The findings from the Washington Institute for Advance Roundball Research’s half-decade long Andray Blatche experiment are in; conclusive evidence indicates he is not worth the continued investment of time or money by the Wizards franchise. Blatche is nearly impossible for an NBA GM to resist. He puts up pretty solid numbers, has length and decent agility, and he is young despite having spent five years as a professional basketball player. Only close observation over a long period of time can reveal that his minuses outweigh his pluses.
Blatche’s biggest problem is that he seems incapable of growing up. Each of the last two seasons the Wizards have sold Blatche as a young man who is ready to step up and assume a leadership role on the team. Instead the team has been fed a steady diet of immature behavior and selfish antics. Consider his history:
· Charged with sexual solicitation in August of 2007
· Arrested and charged with reckless driving and driving on a suspended license for the third time in June of 2008
· Fined by the Wizards for involvement in the infamous “gun dance” incident in January of 2010
· Later that same season Blatche refused to reenter a game when asked to do so by Flip Saunders
· Enters the current season overweight and out of shape (Blatche was apparently unaware that some exercises do not require the use of injured feet)
This unfortunate rap sheet isn’t entirely Blatche’s fault. He was signed out of high school and given millions of dollars to use at his discretion. Most young people would likely find themselves in a good deal of trouble given these circumstances. What is disturbing is that Blatche doesn’t seem to be learning from his mistakes.
On the court, Blatche demonstrates additional flaws that hinder the team’s rebuilding process. Despite his 6’ 11” frame, Blatche insists on playing like a small forward and a soft small forward at that. He rarely finishes strong at the rim, shoots fade-away jumpers that leave him out of position for offensive rebounding, and the ball seems to stick in his hands when the Wizards attempt to run Saunders’ motion offense. Blatche believes he is an elite player who should be provided with a number of isolation situations each game so that he can demonstrate his ball handling skills. Not only does he overestimate his talent, he fails to recognize that the offense works better without regular airings of the Andray Show.
The Wizards’ record this season among the worst in the league, but there are promising signs for the future. Nick Young, who has demonstrated some of the same immature tendencies as Blatche, is making a sustained effort to contribute on both ends of the floor and may win the team’s starting shooting guard position. Javale McGee is improving and appears to have a solid on-court relationship with John Wall. The recent acquisition of both Josh Howard and Rashard Lewis has given the team needed experience and an air of professionalism, a somewhat unexpected bonus given Howard’s history in Dallas. The Wizards, when healthy, can field a squad with both talent and depth.
Andray Blatche may go on to have successful career in the NBA, but it probably won’t be while he is in a Wizards uniform. If he does become a star for another team, it won’t mean that Washington failed to correctly identify a future talent. It will simply mean that this situation with this team and at this time is not the right fit. There are rumors that the Wiz are trying to move Blatche. It will be best for both parties if the rumors become reality.
Keywords: Wizards
