Wizards/Bullets Franchise Players Discussion

[penbeast0]

Gil is definitely my all time favorite Wizard/Bullet, that goes without saying. That 60 point game in LA is still the most dominant performance I've ever seen by a Washington athlete, still remember staying up till past 2 AM watching that entire game.

Also love Chris Webber. I know it didn't end well but I blame Abe more than anyone else. Webber was on the verge of superstardom here. That playoff series where the Bulls swept us is my earliest Bullet/Wizard memory.

Some unheralded guys I always liked...

Chris Whitney-IIRC he was always pretty decent even on some awful teams. Always liked his game.

Jahidi White-Meh player but I met him at the airport once, we both came home from Puerto Rico on the same flight. Nice guy. Hot wife.

Tracy Murray-Was fun watching him in the 3 point shooting contest once, considering that was the dark ages where we never had anyone anywhere near All-Star Weekend.

Liked Gil, never liked Webber -- heck Juwan was a much classier person despite getting much more abuse here in Washington.

Favorites in my time

Wes and Earl of course
Freddie "Mad Dog" Carter and Gus "Honeycomb" Johnson
Jack Marin and Phil Chenier (couldn't be sad at getting Elvin for him, but loved Marin)
Mitch Kupchak and Kevin Porter
Jeff Ruland and Rick Mahorn
Jeff Malone and Pervis Ellison
Manute Bol and Muggsy Bogues
Gheorge Muresan
Rip Hamilton and Gilbert Arenas
Emeka Okafor and Kevin Seraphin

[dangermouse]

Agreed.

I think people are a little too optimistic about Beal. They think that just because he is young, that he can develop any type of elite skill. When it comes to handles, driving, and shot-creation ability, a player can only learn so much after he has grown up. Most of the "shimmy" in a player's game is developed in childhood. Beal doesn't have all that much. Comparisons to Wade or Arenas aren't realistic. At best I think Beal will improve his driving ability and become an expert at footwork and fundamentals so that he can drive like prime Ray Allen, or maybe Paul Pierce, but he'll never be the creative shot creator that Wade, Arenas, Jordan, etc. were.

So at best he is HOF. Because it look like his shooting is elite. And he says he have gotten better over the summer. The 3 is even easier for him now because he adjusted to the range. And he got stronger. Add 5 lbs. And better handles and passing. And some mid range.

I never said he couldn't be a HOF caliber player. But if he does, it'll be on the strength of his jump shot a la Ray Allen. He'll never be a get-to-the-basket-at-will slasher like Arenas or Wade. Slashing will be a secondary part of his game set up by his elite jumper. Arenas and Wade are not reasonable comparisons. Hersey Hawkins or Ray Allen seem much more apt comparisons to me.

Hersey Hawkins is who ive always seen with Beal.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er_2Us-vkhc[/youtube]

A more athletic Hawkins is probably the best comparison there is.

All-Rookie First team, 1 x NBA All Star, his best years were right around 20/3/3 per game. Beal will be a little better than that I think.