Wizards @ Cavs Preseason Game Thread

[SizzlinSimms]

How about that game for Ariza, 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals.

Yep, time for him to start playing hard now. It may not be an ideal situation, but we're going to have to rely on Ariza and Harrington to score on that second unit.

It's not going to be consistent. I'd rather the second unit play by committee and whoever has the hot hand.

[hands11]

This team is bi polar as ****.

Its not a good starting line up for Wall.

Put Webster back with Wall and let Beal and Webster man the corners. From there, they would probably be better with Ves and Kevin out there with him and let Wall run the transition game. Wall tried to do that but they couldn't keep up when CHE ran transition back at them.

Let the vets play together.

Maynor, Trevor A, Cheese, Nene.. with Temple and Glen at SG.

I think Randy isn't why his starting line up isn't working. He has gears clashing.

Go with..

Wall/Maynor
Beal/Temple or Glen
Webster/Trevor A
Ves/Cheese - bring in Booker if Ves isn't getting it done and you need rough and tumble verse long.
Kevin/Nene - or flip Nene if you have to but try Kevin first.

Otto, Okafor, Josh... Cut Singleton. Keep Silas on speed dial.

That 2nd unit would probably chew up most 2nd unit and if the second unit is young and want to run cuz thats all they are good at, Mayor will slow it down and take then out of their game. Trevor A will jump the lanes when the tighten up. That a lot like what they did when Nene first got here and they have O Jeffers and Evans.

When they play teams that have slower older starting line ups, then they might want to reverse it and start Nene and Cheese if you find the starting line up can't handle them.

If they line them up like this, I think they are a playoff team.

But as we saw last year, Randy is stubborn to change what he has in mind. I expect they start the year off poorly again before he figures out he needs to change to this.

[hands11]

Temple always plays within himself. Nate is right. He's the perfect 4th-5th guard type.

I think that was me pimping Temple.

Why does Nate always get credit for things I start NATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTE

Its like the hand chopping move from that commercial.

Yeah, if you go back to last year, Temple always impressed he about how he didn't shy away from the game. He knows whats a good shot and he takes it will confidence. But he isn't a huge gunner. And always says he will do whatever the coaches want from him. And he has good size for a guard. And has PG experience. And he was an outside shooter in the DL. Just needs to establish his game in the NBA. Nice player to have off the bench.

I was hoping they brought him back so was happy to see they did.

[deneem4]

^^^^ ive been sayn this for a longtime

[hands11]

The only players who haven't showed us anything this preseason in Wall and Jan...yikes.

One of those is cause for concern. Ves has shown me enough to say he can be serviceable many games but very overmatched in the post others.

Washington hasn't used Vesely as a de facto Jared Jeffries-type SF yet. If they would it might be surprisingly effective.

Ves has played pretty well this preseason. He has defended pretty well. And I have seen him open in the post plenty. They just haven't gotten it to him when he flashes open. I think they will more as they settle in. His offense isn't a priority. Specially when they are down.

If they could just fix his FT shooting I think that would help him get a ton more confidence. But I can see he isn't the mess he was last year.

[barelyawake]

How about that game for Ariza, 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals.

Yep, time for him to start playing hard now. It may not be an ideal situation, but we're going to have to rely on Ariza and Harrington to score on that second unit.

Harrington, Ariza, Okafor and Porter will all be instrumental in guiding us to the playoffs. It may take a month or so before everyone is healthy and gets together, but it will happen.

[FreeBalling]

^^^^^ Porter????? He would have to play to help. So far, he's MIA.

[barelyawake]

The key phrase being so far.

Porter may not prove to be the best rookie, but he's also not going to be a non-factor. He will help us this season.

[DCZards]

How about that game for Ariza, 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals.

Yeah, after all of the bashing of Trevor for his previous subpar preseason games I was hoping he'd get more love on this board for the game he had last night. I've been on board for starting Ariza over Webster for the reason stated by Wittman--his defensive presence, which raises the defensive intensity of the entire team. A game like this by Ariza makes starting him and having Webster come off the bench for instant offense a no-brainer, imo.

[Ruzious]

How about that game for Ariza, 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals.

He's had 2 all-star level preseason games and was mostly bad in the other games. Ultimately, you can't win without consistency. At least he's not consistently bad - like some of our players. A consistenly good Ariza helps win games. Playing for a contract, we might see it.

[Dat2U]

How about that game for Ariza, 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals.

Yeah, after all of the bashing of Trevor for his previous subpar preseason games I was hoping he'd get more love on this board for the game he had last night. I've been on board for starting Ariza over Webster for the reason stated by Wittman--his defensive presence, which raises the defensive intensity of the entire team. A game like this by Ariza makes starting him and having Webster come off the bench for instant offense a no-brainer, imo.

Really? A meaningless preseason game makes this a no-brainer? LOL

[DCZards]

Really? A meaningless preseason game makes this a no-brainer? LOL

No, Trevor's D and it's impact on the overall team defense and the need for Webster's offense off the bench makes it a no-brainer,imo.

[tontoz]

If Ariza is stinking it up in the regular season i have no doubt that Randy would bench him and start Webster. And if we are looking to trade Ariza before the deadline it does make some sense to start him.

I agree that Webster would be more effective offensively with the starters given his inability to create for himself.

[Dat2U]

Really? A meaningless preseason game makes this a no-brainer? LOL

No, Trevor's D and it's impact on the overall team defense and the need for Webster's offense off the bench makes it a no-brainer,imo.

The only reason it would be a no-brainer if starting Ariza was solely to build his trade value, otherwise I still believe it borders on insanity to mess with the chemistry Wall, Beal & Webster showed together last season, especially after paying Webster on a 4 yr deal.

[dobrojim]

Is the game televised or are u guys watching a feed?

I assume this was already answered but just in case, League Pass is free
right now. That's how I watched the game. Actually I dvr'd it as I had band
practice last night.

Yeah, Buck and Phil are better than the CLE guys.

[dobrojim]

I feel having Al Harrington at a stretch 4 will be a great asset. As long as he doesn't fall in love with his shot too much during games.

he clearly is a shot jacker almost like Big Balls. But he (and some others) shot us a W
last night.

speaking of big balls, is he still with Boston?

[dobrojim]

Al Harrington will be in the running for 6th man of the year. He's a huge spark off the bench.

assuming he plays like he did last night on a semi-regular basis

[dobrojim]

CLE really does have a young, deep team!!!

getting 2 #1#1s and 2 #4s should be a solid foundation. TT looked pretty good
last night. If he keeps it up, the naysayers...

[dobrojim]

How about that game for Ariza, 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals.

Yep, time for him to start playing hard now. It may not be an ideal situation, but we're going to have to rely on Ariza and Harrington to score on that second unit.

Harrington, Ariza, Okafor and Porter will all be instrumental in guiding us to the playoffs. It may take a month or so before everyone is healthy and gets together, but it will happen.

I wish I could be more optimistic about Okafor. The only silver lining there is that
KS and Book have been somewhat better than I would have thought. Booker if only
because he's not hurt.

[dobrojim]

How about that game for Ariza, 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals.

Yeah, after all of the bashing of Trevor for his previous subpar preseason games I was hoping he'd get more love on this board for the game he had last night. I've been on board for starting Ariza over Webster for the reason stated by Wittman--his defensive presence, which raises the defensive intensity of the entire team. A game like this by Ariza makes starting him and having Webster come off the bench for instant offense a no-brainer, imo.

As Nivek previously pointed out, TA is a vet. We have a pretty good idea what he is going
to give us over the long haul. He's inconsistent offensively but usually good ie disruptive on D.
Seems like at least once a game, he gets a steal for a breakaway dunk. His shot from 3 is
decent when it is not rushed. His shot off the bounce, not so great.