Did Callipari figure out the best way to use Wall years ago?

[Dark Faze]

Wall and Beal not the fit we think they are?

I actually think the ideal backcourt mate for Wall is another point guard that can shoot in the Bledsoe/Dragic mold

I was thinking about this more ever since the all-star game. Walls ability to finish oops, get offensive boards, attack off the ball and cut to the basket are underrated. When there is another guard with him who can push the ball fast and actually be a threat to go hard at the rim, Wall is absolutely lethal in transition in this scenario.

I think classically we've always been like well just stretch the floor and get some shooters, but I think this leaves half of Walls game underutilized. And its become more apparent to me in some of these small guard lineups with Sessions. Despite his inability to shoot, Sessions' ability to actually get to the rim, the combination of both Wall and him on the floor together has actually looked very good at times, especially when with Paul or Gooden at the 4.

And then I realized, did Calipari figure out the best way to use Wall years ago with Kentucky?

Wall, Bledsoe, Miller (3 and D guy), Patterson, Cousins.

We always talk about how Beal and Wall never have great games together. I'm staritng to think the fit is bad. Reason being Wall can make plays for Beal but Beal can't make plays for Wall. When Beal handles the ball, people just ball watch because everything develops so slowly. Wall is basically just standing around.

Thoughts?

[Induveca]

Actually a good point.

[FAH1223]

The problem right now is we have a front office that is so inept at finding combo guards, we have to rely on Wall so much.

Like WTF @ Maynor and Sessions.

[AFM]

That's why we traded Miller for Sessions. Sessions is basically Bledsoe 2.0, or Westbrook-lite. Ultra competitive slasher who can make plays for himself, attacks the rim mercilessly, and plays with the heart of a lion.

[FAH1223]

That's why we traded Miller for Sessions. Sessions is basically Bledsoe 2.0, or Westbrook-lite. Ultra competitive slasher who can make plays for himself, attacks the rim mercilessly, and plays with the heart of a lion.

can't make a layup

[Induveca]

That's why we traded Miller for Sessions. Sessions is basically Bledsoe 2.0, or Westbrook-lite. Ultra competitive slasher who can make plays for himself, attacks the rim mercilessly, and plays with the heart of a lion.

[AFM]

That's why we traded Miller for Sessions. Sessions is basically Bledsoe 2.0, or Westbrook-lite. Ultra competitive slasher who can make plays for himself, attacks the rim mercilessly, and plays with the heart of a lion.

You know you keep writing [emoji1 ], it just shows up as text. No idea what kind of phone you are on or what the deal is

[nate33]

Obviously, Wall would be even better alongside a shooting guard who could shoot like Beal while also being able to handle the basketball and get to the rim at will. But that's academic. Everyone is better off if there is more talent around them.

But if Wall is going to be alongside a mediocre starting SG, I'm happy that it's a guy like Beal who can shoot 3's really well, even if the rest of his game is below average. Better that than to play alongside a guy like Gerald Henderson who can slash but can't shoot.

[miller31time]

Hmm, maybe Isaiah Thomas would have been a good option to look at at the trade deadline.

But I guess he was unavailable..................

[Kanyewest]

Hmm, maybe Isaiah Thomas would have been a good option to look at at the trade deadline.

But I guess he was unavailable..................

I know Isiah Thomas was available but what were the Wizards willing to give up to get him that would have been preferential to Cleveland's first round pick in 2016 to the Suns? And if the Wizards are really serious about going after Durant, how would the Wizards have made the trade without giving up cap space in the summer of 2016?

[miller31time]

I know Isiah Thomas was available but what were the Wizards willing to give up to get him that would have been preferential to Cleveland's first round pick in 2016 to the Suns? And if the Wizards are really serious about going after Durant, how would the Wizards have made the trade without giving up cap space in the summer of 2016?

I would have given up a 1st rounder without batting a lash. Thomas is super-efficient, cheap and locked into a long-term contract. His skill-set is everything we need on this team.

I'm of the mindset that, with the exception of acquiring mega-contracts, it's fine to acquire these smaller contracts and worry about creating the necessary capspace later so long as the player you're acquiring is a valuable piece to the puzzle (which Thomas would be).

[payitforward]

I know Isiah Thomas was available but what were the Wizards willing to give up to get him that would have been preferential to Cleveland's first round pick in 2016 to the Suns? And if the Wizards are really serious about going after Durant, how would the Wizards have made the trade without giving up cap space in the summer of 2016?

I would have given up a 1st rounder without batting a lash. Thomas is super-efficient, cheap and locked into a long-term contract. His skill-set is everything we need on this team.

I'm of the mindset that, with the exception of acquiring mega-contracts, it's fine to acquire these smaller contracts and worry about creating the necessary capspace later so long as the player you're acquiring is a valuable piece to the puzzle (which Thomas would be).

In this instance, you might have been right to give up a R1 pick; IT's contract looks like a terrific bargain for the player he is.

But the real problem is putting yourself in the situation where that's all you have by way of a meaningful trade asset. And how do you get in that pickle? Well, one way is to keep trading R1 picks. And making bad ones w/ those you don't trade. And having no regard for R2 (esp. high picks -- the biggest bargain in the NBA).

[hands11]

Wall and Beal not the fit we think they are?

I actually think the ideal backcourt mate for Wall is another point guard that can shoot in the Bledsoe/Dragic mold

I was thinking about this more ever since the all-star game. Walls ability to finish oops, get offensive boards, attack off the ball and cut to the basket are underrated. When there is another guard with him who can push the ball fast and actually be a threat to go hard at the rim, Wall is absolutely lethal in transition in this scenario.

I think classically we've always been like well just stretch the floor and get some shooters, but I think this leaves half of Walls game underutilized. And its become more apparent to me in some of these small guard lineups with Sessions. Despite his inability to shoot, Sessions' ability to actually get to the rim, the combination of both Wall and him on the floor together has actually looked very good at times, especially when with Paul or Gooden at the 4.

And then I realized, did Calipari figure out the best way to use Wall years ago with Kentucky?

Wall, Bledsoe, Miller (3 and D guy), Patterson, Cousins.

We always talk about how Beal and Wall never have great games together. I'm staritng to think the fit is bad. Reason being Wall can make plays for Beal but Beal can't make plays for Wall. When Beal handles the ball, people just ball watch because everything develops so slowly. Wall is basically just standing around.

Thoughts?

When I went looking to see Walls game at KU I found Bledsoe and thought he was a real talent. Actually, he caught my eye more then Wall did at the time. Going into that draft, I suggested they draft both Wall and Bledsoe. Walls transition to the NBA would have been much smoother.

Bledsoe ended up getting picked one pick after Kevin Seraphin which they traded up to get.

(Bulls trade Hinrich + #17 to Wizards for cap space)

Would have been an interesting path if they followed it.

[LyricalRico]

Hmm, maybe Isaiah Thomas would have been a good option to look at at the trade deadline.

But I guess he was unavailable..................

I know Isiah Thomas was available but what were the Wizards willing to give up to get him that would have been preferential to Cleveland's first round pick in 2016 to the Suns? And if the Wizards are really serious about going after Durant, how would the Wizards have made the trade without giving up cap space in the summer of 2016?

Exactly. That's why they went after Jack instead - they do see the need for a combo guard, but wanted to maintain the 2016 plan.

[Dark Faze]

Giving up on having the best team you can possibly have for THIS post season effort for the potential of getting Durant is really dumb though when you have all of the summer and next year to find ways to shed salary.

Especially now that I see Beal as someone I'd be willing to move, it just makes the fact that the cap was never a worry, even more so now that we won't have cap smoothing.

[McFilthy]

Wall and Beal not the fit we think they are?

I actually think the ideal backcourt mate for Wall is another point guard that can shoot in the Bledsoe/Dragic mold

I was thinking about this more ever since the all-star game. Walls ability to finish oops, get offensive boards, attack off the ball and cut to the basket are underrated. When there is another guard with him who can push the ball fast and actually be a threat to go hard at the rim, Wall is absolutely lethal in transition in this scenario.

I think classically we've always been like well just stretch the floor and get some shooters, but I think this leaves half of Walls game underutilized. And its become more apparent to me in some of these small guard lineups with Sessions. Despite his inability to shoot, Sessions' ability to actually get to the rim, the combination of both Wall and him on the floor together has actually looked very good at times, especially when with Paul or Gooden at the 4.

And then I realized, did Calipari figure out the best way to use Wall years ago with Kentucky?

Wall, Bledsoe, Miller (3 and D guy), Patterson, Cousins.

We always talk about how Beal and Wall never have great games together. I'm staritng to think the fit is bad. Reason being Wall can make plays for Beal but Beal can't make plays for Wall. When Beal handles the ball, people just ball watch because everything develops so slowly. Wall is basically just standing around.

Thoughts?

Really interesting thread Dark Faze, as I have always bought into the 'Beal is the perfect compliment with Wall' narrative due to their opposite skill sets. Too late to see what Wall would have done with Harden - should we add that to the list of Ernie's sins? It is intriguing to see that Wall can play off the ball too, since he hasn't had anyone who could handle the ball and run with him until Sessions. He gets up for alley oops and the Wizards offense would be less predictable if another guard who could finish shared the court with Wall. Imagine a guard more talented then Sessions playing with Wall. Currently, I hold my breath every time Beal handles the ball.

[Higga]

Some good points. But how many of those type of well rounded combo guards are really out there? Sure we could have had Harden but I doubt he resigns with us. And besides, I doubt Wittman would be creative enough to utilize the two of them efficiently.

[Kanyewest]

I always liked Bledsoe - I thought the Wizards could have explored a way to acquire him in the 2010 draft. But I think Beal could still turn out to be a better player than him. Beal is still really young at 21- whereas Bledsoe is 25. When Bledsoe was 21 he was just a rookie and coming off the bench.

That being said, Beal really needs to work on his game especially since he hasn't shown much improvement in the regular season since his rookie year. Still, Beal given his age could still improve- although having a better coach could help. I feel like someone like Jeff Hornacek would help. It looks like the Suns have done a good job in helping the careers of a few players (the Morris twins, Gerald Green, and Channing Frye).

[queridiculo]

Calipari is more car salesman than coach, and if there's one thing he's figured out, it's that you have a pretty good chance to win when your team features the most talented players on the court.

Here's a novel concept. Use your resources to complement Wall with talented players, something we're never going to see with Grunfeld running the show.