. We will be the new Boston, with contenders in every sports

[nuposse04]

If by some miraculous run we finish the season playing .750 ball...I venture to say whoever we face, we'd give them a good run for their money. I like the optimism, but lets just take it one game at a time. That is the only way can even begin to entertain the "P" word.

[montestewart]

or die tryin

[MDStar]

The other day, I made a bet with a friend of mine that the Wiz would win 30 games for the season. Considering that I realistically think that we will only win about 25-27, I thought I was being pretty damn optimistic at the time.

Now this thread on the other hand, makes my prediction look rather punkish!

[MikeTheKid]