Game #22/82: C’s (17-4) vs. Wiz (7-12)
Posted by Brendan Jackson on Dec 10, 2009
Offensive Efficiency:
Boston: 109.4 points/100 possessions (8th)
Washington: 103.8 points/100 possessions (24th)
Defensive Efficiency:
Boston: 99.0 points allowed/100 possessions (1st)
Washington: 107.8 points allowed/100 possessions (20th)
Probable Wizards starters:
Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, Antawn Jamison, Nick Young
WHAT THE WIZARDS DO WELL:
Get Out and Run
Gilbert Arenas is extremely athletic and quick for his size and Antawn Jamison is definitely one of the more mobile power forwards in the league. When you have a point guard that can push it, and players one through four that can finish at the rim with your five cleaning up garbage, you have a potentially lethal team in transition. Speaking of the Wiz finishing at the rim…
Isos
The Wizards are a lot like the Warriors in the respect that they have great one-on-one players. Gilbert Arenas has a tendency to try and beat an entire team all on his own- which is only a positive thing for the Wizards because at times, he’s capable of just that. It’ll be interesting to see what coming off his injuries does to his play in the long run. Caron Butler, Nick Young, and Antawn Jamison are also all players that can take their man off the dribble.
Front Court Versatility.
You got Brendan Haywood who’s a solid traditional center. You got Andray Blatche who’s that new-fangled hybrid slasher/ power forward/ big man. You got JaVale McGee who can jump out of the gym and is incredibly long. You got Fabricio Oberto who works very hard and is the consummate team player. Put all those guys together and you have the second best center in the history of basketball (Homer alert: No on is better than No. 6).
WHAT THE WIZARDS DO POORLY:
Turnovers
The Wizards have 20 more turnovers on the season than the average of their opponents. This isn’t hard to believe given their lineup. This team was built to be an offensive juggernaut, however, one would think that a team that has essentially remained intact for the last few seasons would have a higher assist-to-turnover ratio. Then, if you actually take a look at their personnel, things become a little clearer. The Wizards have arguably six players who think they can score on you every time they touch the ball: Arenas, Butler, Jamison, Foye, Young, and Stevenson. I’m all for confidence but the Wizards just seem to ooze misplaced cockiness. DeShawn Stevenson thinks he’s just as good as Lebron. Gilbert Arenas is one step away from pulling a Marbury, as in ”I’m the best point guard in the game” complex. All that said, these players can put the ball in the hole- just not as often as they like to believe.
Shoot the Three
This is also not hard to believe given their lineup. The Wizards’ guards are heavy on the slasher/ swingman type. In fact, the only player on their roster known specifically for his outside shooting is Mike Miller and he’s currently injured. The Wizards guards that are either known more for their slashing ability/ defense than outside shooting include Butler, Foye, Young, and Stevenson. This leaves their point guards that can shoot from outside somewhat efficiently: Arenas, Boykins, and James. Then they have their power forwards who think they can shoot from three, but may be better off staying inside where their bread is buttered: Jamison and Blatche. Put all of these players together and you have a team that mainly operates within the arc, drastically shrinking the court.
PLAYER WHO MAKES ME WORRY:
This is kind of a wash. As I wrote before, the Wizards are built like an offensive juggernaut with so many players having the ability to get to, and finish at the rim. These players can also put points on the board in a hurry. If Mike Miller were playing than I would absolutely say him. With three guys going to the basket there has to be some kick out opportunities for a guy like Miller to knock down shots. That’s why I’m not going to pick any of those players because it could be any one of them. Arenas? Butler? Jamison? Take your pick. They all have the potential to get 25 points on any given night.
This is why I’m going outside the box on this one. I’d have to say the player that worries me the most (hold your tomatoes please) is Andray Blatche. Blatch has that unique combination of size and skill that makes him a tough guard when he’s on/ motivated. One would think with a guy like KG, guarding the power forward spot would not be a cause for concern, but Blatche will get most of his run against the second unit with a combination of Scal and Sheldon guarding him- both instances could be a recipe for disaster. Besides, athletic power forwards have given the C’s a little trouble this year offensively: Yi Jianlian, Ersan Ilyasova, and Kevin Durant all had good games. Okay, so KD was going to have a big game no matter what, but still, that doesn’t stop me from worrying about Blatche.
PLAYER WHO DOES NOT MAKE ME WORRY:
Okay, feel free to not pay attention, because I will not say this once: DeShawn Stevenson. Can somebody tell me why this guy is still in the league? His career numbers are average at best for a role player and he’s been a starter up until this year. Speaking of this year, his numbers are abysmal. 12.5% from three? 30% field goal percentage? 2 boards? 1 Assist? 2 points? Come on! He should have spent more time this offseason learning how to play basketball and less time getting tattoos and hating Lebron James (nothing against either of those things).
JaVale McGee
He’s extremely athletic for his size…..and that’s it.
WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM THE C’s TONIGHT:
Keep on Keepin’ on.
The C’s are playing their best basketball right now and I expect that to continue. I want to the C’s to continue to use their superior defensive pressure to clog the lane and frustrate the Wizards trying to go to the rim. I also full expect Rondo to get around Arenas with his craftiness and absolutely embarrass Earl Boykins. I love the little man, but when you got a player who’s bigger, stronger, and just as fast as him, his effectiveness is definitely limited.
PREDICTION:
Without Mike MIller spacing the floor or the Wizards being an effective defensive team, I don’t see them giving the Celtics any problems. The matchups are going to favor Boston nearly across the board with the exception of the PG position- and that is only on the offensive end and if Arenas tries to exploit his size advantage. Since he mainly tries to out shoot and drive by his opponents, I can’t see him Gary Payton-ing Rondo tonight.
C’s 105, Wiz 92
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