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Quick question from a Wizards fan...

Hi, from a Wizards fan who post over at Bullets Forever. I've been trying to figure out the recent T-wolves/Wizards trade, and I'm still not sure if I like it. (I probably would definitely like it if we got one of your first rounders, but whatever.) I've been reading around the interwebs, and I just can't seem to find a definitive answer to this question. You guys have been watching the T-Wolves all year, so you tell me.

Can Randy Foye play defense?

If he can, I like the trade, if he can't, not so much. So which is it? Is he developing into a pretty good defender? Or should I continue to never believe a damn word Hollinger writes?

0 recs  |  Comment 10 comments

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No defense

Foye should be viewed as an instant offense 6th man. He’ll jack it up, but don’t expect much on the defensive side of the ball.

by DR_JPK on Jun 24, 2009 5:00 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

hmm

Weirdly, he’s actually an effective shotblocker for his size, but other than that…in answer to your question, not so much.

by Rasho Revolution on Jun 24, 2009 5:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He's come up with some pretty awesome shot blocks over the years.

But he’s gotten into the air on pump fakes and committed a zillion fouls while attempting them.

by princelyfrank on Jun 25, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Some surprising stuff

Foye’s got a good sense of timing (on shotblocks), but he was usually paired with Brewer or Gomes or Carney so that he could cover the more offensively challenged wing or guard. I expect Caron Butler to play a similar role to Brewer/Carney on D, but Foye will occasionally surprise you with his ability to recover on a play. Nothing too spectacular about his D, but he won’t gamble for steals either.

by antonymous on Jun 24, 2009 6:01 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Foye is a very poor defender...

Not quick enough to stay with PG’s. Too small to guard SG’s. Makes almost no effort to close out perimeter shooters.

"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"

by mutleyil on Jun 24, 2009 6:28 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I would call him

Timely opportunistic. The same way he can come up in the clutch sometimes and knock down some huge shots, he’ll show up defensively at just the right moment with a key block or steal.

I suppose it cuts both ways, though, as there are also times where he just seems to disappear offensively for stretches, with similar disappearences happening defensively as well.

My memory is that for us, it seemed like he’d win us (or keep us in) some games we’d otherwise lose due to a timely stop and some clutch scoring. But there’s no telling how many games he might have cost us either—probably at least as many as he helped us win.

Welcome to Randy Foye (not meant in a mean way, just that this is what it’s like when you’re trying to figure him out).

"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."

by biggity2bit on Jun 24, 2009 7:42 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

His defense is poor

Or below average if you want to be optimistic. His Defensive PER is around 18 for his career, and his Defensive Rating is about 4-5 below average. Even if you think he still has room for improvement, he won’t be any better than below average on D.

The bigger question you should be asking is: what position will he be playing as a Wizard? As a SG he’s pretty good on the offensive side despite his inconsistency, and if he does improve and stays exclusively at the 2 he could be a plus player overall, where his good offense will make up for his defensive limitations. But as a PG his offense is significantly worse, he’s not even a decent backup there. Saunders should be savvy enough to realize he can’t play the point and keep him at SG, but if Arenas isn’t healthy and Flip is forced to play Foye at the point a good part of the time you’re not going to be too happy about it.

Keep track of where Foye plays this year; if he gets more than 20% of his minutes at PG then something’s not right.

by SL9 on Jun 25, 2009 2:40 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He'll be playing the 2.

Arenas logs pretty heavy minutes at the point, I don’t see that changng – he seems pretty healthy now (but who really knows). Also, there’s another Ernie Grunfeld reclamation project at the point – Javaris Crittenton – who I think will end up being the back up at the point.

The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.

by mamemimo on Jun 25, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's also got a problematic relationship with Randy Wittman

Foye played under Wittman the first half of last year, and seemed to lose his legs a bit with Witt undercutting him on both offensive decisions and defensive lapses.

By the end of Wittman’s coaching tenure the entire team had checked out, and Foye is a great, eminently coachable kid. There’s a history there, though.

I really hope Randy F. comes around. He’s a terrific guy.

by feral on Jun 25, 2009 8:20 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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