Wiz vs Rockets Game Thread 2/23/13 7PM - its a win 2-0

[crackhed]

beal looked more comfortable running the p/r than john did. i'd hand off to him in the frontcourt in the last minute of a close game. houston's 3pt-centric offense will struggle in the playoffs imo

[dobrojim]

Yeah they need to get physical with this team. slow em down & beat em up. That's their only chance.

Washington does need to be physical with jump shooters. A lot times teams live by the three and die by the three. If the Wizards stay within 8-10 points by half, I like their chances to grind the game out in the second half.

They are "only" up 9 but they're killing it from three. Washington just needs to get on the boards. They need FGAs more than anything else if they're trading 2s for 3s.

Witt went bigger as the game went on and we did grind it out. Rockets died by the 3.
Harden had a decent scoring night overall but was mediocre from 3. Lin wasn't a factor.

Ariza played awesome. So did Okafor.

My mancrush on Beal only grows stronger. If he keeps it up, he should definitely
be a top contender for RoY. He played the most minutes tonight on the team BTW.
It seems quite possible that he will be our best player soon. Didn't miss Craw tonight.
Seraphin got a DNP-CD which should be a motivator for him.

Parsons did all his damage early, next to nothing late. Rockets scoring went
down Q x Q.

Really nice win. Sorry I couldn't attend but had to see SLHS. They lost after
starting the game on a huge run. Still going to States but lost the chance to
play close to home to start the next round. Boys game went into OT. Woodson
with a massive comeback after Wakefield went out to a huge (19 pt) lead
after 3.

[dobrojim]

Kevin Broom just got a shout out by Johnson and Consor for his Tweet.

what he say, what he say?

[dobrojim]

How good is that Okafor/Trevor trade looking now.

It is looking pretty good.

Okafor's line: 17 points (8-16 FG), 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 3 blocks
Ariza's line: 18 points (8-12 FG, 2-4 3PT), 4 rebounds, 6 assist, 4 steals

Guess what DC. You have a professional basketball team.

I said it before and I still believe it. This is the best Wiz team in 15 year.

Better then any Gil, CB, AJ team. Better then GIl and Hughes.

They are builT on D. Every starter plays D which is my standard.
Nene and Okafor are better then anything since Hayes and Unseld.
Beal at SG
Wall as a true PG
Two SF that while neither is a stud, both play D and both can hit the 3. Webster is very good at it.

If they start the year with this roster, they are a sure playoff team.

Add some depth, and they can make some noise.

I like the team but not sure that Oka/Nene is better than Ruland/Mahorn.
But they were 30 years ago so...healthy Muresan/Webber were also pretty good.
The team with Moses/BKing/JMalone was pretty good too, lost to finalist
Pistons in 7 close games. Can't remember who their PF was...

[Kanyewest]

Seraphin is in the doghouse - only 6 minutes.

Jeremy Lin was outplayed by Beverly- McHale probably should have stayed with Beverly down the stretch but I'm glad he stuck with Lin.

Okafor had a nice stat line but he was also guarded by Delfino- looked like the Rockets had no choice to go small and the Wizards didn't try to matchup to them and it paid off.

Wall had a decent game but not great. Beal looks like he is the best player on this team but Wall is a good fit for him because he is a pass first point guard who collapses the paint which helps get Beal good looks- even if they are not direct assists they are hockey assists.

Someone mentioned that Webster and Ariza would be too old once Wall and Beal enter their primes. Webster is 26, even though he has been in the league for 7 years he left straight out of high school. Ariza is 27, he was 19 during his rookie year. So the Wizards could keep them in their long term plans for the right price. Okafor is in his thirties - although he doesn't seem to require a large amount of leaping and jumping so he could possibly be efective for a few more years.

James Harden looks like a really REALLY good player. He certainly knows how to use his body to draw fouls and he does have a bit of an acting gene in him. Thought it was funny that Buckhantz said that Harden took a crab dribble.

But Bradley Beal looks like the real deal. He get boards, he rebounds, he picks his spots well and doesn't dominate the ball.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Kevin Broom just got a shout out by Johnson and Consor for his Tweet.

what he say, what he say?

There was a young man who won an essay contest who was allowed to be part of the broadcast with Consor and Johnson. Kevin tweeted that the kid was doing a great job. Kevin was right, too.

The kid knew his hoops. He sounded like he was 13 or 14 but he spoke with the knowledge of a coach. During a timeout Glenn Consor asked (Brody or Braden?) what play he thought the Wizards should run. The kid said he liked the Wizards going inside, and with Nene up high to help get it inside to Okafor. Turns out the Wizards fed Okafor for score just as the kid called.

jim, I'm not sure but I wonder if Kevin didn't know the kid, or if that kid was a friend of the family. Regardless, he kid did sound very at ease in the broadcast booth. Very knowledgeable and not nervous at all as I could tell.

[jivelikenice]

Crazy to say this, but I love watching this 17 win team play. This is real progress.....not a meaningless 6 game win stak to end the season. This team is close to breaking through. The record doesn't show it but they're a solid draft and FA class in addition to continued development in the summer from being a playoff team.....and that's before I consider any further development from the group of Seraphin, Booker,Vesely, and Singleton....if any of those 4 take a meaningful leap, we'll be that much better....

[w dumseld]

Terry Catledge.

[tontoz]

Chandler Parsons was a 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft. He had 24/7 last night. And he took the job of Budinger, another second round pick.

Good GMs can find productive players in the 2nd round. EG on the other hand....

[closg00]

Chandler Parsons was a 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft. He had 24/7 last night. And he took the job of Budinger, another second round pick.

Good GMs can find productive players in the 2nd round. EG on the other hand....

Check our draft threads, there were more than a few board-members who wanted Parsons or had Parsons on their short-list for the Mack pick.

[hands11]

Made it onto the ESPN highlight reel.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400278543

[DCZards]

Someone mentioned that Webster and Ariza would be too old once Wall and Beal enter their primes. Webster is 26, even though he has been in the league for 7 years he left straight out of high school. Ariza is 27, he was 19 during his rookie year. So the Wizards could keep them in their long term plans for the right price. Okafor is in his thirties - although he doesn't seem to require a large amount of leaping and jumping so he could possibly be efective for a few more years.

I agree with you. I think it's premature to rule out Okafor, Ariza or Webster being part of the rebuild. A rebuild doesn't require that all your key players be 25 or younger. I believe you need a mix of young talent and savvy vets who are still productive.

[nate33]

Someone mentioned that Webster and Ariza would be too old once Wall and Beal enter their primes. Webster is 26, even though he has been in the league for 7 years he left straight out of high school. Ariza is 27, he was 19 during his rookie year. So the Wizards could keep them in their long term plans for the right price. Okafor is in his thirties - although he doesn't seem to require a large amount of leaping and jumping so he could possibly be efective for a few more years.

I agree with you. I think it's premature to rule out Okafor, Ariza or Webster being part of the rebuild. A rebuild doesn't require that all your key players be 25 or younger. I believe you need a mix of young talent and savvy vets who are still productive.

I consider Webster to be a young player, almost like a free draft pick. At age 26 with low mileage, he will be in his prime throughout the entirety of his next contract so I definitely consider him part of the core.

Ariza and Okafor will probably start to decline before their next contract is complete (assuming it's a 4-year contract). I could see one or both being retained, but only under certain circumstances. One major consideration is the draft this year. If we draft Porter or another SF, I figure Ariza will be gone by 2014. If we draft Noel or Zeller, Okafor will probably be gone by 2014. If we draft neither a SF nor a C, then it's possible that one or both of Okafor or Ariza get extended for 2 years or so. It'll depend on who is available in free agency in 2014 and how we do in our attempts to go after other players.

[mhd]

I would give Emeka a 3/21 deal without looking back. He's a good guy, rebounds and boxes out excellently, and is a defensive ace. What Sam Dalembart gets should set the relative salary range for him.

[Ruzious]

I would give Emeka a 3/21 deal without looking back. He's a good guy, rebounds and boxes out excellently, and is a defensive ace. What Sam Dalembart gets should set the relative salary range for him.

I don't think Sammy should get what Okafor's going to get. Dalembert is so inconsistent. Okafor - you know he's going to give you excellent effort every game. The problem is age. It's always a risk with players over 30. And considering Okafor is making 13 or so mil a year, I don't think a 3/21 deal would grab his attention.

[sfam]

Crazy to say this, but I love watching this 17 win team play. This is real progress.....not a meaningless 6 game win stak to end the season. This team is close to breaking through. The record doesn't show it but they're a solid draft and FA class in addition to continued development in the summer from being a playoff team.....and that's before I consider any further development from the group of Seraphin, Booker,Vesely, and Singleton....if any of those 4 take a meaningful leap, we'll be that much better....

It would be great if at least one out of this group raises their game to be a major contributor - it would be gravy if two of them do. I would think Booker has the best chance, but he gets injured too easily. I'd really like to see either Seraphin or Vesely do something.

[DCZards]

I consider Webster to be a young player, almost like a free draft pick. At age 26 with low mileage, he will be in his prime throughout the entirety of his next contract so I definitely consider him part of the core.

Ariza and Okafor will probably start to decline before their next contract is complete (assuming it's a 4-year contract). I could see one or both being retained, but only under certain circumstances. One major consideration is the draft this year. If we draft Porter or another SF, I figure Ariza will be gone by 2014. If we draft Noel or Zeller, Okafor will probably be gone by 2014. If we draft neither a SF nor a C, then it's possible that one or both of Okafor or Ariza get extended for 2 years or so. It'll depend on who is available in free agency in 2014 and how we do in our attempts to go after other players.

I agree that Ariza will be gone by 2014 if the Zards draft Porter or another SF. Then we'd probably have Ariza, Webster and Porter at that position. However, I'd seriously consider keeping Okafor around for 2-3 more years if the Zards draft Noel or Zeller. I can see Emeka starting for a year or two while Noel/Zeller develop their game, and then moving into a role off the bench for the last year or so of his contract.

Of course, free agency/trades could change all of this.

[nate33]

I would give Emeka a 3/21 deal without looking back. He's a good guy, rebounds and boxes out excellently, and is a defensive ace. What Sam Dalembart gets should set the relative salary range for him.

I don't think Sammy should get what Okafor's going to get. Dalembert is so inconsistent. Okafor - you know he's going to give you excellent effort every game. The problem is age. It's always a risk with players over 30. And considering Okafor is making 13 or so mil a year, I don't think a 3/21 deal would grab his attention.

I'm thinking more like 2-years, $24M. But I wouldn't extend the offer until first exploring other free agency options. In 2014, guys like Gortat, Favors, Bosh, Gasol and Granger will be on the market. We might want to take a good look at them before committing to Okafor.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Crazy to say this, but I love watching this 17 win team play. This is real progress.....not a meaningless 6 game win stak to end the season. This team is close to breaking through. The record doesn't show it but they're a solid draft and FA class in addition to continued development in the summer from being a playoff team.....and that's before I consider any further development from the group of Seraphin, Booker,Vesely, and Singleton....if any of those 4 take a meaningful leap, we'll be that much better....

It would be great if at least one out of this group raises their game to be a major contributor - it would be gravy if two of them do. I would think Booker has the best chance, but he gets injured too easily. I'd really like to see either Seraphin or Vesely do something.

The six-game win streak of last season might seem insignificant but Seraphin and Vesely both were starting and playing well.

Booker and Seraphin will be entering the final year of the contracts in 2013-2014, and the Wizards have a team option on Vesely. I have a hard time seeing Seraphin remaining content with the Wizards unless he regains the form he showed last season. I think the Wizards need to be very conservative when it comes to re-signing Booker, because as you mentioned, sfam, he gets injured easily.

Out of the four, Singleton seems like a guy they might keep, but I don't think he's all that special of a player.

The player who I feel like I'm the only person who still likes him is Jan Vesely. Whatever is going on with him is psychological IMO. Physically, he's agile and athletic and long. He is playing very afraid, but I think Jan suffers from the same thing Wall does. Anxiety over performance and a mindset that tends to rush when under duress. I also think Jan should play SF more than be forced to bang inside.

[mhd]

Crazy to say this, but I love watching this 17 win team play. This is real progress.....not a meaningless 6 game win stak to end the season. This team is close to breaking through. The record doesn't show it but they're a solid draft and FA class in addition to continued development in the summer from being a playoff team.....and that's before I consider any further development from the group of Seraphin, Booker,Vesely, and Singleton....if any of those 4 take a meaningful leap, we'll be that much better....

It would be great if at least one out of this group raises their game to be a major contributor - it would be gravy if two of them do. I would think Booker has the best chance, but he gets injured too easily. I'd really like to see either Seraphin or Vesely do something.

The six-game win streak of last season might seem insignificant but Seraphin and Vesely both were starting and playing well.

Booker and Seraphin will be entering the final year of the contracts in 2013-2014, and the Wizards have a team option on Vesely. I have a hard time seeing Seraphin remaining content with the Wizards unless he regains the form he showed last season. I think the Wizards need to be very conservative when it comes to re-signing Booker, because as you mentioned, sfam, he gets injured easily.

Out of the four, Singleton seems like a guy they might keep, but I don't think he's all that special of a player.

The player who I feel like I'm the only person who still likes him is Jan Vesely. Whatever is going on with him is psychological IMO. Physically, he's agile and athletic and long. He is playing very afraid, but I think Jan suffers from the same thing Wall does. Anxiety over performance and a mindset that tends to rush when under duress. I also think Jan should play SF more than be forced to bang inside.

Singleton has improved his jumper. He'll never be more than a 9th man type, but he's better than Vesely is. Singleton stretches the defense. Booker is better than Vesely to (its just a shame that he is always injured). Booker is a solid backup energy type player. He's also improved his jumper.