2012-2013 Regular Season Record: 29-53
Key Additions: F: Otto Porter Jr. (Rd 1, Pick 3), Glen Rice Jr. (Rd 2, Pick 35 via 76ers) Eric Maynor (2 yrs, 4.12 mil, all guaranteed), G John Wall (Contract Extension 5 yrs, 80 million, all guaranteed)
Key Losses: None
Projected Starting Lineup: PG: John Wall SG: Bradley Beal SF: Otto Porter Jr. PF: Nene C: Emeka Okafor
Key Backups: F Trevor Ariza, G/F Martell Webster, F/C Kevin Seraphin, F Trevor Booker, G Eric Maynor, F Jan Vesely
Move over Barack Obama, John Wall is now the big man in Washington DC! Just a few days ago from today, John Wall signed a maximum contract as shown above keeping him to 2018. Of course with a big contract comes big expectations, expectations that John Wall can not do alone. And that expectation is to lead the Washington Wizards to glory something former maximum contract signee Gilbert Hibachi Arenas(or whatever you call him these days) could not do.
John Wall's game is a hybrid of Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo. He is similar to Russell Westbrook in that he is usually the fastest man on the court and arguably the fastest player in the NBA right now who is seemingly unstoppable on a fast break. Wall is also similar to Rondo in that he plays with a pass first mentality and displays tremendous court vision. Defenses also give him the Rondo treatment forcing him to shoot the ball by playing off of him as far as they can while trying to block all passing lanes. Which like Rondo, shooting especially the three point shot is John Wall's Achilles' heel. Despite showing an improvement in his three point shot with a 34 percent clip post All-Star, Wall still only took one a game. In today's NBA, no matter how athletic you are or court savvy, it is almost imperative for a point guard to develop at least a serviceable three point shot playing at the top of the key. And in John Wall's case he will become practically unguardable if he develops a three point shot that he is confident with. To show just how deadly his offensive potential is, against the Memphis Grizzlies, Wall exploded for a stat line of 47 points with 7 rebounds and assists while making 2 out of 4 from the three point line. His defensive potential is enormous as well, gaining the reputation as one of the best shot blocking point guards and also chipping in a steal per game. His on the ball defense is good as well and will only get better due to his athletic ability. This year could see the evolution of John Wall but in order to take the Wizards into the next level, he will require help from the other young prospects.
Bradley Beal was drafted 3rd overall in the 2012 NBA draft for the main reason of being John Wall's Robin. Beal compliments Wall's game well, he is a prototypical two guard that can catch and shoot as well as shoot off the dribble. John Wall's early injury also had an impact on his rookie play, shooting around 35 percent without Wall and shooting around 46 percent with Wall. His season unfortunately got cut short to a right fibula injury and only played 56 games in the season that also cut him short of working with the USA team. Bradley Beal just got cleared yesterday for contact and just in time before training camp, Beal's shooting ability stretches the floor for John Wall to penetrate opposing defenses and vice versa.
The other piece to the puzzle is a bigger question mark, Otto Porter Jr. drafted 3rd overall, Otto Porter was seen by many as a "safe" pick that he will be able to make an impact on the NBA court from day one. His Vegas Summer League play proved otherwise, the Georgetown product scored 6.3 PPG on 30 percent shooting, 3.7 RPG and only 1 assist per game through 3 games before ending his summer league play to injury. One of the main problems for Porter's struggles is his lack of strength, Porter has a lanky frame of 6'9 205 and guarding the LeBron James and Carmelo Anthonys of the world will pose serious problems for him. There are many things that Porter does well but he does not really stand out in a particular skill set. He shot 42 percent from three in college but can he get his shot off against the NBA caliber talent? Can he make his lanky frame work ala Tayshawn Prince and become a terror on the defensive end or will he have similar struggles ala Wesley Johnson?
Big men Nene and Emeka Okafor are getting up there in age, both 30 years old. Can Nene stay healthy and provide the inside scoring he was known for 11 years in the NBA? Can Emeka Okafor provide the defensive presence necessary to compete with the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks of his division? They will also be backed by young promising bigs; Kevin Seraphin and Trevor Booker. The Frenchman Kevin Seraphin is similar to Nene in regard he knows how to score in the paint using his 275 pound frame to average 9.1 PPG in 21.8 minutes of play. Trevor Booker also provides energy off the bench grabbing 5 rebounds a game in 18.5 minutes of play. The bench also provides athletic utility man Trevor Ariza and the sharpshooting Martell Webster. Eric Maynor will look to forget his horrible Portland stint being over a year removed from his ACL injury, Jan Vesley has been disappointing so far in the NBA and this will be his make or break year and Glen Rice Jr. will look to crack the rotation after an excellent showing in the D-League.
Head Coach Randy Wittman is on the hot seat this year, and a playoff birth could prove to be all the difference to keep his job. The Wizards should be able to improve their total points per game that was ranked 28th in the league with 93.2 with a healthy John Wall, Beal and Nene. Their strength was in rebounding(43.2) and defense(95.8 allowed) that had them 8th and 9th in the league respectively and should be able to maintain their output. Everything I said about Kyrie Irving is the same with John Wall, I expect him to take his game to the next level. I had a tough time with this prediction, but the Wizards will just make the playoffs next season if Wall, Beal and Nene can stay healthy and if Porter can put his summer league play behind him.
Projected All Stars: John Wall
Season Projection: Playoff Contention(8th place if healthy)
The Wizards do have a good team around them. The question to me will be will all the pieces remain healthy and come together? I still question Otto Porter play. I do think that John Wall and Bradley Beal are the real deal in Washington. I do wonder too will they start Trevor Ariza or Martell Webster at the small forward position? John Wall is one of the most entertaining point guards in the NBA.
ReplyDeleteStaying healthy is a question for every team, some players might be more injury prone than others but injuries in general are unpredictable. Nene has always had problems with injuries and Emeka Okafor was injury prone early in his career, played at least 72 games from 07-11 to getting injured again his last year with the New Orleans Hornets in 2012.
ReplyDeleteOtto Porter was drafted to be their defensive stopper in a mold of Tayshaun Prince. His play in the summer league was underachieving, and yes I do agree the position is up for grabs for the two veteran forwards if Porter does not perform up to standards during training camp and the preseason.
John Wall is always fun to watch, I still remember the days in Kentucky with him, Eric Bledsoe and DeMarcus Cousins. They were a fast break waiting to happen. This season is the verdict where Wall can turn his entertaining plays into wins and Bradley Beal will definitely be a factor to that as well.