Wiz vs DET Game Thread 2/27/13 7PM - fake dagger game

[hands11]

Why didn't Beal just attempt the layup?

That had two players waiting to take the charge. That closed it down.

He drove the lane looking to go all the way but two defenders closed it down looking to take the charge. If he thought fast, he might have been able to pull up for the mid range J but he was driving really hard. Not sure he could stop that quick.

The sad thing is after Wall pass it to Beal, he peeled off to the right side above the 3 line. Jose spotted him for a second and then just went to the lane to close off Beal ability to drive to the right of the two post defenders. Walls lack of shooting ability hurt them on that play. If Randy had big balls, he would have put in Price who was nailing the 3 tonight and last night.

They pretty much have to trade Wall. He is to big a name to not be out there down the stretch and his shooting sucks so bad the defense leave him alone which makes it harder on the remaining players. The spacing looked a lot better with Price out there all night.

Wall can do some really nice things. Problem is, he doesn't focus enough on the things he does really way. He wants to be something he isn't. He has good games but when he sucks, he is just terrible.

And its all in his decision making. It isn't getting better. This is the exact same stuff that we were posting last year.

You wanta hear something insanely crazy. I heard him interviewed just the other day. He was asked about his shooting and why he doesn't just drive more. He is answer was... well actually I shoot a better percentage then I am making drives. The shoot feels good. I'm taking it with confidence.

There is just something very wrong in his head. Not sure if it is fixable. And even if he J improves, who things it will even be a good as his ego wants it to be. Wall doesn't want to be a solid player. He want to be amazing.

Meanwhile Jose has 18 assists and 2 turnovers 4 rebounds 1 stead 1PF on only 6 FTA in 36 minutes.

Does seems Wall realizes.... THOSE ARE AMAZING NUMBERS

He got schooled. Again.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Great coaching Whittman. Use all 12 seconds so if you miss you dont have a chance for a rebound or foul. Oh yeah, you were only down by 1.

Wall to the rack right away might not have been a bad call.

I don't trust Wall to finish at the rack or draw a foul.

Neither do I.

I was serious about saying Wall take a quick three and everybody crash the board for the miss. The Pistons were going to guard Beal as the primary and Webster for the kick out. Those two guys, PRICE, Vesely, and Ariza are who I would have had in the game.

Hindisght is 20/20. I think high screen roll with Vesely rolling hard to the rim but Price or whoever is open shooting would have generated a good shot. Have Webster inbound with Beal hopefully getting freed by Price/Vesely. Webster retreats to the open corner after the inbound.

Just run something with the best chance for an open look. Wall on the bench would have been best, but since he was out there I would have had him do something unexpected.

[Ruzious]

Ruz, the Wizards got a clear path and the ball with a chance to win in a game they were trailing by 7 with just over a minute. THEY WERE AHEAD as far as I'm concerned. All the momentum in the world was on Washington's side.

A quick shot was the way to go (and maybe Detroit does win at the buzzer, but so what).

Don't ever go to a casino, CCJ - just a suggestion. A good shot - whether it was quick or not - was the way to go. They tried. They failed. It happens - sometimes with an sh before the it.

No worries there, Ruz. I learned my lesson a long time ago. I can be right many times but not when it comes to wagering on sports.

Btw CCJ, I tell everyone I care about not to go to a casino. I've seen 2 of my best friends get wiped out in blackjack in the last few years. Luckily, I don't have the stomach to gamble more than chump change.

[tontoz]

Over the last 5 games Wall has more turnovers than field goals, and he has taken double figure shot attempts in each game.

[AFM]

We needed Big Balls here at the end. Does anyone doubt that he would have dropped Calderon with an And 1 Steezy Hot Sizzle cross over and then popped the 1 legged Dirk 3 pointer in his face?

[hands11]

Would have been better with Price at the end instead of Wall.

Clearly. Jose would have needed to defend him. He just left Wall alone and Wall didn't even run to the corner 3 or anything. He just stood there and watched.

All 9 players on the floor where either in the paint or on the baseline and Wall is just standing around. He didn't even trying to back door Jose to draw his attention.

But no way Randy can do that while Wall on the roster. One game wouldnt be worth having to deal with the after math.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Ruz, one of my sisters used to be a casino dealer in Tunica, MS. But she's responsible with her money...

My oldest sister, however, has a bit of the gambling bug. I don't know how bad but depending on which relative I speak to I am concerned that it could be problematic.

[B-easy]

You can tell wall is losing confidence. I think at the all star break he realized guys like Holiday and Irving were well ahead of him.

[hands11]

Over the last 5 games Wall has more turnovers than field goals, and he has taken double figure shot attempts in each game.

Giving Ves a run for his money is he ?

[TheKingOfVa360]

You can tell wall is losing confidence. I think at the all star break he realized guys like Holiday and Irving were well ahead of him.

I think the bashing by the media has taken a toll on Wall. Every game he is out to prove his haters wrong and it's put unneeded pressure on the young man.

[Ruzious]

Ruz, one of my sisters used to be a casino dealer in Tunica, MS. But she's responsible with her money...

My oldest sister, however, has a bit of the gambling bug. I don't know how bad but depending on which relative I speak to I am concerned that it could be problematic.

Here in the DC area, casinos are relatively new - WV and MD have legalized them in the last few years. It's a sad thing for folks who get sucked in and convince themselves that their system is going to work. If there was a legal system that worked, everyone would use it, and casinos wouldn't be taking in billions of dollars.

[nuposse04]

You can tell wall is losing confidence. I think at the all star break he realized guys like Holiday and Irving were well ahead of him.

I think the bashing by the media has taken a toll on Wall. Every game he is out to prove his haters wrong and it's put unneeded pressure on the young man.

Its his 3rd year, he needs to show signs of growth. Outside flashes of brilliance as a defender, he's pretty much the same player. You can't aspire to be #1 pick worthy and be immune from the critics. He's been coddled enough. Everyone on the board wants him to succeed badly, but I want the Wizards to win before he does. He has till the end of the season to turn it around as far as I'm concerned.

[nate33]

But no way Randy can do that will Wall on the roster. One game wouldnt be worth having to deal with the after math.

You are right about this. Part of me wants Randy to stick with his meritocracy philosophy and play the player who deserved to be in the game (Price); but Randy has to be careful about playing too many mind games. Wall's confidence is waning fast, and Randy probably doesn't want to make it worse.

I wish I knew what was going on in practice and in the locker room. Is Wall's piss poor body language and demeanor a sign that his overall attitude is bad? Has he been lazy or insubordinate? If so, then bench his ass next time. But if Wall is dutifully working on his game and is merely in a slump, then Randy should probably be lenient and continue to play his "star" in the important minutes.

[GhostsOfGil]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnUy3pz3U0w[/youtube]

[nate33]

I can totally see why Buck missed that call. From that angle, it absolutely looked like the ball went in.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

How did Wall feel about Jordan Crawford? How does Wall feel with Beal suddenly succeeding and improving? Who crowds around Wall's locker after Wizard games now? Wall had to learn about what David Falk said and Mike Lee quoted verbatim. That was much more crushing than what SVG said a while back.

The real problem with Wall is I don't see how he figures it out and improves. He is what he is.

[fishercob]

Hey guys, I was at the game tonight. I don't know if this came through on TV or not, but John Wall was f*cking horrendous. Cheers!

[truwizfan4evr]

Winning feels nice if we were in the race for 8 seed. There's a month and a half left wizards probably wont make it. I really think this the time to tank and get a top 5 draft pick.

[nate33]

Wall's postgame interview transcript, from BulletsForever:

REPORTER: John, another rough night. You've had a couple of them here. Is there anything consistent going through them.

WALL: Nope. Just not making shots. That's all I can say.

REPORTER: Where do you think the source of the turnovers is?

WALL: I don't know. I think you're seeing the same thing I'm seeing, so I can't really call it.

REPORTER: Jose Calderon came up to you after the game. What did he say to you

WALL: Just keep playing. [He told me] I'm a talented player and to just keep playing. Go forward with that.

REPORTER: Are you struggling with health at all? Are you 100 percent?

WALL: No health [problems] at all, just trying to play basketball and do my best to help my team win.

REPORTER: You got off to a bad start with your four turnovers in the first quarter. Was it hard to get on track after that tough start? Was that a part of it?

WALL: That wasn't it at all. They were great passes. It was just, some teammates couldn't catch them and some got tipped away. Just got to deal with it.

REPORTER: Randy [Wittman] was critical of some of the young players' attitudes today. Did you sense any of that?

WALL: Uh, I don't know. I didn't really see it. I just didn't think we played as a team like we usually do. It always happens when we play this team, and that's why we always get ourselves behind.

A couple of takeaways:

Wall isn't hurt. The knee isn't the issue. Rust may be, but he's not playing in pain so let's take that off the list of excuses.

Wall took a shot at his teammates. Whether true or not, a leader doesn't do that. At most, he can say, "we win and lose as a team so everyone bears some responsibility", but you don't say "they were great passes. It was just some teammates couldn't catch them".

Overall, this doesn't look good. You can dismiss undiplomatic comments out of a 20-year-old player in his first season after an emotional loss in a frustrating game, but a 3-year veteran who is supposed to be the face of the franchise needs to have better judgement.

[tontoz]

WALL: That wasn't it at all. They were great passes. It was just, some teammates couldn't catch them and some got tipped away. Just got to deal with it.

Denial is not a river in Egypt.