GT #75: Wizards @ Raptors, 7 PM on CSN

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Since the 08/09 season Nene has shot at least 40% on jumpers outside 10 feet every season except this one. He is shooting 33% this season. I think his shoulder has been a bigger issue than he has let on.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... rder_by=fg

I think you're right about his shoulder, tontoz.

I give Nene credit for playing through pain and keeping respect coming to him. I never thought he mailed it in. Nene clearly has various physical issues that affect his performance. He does give what he has. He's really good when well (and not so much, otherwise).

I can only hope Nene spends the offseason getting the best nutrition, best offseason conditioning, and medical care up to what the Phoenix Suns' standard of care. Nene probably does as someone earlier mentioned need to come back pounds lighter. Whatever work he can do in the pool, in ice baths, doing yoga, and adjusting his nutrition to improve his career would be great for him. Maybe Nene can be treated by Kobe's doctors abroad. They sure have him fine-tuned despite age.

Nene's health is quite the wild card for the Wizards. We shall see whatever it is.

[TheBabyMaker]

No whats sad is Wizards fans laughing at players that are out there actually trying???

Total crap.

Who's laughing at player for trying? You missed the point altogether. It's fine that their trying to win—what's laughable is the goal they set. It doesn't mean ****. Are they going to hang up a "mission accomplished" banner like George W. if they reach this lofty goal of 9th place in the Eastern Conference? Should they consider the season a success if they do?

They can play hard to win for pride sake—that's fine. But to set this ludicrous "goal" of 9th place is pathetic, if that's actually the case. It's just another indictment of this organization embracing mediocrity. Last season, the team ended on a 6-game win streak, and the FO mistakenly thought that was some sort of breakthrough, which led to a misguided trade for two underwhelming, unwanted veterans. Before that, they traded a lottery pick for Mike Miller because, once again, they thought the team was one piece away.

Whooptie doo if they play hard from here on out...I actually don't care if they win or lose every game from here on out. What I care about is this front office accepting the FACT that the team STINKS. I don't want to hear the whole "on the cusp of making the playoffs" BS during the offseason if they actually do get to 9th place. I don't want to see a lotto pick traded for some unwanted vet because they don't want to waste time with a project. I want to see moves to make this team better for the longrun...whether that means drafting projects, so be it. I cannot stomach another **** season like they had again next year.

Goal is to win. don't matter if they win another game this year or not but not just lose BS games on porpuse.?? We need to build a winning mentality around this place from the players to the fans. Yes the playoffs is lost has been for a long time but why just quit??? I jus don't get the tanking BS that people advocate around here. If you want to lose just do us all a forvor an forfeit the game and just stop wasting peoples times.

And to quote this I guess we will get the next LeBron James in the draft for tanking.

[jivelikenice]

No whats sad is Wizards fans laughing at players that are out there actually trying???

Total crap.

Who's laughing at player for trying? You missed the point altogether. It's fine that their trying to win—what's laughable is the goal they set. It doesn't mean ****. Are they going to hang up a "mission accomplished" banner like George W. if they reach this lofty goal of 9th place in the Eastern Conference? Should they consider the season a success if they do?

They can play hard to win for pride sake—that's fine. But to set this ludicrous "goal" of 9th place is pathetic, if that's actually the case. It's just another indictment of this organization embracing mediocrity. Last season, the team ended on a 6-game win streak, and the FO mistakenly thought that was some sort of breakthrough, which led to a misguided trade for two underwhelming, unwanted veterans. Before that, they traded a lottery pick for Mike Miller because, once again, they thought the team was one piece away.

Whooptie doo if they play hard from here on out...I actually don't care if they win or lose every game from here on out. What I care about is this front office accepting the FACT that the team STINKS. I don't want to hear the whole "on the cusp of making the playoffs" BS during the offseason if they actually do get to 9th place. I don't want to see a lotto pick traded for some unwanted vet because they don't want to waste time with a project. I want to see moves to make this team better for the longrun...whether that means drafting projects, so be it. I cannot stomach another **** season like they had again next year.

Wow...LOL. This team has won54% of the games that their best player has played in. The sample size is sizeable at 42 games. You can't even say that the record is based on full health because Brad Beal and Néne have missed significant action over this time. Ariza, Webster, Booker, and Price have also missed time during this 3 month sample size. This team doesn't stink, they're average....if they had Wall for the majority of this season the sample size suggests they would be a playoff time. Is that enough or should anyone be satisfied by that? NO. But it's part of the growth process. You're not going to go from the second worst record in the league to a top seed overnight. This year was a positive step because you found a true second building block in Beal and Wall has proven there's much more to him than being an undeveloped physical talent. We have two major expiring contracts that can expire or be dealt. We have another lottery pick coming. We found a good value in Webster who's been a great addition to the lockerroom.

The players care about winning even when there's nothing tangible to play for. There's nothing laughable about that. They have pride in the product they're putting on the floor and want to display good results and effort. Was 9th place the goal going into the a season? Of course not and that's why the insinuation that it is is a moronic. The season did not start the way anyone wanted. Once Wall missed all of TC and two months of regular season action, the realistic goals changed. A team lead by a 19 yr old rookie was not capable of setting up for a playoff push. What this team has gained is confidence. I can tell you there's no way the goal next yr is the 8th seed. They already feel they're that good, if not better. The goal next season is to take the next step and be a higher seed. They know they can play with top teams and have three months of proof to support it. Now they need to continue to grow, add a couple more parts, and learn how o win on the road. If they "tanked", would they know that? A team that tanks doesn't learn how to win. Has Cleveland gained anything this season? Has Charlotte? These teams wasted an entire season....that's who you should be laughing at.

[jivelikenice]

No whats sad is Wizards fans laughing at players that are out there actually trying???

Total crap.

Who's laughing at player for trying? You missed the point altogether. It's fine that their trying to win—what's laughable is the goal they set. It doesn't mean ****. Are they going to hang up a "mission accomplished" banner like George W. if they reach this lofty goal of 9th place in the Eastern Conference? Should they consider the season a success if they do?

They can play hard to win for pride sake—that's fine. But to set this ludicrous "goal" of 9th place is pathetic, if that's actually the case. It's just another indictment of this organization embracing mediocrity. Last season, the team ended on a 6-game win streak, and the FO mistakenly thought that was some sort of breakthrough, which led to a misguided trade for two underwhelming, unwanted veterans. Before that, they traded a lottery pick for Mike Miller because, once again, they thought the team was one piece away.

Whooptie doo if they play hard from here on out...I actually don't care if they win or lose every game from here on out. What I care about is this front office accepting the FACT that the team STINKS. I don't want to hear the whole "on the cusp of making the playoffs" BS during the offseason if they actually do get to 9th place. I don't want to see a lotto pick traded for some unwanted vet because they don't want to waste time with a project. I want to see moves to make this team better for the longrun...whether that means drafting projects, so be it. I cannot stomach another **** season like they had again next year.

Wow...LOL. This team has won54% of the games that their best player has played in. The sample size is sizeable at 42 games. You can't even say that the record is based on full health because Brad Beal and Néne have missed significant action over this time. Ariza, Webster, Booker, and Price have also missed time during this 3 month sample size. This team doesn't stink, they're average....if they had Wall for the majority of this season the sample size suggests they would be a playoff time. Is that enough or should anyone be satisfied by that? NO. But it's part of the growth process. You're not going to go from the second worst record in the league to a top seed overnight. This year was a positive step because you found a true second building block in Beal and Wall has proven there's much more to him than being an undeveloped physical talent. We have two major expiring contracts that can expire or be dealt. We have another lottery pick coming. We found a good value in Webster who's been a great addition to the lockerroom.

The players care about winning even when there's nothing tangible to play for. There's nothing laughable about that. They have pride in the product they're putting on the floor and want to display good results and effort. Was 9th place the goal going into the a season? Of course not and that's why the insinuation that it is is a moronic. The season did not start the way anyone wanted. Once Wall missed all of TC and two months of regular season action, the realistic goals changed. A team lead by a 19 yr old rookie was not capable of setting up for a playoff push. What this team has gained is confidence. I can tell you there's no way the goal next yr is the 8th seed. They already feel they're that good, if not better. The goal next season is to take the next step and be a higher seed. They know they can play with top teams and have three months of proof to support it. Now they need to continue to grow, add a couple more parts, and learn how o win on the road. If they "tanked", would they know that? A team that tanks doesn't learn how to win. Has Cleveland gained anything this season? Has Charlotte? These teams wasted an entire season....that's who you should be laughing at.

[DCZards]

All this complaining about the Wizards going for the 9th seed is annoying. What's wrong with trying to win for pride's sake. I think it's great.

Annoying and silly.

[Ruzious]

No whats sad is Wizards fans laughing at players that are out there actually trying???

Total crap.

+1

All this complaining about the Wizards going for the 9th seed is annoying. What's wrong with trying to win for pride's sake. I think it's great.

Trying to win is obviously not a problem, and a team should always try to get as high in the standings as possible. But to publicly say you're going for the "ninth seed" when there are only 8 seeds in the playoffs is inviting public ridicule for no reason. If you need this 9th seed idea to get motivated, you got problems. It's worse than when Doug Collins said "Let's get greedy" - which was immediately and predictably followed by a long losing streak. It's goofy and stupid. And if it's led to overplaying players like Beal and Nene and Webster, then it's a problem.

[jivelikenice]

Look at the Nats....Their first goal was to be a .500 team. Once they got there they had the confidence to go win a division title last year even though most ppl at best hoped they would contend for a WC. Look at the Skins. They beat the Giants twice in their Super Bowl year. Once they added a QB, they knew that was all they needed to win because they had confidence. Its all about steps. The Wiz started too far in a hole this year but that doesn't mean to throw in the towel and punt on the season. They re-set their goals and have a lot more confidence going into next season. You don't think Wall & Beal aren't going to be anxious as hell to get their offseason work going knowing that at least believe they're on the cusp of making some noise in the EC?

[DCZards]

Trying to win is obviously not a problem, and a team should always try to get as high in the standings as possible. But to publicly say you're going for the "ninth seed" when there are only 8 seeds in the playoffs is inviting public ridicule for no reason. If you need this 9th seed idea to get motivated, you got problems. It's worse than when Doug Collins said "Let's get greedy" - which was immediately and predictably followed by a long losing streak. It's goofy and stupid. And if it's led to overplaying players like Beal and Nene and Webster, then it's a problem.

Who cares if they said it publicly? What's the big deal? All the stupid things that people say publicly and you guys are complaining about this???!!!

The only "public ridicule" I've seen is from a few silly people on this board.

[jivelikenice]

Trying to win is obviously not a problem, and a team should always try to get as high in the standings as possible. But to publicly say you're going for the "ninth seed" when there are only 8 seeds in the playoffs is inviting public ridicule for no reason. If you need this 9th seed idea to get motivated, you got problems. It's worse than when Doug Collins said "Let's get greedy" - which was immediately and predictably followed by a long losing streak. It's goofy and stupid. And if it's led to overplaying players like Beal and Nene and Webster, then it's a problem.

Who cares if they said it publicly? What's the big deal? All the stupid things that people say publicly and you guys are complaining about this???!!!

The only "public ridicule" I've seen is from a few silly people on this board.

Agree....Ppl are acting as though they set out for the 9th seed to start the season. The whining about this is stupid. Do you really think Randy went to Beal and said, we need you out there tonight to get is the 9th seed? Beal kept coming back because he wanted to end the team and his own season on a positive note. Same goes for Nene and Webster. This team for once has character.

[Ruzious]

Trying to win is obviously not a problem, and a team should always try to get as high in the standings as possible. But to publicly say you're going for the "ninth seed" when there are only 8 seeds in the playoffs is inviting public ridicule for no reason. If you need this 9th seed idea to get motivated, you got problems. It's worse than when Doug Collins said "Let's get greedy" - which was immediately and predictably followed by a long losing streak. It's goofy and stupid. And if it's led to overplaying players like Beal and Nene and Webster, then it's a problem.

Who cares if they said it publicly? What's the big deal? All the stupid things that people say publicly and you guys are complaining about this???!!!

The only "public ridicule" I've seen is from a few silly people on this board.

I really have to laugh at you guys. You're whining a HELLuvalot more than I am. And you're whining about me whining. Again, if you don't want me to say anything, don't keep acting offended by my comments.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Wow...LOL. This team has won54% of the games that their best player has played in. The sample size is sizeable at 42 games. You can't even say that the record is based on full health because Brad Beal and Néne have missed significant action over this time. Ariza, Webster, Booker, and Price have also missed time during this 3 month sample size. This team doesn't stink, they're average....if they had Wall for the majority of this season the sample size suggests they would be a playoff time. Is that enough or should anyone be satisfied by that? NO. But it's part of the growth process. You're not going to go from the second worst record in the league to a top seed overnight. This year was a positive step because you found a true second building block in Beal and Wall has proven there's much more to him than being an undeveloped physical talent. We have two major expiring contracts that can expire or be dealt. We have another lottery pick coming. We found a good value in Webster who's been a great addition to the lockerroom.

The players care about winning even when there's nothing tangible to play for. There's nothing laughable about that. They have pride in the product they're putting on the floor and want to display good results and effort.

Real nice points. Very encouraging stuff. Nice post, jivelikenice!

Was 9th place the goal going into the a season? Of course not and that's why the insinuation that it is is a moronic. The season did not start the way anyone wanted. Once Wall missed all of TC and two months of regular season action, the realistic goals changed. A team lead by a 19 yr old rookie was not capable of setting up for a playoff push. What this team has gained is confidence. I can tell you there's no way the goal next yr is the 8th seed. They already feel they're that good, if not better. The goal next season is to take the next step and be a higher seed. They know they can play with top teams and have three months of proof to support it. Now they need to continue to grow, add a couple more parts, and learn how o win on the road. If they "tanked", would they know that? A team that tanks doesn't learn how to win. Has Cleveland gained anything this season? Has Charlotte? These teams wasted an entire season....that's who you should be laughing at.

I don't ever want to see a team throw a game or see them lose one on purpose. They set the goal to strive for ninth to prove something to the league and themselves. I just disagree that it's in the best interest of attaining more lottery balls in the hopper. It would be GREAT if this team got Nerlens Noel. San Antonio got Duncan mainly because Robinson missed a ton of games the season before. Had Robinson rushed back for 9th place they would never have got Tim Duncan because they would have lost less games.

What I want to see is the Wizards try and win games but with guys who might not have played much and who have probably struggled this season. Those players have professional pride. Vesely is not as good as Nene or Okafor and neither is Seraphin, but the Wizards won 6 straight last season at the end with both guys starting and playing 25 minutes a game. Likewise, Chris Singleton was drafted to play SF and he played SF during that streak last season. Singleton is not as good as Ariza or Webster. However, we've seen him play well at times even hitting threes. I want to see him play a lot to end the season. Booker is showing signs of being healthy and he can play but he's had a down season. Play him to build him up value wise and confidence wise.

I think playing the second and third unit, but playing honestly, trying to win every game is the right way to go. I suspect they'll still win some but maybe less. I would rather see the team finish 11th than 9th TBH, but I don't want them to sacrifice their integrity or to lose on purpose.

[hands11]

CCJ

Randy commented in the last pre-game interview with the following..

"Hey, you'll may think its crazy but we are still in this. We are not eliminated from the playoffs yet. Crazier things have happened. "

So while someone said something about 9th place, Randy was still lining them up to win every game to play out the string in the long shot hopes of making the playoffs.

Now that they are officially eliminated from the playoffs, lets see if he lines them up any different. I don't expect whole sale changes but you could see a little more Kevin and Ves. I mean, besides those two, who do they need to get minutes ? Its not like they have a bunch of prospects they need to see. Temple gets minutes already and we know what he is. Booker is Booker. Price is Price. Anyone really in pain over not seeing more C Martin ?

We are really only talking about Kevin and Ves here.

Hey, they have a tough schedule ahead. With no Beal and an injured Webster, I think they will be fighting to keep these games close unless Wall can really improve his road game production. I think we are going to see plenty of loses regardless of who they play.