Don't be fooled by the title of this post - the Wizards aren't exactly in dire need of upgrades across the board, more a clean bill of health. With that said, no one is going to confuse the additions of Chris Wright, Taylor Griffin and Stefhon Hannah as a bad thing.
Wright gives the Wizards a level of athleticism that is unmatched by anyone else on the roster, plus along with Griffin, provides Dakota with a pair of versatile forwards that will bolster the frontcourt. Hannah adds another dimension to the offense in that he can be a solid back-up to Mo Baker at the point guard spot and spell the veteran for longer stretches. Not to take away from the job rookie Justin Johnson has done, but frankly he is more of an undersized shooting guard at this point than a pure playmkers. Hannah isn't a true point either, but is certainly moreso than the youngster and as Nate Bjorkgren said at practice on Thursday, he provides "90 feet of defense".
All three make their Civic Center debuts tonight as the Wizards host Iowa - a team they fell to 110-106 a little over a week ago. Here are a few thoughts prior to tonight's tip.
- Generally speaking Iowa was pretty balanced in their offensive play-type breakdown in the first meeting between these two clubs, but not surprisingly the pick-and-roll was the most prevalent set in their attack. There may not be a better pick-and-roll facilitator in the history of the D-League than Curtis Stinson and the Wizards have to contain him here. Overall, the Energy ran this set 21 times, shooting a respectable 7-of-18 overall. On a positive note, Dakota limited Iowa to just 1-of-3 from the perimeter on pick-and-roll sets.
- On a less upbeat note, the Wizards got eaten alive inside. Overall, Iowa scored 62 points in the paint, shooting 10-of-14 on post touches. The additions of Wright and Griffin give Dakota a little more muscle and explosiveness around the rim - so their presence should hopefully prevent another ridiculously efficient night on the blocks for Iowa.
- Another area where Griffin and Wright should help is with post offense. In one of the more bizarre statistical outlier cases in the D-League this season , the Wizards are the most efficient team in the league finishing at the rim, but are dead last when it comes to low post scoring efficiency. Curtis Withers has issues on the block given his size and lack of explosive leaping ability, while defenses have been making more of an effort to keep Tommy Smith forced out of the lane. Griffin in particular has the muscle to bang on the block and either score himself, or help alleviate some of the pressure on others when the ball is entered inside.
- As we've mentioned, Stef Hannah's presence should help keep the ball moving on offense, but this last meeting with Iowa was one of the worst this year as far as the Wizards inability to distribute. Dakota mustered just 14 assists on 39 made field goals, but thanks to the hot shooting of Edwin Ubiles and Mo Baker were able to shoot 46% from the floor. The most telling numbers in the Wizards offensive synergy (or lack there of) come when we look at their play-type breakdown. Despite running 21 pick-and-roll sets, not once did Dakota hit the screener out of this set. Furthermore, in isolation sets where the defense committed an additional defender to the ball-handler (meaning someone else on the floor is left unguarded) only three times was the ball passed to someone else. That is a tremedous lack of shot creating for others - something the Wizards can't afford to do tonight.
Wright gives the Wizards a level of athleticism that is unmatched by anyone else on the roster, plus along with Griffin, provides Dakota with a pair of versatile forwards that will bolster the frontcourt. Hannah adds another dimension to the offense in that he can be a solid back-up to Mo Baker at the point guard spot and spell the veteran for longer stretches. Not to take away from the job rookie Justin Johnson has done, but frankly he is more of an undersized shooting guard at this point than a pure playmkers. Hannah isn't a true point either, but is certainly moreso than the youngster and as Nate Bjorkgren said at practice on Thursday, he provides "90 feet of defense".
All three make their Civic Center debuts tonight as the Wizards host Iowa - a team they fell to 110-106 a little over a week ago. Here are a few thoughts prior to tonight's tip.
- Generally speaking Iowa was pretty balanced in their offensive play-type breakdown in the first meeting between these two clubs, but not surprisingly the pick-and-roll was the most prevalent set in their attack. There may not be a better pick-and-roll facilitator in the history of the D-League than Curtis Stinson and the Wizards have to contain him here. Overall, the Energy ran this set 21 times, shooting a respectable 7-of-18 overall. On a positive note, Dakota limited Iowa to just 1-of-3 from the perimeter on pick-and-roll sets.
- On a less upbeat note, the Wizards got eaten alive inside. Overall, Iowa scored 62 points in the paint, shooting 10-of-14 on post touches. The additions of Wright and Griffin give Dakota a little more muscle and explosiveness around the rim - so their presence should hopefully prevent another ridiculously efficient night on the blocks for Iowa.
- Another area where Griffin and Wright should help is with post offense. In one of the more bizarre statistical outlier cases in the D-League this season , the Wizards are the most efficient team in the league finishing at the rim, but are dead last when it comes to low post scoring efficiency. Curtis Withers has issues on the block given his size and lack of explosive leaping ability, while defenses have been making more of an effort to keep Tommy Smith forced out of the lane. Griffin in particular has the muscle to bang on the block and either score himself, or help alleviate some of the pressure on others when the ball is entered inside.
- As we've mentioned, Stef Hannah's presence should help keep the ball moving on offense, but this last meeting with Iowa was one of the worst this year as far as the Wizards inability to distribute. Dakota mustered just 14 assists on 39 made field goals, but thanks to the hot shooting of Edwin Ubiles and Mo Baker were able to shoot 46% from the floor. The most telling numbers in the Wizards offensive synergy (or lack there of) come when we look at their play-type breakdown. Despite running 21 pick-and-roll sets, not once did Dakota hit the screener out of this set. Furthermore, in isolation sets where the defense committed an additional defender to the ball-handler (meaning someone else on the floor is left unguarded) only three times was the ball passed to someone else. That is a tremedous lack of shot creating for others - something the Wizards can't afford to do tonight.
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