Washington Wizards Blog

Comment from Brickjp
Time October 30, 2006 at 2:21 PM

It’s a bit ironic that on the Interactive Roster, Brendan says ‘Brendan Haywood…starting center…’ when you roll the mouse over him.

Maybe this will motivate him to put in a lot more effot this season.

Congrats Etan!

Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time October 30, 2006 at 2:27 PM

Yeah…I need to fix that.

Comment from Andrew
Time October 30, 2006 at 2:34 PM

This is no surprise to me. Etan has always been clearly the more physical player. He has also been better on offense. Injuries have hampered him in the past. Had it not been for those injuries, I think that Etan would have been the start a long time ago. He is the better player overall. Brendan needs to use this as motivation. We should view it in this way. “When you are in the game, you are a starter and you need to perform as one.” Romeo Crennel uses this philosophy for my beloved Cleveland Browns. This should be adopted by the Wiz.

Comment from FUTANG
Time October 30, 2006 at 2:35 PM

Congratulations to Etan! Can’t wait to see what he can do now that he’s being given an opportunity and he is healthy. We need his toughness inside.

Sorry to see you go Mike Hall. Wish we could keep you. Good luck.

Comment from FUTANG
Time October 30, 2006 at 2:39 PM

Also big congrats to Roger Mason Jr and James Lang! Welcome to the Wizards! I think Mason is going to be really good, and step right into our rotation. Lang is a very promising young center, and I am excited we kept him. With Lang, Pecherov and Blatche we have our frontcourt for the future!

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 30, 2006 at 2:48 PM

I am having high hopes for the wizards this season they have the talent to be a 50 win team with Etan at center and caron staring at SF from the begining of the season.

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 30, 2006 at 2:49 PM

Yeah, I agree with the “brick” and “futang”. On Brendan’s roster statement .. I guess he had to “beef” himself up somehow, since his play wasn’t sufficient to talk for him. It’s too bad Hall had the injury, but Mason was going to make the team and it would have been a tough choice between him and Lang.

Comment from Sigmakia3
Time October 30, 2006 at 3:08 PM

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Etan!!!!!!!!!
Congrats Etan, I am so happy for you getting that spot. Now that you have you hav eto play extra hard to keep it.
To Brenden: oh well!!!

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 30, 2006 at 3:19 PM

CONGRATS ETAN!

We know you are going to do a great job. And Brendan, DC loves you too and what you bring to the game. Please don’t have an attitude but, if you do, take it out on the opposing team and if you want to start……….BRING IT! Every game. I would love nothing more than to see the two of you battle it out for the position of the Bigs because that mean the two of you will bring you A-game every game and that is what we need from you both. You go Etan! I know you can do it!

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 30, 2006 at 3:37 PM

I can’t wait for the game!! I am so excited to watch Etan and Caron and DeShawn we will cruch the Cleveland!!

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 30, 2006 at 3:47 PM

Congrats roger, thats good for young man.And lang also.

Comment from ned_e_boy
Time October 30, 2006 at 3:52 PM

Thomas is the force that we desperately need inside night after night.

Brendan should use this as a wake up call. Come on boy - the competition is still on. If you want the starting job, come and get it!

Comment from SUPERBALLMAN
Time October 30, 2006 at 3:57 PM

I like the moves! Etan replacing Haywood as our starting center. James Lang our new young big man with potential, replacing Peter John Ramos. Roger Mason is a nice addition, and solidifies our guard rotation with the ability to play both guard spots with a well rounded and versatile game. Ernie Grunfeld did a great job to find these guys. Hopefully Blatche can learn from his mistakes in training camp, and go to DLeague to work on his game.

Comment from Andrew
Time October 30, 2006 at 4:17 PM

I’m sorry to see Mike Hall go. As a GW season ticket holder, he’s a smart player who can shoot, rebound and defend. I was looking forward to wearing my GW Mike Hall jersey to some Wiz games.

Comment from Brickjp
Time October 30, 2006 at 4:25 PM

It’s too bad about Hall, but his injury killed his chances. It probably made the decision easier as well. They werent going to let Booth go, considering his contract. Lang was attractive because of his size and potential, and obviously Mason straight up made the team. Donell already has a year under his belt with the team and has great quickness, just needs to cut down on the TO’s. This squad we have is great, especially when we get Darius back. I was really looking forward to him setting big screens and hitting the open jumpers when they double arenas or daniels. As for Caron, I bet he makes the All-Star team this year.

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 30, 2006 at 4:56 PM

What Wood needs to do now is whenever he got a rebound, wave it around to let fans feel the “passion.” Bead his hair may help too, as the beaded hair flop around surely would display more motions than a bald head.

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 30, 2006 at 5:02 PM

This won’t do anything but give Jordan more headaches. I’m not saying that Thomas isn’t a nasty player, but when it comes time to sum Haywood, let’s just see how he will go out and play, will he give 11% or go out and play like some funk because he’s got an attitude with the coach. It’ll be interesting to see though.

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 30, 2006 at 5:08 PM

Oh this is nice! What a lineup! I like toughness and mindset of Etan and DeShawn with our big 3 of Caron, Antawn and Arenas. Then we come off the bench with Haywood, Hayes and Daniels. We are going to be unstoppable!!

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 30, 2006 at 5:09 PM

I hope Lang gets some playing time, I hate it when I look and I see Ruffin is playing center.

Comment from Andrew
Time October 30, 2006 at 5:55 PM

Okay, I know that they talk about Ruffin playing center, but you have to think about it for a minute. Ruffin will only play center is certain combos. Thomas and Haywood, and occasionally Booth and Lang, will be a revolving door at the C. I look at Ruffin as the PF on the 2nd team with Haywood at the C.

When I think about it, Ruffin was more useful when he played next to Haywood. This should help the effectiveness. James Lang will be floating between F and C with spotty play at best. If he earns minutes early in the season, things could be interesting. However do not expect too much from him.

Comment from Oz
Time October 30, 2006 at 6:01 PM

Congrats to Etan, Mason & Lang!

The talent, passion, and drive on this team should produce some pretty energetic games that WILL result in more wins and home court advantage for the play offs. May be even a win against the Heat…for Gilbert and the rest of us.

Comment from Wiz034
Time October 30, 2006 at 6:55 PM

Does this mean they are going to share the center position? I really hate to look up and see Etan going up against, Shaq, Duncan, KG and all the other big men. Will Brendan be the staring center then? I hope so..I like Etan but he can’t handle the bigger Centers.

Congrat to Mason and Lang. I like this roster and can’t wait to see both of these guys get some playing time. Two (2) more days..

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 30, 2006 at 7:00 PM

Let go Etan. Just focus on protecting the paint smart play and rebounding. I’m glad we kept Lang too. This is a special year Wizards..D.C, is behind ya.

Comment from AUNDRA2044
Time October 30, 2006 at 8:02 PM

I would like to say congrats Etan you have really come full circle from a dedicated fan’s point of view. The fact is we need both of you and Brendan to bring all the bent up fustration and pour it out on the court against the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers. Its Time To Go All In and bring home a much need victory to bring closure of the unthinkable playoffs of last spring. May the force be with you Etan and Brendan!!!!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 30, 2006 at 9:22 PM

It’ll be interesting to see how Etan does against Ilgauskas on Wednesday evening. I’m happy for him; he worked to achieve this goal.

Comment from Luvdanappy
Time October 31, 2006 at 1:50 AM

I haven’t been impressed with neither one of them. They both can disappear at any moment in the game. The biggest mistake was not to get a proven cener. The middle has been open for years and teams will continue to feast on both Haywood and Thomas on the court watching the game

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 31, 2006 at 9:25 AM

Etan is more of a weak side shot blocker than a great one-on-one defender. And he simply isn’t long enough to match up well with the league’s big centers. With certain match ups Haywood will fare fare better, and Ilgauskas is a case in point. Watch for Clevland to go down low early so Ilgauskas can have his way with Etan. Look for Haywood to quickly come off the bench.

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 31, 2006 at 9:37 AM

I think Jordan has intended to go “small” from the beginning. And believe me with this starting lineup, this team is “small” (probably only bigger than Phoenix). However, this team does not have a distributor like Nash, nor can everyone shoot long ball like Phoenix; whether or not Jordan can replicate Phoenix’s success remains to be seen.

Comment from Neal
Time October 31, 2006 at 9:50 AM

I’m not too comfortable with the “core” players being consulted on the choice. Doesn’t contribute to team togetherness, seems to me.

I think Haywood is better when he’s on, but too often he’s not. If he gets his head on straight, I think he will be better off the bench.

Now, I hope Lang and Taylor are sent to the Devel League. They’ll develop more there than on the bench in Wash.

Comment from Neal
Time October 31, 2006 at 9:52 AM

Wonder how tall Thomas is. When he came he was considered a PF and listed at 6′9″. Now he’s a center and listed at 6′10″. I’ll bet he’s still the same size.

Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time October 31, 2006 at 9:54 AM

One of my favorite “height change” came during the Bulls second run of three peats. When Dennis Rodman got there, he was 6-8. In 96, he was 6-7. In 97, he was 6-6…(seriously, this actually was what he was listed as!)

Comment from FUTANG
Time October 31, 2006 at 10:03 AM

I’ve always seen Thomas listed at 6-10 since he was drafted, as far as I know. True it is a shorter team than last year, but this lineup is much stronger and physical than last years, and has plenty of size I think to match up with other teams. Jeffries was tall, but was kind of goofy and he would get pushed around down low and was not intimidating in any way. Players would push right into him and move him, and he would usually just laugh. Stevenson is a much tougher player who can hold his position and body up people. Etan is also much stronger than Haywood. If any of you ever watched Wes Unseld you know the game is not about height, it is all about position. I like that we will focus more on half court defense, and we have physical players like Caron Butler. Etan, Jamison, and Caron are a small front court, but they are all strong rebounders. Our team is going to be difficult to deal with because we will be very quick and fast, and also strong and physical at the same time.

Comment from Wizards Fusion
Time October 31, 2006 at 10:28 AM

Now that Etan is finally starting, his 6 million dollar per year contract doesn’t seem so bad. Coach said the centers will play ‘by committee’, so I expect to see Haywood logging solid minutes against Ilgauskas Wednesday night since Brendan did really well against Zydrunas last playoffs.

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 31, 2006 at 10:39 AM

You wait, we will smash the Cavs on Wednesday. No more Mr Nice Guy Wizards. We will pound them into submission!

Comment from Anonymous
Time October 31, 2006 at 12:42 PM

The rah-rah aspect of this blog is ridiculous.

Comment from etanslitlsis
Time November 1, 2006 at 6:57 PM

Hey, Etan is gonna step up and show EVERYONE why he’s so valuable to the Wizards! Etan, I am so proud of you baby! YEAH!!!!!!! Representin’ T-town and the Booker T. Washington Hornets!

Comment from etanslitlsis
Time November 1, 2006 at 7:00 PM

Congrats Bro! I am SOOOOOO happy for you! Just continue to play like you know you can! You don’t have anything to prove to anybody but yourself. I can’t wait to see you against Cleveland. Relax and play like you’re in the B.T.W. Fieldhouse and all will work out JUST fine:-)!

Comment from Neal
Time November 4, 2006 at 6:55 PM

futang, I think you’re way too optimistic re. our frontcourt of the future. Pecherov, Lang and Blatche are just prospects. Veeremenko is in the same category. Although I agree with the draft picks, if we get one starter and another that eventually gets into the regular rotation I think we’re fortunate.