WHO IS THAT MASKED MAN?
PECHEROV IN TOWN
R55 correctly named Oleksiy Pecherov as the “masked man” in the top photo and will get a practice t-shirt.
The team’s 2007 first round pick (aka: “Pech” pronounced “Pesh”)recently arrived into the States and was at Verizon Center Monday afternoon shooting around with Andray Blatche.
QUOTES FROM PECHEROV:
On playing for BC Kyiv this past season:
“Last year was good for me. We played hard, we have a good coach, and good players. We lost in the championship series, but I began to understand the game better and became a better team player.”
On joining the Wizards:
“I am looking forward to being on this team. I will do my best to help the team. I have all the confidence in my game and I will try hard to help the Wizards win some games.”
On his game:
“If you want to be a great player you have to be good in all parts of the game. I try to work hard on all of them; rebounding, shooting, and defense. I like rebounding a lot that is what I try to do in the game. I like to score as well.”
On following the Wizards this past season:
“It is difficult to see the games in Ukraine, but I followed the Wizards online. They did a great job, but in the playoffs they lost important players to injuries, so it was tough to keep winning. I think they are doing a good job and I am looking forward to next season.”
Posted: June 18th, 2007 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 18, 2007 at 1:17 PM
well thats good he is a PF right ?
Comment from wizardsdotcom
Time June 18, 2007 at 1:48 PM
7-foot forward. I’m hesitant to label him a three or four as he’s pretty versatile for his height.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 18, 2007 at 2:47 PM
oooo thats even better 
Comment from WizDom
Time June 18, 2007 at 3:36 PM
Which means he’ll be playing alot of 5 for Coach Eddie
Comment from BulletsFanFromBirth78
Time June 18, 2007 at 3:44 PM
Wizardsdotcom…….PLEASE tell me that someday soon the sleveless black “official practice” t-shirt will be available for purchase. I’ve been trying to get one of those since i first saw them at last years training camp. The black t shirt and jerseys are by far the best apparel in my opinion and i love wearing zards/bullets gear when i play pickup games.
I will pay top $$$$$$ !!!
help a fellow Zard out!!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2007 at 5:37 PM
I just want to see him playing a lot — don’t care what position. Ditto Blatche.
(i.e. playing a lot because they earned it!)
Comment from neal
Time June 18, 2007 at 8:01 PM
I hope he’s more than I expect. With the exception of Blatche, I’m not big on skinny tall guys.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 18, 2007 at 9:05 PM
yeah but packed with ET as the big body we might make up for what we are lacking with OP like a combo a one 2 punch so too speak! but i am with you on some points i have never seen him play but he looks like a little guy with a small frame in fact i don’t think he could handle getting any bigger than he is now so that might be a problem but we will see what happens
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2007 at 11:10 PM
Pecherov looks like he is very strong in his lower body and not very developed in his upper body. He seems to rebound very well — he did in last year’s summer league at least — and he can definitely shoot. I like him.
He is versatile, as Eric says, but it’s hard to imagine him guarding nba 3s. We’ll see. Most important thing to find out is can he ball at this level. If so, he’ll find a position.
Comment from wizkid034
Time June 19, 2007 at 1:09 PM
The key word with we all must remember when talking about Blatche or Pecherov is “versatile.”
Given the direction the league is going in, they will be huge for the future of the franchise. Inserting Pech for Haywood will also make Etan more effective. People talk about Pech’s build being lanky and thin, but the important part here is that the man has added 10 pounds of muscle in a year. Regardless of where on the body that weight is distributed, 10 pounds of muscle is A LOT!!! I cannot wait to see him play. He will really help us this year.
I would be interested to hear the feelings all of you have on the rumored Antawn Jamison for Shawn Marion swap. The first I heard of it was by reading an article linked to this site. It is interesting, but I am not sure how I feel about it. Thoughts?
Comment from neal
Time June 19, 2007 at 2:15 PM
OK, wizardsdotcom, I guess there are some tall skinny guys that play OK.
If Pecherov is shooting perimeter shots can he get to the rim in time to rebound? I wonder if he’s being considered for center. I can’t imagine him playing 3. Wouldn’t the opposing SF just dribble around him or through his legs?
I think I like the Marion deal. Why would the Suns do it? What’s Marion’s contract status?
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 20, 2007 at 1:08 PM
p.s. the Marion/Jamison thing was just a pile of BS
Comment from neal
Time June 20, 2007 at 3:46 PM
If we got Marion we would have to let him or Arenas go the next year, when Marion is scheduled to make $16.4M, per the Post.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 20, 2007 at 8:28 PM
yeah jamison is a real leader on the floor the only reason i would not care to get Marion because he dose the same thing for the suns he leads the team he keeps them on there A game
Comment from WizDom
Time June 20, 2007 at 11:12 PM
Rumor has it that the Cavs and Nets will be offering Blatche 5years/20 mil (4mil per) … I think we’ll match it.
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time June 21, 2007 at 10:04 AM
if they offer that much fo blatch they wont have enough $ for anderson varegoe who i think they are looking to keep….
Comment from middletonss
Time June 21, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Hope the Nets/Cavs offer is just a rumor.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 21, 2007 at 1:38 PM
We would *certainly* match the offer mentioned above. It’s not out of line.
Do we get to offer him one more year than any other team? Tho… I don’t know if he would want a longer contract?
Comment from middletonss
Time June 22, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Maybe I missing something, but I thought the Wizards were over 9.5 million over the salary cap. From what was being said Stevenson and Blatche were top priority. This is the pay scale of the Wizards Free Agents:
Andray Blatche …………….$664,209
Calvin Booth ………………..$998,967
Mike Hall …………………….$121,388
Jarvis Hayes…………………$2,564,127
Roger Mason ………………..$744,551
Michael Ruffin ……………….$1,803,600
DeShawn Stevenson ………$932,015
Donell Taylor …………….. $664,209
Total…………………………..$8,493,066
If they offer Stevenson and Blatche 4 million each plus sign Pecherov and anyone else they will be well over the cap. It looks like the wizards have a lot of free agents but none of them really impact the salary cap.
Comment from neal
Time June 23, 2007 at 7:28 AM
There’s an exception to the cap to sign your own free agent, if he’s been on your team a while. Stevenson doesn’t qualify, however. Another exception allows us to match any offer for Blatche.
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Comment from r55
Time June 18, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Oleksiy Pecherov