Etan Thomas should be back Wednesday

[riskus]

Even if its just a limited role im excited about this.

I just hope he isnt comming back to early from this and ends up constantly on the injured list like Arenas was last year.

[IMALILTEAPOT]

this should be nice. we need defensive players. etan will give us a boost. we give up waaaaaaay to many points

[IndianBaller27]

this should be nice. we need defensive players. etan will give us a boost. we give up waaaaaaay to many points
Yeah, I'm looking forward to him coming back. We seriously need the help on D.

[split3clemente]

etans a beast, i cant wait

[straightupbeast]

dont get too excited its just etan

[Jimreaper007]

I am trying to understand what the hype is about Etan. He appears to be a big body with strength that can defend, but I think Kwame and Haywood developing some type of CONSISTENT low post game is way more important. Does Etan have a low post game?


That is the Wizards weakness right now. The guards are doing everything and we have very little low post presence. As a result our often poor shot selection allows our opponets to stay in games. High percentage shots bury teams and not jacking up three pointers all the time.

[split3clemente]

etan doesnt have a low post game but he does the little things to win like ruffin, think about etan as the same guy as ruffin except that etan is WAY more athletic, he can block shots and he can finish around the hoop, he'll def help us out.

[Jimreaper007]

The Wizards desparately need someone to do the Big things down low since Etan will take care of the dirty work and little things. What bothers me is Kwame just needs an injection of confidence. He really just needs to step up and the Zards would be a serious contender.

[Spence]

Etan will absorb some of the punishment that Antawn Jamison has been getting. Jamison can't last the full season getting knocked around as he has been. He's just not built for that. Etan is. Jamison needs to play less strong forward and more quick forward. Etan will make that possible.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

I am trying to understand what the hype is about Etan. He appears to be a big body with strength that can defend, but I think Kwame and Haywood developing some type of CONSISTENT low post game is way more important. Does Etan have a low post game?

Despite what another poster in this thread said...Etan does have
a low post game. Etan has a nice baby hook that he can go to
and his post moves are better than Brendan or Kwame at this point.
But to be fair, Brendan and Kwame (at least the Kwame of last season
,before the injury) have shown improvement in their offensive games.
In fact, I'll argue that a healthy Kwame on a team where he is the
focal point would average 20 points..easily...just off of sheer athletic
ability alone.

[riskus]

yeah Etan has much more of a post game then Kwame or Haywood.

you guys should start watching the games.

[Jimreaper007]

Now having Etan take some punishment away from Jamison is a good idea, but someone in a wizards uniform needs to come up with 20 points and some rebounds.

[champisachump]

Etan is the best post up player we have besides kwame, period.
kwame's basically injured for life so i cant wait till etan gets in here

[split3clemente]

Despite what another poster in this thread said...Etan does have
a low post game. Etan has a nice baby hook that he can go to
and his post moves are better than Brendan or Kwame at this point.
But to be fair, Brendan and Kwame (at least the Kwame of last season
,before the injury) have shown improvement in their offensive games.
In fact, I'll argue that a healthy Kwame on a team where he is the
focal point would average 20 points..easily...just off of sheer athletic
ability alone.

Etan doesnt have a go to post up game....its not liek we're gonna build our offense around him, I expect him to do the little things that win games. Etans one of my favorite players on the wiz.

[RedskinsVision]

Etan's an underrated player even though he received a 6 yr. $38M deal to stay. He's improved every year and is our best all around big man. His Defense is surely needed, his passion is very noticable and his Offensive game is coming into form. If his Offensive productivity continues then it'll be easier to let go of Kwame.

[IMALILTEAPOT]

etan reminds me of alonzo mourning when he rebounds. after they get rebounds, they do that shake thing with the ball to secure it, and act all hyped and mad. does anybody else notice that, or know what im saying?

[Dre-The-Great]

Hopefully when Etan gets to full game strength we will insert him into the starting lineup and let Jared come off the bench

[straightupbeast]

Hopefully when Etan gets to full game strength we will insert him into the starting lineup and let Jared come off the bench

jared hasnt been good enough for you? come on the guy is a great defensive specialist and can handle the ball we do not need two centers out on the court...just let etan come off the bench

[J12LIFTS]

yeah i hear youYoungSkin, when Etan clears the boards, no ones jarring the ball loose im liking his chances on wednesday.

[IndianBaller27]

How 'bout he benches Haywood and starts Etan. Then we'll get really defensive.

[straightupbeast]

How 'bout he benches Haywood and starts Etan. Then we'll get really defensive.

and lose a lot of height...and remeber etan needs to earn that starting spot in the first place

[IndianBaller27]

and lose a lot of height...and remeber etan needs to earn that starting spot in the first place
Yeah that's true, but we'll gain a lot of muscle. Brendan Haywood is almost as soft as Shawn Bradley! Sure Etan is only like 6'10", but he's still better than Haywood.

[J12LIFTS]

i think you eventually bench haywood but not yet, etans not ready

[riskus]

etans going to be comming off the bench for a long time. one because he is going to be mad out of shape. Secondly he provides a spark off the bench that someone like Jared can not do.

Etan improved dramatically last year and I dont see why he wouldnt continue to get better. Atleast he has developed a go to move when he gets the ball. When kwame and brendan get the ball they look mad confused.

We dont need someone to average 20 points from the low post when our 3 guards are all averaging 20 points. We just need someone to pull down those rebounds that come from the outside shot and someone that can score more then what we are currently getting which is next to nothing.

[IMALILTEAPOT]

etan is a bench player, thats why we wanted him here. he gives us toughness off the bench. as much as i want haywood to sit on the bench, haywood will start until kwame becomes incredible or we get a new center.

[GibbsRules!]

We dont need someone to average 20 points from the low post when our 3 guards are all averaging 20 points. We just need someone to pull down those rebounds that come from the outside shot and someone that can score more then what we are currently getting which is next to nothing.

Exactly and Etan will do the dirty work! He knows his role and he's good at it.

[IMALILTEAPOT]

Exactly and Etan will do the dirty work! He knows his role and he's good at it.
i see u me, and indianballer all have the best looking nba players as their avatars. hahaha we should get more people to do this.

[GibbsRules!]

I had Steve Nash, but Bird was and always will be sick!

[IMALILTEAPOT]

imma make a thread about this

[GibbsRules!]

imma make a thread about this
Good Idea, toss football and baseball in to if you want...

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

i see u me, and indianballer all have the best looking nba players as their avatars. hahaha we should get more people to do this.
you all and your avatars are tripping me out! as long as you are putting all of the "good looking" players, dont forget to add anthony mason. :D

im glad etan is ready to come back. we need some bench help. i hate to say it, but our reinforcment haved sucked lately. it seems like every night we are getting outscored. an extra body can only help IMO......

[straightupbeast]

We dont need someone to average 20 points from the low post when our 3 guards are all averaging 20 points. We just need someone to pull down those rebounds that come from the outside shot and someone that can score more then what we are currently getting which is next to nothing.

if youre talking about haywood im gonna have to disagree because hes averaging a little under 10 points a game which is not next to nothing. he is also getting 7 boards a game which is good and add 2 blocks a games(9th in league) haywood becomes a solid player...if he can just gain consistency( his scoring is up and down) he would become a solid center

let me remind you that these numbers are better than etans were last year

dont get me wrong im love getting the poet back but i think he is being overhyped and that haywood is not getting enough respect...it will be great to have another big man coming off the bench

[split3clemente]

I think etan will eventually replace jeffries in the starting lineup, we need more big men up front to take some of the pounding off jamison, jeffries is soft.

[IMALILTEAPOT]

I think etan will eventually replace jeffries in the starting lineup, we need more big men up front to take some of the pounding off jamison, jeffries is soft.
yea, even though jeffries scores more than etan, we should try etan and see how our defense improves. we have soo much talent but our guys arent healthy. the line up SHOULD be arenas, hughes, jamison, etan, then kwame.

[split3clemente]

yea, even though jeffries scores more than etan, we should try etan and see how our defense improves. we have soo much talent but our guys arent healthy. the line up SHOULD be arenas, hughes, jamison, etan, then kwame.

im done wit kwame man, haywoods stepped in and done a nice job finishing around the basket, playing defense and occasionally taking his man to the block and shooting that jump hook over him. jeffries is a great one on one defender, hes done a good job on people like paul pierce this season because hes quick and lanky. I just think it would be better suited for us to take some pressure off jamison down low. Guys like etan and haywood can bang downlow to take pressure off jamison.

[IMALILTEAPOT]

im done wit kwame man, haywoods stepped in and done a nice job finishing around the basket, playing defense and occasionally taking his man to the block and shooting that jump hook over him. jeffries is a great one on one defender, hes done a good job on people like paul pierce this season because hes quick and lanky. I just think it would be better suited for us to take some pressure off jamison down low. Guys like etan and haywood can bang downlow to take pressure off jamison.
i want kwame to be traded, but im just saying that this should of been our line up in the beginning. and who knows, kwame could of gotten better. i dont really know if jefferies is THAT good of a defender. i see players put j's in his mouth a lot. and tmac dropped 62 on him

[straightupbeast]

i want kwame to be traded, but im just saying that this should of been our line up in the beginning. and who knows, kwame could of gotten better. i dont really know if jefferies is THAT good of a defender. i see players put j's in his mouth a lot. and tmac dropped 62 on him

jeffries has been a key defender this year for the wiz...who else do we have to put on the other teams start...i dont think etan can do that

[IndianBaller27]

you all and your avatars are tripping me out! as long as you are putting all of the "good looking" players, dont forget to add anthony mason. :D

im glad etan is ready to come back. we need some bench help. i hate to say it, but our reinforcment haved sucked lately. it seems like every night we are getting outscored. an extra body can only help IMO......
Thanks!! He's gonna be next for me.

[Dre-The-Great]

I think etan will eventually replace jeffries in the starting lineup, we need more big men up front to take some of the pounding off jamison, jeffries is soft.

Yea me too...and its not because i dont think Jeffries is doing anything...its just that Etans defense in the low post is much needed to compliment haywood cause antawn has admitted himself that he cant take the bruising by opposing power forwards. Jeffries will be great off the bench

[Jimreaper007]

Hopefully Etan will bring a low post game with him tonight.

[Jimreaper007]

Yea me too...and because i dont think Jeffries is doing anything...its just that Etans defense in the low post is much needed to compliment haywood cause antawn has admitted himself that he cant take the bruising by opposing power forwards. Jeffries will be great off the bench


Jeffries is a very fundementally sound player. I like his game although a little more aggression and tougher D-fense would be nice.

[riskus]

dont expect etan to do much tonight considering he hasnt played all year.

[Jimreaper007]

I would imagine he'll only get a few minutes...

Is Kwame still hurt or will he be joining the party tonight?

[riskus]

kwame is not on the 12 man roster tonight so I guess he is still hurt. Hes not playing tonight thats for sure.

[straightupbeast]

etan has looked ok in a limited role...haywood has played great thus far

i dont think jeffries will be too effective off the bench

[split3clemente]

etan has looked ok in a limited role...haywood has played great thus far

i dont think jeffries will be too effective off the bench

Im just a jeffries hater, I mean did u c him flip the ball up (in the 3rd quarter i think...) on that fast break? that was awful, luckly for him the ball bounced right too him and he got an easy layup. I just like etans size and energy more.

[straightupbeast]

Im just a jeffries hater, I mean did u c him flip the ball up (in the 3rd quarter i think...) on that fast break? that was awful, luckly for him the ball bounced right too him and he got an easy layup. I just like etans size and energy more.

i think jeffries has done a good job thus far this year...i like etan and his energy but i dont know if it will work putting him in there for jared...also you cant mess with what is working just leave it how it is for now...

[RedskinsVision]

i think jeffries has done a good job thus far this year...i like etan and his energy but i dont know if it will work putting him in there for jared...also you cant mess with what is working just leave it how it is for now...

i like Jeffries.. this is basically his 2nd season and he is improving. we're 18-8 with Jeffries in the starting lineup and 8-0 when he scores double digits and he's probably our best 1 on 1 defender. he did a great job against P. Pierce and K. Garnett. he's our only lanky defender that can cover both Forward spots. he can be our T. Prince type if he improves his offensive game.

[straightupbeast]

i like Jeffries.. this is basically his 2nd season and he is improving. we're 18-8 with Jeffries in the starting lineup and 8-0 when he scores double digits and he's probably our best 1 on 1 defender. he did a great job against P. Pierce and K. Garnett. he's our only lanky defender that can cover both Forward spots. he can be our T. Prince type if he improves his offensive game.

yeah i agree...i would prefer that etan comes off the bench

[J12LIFTS]

i think etan comes off the bench until he feels his way around more and pulls his weight but i bet by the end of the season and looking towards the plalyoffs Etan might start. I dont somethin electrifying about him. Who liked that spin move inside tonite? i know i did

[RedskinsVision]

that spin move looked mid-season form. but that first attempt when he almost air-balled and going 0-3 on the FT line showed his rust. he also had that nice turnaround hook that was called for goaltending. his offensive game is underrated and his defense and passion will be contagious for our porous defense. i also think that by the playoffs our starters will be Arenas, Hughes, Jamison, Thomas and Haywood with Jeffries, Hayes, Brown, Peeler, Dixon, Ruffin off the bench.

[J12LIFTS]

i also think that by the playoffs our starters will be Arenas, Hughes, Jamison, Thomas and Haywood with Jeffries, Hayes, Brown, Peeler, Dixon, Ruffin off the bench.

i think the best chance u got as a starting lineup with the combonation above is ruffin. Ruffin shows he can be a solid 4 player. While etan was hurt he carried alot of the load defensivley and offensivley. Not only will the wizards have the big three that can drop 60 easily but now you'll have a brick wall in the front court.

[IndianBaller27]

i like Jeffries.. this is basically his 2nd season and he is improving. we're 18-8 with Jeffries in the starting lineup and 8-0 when he scores double digits and he's probably our best 1 on 1 defender. he did a great job against P. Pierce and K. Garnett. he's our only lanky defender that can cover both Forward spots. he can be our T. Prince type if he improves his offensive game.
I thought we were 8-0 when Jarvis Hayes scored double digits.

[RedskinsVision]

I thought we were 8-0 when Jarvis Hayes scored double digits.

http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/scouting_report050112.html

the Wizards are 8-0 when Jared Jeffries scores at least 10 points.

[tommahawk]

A new Post artical on Etan:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7881-2005Jan13.html

Grunfeld is excited to finally have Thomas back in the fold. "Etan is an important part of the team," Grunfeld said. "He gives us a physical presence. He takes up a lot of space. He has terrific character. He understands his role and the only thing that matters to him is winning. Those are the type of players you want on your team."

While center Brendan Haywood and forward Michael Ruffin have played well in Thomas's absence, the Wizards were still undersized, had limited depth in the front court and lacked consistent scoring punch in the low post. Forward-center Kwame Brown has also missed much of the season with injuries.

[straightupbeast]

cant wait til that poetry book comes out

[J12LIFTS]

yeah im gonna by that book

[straightupbeast]

the poets work has always been great

[J12LIFTS]

no doubt hes very artistic

[J12LIFTS]

who's excited for tonites game they do play tonite dont they? they got phoenix right?

[straightupbeast]

bucks tonight at milwaulkee and then suns tomorrow at home...i think they'll win tonight but lose tomorrow. or wait no i dont theyre gonna win both games

[Jimreaper007]

This should be an interesting game...

[RedskinsVision]

WizLets up 56-47 at Half. Very good half for Jamison coming back from a bad game and Hughes and Arenas solid as usual. These 3 are very consistent. Just imagine how much better they will get as individual players and as teammates.

E. Thomas is now 0-5 on FT's this year but it's ok.. he had a nice block.

but J. Hayes is out of this game with a mild concussion he suffered against Portland.. hope he will be alright to play tomorrow night against the NBA's best.

the Suns lost tonight to the Pacers 101-83 but our game should be a higher scoring and closer affair since we play their style of game. but the Pacers showed if you bang the Suns around, they're vulnerable.
Nash went out in the 2nd with an injury. dunno his status for tomorrow but he's obviously their P. Manning.

[straightupbeast]

up 9 at half...let the bucks come back but then scored before halftime

bench doing horrible except for profit

[GibbsRules!]

Wiz up by 1 w/ 2:11 left...On a 10-0 run

[GibbsRules!]

Juan Dixon 5-5 in the 4th period now as he just nailed another jumper. Get some Juan!!

[GibbsRules!]

Larry Hughes hits with .8 seconds left and the Wiz steal one in Milwaukee.
They again showed poise and character at the end as they fell behind in the fourth, but managed to chip away and impose their will on the Bucks to the tune of a 105-103 win.

This team is for real folks!

[Jimreaper007]

The wiz are kicking butt and they are learning how to win.

This bodes well for a playoff run

[guinness4health]

man etan is rusty...he has absolutely no shooting touch right now...hell his shot is looking almost as bad as kwame's

[IMALILTEAPOT]

man etan is rusty...he has absolutely no shooting touch right now...hell his shot is looking almost as bad as kwame's
???? Kwame had a good inside shot when he first got back from the injury. etan's free throw shooting is silly. i think hes like 3 for 15 or something like that

[guinness4health]

yeah Etan has much more of a post game then Kwame or Haywood.

you guys should start watching the games.


this is very much true, etan has a well developed post game, haywood's post game is coming along (he has a nice little hook) and kwame is just freakin' lost in the post....he is in for a rude awakening this offseason...he will be lucky to offered a contract at all