The Washington Wizards Are A Team to Watch Out For

Let me start off by saying the Wizards are a team to look out for, for the 2013-14 season. Why? A healthy John Wall, recently signed to a 5 year, $80 million extension, also coming off a great performance, trying out for Team USA, with his best highlight being insane put back slam off of a Klay Thompson miss.

24-25 and 5-28, records with and without John Wall last season. The Wizards were, at the time, an atrocious 5-28 before John Wall came back from a stress fracture in his right knee and ended up finishing the season on a strong point, with a record of 24-25, giving teams a warning for next season. During the 2012-13 season, John Wall averaged 18.5 PPG, 7.6 APG, 4.0 RPG and 1.3 SPG on 44.1% from the field, also finishing with a PER of 20.91, which was 6th amongst all PG's in the NBA, improving over his previous 2 seasons.

One game in particular, where John Wall's potential output in the future could look like was a 47 point game against the Memphis Grizzlies; a game in which John Wall utterly dominated the Grizzlies, who have one of the best, if not the best defense in the NBA, lead by Tony Allen and 2012-13 DPOY, Marc Gasol.

As well as improving his performance from previous seasons, John Wall improves his teammates play as well, particularly Bradley Beal. Beal shot 36.7% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range while Wall was injured and 46.8% from the floor and 46.6% from distance once he came back. Even though Bradley Beal didn't win ROY, Wall turned his whole season around, showcasing what the Wizards backcourt will look like for years ahead.

John Wall and Bradley Beal highlight a Wizards backcourt that also has PG Eric Maynor, SG Garrett Temple and swingmen, Martell Webster and Glen Rice Jr., that looks to make the playoffs in the 2013-14 season. Apart from their backcourt, the Wizards latest top draftee in Otto Porter Jr. adds exactly what the Wizards needed: a SF that can do a little bit of everything. Even though John Wall said he wanted Anthony Bennett, who got taken 1st overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, I'm sure he'll "settle" for Otto Porter Jr. Porter Jr. is a player that teams like the Wizards covet because of his all-around skill

He may not have the best potential but he's a sure-fire, 14-4-3 player, at least for his rookie year, that is if he beats Martell Webster for the starting SF spot. Other than Porter Jr. and Webster, Trevor Ariza is also going to contribute. Depth at SF is one thing the Wizards do not lack. The Wizards front court is made up of veterans Emeka Okafor and Nene Hilario (that's his last name if y'all didn't know) that start,

and Trevor Booker, Chris Singleton, Kevin Seraphin and Jan Veseley comng off the bench. Booker, Singleton, Serpahin and Veseley all can develop into solid, if not great role players and potentially a starter for Jan Veseley, if he can keep on improving and show the Wizards why they entrusted him by drafting him 6th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. At this point in his career, he is more known for his infamous kiss with his girlfriend at the 2011 NBA Draft, following the Wizards selecting him.

The Wizards cap situation is looking great in the following years, with Okafor and Nene getting off the books in the next couple years. With that extra cap space, they can sign a marquee free agent, also with players wanting to play with a player like John Wall, who is a willing passer and amazing team player. From their startling line-up to their above average bench, the Washington Wizards are a team that are going to gain valuable playoff experience in the immediate future and contend for years to come in the long-term.

Beware NBA teams, the Wizards are here.

Revisting The 2012 NBA Draft Class

With the NBA Draft coming up in a few weeks I thought this would be a great time to revist the 2012 draft class and how the Rookie seasons went for a few players from that class. So lets get to it.

#1 Pick Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)

As the New Orleans franchise looks towards the future they have a lot to be excited about with the name change to the Pelicans and Anthony Davis to build a whole franchise around. Davis didn't put up gaudy numbers but he definitely showed flashes of what he could be through out the season on the defensive side of the floor. Davis is surely a conerstone for the young franchise and Tom Benson has a lot to look forward to moving ahead. Davis just needs to make sure he stays healthy.

Stats: 14 PPG 8 Rebounds 2 Blocks

#2 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Charlotte Bobcats)

When the Charlotte Bobcats drafted MKG at number two overall they knew they were getting a guy who had a high motor, was very durable and has some upside. In the Early part of the year he was showing people the type of player he could player he could be on a regular bases when he put up 25 points and 12 rebounds in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. The season was very up and down for Gilchrist and he had a hard time getting into rhythm at times due to Coach Mike Dunlap being inconsistent with his minutes. MKG still has to fine tune that horrendous jumper but in time he should become a very productive NBA player, maybe even an All-Star.

Stats: 9 PPG 2 Assists 6 Rebounds

#3 Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)

Bradley Beal when playing for the Gators was known as a perimeter shooter so to put that ability with John Wall's explosiveness in the back court was a big deal for the Wizards organization. The only problem was John wall didn't return from injury till January so people had to wait to see the tandem play. When they did play the Wizards played near 500 basketball. Beal shot 38% from the perimeter during his rookie season and played a big role for the Wizards over the in wins over the Heat and Thunder. Beal can only get better from here as he adjusts to the NBA game.

Stats: 14 PPG 2 Assists 4 Rebounds

#4 Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Last season the Cavs were looking for someone who was going to be a great back court partner with franchise guard Kyrie Irving and while on the court near Kyrie, Dion Waiter was just that. He showed people throughout the course of the year that he can score the basketball consistently. The only problem with him shooting the ball so much is that he is a volume scorer and needs to work on being more efficient. In his rookie season though Dion Waiters has shown the Cavs that he can be a reliable back court partner for Kyrie Irving.

Stats: 15PPG 3 Assists 2 Rebounds

#5 Thomas Robinson (Sacramento Kings/Houston Rockets)

Of all the players in this draft class nobody was more unlucky then Thomas Robinson. He spent time Sacramento and Houston this season and couldn't find minutes anywhere consistently. Now he will probably be leaving Houston as the Rockets make their push for Dwight Howard. Robinson has all the tools to make him a productive player in a rotation he is tough,Strong and can guard multiple positions. Wherever he gets a fair shot T-Rob will make the most of it and that team will get a solid player.

Stats: 5 PPG 5 Rebounds

#6 Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers)

This was considered a reach at the time Blazers made the pick but once all the media hype faded and the games began Lillard quickly put the doubters to rest and ran away with the Rookie of the Year award. He has franchise player written all over him and the Blazers management has to feel good about having someone to build around for years to come. Lillard can still improve but he had as good as rookie season as I've ever seen breaking Stephen Curry's rookie three point record.

Stats: 19 PPG 7 Assists 3 Rebounds

#7 Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors)

Not going to lie coming out of UNC I was never high on Harrison Barnes but many people were coming into this season. As the season went on he got better and pretty much proved everybody right and served as the backbone for a Warrior team that made the Playoffs this year for the 1^st time since 2007. Barnes has range,explosiveness and a high basketball IQ he will definitely be an All-Star one day he converted me into a fan this season after contributing in the postseason.

Stats: 9 PPG 4 Rebounds 1 Assist

#8 Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors)

Terence Ross is very athletic and can shoot from outside in his 1^st season with the Raptors he saw an adequate amount of minutes. He can be a solid bench player and still has some upside but I don't seem as a starter in Toronto especially with Derozen at the 2.

Stats: 7 PPG 2 Rebounds

#9 Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)

10 years down the road when people look at this draft Andre Drummond could be the best player in it he has that potential. The #1 pick in this draft Anthony Davis has a player efficiency rating of 21.80. Andre Drummond has a Player Efficiency rating of 21.69 while playing 8 minutes less then Davis. He is listed a 6'10 270 pounds at the age of 19 which means that as I’m typing this post Drummond is growing into a 7 footer. Early in his rookie season Drummond sat on the bench but as he got minutes he showed the NBA what he was about like when he dropped 18 points and 18 Rebounds on the Milwaukee Bucks.He certainly has all the tools in the world to be one of the best centers in the league and with a front court partner like Greg Monroe Detroit Basketball can be happy about the days ahead.

Stats: 8 PPG 8 Rebounds 2 Blocks

So the 2012 draft class brought some pretty solid players. It will be interesting to see what these young talented players do going forward.

Vegas Summer league

Vegas summer league has wrapped up and there were some rookies and sophomores who impressed. With all the different teams competing in sin city there was more talent on display then in Orlando. So with out further ado lets get into the players who impressed.


1. Josh Selby G Memphis Grizzlies 2nd round pick 49th overall 2011 draft

@joshselby2

The former Kansas Jayhawk saw little time in the Grizzlie rotation with Tony Allen and O.J Mayo at shooting guard for the grind house gang. With the departure of Mayo to the Dallas Mavericks Selby may have an opportunity to get significant time in the Memphis rotation. Selby proved to be one of the most outstanding players in summer league dropping 30+ points in 2 of his 4 games. He shot lights out from the perimeter putting up numbers you usually see from me playing NBA 2k12 . In all seriousness though if Selby can come off the bench and give the Grizzlies some consistent shooting from the perimeter he will stick around for a long time. Memphis desperately need shooting from the perimeter ranking 25th in the NBA  last year shooting 32% a team from dowtown. If Selby can fill it up from 3 he will add a whole new dimension to the grindhouse offense.

Summer league stats: 4 Games 29 Minutes 27.5 PPG 2.8 Rebounds 2.5 Steals 59 FG%  70 % 3pt FG


2. Kemba Walker PG Charlotte Bobcats 1st round 9th overall 2011 draft

@KembaWalker

Kemba Walker is known as a winner capturing a national title at Uconn in early 2011 but his NBA experience was vastly different. He played on the worst team in league history going 7-59 with the Charlotte Bobcats. Talk about being brought down to earth from being on top of college basketball to worst team in NBA history. Kemba Walker individually struggled for most of the season and his numbers reflect that. Walker did show some flashes of brilliance posting a triple-double vs. Wizards on January 25th . With Walker being given the job,having his 1st real camp and a quicker more up tempo system by new coach Mike Dunlap Walker is looking to prove all the doubters wrong that say he can”t be a starting point guard in the NBA. He silenced all the critics (for now) with his impressive summer league play. He had games where he didn’t play his best basketball and still impacted winning. For example in the 2nd game vs. Cavaliers Walker shot 2-14 from the field but with the game on the line and the Bobcats down by 1 he hit a floater to give the Charlotte the win over Cleveland. Kemba may not be your prototype point guard but playing to his attributes in the Dunlap system will allow him to flourish and I expect the starting point guard to be in the running for the most improved player of the year award.

Summer league stats: 5 games 31 Minutes 15.8 points 3.6 Rebounds 5.8 Assists 1.8 Steals 35 FG%

Damian Lillard G Portland TrailBlazers 1st round 6th overall

@Dame_Lillard

Considerd a reach by many experts Damian Lillard has a chip on his shoulder to hopefully prove the critics wrong that he wasn’t a reach. He is a  little known point guard from the miniscule college of Weber State where he put up big time numbers his sophmore and senior seasons putting up 19.9 and 24.5 points respectably. Lillard is a guy who can flat out score and I saw a lot of things I liked out of the summer league scoring champ. He broke down defenses and penetrated the middle of the floor and set up team mates making it look effortlessly at times. Although he was inefficient at times Lillard was aggressive and you like too see that out of  your rookie point guards,especially if he is projected as your starter. This kid has All-star potential

Summer League Stats: 4 Games 32.8 Minutes 26.5 PPG 5.3 Assists  4.0 Rebounds 0.5 Steals 43.8 FG% 37 3PT FG%

Jeffery Taylor F Charlotte Bobcats 2nd round 32nd overall

This too me is considered a steal in the 2nd round because Taylor posses 1st round talent his game is versatile. He takes pride in his defense 1st but on offense Taylor can shoot lights out from the perimeter but still posses the athletic ability to get to the rim and finish. At 6’7 him and Michael-Kidd Gilchrist  will likely see some playing time with each other which could make for some exciting basketball in the queen city this season. Taylor no matter where he plays will be an effective NBA pro. His perimeter defense and long range shooting will make him an asset in Charlotte  this upcoming season and the native of Sweden  has looked solid so far even though its only summer league.

Summer League Stats: 27 Minutes 11.8 PPG 1.3 Assists 4.5 Rebounds 0.2 Steals  40 FG% 37 3pt FG%

Bradley Beal G Washington Wizards 1st round 3rd Overall

@RealDealBeal23

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The St.Louis native is considerd by many to be the most NBA ready player in the draft and will be John Wall”s backcourt partner in crime for the Wizards. Beal will compliment Wall’s raw atheletisicm very well with his ability too shoot the ball from the perimeter. For the 1st time maybe ever in DC the wizards have a backcourt they can build around for a long time. I like what I saw from Beal he played solid defense hustled  in the open court to block players and in close outs. The effort level was really high and for a franchise that has a trend of having guys who take play off Beal should make a differnce.

Summer League Stats: 5 Games 30.6 Minutes 17.6 PPG 1.8 Assists 4.6 Rebounds 1 Steal 41 FG%  30 3PT FG%