Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I think the Wizards invented new ways to lose tonight

Missed free-throws and turnovers doomed the wizards after playing on their best games this season.

Gilbert Arenas discusses his trade to Orlando.

Wizards Insider - Video: Gilbert Arenas discusses trade to Orlando

[Longtimefan]

Will the Wizards ever be able to get through a season without a rash of injuries, and/or character issues? I've come to the conclusion this team is truly cursed.

Wizards suspend Blatche, McGee for game

[JLee9718]

Even with Wall the Wizards are still losing big time. They need somebody like Shaq...Right now John Wall, like McNabb, has a lot to worry about!

[itvnetop]

Nick Young is the Wizards' SG of the future (and present). Dude is beasting it right now.

[mooby]

They've got a serious disappearing act on the road right now though, it's amazing they are like 12-8 at home and like 0-19 on the road. I know the home record is a mirage because it's against losing teams but something happens to them on the road because 0-19 almost halfway through their road sched. is horrible. Right now the young guys need to be consistent, J.Wall has been pretty quiet lately but guys have been stepping up at home.

[hooskins]

Nice win over a good Jazz team.

[Chico23231]

Key to this team is keeping Andrea Blache in the paint or close to it on offense and defense. When he steps out and handles the ball or shoots from outside its a fail. He is a turnover machine and is shooting a piss poor percentage for his size and type of game he has.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

Key to this team is keeping Andrea Blache in the paint or close to it on offense and defense. When he steps out and handles the ball or shoots from outside its a fail. He is a turnover machine and is shooting a piss poor percentage for his size and type of game he has.

That's his game. He is only a "big man" in the physical sense. As a player his tendency is to get too far from the basket and try and create from an athletic standpoint. He's a zero on defense because of the same mindset. Blatche is the epitome of what needs changing on that team. They are a finesse team without enough talent to succeed at the finesse game. They're John Wall and a bunch of pieces. Hinrich maybe starts for some other teams. McGee as well. Other than that it's a bunch of 6th men. They desperately need a scorer. They'd be a whole different team with say a Caron Butler (healthy).

[Monkeydad]

Wining at the half by 2...total collapse in second half in Milwaukee last night, lost by 13. I watched from the half on...ugly. Still winless on the road! 0-20!




Boykins can still play too.

[Longtimefan]

Flip Saunders said Wall has exceeded his expectations in many ways and is pleased with his progression. "He's been great," Saunders said. "There's only three guys in the history of our league to average nine assists [as a rookie], he's the fourth guy that's doing that right now. He plays very aggressive, considering he's had to fight some injuries and hasn't been fully healthy doing that. He has some things to improve on, as all young point guards do. But he's not afraid to accept the challenge."

[Longtimefan]

John Wall banks in a three-pointer in the game's final minute and Washington rallies from a 16-point deficit in the first half to win over the Celtics.

[Monkeydad]

Great win...too bad it was at home. Would have been a great way to break the road losing streak.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

John Wall banks in a three-pointer in the game's final minute and Washington rallies from a 16-point deficit in the first half to win over the Celtics.

That game was painful. Seriously as long as i have watched the Celtics they always have had trouble with the wizards/bullets. what a annoying lost.

[Longtimefan]

Of all the head coaches in the NBA, few have more wisdom about good point guard play than Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers. He was an outstanding point guard in his own right back in the day, and he's also nurtured Rajon Rondo's development into one of the league's top players.

So Rivers probably has a unique perspective on John Wall, the Wizards' young star. When Rivers was asked before the Wizards-Celtics game about Wall, Rivers said the one thing he needs to improve is how he manages his speed.

"He's going to learn how to play with the speed," Rivers said. "That's the biggest concern for all young players. They have speed, they just don't know when to use it and when not to use it. He's going to learn that too."

That probably explains why Wall had so much trouble getting to the basket against Steve Nash, a defensive sieve, in the game the night before.

Rivers also said he sees some similarities between Wall and Rondo.

"I don't know if they're the same type of player, but they both have the speed component, and they both have great vision. I think John has terrific vision and it's going to get better."

[CooleyAsCanBe]

This season is painful. I keep repeating to myself: "rebuilding year, rebuilding year." In some of our wins the kids look great, but then they disappear the next four games. We have just enough talent in the starting roster that if our four best players well, we can run with anyone (at home), but if one guy is off, we'll lose by nine.

Wall has played better than most NBA rookie point guards, and I'm excited to have him lead our team for years to come, but his offense and defense have regressed in the past few weeks. I know he is still fighting off injuries, but he keeps getting torched by the likes of middling PGs (e.g. Lawson and Calderon). He has great vision and can set up his teammates, but has done very little in the half court to create his own shot. I'm willing to wait, but I hope to see some improvement in the second half of the season.