Wizard's Report Card, Mid-Season: Pinching the Bench
Yesterday, I gave a mini-assessment of the Wizards' starters. Now on to the key bench players. Going by the minutes per game, that would be Antonio Daniels, Etan Thomas, Jarvis Hayes and Michael Ruffin.
Key Bench Players
Antonio Daniels: Started off just terrible. He couldn't get an offensive rhythm going, and instead of trying to compensate defensively he just got himself into an even worse funk. He's doing better now, but his play hasn't replaced the perimeter scoring the team had with either Larry Hughes or Jarvis Hayes. A decent defender based more on his experience in the NBA than actual skill and effort. Grade: C-
Jarvis Hayes: Started off..OK. I remember when he was billed as "Mitch Richmond with defense." So far, I haven't seen anything consistent to back up that claim. Before he was sidelined with injury, I can remember three distinct cases where his bad passes either turned the tide of game or cost the game. The upside is he's still young enough to learn how to pass and play good D. But he can shoot! Grade: C
Michael Ruffin: He's not expected to score, so if you ever see him with more than five points then (A) the entire staring lineup has gone cold, or (B) the opposing team has a front court no taller than 6'7". But he plays hard and with a lot of heart. Grade: C+
Etan Thomas: If his writing prowess matched his balling skills, he could be the next Charles Barkley or Alonzo Mourning. What he has in hustle and defensive tenacity he lacks in scoring and ball handling. Thomas is one of those guys you know would average a double-double if he was traded somewhere else, just because the trade put a chip on his shoulder and made him a little meaner. But Washington kept him, so they have to make sure that at least two good scorers on on the court with him. Grade: C+
So the Wizards have a slightly better-than-average bench, which is reflected in their record. Good benches, playoff-contention team benches, they have the task of either shutting an opponent down defensively or running the score up offensively. The Wizards' key bench players (collectively) are too undersized, injured and "unathletic" to do either.
Tomorrow: The lesser-knowns get their time in the spotlight.
Key Bench Players
Antonio Daniels: Started off just terrible. He couldn't get an offensive rhythm going, and instead of trying to compensate defensively he just got himself into an even worse funk. He's doing better now, but his play hasn't replaced the perimeter scoring the team had with either Larry Hughes or Jarvis Hayes. A decent defender based more on his experience in the NBA than actual skill and effort. Grade: C-
Jarvis Hayes: Started off..OK. I remember when he was billed as "Mitch Richmond with defense." So far, I haven't seen anything consistent to back up that claim. Before he was sidelined with injury, I can remember three distinct cases where his bad passes either turned the tide of game or cost the game. The upside is he's still young enough to learn how to pass and play good D. But he can shoot! Grade: C
Michael Ruffin: He's not expected to score, so if you ever see him with more than five points then (A) the entire staring lineup has gone cold, or (B) the opposing team has a front court no taller than 6'7". But he plays hard and with a lot of heart. Grade: C+
Etan Thomas: If his writing prowess matched his balling skills, he could be the next Charles Barkley or Alonzo Mourning. What he has in hustle and defensive tenacity he lacks in scoring and ball handling. Thomas is one of those guys you know would average a double-double if he was traded somewhere else, just because the trade put a chip on his shoulder and made him a little meaner. But Washington kept him, so they have to make sure that at least two good scorers on on the court with him. Grade: C+
So the Wizards have a slightly better-than-average bench, which is reflected in their record. Good benches, playoff-contention team benches, they have the task of either shutting an opponent down defensively or running the score up offensively. The Wizards' key bench players (collectively) are too undersized, injured and "unathletic" to do either.
Tomorrow: The lesser-knowns get their time in the spotlight.
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