Building The Right Way

Since taking over as the majority owner of the Washington Wizards in 2010, Ted Leonsis has made it a priority to build this franchise the right way. He inherited a team that would struggle to win against an NBDL team. Leonsis made it clear to Ernie Grunfeld he wanted to build through the draft. Grunfeld had to adjust the way he was used to doing business. That would include not trading & selling draft picks for veterans or cash to fit under the luxury tax, as he had in the past.

2010-11
Clearly a rebuilding year, as before the season Leonsis & Grunfeld stressed to the fans to have patience. Grunfeld put together a solid draft, with a no-brainer #1 pick in John Wall & obtaining the 17th pick in the draft for taking on Kirk Hinrich’s contract. With that pick they selected 19 year old Kevin Seraphin, a raw big man from France. The Wizards then used a pick they received in the Antawn Jamison trade to select Trevor Booker. The team had their struggles throughout the year. but Grunfeld was able to make a superb trade that would yield the Wizards another first round pick from the 2010 draft (Jordan Crawford) while receiving a first round pick in the 2011 draft as well in exchange for veteran Kirk Hinrich. This year also marked the end of the Gilbert Arenas era. In a trade for Rashard Lewis straight up the Wizards were able to cut back 2 years of paying Gilbert’s hefty contract. This move allowed it to be John Wall’s team & also let guard Nick Young finally come into his own. The Wizards finished the season 23-59, but as the season wore on rookies Wall, Crawford, Booker & Seraphin’s confidence grew and each showed promise. Talented but immature center Javale McGee showed a lot of promise as a big man that can be a staple for the Wizards.

2011
Going into this draft, Grunfeld said he wanted a big man, a defensive peremiter player and a backup point guard for Wall. Check, Check, Check. They walked out with 6’11” Jan Vesely from the Czech Republic. Defensive specialist Chris Singleton out of Florida State who compare’s to a young Ron Artest or Gerald Wallace & backup guard Shelvin Mack from Butler University brings a winning mentality to a team that sorely needs it. All of these guys figure to bring tenacity & defense to the Wizards making an effort to become tougher as a team. With the uncertainty’s of the upcoming labor dispute in the NBA, it’s unclear what the Wizards plans in Free Agency will be. They do however plan on bringing Nick Young back, which they’ve extended a qualifying offer too.

Going Forward
The Wizards have built a team that can potentially cause mismatches at every position on the floor, with a young & hungry bench. Wall at point guard will have the size & speed that few if any can match at the position. Nick Young can score as well as anyone in the league from the SG position & at 6’7″ can get his shot off at anytime. Chris Singleton at 6’9″ can guard any position 1-4 on the court & cause hell. Vesely at 6’11” & his ability to run the floor can potentially be a nightmare matchup. Javale McGee is the most athletic center in the NBA, if he puts it together mentally can become a top 5 center in the league. Grunfeld with the guidance of Leonsis has set this team up to succeed the right way in this league. Now the only questions that remain are, Will they put it all together? & Is Flip Saunders the man to lead the Charge? Time will tell.

 

Making the Leap: John Wall

Recent history suggests a point guard makes his biggest leap in the 3rd year of his career. John Wall seems to have to taken note of this with his recent proclamation that he expects to be an MVP candidate in 2013. Perhaps overshadowed his rookie year by the dominance of “redshirt” rookie Blake Griffin & the Wizards poor record, Wall put up one of the best statistical seasons of any rookie point guard in recent memory. In an era dominated by point guards, Wall is looking to join the elite group that consist of the likes of Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo & Russell Westbrook. All of the aforementioned guards didn’t make a significant leap in their game until at least their 3rd year in the league.

With that in mind, can Wall make the big leap in his second year? Flip Saunders seems to think so. Saunders has been glowing about Wall early on this off-season. According to Flip, Wall is now 6’5″ & may peak at close to 6’6″. He measured in at 6’4″ last year. With that combination of size & speed Wall will be one of the rare talents in the NBA. Saunders also says Wall’s jumper is 100% improved from last year already.

Wall soaring for a dunk in a game last year.

His jump shot & ball control were his two biggest weaknesses last year. His jumper definitely improved as the year went on & he gained more confidence. With that said its still a lot left to be desired after shooting 40% from the field & 29% from 3-point range.

Wall says he played most of all last year on an injured knee. Which would explain why he didn’t finish at the hoop with the explosion he displayed at Kentucky. He says he’s fully healthy now. He’s in between DC & LA working on his game & getting stronger, he’s up to over 200 pounds now. Wall is letting it be known, he’s ready to be a force in this league.

Comparisons to Derrick Rose & Rajon

Rondo coming out of college, it’s not out of the realm to suggest Wall can make the big leap this year. He had his problems with turnovers this past year, but tough to overlook averaging over 8 assists per game with a mediocre supporting cast for much of the season. With his size & speed that’s rarely unmatched in this league at his position, Wall has to improve his jump shot to take his game to the next level. Scary to think what a healthy John Wall can do with a consistent jumper & more scoring help depending on the Wizards off-season moves. Averaging a little over 16 a game, 8.3 apg & over 4 rpg with just under 2 steals in his rookie year, improving those numbers in his second year will surely be All Star worthy. He’s already

shown the ability to make those around him better. Javale McGee saw an increase in his scoring average thanks to a number of alley hoop passes from Wall. Nick Young had a career year playing alongside Wall averaging over 17 ppg. Even fellow rookie Jordan Crawford saw a big increase in his production after being traded from the Hawks to the Wizards at the trade deadline.

It’s important for Wall to continue to work on his shot this summer, come in to the season ready to take even more responsibility. Wall’s potential is through the roof & he’s shown maturity in realizing what he needs to do to succeed. I fully expect him to make the traditional 3rd year leap in his 2nd year. That doesn’t mean expectations are for him to be an MVP candidate this year, but with the numbers he put up in his first year, he should be pushing the elite group of point guards this year. The new face of the Wizards franchise hopes to be one of the faces of the NBA sooner than later.