Respectablity is Reached?--Washington Wizards 2014-2015 Regular Season (1 Viewer)

[tom22406]

The good news is that Beal has looked great since coming back from injury. Also Newman's eye patch is pretty sweet. The bad news is pretty much everything else.

I have no interest in the 8 seed and getting swept by the hated Cavs in the first round, I'd rather have the .5% chance at Ben Simmons. 7 seed or bust.

Only 4 back of the 7th seed

Watching Steph Curry and how the Warriors play had me sitting back and thinking exactly how far this team really has to go and it was quite depressing.The announcers on the national broadcast saying give the Wizards credit for at least sticking around made me sick.How about pointing out exactly how bad they are at defending anything instead of saying well they really gave it a good shot?No they really didn't.

I thought they deserved some credit for last night. They weren't simply playing a contender or elite team, they were playing quite possibly the greatest team in the history of basketball. And Curry shot 11 of 16 from three, very few of them clean wide open looks. You can't blame the Wiz for that- Curry is obviously amazing but on a normal night be makes maybe 7 or 8 of those looks, not 11. Not to mention Shaun Livingston making a series of midrange jumpers just when the Wiz looked poised to complete a second comeback early in the 4th.

You can take them to task for their effort in probably 20+ of their 26 losses this year, but last night they put up a decent fight. They made some mistakes- eg I thought they should have left Wall in when he picked up a 4th foul at the end of their first comeback, the guy was cooking and he only averages 2.1 fouls a game, gotta roll the dice there. But overall it was a solid effort.

I'm just a little bitter about this team right now so maybe you are right.Just getting really tired of watching a team that has no idea how to defend anybody so I'm very frustrated.

 

[nittanylion]

I know it might seem radical, but IMHO, if they want to make something of this Season (and 'making something', again IMO, would constitute having a legit feeling they still have a shot at the 4 seed - they're only 6 out with 30 or so to play), trade healthy Beal now, while he looks good and before he inevitably breaks again. He's an exciting player, but I'm tired of Brittle Brad, and if I'm not mistaken, prior to this last injury, the offense ran more efficiently when he was off the court than on. They could get defensive help in the lane and on-ball perimeter and offensive pieces that fit comfortable with Wall's style of play (spot up shooters with plenty of range), maybe even a vet PG to give Wall a break without things falling apart. Start talks now, and pray he stays hot and healthy until someone breaks down and offers a the right package. Several deep, underperforming Teams with depth but lack of stars, who entered the season with high expectations that are falling short, are fast reaching the breaking point. In the short and long term, I think Wall needs a better all-around supporting cast more than one borderline super star scorer with an irritating health track record. Just my ...

 

[MattFancy]

I know it might seem radical, but IMHO, if they want to make something of this Season (and 'making something', again IMO, would constitute having a legit feeling they still have a shot at the 4 seed - they're only 6 out with 30 or so to play), trade healthy Beal now, while he looks good and before he inevitably breaks again. He's an exciting player, but I'm tired of Brittle Brad, and if I'm not mistaken, prior to this last injury, the offense ran more efficiently when he was off the court than on. They could get defensive help in the lane and on-ball perimeter and offensive pieces that fit comfortable with Wall's style of play (spot up shooters with plenty of range), maybe even a vet PG to give Wall a break without things falling apart. Start talks now, and pray he stays hot and healthy until someone breaks down and offers a the right package. Several deep, underperforming Teams with depth but lack of stars, who entered the season with high expectations that are falling short, are fast reaching the breaking point. In the short and long term, I think Wall needs a better all-around supporting cast more than one borderline super star scorer with an irritating health track record. Just my ...

Can't say I would hate that idea

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I'm starting to sour on Beal as well. I'm just as concerned with his nonchalant-ness with the ball and turnovers as I am with his health.

It's a shame we didn't pull the trigger on that James Harden deal a few years ago.

 

[tom22406]

This I know for sure is that I don't want Ernie making this deal,or any blow up the team deal, if it were to go down.

Keep Wall and everybody else is up for trade is my thinking if the right deal comes along.I don't see Porter as anything but just another guy and Beal has shown spurts of what he possibly could be but I don't want to be the team to pay him given his injury risk.

Blow it up!

 

[TobiasFunke]

I don't think you're gonna see a lot of blockbuster trades. Everyone knows only three or arguably four teams have a shot at the title, and obviously they're not gonna deal anything other than maybe their presumably very late future first round picks. There's only maybe two teams that could even hope make the leap from second tier to a potential Finals appearance by adding a guy of Beal's stature (Clippers and Raptors), and both of them already have a player as good or better than Beal starting at the 2 (Redick and DeRozan). Also, remember anyone who acquires Beal is either getting him for just this season or they're pledging to give him a max deal, because he'll be an RFA and someone will offer him one this offseason.

I just don't see them getting back enough to outweigh his value to the franchise both in terms of his potential if things break right and as a part of their sales pitch to free agents as a young high ceiling guy who creates space.

Also, Beal fits with Wall's style perfectly. They're not gonna find a better fit than Beal in a trade.

 

[TobiasFunke]

This I know for sure is that I don't want Ernie making this deal,or any blow up the team deal, if it were to go down.

Keep Wall and everybody else is up for trade is my thinking if the right deal comes along.I don't see Porter as anything but just another guy and Beal has shown spurts of what he possibly could be but I don't want to be the team to pay him given his injury risk.

Blow it up!

Now this I agree with. I'm past done with Ernie. Having Drew Gooden on the roster and getting PT is a fire-able offense by itself at this point.

What kills me on the Ernie/Gooden thing is that every Wizards fan on Twitter was praying for Bobby Portis last draft. And sure enough he fell to about 3-4 spots past the Wizards initial draft spot (they traded up for Oubre) and now Portis looks just as great as everyone thought he would. Just swap in Portis for Gooden's minutes and this team is probably around .500.

Maybe they should let Wizards Twitter run the team- they were all over Kawhi Leonard in 2011 when we took Vesely too.

 

[TobiasFunke]

 

[MattFancy]

Only 2 games out of the 6th spot!

 

[tom22406]

Only 2 games out of the 6th spot!

And now back to .500.maybe if they could play the Sixers for 82 games they could win 60 .

Next 7 looks to tell us exactly if they are serious about a run or not.

@Cavs

vs Pacers

@Blazers,Jazz and Nuggets

vs Pistons and Bulls

Need to go 4-3 and hopefully 5-2 with the Sixers as the next game after this to gain some traction and climb that East ladder.Still don't think they are anything that good but at least we can get a playoff sweat to form somewhat.

 

[TobiasFunke]

And now back to .500.maybe if they could play the Sixers for 82 games they could win 60 .

Next 7 looks to tell us exactly if they are serious about a run or not.

@Cavs

vs Pacers

@Blazers,Jazz and Nuggets

vs Pistons and Bulls

Need to go 4-3 and hopefully 5-2 with the Sixers as the next game after this to gain some traction and climb that East ladder.Still don't think they are anything that good but at least we can get a playoff sweat to form somewhat.

This is the big one IMO. Fair to assume they'll lose tonight and at least once and probably twice on that road trip.  If they beat the Paces, who are one of the 3-4 teams in the East they can possibly run down, they should come home from the trip in good shape with a chance to get themselves into a playoff spot over the next three.  If they lose they'll have to dig out of a much bigger hole.

 

[tom22406]

Well last night was a pretty crushing defeat for the playoff hopes this year,had they only been a little above normal at home this year(19-18) they would be in a playoff spot but now sit 2.5 games back with 11 to go.

Schedule looks like this-

vs T-Wolves

@Lakers,Warriors,Kings,Suns,Clippers

vs Nets

@Pistons

vs Hornets

@Nets

vs Hawks

So unless they go on a major run out West and win 4 of the 5(3 look to be very possible wins)you can put a fork in em.

 

[tom22406]

As Buck would say.........................DAGGGERRR!!!Except the reverse dagger :(

On the bright side this may force Ted into ditching Ernie and Witt now.

 

[MattFancy]

As Buck would say.........................DAGGGERRR!!!Except the reverse dagger :(

On the bright side this may force Ted into ditching Ernie and Witt now.

At least one of them has to go. I'm not sure which one I would want gone first though. Maybe Ernie since he's been here forever and nothing has really changed. Or Maybe Wittman because the team fell off a cliff this season, with basically the same guys as least season. Both should go, but something tells me it will only be Wittman.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Another banner for the rafters

 

[tom22406]

At least one of them has to go. I'm not sure which one I would want gone first though. Maybe Ernie since he's been here forever and nothing has really changed. Or Maybe Wittman because the team fell off a cliff this season, with basically the same guys as least season. Both should go, but something tells me it will only be Wittman.

Both have got to go and I will not settle for anything less.Grunfeld is way past due IMO.Has been a terrible drafter,does okay but nothing great with trades and the same goes for free agents.A new GM has to bring in a new coach or one would think,can't really see Wittman coming back unless Ernie sticks around.

 

[tom22406]

“I guess we kind of figured we’re already in the playoffs some reason. It’s either that or we want to get to the offseason. But as far as why, I have no idea. If guys don’t want to play, they need to sit down.”

“Everybody’s a grown-a– man. Either you want to play or you don’t. It’s plain and simple. Either you want to win or you don’t. If you don’t want to win then you need to sit down.”

“We bark too much,” Beal said. “We say what we need to do. We scream at one another. We can even try to blame Witt if we want to, but at the end of the day we’re still the ones playing and we still beat ourselves. We do dumb stuff on the floor. Just not having a man in transition or not knowing where a guy is in half court or not knowing personnel. We just do dumb mental lapses that just messes up your game and ends up hurting us in the long run.”



Hard to pass up this gem from Beal the other night.Note to Brad:Maybe you need to play more games next season and you were part of the problem this year.And yes he was clearly right but maybe he was the wrong guy to be saying this,would have rather heard this from John.


 
 

 

[TobiasFunke]

I was gonna post something about the Brooks hire and how I really liked the result but hated the process and found it discouraging, but one of the Bullets Forever writers did it for me.

 

[tom22406]

I was gonna post something about the Brooks hire and how I really liked the result but hated the process and found it discouraging, but one of the Bullets Forever writers did it for me.

It just screams desperation move in an attempt to lure Durant to D.C. with him(which won't happen).

What puzzles me is why Grunfeld gets a pass after all these years of failure.Wake up Ted,you did the right thing letting GMGM go from the Caps and now it's time to do the same with Ernie before he ####s anything else up.

 

[TobiasFunke]

It just screams desperation move in an attempt to lure Durant to D.C. with him(which won't happen).

What puzzles me is why Grunfeld gets a pass after all these years of failure.Wake up Ted,you did the right thing letting GMGM go from the Caps and now it's time to do the same with Ernie before he ####s anything else up.

Maybe it screams that if you're looking for a narrative, but I honestly don't think that's what's behind it, and I wouldn't call it "desperate" because that suggests a risk of it backfiring or making you look bad. Brooks is a good hire, he's one of the best candidates around and a good match for Wall and Beal. If he'd gone to a team that's not on the KD radar nobody would bat an eye.

Agree on Grunfeld. I think everyone does. Really frustrating.

 

[tom22406]

It's not that I think Brooks is a bad coach it's that I don't want Grunfeld making any more of these decisions.Now they have to trust him to build another team around Wall and Beal with Brooks at the helm?

I wish Brooks the best of luck and hope he does great but count me in the crowd that has zero faith in Grunfeld turning this around(becoming a solid contender)in the next few years.

 

[tom22406]

Also got a huge laugh out of hearing Gortat and Wittman didn't even speak for the last few months of the season after Witt called him out for his lack of rebounding.

 

[thecatch]

My problem with Brooks is that he doesn't appear to be a better tactician than Wittman. That said, Donovan isn't having any success in implementing an offensive system in OKC either, and maybe that's just a situation where the superstars are going to play how they want to play, similar to how LeBron versus Blatt played out in Cleveland.  Worst case scenario is that Brooks is an expensive lateral move. 

As you guys noted, the roster decisions are the bigger issue. Not sure Grunfed has the capacity, or at his point, the resources to put together a solid run and gun team. A lot of their success the last couple years had to do with their traditional bigs controlling the paint defensively, and now with Nene basically done they can't rely on that anymore even if they wanted to. They will continue to need big jumps from Beal and Porter, and now Morris, to get back to where they want to be, IMO. I don't think Barnes or any of the other guys they might drop big money on are going to move the needle. 

 

[tom22406]

Figured it was time for another post with free agency around the bend.As if it weren't bad enough KD won't even talk to the Zards about playing here.I didn't expect him to play here at all but I did expect it being his hometown to at least command a pitch from the team but so is life.

So a few names being thrown around are Ryan Anderson,Noah,Barnes and a few others as targets they could bring in.I don't mind any of these guys as long as the price is right but this being the Wiz they might have to overpay to get them.At this point this season is all about Beal and his health and to see if he takes that next step up or just follows along the same path of his first few years and to also see how Grunfeld can save his job if this team falters again because he pretty clearly has some nude pics of Leonsis after all these years.

With very little under salary the next few weeks should be interesting if nothing else but I'm not expecting anything great and in fact will be happy if they can somehow surround Wall with decent pieces.

 

[Sebowski]

What's the word on these new guys?

 

[tom22406]

What's the word on these new guys?

Was hoping TF would chime in since he follows the NBA more closely than I do about the guys they brought in.

My opinion is meh with these moves.Took a small chance on Burke in hopes he can turn his game around backing up Wall and IMO is a good get for a distant 2nd rounder.I like Mahinmi somewhat with what I saw from him late last year,Nicholson is JAG to me,some upside but not much and the one some fans have been wanting to see for a few years now finally happens with Satoransky.Hopefully he isn't another Vesely and from the sounds of things at least he can shoot so that already rules out that part of his game.

I see if all things fall right a 41-45 win season and possibly a 6-8 seed but then again I do love to torture myself with this team.

 

[tom22406]

Give me some hope for this season Tobias.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Give me some hope for this season Tobias.

Uhhh .... Satoransky looks pretty exciting?

I think they'll be a semi-decent regular season team. They're deeper than in previous seasons, which should serve them well over the 82 game slog. That's about it, though. Unless someone takes a HUGE step forward- like if Wall turns into Chris Paul, or Beal turns into Klay Thompson- they'll be fighting to stay above .500 and maybe grab the 7 or 8 seed.

 

[tom22406]

Uhhh .... Satoransky looks pretty exciting?

I think they'll be a semi-decent regular season team. They're deeper than in previous seasons, which should serve them well over the 82 game slog. That's about it, though. Unless someone takes a HUGE step forward- like if Wall turns into Chris Paul, or Beal turns into Klay Thompson- they'll be fighting to stay above .500 and maybe grab the 7 or 8 seed.

Caught a little of the game last night and have to agree with Satoransky.He showed good hustle and didn't look in over his head at all.I just hope Brooks doesn't bury him on the bench and gives him a decent shot at getting some minutes.From the looks of it he has the skills to compete.

What did look really bad though was the team defense but I guess it's really hard to expect Brooks to cure this after only a few weeks but his work is clearly set out for him now let's hope can now somehow improve it.If they can somehow get Beal to remain healthy for an entire year I can see a higher seed(5-6)but otherwise I agree that the best we can realistically hope for is sneaking in at the bottom of the playoff bracket.

 

[thecatch]

IMO the season rides on Otto replicating his playoff performance for a whole year and even making a leap beyond that. They also need Beal to stay healthy and be more of a shot creator. If those two things come to pass they should be a tick better than last year. Pierce was a piece that moved the needle for them last year and they need to replace that production with internal development.

If Beal gets hurt, Otto regresses and they get nothing from Dudley, they'll take a big step back. The big man rotation is frightening. But, that said, I think the ECF is a realistic goal though unless they get some bad luck with the seeding and run into the Cavs early.

I think I can pretty much run this season preview back for this year, subbing out Dudley for Morris. If they get best case scenarios from Porter, Beal, and Morris, I don't see why they can't compete for home court in the East. I guess Wall's knee surgeries are an additional concern, but he is reportedly moving well in camp. 

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Turns out that Lebron's poison party slop shot at Verizon might be what keeps the Wiz out of the #1 seed.

 

[Fear The Turtle]

Turns out that Lebron's poison party slop shot at Verizon might be what keeps the Wiz out of the #1 seed.

Maybe, but there's still almost 20 games left.