GT#4 Round 1: Toronto Raptors @ Washington Wizards 4-26-15 6:30 PM Verizon Center on TNT | CSNB

[Sluggerface]

The problem is 5th seeded teams typically aren't legit contenders, especially if they were relatively healthy during the season. If you think 4 playoff games against a struggling opponent are a better measuring stick than 82 regular season games then i don't even know what to say.

Uhh, the spurs are a sixth seed dude. The 2010 Celtics were a 50 win 4th seed that was one game away from winning a 2nd championship. The regular season is just a beta test to see what works and what doesn't. It doesn't cement a teams trajectory through the playoffs. It's a completely different game when april rolls around.

Uhh, dude, did you even pay attention during the season? Look at how many games the Spurs best players missed due to injury.

Injuries are a part of the game. Spurs didn't miss more games amongst their core than the rest of the league. Parker has been absolute **** this year as well, so really you're talking about Kawhi missing 18 games and Manu missing 12. That's not even remotely a big deal, especially if you compare what happened to the Clippers and Rockets.

[Sluggerface]

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever use the Spurs as a comparison for the Wizards.

Ever.

Because I totally compared the Wizards to the Spurs instead of pointing out that there is no guarentee that regular season success translates into postseason success.

[tontoz]

Uhh, the spurs are a sixth seed dude. The 2010 Celtics were a 50 win 4th seed that was one game away from winning a 2nd championship. The regular season is just a beta test to see what works and what doesn't. It doesn't cement a teams trajectory through the playoffs. It's a completely different game when april rolls around.

Uhh, dude, did you even pay attention during the season? Look at how many games the Spurs best players missed due to injury.

Injuries are a part of the game. Spurs didn't miss more games amongst their core than the rest of the league. Parker has been absolute **** this year as well, so really you're talking about Kawhi missing 18 games and Manu missing 12. That's not even remotely a big deal, especially if you compare what happened to the Clippers and Rockets.

Leonard is their best player. How many games do you think we win without Wall?

Splitter missed 30 games. Parker missed 14 and his backup Mills missed 31. Belinelli missed 20 and Ginobili missed 12.

And they still won 55 games in the west. Not a valid comparison to the Wizards. The Spurs finished 1 game behind 2nd place houston.

When Beal was out it didn't hurt as much because Butler shot out of his mind. Even Temple had a hot hand to start the season. Gortat and Wall didn't miss any games due to injury and that was huge considering the dropoff to their backups.

[Sluggerface]

Uhh, dude, did you even pay attention during the season? Look at how many games the Spurs best players missed due to injury.

Injuries are a part of the game. Spurs didn't miss more games amongst their core than the rest of the league. Parker has been absolute **** this year as well, so really you're talking about Kawhi missing 18 games and Manu missing 12. That's not even remotely a big deal, especially if you compare what happened to the Clippers and Rockets.

Leonard is their best player. How many games do you think we win without Wall?

Splitter missed 30 games. Parker missed 14 and his backup Mills missed 31. Belinelli missed 20 and Ginobili missed 12.

And they still won 55 games in the west. Not a valid comparison to the Wizards. The Spurs finished 1 game behind 2nd place houston.

When Beal was out it didn't hurt as much because Butler shot out of his mind. Even Temple had a hot hand to start the season. Gortat and Wall didn't miss any games due to injury and that was huge considering the dropoff to their backups.

For the last time, I never compared Washington to the Spurs. I was merely pointing out that fact that regular season success doesn't always translate to post season success for the very reasons you just brought up. This is something that you still haven't been able to wrap your head around.

Washington's biggest weakness was going 10 deep in the regular season. Now that the fat has been cut and we're more or less rolling with Sessions, Gooden, and Porter (Who were all fantastic post all-star break, not even debateable. They were all plus players) and Pierce is actually a staple at the 4 spot, Washington is playing up to their potential through 48 minutes, which was always good to begin with until you got 3 deep in the bench.

I see no point in bringing up the regular season in any kind of playoff discussion. Not the same team, not the same strategy, Not the same rotations. It's asinine, and driven completely by narrative rather than what is actually happening in reality.

[tontoz]

Injuries are a part of the game. Spurs didn't miss more games amongst their core than the rest of the league. Parker has been absolute **** this year as well, so really you're talking about Kawhi missing 18 games and Manu missing 12. That's not even remotely a big deal, especially if you compare what happened to the Clippers and Rockets.

Leonard is their best player. How many games do you think we win without Wall?

Splitter missed 30 games. Parker missed 14 and his backup Mills missed 31. Belinelli missed 20 and Ginobili missed 12.

And they still won 55 games in the west. Not a valid comparison to the Wizards. The Spurs finished 1 game behind 2nd place houston.

When Beal was out it didn't hurt as much because Butler shot out of his mind. Even Temple had a hot hand to start the season. Gortat and Wall didn't miss any games due to injury and that was huge considering the dropoff to their backups.

For the last time, I never compared Washington to the Spurs. I was merely pointing out that fact that regular season success doesn't always translate to post season success for the very reasons you just brought up. This is something that you still haven't been able to wrap your head around.

Washington's biggest weakness was going 10 deep in the regular season. Now that the fat has been cut and we're more or less rolling with Sessions, Gooden, and Porter (Who were all fantastic post all-star break, not even debateable. They were all plus players) and Pierce is actually a staple at the 4 spot, Washington is playing up to their potential through 48 minutes, which was always good to begin with until you got 3 deep in the bench.

I see no point in bringing up the regular season in any kind of playoff discussion. Not the same team, not the same strategy, Not the same rotations. It's asinine, and driven completely by narrative rather than what is actually happening in reality.

Actually regular season success is, and always has been, a very good predictor of postseason success. Last year the Spurs had the best record in the league and won the title. The year before that Miami had the best record in the league and won the title.

There are exceptions here and there, mainly due to injuries, but the Wizards didn't have that problem. Getting past the 2nd round is tough for 5 seeds, let alone getting to the Finals and winning.

The Raps had a .500 record in March/April and their best player had injury issues. Let's not pretend that we just slayed Goliath.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

[*]

Yup. There's no need for a coaching change if the existing coach is going to change all the things that make him a bad coach while keeping all the things that make him a good coach.

If we can keep Wittman's defensive schemes and his general ability to get the players to play hard, while also getting more floor spacing, more Wall/Gortat P&R's, and more Otto Porter, then what's not to like?

Agreed.

Next round Wittman's rotations will need to go deeper than essentially 8 men. Gooden, Sessions, Porter is as deep as he ended up going. Wall and Beal averaged forty minutes (not counting the final game blowout where Wall was in foul trouble and Sessions balled out). The backcourt will have to be deeper. The Hawks have two quick slashing guards in Teague and Schroeder. They won't sabotage their team like Lowry did the Raptors. In the frontcourt, Gooden won't match up well at all against Paul Millsap. Gortat won't have a quickness or strength advantage against Horford. I suspect that Kris Humphries will play a large role this next round. Nene's physical play will be needed.

I am looking forward to seeing how Randy Wittman does next round. He's 3-4 at home and 7-1 on the road in playoff games. Nobody can say 10-15 isn't a good playoffs record.

If they get past Atlanta I think Wittman will have shut up his critics.

I see no compelling need for the rotation to go deeper. Maybe Humphries replaces some of Gooden's minutes, but that's about it. Other than that, I'd rather have a slightly tired Beal or Wall playing minutes 37-44, than have those minutes go to a fresh Sessions, Butler or Webster.

I think the compelling reason is fatigue will set in. I think 38 good minutes is about as much as Beal or Wall need to go. Anything over that will cause diminishing returns.

Atlanta whips the ball around. Their ball and player movement are leaps and bounds better than Toronto's. They also defend with much more intensity and focus.

Nate, I think Wall and Beal will start making bad decisions if they are physically worn down. Korver will be open. Teague will blow by Wall. The egos of young guys will make them jack shots and play hero ball if there is a lot of pressure as I anticipate there will be.

A short bench will not work next round. Gortat will quickly get in foul trouble because on defense guards will conserve energy. He will be forced to foul Teague and Schroeder. If Gooden is in he's going to have to defend Mike Scott.

I think the Wizards have to manage their bench more to win the next round.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

^^You are getting caught up in Small Sample Size Theatre.

In the playoffs the games are spaced out more so Randy doesn't have to use the bench nearly as much. In the regular season he has to use the bench more due to the frequency of the games and the age of the roster.

We had very good luck this year in close games and with injuries. Neither Wall or Gortat missed any games due to injury and that was key because their backups were so bad. We definitely didn't underachieve during the season. They are what their record says they are. It just so happens that the playoffs masks some of the problems with the roster.

The problems I see are rim protection after Gortat, turnovers, over reliance on Wall to generate offense, offense in halfcourt, execution of last shots to end quarters, and defending stretch bigs. Toronto was horrible. Atlanta will be a better test. I guarantee they will play Wall and Beal in ways that bait them to shoot low percentage long twos. The Wizards won't dominate the boards or get open layups. They will have to be deeper and tougher.

Even with the problems with the lineup the Wizards are a lot better of late. Porter is improving. Sessions is playing more effective basketball. Veterans on the court are reliable and their confidence has boosted Wall and Beal. Overall, I love the energy and passion. That is the clear advantage even over Atlanta.

If guys like Humphries and Butler can also contribute next round, I'll say that the Wizards will get past the Hawks and Randy Wittman deserves all the kudos.

It'll be interesting to see who wins the battle of boards. I suspect it will be closely fought
as will most aspects of the series. We'll have to see who between Hump and Drew defends
Milsap and Horford better. But it's nice to have choices, particularly if foul problems happen.

I hope to see our choices all choose to be very physical. Boxing out and rim running are things the bigs need to do all game. Make it a constant struggle, and then hit them in the fourth with the small and quick lineup that totally destroyed the Raptors.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

^^You are getting caught up in Small Sample Size Theatre.

In the playoffs the games are spaced out more so Randy doesn't have to use the bench nearly as much. In the regular season he has to use the bench more due to the frequency of the games and the age of the roster.

We had very good luck this year in close games and with injuries. Neither Wall or Gortat missed any games due to injury and that was key because their backups were so bad. We definitely didn't underachieve during the season. They are what their record says they are. It just so happens that the playoffs masks some of the problems with the roster.

The problems I see are rim protection after Gortat, turnovers, over reliance on Wall to generate offense, offense in halfcourt, execution of last shots to end quarters, and defending stretch bigs. Toronto was horrible. Atlanta will be a better test. I guarantee they will play Wall and Beal in ways that bait them to shoot low percentage long twos. The Wizards won't dominate the boards or get open layups. They will have to be deeper and tougher.

Even with the problems with the lineup the Wizards are a lot better of late. Porter is improving. Sessions is playing more effective basketball. Veterans on the court are reliable and their confidence has boosted Wall and Beal. Overall, I love the energy and passion. That is the clear advantage even over Atlanta.

If guys like Humphries and Butler can also contribute next round, I'll say that the Wizards will get past the Hawks and Randy Wittman deserves all the kudos.

I agree that some of the problems during the regular season are likely to rear their ugly heads against a tougher opponent. Atlanta is hurting but they won 60 games and beat some of the toughest teams out west.

The two big keys are rebounding and turnovers. They need to outrebound the Hawks significantly and take better care of the ball to have a chance.

I agree with you on rebounding and turnovers.

A third factor will be forcing the tempo and making Atlanta have to defend threes. That will prevent offensive funk from overtaking Washington. Spacing the floor makes this team way more effective. Pace and space opens up things.

I hope Atlanta isn't prepared for threes from Porter, Gooden, and Sessions. They didn't see any of those in the regular season.