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Source: Boston Globe
Reading through the Sunday morning headlines at HoopHype.com, I came across the above linked article. I found the comparison of the Wizards to the Raptors and Bobcats interesting. Then I wondered if it was a fair assessment.
The Raptors do have stagnant talent, I'll give the author that. DeMar and Ed have been let downs thus far. However, there is a very good teacher at the head of the class and the Raptors appear to have a matured, legit player in Bargnani.
The Wizards are looking at John Wall to lead who is just 21 and in his 2nd season in the NBA. Personally, I think this is a big part of the problem. There are very few players who ever enter the league, are expected to be the leader of the team, and actually succeed. In the past (Magic, Bird era) it was possible because the players were 3-4 years out of high school and had the experience of leading their college teams for multiple seasons. In the era of one-&-done, leadership skills are very rarely developed in one year of university and another in the NBA. High school to NCAA is a huge adjustment and then a larger adjustment is NCAA to NBA. I'm sure someone will come along and offer me an example but I think that is by far the exception to the rule.
I never thought I'd say this but it appears the Raptors not only have their franchise player but even their leader in Bargnani. He must have undergone a personality transplant this summer. Whatever happened, he is now not only the most talented player on the roster but one of the hardest working and the absolute leader of the Dwane Casey 'Buy-In Program.' I am looking forward to the Bargnani Bashers ripping me a new one on that so I will make perfectly clear this is my opinion which I feel is evident from watching the games.
Bolded above is what I think to be a major difference between Toronto and Washington. The Raptors have 3 players in their first or second year in the league (0 rookies and 3 second years in ED, Alabi, and Forbes {who happens to be 27 in less than a month}). The idea that adding youth and watching them grow is all you need to do is clearly not the best path to success in a timely manner (Clippers and Wolves are examples of teams who went this route and it has finally worked out but it took 5-6+ seasons while a team like Sacramento is still struggling). Quality veterans are needed as well as character guys who can contribute. Young players need to see the actions of guys who have been through the league and are still in it because they are professionals, in my opinion.
And the above is the moneyball. However they left something out. "They desperately need a commanding and respected coach who can hold the youngsters accountable and teach them to play the game." The Raptors have that in Dwane Casey.
Personally, the only thing I think the Raptors and Wizards have in common is a sh!t record. Washington might have more 'potential' but as we are seeing with DD and ED, potential means nothing if they don't tap it.
Reading through the Sunday morning headlines at HoopHype.com, I came across the above linked article. I found the comparison of the Wizards to the Raptors and Bobcats interesting. Then I wondered if it was a fair assessment.
The problem in Washington, as it is in Toronto and Charlotte, is stagnant young talent. The Wizards are filled with prospects who would likely flourish in a more refined system, but in Washington, they are like a pack of teen-agers left to fend for themselves in a teacherless classroom.
An NBA scout who watched the Wizards said they may be the most dysfunctional young team in the league. Management is hoping the coaching change has the most effect on Wall, who has been given the mantle of team leader although he’s just three years removed from high school.
“I think for us not playing hard every night, the record we have, that puts a tough decision on the coach,’’ Wall said. “We didn’t go out there and play hard enough for him. Me and Flip had no problem. There were times when I got frustrated for not playing good. I talked to him [after the firing] and he told me the same thing - he said, ‘Just keep working hard’ - and I’m sorry that happened to him.’’
“I think for us not playing hard every night, the record we have, that puts a tough decision on the coach,’’ Wall said. “We didn’t go out there and play hard enough for him. Me and Flip had no problem. There were times when I got frustrated for not playing good. I talked to him [after the firing] and he told me the same thing - he said, ‘Just keep working hard’ - and I’m sorry that happened to him.’’
I never thought I'd say this but it appears the Raptors not only have their franchise player but even their leader in Bargnani. He must have undergone a personality transplant this summer. Whatever happened, he is now not only the most talented player on the roster but one of the hardest working and the absolute leader of the Dwane Casey 'Buy-In Program.' I am looking forward to the Bargnani Bashers ripping me a new one on that so I will make perfectly clear this is my opinion which I feel is evident from watching the games.
Said general manager Ernie Grunfeld, “We’ve said all along it’s not about wins and losses. Eight of our players are first- and second-year players. We’re trying to build a foundation.’’
Wittman will have the rest of the season to prove he can do the job, but the Wizards have to hit a home run with their next coaching hire. They desperately need a commanding and respected coach who can hold the youngsters accountable. Those are difficult to find.
Personally, the only thing I think the Raptors and Wizards have in common is a sh!t record. Washington might have more 'potential' but as we are seeing with DD and ED, potential means nothing if they don't tap it.
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