has anyone noticed . . .

[123together]

has anyone noticed that gerald wallace all of the sudden thinks he's ray allen? the amount of jumpers he is settling for is startling me. obviously if the shot clock is running down, he's gotta shoot it. but if early in the possession wallace is shooting j's, it is killing us. he needs to go back down and post up his defender like he did late in the season last year, when he seemed to score 20+ every game. it would also give the cats another post presences cuz brezec and hollins arent. please gerald play the same style you did last year. you're great when you play inside and merely average when forcing jumpers.

[spectre]

Yeah, I've noticed. I still think this and everyone elses' sometimes "shaky" play is due to our being together with this coach for such a short period.

Another thing too, as I've said earlier you HAVE to have jumpshooters hitting shots in order to open up the paint...maybe with JRich's struggles he's feeling the need to attempt to take on some of that load as well.

He's having to be a leader now more than ever, which will also require time.

Heh, I've got excuses for everything! :funkybanana:

Seriously though...that is what I think. If we're hitting the AS break and a lot of these issues aren't resolved I'll start worrying.

[Keetch]

I been wondering if maybe the coaches aren't urging Wallace to extend his game. I don't think this is GW suddenly becoming shot happy. It seems very purposeful (or some word like purposeful).

[TheBeagle]

I agree. The point production will go up if he slashes and posts which is GW's bread and butter. Good theory about the reason for the amount of jumpers he's putting up. I think GW is just a slow starter, and by January he'll be knocking them down more consistently, which will make it even easier for blow-bys when defenders have to honor his jumper. Unless he gets seriously hurt, or becomes too unselfish, GW should be our leading scorer this year with about 21 per game.

[timang]

if bulked up this season to play more stronger in the paint, then why is is shooting j's like it's his weapons on court? ???

this is really unsettling.

[ohara831]

I've noticed that trend from Wallace as well. Spectre makes some good points, and I think he might be right about Wallace having to compensate for J-Rich being off the mark the last 4 games. Someone has to open the middle up. Right now, Carroll is the only one doing it, and we aren't giving Herrmann any playing time.
My view is more personal. Athletes all have egos. Especially really good athletes. When we paid Wallace all that $ to stay, there was some mild criticism that he did not have a jumper and was being overpaid. Most people felt we got a great deal, and I am one of them. However, it could be his ego trying to prove the doubters wrong - that he does have a jumper. Right now, he's proving he doesn't. I hope he either finds it, or decides to just use his athleticism and post up defenders or drive to the hoop. But, he cannot keep chucking it from 3 pt land and missing this much.

[dav7z]

If thats the problem give Carroll more burn til Rich gets adjusted. Carroll has no problems hiting his jumper . That just means Mcinnis gets less burn . Wallace needs to make sure he works his game inside out instead of outside in.Let him get going and then take a few jumpers just to be respected.

[spectre]

I was actually surprised he's struggling so much early. Going from memory, Crash shot over 40% from 3 from the 1st of January to close out the season...and that's part of why he was having such monster games. If a guy is bellying up they don't stand a chance because he will burn them on the drive.

Ohara you well might have a point about ego. Crash probably feels like he has a lot to prove, esp. due to riding the bench in Sacramento. Add to that having to take a stronger leadership role it could very well have an affect.

Isn't Hammer a great luxury to have? Looks to me like he's already earning his keep.

[ohara831]

Hammer is proving to be a valuable commodity. I jsut wish Herrmann was proving to be as well. The way he played the last 20 games last season, I was thinking he was ready to come out big this year. If he was playing poorly for 20 minutes a game, I could understand the Coach's reluctance to play him. But he's getting only a few more minutes that I am - and that aint too much. I dont understand unless there is talk of a trade underway and they dont want to risk him getting injured.

[TheBeagle]

Yes, I don't think Walter is ever going to fit into Sam's up-tempo/aggressive defense system, therefore we should be shopping him while he has some value. How about shipping him to San Antonio, who seems to like their Argentine players, for Francisco Elson? I'd take that any day, no offense to Walter.

[spectre]

Yes, I don't think Walter is ever going to fit into Sam's up-tempo/aggressive defense system, therefore we should be shopping him while he has some value. How about shipping him to San Antonio, who seems to like their Argentine players, for Francisco Elson? I'd take that any day, no offense to Walter.


It works in the ESPN Trade Checker straight up. Whether they'd do it...dunno.

[123together]

wallace seemed to attack the basket more tonight against miami, but did airball 2 attempts as well. however, if wallace plays like he did tonight for the rest of the season, it will be a great year for him and the cats.

maybe he read this thread and decided it would be good to go inside :)