Game Thread #2 Wiz vs Philly Home Opener Nov 1, 7PM

[Illmatic21]

A huge problem in this game is that we had no stabilizing low post presence with Nene out.

There were some games last year where our guards couldn't buy a bucket, but we could just give it to Nene in the low post and let him work. Without that option, the offense was too often forced into settling for long jumpers. Beal needs to pull his head out of his ass, we simply cannot win games with him playing like this.

Seraphin clearly isn't the answer. In the future Gortat will be useful in that role, but it's obvious that he isn't very comfortable in the offense yet. Most of his points came off of putbacks and the like.

Our defense looked really, really terrible. Guards (Wall especially) gave up way too many drives and again, Gortat doesn't fully know what he's doing yet.

[Wizardspride]

I know what the diagnosis is and I'm not afraid to let you and anyone else know that I'm target in my rationale IMO.

The optimism ceased for two losses in winnable games. The talent didn't change. However, the coaching disappointed. The team played disjointed. I went from enthusiastic to dismayed in the course of about 3 days.

To me, my worst nightmares are coming true about the Wizards. I posted happily before they waived the guys they did and failed to move the player they should have. MCW tearing it up better than Wall is what hurts my heart the most. Wolters 30 spirited minutes in his debut while the Wizards NOT EVEN PLAYING RICE Jr hurts. At least play Rice Jr.

Beal is 10-36 so far in two losses. We'll never know what Rice Jr. might have done. Or Shannon Brown.

Call me bipolar and I will call you blessed for never having to live with it, WP. I will also put you on front street as a guy who labels people and talks tangentially about people without so much as any positive contribution to the discussion. At least talk lineups or alternative moves before you call me or anybody else bipolar. That word means fluctuating wildly, but in this case there are some extreme things going on.

Label me however you like CCJ. You have no problem calling it like you see it.....and neither do I.

And as for me offering my opinion on alternative lineups/moves, I'm reserving judgement until I see more of this team.

I wish more people were like you. If I make an enemy, and from time to time I have made what I THOUGHT was an enemy … I've learned that it's important to listen to my critics well. I can often learn something valid. The day I die I will be far from perfect but I do hope I'm humble enough to admit my error.

WP, I think I might not post for 10 games. At the very least, I won't have this kind of energy with each loss.

I am venting strong, early, in hopes they are reading. Fix what they can and ignore or prove me wrong.

You should definitely continue to post but you have to keep everything in perspective.

I understand where you're coming from but I say you should wait until at least 7 games in before you start to worry.

Personally, I'm not that concerned with the personnel. Yeah, we have some weaknesses, just like most teams but I think we'll be alright.

The real concern is the fact that Randy Wittman is a horrible offensive coach. His teams lack offensive creativity.

It's a shame that Ted/EG has entrusted Wall's career to this guy.


PS: I still think we made a mistake in not drafting Len.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Amidst all of the terrible performances and letdowns of this team from top to bottom, I'm most floored that Wittman would pull a scorching hot John Wall at nearly the 4-minute mark of the first quarter. I thought what could have been a disgustingly sick game from Wall became a forgettable one aside from one quarter of play. Shameful coaching.

But again, that's just one factor. The team provided a lot more than that to be ridiculed for.

Preach.

If this were the normal rotation, that would be one thing.

But he pulled him earlier than I've ever seen when he was hotter than I've ever seen.

WTF?

Witt pulled a Javale tonight. Just no feel for the game. But heck. What did we expect. Doesn't Witt have the worst w/l record in NBA history or close to it?

[Spence]

I see some of you are blaming Wittman for taking Wall out with four minutes left in the first quarter. You should take it back. Wall says it was his idea. Using up a lot of energy in the first quarter and wanted to save some for later. He's also have back spasms, but thinks he should be fine to play on Sunday.

[WizarDynasty]

Booker is number reason game was lost. Undersized big that can't rebound. I can understand if you have an undersized big that can rebound---but having an undersized big who also can't rebound and has slow reaction speed mentally... Leonsis should be ashamed.

Sorry, but I think the "slow reaction speed mentally" is on your part, and that you "should be ashamed."

Booker played 28 minutes and grabbed 8 boards (including 3 on the offensive end). He also had a block and 2 steals. Oh, and he also went 5 for 7 from the floor.

What game were you watching?

Beal was horrible, just horrible. Give him this loss.

Gortat gets some of the blame too -- 4 turnovers and only 7 boards.

Wall started 7 for 7 then went 3 for 12 the rest of the way, but he was tremendous in every other way. If he played at this level every night, I'd be way more than satisfied! He doesn't get any blame for this loss.

How many misses did booker force? His man shot made 14 of 18 shots inside the paint. If booker had held him to at least 45 percent that would have created 6 more rebounding opportunities?

Booker let him man shoot way above his average! Thaddeus young only averages 12 shots a game at 53 percent. for some strange reason against booker he successfully attempted 8 more shots than his average and for some strange reason he was able to converted at 66 percent. So against booker, thaddeus increased his volume and his efficiency actually went up.
If booker is not an offensive player, so the fact that he doesn't even excel defensively, his a huge warning flag that management is keeping a player on a roster for reputation purposes only.
Booker can not increase his volume and efficiency at the same time ever. And against undersized poweforwards like thad. Young. the undersized powerforward is able increase his shot volume and percentages at the SAME TIME.

slow mental reaction speed....just don't try to come back because there is nothing you can say.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

A huge problem in this game is that we had no stabilizing low post presence with Nene out.

There were some games last year where our guards couldn't buy a bucket, but we could just give it to Nene in the low post and let him work. Without that option, the offense was too often forced into settling for long jumpers.

Seraphin clearly isn't the answer. In the future Gortat will be useful in that role, but it's obvious that he isn't very comfortable in the offense yet. Most of his points came off of putbacks and the like.

Our defense looked really, really terrible. Guards (Wall especially) gave up way too many drives and again, Gortat doesn't fully know what he's doing yet.

IMO the coach should have played Temple and Rice, Jr., even if it meant 5-10 minutes less of Wall/Beal/Maynor.

It's not as if there aren't guys who can defend on the perimeter. Wroten took Maynor and IIRC Beal to the hoop in their comeback. MCW badly outplayed Wall. That's the time perhaps having Wall. Webster, Ariza with Harrington and Gortat (even with a mess of fouls) might have helped.

I confess, however, that both Gortat and Harrington were net negatives on the floor. I can't have it both ways.

Just seems to me the 76ers won with athleticism on the wings at a time the Wizards were trying to swing the ball for threes, and when the Wizards were letting them get to the rim. Thaddeus Young, Carter-Williams, Wroten, Turner, and even Hawes got closer shots and open looks after better spacing.

Ed Wood said the right thing. Scouting was a factor for sure. I think, however, Wittman could have matched energy with guys like Vesely, RiceJr., and more of Kevin Seraphin who was on it today. The roster is something I think the coach didn't dial up too well.

[80sballboy]

People shouldn't just be blaming Randy or Beal. It's the team. They should be ashamed for giving up 74 points in the paint to a team with Spencer Hawes at center. Thad Young is a good player and I'd like to have him, but WTF. Who knew we'd miss Okafor this much defensively? And I really don't think Gortat's defensive performance is all about learning the defensive rotations. He was not exactly known for his defense with Phoenix, who by the way, was the worst defensive team in the league last year.

I think Gortat needs to play with a lengthy defender who can rebound a little. Nene would have helped but he doesn't fit that mode. Unfortunately we don't have that unless we start playing Ves, which I doubt happens. Is he the answer? Doubt it but Randy has to try something before he gets his ass canned.

[Spence]

If this were the normal rotation, that would be one thing.

But he pulled him earlier than I've ever seen when he was hotter than I've ever seen.

WTF?

Witt pulled a Javale tonight. Just no feel for the game. But heck. What did we expect. Doesn't Witt have the worst w/l record in NBA history or close to it?

Wall said he asked to come out of the game. Stop blaming Wittman for things that are not his fault.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Booker is number reason game was lost. Undersized big that can't rebound. I can understand if you have an undersized big that can rebound---but having an undersized big who also can't rebound and has slow reaction speed mentally... Leonsis should be ashamed.

Sorry, but I think the "slow reaction speed mentally" is on your part, and that you "should be ashamed."

Booker played 28 minutes and grabbed 8 boards (including 3 on the offensive end). He also had a block and 2 steals. Oh, and he also went 5 for 7 from the floor.

What game were you watching?

Beal was horrible, just horrible. Give him this loss.

Gortat gets some of the blame too -- 4 turnovers and only 7 boards.

Wall started 7 for 7 then went 3 for 12 the rest of the way, but he was tremendous in every other way. If he played at this level every night, I'd be way more than satisfied! He doesn't get any blame for this loss.

Yeah I thought Booker played ok. Gortat had some good moments. He may be better overall than Okafor, but he is not as good a rebounder or blocking out as Okafor, that is something we will miss.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

I see some of you are blaming Wittman for taking Wall out with four minutes left in the first quarter. You should take it back. Wall says it was his idea. Using up a lot of energy in the first quarter and wanted to save some for later. He's also have back spasms, but thinks he should be fine to play on Sunday.

I resemble that remark

[Spence]

Amidst all of the terrible performances and letdowns of this team from top to bottom, I'm most floored that Wittman would pull a scorching hot John Wall at nearly the 4-minute mark of the first quarter. I thought what could have been a disgustingly sick game from Wall became a forgettable one aside from one quarter of play. Shameful coaching.

Wall said he asked to come out of the game. Stop blaming Wittman for things that are not his fault.

[Wizardspride]

I see some of you are blaming Wittman for taking Wall out with four minutes left in the first quarter. You should take it back. Wall says it was his idea. Using up a lot of energy in the first quarter and wanted to save some for later. He's also have back spasms, but thinks he should be fine to play on Sunday.

Well, in that case I owe Wittman an apology.

That doesn't change the fact that offense is still an afterthought to him.

[hands11]

Lol and smh are really the only things that come mind at this point.

What exactly is the identity of this hodgepodge mix of scrubs Ernie has put together?

Right. Seems like a 3 pt shooting team only they have no inside out to get it started.
They have no pick and roll for Gortat.

Hate on Kevin if you want, but at least you can feed him in the post where he can score and that means he can pass it out and start the rotation around the perimeter. Sure he needs to improve on passing but he has already gotten better.

And Beal is just killing them. He handles were terrible. He can't drive unless there is space and thats not all his fault. Teams are getting out on him now and the team isn't playing an offense that gets him open looks.

Spot up 3 ball shooters: Beal, Webster, Trevor A and AH. But none of them are good at driving.

Driving: Wall and Glen

Athletic: Kevin, Ves, Wall, Glen and Booker

I hear Glen can actually shoot. If that is true, you have to get him out there because the only other athletic player out there that can drive is Wall. If he can shoot as well, them bring it on. Then you can line up your 3 pt shooters better. And you have to get Kevin in there so you can feed the post. Specially because he is your only athletic player you can do that with.

Randy is being an idiot.

[Spence]

Well, in that case I owe Wittman an apology.

That doesn't change the fact that offense is still an afterthought to him.

Wittman may be understandably more focused on the lack of interior defense right now. Here's his memorable postgame quote: “Commitment to playing **** defense, that’s what it boils down to.” — Head Coach Randy Wittman.

Generally not a good sign when the head coach drops an F-bomb during the home opener postgame presser.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

People shouldn't just be blaming Randy or Beal. It's the team. They should be ashamed for giving up 74 points in the paint to a team with Spencer Hawes at center. Thad Young is a good player and I'd like to have him, but WTF. Who knew we'd miss Okafor this much defensively? And I really don't think Gortat's defensive performance is all about learning the defensive rotations. He was not exactly known for his defense with Phoenix, who by the way, was the worst defensive team in the league last year.

I think Gortat needs to play with a lengthy defender who can rebound a little. Nene would have helped but he doesn't fit that mode. Unfortunately we don't have that unless we start playing Ves, which I doubt happens. Is he the answer? Doubt it but Randy has to try something before he gets his ass canned.

Kinda felt bad watching Randy during the game as the 6ers were making shots and our guys were hanging their heads, and there's Ted sitting right there, and he did not look pleased.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Did anyone else notice that Harrington doesn't look even remotely like an NBA player?

Fat, old, awful knees. No lateral movement, no hops.

Looks a lot like me and my buddies in our over 40 Sunday pick up game.

[Spence]

If anyone thinks firing Randy Wittman is going to fix this team, he or she is truly delusional.

But that's typically Ted's method of "fixing" things.

[hands11]

Brett Brown will be a great coach for Philly. The Sixers looked fluid on offense and really disciplined on defense.

Yeah, looks like they are going to be tough outs every night. I guess the Heat game wasn't a fluke.

MCW looks like a nice young player. Very poised for only being 2 games in as a starting PG. But this is round one, teams will adjust. But he does look like he has some nice skills. Good ball handing.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

If anyone thinks firing Randy Wittman is going to fix this team, he or she is truly delusional.

But that's typically Ted's method of "fixing" things.

I think it is more nuanced than that. Firing Randy won't "fix" things. But at some point, you are your record. Everyone acknowledges he's a straight up guy and that he's never had a great team to work with... But his record doesn't justify sticking with him. The definition of insanity is....

[Hypnotizer]

80-2, here we come. No excuses!

Seriously, this is not a playoffs team... Randy has to do something really quick. And I think Gortat needs Nene or Vesely.
Where are the pick&rolls? Without p&r there was no point to trade draft pick for the Polish Hammer.