Wizards Report Card 2007: Starters
It's that time again! Honestly, I'm a month off, but who cares? Time to go over the Wiz while they're still basically a question mark (as in, how far could they go in the playoffs?). Basic info can be found in last season's review.
Now, on with the Show:
The Starters
Gilbert Arenas: Last year I said I was waiting for Gilbert to become more of a leader. He's all but deferred that duty to Jamison. So Gil is the star and Jamison is the captain, like Karl Malone and John Stockton respectively. Nevertheless, Arenas is still a monster offensively. He's definitely more clutch than a year ago, but he needs to play more (note, not better) defense. Grade: A
DeShawn Stevenson: He's the defensive-minded two-guard I asked the team to get last year. And as I'm sure he's letting everyone know, he's kissing a 49% in feild goals. If the opposing 2-guard is a dud, look for him to contribute defensively. If it's Kobe or Wade, be happy if he scores 8 points. Grade: B-
Caron Butler: Now with a year under his belt, he was able to step in and officially replace Larry Hughes as part of the Big Three. The toughest and most consistent starter (if not Wizard). Currently lead the League in steals. Other then a small lack of quickness, no true weakness in his game. Grade: B+
Center Position: Etan Thomas started as...the starter, then injuries opened the door for Brendan Haywood. As Boswell said before, the two need each other to survive. Haywood's a better offensive center; Etan's a better defensive one. Neither has great hands and both can be foul prone. Both are pretty decent shot blockers. Grade: C (for both)
Antawn Jamison: The undisputed glue and leader of this team. Without him, the Wizards are a talented mess. With him, they are the most potent, dangerous offensive team in the Eastern Conference. Most creative scorer. Underated rebounder. Could be a shot-blocker if he translated some of his offensive talents to defense (i.e., athleticism). Grade: A
Next time: the Bench gets pinched.
Now, on with the Show:
The Starters
Gilbert Arenas: Last year I said I was waiting for Gilbert to become more of a leader. He's all but deferred that duty to Jamison. So Gil is the star and Jamison is the captain, like Karl Malone and John Stockton respectively. Nevertheless, Arenas is still a monster offensively. He's definitely more clutch than a year ago, but he needs to play more (note, not better) defense. Grade: A
DeShawn Stevenson: He's the defensive-minded two-guard I asked the team to get last year. And as I'm sure he's letting everyone know, he's kissing a 49% in feild goals. If the opposing 2-guard is a dud, look for him to contribute defensively. If it's Kobe or Wade, be happy if he scores 8 points. Grade: B-
Caron Butler: Now with a year under his belt, he was able to step in and officially replace Larry Hughes as part of the Big Three. The toughest and most consistent starter (if not Wizard). Currently lead the League in steals. Other then a small lack of quickness, no true weakness in his game. Grade: B+
Center Position: Etan Thomas started as...the starter, then injuries opened the door for Brendan Haywood. As Boswell said before, the two need each other to survive. Haywood's a better offensive center; Etan's a better defensive one. Neither has great hands and both can be foul prone. Both are pretty decent shot blockers. Grade: C (for both)
Antawn Jamison: The undisputed glue and leader of this team. Without him, the Wizards are a talented mess. With him, they are the most potent, dangerous offensive team in the Eastern Conference. Most creative scorer. Underated rebounder. Could be a shot-blocker if he translated some of his offensive talents to defense (i.e., athleticism). Grade: A
Next time: the Bench gets pinched.
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