|
|
|
Thread Tools |
10-16-2011, 10:54 PM
|
#34 |
|
Rookie
|
Re: 10/30/2011 = 10/30/2001
thewashingtoneagle.com
MEET THE NEW JORDANAIRES By Fred Schiebel, Head Writer The opinion of most sports journalists appears to be that the Wizards are a talentless wasteland compared to the other 28 teams in the NBA. That's not exactly true. While they are probably lacking another superstar to make the team a true contender for the championship, they may already possess most of the complimentary players needed for such a run. The thing is, most of them are young. Very young. So in order for the investment in them to pay off, Jordan has to be correct in his hypothesis that his return will indeed help accelerate their growth. Quickly, before he leaves the stage again in two years. So, without further adieu, here's the first installment of a mini-web series introducing all you Washington bandwagoners to the rest of our humble roster... # 1: RICHARD HAMILTON  Position: Shooting Guard Age: 23 Height: 6-6 Weight: 185 Important 2000-01 Stats: 18.1 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.9 ast Jordanaire most similar to: Scottie Pippen Scouting Report: There is no truth to the rumor that the Wizards drafted Hamilton out of the third grade. Much skinnier than your typical NBA shooting guard, he uses his speed to his advantage to get open for jumpers. Overall however, his slight frame is considered by many to be a detriment, especially on defense, and he will have to add weight and muscle (as well as a desire to stop somebody) in order to not be a liability on the floor in crucial situations. Like Pippen, he's figured to be the #2 scoring option. He's already a better mid-range shooter. Other than that though, Pippen is the superior player in all other categories, by far. A major reason why Washington will not win 70. But will be a big one if they win 50 or so. |
|
|
|
10-17-2011, 06:55 PM
|
#35 |
|
Rookie
|
Re: 10/30/2011 = 10/30/2001
washingtoneagle.com
MEET THE NEW JORDANAIRES #2: JAHIDI WHITE  Position: Center Age: 25 Height: 6-9 Weight: 290 Important 2000-01 Stats: 8.6 pts, 7.7 reb, 1.6 blk, 23.7 min Jordanaire(s) most similar to: Dennis Rodman, Bill Cartwright The Good: When someone calls somebody a mountain man, they usually imply he has a love of rugged terrain, not that he has it as part of his genetic makeup. The strongest player in the league that doesn't have the last name O'Neal, White is a mini-Shaq that any guard would love to have setting screens for him on his team, since paralysis is a likely result. He's one of the best rebounders in the league as well, albeit not as godlike as Rodman, but much better than Horace Grant or any of the Bulls old centers. If he played 40 minutes last year, his averages would be 14.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. His game is like Cartwright's in one respect -- Bill was known to throw 'bows into defenders' faces when in the paint, and Jahidi posesses an even greater intimidation factor. The Bad: Of course a mountain man has hands of stone. White is a turnover machine who drops lots of passes for easy dunks. He also uses said hands of stone to pummel his opponents, and is often in foul trouble. He's also nowhere near the offensive force Shaq is. This will be White's fourth year in the league though, so he's ripe for a little maturing. Bottom line: He could be at least as good as many a Bulls center, and has the potential to be much better. |
|
|
|
| Advertisements - Register to remove | ||
|
|
|
10-18-2011, 02:15 AM
|
#36 |
|
Rookie
|
Re: 10/30/2011 = 10/30/2001
washingtoneagle.com
MEET THE NEW JORDANAIRES #3: CHRISTIAN LAETTNER  Position: Power Forward/Center Age: 32 Height: 6-11 Weight: 235 Important 2000-01 Stats: 13.2 pts, 6.1 reb, 2..3 ast (in 25 games with Wiz) Jordanaire(s) most similar to: Luc Longley, Bill Wennington The Good: Let's face it, cheering for Christian Laettner is a lot like rooting for that blond kid that was constantly harrassing Ralph Macchio in The Karate Kid. Never at all endearing with his snotty rich boy persona, and always a disappointment since being selected third in the NBA draft after his magnificent college career at Duke... well, these things do not mean the guy still can't play. Like Longley and Wennington, he's a fantastic shooter. Also like Longley, he's a very good passer. Many would say Laettner also shares the same kind of softness, but I remember seeing him having to guard Shaq in the playoffs when he was with Atlanta, and that was definitely not the case then. It hasn't been that many years since he was averaging 18 points a game. If Doug Collins can figure out how to make him that effective again, look out. And call me a big softie, but if he was finally able to make his mark at the professional level after all these years, I think I would cheer. The Bad: Four years, $21 million? When Laettner came over in the Dallas trade last mid-season that jettisoned Juwan Howard's massive contract, most thought the Wizards wouldn't resign him and they'd save their money to invest somewhere else. Instead Collins lobbied hard for Laettner's return, citing his high basketball I.Q. All I can say is there better have been somebody else bidding for his services elsewhere. Even Collins acknowledged Laettner's sometimes extreme moodiness can be a nightmare to coach. The fact that another reason given for his signing was for him to play mentor to the Wiz's young big men sounded at first like some sort of gigantic cosmic joke. Perhaps having that kind of authority will help reign him in. He says he's excited, so. Moody or not, he's the first and one of the few Washington players that is clearly better than his Chicago Jordanaire comparison counterparts. Last edited by dyedbuthair; 10-18-2011 at 01:17 PM. |
|
|
|
|
10-18-2011, 10:27 PM
|
#38 |
|
Rookie
|
Re: 10/30/2011 = 10/30/2001
washingtoneagle.com
MEET THE NEW JORDANAIRES #4: COURTNEY ALEXANDER  Position: Shooting Guard Age: 24 Height: 6-5 Weight: 205 Important 2000-01 Stats: 17.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.5 ast (in 27 games with Wiz) Jordanaire(s) role to fill: Toni Kukoc The Good: In the race to be a potential fan favorite, Alexander makes Christian Laetnner look like Rocky Balboa. Suspended for being convicted of assaulting his girlfriend while he was at the University of Virginia, he transferred to Fresno State where he led the nation in scoring. After coming over with Laettner from Dallas (where he languished on the bench) in the Howard deal, Alexander was a pleasant surprise, averaging 17 points a game. He's slated to be the Wizard's sixth man this year. Offensively, he might already be Kukoc's equal. The Bad: Unfortunately Alexander is well aware of his scoring talent, and the word on him is that he's somewhat of a pompous ***. He's said he doesn't have a problem coming off the bench -- such is the power of Jordan. If it were anybody else, he probably would. Alexander and Kukoc may possess similar defensive talent -- just about zilch -- but besides being a scorer, Kukoc had other abilities, i.e. he was a great passer and decent rebounder. Bottom line: if Alexander is going to make a significant impact, he will probably have to add a couple more dimensions to his game. Last edited by dyedbuthair; 10-18-2011 at 10:30 PM. |
|
|
|
|
10-19-2011, 01:09 PM
|
#39 |
|
Rookie
|
Re: 10/30/2011 = 10/30/2001
washingtoneagle.com
MEET THE NEW JORDANAIRES # 5: CHRIS WHITNEY  Position: Point Guard Age: 30 Height: 6-0 Weight: 168 Important 2000-01 Stats: 9.5 pts, 4.2 ast, .375 3P% Jordanaire most similar to: Craig Hodges The Good: Whitney may look like B.J. Armstrong's older brother, but he plays more like Craig Hodges -- meaning his game is basically sitting behind the three point line and waiting for someone to pass him the ball back. While not as great a shooter as Hodges, his mark from behind the arc (.375) is identical to Hodges' mark in his last season with the Bulls (championship year 1991-92). The longest tenured Wizard, this will be his seventh season in a Washington uniform. He's accomplished this for the most part by being a serviceable backup, a good soldier, and a team player. Like Hodges, while not getting a ton of assists, he takes care of the ball. He wants to be a teacher when his career is over, so he appears to be a solid little piece of this mostly young puzzle. The Bad: As said above, he's not the most fantastic playmaker. Has had quite a few years where his three point field goal percentage was not wondrous. Even for a point guard, his rebounding is poor. Not a great defender, which could be attributed to him not possessing any advantages in either speed, size or strength. Bottom line: The kind of veteran leadership this team needs. Last edited by dyedbuthair; 10-23-2011 at 06:29 PM. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:12 PM.
|
Top -
|
