Blogger Knows Best: Inside the Washington Wizards
By Joshua Motenko
Sat, 04/18/2009 - 11:24pm
Team Name: Washington Wizards
Blog Name: Truth About It
Blogger Name: Kyle Weidie
The Wiz still have a solid core with all-NBA nice guy and consistent offensive contirbutor, Antawn Jamison.
1. Based on preseason expectations, how would you grade this season? Please list your team's top three accomplishments.
It's hard to put a grade on a season that was sent into the depths of futility by two shockingly unexpected injuries; one being a third knee surgery for Gilbert Arenas when he was supposed to be ready for the season, and the other being an injury to Brendan Haywood's wrist suffered in training camp.
Last year, the Wizards were able to survive without Arenas thanks to several players having career years. This year has been almost the complete opposite (okay, worse), making many realize the value of Haywood, especially when it comes to communication on defense. Grade? The teacher would probably give the Wiz an incomplete and hold them back another year. Thus, it would be difficult to name "top" accomplishments.
If anything, Wizards youth such as Nick Young, JaVale McGee, Javaris Crittenton and Dominic McGuire have had a chance to improve, although with the inexperienced tactics of interim coach Ed Tapscott, exactly how much positive development was actually accomplish can be debated. Another "accomplishment" would be that the Wizards' horrendous record will earn them a top pick in the '09 draft, albeit one in a weak class.
2. How would you assess the competency of the team's current GM and scouting staff?
The capabilities of GM Ernie Grunfeld can be trusted. His best move with the Wiz would be pilfering the Lakers of Caron Butler for punk (the bane of the franchise's #1 draft pick existence) Kwame Brown. More recently, Grunfeld made a lot of people eat crow, myself included, by taking McGee with the 16th pick in '08...well, at least those who said the pick was wasted.
The verdict is still out on Young and Blatche, but they can be considered wins when factoring where they were taken in the draft (1st round, 16th overall in '07 and 2nd round, 49th overall in '05 respectively).
I'll also commend Grunfeld for trading the 5th pick in '04, (which turned out to be Devin Harris) Jerry Stackhouse and Christian Laettner for Antawn Jamison. Sure, Harris had a career year, but getting rid of the bad contracts of Stackhouse and Laettner was key in our rebuilding – and simply put, the Wizards would not have gone to the playoffs four years in a row without Jamison. This summer, and the results of next season, are make-or-break for Grunfeld. He won't likely overhaul the roster, but the Wizards' high draft pick, which Grunfeld calls an "asset", and owner Abe Pollin's edict to spend whatever it takes to win, puts pressure on the GM to add the right piece(s) to put the team in contention.
3. Which young players (if any) can step to the forefront in the future?
Young has shown a fierce scoring instinct that you just can’t teach. However, he also has a penchant for hanging his head and being unaware on defense. He does have the tools to be a good defender, 6'6" frame, crazy hops, but needs to possess more desire and dedication....unfortunately, Arenas doesn't provide the best example in this area.
McGee is about 7'2" in shoes, still growing, and has length for days. He can be an unstoppable force as an alley-oop target for a team that likes to run. Although still clearly raw, McGee is a lot better than people expected. If he puts on some weight/grows into his frame, and develops more basketball instinct (as in not leaving his feet for every single pump-fake), then he realistically has star potential. Oh yea, basketball is in his blood. His mom, Pamela McGee, was a damn good WNBA player and his father was drafted by the Blazers back in the day.
McGuire made the greatest strides this season, earning a spot in the starting lineup. Tapscott dubbed him the team's Bruce Bowen, as he often defended the opponent's best offensive player. McGuire's offensive capabilities are paltry, even with vast jump shot improvement. But the rebounding, shot blocking, and defense he brings to the court with his 6'8" frame could be invaluable to future success.
Agent 0 will have help next year as the Wizards will have a shot at Blake Griffin in the draft, and are sure to get a top-3 pick
4. Time to play fantasy GM: what move that was made the past few years would you undo and what move would you currently make for the team to assess immediate or long term needs?
Many Wizards fans might highlight last off season's contracts given to Arenas and Jamison as mistakes....not so. If Grunfeld didn't sign the duo, he likely would have lost them for nothing, putting the Wizards in full rebuilding mode. It's still the thought amongst those dedicated to the franchise that with a lot of luck health-wise, and perhaps a veteran piece, the Wiz can compete in the upper tier of the East next season, especially with Flip Saunders coming to town.
Careful observation dictates that the Wizards need a rugged low post defender with a nose for rebounding, and a spot-up three point marksman. Last summer, the Wizards had to let go someone who fits the latter bill, Roger Mason, because they couldn't afford him (signing Mason would have put the Wiz in luxury tax territory). Since, the aging Pollin said that he would spend what it takes in this offseason to profile the team to compete for the title. I guess I would have rather had Pollin made that declaration beforehand.
If the Wiz are lucky enough to get the top pick, we'll dance in the DC streets, take Blake Griffin and pretty much stand pat (unless an amazing trade falls into our laps). The biggest assets for a trade (since I would not trade Butler, Jamison, Arenas or McGee....in the least), might be the contracts of Etan Thomas and Mike James, which expire after the '09-'10 season. Their deals total just under $14 million.
Wizards fans have long memories...
One might be hard pressed to find takers (for either or both) this summer, but as the trade deadline approaches next season, they will be hot commodities for a team looking for cap room in this struggling economy. Depending on how the Wiz are doing up to the trade deadline, they might find a player who puts them over the top, like when the Pistons stumbled upon Rasheed Wallace. And that's why I would wait and see.
5. Best case scenario: where would you realistically like to see your team at this time next year?
With Flip Saunders on the bench – and good assistants next to him who can help manage locker room personalities, especially that of the quirky Gilbert Arenas – I’m confident that the team will improve immensely.
The best-case scenario is achieving a top four seed in next year's playoffs, perhaps a step behind the likes of Boston, Cleveland and Orlando. Maybe the scenario will be that LeBron and his Cavs get the top seed, as they will this year, and meet up with the fourth seeded Wizards in the second round. In a perfect world, Wizards fans have a pipe-dream about upsetting the Cavs, because of the history, and because Arenas always plays his best against Lebron. For all your Washington Wizards coverage, go to www.TruthAboutIt.net.
Blog Name: Truth About It
Blogger Name: Kyle Weidie
The Wiz still have a solid core with all-NBA nice guy and consistent offensive contirbutor, Antawn Jamison.1. Based on preseason expectations, how would you grade this season? Please list your team's top three accomplishments.
It's hard to put a grade on a season that was sent into the depths of futility by two shockingly unexpected injuries; one being a third knee surgery for Gilbert Arenas when he was supposed to be ready for the season, and the other being an injury to Brendan Haywood's wrist suffered in training camp.
Last year, the Wizards were able to survive without Arenas thanks to several players having career years. This year has been almost the complete opposite (okay, worse), making many realize the value of Haywood, especially when it comes to communication on defense. Grade? The teacher would probably give the Wiz an incomplete and hold them back another year. Thus, it would be difficult to name "top" accomplishments.
If anything, Wizards youth such as Nick Young, JaVale McGee, Javaris Crittenton and Dominic McGuire have had a chance to improve, although with the inexperienced tactics of interim coach Ed Tapscott, exactly how much positive development was actually accomplish can be debated. Another "accomplishment" would be that the Wizards' horrendous record will earn them a top pick in the '09 draft, albeit one in a weak class.
2. How would you assess the competency of the team's current GM and scouting staff?
The capabilities of GM Ernie Grunfeld can be trusted. His best move with the Wiz would be pilfering the Lakers of Caron Butler for punk (the bane of the franchise's #1 draft pick existence) Kwame Brown. More recently, Grunfeld made a lot of people eat crow, myself included, by taking McGee with the 16th pick in '08...well, at least those who said the pick was wasted.
The verdict is still out on Young and Blatche, but they can be considered wins when factoring where they were taken in the draft (1st round, 16th overall in '07 and 2nd round, 49th overall in '05 respectively).
I'll also commend Grunfeld for trading the 5th pick in '04, (which turned out to be Devin Harris) Jerry Stackhouse and Christian Laettner for Antawn Jamison. Sure, Harris had a career year, but getting rid of the bad contracts of Stackhouse and Laettner was key in our rebuilding – and simply put, the Wizards would not have gone to the playoffs four years in a row without Jamison. This summer, and the results of next season, are make-or-break for Grunfeld. He won't likely overhaul the roster, but the Wizards' high draft pick, which Grunfeld calls an "asset", and owner Abe Pollin's edict to spend whatever it takes to win, puts pressure on the GM to add the right piece(s) to put the team in contention.
3. Which young players (if any) can step to the forefront in the future?
Young has shown a fierce scoring instinct that you just can’t teach. However, he also has a penchant for hanging his head and being unaware on defense. He does have the tools to be a good defender, 6'6" frame, crazy hops, but needs to possess more desire and dedication....unfortunately, Arenas doesn't provide the best example in this area.
McGee is about 7'2" in shoes, still growing, and has length for days. He can be an unstoppable force as an alley-oop target for a team that likes to run. Although still clearly raw, McGee is a lot better than people expected. If he puts on some weight/grows into his frame, and develops more basketball instinct (as in not leaving his feet for every single pump-fake), then he realistically has star potential. Oh yea, basketball is in his blood. His mom, Pamela McGee, was a damn good WNBA player and his father was drafted by the Blazers back in the day.
McGuire made the greatest strides this season, earning a spot in the starting lineup. Tapscott dubbed him the team's Bruce Bowen, as he often defended the opponent's best offensive player. McGuire's offensive capabilities are paltry, even with vast jump shot improvement. But the rebounding, shot blocking, and defense he brings to the court with his 6'8" frame could be invaluable to future success.
Agent 0 will have help next year as the Wizards will have a shot at Blake Griffin in the draft, and are sure to get a top-3 pick4. Time to play fantasy GM: what move that was made the past few years would you undo and what move would you currently make for the team to assess immediate or long term needs?
Many Wizards fans might highlight last off season's contracts given to Arenas and Jamison as mistakes....not so. If Grunfeld didn't sign the duo, he likely would have lost them for nothing, putting the Wizards in full rebuilding mode. It's still the thought amongst those dedicated to the franchise that with a lot of luck health-wise, and perhaps a veteran piece, the Wiz can compete in the upper tier of the East next season, especially with Flip Saunders coming to town.
Careful observation dictates that the Wizards need a rugged low post defender with a nose for rebounding, and a spot-up three point marksman. Last summer, the Wizards had to let go someone who fits the latter bill, Roger Mason, because they couldn't afford him (signing Mason would have put the Wiz in luxury tax territory). Since, the aging Pollin said that he would spend what it takes in this offseason to profile the team to compete for the title. I guess I would have rather had Pollin made that declaration beforehand.
If the Wiz are lucky enough to get the top pick, we'll dance in the DC streets, take Blake Griffin and pretty much stand pat (unless an amazing trade falls into our laps). The biggest assets for a trade (since I would not trade Butler, Jamison, Arenas or McGee....in the least), might be the contracts of Etan Thomas and Mike James, which expire after the '09-'10 season. Their deals total just under $14 million.
Wizards fans have long memories...One might be hard pressed to find takers (for either or both) this summer, but as the trade deadline approaches next season, they will be hot commodities for a team looking for cap room in this struggling economy. Depending on how the Wiz are doing up to the trade deadline, they might find a player who puts them over the top, like when the Pistons stumbled upon Rasheed Wallace. And that's why I would wait and see.
5. Best case scenario: where would you realistically like to see your team at this time next year?
With Flip Saunders on the bench – and good assistants next to him who can help manage locker room personalities, especially that of the quirky Gilbert Arenas – I’m confident that the team will improve immensely.
The best-case scenario is achieving a top four seed in next year's playoffs, perhaps a step behind the likes of Boston, Cleveland and Orlando. Maybe the scenario will be that LeBron and his Cavs get the top seed, as they will this year, and meet up with the fourth seeded Wizards in the second round. In a perfect world, Wizards fans have a pipe-dream about upsetting the Cavs, because of the history, and because Arenas always plays his best against Lebron. For all your Washington Wizards coverage, go to www.TruthAboutIt.net.