MikeDC

What will it be?

The following guys are complete locks to be on the roster: Hughes, Dixon, MJ, Stack, Russell, Jeffries, Brown, Thomas, and Haywood

That's 9 guys. Lue, Laettner, and White are three more locks with the slight possibility they could be traded. That makes 12. Only the 3 IR places left.

Thus, we have the following position breakdowns (I'm thinking of things in terms of "what kind" of players these guys are, and maybe not necessarily their "official" position:

PG: (3) Hughes, Dixon, Lue
Wing: (3) MJ, Stack, Russell
Forward: (2) Jeffries, Brown
C/F: (2) Thomas, Laettner
Center: (2) Haywood, White

And three roster spots to be filled by some combo of the following:

Oakley I really don't want him, but I can't imagine that they are signing him only to cut him a couple weeks later. Hence, he's going to be on the final roster. At best, all I can say is that Curry and Chandler seemed to like him.

Varda is my personal favorite out of all the guys battling. The Post article on him sold me. He's big, he's young, he's working his *** off and playing hurt. Collins seemed to be saying really nice things about him. I want him to make the team.

Whitney seems to me the most likely odd-man out of the vets, but he's too good of a shooter and a guy to just dump. I'm kind of expecting he gets traded for something, just to clear a roster space. If not though, I have to think he stays at the expense either of Simmons or Grizzard. Barring something unforseen, I have to think that Simmons is gone. With the other Wings on the team, either of these guys won't get much PT and Grizzard would seem to have more upside. He's got to be way out of shape at the moment due to his injury, but with the wing players in front of him, he won't be expected to play. If we needed someone who could play immediately, we might take Simmons, but that ain't the case. My preference is to trade Whitney for a pick, if possible, and keep Grizzard.

Finally, Brian Cardinal best start checking out which NBDL team will be the right fit. I just don't see how he stays over anyone else.

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kingofkings

No doubt that the Wizards roster at this point in time, is really loaded. But, one thing that I see, is that the backcourt will be able to score alot of points this year with Hughes, Jordan, Stackhouse and Russell. That is not a problem, but the big man rotation looks to be suspect.

Why I say this, is that their big man rotation, seems to be pretty immobile and cumbersum. Guys like Haywood, White, Laettner, Thomas, need to be able to keep up with the mobile big guys of the East. Guys like Mcdyess, Campbell, Cliff Robinson, Shareef,Miller, etc are all guys that play solid inside outside games. Can the Wizards big guys come out of their comfort zones, in the blocks and come out and defend the perimeter??My question is, can the likes of the Wizards big men, stop these kind of guys?

They just seem to slow for me, to be able to keep up with these guys. That being said, a heavy reliance will be placed on the backcourt to provide the scoring punch. But the key, will be the interior defense of the Wizards.

They need to be able to stop penetration and from guys scoring off cuts and rolls. That is why, I think that maybe Haywood and Thomas, will start. My idea, is that the more shotblockers you have, the less guards you are going to have driving hard to the hole. Also, the more shots you contest, the percentage of those shots going in will be less.

I also, would feel that the Wizards game plan, should be to focus on a beat em up physical contest. In a shootout, the shooting percentages of the likes of Stackhouse, Jordan, Hughes and Russell, might come into play. These guys, as you know, came off bad shooting seasons, Hughes particularly in the past. That is why the big men are going to need to give the Wizards some hardness and steel about their play. They need to be physical and intimidatory.

The offense from what I gather, will be perimeter based. No doubt, the offense will involve tons of pick and rolls and backdoor cuts, utilising the quickness of Stackhouse, Jordan and Hughes.

I also feel that the big guys need to be prepared to improve their offense. No doubt, Stack and Jordan will expect intense double teams, so the big guys need to have soft hands and need to be ready to finish.

bmckay

I thought Simmons was part of the Stackhouse deal.

BCH

Simmons was released by the Pistons and re-signed by the Wizards.

MikeDC

I agree that the big men are not a group that you look at and admire for their offensive prowess. Haywood, White, and Thomas are not the guys I want taking open jumpshots. Oakley was ok at that a couple years ago, but is putrid at it now.

Laettner should be a good fit in that role, however. He's always had a nice shooting touch for a big guy. Brown has all the tools to fill this role and more. He's got quickness, soft hands, a decent shot. He could be a dominating scorer if he gets it. Whether he can do it this year (or ever). Jeffries should be considered in the big man mix too. At 6'11 and 235, he can definitely play some 4 or maybe 5. I'd rate him about like Laettner in raw ability, which is actually pretty good. Like with Kwame, the question is how much of that ability can he turn into production, and how soon.

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jazzy1

I agree with Mike dc if we could trade Whitney and keep Grizzard would be the best possible scenario, I think we may have something in Varda but his injury muddles things a little ,he could be a good back-up center .

BCH

This is the complete Roster with positions noted:

1. Hughes 1/2/3
2. Stackhouse 2/3
3. Russell 3/2
4. Brown 4/5
5. Haywood 5
6. Jordan 2/3
7. Thomas 4/5
8. White 5
9. Laettner 4/5
10. Dixon 1/2
11. Jeffries 3/4
12. Oakley 4/5
13. Lue 1
14. Whitney 1
15. Grizzard 2/3
    ----------------
16. Varda 5
17. Simmons 2/3
18. Cardinal 4

Those in italics are almost guaranteed goners. Those in bold are on the bubble. Unless, Whitney gets traded, it appears that only 1 of those on the bubble is going to be kept. Right now I would think it is Grizzard, that will make the squad. If Whitney or Lue get traded, then I think it is going to be Grizzard and Varda that make the team.

Basically, I am agreeing with MikeDC except I think Grizzard gets the nod over Varda at the end of the day.

Brian

InsideHoops

I wouldn't be so fast just to dismiss cardinal you must understand that coaches love guys that just practice their a$$ off because he pushes guys to work hard he is a great guy to have at the end of the bench. He never really made it off the ir in detroit but he made it impossible for the coaches to cut him with is work ethic and such.

grizzoistight

I hope he makes the team.. the position he plays.. it will be tough to make it though, it seems like the wiz really like varda,
i wish yall wouldnt have gotten oakley.. he blows they should have picked up someone else with more skill to help out

MikeDC

Well, so much for my theory. I just heard on the radio that Grizzard has been waived.

This move makes no sense to me. Why did they sign him to a two year guaranteed deal and then waive him? I know it's not a huge amount or anything, but there's no justification for something that dumb. It's just taking a poop on the salary cap.


So, it looks like the battle is between Simmons, Varda, and possibly Whitney.

Anyone have a trade idea for Whitney?

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BamaBull

and this kid can play too; or at least he could while he was at Alabama......I wonder if it was his injury that got him cut??? Wish JK would take a good look at em...