Washington Wizards 2013 - 2014 Season Thread - Thanks for a great season!

[jjs07]

Bradley Beal's breakout NBA Playoffs performance has a lot to do with how the Wizards used him all season.

We wondered all season why the Wizards used Bradley Beal like they did. A pure shooter with a beautiful stroke and an advanced off-ball game was suddenly being used in a hundred pick and rolls while having to quarterback a second unit devoid of other offensive threats. He was encouraged to pull up for long twos, even though these aren't especially efficient shots as is and he wasn't exactly nailing them at a proficient rate. Hell, I wondered it too at one point myself.

But there was always one silver lining to the Wizards' approach. Sure, Beal would struggle to read pick and roll coverages now, but he wasn't going to struggle forever. For Beal to approach stardom, he needed experience learning how to create shots for himself and others. Rather than avoid this and try to turn Beal into a specialist, the Wizards felt his confidence would hold up by being challenged, even if failure resulted early on. Thus, the Bradley Beal Sampling Period was born.

NBA Playoffs 2014: Bradley Beal's sampling period is really paying off

You have to give credit where credit is due. For all the complaining we did about how Beal was being used early on, the Wizards absolutely took the right approach. Beal's body language and confidence has been an issue from day 1 in the league, but the Wizards kept putting him in difficult situations to help him cope with some of those frustrations. We're seeing Beal develop right in front of our eyes. THis is fantastic.

 

[blackboyfly]

Wow, that actually makes alot of sense looking back now

SBNation Blogs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[do work son]

Congrats on the win

I know a few of y'all were anti Whitman earlier, has that sentiment changed?

 

[dt43]

Congrats on the win

I know a few of y'all were anti Whitman earlier, has that sentiment changed?

Personally, I still wish he was a better Xs and Os coach when it comes to drawing up plays, designing offensive sets etc. Our defense was on point this year, but our offense really underachieved (we were ranked 16/30 which imo is too low with our talent level).. I pretty much rank Wittman on the same level as Mark jackson, Mchale.


But one thing I credit him for is that he's really got the team to buy in and play hard. It's hard to get rid of a coach when the players really believe in him, because you could mess up the chemistry. That's why I think GSW will take a step backwards (initially) if they get rid of Mark Jackson.

 

[deuce king]

*In thinking about it...does anyone think the VC would go absolutely nuts if Gil was in attendance for either games 4 or 5?

Would you really want to see that dude back in the building, even as a fan of the team??  Overall, he did more harm than good.  Once he left the roster needed a complete overhaul. 

 

[jking0821]

Any idea why the wiz symbol for games is the Basketball with the Monument in the middle?

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Like when did that become our emblem. What happen to the DC reaching for the ball (that granted looks like male genitalia) or even the goofy wizard in the blue and red

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[jjs07]

Would you really want to see that dude back in the building, even as a fan of the team??  Overall, he did more harm than good.  Once he left the roster needed a complete overhaul. 

I mean, he still rides hard for the team....at some point, I would love to see him welcomed back. Wounds might be still too fresh for that to happen...but I think a Gil appearance would blow the roof off of VC.

Any idea why the wiz symbol for games is the Basketball with the Monument in the middle?

View media item 956725



Like when did that become our emblem. What happen to the DC reaching for the ball (that granted looks like male genitalia) or even the goofy wizard in the blue and red

View media item 956723

Rumor had it (at one point) that if the team was going to change the name, it would have something to do w. the Washington Monument. Doesn't hurt that Ted's business is Monumental Sports & Entertainment as well.

At some point, I would like for this team to get a 3rd uni that incorporated DC's flag....

 

[parada45]

You can watch game 2 at The Verizon Center for free tomorrow

Just register here for free

Takes like 1 minute

I'm going


http://washingtonwizardsblog.monumentalnetwork.com/2014/05/06/wizpacers-game-2-watch-party

 

[deuce king]

 

Would you really want to see that dude back in the building, even as a fan of the team??  Overall, he did more harm than good.  Once he left the roster needed a complete overhaul. 

I mean, he still rides hard for the team....at some point, I would love to see him welcomed back. Wounds might be still too fresh for that to happen...but I think a Gil appearance would blow the roof off of VC.

I hear ya and I'm all for Gil being welcomed back at some point, just NOT right now during this important playoff run.  Wait to after this season is over one way or another. 

The last thing this team needs is any distraction or having questions about Gil being back or their thoughts on the matter.  Just play ball and take care of business for the time being.  Let Gil watch the game outside of VC on 7th street on the stairs of the Portrait Gallery with all the other ******. 

 

[AgentZero]

Any idea why the wiz symbol for games is the Basketball with the Monument in the middle?






Like when did that become our emblem. What happen to the DC reaching for the ball (that granted looks like male genitalia) or even the goofy wizard in the blue and red

Not sure why exactly they switched it, but I always thought it was the plan to make the Wizard the secondary team logo which it is now. The reason it showed up in a few early designs as almost a primary logo was because they were either still unsure of the new logo at the time or were just waiting to unveil the new primary logo which is the ball.

 

[jjs07]

I hear ya and I'm all for Gil being welcomed back at some point, just NOT right now during this important playoff run.  Wait to after this season is over one way or another. 

The last thing this team needs is any distraction or having questions about Gil being back or their thoughts on the matter.  Just play ball and take care of business for the time being.  Let Gil watch the game outside of VC on 7th street on the stairs of the Portrait Gallery with all the other ******. 

Yea....I agree. Let this team become a perennial playoff squad and for one of those years, welcome back Gil. Like I said, wounds are probably too fresh. However, there was a point where Gil was the 2nd most beloved figure in the city. Behind Marion Barry, of course.

All jokes aside, Gil was an EXTREMELY popular figure in DC and did help revitalize the hoops scene in the city. For better or worse, he's a big part of the frachise's history.

 

[victor page]

Gilbert Arenas is on the wrong side of 30.

Bring him back to do what exactly? Be a scout? Front office position?

 

[jjs07]

Gilbert Arenas is on the wrong side of 30.

Bring him back to do what exactly? Be a scout? Front office position?

Not to play. Just would be cool to see him back in VC (as a fan). I think he'd get an amazing reception from the crowd.

 

[dt43]

It's sad to say, but we don't need Gil associated with us right now. We're trying to establish a new identity and wash away those years.

Let him stay on IG and twitter for now

 

[extraordinary swag]

It's sad to say, but we don't need Gil associated with us right now. We're trying to establish a new identity and wash away those years.

Let him stay on IG and twitter for now

completely agree, the organization doesn't owe him a thing

 

[jjs07]

It's sad to say, but we don't need Gil associated with us right now. We're trying to establish a new identity and wash away those years.

Let him stay on IG and twitter for now

I agree with you all....now isn't the best time. However, at some point it would be cool to see him welcomed back.

Love his trolling on IG, tho.

 

[do work son]

Congrats on the win

I know a few of y'all were anti Whitman earlier, has that sentiment changed?

Personally, I still wish he was a better Xs and Os coach when it comes to drawing up plays, designing offensive sets etc. Our defense was on point this year, but our offense really underachieved (we were ranked 16/30 which imo is too low with our talent level).. I pretty much rank Wittman on the same level as Mark jackson, Mchale.


But one thing I credit him for is that he's really got the team to buy in and play hard. It's hard to get rid of a coach when the players really believe in him, because you could mess up the chemistry. That's why I think GSW will take a step backwards (initially) if they get rid of Mark Jackson.

i think (partly because i've fallen into the same trap) it's popular to knock the coach for lack of X's and O's. i can't speak specifically to yall, but i get frustrated bc our lack of ball movement, and just movement in general. there's a lot to be said for a team buying into the coach. the wiz just really look like they're having fun, but at a very competitive level.

ever since we stole that win from yall on our home court, i've lowkey been rooting for yall to flourish.

 

[dt43]

It's sad to say, but we don't need Gil associated with us right now. We're trying to establish a new identity and wash away those years.

Let him stay on IG and twitter for now

I agree with you all....now isn't the best time. However, at some point it would be cool to see him welcomed back.

Love his trolling on IG, tho.

Well.. if people hit the MIB memory eraser on what Marv Albert did after a few years, I'm sure Gil could be welcomed back eventually

 

[dt43]

Congrats on the win

I know a few of y'all were anti Whitman earlier, has that sentiment changed?

Personally, I still wish he was a better Xs and Os coach when it comes to drawing up plays, designing offensive sets etc. Our defense was on point this year, but our offense really underachieved (we were ranked 16/30 which imo is too low with our talent level).. I pretty much rank Wittman on the same level as Mark jackson, Mchale.


But one thing I credit him for is that he's really got the team to buy in and play hard. It's hard to get rid of a coach when the players really believe in him, because you could mess up the chemistry. That's why I think GSW will take a step backwards (initially) if they get rid of Mark Jackson.

i think (partly because i've fallen into the same trap) it's popular to knock the coach for lack of X's and O's. i can't speak specifically to yall, but i get frustrated bc our lack of ball movement, and just movement in general. there's a lot to be said for a team buying into the coach. the wiz just really look like they're having fun, but at a very competitive level.

ever since we stole that win from yall on our home court, i've lowkey been rooting for yall to flourish.

Yeah our ball movement in these playoffs is way better than it was in the regular season, offensive stagnation was a main complaint we had all year.

Now that I hear fans of other teams saying the same thing, maybe it really is just an effort thing. Like on segments where they mic the coaches all of them are saying the same things "Move the ball!" I guess on some teams the players don't always buy into the coach.

And appreciate it man it's crazy getting all this love from the media/public all of a sudden lol, we were a laughingstock last season

 

[YouGotThese]

Love what you guys are doing right now. Please sweep the Pacers I hate that team sooo much! There whole season was predicated on trying to beat the Heat but clearly there's other teams to worry about and that's your guys Team.

I wish u good look against the Pacers but all that stops once we see y'all next round

 

[evilmanu20]

Ernie Grunfeld with the 1 year extension. RIP

 

[jjs07]

Ernie Grunfeld with the 1 year extension. RIP

Man, at this point u just gotta embrace it.

 

[AgentZero]

Got tickets to Game 4!

They're upper level and all, but I've missed what the playoff atmosphere felt like. The game should help me get through this finals week more easily. 

 

[victor page]

Guess who ranks dead last in FT% in the playoffs so far...

 

[blastercombo]

Finally got one in View media item 959734