SB Nation User Blog: Pryme

"It's a difficult thing in the NBA. You're always looking for ways to improve. But I think we have...

Pryme — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:48:10 -0000

"It's a difficult thing in the NBA. You're always looking for ways to improve. But I think we have plenty of players on the team. Now it's up to them to perform up to their abilities. You obviously evaluate as you go along and you'd really like to evaluate with a full deck for an extended period of time. And we really haven't had that full deck."

Shorter Ernie Grunfeld: if you think I'm trading anyone this season, think again.

Still, Washington's overall defense was sufficiently effective for them to have won the game. But...

Pryme — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:07:12 -0000

Still, Washington's overall defense was sufficiently effective for them to have won the game. But what they require more than anything else is a point-producing low-post player, who will compel opponents to double-team him and therefore generate layups for dive-cutters as well as pressure-free jumpers for the likes of Arenas, Jamison, and Butler.

Charley Rosen on the Wizard's OT loss to the Raptors, and an assessment on what they need. After watching their offensive performance of late, I'm inclined to agree that what they need is a reliable postplayer.

LeBron James Encourages NBA To Stop Jumping In Honor Of Michael Jordan

Pryme — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:01:07 -0000

LeBron James Encourages NBA To Stop Jumping In Honor Of Michael Jordan

Because we need a laugh.

AP: Shaq to Miss Tuesday's Golden State Game

Pryme — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:08:23 -0000

AP: Shaq to Miss Tuesday's Golden State Game

Could mean he may miss the game on Wed., but considering his off-the-court issues, the team's 4-games-in-5-days schedule and the fact that AP labeling the injury as "mysterious" (who's his trainer, Dr. Strange?) anything's possible.

If you trust and believe in it, then the game will be easy," Hamilton said of the offense. "But all...

Pryme — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:51:46 -0000

If you trust and believe in it, then the game will be easy," Hamilton said of the offense. "But all five guys have to be on the same page. If all five guys ain't on the same page, it's not going to work. All five guys got to know, and say, 'Okay, I believe in it. I'm going to get a shot, and if I don't get a shot, my teammate is going to get a shot.' "

Rip was referring to Flip's offense specifically, but you could argue that philosophy applies to just about any offense. Rip also said that Butler should be "great at it."

Gilbert's businesslike approach is understandable since he's trying to shake his rep as an...

Pryme — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:04:16 -0000

Gilbert's businesslike approach is understandable since he's trying to shake his rep as an injury-prone goofball. But the Wiz are starting to take on his new personality -- joyless.

John Galinsky, doing the FOXSports NBA Power Rankings. I think he's half-right: the team (as any other team would) is taking on Gil's persona, I'm just not convinced that "joyless" is the right word.

Maybe I'm Not Loooking At The Same Team Here...

Pryme — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:20:16 -0000

I have to admit, I like to read Charley Rosen's work as he occasionally has some good insights. But his latest assessment of the Wizards has me scratching my head:

Washington Wizards

Strengths: Gilbert Arenas' genius for scoring.

The steady point-making skills of Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.

Mike Miller is a spot shooter deluxe.

Randy Foye is a solid all-around performer on offense.

In Nick Young, a blossoming star.

The continued potential of Andray Blatche.

Flip Saunder's zone defenses that look like man-to-man alignments, as well as his multiple offenses.

Weaknesses: Arenas, Butler, Miller, Foye, Young and Blatche all need lots of ball time to be effective.

Not enough defense.

Not enough willing role players.

Brendan Haywood and Blatche are career underachievers.

I'm pretty much on board with his take on the team's strengths, even though I'm surprised that Haywood isn't mentioned at all (it's universally known that his absence last season contributed to the 19-win season).

As for the weaknesses, his analysis just comes off as, well, lazy. "Scorers need the ball?" Really? How unique an issue for a basketball team! Then there's the "defense" comment, as if the franchise hasn't heard this the 90's. Calling Blatche and underachiever is arguable, but Haywood? How so?

But the thing that gets me is Rosen's comment of the team "not [having] enough willing role players." So does this mean the team has role players who don't want to be role players? How does this explain Oberto, or McGuire or Stevenson? Team-decimating injuries aside, those guys have done nothing but "play roles." Oberto is set to be the front-court muscle. McGuire is the defensive stopper. Stevenson is also a defensive player who can hit an open-shot.

Perhaps I've missed something, but I haven't read anything hinting that these guys (or any guys on the roster, for that matter) has any objection to playing a role (we've all seen how Arenas has adapted to being more of a PG).

But this type of "analysis" tells another story: that the Wizards are not just fighting against 29 other teams, but against the public perception that a few new players, a new coach and a return of their star player does not equate to post-season success. While I don't see them as world-beaters yet, I know this squad is bringing more to the table than, "We'll just outscore them, then we'll win!"

Poll

Which or Rosen's Weaknesses Does You Agree With?

Not Enough Basketballs To Go Around

8 votes

Defense

57 votes

"Not enough willing role players"

1 votes

Haywood/Blatche are underachievers

6 votes

72 votes | Poll has closed

Michael Lee: Wizards Get Hypnotized

Pryme — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:16:12 -0000

Michael Lee: Wizards Get Hypnotized

[insert jokes regarding defense here].

...if I had to list the top eight teams in the East, I'd have to go (in order) with Cleveland,...

Pryme — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:38:28 -0000

...if I had to list the top eight teams in the East, I'd have to go (in order) with Cleveland, Orlando, Boston, Washington, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia and Miami.

Michael Lee With a shot of optimism. I'd would also argue that, aside from Boston, we're the only team on his list who made a made in anticipation of having a key player injured.

Rubio Not Playing In NBA Until 2011

Pryme — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:37:55 -0000

Rubio Not Playing In NBA Until 2011

Would things have gone down differently if the Wizards had drafted him? Hard to say. Personally, I'm glad we have guys who can play now.