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

[Kobblehead]

All that s*** talking and chest-bumping from John Wall in the first quarter. Only to see him fade away and do nothing in the entire second half. Not a good look for him.

[Wizardspride]

Hopefully, they can learn from both tonight's game and play more of a structure game than the run and gun. It really was a messy game.

Nah, with a PG like Wall we'd be foolish not to play run and gun to a certain extent.

[Dark Faze]

lol @ blaming Wall

He had 6 assists in a game where he gave guys enough wide open shots to have 11+

Our number one issue is defensive rebounding and defending the rim. That's two games in a row where we got killed based off of not securing rebounds or stopping second chance points.

The team is shot without Nene and Gortat both playing together, that much is clear. We have zero bench depth at Center or PF right now. It's getting so bad that you wonder why Vesely isn't getting beefy minutes.

Beal is awful. He'll get better, but it's almost embarrassing how dependent he is on Wall to get looks.

Maynor is the equivalent of running the football against the Denver Broncos while down in the 4th. He's just a handicap.

Both Wittman and Ernie are awful. A guy like Jason Collins could help us right now. We need a big in the worst possible way.

[WizarDynasty]

Thadeus Young absolutely destroyed booker. Look how many shots in the paint and percentage of completion booker gave up to thadeus young. Booker was clearly the number reason we had lost. If could have at least held is man to shooting .45 percent from the field. his man shot an amazing 14 buckets at point blank range. Thadeus young made 12 buckets. I repeat 12 of his 14 made buckets were inside the paint against ---one the worst backup defensive powerforwards in the game. Booker. He took 18 shots attempts inside the paint and made 12 of them. You wonder why the wizard suck, because Vesely and Booker are scout team that that the starters go up against to prepare for team.
When you have low iq poor scout team, the offense suffers when they have to go against high iq starter when it counts.

nate there is really nothing you can say in your defense of booker. we need a high bbiq back up defensive rebounding powerforward who at least can give a you a tad bit offensively and get you some free throws when it counts. Booker, Vesely, Seraphin---the backup powerforwards-----the worst in league. Bookers rebounding rate---means jack when his man--who is also an undersized powerforward 66 percent from the field.----BUT worse is 66 from the field on a HIGH volume of Shots. That's why i would waive him tomorrow if I were GM. Booker is horrible. There were so many better options at the team has booker as the scout team powerforward...who is suppose to mimic what our starters see during game time. Scary how incompetent EG is at evaluating BBIQ in his draft prospects.

Wall is a horrible defender, he is almost as bad arenas with his upright style and inability to change keep pace when a defender changes his speed. Wall has absolutely zero composure and he has one of the worst point guard handles in league. His half court dribble skills are horrible. he dribbles the ball in the half court set at one rhythm and he can't get low to ground for any substantial amount of time and take controlled baby steps, he acts likes every time he attacks the basket, he is a track court waiting for the gun to snap so he can burst to the finish line. homey that's not how it goes, you are suppose to make your man burst and then force him to slow down so that you wear out his legs. wall is suppose to burst into the paint, stop on dime, force his defender to settle his feet, and then burst again in a completely opposite direction and force the defender to keep up with him, slowly wearing him out over the game. Wall is not really that great of an athlete. Running in a straight line at sprinter speed only works in video games.
If you want to be a great guard, you have to force your defender to sprint with you, and then force him to slow down dramatically. If wall was a superior athlete, he would always be able to stop on a dime much faster than his defender. Wall doesn't not have elite stopping ability, once he is sprinting, he can't stop. That's teh difference between Wall and any elite point guard. chris paul, can accelerate in a short space and stop on a dime and still keep his handle, if wall ever tried to sprint for a distance of 0f say 10 feet, and then dramatically stop on a dime....he would lose the ball because his stop and go handle is poor.

In summary, wall has the poorest stop and go handle over a 10 foot space in the league for a starting point guard. He is severely, severely over rated. It shows that Management doesn't make this a point of emphasis for wall to improve on yet they pay him max salary as face of the franchise?

[LyricalRico]

In short, the team just got dumber without Okafor and they got worse defensively.

I don't know about "dumber", I just think Gortat needs to figure out his role in the defensive scheme and that will help the defensive rotations. But they are definitely pressuring the ball and converting into points.

[cdouglas]

Hopefully, they can learn from both tonight's game and play more of a structure game than the run and gun. It really was a messy game.

Nah, with a PG like Wall we'd be foolish not to play run and gun to a certain extent.

Not if he's the only one who can shoot. Too bad Beal wasn't on fire tonight.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

No offense but this has to be the most bipolar board I've ever encountered.

Players go from being stars to not even being worthy of the D-League within a matter of minutes.


This was a disappointing loss but how about at least waiting 10 games before you form an opinion?

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.

Optimism and hope so far has become worst case coaching on a team full of veterans who will soon be bitching, and a young guy paid the max who thinks he can score the team points to winning. This is bad.

[barelyawake]

The game plan other teams have used is simple:

Key on Bradley Beal and don't let him beat you. Pressure defend Bradley Beal.

In short, the team just got dumber without Okafor and they got worse defensively. What's their new identity and who's the leader now? It's NOT Nene or Wall IMO.

Yep.

[deneem4]

U dont blame wall... he could went for 40 b4 the 3rd...but instead he was sat while he was hot...thats the dumbest **** ever...

Wittman need to be fired...nene needs to be traded

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

No offense but this has to be the most bipolar board I've ever encountered.

Players go from being stars to not even being worthy of the D-League within a matter of minutes.


This was a disappointing loss but how about at least waiting 10 games before you form an opinion?

I know what the diagnosis is and I'm not afraid to let you and anyone else know. I'm, going to wait one post to check you. Post, ignore me, but do take this like a man:

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.

Optimism and hope so far has become worst case coaching on a team full of veterans who will soon be bitching, and a young guy paid the max who thinks he can score the team points to winning. This is bad.

[thebigE]

Is it Groundhog Day or is that Wit's post game press conference?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

U dont blame wall... he could went for 40 b4 the 3rd...but instead he was sat while he was hot...thats the dumbest **** ever...

Wittman need to be fired...nene needs to be traded

They were stretching Wall's back. Maybe he got hurt?

I think Wall, Beal, and others seemed to be taking hero shots. Maybe the offense isn't set with the new players.

Wittman seems to have dialed the wrong numbers so far.

[Wizardspride]

No offense but this has to be the most bipolar board I've ever encountered.

Players go from being stars to not even being worthy of the D-League within a matter of minutes.


This was a disappointing loss but how about at least waiting 10 games before you form an opinion?

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.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm not terribly broken up about this particular result nate; really this seemed to fall within the normal deviation in performances for the major players on each team and Philly may have had a minor advantage in younger players who's relative strengths haven't been sapped by the vampire that is professionally scouted defense.

I'd just like to see a team that looks like it was designed to do something in particular to frequently win basketball games, whichever season's convenient really.

Really nice observation, Ed.

WHy wouldn't the Wizards have the advantage of having new lineups (even if the same old players) who have never played together? I think Wittman and Wall's attack was predictable and Philly won with better athleticism and fluid defenders.That's why I'm posting about Vesely. You can't scout guys like Rice, who can rebound well and who plays on energy alone, not looking shot first.

Randy IMO could have used a pickup game approach but just made sure all his guys got some burn. Keep the spirits high. Above all, impress on Wall and Beal not to try and do it themselves.

[deneem4]

If we could've moved nene and the 2014 1st for spencer and thad we'll be nunstoppable...

[hands11]

I'd take Andre Miller over John Wall any minute of a day. And Beal is so overrated... Veteran guard needed...

Based on what..??

Funny how Wall pretty much had to carry this team from start to finish, yet gets blamed b/c the rest of the team didn't came to play... This board is getting more unreadable by the year...

I don't blame Wall at all. My God, look at his line tonight.

The blame has to fall on Randy and EG.

Randy for coaching like a defensive version on EFG. Like an assistant. No balls. I listened to this post game and he says they didn't come out and press the D in the 2nd. Well then bench someone Randy. Bring in Glen. Bring in Ves. Both are energy players. Stop being such a wimp.

And while Booker had a decent line, its killing them having him out there against these athletic teams. His line only looks decent if you dont look at Thaddeus Young's line. I'm fine with 15 minutes of Booker here and there but 28 minutes as a starter ?

Gortat looks decent. Nice player to have on your team. I like the space he eats up on defensive rebounds and his blocks. But to be more on offense, they need a pick and roll game and they don't have that.

Right now the piece and coach just don't add up. Crappy offensive spacing. Crappy rotations. Crappy adjustments. No offensive scheme. I have no idea what the goal was. Was it to shoot 3s ? Inside out ? Fast break alone is not an offense. Randy need to get his head out of his ass.

[payitforward]

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.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

No offense but this has to be the most bipolar board I've ever encountered.

Players go from being stars to not even being worthy of the D-League within a matter of minutes.


This was a disappointing loss but how about at least waiting 10 games before you form an opinion?

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.

[miller31time]

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.

[JonathanJoseph]

People need to get a grip.

what I dont like is how Wall looked like he quit in the 4th. Like he didnt even wanna try to win anymore. Like he was missing shots or hurt and didnt want to have the pressure on him anymore. Where is that fire? Nothing worst then that. His injury better be bad because thats inexcusable. I can deal with Beal playing bad until he finds his rhtymn but not excuse for Wall to just quit mentally or will wise

Wall didn't quit in the 4th. He missed shots. He still finished with 26 points, 6 assists and just 2 turnovers with a TS% north of 60%. Tough to blame him.

I'd take Andre Miller over John Wall any minute of a day. And Beal is so overrated... Veteran guard needed...

Seriously?

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.

Booker had the second best rebounding rate on the team, better than everyone but Ariza. He outrebounded Gortat, Seraphin and Harrington on a per minute basis.

Philadelphia fan BNelley24 is making more sense than the rest of you guys. He rightfully pointed out that Beal's bad night handed them the victory. He is right. Beal couldn't throw it in the ocean. He shot 4-18 with 5 turnovers. If he has merely a moderately bad night and goes 8-18 with 3 turnovers, we win the game.

Wall absolutely quit in the 4th. Go back and watch. You'll see a handful of occasions where he either forced and missed a bad shot or turned the ball over and made no effort to get back on defense. The last guy to cross half court. It was pathetic.

I've been saying this for years....there are a lot of people in denial about Wall. He's an incredible athlete and a terrible basketball player. The emperor has no clothes. We signed a bad basketball player to a max deal.

The Curse Of Les Boulez.