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Wizards Player Profiles: Kevin Seraphin

Ben Mehic — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:50:15 +0000

Nov 7, 2012; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; “What did I do, coach?”. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Mehic:

After capping off such a great season last year, I honestly expected Kevin Seraphin to emerge amongst some of the top young big men in the NBA. Instead of becoming one of the league’s most improved players, Seraphin quickly failed to live up to expectations.

With Nene struggling with injuries right out of the gate, Seraphin was asked to step up and fill his role. Seraphin tried to assert himself offensively, much like he did last year, but failed to do so efficiently. Instead, Seraphin became a black hole once he touched the ball under the basket. Unlike Nene, the possession would consequently end once Seraphin got the ball in the post. Although he’s very capable of knocking down his patent mini-hook, Seraphin would settle for face up jump shots way too often, making him an unreliable offensive threat. When Seraphin was traded to Washington on draft day, I remember the NBA analysts characterizing him as a “bruiser” and someone who knows how to utilize his size. Needless to say, he’s become a finesse player who uses his size to take terrible shots.

I personally think the majority of Seraphin’s trouble’s on the court have come from his lack of awareness. Teams have now started to double-team Seraphin in the post, consequently neutralizing him under the basket. Once he gets double-teamed, Seraphin either rushed up a terrible shot or turned the ball over. Washington’s coaching staff, including head coach Randy Wittman, have worked with Seraphin throughout the season, in order to help him quit these bad habits. Once Seraphin learns when to shoot, when to pass, and how to play acceptable defense, he’ll ultimately become the player we all know he can become.

There aren’t too many 23 year old centers in the NBA with the skills Kevin Seraphin possesses. Let’s hope Seraphin gets back on the right path , or he’ll definitely see a lot more DNPs next season.

Grade: F

Wizards Player Profiles: Garrett Temple

Ben Mehic — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:46:51 +0000

Feb 13, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman talks with shooting guard Garrett Temple (17) during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Umair Khan:

Following a right hand injury just a month into the season, the team was forced to sideline starting point guard, AJ Price for 5 weeks, which resulted in the team looking to the D-League for some much needed backcourt depth. A pair of 10-day contracts were given to Shelvin Mack and Garrett Temple, and at the end of that period, it was Temple who emerged as the victor, leaving Mack out to dry. Temple proved to be an adequate ball handler who rarely turned the ball over, though his outside shooting handicapped an already abhorrent offense without their two point guards.

Once Price and John Wall returned to the lineup, Temple received more freedom as the defensive stopper off the bench, where he made his mark. He used his size and length to disrupt shooters coming off screens, and became one of the team’s premier one on one defenders, holding opponents to just 33 percent shooting on isolation plays per My Synergy Sports. Injuries to Bradley Beal and Trevor Ariza prompted Temple to log heavy minutes in the final month of the season, as he averaged 27 minutes per game in March and April, while starting 22 of the final 26 games.

Temple will most assuredly receive an invite to training camp in the fall, but it remains unclear whether he’ll make the team given their interest in acquiring a scoring guard off the bench. However, he could take the role of a Cartier Martin as the 12^th man on the roster, and provide the team with a capable ball handler and defender at either wing positions.

NBA Draft 2013: Washington Wizards Draft Dilemma

Ben Mehic — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:18:56 +0000

June 28, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; A general view of the first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports If everything goes as planned, the 29 win Washington Wizards will end up picking 8th in this upcoming draft.

The Wizards have been an NBA lottery bound team for quite some time, but John Wall and company aren’t expressing too much interest in drafting yet another rookie. When asked about this upcoming draft John Wall quickly dismissed the scenario, stating;

I really don’t want to worry about the draft. We’re going the right way with winning, so we need to keep going with veterans and not keep going to the draft and get younger; But that’s how I feel. It’s not my decision. It’s upstairs and I think they’ll do a great job.

In his exit interview, Wall also spoke about adding a power forward who could stretch the floor or a guard who could score off the bench. Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis and General Manager Ernie Grunfeld, have accommodated Wall through several acquisitions in the past. When Wall wanted to add veterans, Washington’s management added Nene, Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza through multiple trades. They also added Bradley Beal and Martell Webster in order to surrounded John Wall with some shooters. Needless to say, the management has tried to build the roster around Wall, and they will continue to do so. In doing so, they have took his recommendations seriously.

As of right now, the Wizards don’t have many pieces to build around outside of Wall and Beal. Adding another player such as Cody Zeller, or perhaps a scorer such as Shabazz Muhammed, is essential to complete a successful rebuild. Washington can’t depend solely on Wall and Beal for their future success. Their young back court has shown great promise when on the floor together, but Washington needs more going forward. Adding that final piece could potentially be done in this upcoming draft. Nene and Okafor don’t have much time left, and Washington has failed to develop Jan Vesely into a competent basketball player. With Wall and Beal together, adding Cody Zeller, Anthony Bennett, or virtually any other rookie coming out of this upcoming draft class could potentially give the Wizards three formidable players for the future to build around.

Washington has traded their lottery picks in the past in exchange for veteran players. In this case, the Wizards would probably try to acquire an established stretch forward, to accommodate Wall, in exchange for their lottery pick. Trading for Milwaukee Bucks forward, Ersan Ilyasova would probably be the best case scenario if a trade were to occur. Ilyasova is only 25 years old, but he fits a clear need. Ilyasova is set to make $8 million dollars next season and is locked for the next couple years. If the Milwaukee Bucks were to entertain that trade scenario, they would likely acquire Trevor Ariza along side the lottery pick to make the deal work from a financial standpoint. Adding another rookie to pair up with Brandon Jennings and Larry Sanders would probably set the Bucks up for more future success. Jennings, who is set to become a restricted free agent, would probably be tempted to come back to Milwaukee if the franchise were to add a solid player such as Zeller or Muhammed.

Nevertheless, the Wizards management certainly has work to do. If I was in charge, I would seek a trade, but I wouldn’t make a deal just for the sake of making a deal. Washington has flubbed trades in the past, so they don’t have any more room for mistakes in that aspect. As I mentioned, adding another young piece is essential. I’m hoping the management isn’t feeling pressured by John Wall’s comments. Washington’s management has to figure out this crucial part of the season and not make any irrational decisions based off certain comments or concerns.

The NBA Draft lottery will be taking place May 21st and will determine which pick the Wizards will receive in the upcoming draft.