Nighthawk
July-20th-2007, 07:31 AM
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22783.shtml
Wizards: Championship Material (Part I)
By Kealin M. Culbreath, Esq. "The Truthsayer"
Jul 16, 2007, 15:16
Building a Contender
In our series earlier this summer {Building a Firm Foundation – Parts I, II, and III}, we talked about three factors that were common in most NBA champions over the last 20 years. All of these teams, for the most part, played tremendous defense, could execute very efficiently in the half-court setting and had at least one player (usually a big man) who could play in the post and score with his back to the basket. Based on these criteria, we reached the inevitable conclusion that the Washington Wizards were not ready to play for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. We can also take that conclusion one step further: The Wizards may not even be ready to advance beyond the first round with the squad they have in place right now.
But all hope is not lost.
There are some things that may be done in order to improve the team’s chances of winning their first playoff series in nearly three seasons. We must understand that building a championship caliber team is not done overnight and that this may take several years. However, if the team were to keep our criteria in mind when selecting which players to draft, trade for, and/or obtain via free agency, they will be that much closer to achieving that elusive dream.
The very first thing that should be done is to evaluate all of our players and positions to determine what we need to do in order to get better. This type of critical analysis may not be fun and it will force us to uncover some ugly truths, but there is no way around it. Let’s begin our discussion with the team’s guards.
The Guards
The Wizards are not necessarily a guard-driven team per se like the Detroit Pistons or the Golden State Warriors. Rather, in Eddie Jordan’s Princeton Offense, everyone has equal access to score and produce. But that’s not to say that the guards don’t have an important function with the squad because they most definitely do. Keeping our mind centered on our three necessary championship criteria in mind, it is clear that our guard play can influence all three of these factors. Our guards initiate the offense and get everyone in their proper positions. What immediately jumps out at you is the fact that the guards’ defense and running an efficient half-court offense are their most important duties. And even though, the guards shouldn’t be playing in the post, they are responsible for making the entry passes to those players who will be.
Gilbert Arenas
Without question, this is Gilbert’s team. He is the team’s best player and the only “superstar-ish” player. Last season, Gilbert elevated his game so much that for the first half of the season, he was considered a candidate for the Most Value Player award - an honor most players never realize. Toward the end of the season, his play somewhat fell off as he entered into a prolonged shooting slump but that’s okay. Rome is not built in a day and with his resolve, he will continue to get better.
Offensively, Gil can do it all - score, distribute, and rebound reasonably well for a point guard. He can shoot with the best of them from anywhere on the court with seemingly unlimited range. Moreover, Gilbert can penetrate and finish very well and is a clutch, clutch player; at the end of games, you want the ball in his hands. Mr. Arenas has very few weaknesses on this side of the ball.
Defensively, however, Gilbert is a liability and he knows it. He has stated publicly that he intends to be a better defensive player beginning this upcoming season. The only reason why Gilbert is not a true superstar ala Kobe, Jason Kidd, and Tracy McGrady, is because of his defensive vulnerability. Quite frankly, he allows the opposition to score too many points and allows too much penetration. This puts the entire defense on its heels and makes them vulnerable to a myriad of problems. Any improvement in this area would be much appreciated and would make the team better overall because all of the players would be on notice that if the best player on the team is busting his butt on defense, then the 12th man on the team would have to do the same.
We have talked about this deficiency for years now. Playing defense is all about effort. Gilbert knows what he must do in order to elevate his game. The question is will he do it?
Grade: B+
DeShawn Stevenson
Now that Stevenson has agreed in principle to a four year deal with the team, there is no reason to doubt his role. Last season, in what amounted to a one year audition, he made the most of his opportunity by grabbing the starting job in the pre-season and playing well enough throughout the course of the season to hold on to it.
Unlike his fellow starter, DeShawn’s forte is defense. He is strong, physical, and matches up well against most shooting guards. This is one of the primary reasons why the team wanted him back. Having him on the floor with Gilbert allows the team some measure of compensation for Mr. Arenas’ Achilles’ Heel.
Offensively, Stevenson has some game as well. He is not the best ball handler in the world and although he isn’t afraid to put the ball on the floor, he looks out of control when he does. An improvement in his ball handling responsibilities will make him a much more polished and efficient player.
DeShawn can also shoot reasonably well from a standstill position from beyond the arc. He can also put the ball on the floor and pull up with effectiveness. In addition to working on his ball handling duties, if he were to develop a mid-range shot that he could stick with consistency, he could become a regular contributor on offense.
Last season, in the playoffs, when the team needed him to step up and score, he delivered. Next season, the team should give him more opportunities to help alleviate some of the scoring burden from the Big Three.
Grade: B
Antonio Daniels
AD is the team’s only true point guard meaning that he thinks “pass first and score second.” He is a veteran and savvy player and really came alive when both Gilbert and Caron Butler went down with season-ending injuries in the latter stages of 2006-07. He played so well in fact, that many fans believe that he should get the starting nod over Stevenson which would allow Gilbert to move over to the shooting guard position. However, this would not work as Gilbert would be forced to play against the two guards who would eat him alive on defense. Moreover, Daniels is not big enough to contain most of today’s NBA shooting guards.
Offensively, Daniels is the most fearless penetrator on the team. When he drives, it allows the other members to get in position for a wide open shot or for a position to rebound. AD is at his most effective when he is attack mode. In addition, he seems to be able to initiate the offense very well and is a calming influence both on the court and in the locker room.
He does run into problems when teams force him to take the outside shot. Last year, he seemed to be in a season long shooting slump and as a result, his playing time was erratic. If he improves on his outside shot, he would become the most valuable reserve on the team.
Defensively, AD is solid. He has good foot speed and his technique is very good. No problems here.
Grade: B
Beyond these three guards, the Wizards’ well runs dry. The team needs a guard, preferably a two guard who can come in off the bench and play 20-25 minutes per night and score 10+ points per game. We would take a slasher, a shooter, whatever. It would be a big plus if dude could play defense as well.
The bench needs more firepower and an infusion of NBA quality talent. Perhaps the Wizards’ draft picks of Nick Young and Dominic McGuire are being groomed for this role but Coach Jordan isn’t always high on rookies. They may need at least a year of seasoning before they’re ready for such a huge responsibility. Besides, the team needs a veteran presence who understands his role and willing to accept the fact that he won’t be the team’s superstar.
Grade (Reserves): C-
Jarvis Hayes probably will not be back with the team because, for whatever reason, could not perform this role. Juan Carlos Navarro is a heralded player but an untested player and no one really knows how he will perform when and if he suits up for the Wizards so the team must plan accordingly.
There are a few free agents on the market who could fulfill this need but because the team is already dangerously close to the salary-cap, this may not be the most prudent course of action. Just to name a few options, there is a homegrown product on the market who has been bought out by the Portland Trailblazers after being traded from the New York Knicks – Steve Francis. Although he may not be the player that he once was (slowed by injuries), the Franchise would still be an upgrade over any reserve player that we have right now. He is capable of playing at least 20 minutes and delivering 10-12 points per night. Because of his lucrative buyout, he wouldn’t demand as much money as he would otherwise. It’s definitely something to consider.
Other options include Derek Anderson, Sasha Pavlovic, Eddie Jones, Devin Brown and Brevin Knight. Each one of these players would be able to provide the bench with a spark and help the team win more games.
In professional basketball, a four man guard rotation is optimal with another guard who sees spot duty or is a “specialist.” Last season, Roger Mason, Jr. served in this capacity and from all indications performed this job adequately. In our estimation, because of the way he performed in the playoffs against the Cavaliers, he earned a shot at more playing time. However, Roger is an unrestricted free agent and we haven’t heard anything about the Wizards bringing him back. We will keep an eye on this situation.
In the next edition, we will continue with our analysis of the small forward position. Until then, Go Wizards!
Wizards: Championship Material (Part I)
By Kealin M. Culbreath, Esq. "The Truthsayer"
Jul 16, 2007, 15:16
Building a Contender
In our series earlier this summer {Building a Firm Foundation – Parts I, II, and III}, we talked about three factors that were common in most NBA champions over the last 20 years. All of these teams, for the most part, played tremendous defense, could execute very efficiently in the half-court setting and had at least one player (usually a big man) who could play in the post and score with his back to the basket. Based on these criteria, we reached the inevitable conclusion that the Washington Wizards were not ready to play for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. We can also take that conclusion one step further: The Wizards may not even be ready to advance beyond the first round with the squad they have in place right now.
But all hope is not lost.
There are some things that may be done in order to improve the team’s chances of winning their first playoff series in nearly three seasons. We must understand that building a championship caliber team is not done overnight and that this may take several years. However, if the team were to keep our criteria in mind when selecting which players to draft, trade for, and/or obtain via free agency, they will be that much closer to achieving that elusive dream.
The very first thing that should be done is to evaluate all of our players and positions to determine what we need to do in order to get better. This type of critical analysis may not be fun and it will force us to uncover some ugly truths, but there is no way around it. Let’s begin our discussion with the team’s guards.
The Guards
The Wizards are not necessarily a guard-driven team per se like the Detroit Pistons or the Golden State Warriors. Rather, in Eddie Jordan’s Princeton Offense, everyone has equal access to score and produce. But that’s not to say that the guards don’t have an important function with the squad because they most definitely do. Keeping our mind centered on our three necessary championship criteria in mind, it is clear that our guard play can influence all three of these factors. Our guards initiate the offense and get everyone in their proper positions. What immediately jumps out at you is the fact that the guards’ defense and running an efficient half-court offense are their most important duties. And even though, the guards shouldn’t be playing in the post, they are responsible for making the entry passes to those players who will be.
Gilbert Arenas
Without question, this is Gilbert’s team. He is the team’s best player and the only “superstar-ish” player. Last season, Gilbert elevated his game so much that for the first half of the season, he was considered a candidate for the Most Value Player award - an honor most players never realize. Toward the end of the season, his play somewhat fell off as he entered into a prolonged shooting slump but that’s okay. Rome is not built in a day and with his resolve, he will continue to get better.
Offensively, Gil can do it all - score, distribute, and rebound reasonably well for a point guard. He can shoot with the best of them from anywhere on the court with seemingly unlimited range. Moreover, Gilbert can penetrate and finish very well and is a clutch, clutch player; at the end of games, you want the ball in his hands. Mr. Arenas has very few weaknesses on this side of the ball.
Defensively, however, Gilbert is a liability and he knows it. He has stated publicly that he intends to be a better defensive player beginning this upcoming season. The only reason why Gilbert is not a true superstar ala Kobe, Jason Kidd, and Tracy McGrady, is because of his defensive vulnerability. Quite frankly, he allows the opposition to score too many points and allows too much penetration. This puts the entire defense on its heels and makes them vulnerable to a myriad of problems. Any improvement in this area would be much appreciated and would make the team better overall because all of the players would be on notice that if the best player on the team is busting his butt on defense, then the 12th man on the team would have to do the same.
We have talked about this deficiency for years now. Playing defense is all about effort. Gilbert knows what he must do in order to elevate his game. The question is will he do it?
Grade: B+
DeShawn Stevenson
Now that Stevenson has agreed in principle to a four year deal with the team, there is no reason to doubt his role. Last season, in what amounted to a one year audition, he made the most of his opportunity by grabbing the starting job in the pre-season and playing well enough throughout the course of the season to hold on to it.
Unlike his fellow starter, DeShawn’s forte is defense. He is strong, physical, and matches up well against most shooting guards. This is one of the primary reasons why the team wanted him back. Having him on the floor with Gilbert allows the team some measure of compensation for Mr. Arenas’ Achilles’ Heel.
Offensively, Stevenson has some game as well. He is not the best ball handler in the world and although he isn’t afraid to put the ball on the floor, he looks out of control when he does. An improvement in his ball handling responsibilities will make him a much more polished and efficient player.
DeShawn can also shoot reasonably well from a standstill position from beyond the arc. He can also put the ball on the floor and pull up with effectiveness. In addition to working on his ball handling duties, if he were to develop a mid-range shot that he could stick with consistency, he could become a regular contributor on offense.
Last season, in the playoffs, when the team needed him to step up and score, he delivered. Next season, the team should give him more opportunities to help alleviate some of the scoring burden from the Big Three.
Grade: B
Antonio Daniels
AD is the team’s only true point guard meaning that he thinks “pass first and score second.” He is a veteran and savvy player and really came alive when both Gilbert and Caron Butler went down with season-ending injuries in the latter stages of 2006-07. He played so well in fact, that many fans believe that he should get the starting nod over Stevenson which would allow Gilbert to move over to the shooting guard position. However, this would not work as Gilbert would be forced to play against the two guards who would eat him alive on defense. Moreover, Daniels is not big enough to contain most of today’s NBA shooting guards.
Offensively, Daniels is the most fearless penetrator on the team. When he drives, it allows the other members to get in position for a wide open shot or for a position to rebound. AD is at his most effective when he is attack mode. In addition, he seems to be able to initiate the offense very well and is a calming influence both on the court and in the locker room.
He does run into problems when teams force him to take the outside shot. Last year, he seemed to be in a season long shooting slump and as a result, his playing time was erratic. If he improves on his outside shot, he would become the most valuable reserve on the team.
Defensively, AD is solid. He has good foot speed and his technique is very good. No problems here.
Grade: B
Beyond these three guards, the Wizards’ well runs dry. The team needs a guard, preferably a two guard who can come in off the bench and play 20-25 minutes per night and score 10+ points per game. We would take a slasher, a shooter, whatever. It would be a big plus if dude could play defense as well.
The bench needs more firepower and an infusion of NBA quality talent. Perhaps the Wizards’ draft picks of Nick Young and Dominic McGuire are being groomed for this role but Coach Jordan isn’t always high on rookies. They may need at least a year of seasoning before they’re ready for such a huge responsibility. Besides, the team needs a veteran presence who understands his role and willing to accept the fact that he won’t be the team’s superstar.
Grade (Reserves): C-
Jarvis Hayes probably will not be back with the team because, for whatever reason, could not perform this role. Juan Carlos Navarro is a heralded player but an untested player and no one really knows how he will perform when and if he suits up for the Wizards so the team must plan accordingly.
There are a few free agents on the market who could fulfill this need but because the team is already dangerously close to the salary-cap, this may not be the most prudent course of action. Just to name a few options, there is a homegrown product on the market who has been bought out by the Portland Trailblazers after being traded from the New York Knicks – Steve Francis. Although he may not be the player that he once was (slowed by injuries), the Franchise would still be an upgrade over any reserve player that we have right now. He is capable of playing at least 20 minutes and delivering 10-12 points per night. Because of his lucrative buyout, he wouldn’t demand as much money as he would otherwise. It’s definitely something to consider.
Other options include Derek Anderson, Sasha Pavlovic, Eddie Jones, Devin Brown and Brevin Knight. Each one of these players would be able to provide the bench with a spark and help the team win more games.
In professional basketball, a four man guard rotation is optimal with another guard who sees spot duty or is a “specialist.” Last season, Roger Mason, Jr. served in this capacity and from all indications performed this job adequately. In our estimation, because of the way he performed in the playoffs against the Cavaliers, he earned a shot at more playing time. However, Roger is an unrestricted free agent and we haven’t heard anything about the Wizards bringing him back. We will keep an eye on this situation.
In the next edition, we will continue with our analysis of the small forward position. Until then, Go Wizards!