Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:I agree that's his best asset 20MI1V, but I would argue he's also a terrific finisher at the rim. Wall rolling to the hole is going to usually get fouled or score. It would be a nice wrinkle to get John points at the rim where he doesn't have to break his man down. Might help Wall get points late in games, when his jumper might not be reliable. As far as a pick and pop, no, I don't want Wall shooting mid range. I don't want him moving off the ball for jumpers (except possibly a corner three, which I am going to post in the Wall thread).
The context for Wall off the ball is more about an experiment with Beal...
I think it's good to try and improve Beal's handle. I think this is more about growing Beal's game and his ability to handle the ball and make plays on pick and roll. Bradley doesn't need to be one dimensional on offense. Wittman did say he wanted to see if Wall could handle moving off the ball. I don't think he's going to push it if doesn't work out too well. Randy said in the Wall press conference that he doesn't want Wall to think he has to change now that he's a max contract guy. I wouldn't worry about the off the ball experiment they're going to do.
That's it. Its pretty much about
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT and options. Building out the play book. More plays that can get called in half court. Its about developing players and the offense as a whole.
Wall is working on his jumper more and extending it to 3 land. Corner 3s are a good place for him to start. Clearly part of what they would do with him offball. But we still need someone who can hit a 3 from the top of the key. Easier for a PG to be that person. And with him at the corner 3, Beal would be a good option to hit from the top of the key since he is a great shooter.
So if you want three player who can all hit 3s and you want Wall on the floor with his best chance to be the 3rd 3 shooter, a good way to start is Webster on one corner, Wall on the other and Beal up top. Thats one reason.
Post game. Wall is working on a post game this summer as well. That could get set up playing him off ball or they can clear a side and dribble down there. This is one way Wall can punish other PG who are good, but not as big as he is. Personally, I don't expect much of it but its good to have in your back pocket for the playoffs.
FOR BEAL. They want to develop his dribble drive skills. We know he can shoot. Thats the Ray Allen side. We know he can finish. Now he needs to be able to do that with the ball in his hand from the top of the key. Thats the Wade side.
This can be a very dynamic team with Wall, Beal, Webster and Nene. Keep in mind everything Nene brings. Great post passer. Great first step and power. If Nene can find that mid range shot again. LOOK OUT. Thats a shorter, stronger Gasol type. Then Okafor is just all bread and butter. Rebounds. Boxing out. Double Double Okafor. Work horse and can do pretty well from the open FT line shot also. Enough to keep teams honest.
That can be a dangerous line up. No nut cases. Everyone a team player. Shooting Driving. Power. Some youth. Some experience. And Wall and Beal have tons of upside. And keep in mind, Trevor A is a legit NBA player who produced in the playoffs. Other players may have more upside, but he has been there and done it. That's counts for a lot. I still see Trevor A as very valuable to this team.
Thats your core.
Everyone else is a role player or project with upside. Booker can rebound. We know that. Kevin S has a baby hook for post points. Maynor can run an offense and pass. Temple is a hybrid guard that is long and can play some PG or some SG and defend. Glen can shoot from outside. Ves is a long glue guy type that can run, scrap and pass. Then there is Singleton. Not really sure what his game is other defender and fouls to get used on strong SFs like LeBron and Melo. Doesn't feel like Singleton is going to make it much longer on the team. He is really running out of time. Something just doesn't seem to fit with him.
But the core 6 is what to focus on. When you think of other playoff teams, its rarely the 7-10 players that make you think they are a playoff team. Its the starters that make you think that. We have a great starting line up plus 1. And we have two young big prospects in Kevin S and Ves. This will be a good year for both to develop. Kevin in year 4. Ves coming into year 3. I think both will mature and show progress this year.