Comments on: Game Day Heat http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/ The Official Blog of the NBA's Washington Wizards Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:09:38 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Tom Mandel http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/comment-page-4/#comment-27399 Tom Mandel Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:51:43 +0000 http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/#comment-27399 Gilbert has great "eyes" -- his assists last night reflected an uncanny ability to see where people were going from every direction and zip the ball to them. The more he concentrates on that, the more people are going to try to defend his passing lanes, giving him a little more room for open shots. In short, the guy is hard to defend! Looking at him set up on defense right now, you can see that he sets up very wide; in principle that seems good, but he is so wide that you get the sense that he doesn't trust his lateral reactions yet. I could be wrong... Gilbert has great “eyes” — his assists last night reflected an uncanny ability to see where people were going from every direction and zip the ball to them. The more he concentrates on that, the more people are going to try to defend his passing lanes, giving him a little more room for open shots. In short, the guy is hard to defend!

Looking at him set up on defense right now, you can see that he sets up very wide; in principle that seems good, but he is so wide that you get the sense that he doesn’t trust his lateral reactions yet. I could be wrong…

]]> By: gbkdc http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/comment-page-4/#comment-27398 gbkdc Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:09:51 +0000 http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/#comment-27398 AUNDRA: That article was harsh. Many of the prima donna comments are true in some respect, but Gil is a superstar. And I think a lot of the things he does are fun, silly, and entertaining. But to get so down on him for his first game back???? That is a little too much, if you ask me. YES he has not been a great defender in the past, but give him more than ONE GAME BACK FROM 2 KNEE SURGERIES to prove himself! I believe he can learn to be a better defender. His work ethic is second to none. Give the man a chance to improve! The rest of the team has learned, why not Gil??? YES they all need to play defense more consistently. But that is the criticism of the entire team, not just of Gil. Anyway, last night's game showed a much better Gil, and maybe will shut up his critics a little bit... for a few minutes at least? See you tonight for the Bulls! Hope we get this one... AUNDRA: That article was harsh. Many of the prima donna comments are true in some respect, but Gil is a superstar. And I think a lot of the things he does are fun, silly, and entertaining.

But to get so down on him for his first game back???? That is a little too much, if you ask me. YES he has not been a great defender in the past, but give him more than ONE GAME BACK FROM 2 KNEE SURGERIES to prove himself! I believe he can learn to be a better defender. His work ethic is second to none. Give the man a chance to improve! The rest of the team has learned, why not Gil??? YES they all need to play defense more consistently. But that is the criticism of the entire team, not just of Gil.

Anyway, last night’s game showed a much better Gil, and maybe will shut up his critics a little bit… for a few minutes at least?

See you tonight for the Bulls! Hope we get this one…

]]> By: neal http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/comment-page-4/#comment-27397 neal Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:28:49 +0000 http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/#comment-27397 Unfortunately, I agree with most everything Knott says (and most people have been unwilling to say). I completely disagree with "he's just a spot-up shooter" and I haven't focused or noticed a lack of lateral ability. But most importantly, I still think Arenas is a work in progress. It's true he's full of himself, but it doesn't follow that he's selfish. He seems to have bought into the team concept on offense. Maybe he'll do that on defense at some point. Wouldn't it be great to beat the Dulls? Go Wiz! Unfortunately, I agree with most everything Knott says (and most people have been unwilling to say). I completely disagree with “he’s just a spot-up shooter” and I haven’t focused or noticed a lack of lateral ability. But most importantly, I still think Arenas is a work in progress. It’s true he’s full of himself, but it doesn’t follow that he’s selfish. He seems to have bought into the team concept on offense. Maybe he’ll do that on defense at some point.

Wouldn’t it be great to beat the Dulls? Go Wiz!

]]> By: Tom Mandel http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/comment-page-4/#comment-27396 Tom Mandel Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:54:47 +0000 http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/#comment-27396 Well, so far at least Gilbert hasn't played any defense whatsoever, and his ability to move laterally does appear to be limited right now, as Knott mentions. I'm not worried about his current physical limitations, which he will put behind him. And I did note last night that he concentrated on seeing the floor and passing; he only shot when he had a good shot available to him. But, the problems that Knott points out are, in fact, the issues with Gilbert. We just gave up 110 points to the Milwaukee Bucks and 19 3-pointers to the Miami Heat. That's not a level of play that will work against the Detroit Pistons, perhaps our most likely opponent (and maybe the one we should want) in the first round. On the other hand, if Songaila, Blatche and Mason could play every night the way they plated against the Heat last night, watch out! Well, so far at least Gilbert hasn’t played any defense whatsoever, and his ability to move laterally does appear to be limited right now, as Knott mentions.

I’m not worried about his current physical limitations, which he will put behind him. And I did note last night that he concentrated on seeing the floor and passing; he only shot when he had a good shot available to him.

But, the problems that Knott points out are, in fact, the issues with Gilbert. We just gave up 110 points to the Milwaukee Bucks and 19 3-pointers to the Miami Heat. That’s not a level of play that will work against the Detroit Pistons, perhaps our most likely opponent (and maybe the one we should want) in the first round.

On the other hand, if Songaila, Blatche and Mason could play every night the way they plated against the Heat last night, watch out!

]]> By: AUNDRA http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/comment-page-4/#comment-27393 AUNDRA Sat, 05 Apr 2008 06:13:48 +0000 http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2008/04/04/game-day-heat-2/#comment-27393 Fans I would like your comment on Tom Knotts article called Arenas is back Along With Poor Defense. http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080404/SPORTS05/404483595/1005/SPORTS This guy seems to be letting Agent Zero have it . I mean he is insanely unloading all this rage out . The comments are they justifiable or does he have something against Arenas ! Fans I would like your comment on Tom Knotts article called
Arenas is back Along With Poor Defense.

http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080404/SPORTS05/404483595/1005/SPORTS

This guy seems to be letting Agent Zero have it . I mean he is insanely
unloading all this rage out . The comments are they justifiable or does he have
something against Arenas !

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