ESPN Article on Moe Wagner's Impressive Season So Far
Some good quotes from the article (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28117649/ten-nba-things-like-including-electric-ja-morant):
"A few times per game, Wagner will face up and roast some unsuspecting galoot. Wagner is averaging 12.8 points per game in just over 19 minutes, which translates to almost 24 per 36 minutes. He is shooting 52% from deep and 69% on 2s. Moe freaking Wagner leads the entire NBA in true shooting percentage."
"Wagner might play more if he could stop fouling everyone in his vicinity. Big fella is racking up 7.5 fouls per 36 minutes, a hack rate only 14 players have ever hit over a full season. One upside of seeking contact: Wagner leads the league in charges drawn."
"Wagner might also be the leagues' cheeriest teammate. Basket mics constantly pick him up shouting encouragement at teammates. I would purchase a Moe Wagner Encouragement app that reinforced positive life behaviors"
November 22nd, 2019 at 12:42 PM ^
For those of you who have the Athletic, here's an even better and more in-depth article on Wagner.
November 22nd, 2019 at 12:54 PM ^
Any chance of a ctrl+v or summary?
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:05 PM ^
It's rather long so I wouldn't paste it here. It gets quotes from teammates and coaches about him and includes specific highlights and examples of his recent success. Essentially, it's a more in-depth version of this ESPN article written by the Wizard's Athletic writer.
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:25 PM ^
Yeah, the piece OP copies from isn't an article on Moe Wagner. It is an article in which Moe is mentioned.
If you are interested in a piece strictly about Wagner, check out the one from The Athletic (if you are subscribed.) If want to a very good article about happenings in the NBA in general, which includes a mention of Wagner, check out the one from ESPN.
Zach Lowe is probably the best there is when it comes to NBA content and analysis, and ESPN kinda lucked into getting him years ago, so don't be caught off guard when you realize how great of a writer and basketball mind he is despite being employed by ESPN. (He was a part of Grantland before ESPN blew it up. Since he was under contract with ESPN at that time, they kept him (because he was and still is the best there is.))
November 22nd, 2019 at 3:36 PM ^
Agreed. I don't watch the NBA regular season but I always read Zach Lowe's "10 things I love and hate" articles. He puts them out regularly and they're choc full of insight and highlights.
Also he wrote about Wagner and how he works with one of his team mates Davis Bertans a few weeks ago in anther version of "10 things...". Lowe picks up on everything and doesn't stick to the big market teams like the rest of ESPN.
November 22nd, 2019 at 12:45 PM ^
Moe seemed genuinely confused in every game when fouls were called. It seemed that he forgot that fouls were called in basketball after every game and had to be reminded anew in each game he played in.
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:28 PM ^
M: "Wait, you're telling me that in 2 years Duncan is going to be starting on the #3 team in the Eastern Conference, and I'm going to be coming off the bench for the Wizards?!"
D: "Yeah, but you'll still be averaging 13 PPG, 63% FG%, and 52% from 3!"
November 22nd, 2019 at 12:47 PM ^
Impressive
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:16 PM ^
As a Laker fan, I am a little sad we had to give him to the Wizards as, essentially, salary ballast to square the numbers for the Anthony Davis trade, but obviously you make that move seven days a week, and twice on Sundays. It's also good for Moe because he gets playing time to showcase his skills that he probably doesn't get otherwise, so this is a win-win for everyone.
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:34 PM ^
agree 100% - there was no way he'd ever get minutes on a lebron team, with or without anthony davis (bron don't never go for unproven guys)...washington is a perfect fit - terrible, so he gets minutes, and scotty brooks could not give two shits less about defense.
November 22nd, 2019 at 5:00 PM ^
Yea, except Wagner has actually been excellent defensively so far. Yes he fouls a ton, but pretty much every defensive metric has him as an actual honest to god good NBA defender. He should probably be starting at center for the Wizards over Thomas Bryant.
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:47 PM ^
The Athletic also came out yesterday with an article on Duncan Robinson; comparing him to Miami's previous sniper Mike Miller from several years ago. He hit 9 for 12 on threes for 29 points the other nite. He is averaging over 11 pts per game so far this season.
November 22nd, 2019 at 2:02 PM ^
9 of 15, but still still very good nonetheless.
https://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/3157465/duncan-robinson
November 22nd, 2019 at 6:53 PM ^
Was their leading scorer in that game.
November 22nd, 2019 at 2:08 PM ^
Draw, you unsuspecting galoot! /John Wayne voice with German accent
/shoots three
November 22nd, 2019 at 2:30 PM ^
That's great. Good for him.
November 22nd, 2019 at 3:58 PM ^
I know who else is happy....
November 22nd, 2019 at 6:42 PM ^
Both Moe and Duncan have been good NBA defenders this season, which is really surprising
November 22nd, 2019 at 7:07 PM ^
Nice decision to let him go, Rob.