GT #51: Toronto Raptors @ Wizards 7:00 PM (NBCSWA/1500 AM)

[nate33]

Yup...this is a new and different style of play that we're seeing from the Zards. It's both enjoyable and long overdue. The improved ball movement has been the key on the offensive end.

Yes, a lot of it is the direct result of the absence of Wall. This kind of play needs to continue when John returns, and I'm foolish (and optimistic) enough to believe that it will. Because this is still a better team with WallStar than without him.

If the Zards make the playoffs and hope to advance, it will need the scoring from the PG position that Wall gives them. Neither Sato nor Frazier can provide that.

Yes. This is all true. Ball movement is great and all, but in the playoffs, teams scout your sets a bit more and you can't always scheme your way into good shots. You still need a guy who can create a reasonably efficient bailout shot if the offense fails. And Wall is arguably the best on the roster at that. We're going to need him in the playoffs.

Basically, this team, without Wall, is sort of like a rich man's version of the Brooklyn Nets. You love their spunk and effort, but deep down, you know the talent level isn't enough to really compete with the elite teams when it counts.

The Wizards lost to Boston in the playoffs when an exhausted PG kept trying to score.

Yes, the Wizards need to play like Boston. Boston moved the ball on offense and played relentless defense, but they also had Isaiah Thomas. Without him, the Wizards would have won the series easily.

I'm saying the Wizards need Wall, but they need him to play better team ball and better defense like Sato, but with the added ability to be a superstar when needed. Heck, just play exactly like Sato, plus about 4 extra points per game via his superior fast break ability. The Wizards blew a couple of fast breaks with Sato running it, that doesn't happen with Wall.

[Ruzious]

Yes. This is all true. Ball movement is great and all, but in the playoffs, teams scout your sets a bit more and you can't always scheme your way into good shots. You still need a guy who can create a reasonably efficient bailout shot if the offense fails. And Wall is arguably the best on the roster at that. We're going to need him in the playoffs.

Basically, this team, without Wall, is sort of like a rich man's version of the Brooklyn Nets. You love their spunk and effort, but deep down, you know the talent level isn't enough to really compete with the elite teams when it counts.

The Wizards lost to Boston in the playoffs when an exhausted PG kept trying to score.

Yes, the Wizards need to play like Boston. Boston moved the ball on offense and played relentless defense, but they also had Isaiah Thomas. Without him, the Wizards would have won the series easily.

I'm saying the Wizards need Wall, but they need him to play better team ball and better defense like Sato, but with the added ability to be a superstar when needed. Heck, just play exactly like Sato, plus about 4 extra points per game via his superior fast break ability. The Wizards blew a couple of fast breaks with Sato running it, that doesn't happen with Wall.

Yup, last year's version of Wall with a much improved bench that can give him adequate rest... that's what I think everyone on the team wants - even Gortat, because Gortat's offense falls apart when he doesn't have Wall running the pnr with him.

[NatP4]

The Wizards lost to Boston in the playoffs when an exhausted PG kept trying to score.

Yes, the Wizards need to play like Boston. Boston moved the ball on offense and played relentless defense, but they also had Isaiah Thomas. Without him, the Wizards would have won the series easily.

I'm saying the Wizards need Wall, but they need him to play better team ball and better defense like Sato, but with the added ability to be a superstar when needed. Heck, just play exactly like Sato, plus about 4 extra points per game via his superior fast break ability. The Wizards blew a couple of fast breaks with Sato running it, that doesn't happen with Wall.

Yup, last year's version of Wall with a much improved bench that can give him adequate rest... that's what I think everyone on the team wants - even Gortat, because Gortat's offense falls apart when he doesn't have Wall running the pnr with him.

Last years wall+ some defensive effort. He was terrible last year on that end

[FAH1223]

Last years wall+ some defensive effort. He was terrible last year on that end

Not the whole season. December, January, and early February he was terrific on both ends.

[DCZards]

Yes, the Wizards need to play like Boston. Boston moved the ball on offense and played relentless defense, but they also had Isaiah Thomas. Without him, the Wizards would have won the series easily.

I'm saying the Wizards need Wall, but they need him to play better team ball and better defense like Sato, but with the added ability to be a superstar when needed. Heck, just play exactly like Sato, plus about 4 extra points per game via his superior fast break ability. The Wizards blew a couple of fast breaks with Sato running it, that doesn't happen with Wall.

Yup, last year's version of Wall with a much improved bench that can give him adequate rest... that's what I think everyone on the team wants - even Gortat, because Gortat's offense falls apart when he doesn't have Wall running the pnr with him.

Last years wall+ some defensive effort. He was terrible last year on that end

Yes, Wall needs to play better D...and playing fewer minutes and getting more rest should help him in that regard.

[payitforward]

...Whatever. Let's keep winning and work this petty stuff out.

Really! & spending page after page here "interpreting" negativity after a great win is equally stupid.

[payitforward]

...Basically, this team, without Wall, ...you know the talent level isn't enough to really compete with the elite teams when it counts.

If "really compete" means take a playoff series against one of "the elite teams when it counts," then we aren't good enough to do that right now even with John Wall.

You prove you can do something by doing it -- there is no other way.

[payitforward]

..Basically, this team, without Wall, is sort of like a rich man's version of the Brooklyn Nets. You love their spunk and effort, but deep down, you know the talent level isn't enough to really compete with the elite teams when it counts.

Huh? Kelly Oubre,Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, Tomas Satoransky.

This team has real talent even with Wall out

Every NBA team has real talent. These are the best basketball players in the world, after all.

With or without Wall, this is a team that wins 40-something games & gets to R2 of the playoffs.

Put another way, there are 30 teams in the NBA; about 10 of them are better than the Washington Wizards.

Last night was a great win at home. That's what it was -- 1 win.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Reading the Raptors post game thread makes me feel better about my torments as a Wizards fan. Some of that stuff is gold.

[NatP4]

..Basically, this team, without Wall, is sort of like a rich man's version of the Brooklyn Nets. You love their spunk and effort, but deep down, you know the talent level isn't enough to really compete with the elite teams when it counts.

Huh? Kelly Oubre,Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, Tomas Satoransky.

This team has real talent even with Wall out

Every NBA team has real talent. These are the best basketball players in the world, after all.

With or without Wall, this is a team that wins 40-something games & gets to R2 of the playoffs.

Put another way, there are 30 teams in the NBA; about 10 of them are better than the Washington Wizards.

Last night was a great win at home. That's what it was -- 1 win.

Wow, I’m so glad you’re here to explain that to me. It all makes sense now

[nuposse04]

The notion that Oubre and Sato are going to be able to do what they are doing now against playoff defenses is asinine. Wall does alleviate a lot of pressure, the question is can he alleviate 40 mil a year's worth of pressure? More then likely he will not.

Whatever spoils are returned from this run without Wall are not going to be the primary reason to think we should trade him now, but rather if he can get anywhere close to justifying his extension... if he can't, then they should shop him the offseason. Do nothing hasty, but keep an open mind.

But also keep in mind... Grunfeld JUST extended him... we are behest at the whims of a mad man :/

[NatP4]

The notion that Oubre and Sato are going to be able to do what they are doing now against playoff defenses is asinine. Wall does alleviate a lot of pressure, the question is can he alleviate 40 mil a year's worth of pressure? More then likely he will not.

Whatever spoils are returned from this run without Wall are not going to be the primary reason to think we should trade him now, but rather if he can get anywhere close to justifying his extension... if he can't, then they should shop him the offseason. Do nothing hasty, but keep an open mind.

But also keep in mind... Grunfeld JUST extended him... we are behest at the whims of a mad man :/

Yeah, give him these playoffs to prove himself, if we revert to mental midget basketball, then shop him in the offseason like the clips did with Blake Griffin.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Yup, last year's version of Wall with a much improved bench that can give him adequate rest... that's what I think everyone on the team wants - even Gortat, because Gortat's offense falls apart when he doesn't have Wall running the pnr with him.

Last years wall+ some defensive effort. He was terrible last year on that end

Yes, Wall needs to play better D...and playing fewer minutes and getting more rest should help him in that regard.

I do think minutes has a lot to do with it. Greg Popovich would play George Hill or Patty Mills significant minutes even when Tony Parker was still in his prime. Washington for a lot of years has not had adequate backups for Wall, but that is no longer the case this season.

When John returns, I would like to see Scott Brooks use his bench rotation liberally. Satoransky and Frazier each can be playmakers and game managers. Neither is Wall but both play defense and make good decisions with the basketball.

What I don't want to see is fatigued and/or injured, ball-dominant Wall with ball-dominant Beal. John Wall should be well-rested and playing intense defense. There's now some depth on the roster.


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[80sballboy]

Last years wall+ some defensive effort. He was terrible last year on that end

Yes, Wall needs to play better D...and playing fewer minutes and getting more rest should help him in that regard.

I do think minutes has a lot to do with it. Greg Popovich would play George Hill or Patty Mills significant minutes even when Tony Parker was still in his prime. Washington for a lot of years has not had adequate backups for Wall, but that is no longer the case this season.

When John returns, I would like to see Scott Brooks use his bench rotation liberally. Satoransky and Frazier each can be playmakers and game managers. Neither is Wall but both play defense and make good decisions with the basketball.

What I don't want to see is fatigued and/or injured, ball-dominant Wall with ball-dominant Beal. John Wall should be well-rested and playing intense defense. There's now some depth on the roster.


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Hopefully by the time John returns, we add another two-guard, wing, or combo guard. I don't see Frazier playing at all when he returns unless Meeks is still terrible and we don't make a deal. Then maybe 5 minutes.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

...Basically, this team, without Wall, ...you know the talent level isn't enough to really compete with the elite teams when it counts.

If "really compete" means take a playoff series against one of "the elite teams when it counts," then we aren't good enough to do that right now even with John Wall.

You prove you can do something by doing it -- there is no other way.

The Wizards will start winning these playoff series when they realize that Scott's shots count just as much as Wall's or Beal's.

Porter needs to be fully engaged offensively in crunch time.

Smarter opponents feast on Gortat and Wall in PnR. Smaller guards keep turning the corner past Marcin. Either that or a big like Horford scores from the perimeter on pick-and-pop.

Barring a trade they're going to need strong performances from Ian Mahinmi on defense. Yeah, that's unlikely to be a consistent thing.

The one thing the Wizards do have going for them is shot-making ability. This team gets buckets. No doubt about that.

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[nate33]

Barring a trade they're going to need strong performances from Ian Mahinmi on defense.

Or they're going to need Wall to fight around a screen every once in a while, like Sato does.

[dcstanley]

It's funny that Kemba is on the trading block since I think he's the perfect PG for this team. A little undersized but his three point and mid-range efficiency makes it virtually impossible to help off him to cover Beal or Otto. He's also very capable playing off-ball and doesn't need to hold the ball to make plays. He's a smart player that thinks and reacts fast.

A healthy Wall is probably better and might be more valuable to the team due to his ability to create fastbreaks out of thin air.

[nate33]

It's funny that Kemba is on the trading block since I think he's the perfect PG for this team. A little undersized but his three point and mid-range efficiency makes it virtually impossible to help off him to cover Beal or Otto. He's also very capable playing off-ball and doesn't need to hold the ball to make plays. He's a smart player that thinks and reacts fast.

A healthy Wall is probably better and might be more valuable to the team due to his ability to create fastbreaks out of thin air.

If Wall was eligible to be traded, the trade I'd like to see is Wall + Gortat for Kemba + Zeller. It solves our immediate luxtax concerns, it gets our long term salary situation under control. It gets us 25-year old center for the future who sets picks as well as Gortat does. And although Kemba to Wall is probably a bit of a downgrade in talent, I think Walker is a better fit for this roster.

I don't know if Charlotte would do it. It depends on what they think about John Wall.

[Fookal]

Barring a trade they're going to need strong performances from Ian Mahinmi on defense.

Or they're going to need Wall to fight around a screen every once in a while, like Sato does.

My 1st post here, decided to create an account, been lurking quite a while, but I agree so much on this. IMO trading Gortat for a better center won't solve the defensive problems if Wall keeps going under screens or calling switches after 5 seconds of possession. We played OKC twice last week. Once with John, once without. The defensive effort with Sato in the lineup was so much better + guess what? It took only that to stop making our bigs look like idiots in the paint when they have to guard 2v1 after PnR...

John Wall is such a good player, but he needs to improve defensively. One or two spectacular blocks do not make up for the mistakes he's doing every possession with his bad decisions, hopefully, he comes back 100% healthy and that will end this issue, but it looked the same in the Celtics series, when they got exposed with Gortat.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Barring a trade they're going to need strong performances from Ian Mahinmi on defense.

Or they're going to need Wall to fight around a screen every once in a while, like Sato does.

My 1st post here, decided to create an account, been lurking quite a while, but I agree so much on this. IMO trading Gortat for a better center won't solve the defensive problems if Wall keeps going under screens or calling switches after 5 seconds of possession. We played OKC twice last week. Once with John, once without. The defensive effort with Sato in the lineup was so much better + guess what? It took only that to stop making our bigs look like idiots in the paint when they have to guard 2v1 after PnR...

John Wall is such a good player, but he needs to improve defensively. One or two spectacular blocks do not make up for the mistakes he's doing every possession with his bad decisions, hopefully, he comes back 100% healthy and that will end this issue, but it looked the same in the Celtics series, when they got exposed with Gortat.

Welcome aboard!

Please post when you feel like taking the time, Fookal.

It's great having new people come on. I look forward to learning from you and sharing with you in the future.



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