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January
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Frustrated, Average, Mad - What's Up With These Bullets?
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Well, I've partially failed in my attempts to stay up-to-date on columns. It's been almost three weeks since I've written one, though the Bullets continue to provide plenty of material to write about. I might as well start somewhere. Here we go.I'm Frustrated
No, it's not just my job that can be frustrating. It's especially these Bullets. The individual play is a part of it (and believe me, it's individual play, not team play). The coaching is part of it. The fans are part of it. Where's the fun in being a Bullets fan?
It wasn't supposed to be this way this year. The Bullets had a solid core of talent, plus good depth, and were supposed to be challenging for a playoff spot. Instead, they're 8th in the Eastern Conference, and there are three other teams (Milwaukee, Indiana, Orlando) within 2 games of them (as of January 19).
I'm frustrated with the individual one-on-one play that this offense seems to specialize in. Rod Strickland, CWebb and Juwan all seem to specialize in it. And when they do, there is rarely any motion from the other players. They just stand there, waiting for someone to try and doubleteam. Usually they don't. And the one-on-one guy wastes too much time and rarely gets off a good shot.
I'm frustrated at the lack of spacing the Bullets use in their offensive sets. They've got 4 guys on the weak side of the court (away from the isolated player - see above). There's no good passing lanes, and often there isn't even a 3-point shooter to spread it out beyond the arc. All passes have to go across the lane; I prefer the Houston Rockets method, which usually has an outside shooter above the post player to allow an easier pass out of any doubleteam.
I'm frustrated that CWebb and Juwan continue to wrack up major playing minutes, with limited results. Most nights, they are playing over 40 minutes each. Webber is averaging 40.4 minutes per game, Howard 40.0 minutes per game. They are 7th and 10th overall in the league in minutes per game. That's too much. These guys will have no gas if the Bullets ever do make the playoffs. Make use of that talented bench, Lynam.
I'm frustrated that coach Jim Lynam refuses to play a 3-point shooter for more than half a game, usually. Having a 3-point shooter on the court is usually to our advantage, opening up the inside for our big boys (Muresan, Webber, Howard). How about it, Jimmy?
I'm frustrated with Jim Lynam's substitution patterns. He's sticks to them rather rigidly in the first 3 quarters, minimum. He'll pull hot players (who don't look tired) because it's time to insert someone else. He'll leave cold players on the field. He'll insert Muresan when they have no plans to run any offense through him (and he can get exploited on defense). Please, spare me of this insanity!!! What logic am I missing in Lynam's patterns?
I'm frustrated that Muresan doesn't get the ball more. He can be so effective in close, dominating whoever guards him, but the individual play of the big 3 limits Gheorghe's touches way too much. If we're not going to use him properly and get him out of the game when he's proving not as effective, TRADE HIM. (Ooohh, now there's a nice heresy to throw out there.)
There, I've let go of some of my frustrations. Public venting is good. But does it solve anything? Unfortunately, no. But we can keep trying.
How Average Is Average?
Just what did you mean, Harvey, when you said, "Until then, we'll be an average team." (see the end of the article)
Well, the reality is, the Bullets are playing like an average team right now. They beat the bad teams (though not without a struggle), and they lose to the good teams. That's fine, if you want to be an average team. However, this isn't (and shouldn't be) an average team.
This team lacks focus, intensity, chemistry. That's the key right there - chemistry. Too often, I see one-on-one matchups on the offensive end. I don't see good rotation to the outside shooters. I don't see everyone taking care of their assignments on defensive rebounding. Loads of question marks that question the very integrity of this team.
Are they a team or not?
Right now, I say no. They are a collection of talented players that can make you ooh and ahh individually, and occasionally collectively, but I have yet to see them put together four quarters that say, "We're on the same page together, believe in one another, will live and die for each other (at least, on the court)." I can't even say I've seen them do it for three quarters.
Individual efforts will not win basketball championships. Michael Jordan eventually learned that. Hakeem Olajuwon eventually learned that. Patrick Ewing is struggling with that reality. Maybe Shaq, CWebb and Juwan will someday learn it (hopefully, CWebb and Juwan will first). But, the trust factor is not there. Coaching and individual players all mix to make this happen. Will the Bullets?
The Team Gets Mad, Continued
This is the same old story, yet the Bullets never seem to learn. Meanwhile, the tension on the team continues to grow. The following rumor clip comes courtesy of Mitch Lawrence, an NBA columnist for ESPNet Sportszone. You can find it three-quarters of the way down his column titled Dallas Is The Center Of The NBA Universe.
Charter-food crisis, part IIBoy, when will Abe wake up and smell the copy? This is a real business, not some mom-and-pop-and-the-relatives-too shop. If you want to keep your employees happy, especially your marketable employees, and in the house and draw new employees (although they're capped out for a long time), you step up on the small stuff that'll keep them coming back. Otherwise, it's time to sell the team to someone who realizes that.To protest what they consider inferior grub on Bullets team flights, Harvey Grant and Rod Strickland boycotted recent shootaround. That followed Chris Webber's trashing of VP Wes Unseld on a flight over the quality of the food.
In Grant and Strickland's case, Jimmy Lynam waited 20 minutes, hoping the two would appear. They never did. Lynam, unbelievably, still started the two that night versus Portland. Nice message that sent.
There should be plenty of more war stories about the Bullet charter-food problems: Starting this Saturday they play 10 of their next 13 on the road.
wtf 20 January 1997
