Wizards Heat GT Nov 3, 2013

[80sballboy]

I thought Gortat played ok. He did rotate over several times. He's not Dwight Howard. He's not going to jump and dunk over Bosh. That's a great team but he was solid. He needs a lengthy 4 to play with, not Booker. Unfortunately it is what is. This is going to be a bad defensive team and we are going to have to put 100 points to beat most teams. We had no shot against Miami tonight and at least we showed some heart by fighting until the end.

I'm still the only one on the board backing Maynor but I know how he's capable of playing. Just pass the ball and run the offense. I wish John would play more like that but of course, in a faster way. I'd rather have that calmness and poise in my point guard then a guy who's scatterbrained.

At least Beal shot the ball better but he is an awful ballhandler with pressure. He's weak mentally like John. Wade just gets in his head because he know he worships him. Until Beal because a **** instead of the opposite, he'll just be a decent basketball player. He needs more swag and mental toughness on both ends.

We can crush Wittman or Wittless, but he's handicapped by a team with a lot of holes. Al Harrington was supposed to help the bench. He looks more like Paddy Harrington.

Ariza scoring 28 points in the first game was fool's gold. I can't stand the guy on the offensive end. He has no feel for the game. Sorry. Give me Webster. We don't defend in four spots so we might as well be bad at all five positions.

Did Nene play? Right, didn't miss him. I'm sure we would have had the same result. I've really come full circle on him because I really liked the way he played and his BB IQ. The guy can beat cancer and but he can't beat a strained calf.

[hands11]

A. Harrington 12:18min 0-6 0-3 0-0 -11 0 0 0rbs 1 2 0 0 0 0 0pts

Is he still better than Jan, Randy? Not worth to try something different?

The man is simply being a fool.

Granted he has been debt a less then desirable hand.

He has a PG that runs away from picks so they have a hard time starting the offense that way.
A SG that can't dribble.
And two spot up shooting SF with below average handles at best. But he has shooter.

So given Wall and Beal are going to start and you don't have Nene, the only line he can turn to that will work given players he will actually play, is a spread the floor line up of...

Wall, Beal, Webster, Trevor A, Gortat which is what I suggest even when they had both Nene and Okafor only I have Nene or Okafor starting.

That line up wouldn't even suck on D and it would rain 3s if Wall would just drive and dish. And God help us if he figured out how to do a pick and roll with Gortat. Then everything would open up and players could get back on D. They could run three plays all game. Wall drive. Wall drive and dish or Pick n Roll. Done. Its that simple.

From there, work in Maynor, Glen, and Kevin. All kinds of ways to do that. Maynor and Wall together. Now you can start playing inside out with Kevin and Glen will drive.

Ideally, I would always have two ball handlers, two 3 ball shooters and a post player.

Wall, Beal, Glen, Trevor A, Gortat/Kevin works.

Hell I would even try.

Wall, Beal, Glen, Kevin and Gortat and let Gortat shoot that mid range and let Kevin play in the post.

There are tones of line ups he could use given this roster. And most of them that would work don't involve Booker and AH which he has insisted on the last three games.

[hands11]

Meanwhile, Webster finishes with 13-7-4 with 2 steals and no turnovers. Randy should be starting him over Ariza next game. Ariza shooting is too unreliable to have him out there with the starters.

On balance, I'd say Ariza is still one of the brighter spots on the team. I like Webster too. The obvious solution is to start them both.

I'd go for that. Go to a smaller lineup with Ariza at the 4 next to Gortat. At least the spacing will be a bit better on offense. Bottom line is, Webster needs to be inserted into the starting line-up and either one of Booker or Ariza needs to be benched.

No. Removing Trevor for Webster would fix nothing.

They both have to start. If not, you have to start Glen at SF with one of them at PF.

When Nene returns, I'm sure we will get a look at what he and Gortat look like starting together.

Starting Booker with Wall, Beal, Trevor and Gortat was stupid from the start.

[80sballboy]

On balance, I'd say Ariza is still one of the brighter spots on the team. I like Webster too. The obvious solution is to start them both.

I'd go for that. Go to a smaller lineup with Ariza at the 4 next to Gortat. At least the spacing will be a bit better on offense. Bottom line is, Webster needs to be inserted into the starting line-up and either one of Booker or Ariza needs to be benched.

No. Removing Trevor for Webster would fix nothing.

They both have to start. If not, you have to start Glen at SF with one of them at PF.

When Nene returns, I'm sure we will get a look at what he and Gortat look like starting together.

Starting Booker with Wall, Beal, Trevor and Gortat was stupid from the start.

Maybe we can start four against five if Nene continues to take his break.

[stevemcqueen1]

Why is this team so stupid about fouling at the end of games? Gotta be a total breakdown in communication.

[WizarDynasty]

The the most effective half court play that should have been run at least 10 times.. was at 7:33 point 2nd quarter.


Seraphin on the right blocking post up, dribble across the paint, he actually (has a burst--soccer legs--alot of power) --and we he releases its pretty unstoppable. He is so powerful that his defender can't knock him off balance like Javale used to get knocked off balance trying to do the same move. You have to foul him hard to even affect his shot. Wizard should have run that play over and over until Miami had to leave someone on block to double team Seraphin. I think MIami got scared when they saw seraphin do that, Bosh his a tooth pick and once seraphin gets that 280 pound frame moving across the lane with a burst, there is no one strong enough and quick enough to guard him if he is across the lane.
He may no rebound in traffic or alter alot of shots, and is quite aggressive but Seraphin and Harrington should be pair up for at least 20 minutes a game.
If Seraphin learns how to actually create shot fakes with his shoulder and head while still keeping a live dribble after posting up, Wizards might have a chance.
The highest percentage shot out of all wizards players in the half court is Seraphin posting up on the left block, dribbling across the lane with his right and doing a moving Javale Skyhook. It's the highest percentage shot so far in the wizards half court offense. Immediately forces a double team because Seraphin i don't think a player in the league has the strength to knock seraphin off balance just before he rises for a Javale skyhook and seraphin actually has alot of power and balance jumping off one foot to do the sky hook. He is able to burst from a stand still position at 290 pounds, maintains excellent balance and power--meaning you can't knock him off balance with nudges like you could javale mcgee, he can jump off one foot--MIchael Jordan's speciality-- while running and still get off a very coordinated and smoothly released shot. It almost looks like he mimics javale's patented move except he doesn't get knocked off balance like javale.
I think having alot of hte offense built around seraphin attacking him man with a moving sky hook should be how most of the offense is built. Most of the plays in half court should be based off of Seraphin getting double teams just before he is about to shoot that sky hook after he puts the ball on the ground. That double team is only way teams are going to stop seraphin.
Seraphin should be put through a hundred reps where he is double teamed just before his sky hook and the there should be a flurry of passes that lead to an easy look in the offense due the double team forced by Seraphin's threat of a high percentage sky hook. If I were leonsis, I would get on this immediately for the second unit.

[Higga]

We don't have great talent but we're poorly coached. Never was a fan of a mediocre retread like Witless.

[Dat2U]

Honestly, this season couldn't have begun any more perfectly IMO. Ted is pissed. Wittless is might not last another week or so and Ernie is probably getting hot under the collar.

Let the losses pile up. I'm aboard the Fire Ernie bus and I'm ridin' the sucker until the wheels fall off!

[deneem4]

Only problem with seraphin isnt a problem with seraphin its with the coaches..

SERAPHIN IS NOT A CENTER...HES A POWER FORWARD
Miami plays small ball, seraphin can get good looks against a smallball defense...but against normal teams its not so easy...

But.....
With gortat at the 5 and seraphin at 4, he can go to work on the smaller defender considering gortat would have the taller defender, it also gives us 2 post threats, high and low...

Put rice jr in the starting lineup as our secondary shot creator (no offense beal) and we have an offense..
Rice jr is also a tenacious defender, and no seraphin and gortat isnt the best but booker and nene isnt any bettrr at this point...
New line ups

Wall/maynor
Beal/webster
Rice jr/ariza
Seraphin/harrington (booker depending on nene)
Gortat/nene(harrington)

Our starters play in and out, penetration kick out or post
Our bench play thru screens, alot of screens...or if nene is in play thru him
Depending on size matchup swap ves for booker
This gives our bench defense and scoring...
ariza and webster plays best when their playing together (check the stats)

[LyricalRico]

Only problem with seraphin isnt a problem with seraphin its with the coaches..

SERAPHIN IS NOT A CENTER...HES A POWER FORWARD
Miami plays small ball, seraphin can get good looks against a smallball defense...but against normal teams its not so easy...

But.....
With gortat at the 5 and seraphin at 4, he can go to work on the smaller defender considering gortat would have the taller defender, it also gives us 2 post threats, high and low...

I'm starting to come around to the "play Seraphin at PF" idea. We couldn't really do it before, but with Gortat's shooting ability it could work. It would mean Vesely is our backup C, but he wouldn't be any worse defensively than Seraphin IMO. And at least Ves would keep a few extra balls alive and catch some alleys.

[AFM]

Have to love WizD's analysis.

[Nivek]

Yes, it's the coaches that told Seraphin to miss 54% of his shots last season. The coaches WANTED him to commit a turnover on 18% of his possessions. The coaches also preferred that he NOT get too many rebounds and that he not be an effective passer out of the post.

Yes, the coaches noticed Seraphin was shooting 73% on hooks last season and just 30% on jumpers, but insisted he attempt two-and-a-half times more jumpers.

THESE AWFUL COACHES!!!!!

[dobrojim]

I've actually been semi-pleased with KS so far this season.

Still doesn't rebound well but seems to be hitting more of his shots.

[tontoz]

I've actually been semi-pleased with KS so far this season.

Still doesn't rebound well but seems to be hitting more of his shots.

I didn't watch yesterday's game. Did he even try to take it strong to the basket? In the previous game there were a few times when he should have dunked but went up soft and missed.

He is a frustrating player. A lot of guys just don't have the talent to be effective in the NBA. he has the talent but just needs to get a clue.

[tontoz]

The the most effective half court play that should have been run at least 10 times.. was


Seraphin on the right blocking post up, dribble across the paint, he actually (has a burst--soccer legs--alot of power) --and we he releases its pretty unstoppable. He is so powerful that his defender can't knock him off balance like Javale used to get knocked off balance trying to do the same move. You have to foul him hard to even affect his shot. Wizard should have run that play over and over until Miami had to leave someone on block to double team Seraphin. I think MIami got scared when they saw seraphin do that, Bosh his a tooth pick and once seraphin gets that 280 pound frame moving across the lane with a burst, there is no one strong enough and quick enough to guard him if he is across the lane.
He may no rebound in traffic or alter alot of shots, and is quite aggressive but Seraphin and Harrington should be pair up for at least 20 minutes a game.
If Seraphin learns how to actually create shot fakes with his shoulder and head while still keeping a live dribble after posting up, Wizards might have a chance.
The highest percentage shot out of all wizards players in the half court is Seraphin posting up on the left block, dribbling across the lane with his right and doing a moving Javale Skyhook. It's the highest percentage shot so far in the wizards half court offense. Immediately forces a double team because Seraphin i don't think a player in the league has the strength to knock seraphin off balance just before he rises for a Javale skyhook and seraphin actually has alot of power and balance jumping off one foot to do the sky hook. He is able to burst from a stand still position at 290 pounds, maintains excellent balance and power--meaning you can't knock him off balance with nudges like you could javale mcgee, he can jump off one foot--MIchael Jordan's speciality-- while running and still get off a very coordinated and smoothly released shot. It almost looks like he mimics javale's patented move except he doesn't get knocked off balance like javale.
I think having alot of hte offense built around seraphin attacking him man with a moving sky hook should be how most of the offense is built. Most of the plays in half court should be based off of Seraphin getting double teams just before he is about to shoot that sky hook after he puts the ball on the ground. That double team is only way teams are going to stop seraphin.
Seraphin should be put through a hundred reps where he is double teamed just before his sky hook and the there should be a flurry of passes that lead to an easy look in the offense due the double team forced by Seraphin's threat of a high percentage sky hook. If I were leonsis, I would get on this immediately for the second unit.

Wow

[dobrojim]

I've actually been semi-pleased with KS so far this season.

Still doesn't rebound well but seems to be hitting more of his shots.

I didn't watch yesterday's game. Did he even try to take it strong to the basket? In the previous game there were a few times when he should have dunked but went up soft and missed.

He is a frustrating player. A lot of guys just don't have the talent to be effective in the NBA. he has the talent but just needs to get a clue.

I was mostly pleased that he shot 4/5. Maybe he was just hitting his jumpers. I don't remember
his shot selection all that specifically. I don't remember any really long Js.

But one play he backed his defender down in front of the restricted area, got double teamed
and hit Beal in the corner for an open 3. That's a play he's been needing to make since forever.

[deneem4]

U cant play seraphin nxt to booker and expect results

[dobrojim]

depends on whether you expect good or bad results.

Kevin is 9-14 FG for the year but is avg only 1.3 reb in 10 mpg.

[WizarDynasty]

I think this is best i have ever seen seraphin play. Harrington/Nene combination is really paying off. Seraphin shows alot more awareness now that mcgee ever did defensively with rotations.
Once seraphin realizes just how devastating his left block to right block dribble is, Seraphin has beautiful coordinated horizontal across the lane skyhook....just watch wade and battier faces drop when they see him release it...byrd man is standing there looking like a chump...the ball doesn't even touch the rim..feathery soft and seraphin drives and jumps off one leg. 2nd quarter 7:33 seconds in. The big difference that is noteworthy is that Seraphin is actually moving in the air when he takes his shot which is makes it significantly difficult to guard---jumping off one foot shooting a coordinated shot while moving in the air is an elite attribute for a 280 pound player--Ewing, Hakeem, abdul jabar--having that attribute, with great touch and massive body frame--is rare. The only shots I have seen from Seraphin before this where is shots where he always jumps off both feet when he shoots his jump shot and he isn't moving before the shot. this time he puts the ball on the ground, and jumps off one foot and while moving in the air shoots one of the most beautiful moving high percentage jump hooks

I think that's the nicest move i ever seen of Seraphin. He clearly destroyed birdman and refs bailed him out by saying he hook birdman...but clearly you can see seraphin knock off birdman's hands because birdman couldn't move his feet quickenough to keep up with serapin. What was even more impressive was the way that seraphin caught the ball off the bounce with one hand in mid stride...extremely coordinated, fluid, and powerful. Seraphin is definitely a corner stone block for this franchise. Booker look better. Saw him hustling to help on a fast break. Usually he likes to take himself out of hte play by pretending to fight for an offensive rebound so that he doesn't have to run all the way back and try to keep up with a point guard. I guess we will see how long it last since the knock on Booker is his knee. I already laid my criticism of wall in the last game thread and most of it still applies. Getting Maynor was a genius move. I wish i was certain ariza was locked in for a few more years on a fair deal because i would become of a fan of his. Hate being a fan of guy who possibly will be another team next year but Ariza is showing great leadership with his play, awareness.

[tontoz]

Seraphin's hook isn't going to make him a good offensive player. He needs to start trying to dunk when he gets inside instead of throwing up those soft shots that miss or get blocked. And he needs to take much better care of the ball.