Comment from gee wiz
Time July 10, 2008 at 5:59 PM

utah needs a back-up point but i doubt their looking for dee. dee is totally different from arenas and AD. AD is a pure point guard not really a shooter and he is a pass first type. gil is a gunner a 2 gaurd n a smaller body. but he can create if he chooses. dee brown is that fast pace, don’t leave me open gaurd. he is a younger tony parker except his shot is much better. he just doesnt have the D like tony. thats a big plus. it will be interesting to see how the wizards work with 3 point gaurds now. it is a first. remember mason was a 2, but when him and stevenson would play together either one of them would play the point depending on who was hot. now we have 3 point guards so expect gil to run some 2 at times.

Comment from neal
Time July 10, 2008 at 6:58 PM

He’s a “don’t leave me alone guard”? His shot is much better than Tony Parker? That would be wonderful. I thought he scarcely shot at all.

Comment from neal
Time July 10, 2008 at 6:59 PM

Tom, is our bet off about Mason, now that he’s a Spur?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 10, 2008 at 7:02 PM

neal — remind me of our bet

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 10, 2008 at 7:03 PM

I’m glad we signed Dee Brown — but lets not compare him to Tony Parker, please. For one thing he doesn’t have as good looking a mate!! And, he doesn’t have a bunch of other more relevant stuff that Tony has.

Comment from yangboy990
Time July 10, 2008 at 7:49 PM

I’m glad we signed him too. We needed another point guard to back up Gil and Antonio. If we do officially sign him, I think we should also sign Matt Barnes from free agency to back up Caron.

Comment from neal
Time July 10, 2008 at 8:02 PM

I bet you that Mason has another career year. You get to choose the method of comparison. I get to choose which Starbucks I get when I win.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 10, 2008 at 8:21 PM

Ok — Win Score per 36 minutes.

Calculated as follows: points plus rebounds plus 1/2 assists plus steals plus 1/2 blocked shots minus FGAs minus 1/2 FTAs minus turnovers minus 1/2 fouls. That calculation approximates Dave Berri’s Wins Produced statistic as closely as possible w/o using statistical regression.

We’ll get the stats here. And, yes, Roger did have a career year last year. I’d be happy to lose the bet, as I’d like to see the guy flourish.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 10, 2008 at 8:29 PM

More on Win Score here. (note; you’ll have to page down to get past the model for football player performance and down to basketball)

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 10, 2008 at 9:49 PM

The Roger Mason news to the Spurs shouldn’t be a surprise since the Spurs offered Roger more money than the Wiz last season but Roger decided to stay here for a year with a massive discount (family reasons, I presume).

The Spurs may have overpaid Mason this time around but they sorely need to get younger and the Mason signing is validated. I believe Roger’s going to have a decent couple of years with the Spurs. His shooting is certainly on par, if not better, than Jacque Vaughn.

I’m unsure about the Dee Brown offer. He was a solid college player and he had good stats last year in Turkey. But from the Summer League games I saw of him and also a couple of Jazz games on NBATV, his size makes him a big defensive liability. Grunfeld said he likes the up-tempo style Brown can bring to the Wizards, but I’m not sure how effective he’ll be as a 3rd fiddle PG. In my opinion, Brown isn’t a specialist that Mason is to the Wizards and speed/quickness alone won’t get the job done in today’s NBA.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 10, 2008 at 10:08 PM

Been in Detroit the last couple of weeks and Jarvis Hayes is an available unrestricted free agent. The Pistons does not appear to re-sign Hayes as their local media had not reported anything.

If people are talking about bringing Kwame Brown back, why not Jarvis?

Hayes could be a backup to Caron Butler … again …

Comment from wizfan and the kid
Time July 10, 2008 at 10:31 PM

Seems like the Jazz will not match our offer.

Dee Brown was a winner at the University of Illinois. I remember that much. What else can people tell us about him?

Here is what I found on his blog. Interesting how his nickname is “The One-Man Fast Break” because he is regarded as super quick. The blog says that he was not paid for some of his time playing in Turkey. Sounds like an interesting story.

Comment from AUNDRA
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:19 PM

Ernie is a master of the game when it comes to point guards so I expect big things from Mr. Brown. The summer league is a excellent stomping ground to show his talents. We first need leadership then a motivator out there and finally a firm committment to winning! If feel Mr. Browns a winner who has the chance now on the grand stage. You have inside guys in Andray,Pesh,and the rookie McGee to get the job done with high percentage dunks and reverse layups. You have the high flyers in Hollywood Nick,Mcguire and finally you have yourself penetrating to the basket for the and-ones!
Turnovers will definitely be a FACTOR with all this young raw talent thats where your leadership mindset has to keep the focused on the team but basic principles of the game!

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:21 PM

I think our summer league team will go undefeated…lol

Brown
Young
McGuire
Blatche
McGee

thats a good lineup with pecherov coming off the bench

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:23 PM

The Spurs made sure we weren’t going to get Roger. Roger’s agent is saying the Spurs offered him just under 8 mil for 2 years. That is “just” out of our reach without going over the luxury tax. As it turns out with things as they stand we didn’t have a chance.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:25 PM

LOL Wizbulletman. Andray is making a career of playing in summer league I hope his summer league “game” transfers over this year.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:28 PM

Aundra from what I understand Dee Brown’s turn over vs assist numbers are pretty good. People seem to worry more about his “effort” (that bothers me a little) and his defense. Hopefully Antawn can fix the first and Coach Ayers can fix the second

Comment from AUNDRA
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:30 PM

Roger will definitely comeback to kick our butt but hopefully he left with little to no bad feeling toward the Wizards Organization. He was very sure in his defensive game and his freethrows were outstanding. The statistic that stood out the most to me was his 92
turnovers with over 1000 minutes played that fits right into the Spurs type of mindset!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:34 PM

I can’t wait for Summer League to get here. I want to see how Pesh is moving on “that” ankle. I want to see if Dominic has been working on his mid range shooting. I want to see McGee play for the first time for me. I’m curious to see Dee Brown’s game and Gary Forbes’ game. I want to see Nick just because I love watching Nick lol.

Comment from AUNDRA
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:35 PM

I messed up Roger had only 69 turnovers with 1708 minutes played. This one stat is outstanding in any teams book!!!!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:36 PM

Speaking of which

Hey Tom I’m going to miss our antagonist/protagonist talks about Roger. Maybe we can continue our banter with Nick?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:37 PM

Oh Aundra… Roger is going to be missed in so many ways I fear. He one of my favorites. That guy has a game that is just now starting to show itself. Those Darned Spurs lol.

Comment from AUNDRA
Time July 10, 2008 at 11:58 PM

The starters in the 2007-2008 season made great strides in not turning over the basketball and this one stat will make or break a team headed toward the ultimate goal!
Daniels had incresed playing time this seasonue to injury of Agent Zero had 69 turnovers in 2006-2007 and 91 in 2007-2008 season. Stevensons improved from 119 turnovers in the 2006-2007 season to 102 in 2007-2008. Great Job! Brendan has increased playing time went from 90 2006-2007 to only 108 2007-2008 season. Excellent job Big Guy! Jamison was very strong physically and had the most playing time logged in 2007-2008 season. Jamison had 104 2006-2007 and only 113 2007-2008 season. Excellent Job Captain. Butler sometimes has slippery hands at the begining of games is the turnover King this year! Butler had 181 in 2006-2007 season and 150 in 2007-2008 season. There was a definite improvement in his game this season. Great job Captain you have to let the team know if I can improve in this one stat so can you!

Comment from Bridge
Time July 11, 2008 at 12:24 AM

GR, you must smoke that uh…“happy stuff.” Lol. Sometimes I wish that I could be as peaceful as you are. Things that you have said that make me convinced:
1) “Tom, I believe you whole-heartedly…”
2) “SportzWiz, you do such a great job…”
3) “Bridge, I apologize…”
4) “Kumbaya my Lord…” Lol; naw you never said that (I think)

I hope you know that this is all in joke…People like you are needed on here…

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 11, 2008 at 1:02 AM

Bride I think were all needed on here…I mean if no one blogged on here it would just be SportsWiz and Dave Johnson and Glen Consor talking to themselves lol no but seriously, everybody on here contributes alot

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 11, 2008 at 1:05 AM

I have 2 things to add/ask

1. Do the summer league practices start tomorrow?

2. If your familiar with extremeskins.com, someone said that ric bucher reported on espn earlier that JAMES POSEY decision is betwee the WIZARDS, HORNETS, and celtics.
I think i will go in shock if abe decides to go over the tax a couple million and use the MLE on posey and he signs here. EG will be a genius and make another great move and our lineup will have depth at every position.

Arenas/Daniels/Brown
Stevenson/Young
Butler/Posey/McGuire
Jamison/Blatche/Songaila/Pecherov
Haywood/Thomas/McGee

and after all that i still feel like a trade is coming LOL

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 11, 2008 at 1:38 AM

Hey Bridgy… starting up a campfire… vocalizing…. ahem.. KumBaYa My Lord… Kum.. By Ya.. sneeze, hiccup, burp. singing was never my strong suit.

“Happy Stuff” was many many a year ago when I was a “child of the 60′s” LOL. (actually 50′s but grew up in the 60′s). There ya go Tom, Neal… both of you old farts are “older” …. doing the riverdance thing till my achilles both pop.

I’m smoking ” life ” just like you are my friend, my buddy, my Pal. And the only one that probably remembers “Paula” and gives her her props

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 11, 2008 at 1:44 AM

Actually WizFanforLife… I contribute very little to this site other than playing Tom’s Bud Abbott to my Lou Costello? (sorry.. I couldn’t resist )

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 11, 2008 at 1:58 AM

WizBulletMan? IF.. we get Posey a trade is definately coming. Ain’t no way Abe is paying Luxury tax.

Yes, summer league practice will start tomorrow (actually today now).

nite all.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 11, 2008 at 5:58 AM

Wizbullletman — If we have a couple million left before we go over the tax treshold. Maybe, Abe is thinking he could use the money he got for Bill Walker. That might be the purpose in which Ernie traded him. PLUS, Gilbert wanted some moves this off-season. Thats why he took less monery.

James Posey, is one which could turn out to be a really good signing. He has what we mostly need. Perimeter DEFENSE. He could help stop the Kobes’s, and the Lebron’s in this league. ALSO he can tutor up Dominic.

Imagine or defense. Caron, doing what he do! DeShawn, playing good defense not great, but its above average. Posey, shuting down the Kobe’s and LeBron’s of this league. LAST but not least my man, JaVale McGee, blocking shots left and right, and getting every rebound possible!

Let’s not even get started with our offense! We might be able to get past the 1st Round this season. Thats is we can shrug-off that ingury-bug. My dream would be Gil playin how Gil played before the injury and playing the FULL 82 games, Caron, playing the full 82, not he usual which is abot 60-70, and Antwan, playing all 82 like last year.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2008 at 7:18 AM

Good news that we still have some $$ to work with, but there is no way we’ll get Posey. Per my previous post, you have to be nuts to go over the lux tax, unless you *really* think you are buying a championship. Now, I like Posey, but that’s a little strong…

I’d love to have Matt Barnes, however. His numbers are very strong. He brings most of what Roger brought, *and* he rebounds very strongly. We’ll love him here.

Anyone know what barnes made last year?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2008 at 7:20 AM

Grifonracing — there’ll be plenty of guys for us to go back and forth about, even with Roger gone. You are right that the big candidate is Nick. So far, he hasn’t gotten it done. There are high points, sure, but between turnovers and fouls and low rebounds and assists, he hasn’t helped us win.

Roger improved, and I was happy about it — I’ll be the same way if Nick improves.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2008 at 7:41 AM

If SA is paying Roger almost $4m/year, then i wouldn’t have matched even if it didn’t take us over the lux tax limit. I’m happy for Roger, but he doesn’t produce at that level.

We already over-pay Etan because we matched an outlandish offer. That seems to have been Ernie’s only compensation error. He was right not to match for Larry or Jared.

Comment from zxhoya
Time July 11, 2008 at 7:44 AM

I thought Nick’s play improved as the year went along. He’s a unique talent (he can get his own shot and make it). He’s got size, serious ball handling and shot making skills. I also believe he has good defensive instincts and with continued work will prove a dependable defender. Nick’s going to be a star in this town, mark my words.

Comment from zxhoya
Time July 11, 2008 at 7:47 AM

I think the way Eton played that season he was compelled to match, especially the way Brendan was playing at the time. I agree with you about Larry and Jared.

Comment from millie mill
Time July 11, 2008 at 7:52 AM

Matt Barnes made $3,000,000 last year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1765

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2008 at 8:08 AM

He is probably outside our reach in that case. Too bad.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2008 at 8:11 AM

Nick has talent, that is very clear — but talent is not the same as doing things to help win games.

A talented guy can turn the ball over, foul frequently, dribble too much, etc. Talent doesn’t stop you from doing things that make it less likely your team will win the game. Sometimes talent *helps* you do those things.

You’re probably right about Etan — in any case, it was a long time ago.

Comment from zxhoya
Time July 11, 2008 at 8:20 AM

I think the most important thing about Nick’s season was that it was his 1st season. No way to know how much he’s learned but expect he’ll have much more confidence as a 2nd year player. I think EJ has to do a little better job at instilling confidence in his younger players, I think he’s a little harsh on them.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2008 at 8:50 AM

It’s not easy playing in the NBA, and the Wizards’ offense is complex. I hope he improves. I’m hoping Dom improves as well; in fact, I have a lot of hope for him growing into his role.

Often, the 3d year is a break out year. We will certainly have the patience to wait for that. In Andray’s case, last year was #3, but he missed his entire 1st year. We’ll hope for a big jump this year to justify Ernie’s decision to sign him long term.

I don’t think I agree about Eddie. His job is to win; player development is not a big focus in the NBA. IMO, he has done a good job getting results from the Wizards roster.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2008 at 8:55 AM

SportsWiz has doubted that the Wizards would carry 15 guys into the season. We’re at 14 w/ DB. Could we even *get* a guy who’d help us w/ the money we have left?

SportsWiz — are you still feeling the same way about our roster?

I guess one issue is how much of Dee’s deal is guaranteed. If not much, then he could still be cut for the right other guy.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 11, 2008 at 9:07 AM

I would say it wouldn’t surprise me NOW to see them carry 15.

Tom, I think we will have a better idea after shootaround, there might be “someone” there that can give us some more insight.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 11, 2008 at 9:07 AM

and when i say shootaround i mean mini-camp

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 11, 2008 at 10:07 AM

Hey when is the practice today and is there gonna be videos put up?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 11, 2008 at 10:27 AM

Practice started about 20 minutes ago. Should be over at around 1145. I will try and get whatever videos I can.

Comment from Rook
Time July 11, 2008 at 10:56 AM

Hey SportzWiz – The Washington Times is reporting that Etan Thomas will “scrimmage with the summer league squad.”

Is Etan there for this first practice?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 11, 2008 at 11:04 AM

Hey rook,

I have yet to go downstairs so im not sure as of yet. The reporting is based off of multiple comments that Ernie has made that have been posted on here as well that Etan would workout with the summer league team. I would guess that he is but I dont have 100% confirmation on that. As soon as I get back I will let you know.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2008 at 11:18 AM

Hope so — that would be great.

Is Dee in the house?

Looking at Dee Brown’s numbers, it’s obvious where he has *a lot* of work to do. I hope he has been working on his shooting, because his overal FG% is awful, his 3pt.% is much much worse, and even his FT shooting isn’t near where it should be for a 6 foot guard.

It might be interesting — if a little unfair — to compare his first year numbers to Tony Parker’s (TP played 2700 minutes as a rookie, Brown played 450). Except for shooting, they net out just about the same.

Comment from Rook
Time July 11, 2008 at 11:40 AM

Tom – take a look at his College numbers, and you’ll see that he wasn’t that bad a shooter.

If you look at his Junior season, when they asked him to play out of position as Shooting Guard – he shot 50% from the field and 43% from 3-point…

Then he went back to his natural position, Point Guard, in his Senior year – and his field goal % dropped (understandable) – but his assists went WAY up.

For his career at Illinois, he was a 42% shooter (36% from 3-point). I think the 4 year numbers at Illinois are a better indication of his shooting than his Rookie year at Utah.

http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/brown_dee00.html

I think he’ll be a good enough shooter to start out…. and he’ll only get better working with Dave Hoopla.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 11, 2008 at 11:56 AM

His college 3 point numbers don’t really provide any info. His overall 42% is *not* high, Rook, especially if you think that a guy his size will have more trouble getting his shot off in the league than the Big Ten.

I hope (not “think”) he’ll be a “good enough shooter to start out,” but where he starts from in .327 overall and .215 from 3pt range; those are actual numbers he put up. Admittedly, the sample is small, but it’s where you start.

As I have said, I *definitely like him* and I like picking him up. But, if he’d shot well, he wouldn’t be in a marginal position re: the league, as he is. Lets hope he does really well for us. Ernie is definitely a good evaluator of basketball potential.

Comment from Bridge
Time July 11, 2008 at 11:56 AM

“I think were all needed on here…” – - –
You’re right about that WF4Life; we especially need the women on here representin’

‘“Happy Stuff” was many many a year ago when I was a “child of the 60’s” LOL.’ – - – GR
LMAO – am I really reading this right^ lol…How you gonna say, “Oh, that ‘was many many…A (I repeat, A) year ago’” unless you didn’t mean to type it that way. A year ago wasn’t tha 60’s; you are crrraaazzy lol…

Comment from Bridge
Time July 11, 2008 at 11:57 AM

Ok, about basketball…I just wanna wait and see what DB can do. I think that I’ve read some comments claiming that DB would be a good replacement in place of AD (when his contract expires)? That’s funny. AD, like Mason cannot be replaced, that’s a hell of a player right there. AD (for his age) is super-quick and I love his game because he never “over-does” it or “under-does” it – he just goes out there every time and do what he’s gotta do. Heck, when his contract is up he should be given two options: to either come back as 1) a player; or to come back as 2) a coach. He’d be a GREAT coach (I think).

Comment from zxhoya
Time July 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM

Is there a reason why I keep seeing Dee Brown being compared to Tony Parker?
They are both quick and that’s about where the comparisons stop in my opinion, Tony is an attacker, a scorer. Dee is very quick with the ball but not aggressive to the rim, but I like him as our 3rd guard.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 11, 2008 at 12:59 PM

just got back from mini-camp, about to start a new topic. Once it’s up feel free to fire away with questions. I’ll need to scan through the vids and pics and get quotes so it will be up sometime in the next couple of hours, ill try to answer quesitons along the way.

Comment from zxhoya
Time July 11, 2008 at 1:00 PM

Thanks SportzWiz.