Good Effort / Good Moves Wizards FO

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

It's not all bad news.

1. I like the way the Wizards use the D-League.

Before Jamison and Butler were traded, the Wizards rarely called anyone up from D-League. Now, guys like Temple can bring a lot of energy. The Wizards are copying the Spurs' successful use of the minor league for two open spots. Guys from that league stir things up as they track to earn a spot for keeps. At the very least they meet a short term need. Temple did that tonight.

2. I appreciate the Wizards bringing back Shelvin Mack.

It reverses a decision and invites scrutiny and criticism from the media and some fans, but it was right by that player who IMO didn't deserved to be waived the way he was. Bringing back Shelvin does a couple things unrelated to the court. It tells young Wizards players they are important and not just a piece of meat so to speak. They cared enough to bring Shelvin back. The second thing bringing Shelvin back is it lets me and other dedicated fans know beyond any doubt the Wizards are LISTENING to what fans are saying. Most didn't like Mack's release. Now, they're really happy for Shelvin. Doing right makes the front office look like they're heading in the right direction.

3. Washington plays hard. The effort to me means they like each other and they like the coach.

After tonight's win:

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400278145

Washington overcame another horrible start -- trailing 25-8 in the first quarter -- and won by its largest margin of the season. The game represented one-quarter of the win total for the 4-23 Wizards, who have been stymied in part by the knee injury that has kept franchise player John Wall on the sidelines.

"Obviously, a lot of satisfaction in the win, but the way we won it -- with what this team's gone through at the start of the year, to go down 25-8, ... for our guys to not put their heads down and grind it out," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "We kept saying every timeout: 'Long game. Long game. Next timeout let's make it closer.' And they did."

Wittman was so excited he could hardly wait to get on the plane for Saturday's road game against the Chicago Bulls, who haven't played since Wednesday.

"They're going to be rusty. That's good for us," Wittman said. "We've got to win. We're feeling good. We played well. Let's play again. I don't worry about Chicago."

(Wittman is a good coach. I don't care what his record is, he's what I like in a coach.)


4. Nene spoke out like a team leader is required to do from time to time.

I think the man needs to keep speaking when needed. If they're not tuning him out and the team plays together he can cuss em or praise em, I don't care.

5. Wittman plays a deep roster and he plays everyone.

I am encouraged to see Seraphin still playing through a bad stretch and Vesely playing some. They are part of the team and have not been forgotten. Seraphin is now playing sufficient minutes with both Okafor and Nene starting. This bodes well for the future.

6. The Wizards have signed mature, good-willed, solid professionals.

Ted wanted to change the culture and he has. He didn't get winning veterans for the salary they make, but he definitely got good people. Martell Webster is an inspirational player. Okafor is a very smart, hard worker. Beal comes from a great family. This team has lost a ton of games and had a lot of problems scoring but the players are dignified. Crawford's big balls and swagger are not accompanied by arrogance or a bad personality. He seems to be a very solid young man. His shot selection is just his approach to everything. He is hard not to like and I am a numbers guy. I think Crawford is improving in many ways.

7. The Wizards FO PATIENCE seems to be paying off in some areas.

I would have preferred Jordan Crawford traded before the season started. He's upping his game and not only his worth to the team but others have to consider Jordan a valuable sixth man type. He's now something to hold on to in that capacity for Washington. On patience, Randy is seeing Okafor through Nene's return. Randy hasn't melted down that much, all things considered. Patience in waiting for Wall to return and in scaling back Nene's minutes are also improvements from things I have seen in the past. I don't sense anyone has been given any ultimatums. Randy is getting the most or nearly so out of this bunch, and because the young guys are playing I think patience will pay off.

8. The Wizards have not forced Wall back to the lineup.

Forget the diagnosis or early treatment--Wall has been shut down and that was the right way to go. If he ends up getting surgery in January or February, the wait didn't hurt him further. I think the Wizards are starting to rely more on the doctors than they once did.

Score a moral victory for the FO. Seriously, I see some things to be happy with even at 4-22. I'm starting to feel like that good effort kid. I get a kick out that kid.

I have been chuckling since you first posted this, MikeTheKid.

Another moral victory

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

[Jay81]

thats nice but none of those things address the horrible talent, poor GM decisions and. Who cares if their nice, come from a great family and are professional. THe problem is they cant play basketball.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Collectively, their talent is below virtually every other NBA team. However, they've got enough to where if they bring out all their positives and play the right combinations this team is going to start winning its share of games IMO, Ji.

The top end talent begins and ends with Nene. Perhaps if/when Wall gets back there will be two. But the thing I am pretty sure is happening is domino effect injuries took Ariza when he was playing his best, Price when he was in a groove, took fiery Booker away and replaced him with a less effective Booker, and also greatly slowed the minutes Nene could play. Ji, when Nene plays this team is entirely competitive.

I'm serious about a mythical thing, juju. I expect them to play very well with Mack and Temple in the backcourt until Price and Wall return. Ariza will help when he gets back.

I see the best 4-23 team, ever.

(I don't feel so bad about them looking like a team a D-League team could beat the other night. Detroit is hitting another gear. Washington simply lacks closers but they did add a shutdown defender in Temple.)

[nate33]

The only truly good move they've made in the past 6 months is Martell Webster.

[noworriesinmd]

I liken this FO to my disastrous Fantasy Football seasons.

I didn't prepare for the draft so I guessed on who to draft using bad and old information. Maybe using a quick guide or two. Reading everything 5 minutes before the draft with ZERO strategy.

Once I lost multiple games I decided to rebuild through the waiver wire, getting players that were under the radar or that no one heard of. Sometimes I got lucky and found a gem...like this year's Morris. The type of player that came out of no where and propels your team briefly...but you end up crashing.

This year I prepared a lot for my draft and had a strategy. 87% of my points came from my draftees and the addition of Morris was icing on the cake to propel my to winning my league.

The Wizards are the same way. They make stupid choices. They don't prepare well. They don't have a draft strategy....instead they hope to get "lucky". Maybe Temple is the next Starks (doubtful) or a "just needed" spark (I'm happy again).

I like some of the moves you've mentioned above.
* Not rushing Wall Back
* Believing that Randy is a good coach
* Using the D league to get hungry players
* Bringing back Mack
* Mature players
* Patience with Vessley ( an athletic freak who is better athletically then a lot of players on the court. He out hustles and jumps 70% of players on the court night after night.)


However, this does not excuse the organization for making bad moves. They seem to be "recovering from a bad draft" every year.
* Signing two players before FA's because no one wants to come here, limiting options in the future.
* Signing a damaged star (I actually don't mind this move - because it means they might take a chance on Cousins) -but it seems everything we thought about him is true.
* Getting rid of the garbage (McGee - cutting their looses, Young - dumb enough to do the Cinnamon challenge; Blatche - Needed a change of scenery).
* Drafting a 19 year old that will be serviceable in 3 year.

I bought into the "4 year plan", but I don't know the new plan. I have less vitriol for the FO than at the beginning of the season, but I believe we can do better.

For once, I want the Wiz to execute a good draft strategy...that is clearly communicated. Gunning for elite pieces that just won't get them into the playoffs, but a championship.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

They're starting to heed what informed fans post. They will get it right in the future because they look dumb right now and they will step up.

This thread is not about the bad moves because I know that is all people want to talk about is the bad moves.

I'm talking about the good moves because they are the silver lining and this team will not continue to lose if Nene keeps playing the minutes he's playing, the way he's playing them.

What impresses me is the resolve of the coach and this weeks acquisitions. Sometimes, all it takes is a spark. Last season, James Singleton with Cartier, Mo Evans, and Roger Mason got things going. Seraphin was a beast. The chemistry is FINALLY right on this team after Livingston was waived. Balance was achieved even though a decent big was waived and a small brought in. Singleton at PF was NOT the way to go and that is moving forward as well.

Watch the Wizards play a LOT better. We all know they had a lot of problems. Anybody here ever have an alcoholic parent suddenly stop drinking? Has anyone had a life changing experience? When the Wizards brought back Mack that showed me they bottomed out and admitted some mistakes.

Temple to me shows that Newman has some clout. Wittman's passionate comments after the win last night shows me the team is scrapping, most exemplified by Jordan Crawford.

It is hard and very unpopular to praise while at the bottom, but I think that's really all the Wizards have needed to do. They talked about a culture change as far is bringing in good guys (I didn't say the most talented guys). However, the real culture change has to start from the top down. Treat guys right and don't dump on the young players.

I think the media needs to stop on Vesely and Beal. I think Seraphin is still capable of playing like a beast. I also think IT WILL COME TOGETHER as Nene has professed his prayers say. He's the key. That man HAS TO stay healthy and on the court sufficient minutes. He's playing like a stud right now.

[hands11]

Collectively, their talent is below virtually every other NBA team. However, they've got enough to where if they bring out all their positives and play the right combinations this team is going to start winning its share of games IMO, Ji.

The top end talent begins and ends with Nene. Perhaps if/when Wall gets back there will be two. But the thing I am pretty sure is happening is domino effect injuries took Ariza when he was playing his best, Price when he was in a groove, took fiery Booker away and replaced him with a less effective Booker, and also greatly slowed the minutes Nene could play. Ji, when Nene plays this team is entirely competitive.

I'm serious about a mythical thing, juju. I expect them to play very well with Mack and Temple in the backcourt until Price and Wall return. Ariza will help when he gets back.

I see the best 4-23 team, ever.

(I don't feel so bad about them looking like a team a D-League team could beat the other night. Detroit is hitting another gear. Washington simply lacks closers but they did add a shutdown defender in Temple.)

Sounds like you are seeing something similar to what I have been posting ( well except for my meltdown the other day )

You see it a little different now (after you prolonged wondering the the dessert) but mostly the same. I don't see Mack sticking around and if he does he is the 3rd PG. I had no problem with them cutting him when they did and I have no problem with the call up now. But I still don't see him sticking around.

But Wall and Nene are the core of a win now team. Specially with solid vets like Trevor A and Okafor to fill in around them. I think the PG situation has been a focus all year. They have been searching. Searching more then I think they needed to since I think Crawford should have started from the beginning. But in the end, they have found Temple and I think there is big potential there for him to be the long term back up PG. Wall and Temple may turn out to be very very nice combo at PG. Best this team has had in decades.

What they sourly need is and upgrade at SF and at least one pure shooter. Beal is not ready for that and while I have been pimping Crawford all year, he is some what streaky from outside and he is only one player. They need another. Martin is not getting it done and I have zero faith that he will. He is another streaky shooter and he just doesn't seem to have it between the ears to stay confident and focused so he can consistently perform.

If the team can find a pure shooter at SG. Someone who is matured and steady. i.e. at least 3 years experience and proven in the NBA, then things all the sudden start to look at lot different.

Many of us believed this was an 8th seed team if they started the year with Wall and Nene given Randy would coach like he has the last two games. I still believe that though it is impossible to prove because you can't turn back time and make that happen. I focused most of my frustration to start the year on Nene for not taking care of his foot because I thought he was the difference maker. Well that looks to hold true. Had they started with a healthy Nene and Crawford starting, they would have won more games.

I said before and I will say it again. It didn't have to be like this. But it was. There is blame to go around. Most of it I put on Nene and Randy. But all is not lost. It has just been delayed.

Nene is a legit beast. As someone recently posted, he is the best Wizards player they have had regarding talent, in a long long time. He McGee for the Nene trade was a steal and I loved it from the start. It may well go down as one of EGs better moves at the level of CB for Kwame. People have been wanting to trade Nene at every turn. I say hell no. Go win with him NOW.

Nene is better Gil, AJ, CB or Haywood at his position. And he is a solid cool dude. Yeah he had a melt down the other day but good. I'm glad he did. We need that. I wondered if he was walking away from a leadership role with his comments, but it doesn't appear that he is. He and Randy must have talked and got things refocused. Randy has been coaching better since Nene melted down so hopefully his speaking out has help Randy to refocus on who to play minutes. Play the players that are producing. That is what he has been doing.

And given what Wall can bring as a pure PG, the Wall and Nene combination is a better core to win with then the old Gil, CB, AJ, Haywood combo. Wall if a pure PG, Gil wasn't. Nene is a pure post player at either PF or center. That is better then AJ. Okafor gives you what Haywood did in his prime so that a wash. Trevor A gives you a long defensive SF which is important. And Crawford is a better all around SG then Nick ever was. If they just had what CB added at a min with a more pure shooter even as good a DSleez from 3, I think you have a better team.

Wall/Temple
Crawford/DSleez/Beal
CB/Trevor A/Webster
Nene/Ves/Booker
Okafor/Kevin

That is a vastly better team then the one we had that made it to the playoffs. So all they really need to do is go find players as good as CB and DSleez and get Wall back and they should be off to the races. If they can fill those slots with Josh Smith and Kolver level talk. Watch out.

[nate33]

So all they really need to do is go find players as good as CB and DSleez and get Wall back and they should be off to the races.

Easier said than done. Caron Butler was an All-Star during his best years in Washington.

[Nivek]

Other positives:

- Just 19 games under .500.
- Only 10 games out of 8th place in the Eastern Conference.
- Charlotte has a worse scoring differential and a lower SRS.
- 18 other teams have started a season worse than the Wizards 4-23 start.
- This isn't even the worst start in franchise history -- the 2008-09 team also opened the season 4-23.

[hands11]

So all they really need to do is go find players as good as CB and DSleez and get Wall back and they should be off to the races.

Easier said than done. Caron Butler was an All-Star during his best years in Washington.

It may not be easy. I didn't say it was. My point is that they are actually a lot closer then most here think they are if Nene stay healthy which it is looking more and more like he can. A summer of rest on that foot should do the trick.

Depending on the level of talent they can land at SF ( three years or more of NBA experience ) along with finding a pure shooter at SG will determine how far they can go in the playoffs.

You add a Josh Smith or Deng, you go far.

A lot of us wanted Nicolas Batum. He would have been a great addition.

But here is the list. Who can we get.

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/playe ... l-forwards

Almost anyone is the top twenty would help a tone. Could we land a Metta World Peace for Trevor A ? Both are on almost identical contracts. But I do like the idea of keeping Trevor A around after his contract is up for cheaper so you would be giving something up but

That would be a best of you front line

MWP
Nene
Okafor/Kevin

Bring back the bruiser brother slogan. Metta is a beast defender and can score better.

[montestewart]

^
I think they are a lot farther than most here think they are. It won't necessarily be difficult to improve on 4-23 this year, or to to improve on this year's record next year, but I think any improvement in that department will just be a crawl toward a ceiling of low playoff seed. The team has crippled itself with the expensive acquisitions of Nene, Okafor, and Ariza, whose contracts expire in time to resign their young players, but those players (Wall, Beal, Seraphin, etc.) have yet to show they can be pencilled in as long term pieces on a contender. Only in the rosiest of scenarios can I project from today that those three can be a big-three meriting big money. If not, the team is still rebuilding, but on the fly, because those three will want money when their contracts are up. A serious contender, or even a team on the level of Webber/Howard/Strickland or Arenas/Jamison/Butler, is likely very dependent on players that are not yet on the team, so either the teams gets extremely lucky in high draft picks, or they make some amazing moves in the trade and FA market, or both. I suppose the former could happen, because I think they'll have a pretty lousy record for a few years, but I don't see the latter happening until EG is gone, a really good and commited GM takes over, and Leonsis stays out of personnel moves.

PS: In the spirit of this thread, I like Temple and I'm glad they are (even if by necessity) rotating low cost players in to give them a look and see if they can help. I also like the Webster signing.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Other positives:

- Just 19 games under .500.
-Only 10 games out of 8th place in the Eastern Conference.
- Charlotte has a worse scoring differential and a lower SRS.
- 18 other teams have started a season worse than the Wizards 4-23 start.
- This isn't even the worst start in franchise history -- the 2008-09 team also opened the season 4-23.

In 2008-2009, Ed Tapscott steered the Wizard/Titanic to 15 wins, 40 losses to finish 19-63. (EJ recorded 1 win and 10 losses of that 4-23 start)

Wittman will do much better than Tapscott IMO.

It wouldn't shock me to see James Singleton or others on the roster after the Chinese Basketball League ends. Wittman won 6 straight with him at the end last season. Combine that with Wall maybe returning strong in January and who knows but they can't go 27 wins, 28 losses from here out.

If this team wins 30 games with all the injuries, I would consider it a strong finish and a successful season.

Before any injuries at all I thought 36 wins would earmark a good season for Wittman and the Wizards.

[nuposse04]

Other positives:

- Just 19 games under .500.
- Only 10 games out of 8th place in the Eastern Conference.
- Charlotte has a worse scoring differential and a lower SRS.
- 18 other teams have started a season worse than the Wizards 4-23 start.
- This isn't even the worst start in franchise history -- the 2008-09 team also opened the season 4-23.

If that isn't an indictment on the competitive level of the east...I don't know what is.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

So all they really need to do is go find players as good as CB and DSleez and get Wall back and they should be off to the races.

Easier said than done. Caron Butler was an All-Star during his best years in Washington.

It may not be easy. I didn't say it was. My point is that they are actually a lot closer then most here think they are if Nene stay healthy which it is looking more and more like he can. A summer of rest on that foot should do the trick.

Depending on the level of talent they can land at SF ( three years or more of NBA experience ) along with finding a pure shooter at SG will determine how far they can go in the playoffs.

You add a Josh Smith or Deng, you go far.

A lot of us wanted Nicolas Batum. He would have been a great addition.

But here is the list. Who can we get.

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/playe ... l-forwards

Almost anyone is the top twenty would help a tone. Could we land a Metta World Peace for Trevor A ? Both are on almost identical contracts. But I do like the idea of keeping Trevor A around after his contract is up for cheaper so you would be giving something up but

That would be a best of you front line

MWP
Nene
Okafor/Kevin

Bring back the bruiser brother slogan. Metta is a beast defender and can score better.

Short term trade idea: Jamison and the Lakers round 2 pick for Trevor Booker

This would make the big men starters Nene and Okafor, with Seraphin, Jamison, and Vesely off the bench. Jamison is angry with the Lakers. The Wizards could use a stretch 4 who can rebound. I would make this deal and tell Jamison he will be released in time to catch on with a playoff team if he is not having fun with THIS GROUP OF WIZARD PLAYERS. I suspect Antawn would like this group and see a way to fit in. The Wizards can bring back James Singleton when the Chinese season is over. He's better at this point than Booker and the transition would be smooth. Jamison's scoring would be terrific for the Wizards in the short run.

My real reason for this idea is with the round 2 pick the Wizards could draft a player like Doug McDermott if he slips. Every year someone good is available at 40 or so in the draft. This is a move that does Booker a solid and it moves before he gets in a contract year. Trevor's feet and the roster as it is say trade him.

[DCZards]

CCJ, I agree with most of your good effort/good moves points. Given the horrible state of the Zards it's easy to overlook the few things that have gone right, most notably how hard the Zards continue to play/compete. There may be a dearth of talent but there is no lack of effort.

I especially want to ditto your comments about Crawford. Jordan is this board's favorite whipping boy but there's no question he has been playing better---and bringing the kind of confidence and swag that every team needs.

P.S. Temple has been a breath of fresh air. Great D, good size for a PG, excellent entry passes into the post, finishes well on the break...and hungry to stick at the NBA level.

[AFM]

A lot of these "positives" can be spun in a different light. Wittman plays a deep bench because there isn't a lot of discrepancy in talent. Should he play Ves? Singleton? Start Barron one game, cut him the next? Bring Mack back? Start Mack? Send him to the D league? He plays everyone minutes because he has to. There is not clear choice for who should get minutes and who shouldn't.

[Jay81]

This thread is delusional. Sounds like Ernie told Chocolate to cut and paste this for him

[hands11]

Other positives:

- Just 19 games under .500.
-Only 10 games out of 8th place in the Eastern Conference.
- Charlotte has a worse scoring differential and a lower SRS.
- 18 other teams have started a season worse than the Wizards 4-23 start.
- This isn't even the worst start in franchise history -- the 2008-09 team also opened the season 4-23.

In 2008-2009, Ed Tapscott steered the Wizard/Titanic to 15 wins, 40 losses to finish 19-63. (EJ recorded 1 win and 10 losses of that 4-23 start)

Wittman will do much better than Tapscott IMO.

It wouldn't shock me to see James Singleton or others on the roster after the Chinese Basketball League ends. Wittman won 6 straight with him at the end last season. Combine that with Wall maybe returning strong in January and who knows but they can't go 27 wins, 28 losses from here out.

If this team wins 30 games with all the injuries, I would consider it a strong finish and a successful season.

Before any injuries at all I thought 36 wins would earmark a good season for Wittman and the Wizards.

Oh yeah. I have been pimping the return of Singleton after he is done over there. You have to think it is at least on the plate. A lot will depend on what Booker or Singleton do. I think one of them is a goner.

As for the final tally, I thought Wall would be back in Dec and Nene earlier then he was and I think came up with 32 wins or there about. If they could get to 30 with Wall back mid to late in Jan and Nenes late return and all the injuries they had, they would be success. The entire team healthy from day one, I had then at .500 and fighting for the playoffs.

They can grow this thing with what they have started.

The Nene trade is turning out to be even better then I though as long as he can stay on the court and get his foot right over next summer. Healthy, he could be an AS.

So CCJ, you counter my MWP with AJ and a 2nd for Booker. Interesting. AJ add more scoring and isn't as crazy, but METTA is more of a beast and can defend. I'll go with the more powerful MWP that creates a beast front court but AJ is an interesting idea. His transition would be easier and its more of a warm fussy story. But I think we need SF help more then PF help.

You know what. They can do both deals.

Wall/Temple
Crawford/Beal ( plus a 3 year exp 3 ball shooter )
MWP/Webster/Singleton
Nene/AJ/Ves
Okafor/Kevin

plus the center they draft and a CCJ 2nd rounder.

[FAH1223]

Guys, I understand we're looking for positives. But does winning 35 games really make us better for the future?

I want this franchise to compete to win a championship and we need individuals in the front office who are set out to win, not just tickle fans with feel good end of the season runs, botched lottery picks, and squandering cap room.

I agree they did good by Mack and Temple has played well so far... but we still can't forget we need a new direction in the organization and that direction has to believe we can win. Belief is a powerful thing that sets the foundation for a franchise and unfortunately we haven't had anyone in this franchise believe we can win a title in about 30 years.

[DMVleGeND]

Guys, I understand we're looking for positives. But does winning 35 games really make us better for the future?

I want this franchise to compete to win a championship and we need individuals in the front office who are set out to win, not just tickle fans with feel good end of the season runs, botched lottery picks, and squandering cap room.

I agree they did good by Mack and Temple has played well so far... but we still can't forget we need a new direction in the organization and that direction has to believe we can win. Belief is a powerful thing that sets the foundation for a franchise and unfortunately we haven't had anyone in this franchise believe we can win a title in about 30 years.

This. No more feel good runs at the end of the yr. Another one of those and Ted might be convinced to keep Grunfool around. Just sit back and relax, and get another high lottery pick.