Comment from smchawk
Time October 19, 2007 at 9:36 AM

I’m headed to the game tonight and am pretty excited, though I’m not exactly sure what to expect. I assume they are playing NBA rules as oppossed to international. The Wizards will probably benefit from Zalgiris not being used to the NBA three point line. I also assume that Zalgiris is going to be pumped to try and take the Wizards down. From what I’ve seen about international play, they will move well, pass to the open man and knock down jumpers. Going to be a contrast of styles from what the Wiz have seen thus far and I’m excited to see how they adjust.

Comment from kg
Time October 19, 2007 at 9:46 AM

yea. i can catch this game on tv coz I’m comin back to DC GO WIZ

Comment from AUNDRA
Time October 19, 2007 at 11:02 AM

We have to explode in our house to let the fans know what home court advantage is all about. There are four spots in the rotation but we have 5 players so it’s time to show the full house to everyone in attendance.We definitely have a good team but to beat Chicago and the likes of then we need to be better! The pressure was severe from the full court press but thats what the NBA all about and that is great defense and a little offense when needed! I expect the three-point shooting should improve this game.
Lets see if we can rock the house for Big Brother Etan!

Comment from lith66
Time October 19, 2007 at 4:39 PM

hi, let me know if it is possible to see the game online. Best regards from Lithuania, Saulius

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 5:54 PM

kith66…you can hear the game online at washingtonwizards.com…lineups posted above

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:03 PM

eddie jordan interview next

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:05 PM

Looking for better offensive exceution

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:22 PM

Zalgiris good passing shooting team…nice dunk and one by haywood

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:25 PM

good fast break.butler at point

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:29 PM

wow we need to get some wizards fan in the house looks more Green than blue!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:36 PM

Zalgiris indeed getting some support..they are in the minoirty..but they are vocal

Comment from AgentArenas
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:44 PM

happy Bday to Dom McGuire tonight

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:45 PM

hey thanks agent arenas

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:53 PM

ivan carter joins us at the half

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:56 PM

i sill can’t belive that caron dunk. man was that a monster

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 6:59 PM

i don’t think they see too many of those dunks in europe

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2007 at 7:08 PM

wooooooo AD just went MJ on that one ha ha ha

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 7:08 PM

amen….Ad and Caron dunks of the week

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 7:16 PM

nice pass by Songaila…wizards have godd passing big men

Comment from Laimux
Time October 19, 2007 at 7:18 PM

Eurelijus Zukauskas is actually 2.16 m or about 7.1 feet tall

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2007 at 7:19 PM

yeah got to love the big men so far there taking the game and running with it how about Haywood with the 100% freethrow shooting thats a positive for shure that was the cause for small ball last year and now that he can hit that we wont have to sit him so much near the end of the game

Comment from Laimux
Time October 19, 2007 at 7:34 PM

your pronunciation of all the Lithuanian names is almost perfect except Mantas Kalnietis… you pronounce it awfully

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 7:43 PM

25 points for the wiz off 18 turnovers

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 7:51 PM

good stuff from pecherov on the inside

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 8:06 PM

rogers mason continues to have a good pre season

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 8:14 PM

how about blatche’s line 20 points on 8/9 shooting

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2007 at 8:29 PM

wow Dom playing with the bigs and that play by Young was some sweet luck but it looked good lol

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2007 at 8:33 PM

well its done and won nice to have the blog how ever empty it was thanks DJ for the company and the radio commentary

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2007 at 8:35 PM

win in the books….keep blogging…check back later

Comment from neal
Time October 19, 2007 at 9:08 PM

Best player in the game: Blatche, by far. Court awareness of a veteran. He answered a question I had. He can shoot from the outside. So I think Blatche can be the primary back-up for Butler as well as Haywood and McGuire will not be in the regular rotation until/unless someone gets hurt.

Actually, I think Blatche is our best center at this point. Of course, there’s nothing to be gained by making him the starter. It would just risk ill feeling from Haywood. Blatche could still play as much or more than Haywood while not starting.

Donell Taylor still has flashes of brilliance but makes more mistakes than a rookie. And it looks like Mason can play PG. So I can’t see keeping Taylor. He’s had enough chances.

Nor do I see enough from Massenburg to warrant keeping him.

Hall hasn’t played much, but he hasn’t embarrassed himself when he was in there. I think EJ has decided Hall will make the team. He (Jordan) has focused more on evaluating others.

I think we could start the season with 13 players plus Thomas. If someone gets cut from another team who has good potential we could pick him up. Otherwise, we could wait to see who gets hurt before adding another player.

Mason really shot well. But he’s got to box his man out on rebounds.

Young is really quick and was accurate tonight. He’s getting his confidence.

Either Mason or Young should be the 9th player in the rotation, I think.

Comment from 1bmffwb
Time October 19, 2007 at 10:22 PM

Ernie Grunfield has this team in a good position. He chose Nick Young a scoring point guard in case of Gilbert leaving the team, instead of going big and taking on someone who might not be better than what we have, therefore a wasted pick. As great as Arenas is, there is no telling where his mind is. He may just leave for the highest bidder. This gives Young a year to adjust. McGuire is an all around player with many skills, defense, shot blocking, passing and can score. A valuable substitute and copy of Caron Butler. Butler is a beast. Jamison will get his 20 pts and 10 rebounds and will be a team player with a great attitude. Haywood is an adequate big man with some talent, he needs to mature and use those skills. Songalis has good skills and some muscle, while Stevenson is a very good defensive player. Blatche is a real talented and athletic big man who is ready for a break out season and Percherov will push him so both will be better. The bench with Mason, Daniels, Young, Blatche, Percherov, McGuire, Taylor, and Hall are very impressive. I can see them going big with Haywood, Percherov, Blatche, Jamison and Arenas at times or small with Blatche, Jamison, Butler, Stevenson, and Arenas or just starting Haywood, Jamison, Butler, Stevenson and Arenas. With the depth they have they may be the surprise team. The only thing that will give them problems is a team with a dominant big man i.e. O’Neal, Garnett, Duncan. No big man on the Wizards will be able to control those guys but they could make them work awful hard and let the rest of the team do their thing. Spurs are too good I think…that TEAM is beautiful.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 19, 2007 at 10:37 PM

I’ve never seen Brendan Heywood play like “that”! Mr. clutch from the free throw line. Did I just say that? I’ve never seen him move that quickly on offense or defense. He really impressed me tonight. Things only got better when Andray checked in. That kid can Play. I didn’t know he could pass so well. He was again the leading scorer and rebounder. Let’s start a pool… how many blocks is Dmac going to get a night? 2? 3? 4? or??? Nick is starting to look a little bit more comfortable out there. It may not take as long as we thought for him to progress into a valuable player. You have to love when Eddie puts Haywood, Blatche, and Pesherov in the lineup together. It hasn’t worked yet but it sure looks cool lol. If I have a vote… I vote to keep Mr. Mason as our third PG. I love Mr. Taylor’s atheleticism, however, comma, slight vocal hesitation……….

Look out Indiana… here we come!

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 20, 2007 at 12:09 AM

i don’t see young taking too many min. away unless we get a few people down and i don’t see Dom playing more than AB played last year but just like AB i don’t think it will take long for him to prove to EJ/EG that he deserves min. i did think how ever before tonight that Nick had bad court vision an was trying too hard and now i can see him passing the ball and cutting and taking the shot when he has it. not when he feels like it an that’s a + i don’t think i could be more pleased with Haywood all tho i know he could have played just as good 3-4 season ago! but now we see him doing the things that make him the X factor in most games and with AB pulling some min for AJ an a few from Caron i see this team is a deep team in spots that we were lacking before weather that’s what we need to get over that first round hump and the second round sweep i cant say but we will all find out soon

Comment from BruceO
Time October 20, 2007 at 3:00 AM

I remember someone wondering why we were going to resign blatche. I knew he’d break out at some point but I didnt think he’d do it this rapidly. He’s proving everyone wrong and he now wants it which he didnt shot before. I also knew he’d have a good line against the lithuanian team cause every other teams big men have killed them at the PF or C spot. I still insist that Blatche can have a better career than Jamison/ and Or be a better player. He has better defense, length, better blocker, really good passer if not already better and his offensive game is developing. Only thing is jamison is a really skilled offensive player. Blatche might be the low post player magic said we need. The player who gets us over the hump by getting 15 pts/ 10 reb.
Someone said Dominic won’t get many minutes. I can’t argue one way or another but from his skill level and what he can bring us, I consider him a better defender/ shot blocker than stevenson. He’s also bigger and more athletic. We don’t have much offense coming out of the two spot and will have more expanded options coming out of our big men for a change so I do think we have the luxury to have either Dominic or Nick young backing up the two spot. He also should get some time at the three. Defensively and in alot of other categories he’s very useful and It makes sure Caron is not worn out by the time we need him for playoffs.
Nick youngs is getting more and more comfortable within the offense. Once he learns it and defense improves (which we have him on tough assignments to get used to it ) he’ll be good. Even if he doesnt break out during his rookie campaign doesnt mean hes a bust. He moves to damn well and is uber athletic. Its a matter a time before his talent speaks. JJ reddick had a bad rookie campaign and might do well this year. He’s an example of a skilled Sg. Arenas once said that the moment Nick young steps on the court he’ll be a better player than jarvis hayes. He’ll certainly one day be one of our main scoring options. The future is very bright as far as our young guys. All this without actually going into rebuilding mode.

Comment from neal
Time October 20, 2007 at 7:53 AM

When I read about how lackadaisical Blatche was about training last year I wanted the Wiz to sign him and trade him for whatever they could get. I thought he would hinder the commitment/attitude of the team. Well, he changed over the summer, to my surprise. And boy is he good now. He has been our best player in the preseason, I think. And he’s done it at center, primarily. Center is no longer my biggest worry for the coming year.

My new worry is the play of Arenas.

Young is sooo smooth. He’s going to be fun to watch. If he puts his mind to it he can also become an excellent defender.

Even though Pecherov can hit from the perimeter, I just don’t see those shots as good ones. Seems to me our guards and SF can shoot as well or better from there and that would leave our seven footer available for rebounding.

Defense still occasionally slips back into old habits, but is good 80% of the time, rather than 20%.

Comment from Brickjp
Time October 20, 2007 at 9:19 AM

Wow. Blatche is the man. Last year, I predicted Caron would be on the All-Star team. This year, I am predicting that Blatche will be most improved player. Talk about being active. This guy is all over the place. He’s finally taking advantage of his size and skill set. Take it to the hole. Man am I excited for this season.

Comment from neal
Time October 20, 2007 at 12:35 PM

The thing that surprises me most about Blatche is he sees the whole court and makes good decisions. That’s not common with star players and even less with 21-year olds.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 21, 2007 at 9:38 AM

Wasn’t able to watch the game, unfortuntately — am about to head over to look at the boxscore.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 21, 2007 at 9:57 AM

Can’t get the boxscore, annoyingly. Sounds like Dray had a great game — I’d like to see the lines.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 21, 2007 at 10:06 AM

neal – don’t you think that eddie sees roger as the first backup at the 2 – making him definitely a rotation player?

The guy I question at this point is Songaila. He is a good player, but doesn’t really contribute to wins. We’ll see… but I would want to give Pech minutes until he shows that he can’t handle being in the rotation.

As to Mcguire — he’ll get some minutes, and I bet it’ll be hard to keep him off the court.

Comment from neal
Time October 21, 2007 at 6:57 PM

I’m sure Jordan planned on Mason being the first backup at the 2. But what if he doesn’t show in the pre-season he can shoot in game situations? He’s a career 33% shooter. This pre-season he’s at 40%. Last year Young shot 53% and McGuire 47%. I couldn’t find that stat on Pecherov but I think it was also high. Would Jordan switch to Young as the 9th rotation member? Or would he give Mason months to get comfortable, as he did with Hayes? EJ seems to have a better alternative than he did last year.

I don’t I agree with the “contribute to wins” stat. Songaila’s career stats are FG% of 50, FT% of 83 and rebounds per minute played of .21. Jamison’s career stats are 46%, 73% and .21, respectively. Does Jamison have a higher “contribute to wins” stat?

Since Blatche is getting some time at SF, has shown the ability to shoot from outside, and since it’s going to be even harder to keep him off the floor than McGuire, I think it’s most probable that McGuire will get only spot duty. And I think the other two rookies will also be hard put to get regular minutes.

Comment from BruceO
Time October 21, 2007 at 10:13 PM

mcguire is too good to not get any minutes. I dont think we are tied down to a nine man rotation. If we have 10 players good enough to play then great 10 man rotation it is. Mcguire has a function, blatche has his, nick young or mason has his and pech has his stretching the D function. I don’t forsee a 9 man rotation.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 21, 2007 at 10:58 PM

Mr. McGuire, Mr. Pesherov, and Mr. Young (if he keeps progressing at a fast rate) will all see minutes. Eddie has a luxury he hasn’t had in the past. The luxury of having competent back up players so the “big three” aren’t playing 40 minutes a night.

Mr. Mason’s primary position will be at back up 2. Mr. Taylors demise was when he also proved he could play pg as well. Mr. Hayes would have been a beast if the knee injuries didn’t make him lose his confidence. Mr. Mason has no such knee problems, and, I think he may turn out to be the Mr. Hayes we had all hoped for. Either way, it gives Mr. Young the time to develop at his own pace.

How cool is it to have 3 or 4 people we can competently rotate in the 5 spot given differant circumstances? We have Never had that before!

If coach Ayers keep spiking their oatmeal with whatever he has been till now we will be a much improved team.

Comment from neal
Time October 22, 2007 at 12:41 PM

I was just going by what the Post said: Jordan has his basic eight (Arenas, Daniels, Stevenson, Butler, Jameson, Songaila, Haywood & Blatche) and is looking for a 9th from among Mason, Young, McGuire and Pecherov. I presume the reporter had a basis for saying that. Also, most NBA teams don’t include 10 in their regular rotation.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 22, 2007 at 10:36 PM

As balanced a team as Ernie has created so far…… has “any” NBA team ever had a 12 man rotation??? I couldn’t think of a 10 let alone a 12