Ernie Grunfeld Press Conference and Workouts #11
Click here for Ernie Grunfeld’s Press Conference
Pre-Draft workouts Day 11
#7 – Donte Greene
#2 – Will Thomas
#1 Will Daniels
Posted: June 24th, 2008 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Bridge simply unstoppable right now!!!!
Bridge, guess what you can play hangman in the Wizards Interactive locker room… Click through to find it.. It’s pretty fun.
Comment from Bridge
Time June 24, 2008 at 11:56 AM
REALLY!!! Thanx SportzWiz –
…And I meant to say “blogger party” ^ not “draft party” – I was thinking about the draft while typing (my bad)…
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 24, 2008 at 12:01 PM
what happend to you on myspace Bridge? anyway i hear we are looking to deal so i dont know what to think but i do know from years past that EG wont tell you nothing at all when it comes down to it all you get is a bunch of facts that add up to what you all ready know
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 12:17 PM
wiz4life, i dont expect to be given any hints today either
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Is the press conference televised? (CSN? MASN?)
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Doubtful that it will be more than a few snips on those channels. but we’ll have basically the whole thing for you!!!! So stay tuned
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Thanks SportzWiz – look forward to it… even though I’m sure Ernie won’t say much.
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 1:01 PM
BTW – I noticed that Kyle Weaver (one of my favorites, and a player I’d love to see the Wizards pick at #47 if he’s still available) – he has only worked out for 2 teams – Miami and NJN.
He skipped the NBA pre-Draft camp.
I wonder what’s up with that?
Comment from Bridge
Time June 24, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Wizards4Life –
Hey! I just decided to cancel it because I don’t feel that I need it anymore (well, at least right now). I use my email more than I used that, even though email seems kinda “old-school†nowadays. Hope you doin’ ok…
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Ill just say Ernie didn’t get us too much one way or the other 
.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 1:52 PM
vid coming soon.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 2:28 PM
One quick note, Etan has been 100% cleared by doctors to play!!!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 2:42 PM
there will be workouts today, and I think some good names for you as well .
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 2:42 PM
any guesses (note there is only one confirmed name but ive heard a few others possibly) Will Thomas from George Mason is the only one confirmed…
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Three player workout. Will Thomas, will daniels from rhode island and… Donte Greene
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 24, 2008 at 4:22 PM
That looks like some good names. Will Daniels and Will Thomas are both solid players.
And we all know about Donte Greene….lol
I really would not mind taking Greene at 18 because he could develop on the end of our bench for a year or two and then come in and contribute or put in the D-league this year and give him minutes there. We can afford a project player… because of the depth on our roster.
Other players such as McGee, Randolph, Ajinca etc.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 24, 2008 at 4:26 PM
still not alot but he gave us a little good video the only thing i got out of it was that there has been alot of talk and thats what we want is alot of talk even if it dose not work out it gives EG options and we all know how good he is with trades and so on (see Brown for Butler) should be fun to see what happens i am not sure EG even knows whats going down yet
Comment from Wizfan4life
Time June 24, 2008 at 4:27 PM
2 days, 1 hour and 50 minuts!!
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 24, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Real GM says that the clippers, knicks, and blazers are all looking to move down:
Wiz trade: Stevenson, Songaila, Pecherov, 18th, memphis pick
Clippers trade: Cuttino Mobley, 7th pick
We get Alexander with the 7th pick
We get Walter Sharpe at 47 pick
Arenas/Daniels
Mobley/Young
Butler/Alexander(7th)/Dmac
Jamison/Blatche/Sharpe(47th)
Haywood/Thomas
LA gets two vets that they were looking for and a could be decent player in Pecherov. We get a good vet in mobley and alexander is a stud IMO.
Thoughts….the picks can be debated
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 24, 2008 at 5:14 PM
As usual, Ernie completely gave away the farm — now everyone knows that he may trade, he may move up, he may move down, he may trade for a future pick. I can’t believe it; someone has to keep him from letting everyone know our strategy!!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 24, 2008 at 5:16 PM
The only interesting tidbit, in truth, was that a Hibbert workout didn’t fit from Roy’s side. That’s a little odd for a guy who lives down the block. But, he is a smart guy and may know that he doesn’t need to prove anything to the Wizards.
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Joe Alexander (Small Forward – 6′8″ 225lbs, with a 7ft wingspan) will be an absolute star in the League. He’s got personality. He’s a tough guy. He’s an extremely hard worker. He’s a freak ath-a-lete – and not just god-given gifts – he worked his butt off and improved his athleticism.
He’ll come into the League right away and get a ton of blocks at the SF position.
He’ll have a ton of Sports Center highlight dunks.
Once he’s improved his mid-range jump shot (and I do mean JUMP SHOT – 39″ vertical) – he’ll be an All-Star.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 24, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Sportswiz — will we get some workout video? Daniels is an interesting prospect for round 2.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 24, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Not for us, unfortunately — he ain’t falling to 18. He does look like a great athlete. Watching him lift for his regular jump shot, he gets up higher and quicker than anyone I’ve seen in a long time.
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Tom – you forgot that He might stash the pick overseas… and He may trade OUT of the draft … LOL
The only small pieces of info I got out of the almost 9 minutes is that:
1. Etan Thomas is ready to play
2. There HAVE BEEN other teams talking to the Wizards – I assume about trade scenarios…
Good news on both fronts…
I’m getting burnt out on all the speculation – and like a kid waiting for Christmas, I wish it was just here already…
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Tom – I was responding to wizbulletman0’s trade scenario….
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 5:28 PM
I know that Alexander will probably go in the top 10….
I’ve been studying, reading, watching, pondering, blogging about and arguing about this draft for months… (since the Wizards season ended)… I could probably recite the entire draft order for the first round (and the projected picks on DraftExpress, ESPN Mock Draft and NBADraft.net) in my sleep.
I’ve read more about players that won’t even make the NBA than I have about players already IN the NBA.
Like I said, I’m ready for the draft to be here already.
Comment from Dunked
Time June 24, 2008 at 5:34 PM
How much more time are we gonna waste on Pech?
What’s up with Veremeenko, nobody asked about him during the presser.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 5:41 PM
vids are up. Ernie video is clickable because otherwise the site goes too slow with so many vids up.
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 24, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Donte’s first dunk was IMPRESSIVE, but he missed another LOL
Comment from neal
Time June 24, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Yeah, really enlightening.
I thought Thomas was cleared to play toward the end of last season. What’s new about him being ready?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Your wrong Neal, he was cleared for non-contact practice, the play is definitely new info, they had hoped he would be ready for summer league practices and he is.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 7:28 PM
his heart’s been fine for awhile the big news was his sternum has now fully recovered so he can take contat.
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 7:46 PM
“How much more time are we gonna waste on Pech?
What’s up with Veremeenko, nobody asked about him during the presser.” – Dunked
I think it’s a little early to give up on a 7-ft prospect with Pecherov’s skills after only one year… and a year where he was essentially injured for the entire first half at that!!
If you recall, he was very impressive in Summer League play last year – showing a nice stroke from outside, and the ability and desire to bang inside. He’s a very hard worker (gym rat)… and he seems to be a good kid (no knuckleheadedness – is that a word?)…
I think the Wizards need to give him this year, and maybe next – to fully evaluate his talent level..
As for Veremeenko – he has said he wants to come play in the NBA, but he has some kind of buy-out with his Russian team. He may come to play in the Summer League, which will be nice, because I can’t really tell much from his Russian stats – he doesn’t seem to be tearing up the League over there (15mpg 5.9 ppg on 51% shooting, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 apg , 1.2 TOs) – I can’t really tell if those are OK numbers, or poor numbers…
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 7:49 PM
I think giving up on pech is now becoming more popular than loving Hibbert .
Comment from Jheiser3
Time June 24, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Why do people want to give up on young players so quickly? Think about how cheap they are and the investment already made. People don’t take into account that Pech didn’t play in a high European league in the first place. He should have been in the D-League all year but his injury and then Etan’s made him a necessity as a extended bench player. Last year was basically a wash for him. Are people giving up on Greg Oden too?
Veremeenko, let him simmer overseas. Ernie should be trying to get him into a high league, say the 2nd league in France or something similar. He needs to be playing against better competition, but that doesn’t mean the NBA or even the D-League. The good thing is European players practice much more than they play, so he’s working plenty.
Don’t know if you all caught ESPN’s pre-draft show last night but Andy Katz mentioned that Washington is very interested in Brandon Rush, to the point of talking to teams ahead of them to see if they could move up and get him. He posted a blog this afternoon saying the Portland-Washington talk was dead.
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 8:41 PM
SportzWiz, you a funny guy….
Really though… a case could be made that McGuire (not Pecherov) had the worse year. McGuire was healthy the entire year…. and never was able to crack Eddie’s rotation. He made some spectacular blocks, showed good court awareness, and had a couple of games where he rebounded the ball well…. but unless he can improve his shooting and become a consistent threat to hit an open jumper, he won’t stick in the League.
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time June 24, 2008 at 8:46 PM
I told you guys Rush is the guy for us, I wonder what Portland wanted. Maybe Blatche, or even Young.
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time June 24, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Rush can step in right away. Btw, i think a Kansas Jayhawk is the right way for us to go. Either Mario Chalmers, or Rush.
If we are able to move up to 13 — Its probably to make sure we get Rush, or maybe even hope the DJ Augustin falls from his projected spot at 11 to 13.
Comment from Jheiser3
Time June 24, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Portland has Rudy Fernandez and Roy at the 2. They probably asked for Caron. Good luck with that one.
Rook, second round picks in the NBA have much less chance of success than other leagues. This isn’t he NFL. And its not like McGuire was picked in the low 30’s. Considering Eddie’s preference its good he got anytime at all. Antonio mentioned that once Dom figured out the path to minutes came from rebounds and defense, not points like Nick’s time, he really came on. No alarms going off on any of these kids.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I would say Dom brings a lot to the table in that he can play defense and can guard multiple positions on the defensive end. For dom the key will be expanding his offensive repertoire. I dont expect him to be a 30 point scorer, but think bruce bowen, hitting a baseline jumper (which he has just needs to extend it a little) and knowing the offense will help. It takes most players a year or two to learn this system.
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 24, 2008 at 9:36 PM
I just dont seem good thinking Rush is our pick. He reminds me too much of Jarvis Hayes, a great shooter in college and jarvis didnt translate well to the nba. Also Rush has some non-major knee concerns, and jarvis, we all know about his knees.
Just my opinion though, I hear batum has been cleared and there is no concern anymore, so i want him at 18 because he will be there.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 24, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Rook — I think you are off on McGuire; he improved throughout the season. I am pretty sure he’ll have an NBA rotation career and maybe even be a starter some day.
I agree that it’s *way* too early to give up on Pecherov. Lets give up on him next year instead. Just joking… he has the opportunity to be a pretty good player.
I didn’t like the way Greene looked in the videos; his first dunk was good, but I’m really not concerned about his dunking. He seemed to lose focus during the outlet pass drill when he was the set-up guy. Remember, these are *job interviews.*
But… he is projected to go earlier than 18; does this portend a trade w/ Portland? Will Daniels didn’t show me much; I wondered whether he was in because the Wizards have figured out that they won’t get a chance at Sharpe?
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 24, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Sportzwiz- I totally agree about Dmac…hopefully hopla works with him alot.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 24, 2008 at 9:40 PM
SportsWiz — I agree, and I thought Dom ran his roles in the system better than Nick did. He does have to shoot better, and he *definitely* needs to learn to hit his free throws — he’s never going to be a scorer, so efficiency is really key. But, his shooting form looks pretty good.
Dominic looks to have gotten by on athleticism in college; except for the most elite, that doesn’t work in the league. So, he is raw on offense.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 24, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Finally, after all that we’ve gone through in conversation, after looking at a zillion outlet passes and dunks, after hours on youtube, after trying to figure out what Ernie was saying (nothing), after listening to brilliant, recondite analysis from Rook, after *trying* to follow wizbulletman0’s trades, after appreciating SportsWiz’s informed comments, after all this and more… I am TOTALLY CONFUSED.
I know longer know what we should do, what we might do, what we could do, what we won’t do — I don’t know do do. It’s so unfair!
But wait… there’s another article out there… somewhere… I know it! Wisdom can be found. Tell me it can.
We’ll probably take the dreaded Javale McGee and he’ll turn out to be an all star.
Comment from Jheiser3
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Ya know, these workouts do tell you something about players. What these kids don’t understand is that the job interview doesn’t begin when the drills start and end at the final whistle. Every thing about them is under the microscope, whether its Jamont Gordon spending the entire post workout meal on his sidekick or Donte Green walking through parts that don’t include him dunking,
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Its tough. Greene in his post workout interview said he’s done 14 workouts and he was in Houston this morning and flew up for the 4:00 workout. That’s incrdible to me. Imagine two-a-days but in different states!!!
There also might be workouts tomorrow FYI… and then it all comes to a little man walking up to the podium and saying with the 18th pick the Wizards select/trade……….
Oh man it’s exciting!!! And Mcgee wouldn’t shock me Tom! Who knows…
As for Dom the guy works really hard on improving his jumper, and i think it was also tough for him because he was thinking so much when he was out there on offense. And when you think you look slower and you play slower and i think that was the case for him offensively. Even caron said it took him two years to learn this offense.
Personally I think it’s so hard to take anything away from these workouts the only thing you can see is athleticism and that’s not everyones strong suit (although Jay Bilas will tell you everyone has great athleticism and upside on Thursday night ).
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:14 PM
wizbulletman0…. I like Rush a lot, but that’s just me. I think he can do so many things and he’d be a great fit on this team because he doesnt mind doing everything else. He’ll man up on defense and rebound and play through the stars and score when necessary. The big knock on him was that he wasn’t aggressive enough on offense, with Gil, Twan and CB I dont think that would be a problem for most fans (assuming we re-sign twan and gil). He does a good job of just letting the game come to him.
Comment from Jheiser3
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Tom, the article you were waiting for is up:
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Just-By-The-Numbers–Evaluating-This-Year-s-Center-Crop-2941/
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
SportsWiz & Tom – Don’t get me wrong…. I think that Dominic McGuire CAN make it… especially if he works on his shooting…
My point is that every time I read about Pecherov being a “bust”, or that he needs to be traded – I think it’s unfair. I NEVER read the same about McGuire.
Oleksiy Pecherov 35 games, 9.1 mpg 3.6 ppg on 35% shooting, 1.9 rpg, 0.1 bpg
Dominic McGuire 70 games, 9.9 mpg, 1.5 ppg on 38% shooting, 2.0 rpg, 0.4 bpg
The stats are eerily similar; yet everyone sees “upside” in McGuire and “bust” in Pecherov.
Jheiser3 mentioned that once McGuire “learned” that his minutes would come from defense and rebounding, “he really came on.”
McGuire had the luxury of an entire year of practices, games, meetings, etc… Well, Pecherov never got the same chance…. appearing in only 35 games; and probably trying too hard to impress when he did return, instead of allowing the game to come to him.
I think you’ll see a very skilled big man this Summer… (just like last Summer).. and, barring injuries, Pecherov may surprise a lot of you this year.
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:23 PM
I see SporzWiz- Rush might not be bad after all…wouldnt really mind him, but thats just me.
Also you said there *might* be workouts tomorrow…do you have any idea who??
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
hmmm…. recondite…. um…..should I be pufffing out my chest? or insulted..?!?
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Tom, SportWiz — PLEASE dont say that, i really dislike JaVale McGee. I’d rather take Mario Chalmers even if you consider it a reach.
Comment from Jheiser3
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Evaluating McGuire by points or shooting percentage is like evaluating Hibbert by his 3 point shooting. That’s not what they’re out there to do. Plus, its kinda common sense that 2nd round picks can’t be busts when they are long shots to begin with.
RE: the Draft Express breakdown, Thompson shows up higher than I expected. Shocked me that Brian Butch had more FTA’s per 40 Min pace-adjusted than Hibbert.
Comment from Rook
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Jheiser3 Says: Evaluating McGuire by points or shooting percentage is like evaluating Hibbert by his 3 point shooting.
On the other hand – I also included stats for rebounds per game (very similar for both McGuire and Pecherov), and blocks (a slight edge to McGuire)…
McGuire will NOT be in the League unless he can develop a consistent outside shot. Playing defense and rebounding will only get him so far (2-3 years in the League, MAX).. An NBA team cannot afford to play 4 on 5 on the Offensive end. McGuire’s shot looks good (no mechanical flaws); so I believe he can continue to work on it.
Even though he only played in 35 games, Pech never really looked lost on the Defensive end – showing a willingness to bang underneath the boards, and using his size to disrupt shooters. Sometimes, he took illadvised shots on Offense, but again, I think that was to be expected from a player coming back from injury, trying to impress the Coaching staff.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Tom… (laughing so hard I’m crying)! You are in rare form today (also liked the one about Ernie giving away our strategy.
I think Wizbulletman0 is a plant from Cleveland thrown in late to totally confuse us all LOL (Kidding Wizbulletman0 – really love your scenarios. they are Very entertaining).
Pesherov only “came back” 2 months into the season. The “ankle” bothered him a lot longer than that. You could tell by the way he “didn’t” move. If that bad boy is totally healed this year I think you will see a whole different side of Pesh.
Tom, Neal, et al will correct me if I’m wrong, but, I think McGuire got the least minutes of any “healthy” Wizard. In that short amount of playing time he showed all of us things that made us say WOW. That one game, can’t remember who it was against, where he came in and was a Beast on the Boards sticks out in my feeble mind.
No matter what happens Thursday, I still like the team we have. I think these guys can make some noise if everyone stays healthy.
Comment from bullet8890
Time June 24, 2008 at 10:59 PM
hey guys. ive been reading these blogs for the past few weeks and i love what everybodys got to say. i havnt posted anything because it seems like everyone has got most things covered. but i just saw the most recent nba.com mockdraft and they have us taking CDR.
first of all, i dont see this happening because it seems like we are looking for a big man at 18. but what sorta annoyed me was that it said most big men are gone by this point, but there was still mcgee, hickson, hibbert, thompson, lopez, arthur and ajinca on the board. now it just seems plain wrong to pass on each of those guys and get CDR. also, the nba.com *experts* dont even have speights being taken in the first round. i know this may be a bit pointless to talk about but i just cant see how this is supposed to be what *experts* think the draft mite end up being. also do u think we would even consider CDR at 18?
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 25, 2008 at 12:05 AM
GrifonRacing- “A plant from cleveland” Come on man…LOL JK JK
I know my trades are out there. But Cleveland, that has to be hands down the worst sports town EVER. Also since LeBron’s gonna never win a title there and will go back to being bad after he goes to brooklyn. HAHA
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 25, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Also
Source’s say: THe 27th pick is traded by hornets to blazers for cash considerations
How do you give up draft pick that easy? Especially a first rounder!
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 25, 2008 at 1:22 AM
Lebron has many names on this board (rarely Lebron lol). Cleveland doesn’t have Ernie. Thank God. If they did he would have all kind of back ups for the Queen. As it stands His Majesty had better win em on his own. (advantage “healthy” Wizards).
I had to Wizbulletman0 You are a very refreshing addition to this place of craziness. I hope you don’t mind me taking your name in “vain” for the sake of a welcoming joke. Love your input. This board is getting to be pretty cool and pretty big. SportsWiz is gonna have his hands full…. I’m guessing…. around 9pm Thursday night
Cash for a first rounder is insane, unless they are getting a little over confidant? Or are in financial straighs? Or are in “trade” mode.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 25, 2008 at 6:02 AM
some teams dont have the roster spots/money under the luxury cap. Look at phoenix a team that did the same thing with two first rounders a couple years back.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 25, 2008 at 6:05 AM
As far as workouts are concerned I’ve heard a few names as possibilities, but as ive said throughout the process things change hour to hour at this point. So im going to hold off on speculating.
Again there could be workouts or there may be no workouts so many things can factor into whether a guy actually comes in at this point.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2008 at 6:12 AM
Rook — puff out your chest, man, no question about it. And, I think both Pech and Dom have very good chances to be solid players in the league.
Good point, JH, that Dom can’t really be a bust — he was chosen w/ the 47th pick.
SportsWiz — that’s a good point about Greene; it is amazing what these guys go through in the weeks b4 the draft (but I still don’t like him for us).
JH3 — how did you know that Gordon spent the post-game meal on his Sidekick? Are you an inside guy, huh? How you know that!?? (I don’t like Gordon one bit, btw)
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2008 at 6:25 AM
The RealGM mock draft on Marreese Speights going to GS at 14:
“…if I were Chris Mullin and had the third overall pick, I would select Marresse Speights…. With impeccable strength, athleticism and balance, there is not a power forward prospect in college basketball outside of Michael Beasley who is more NBA-ready, yet also shows enough room for improvement to develop into an All-Star than Speights.
“His work ethic and motor is constantly cited as the chief reason why he isn’t held in higher esteem, but I respectfully couldn’t disagree more. He has a great motor, especially as a rebounder, and if he falls this low or beyond, he will easily become the draft’s biggest steal.”
The real knock on Speights, altho no one will say it directly, is that people think he isn’t smart enough. It’s true that he’s not very articulate, but I really don’t like that kind of thinking. I really hope he’s there for us.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2008 at 6:30 AM
I’m back to my original picks: Speights at 18 and either Weaver or Giddens at 47. I think that’d give us a guy w/ all star potential and another guy w/ first round talent. If we were able to sign Sharpe to the summer league team, we’d really have a lot to work with. Probably too many young guys, but still….
Comment from dmac
Time June 25, 2008 at 6:53 AM
I’m picking Jason Thompson at 18 for his athletic ability, upside potential, flexibility of playing the center and power forward spot. I think he is underrated simply because of the competition factor. I am always impressed with a kid at his size going 20 and 10 two years in a row.If Etan comes back healthy we can groom Thompson who I believe will get stronger. The kid seems to be a hard worker, is coacheable will be a good fit. Andray Blatche even though he’s done a credible job backing up BH has more potential being a tweener forward. If he could add 15 to 20 pounds to his frame then I could say C-PF.
After we resign Gil and AJ if we are really going to keep them then I would try to sign Chris Duhon as a reserve pg instead of Roger. I would give what minutes Roger was going to get to Nick. Also I see more flexibility with EJ problably giving Gil more time at the sg which makes since to have AD and Chris Duhon to handle the ball handling.
Also Duhon helps to really strengthen the bench. Chris has decent 3 point range as well.
On the 2nd pick I take the bpa.
Comment from Jheiser3
Time June 25, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Tom,
One of the draft websites, one of the writers specifically, was allowed to watch the entire day and even eat with the prospects after the workout. The team had a spread for all of them. This writer mentioned that even though the prospects were still interacting with the GM or coach, Gordon was disconnected and more concerned with texting.
dmac, Thompson was gaining on me until I read that he plays absolutely zero defense.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2008 at 9:15 AM
Can you tell me which site — I’d love to read the article. Was it at *our* workout that this happened? Or the omnibus workout in California last week?
dmac — Thompson seems to be a good prospect, yes. But I feel certain that Speights is even better. Watch this video of him; he has tremendous athleticism, strength and skills — and he has huge, soft hands. (That was one of Kwame’s big problems physically — small hands)
I *totally* agree about Duhon. His fellow players thought he was their best point guard last year. He would be a *great* solution as the backup point for the Wizards.
Comment from RDOT51
Time June 25, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I’m excited about this guy Javale McGee I watched him a couple a times last year and by far he was the best player on the floor when Neveda played UNC. He can run, block shots, rebound and he has a 7′6 wingspan at 7 foot that is crazy. Of couse he wont be an immediate impact but who will be in this draft. Wizards aren’t looking for an immediate impact anyway they are banking on Nick Young being way better than he was this year and also Andray Blatche to make that jump over the summer. I like Mario Chalmers but he looks like he won’t be available with our 2nd round pick comes around. Its going to be interesting…
Comment from Jheiser3
Time June 25, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I’ll see if I can find it. It was a blurb within a larger article. I want to say it was in Orlando.
Comment from dmac
Time June 25, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Hey Tom I like Speights over Thompson, I just thought he would be gone before 18.
It would be great if he is there for us to take at 18.
Comment from dmac
Time June 25, 2008 at 1:23 PM
I finally looked at Kyle Weaver’s highlights and he definitely looks to be a great combo type guard.
I also looked at more of Russell Westbrook’s highlights. I wanted to see why some say he may climb up to the fourth spot in the draft. He definitely looks to be a top five pick. Mostly because of his defensive ability.
I am picking O.J.Mayo as the rookie of the year next season.
Comment from dmac
Time June 25, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Hey fellas do we pass on DeAndre Jordan if he is there at 18. It’s five minutes before the Wiz pick. Do you look at a young man who really should have stayed in college at least two more years and take a chance. This young man if he stayed in school could possibly have been the number one choice on next years draft. He is definitely raw offensively. Right now he only has been to the darryl dawkins slam dunk camp. But athletically and defensive wise he has great potential.
Anybody thinks he is a Kwame Brown clone or potential Diwight Howard clone?
I need some feedback on why he could possibly fall out of the top 15 to 20 picks.
Chad Ford has him going number 28 wow!.
Remember we have been wanting a center so bad. Remember the hard time we gave BH and ET before the last season. At that time other than the Lopez brother and Mr. Hibbert we did not think there would be a center to be had for us.
I saw a number of games that jordan played in this past season and he has enormous potential.
We got one minute left to make our pick. Somebody tell me why if Speights, Hibbert and R. Lopez are off the board off the board. Do we take chalmers or do we take jordan?
Comment from neal
Time June 25, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Bridge, dear …. Coke with lemonade? You want fries with that?
GrifonRacing is back. Didn’t we trade him?
Hang in there Tom. Wisdom is just around the corner.
Comment from Jheiser3
Time June 25, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Jordan is tall and he is athletic for any size. however he is not a center right now. he’s not a 4 either. He’s a big tall kid. Best case scenario would be Andrew Bynum. The Lakers have to decide whether to pay him and he has yet to average a double-double. I’m not sure Jordan is as advanced as Bynum was at this stage. I like the athlete but we need players.
With any of these guys the question is how good how fast. All due respect to the organization, there is no track record of development to point to. Why should I expect this kid to develop into something special? I know he ‘could’ but that doesn’t mean he will.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 25, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Sorry Neal. Tom balked at the half eaten bologna sandwich
Comment from Tiago
Time June 25, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Hey guys…greetings from Portugal, I´m Tiago, a European Wizards fan and a basketball fan.
I would like to ask you, what was the first question of the 2nd video on EG press conference?
Thanks
PS: I hope we pick at #18, Mario Chalmers or Marreese Speights
Comment from Bridge
Time June 25, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Neal, my nizzle…I’m border-line on fries too (depending on the grease that they are fried in). What you thinking of paying or something?
No – I hope we never trade GR!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 25, 2008 at 9:24 PM
DeAndre Jordan can jump out of the gym — I just don’t want him to be jumping out of *our* gym. Ditto Javale McGee.
Comment from dmac
Time June 26, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Jheiser3 thanks for your feedback. I feel you Tom.
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Comment from Bridge
Time June 24, 2008 at 11:06 AM
“Bridge, think you can hang with the beer-drinking, pigskin eating true sports fans? – - – neal
Yeah, that’s why I’ve been trying to get something goin’ (…draft party *cough cough). I don’t drink beer, while others on here aren’t allowed to drink beer (Wizfan4life *cough cough), but I could haaaannng, man! Oooh, hang man – that sounds kinda fun to play right about now!! But, yeah…anyways…I’m sure that everyone who blogs on here are ALL true sportz fans, therefore, I’m down with hanging with everyone…
Got to learn to make rude noises in public too, dear.†– - – neal (cont.)
What you mean by rude noises? I mean, I can bark and grrrrrr, but nothing too creative (since you called me “dearâ€)….my “nizzle.†If ya want rude, I’ll tell you what happened yesterday in a McDonald’s drive-thru. I was thirsty, so I wanted something to drink but I require a “special†drink (coke mixed with lemonade). I asked for my drink, but the worker is like “uh, our machines are automatic, so we can’t do that.†So I’m like “yes you can, by making it automatic-less; without automation…this is like one of the only things that I can order from y’alls vegetarian-free menu! What if I was dying of thirst or something…†– - – But yeah neal, how rude is that lol….
2 more days till draft!