Barnes' Bark: Who’s ‘Nitch’ Will Help Them Become A Wizard?

Barry Barnes, Chief B'More Scribe and Editorialist

[The opinions expressed by Barnes are his and may not relect those of i95Ballerz.com. Essentially he's his own man.]

October 14, 2008 – It is my wish for every free agent that is tying to make a roster to achieve it and in a perfect world, it would happen. But since this isn’t nirvana, some must shake the dust off their feet and move on. A NBA team can only carry about 12-15 players on a roster and currently, the Washington Wizards have 17. Guard Juan Dixon’s contract is not fully guaranteed, but since he is a local hero and has a good, around all game, his spot is secured.

On the other hand, guard Dee Brown, guard/forward DerMarr Johnson and forward Linton Johnson III don’t have fully secured spots. Rookie free agent, forward Taj McCullough was waived Friday, so two of the three must go, but with the injuries to guard Gilbert Arenas and center Brendan Haywood, only one may bounce. Who will, unfortunately, be off this playoff contending team?

Barnes believes Linton Johnson, an intelligent, rugged Chi-Town baller witha degree in finance from Tulane, will not make this Wizard's team.

Brown brings something the Wizards are not familiar with, speed, especially on transition. Brown standing at 6-0, is not with the Wizards for his jump-shooting, although it improved, but for his quickness and hounding defense; something the team definitely needs. With Brown’s ability, he can create turnovers, get underneath opponents and have excellent one-on-one defense. Dee brings the ball down the court, quickly and makes good decisions. The only thing that can make Brown look bad is when he creates for his teammates and they do not expect the pass and drop the ball.

“All I want to do is get people easy baskets, defend and do anything my team wants me to do defensively and offensively to get everyone flowing and push the basketball to an up tempo game,” said Brown. Brown should be a lock.

DerMarr, a local guy from around the D.C. area, is more of a finesse player. The Wizards do not need another fines player, but it is good to have an experienced scorer coming off the bench, especially not knowing what the young guys will produce. DerMarr has good ball handling skills, creates for himself and is not afraid to take his shot, which he can make. And to play for the hometown team is an added incentive according to him.

Linton’s career is similar to Johnson’s, a journeyman who always finds a home with a NBA team. Linton does not score often, but his hustle and rebounding skills make him standout. Johnson is not afraid of physical contact and that is the type of play the Wizards need to compete in the Eastern Conference.

Linton will be the unfortunate winner in this tough, difficult contest; and it is not about his “nitch” because the Wizards can use him. The Wizards already have “bigs” and energy players like forward Dominic McGuire and 1st round draft pick, center/forward JaVale McGee. To have a combo player like DerMarr can be a plus - with his 46 career starts under his belt - and is completely healed from his four cracked vertebra he suffered from an automobile accident in 2002. Brown should be a lock because of the guard play he brings.

It is important to have a solid scorer or two, but role players are what make teams contenders. The Wizards are fortunate to have the right pieces and to add Brown and DerMarr to the mix will help the team, especially against an improved Eastern Conference. But anything can happen between now and the season opener.