GT #16: HEAT @ Wizards 7 PM (CSN/99.1 FM) [12/1/14]

[Nivek]

The "Wall effect" is worth more study when I have some time. The data seems pretty equivocal at first glance. Webster, for example, was just as good with and without Wall. There may be an effect with Beal, and maybe with Ariza (though the effect with Ariza may be more with 2pt attempts than threes.) Less than half of Butler's minutes this season have been with Wall, and he's been insanely efficient even when he hasn't played with Wall.

Other players seem kind of a mix of up and down. And then there are confounding factors like age. Nene, for example, has never been as inefficient as he's been since arriving in Washington, but he's also older and less healthy.

I definitely want to dig into this.

[Ruzious]

When Wall plays like that, the Wiz can beat anyone in the East - including in the playoffs. That was fun to watch. And congrats to Ras Butler - looking like Webster did his first year here. As long as he takes shots in the flow of the offense, he's effective. And Gortat is playing like a stud. He even did a reasonable job on Bosh - playing perimeter defense. Miami's interior defense was terrible - partly because they doubled-up so often, and the Wiz passing was superb.

[Nivek]

see next post

[Nivek]

Oh great, a mod came through and cleaned up while I was busy.

Basically, in small sample sizes of this year, 9 guys have played 50+ minutes for the Wizards this season, not counting Wall. Of them, 3 have shot better so far when on the floor with Wall; 6 worse. Several of the differences were fairly small.

The only guy who seemed to shoot significantly better with Wall was Porter.

[Donkey McDonkerton]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah, I get it...sample sizes are TINY!

[Nivek]

Yeesh. I'll clean that up.

[Ruzious]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah, I get it...sample sizes are TINY!

We could And1 all of them just to mess with him.

[penbeast0]

Friggin dolphins were playing so the TV's at my normal hangout weren't showing the game. Not fair, we don't play down here in South Florida very often but the bartender refused to change channels so I had to go watch it at home . . . no gloating, sigh.

[dobrojim]

When Wall plays like that, the Wiz can beat anyone in the East - including in the playoffs. That was fun to watch. And congrats to Ras Butler - looking like Webster did his first year here. As long as he takes shots in the flow of the offense, he's effective. And Gortat is playing like a stud. He even did a reasonable job on Bosh - playing perimeter defense. Miami's interior defense was terrible - partly because they doubled-up so often, and the Wiz passing was superb.

I re-watched the game on DVR yesterday and Wall probably should have had 3-4 more assists.
IIRC, his career high is 'only' 15/16. Maybe tonight.

[Severn Hoos]

When Wall plays like that, the Wiz can beat anyone in the East - including in the playoffs. That was fun to watch. And congrats to Ras Butler - looking like Webster did his first year here. As long as he takes shots in the flow of the offense, he's effective. And Gortat is playing like a stud. He even did a reasonable job on Bosh - playing perimeter defense. Miami's interior defense was terrible - partly because they doubled-up so often, and the Wiz passing was superb.

Didn't get to see the game, but saw the highlights on the 4-letter network sandwiched between updates about the College Football Playoff rankings. (Must have been an oversight in the control room to let that through.)

In one highlight, they were showing a jumper by Bosh. Bosh made the shot (hence why it was a "highlight" for the Heat), but what impressed me was how Gortat rose to challenge it, then realized he was playing against the team who perfected the "jump sideways into the defender to get a bailout from the refs" move. Gortat pulled himself back to ensure he was not a target for that move (I HATE that move, by the way - can you tell?). And sure, Bosh made this one, but he didn't get to the line, didn't add a foul to Gortat's total, and it's a tough shot, so one they will/should let him take again.

It was actually my favorite highlight because it showed smart, controlled basketball. We need more of that. Now, if only we could see that same approach on the offensive side of the ball...

[Ruzious]

When Wall plays like that, the Wiz can beat anyone in the East - including in the playoffs. That was fun to watch. And congrats to Ras Butler - looking like Webster did his first year here. As long as he takes shots in the flow of the offense, he's effective. And Gortat is playing like a stud. He even did a reasonable job on Bosh - playing perimeter defense. Miami's interior defense was terrible - partly because they doubled-up so often, and the Wiz passing was superb.

I re-watched the game on DVR yesterday and Wall probably should have had 3-4 more assists.
IIRC, his career high is 'only' 15/16. Maybe tonight.

And he gets 15. Wow, not a bad call there, Jim.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

When Wall plays like that, the Wiz can beat anyone in the East - including in the playoffs. That was fun to watch. And congrats to Ras Butler - looking like Webster did his first year here. As long as he takes shots in the flow of the offense, he's effective. And Gortat is playing like a stud. He even did a reasonable job on Bosh - playing perimeter defense. Miami's interior defense was terrible - partly because they doubled-up so often, and the Wiz passing was superb.

Didn't get to see the game, but saw the highlights on the 4-letter network sandwiched between updates about the College Football Playoff rankings. (Must have been an oversight in the control room to let that through.)

In one highlight, they were showing a jumper by Bosh. Bosh made the shot (hence why it was a "highlight" for the Heat), but what impressed me was how Gortat rose to challenge it, then realized he was playing against the team who perfected the "jump sideways into the defender to get a bailout from the refs" move. Gortat pulled himself back to ensure he was not a target for that move (I HATE that move, by the way - can you tell?). And sure, Bosh made this one, but he didn't get to the line, didn't add a foul to Gortat's total, and it's a tough shot, so one they will/should let him take again.

It was actually my favorite highlight because it showed smart, controlled basketball. We need more of that. Now, if only we could see that same approach on the offensive side of the ball...

Marcin is probably my favorite Wizard. He is a very savvy, cerebral, passionate player. Not the most athletic but he is the embodiment of controlled basketball.

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[dobrojim]

When Wall plays like that, the Wiz can beat anyone in the East - including in the playoffs. That was fun to watch. And congrats to Ras Butler - looking like Webster did his first year here. As long as he takes shots in the flow of the offense, he's effective. And Gortat is playing like a stud. He even did a reasonable job on Bosh - playing perimeter defense. Miami's interior defense was terrible - partly because they doubled-up so often, and the Wiz passing was superb.

I re-watched the game on DVR yesterday and Wall probably should have had 3-4 more assists.
IIRC, his career high is 'only' 15/16. Maybe tonight.

And he gets 15. Wow, not a bad call there, Jim.

Thanks Ruz. Wall may still have his flaws but he's a heckuva player.
See that KD!

[dobrojim]

When Wall plays like that, the Wiz can beat anyone in the East - including in the playoffs. That was fun to watch. And congrats to Ras Butler - looking like Webster did his first year here. As long as he takes shots in the flow of the offense, he's effective. And Gortat is playing like a stud. He even did a reasonable job on Bosh - playing perimeter defense. Miami's interior defense was terrible - partly because they doubled-up so often, and the Wiz passing was superb.

Didn't get to see the game, but saw the highlights on the 4-letter network sandwiched between updates about the College Football Playoff rankings. (Must have been an oversight in the control room to let that through.)

In one highlight, they were showing a jumper by Bosh. Bosh made the shot (hence why it was a "highlight" for the Heat), but what impressed me was how Gortat rose to challenge it, then realized he was playing against the team who perfected the "jump sideways into the defender to get a bailout from the refs" move. Gortat pulled himself back to ensure he was not a target for that move (I HATE that move, by the way - can you tell?). And sure, Bosh made this one, but he didn't get to the line, didn't add a foul to Gortat's total, and it's a tough shot, so one they will/should let him take again.

It was actually my favorite highlight because it showed smart, controlled basketball. We need more of that. Now, if only we could see that same approach on the offensive side of the ball...

Marcin is probably my favorite Wizard. He is a very savvy, cerebral, passionate player. Not the most athletic but he is the embodiment of controlled basketball.

Good contract too. He's still a finesse big but strong enough not to get pushed around
by the bullies of the league.