Comment from Phemy
Time July 13, 2008 at 4:47 PM

….welcome home agent zero

Comment from Da_Big_Taba
Time July 13, 2008 at 4:48 PM

cant wait to see him back in action for next season. if everone is healthy there is no doubt i think we can at least get past the 1st round in the playoffs

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 13, 2008 at 5:22 PM

It is very nice to have our core guys back under contract. Every year since Ernie and Eddie have taken over the reigns of this team we have gotten better. We did again this year by getting another big and “probably” another point guard. Now that Songaila has replaced Ruffin, Pesh has replaced Booth, Nick has replaced Donnell Taylor, Caron (in a way) has replaced Kwame, and we no longer have guys like Anthony Peeler, Mike Hall, and Samaki Walker we should be a legitimate contender again this year.

Comment from neal
Time July 13, 2008 at 5:39 PM

Yes, we keep getting a little better on paper. Our record doesn’t reflect it because of the injuries.

But to really compete for the east championship I think we need:
for the team to really buy into team play on both ends of the court, and for at least one of our young guys to blossum into a big-time player. We’ve got to come off the bench with more than Songaila and Daniels who are capable veterans. I don’t count Thomas because he’s always hurt part of the year.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 13, 2008 at 5:47 PM

Neal I think if “everyone” and by that I mean “everyone” plays the “team” game this year we will a very good team. We showed last year how playing team ball was really our kind of game. It’s nice to watch Gil jack up 50, but, in the long run that isn’t going to win us a championship. I hope the Wizards are planning on bringing both Coach Ayers and Coach Hopla back.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 13, 2008 at 6:00 PM

This is great news finally the “official” word is here. Welcome back home Gil, and the fans are positive you and the entire team can have a banner in the phone booth. I would also really like to see all of the assistants get longer than a one year extenstion as well.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 13, 2008 at 6:03 PM

Neal,

As a person and a competitor I really like Etan, I am just not sure if we should not try to package him in a trade, Like trading him to OKC, they need a veteran and they also have a Power Forward that would like great in the Wizards uniform, Chris Wilcox.

Comment from tyrone20000
Time July 13, 2008 at 6:43 PM

Welcome home Gilbert Arena! You guys should be able to win it all this year!

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 13, 2008 at 7:50 PM

back to the last blog post where jg004 said he read a report by marc stein on espn.com about us being “very” interested in posey. Does anybody know where it is?

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 13, 2008 at 7:57 PM

nevermind, i found it. Yea we would have to shed salary to make an offer without going over the tax, but we can offer the full MLE, but would go over the tax. Abe please go over for the SAKE OF THE TEAM!!!

Comment from Gtown87
Time July 13, 2008 at 9:00 PM

Im trusting the organization here. I think they wanna see how Dom plays in summer league before they spend money on another 3-man. Supposedly he lost 10 lbs. over the summer. If he can defend the perimeter this year, he can backup Caron and there’s no need for Posey or Barnes.

If we do go after another 3-man, I think it will be via trade.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 13, 2008 at 9:27 PM

i wouldnt mind a trade giving a team looking for 2010 expiring contracts.

i proposed a new york trade on another board and it didnt go so well.
i threw in blatche and ppl didnt like it so i made another similar trade:

Wiz trade: daniels, thomas, stevenson, memphis pick
NY trades: Richardson, Robinson, Crawford, 09 2nd

Why?
1. NY gets 17 million dollars in expiring contracts for 2010, to compete with the other teams like NJ for Lebron and others.
2. AD could serve as a great backup to duhon. Also they get 2 other decent vets until 2010.
3. We add a decent backup SF in richardson that can stroke it. Also i think crawford would do well in this system, and also he needs a change in scenary. And robinson could serve as a reliable backup along with Dee brown.
YES, i know richardson’s and Crawfords contracts are ridiculous. But this trade is just a thought.
Also its obvious that after Arenas on the depth chart the height of our PG’s would be noticed.

So…

Arenas/Robinson/Brown
Crawford/Young
Butler/Richardson/McGuire
Jamison/Songaila/Pecherov
Haywood/Blatche/McGee

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 13, 2008 at 10:12 PM

It is also nice to have so many of the players currently on the team that play multiple positions too.

If we don’t pick up a good 15th man for less than the luxury tax threshold I’m happy where we are. I see no need at this point to lose anybody.

Daniels would be almost the very last player I’d trade right now. If Arenas comes back completely healthy…. even then probably not, but, certainly not now. If Arenas has even a little hitch in his get a long we would need a guy like Daniels to step right in so we lose no time.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 14, 2008 at 12:24 AM

what is up with guy wanting to trade stevenson. DS is in everyone of them! aye he is my favorite so back off! i won alot of money with him getting me steals on 2k8 last season. on that game defensively he is a beasts. ne way enuff of the lolligagging im happy to see gil return but im not thrilled cause we still have the same d@mn roster. we need to land posey and we will be in the finals. yes i said it. if we can get james posey we will be in the finals. every position is solid except the 3. dominic has more potential than young, pech, and blatche to me but he just has to keep working on his game. dominic has something the rest of them dont have. he has heart. when he gets on the floor he is literally fighting to make something happen for us. he wants to prove himself. young just tries to fill up the stat sheet and make highlights. blatche is so inconsistent i was hoping muresean could come back. and pech is like a cartoon out there…. he is just funny. dominic and etan have heart. their not trying to impress ne one their just going to war. and thats just what we need “a junk yard dog” but he cant hit the 3 like posey and he is not strong enough for lebron and pierce. well congrats gil i pray that u and the entire team stay away from injuries. Gil has some “kind of influence” on management. they obviously try their best to please them. gil wanted stevenson to get a contract and he got it. he said if no twan no me and he got it. well dammit man tell them to get posey Gilbert! LOL just dont do like elton did. im sorry for tha cheap shot lol

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2008 at 12:47 AM

Gee Wiz… I’ll be honest. I have no idea why folks have been talking of trading Deshawn (he is under a very reasonable contract), Songaila (see Deshawn lol), and Daniels (who’s contract is really undervalued). Not to mention they are 3 of our best players all things considered.

It’s probably just the summer league boredom syndrome lol. With the team we already have, and, maybe finding one more bright star in summer league I’m eager to see the team Eddie and Ernie (that sounds almost like a muppet skit… oh well lol) put on the floor in october.

McGee, Mcguire, Blatche, Pesh (maybe – this ankle thing has to Go Away), DB (thrill us Dee), Nick, and Vladimir? Oh Vladimir where have you gone? all in action tomorrow nite on NBAtv and Comcast in our first game of summer league. I’m flat out ready for it too

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 14, 2008 at 1:13 AM

I’ve noticed this too. Why does everyones trades, involve trading Stevenson. I thought we were trying to get better on defense?

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 14, 2008 at 1:31 AM

I’ve also noticed Songaila coming up in a lot of theses proposed trades, and I just cant understand why we would trade arguably our most consistent player coming off the bench last year, so we can have a 2nd year player, backing Caron up at the 3.

While I think Blatche is a good player, I’m looking forward to seeing him improve greatly this summer, and season. He’s just too incosistent to me, and thats not what you need coming off your bench. Some games he plays extremely well, and in others it seems he tries to do too much. Watching him, it seems as if sometimes he’s trying to play guard, when he supposed to be playing forward. I’m looking for major improvements from him this season.

Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 14, 2008 at 5:56 AM

Well everyone includes Stevenson, BECAUSE he is a solid player at a VERY reasonable price. Im NOT sayin we should trade him

Comment from aznzero
Time July 14, 2008 at 7:12 AM

the hibichi grill has been started

Comment from zxhoya
Time July 14, 2008 at 8:26 AM

I believe the Wiz will stand pat, see how the season plays out with a healthy team and I agree with that move. With a healthy team for a full season and the maturation of the young guns I see promise and I’m excited.

Comment from Bridge
Time July 14, 2008 at 9:32 AM

Well, I think that Stevenson is more inconsistent than Blatche, and Stevenson is one of our starters. From watching games very closely, EJ just basically did to Blatche what he did to Brendan the previous season – cut his minutes down towards the end of the season. Blatche’s weakness is that he can’t control his emotions/temper while playing, which affects his game. Yes, DS can hold people but he’s not aggressive – he just puts his hand up when his opponent is taking a shot…but ok, that’s defense; naw, that’s that “new-school defense” that everybody thinks is “good” defense. His name really doesn’t bother me in “proposed trades” like AD’s and D-Song’s does. Those are two solid players, and in my opinion, D-Song has our best defense and he kinda makes us fun to watch. He reminds me of Luc Longley so much for some reason…Hey, we got our “Luc Longley” and “Rodman!” lol. DS, I think, shouldn’t be a starter – EJ should make him “fight for it” like he seems to do with our Centers. I agree about NY, that he only seems to want to fill the “stat sheet and make highlights.” This stuff about acquiring Posey is ridiculous – he was P. Riley’s “henchmen.” I don’t see defensive, I see dirty (player). If he becomes a Wizard, then I’ll be opting out as a Wiz fan.

I’m so excited because I get to watch a summer league game tonight!

Comment from neal
Time July 14, 2008 at 10:20 AM

Well, we have most of our eggs in the Arenas basket. I just hope he comes back at his peak and has learned a bit about team ball.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:13 AM

im not gonna lie, i love stevenson to death but at times i think people confuse what defense is. he is a good defensive player but honestly he just gets in their grill meaning “gets ti close for comfort” for the opposing players like bowen, but when they make a quick move most of them get by him. but sometimes i dont think deshawn gives his best effort on d, i think when they get by him he gives up on the play. he also does not go for steals either he just stays in front of the opponent. but with that being said he is still our best perimeter defender hands down. one last thing he does that i do not like is that he does not run back on defense during fast breaks. but a big plus is that he makes players uncomfortable when he gaurds them and besides james and vince carter nobody gets the best of him when playing. kobe is not that great when stevenson is gaurding him. but t-mac has his way with him cause he has played with him and is much taller. so stevenson has his way with the majority of players at SG. bridge ur in milwaulkee ( i know i aint spell that right) lol. but i have seen deshawn straight up shut down redd 3 times twice in orlando. ne way i like posey, call him a henchmen if u want but to be honest that is what we need. we need to get physical. we did everything to bump lebron in the playoffs but it was not enough to stop him from coming back in there, we need someone to send a message. im gonna bump u and im gonna stop u. and on the other end i am going to score. and just like the celtics our entire team has to help out when someone gets beaten on a play which the wiz did not do for stevenson. fouling actually helps lebron because where he might not had scored on the play he can score on the free throw line.

Comment from Gtown87
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:17 AM

Cant trade Deshawn. Too crucial for our defense.

Comment from Gtown87
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:20 AM

Songaila can go. We have Blatche and Pecherov behind Antawn.

“Blatche averaged a career-best 7.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks last season. In 15 games as a starter he averaged 11.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.93 blocks. Criticized at times in the last three seasons for having a subpar work ethic, Blatche said he has “turned into a gym rat this summer.”

Those are very good numbers given the minutes he played behind Jamison/Haywood. Not too many guys average 2 blocks a game. And almost a double-double when he got significant minutes

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:36 AM

The Blatche stat doesn’t mention how many fouls and turnovers he averaged in games he started. He is very talented, but he is not a player yet. On the other hand, lets not forget that had he gone to college he’d be starting his senior year.

Can we be better than last year? Win more games and get home court advantage in round 1? Win Round 1? Get to the Conference Finals?

Maybe we can achieve some of that — if Etan comes back at his regular career level, if Gilbert shoots a career-high FG% (as far as him playing defense — forget about it), if Nick becomes an NBA player in most facets of his game. If the other starters don’t fall off.

Hope all those things come to fruition.

Comment from Bridge
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:40 AM

I just think that since people see DS more than somebody like D-Song, then more of the credit is gonna be given to the guy that’s seen more (DS). Oh, I know what defense is – defense is what players on teams like Detroit and Chicago do a hell of a job of, but that’s just my opinion. No, “too close for comfort” would be a player like Rodman. I’m not saying that the man can’t hold anyone; I’m just saying that he’s not at the top of my list. But of course he’ll be seen as one of Washington’s “best” d-players; because the Wiz don’t really have too many “defensive-minded” players. He’s like their “token-player” for defense. Me being in Milwaukee is like nothing to me, so why would you bring that up? Lol. Sorry though, I know that you’re all pro-Stevenson.

Wow, my middle-finger shirts would not have fit such a “classy” organization, but someone (Posey) who breaks noses and causes hard fouls…would.

Comment from Bridge
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:45 AM

“Cant trade Deshawn. Too crucial for our defense.” – - Gtown87

When you find “our defense” let me know, because last time I checked we were one of the bottom teams as far as “good” defense goes…

GO D-SONG!! (who they suspended cuz he was seen as a “threat” to Le-baby James lol).
-let me not get too involved with this blog stuff though cuz I got places to go, people to see lol…

Comment from tyrone20000
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:45 AM

Blatche decided to play in the summer league because he understands that he needs to improve in Eddie Jordans plans. I just can’t see trading any of the Wizards right now. It would be a foolish mistake at this point. Maybe after midseason, but now-why?

Comment from tyrone20000
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:51 AM

As far as Songaila goes people tend to dismiss that last game suspension against Cleveland as little consequences. He offers a change of pace, understanding of the game, and will hit that outside shot. Cleveland was one of the few teams that exploited him on the pick and roll because of L James but the guy is a key piece.

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:54 AM

Bridge I agree, Stevenson is inconsistent as well. But the part of his game that I find to be inconsistent is his offense. When his shot is on, it’s on (see game 3), but when its off, its off all game (see game 1). I’m in no way saying he’s our best defender. Lets face it; he is no Bruce Bowen. But he does contribute to our defensive core of players (which in my mind is Butler, Haywood, Stevenson, Daniels, and DMAC). Those guys actually put forth effort into playing defense. Deshawn’s “new school defense” beats no defense anyday of the week. Last year we couldn’t defend the perimeter at all. Teams came to play us, and did a 3 point shootout on us. The majority of the time the players were standing wide open, without so much as a hand in their face. But with Stevenson you know he’s going to stay on his man, and atleast contest the shot. Overall I’m saying, we shouldn’t trade Stevenson Blatche, or Songaila. Just keep the team together, and let them go play.(Hopefully we can stay healthy most of the season). I’m with you on Posey. He dosen’t overly impress me. If we were to some how get him, I would be okay with it, but if we didn’t it wouldn’t bother me either. I like the roster we already have. (especially with the addition of Dee Brown)

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 14, 2008 at 12:19 PM

sometimes i feel like i should put on the #2 jersey and just take some of yall on the court! lol. deshawn does his job no doubt and compared to nick young deshawn is all around. nick has no defense, he doesnt even seem like he wants to play D. so with that being said u guys need to get use to deshawn. just like gil, we cheer deshawn on and then we nail him. game 3 he won for us hands down. he gave us hope when some wizards didn’t show up at all in the playoffs. when gilbert went out deshawn, AD, twan and haywood literally carried us. and they all had their moments and believe me it wouldnt have been possible without either one of them. another point……. how come when gil goes out the d gets better, and when gil is in the d falls off. well that tells me deshawn does his job. its just Gil. deshawn again….. is our best defender. we all got our favorite wiz players, and i could care less if deshawn averages 1.2 points per game im gonna root for em, he had a great season so right about now i can’t feel my face! lol. u cannot deny that he made this an interesting and exciting season for the wizards. though a bit of distraction……….. just to know where some of u are coming from, do u all feel that what we have is enough to get us there (meaning win it all) or do u feel like we need to add one more big piece? or like bulletman…… just trade deshawn and darius and we will be fine lol

Comment from Gtown87
Time July 14, 2008 at 12:27 PM

“When you find “our defense” let me know, because last time I checked we were one of the bottom teams as far as “good” defense goes…”

Lol. Exactly. When your team doesnt play defense well, you should try and keep the one or two guys who atleast give an effort

Comment from Gtown87
Time July 14, 2008 at 12:36 PM

“When you find “our defense” let me know, because last time I checked we were one of the bottom teams as far as “good” defense goes…”
- Bridge

Lol. Exactly. When your team doesnt play defense well, you should try and keep the one or two guys who atleast give an effort

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 14, 2008 at 12:44 PM

Gee Wiz, when you said “Gil has some “kind of influence” on management. they obviously try their best to please them”, the first thing that came to my mind was, “of course”, he’s the franchise player. When your talking about a Franchise player, your talking about the person you are going to build your team around, and for our team, Gil is that guy. So management needs to put the best pieces around him so the team can be successful for many years. So if Gil thinks Tawn is an important reason for his success then management needed to get him re-signed, and they did. But I do think Stevenson, and Jamison would have been brought back anyway, without any of Gil’s consent. It’s funny because he does seem to have some influence, but at the end of the day EG is making the decisions, and theres no way Gil has enough influence to make management go over the luxury tax to get Posey.

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 14, 2008 at 12:59 PM

Gee Wiz, I agree with you on Stevenson. I definitely want him on this team. He helps make up the core of this team. Thats why he got an extension like Gil, and Caron, and Tawn, because he is needed here. I dont want any of our current player traded anywhere. I say lets roll with the roster we have. If we stay healthy most of the season, theres going to be big problems for the rest of the eastern conference.

Comment from tyrone20000
Time July 14, 2008 at 1:01 PM

When Gil is playing I think the pace of the game picks up significantly more so than his defense.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 14, 2008 at 1:13 PM

good point g-town. it is not that big of a deal if a team does not win the big one as loing as management did their best to put the team out there. does save as much money as possible stop being stingy get what u can get and go for it all. they are already millionaires. gil gave up 16 mil…… oh how nice of him but at the same time its not that much definitley when mason went away anyway. we have more than enough offense from gil, twan, caron, young and contributions from stevenson, haywood, darius and blatche. but on d we only have a few. we are gonna score, i not only give credit to the players but it is the system too. no matter who is out we continue to put points on the board. every october we come in and say were focusing on d well how about in july lets focus on it and bring some in cause nearly being in last place on d as a playoff team isn’t attractive. one big thing that bothers me is what exactly are we going to do with mcgee, we have etan and brendan so where would he fit in the rotation at center. he probably won’t get much time at all this year.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 14, 2008 at 1:15 PM

sorry i have big fingers “as long as management did their best to put the best team out there”

Comment from dmac
Time July 14, 2008 at 1:59 PM

Let’s be realistic about it. Abe and EG have rolled the dice on Agent Zero that he will come back to his previous all star game. The Wiz Org. is hoping the Big 3 and rest of the team can continue to improve on their previous success. That is going beyond Cleveland or who ever they may face in the first, second, third round and move onto the finals.
All I’m saying is the proof is in the puddin. Until then……….

Comment from ant123
Time July 14, 2008 at 3:34 PM

PLEASE SIGN Matt Barnes!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE SIGN Matt Barnes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from Gtown87
Time July 14, 2008 at 4:32 PM

Maybe Forbes makes the team to help Dom backup Caron? It would save us some money rather than signing a veteran. And I think his scoring ability balanced with Dom’s defense off the bench would give us a choice depending on game situation when Caron sits down.

Its not like Caron is gonna spend very much time on the bench anyway, whether we sign Barnes, Posey or just stick with Mcguire.

And if he (Caron) gets hurt at all this season (God forbid), I see AB moving to the starting lineup at the 4, Jamison bumps up to the 3, and we play big, yet still athletic.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 14, 2008 at 4:54 PM

Mike Hall, no to Matt Barnes IMO, Keith Bogans or Maurice Evans, I think any of those would be a steal. Mike Hall really played well for the Wizards and already knows the offense.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 14, 2008 at 5:01 PM

Mike Hall is in the D League last year here are his stats:

SEASON AVERAGES
Season Team G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
07-08 TUL 48 43 37.3.413 .345 .855 2.7 4.7 7.4 3.1 1.1 0.3 1.75 2.00 15.7

Comment from wiz fut
Time July 14, 2008 at 5:36 PM

congragulation arenas,,,

well i think the 05-06 arenas deserve that kind of deal… 42+ minutes, 29+ points, 6+ assists, 82% free throw, 45% from the field, 37% 3points, almost 9 points per game in the fourth. the team is back the same way we have scorers in antwan and coran we need size and health. i love you arenas i love your game but that is the nature healthy hughes better than the hughes now that every one want to get rid off at the same time the healthy arenas is better than the 111 million dollar arenas that we have now.

Comment from AUNDRA
Time July 14, 2008 at 6:35 PM

I really wish the bloggers look at Stevensons stats before you send the best defensive option we got down the road. Look this guy never gets hurt and has a mean streak that I like when it comes to the NBA. He plays against the Kobes , Lebrons, and Mcgradys of the league with good results. His freethrows percentage has gone way up, his turnovers have gone done and he finally knows his role on this defensively challenged team! I like this guy so go ahead and tear him up he needs more haters to make his mindset even stronger!

Comment from AUNDRA
Time July 14, 2008 at 6:45 PM

I really like the Posey senario but I know Abe and his personality has always been conservative so going over the salary cap is out of the question! However if we could make a trade that would enable Posey to fall into our lap then that would be the most feasible option. Ernie the master of trades would be the only genius able to pull that off!

Comment from Point Guard
Time July 14, 2008 at 7:00 PM

I’m pretty sure Stevenson isn’t getting traded anywhere. I wouldn’t think that management would resign him just to trade him after just 1 season under his new contract. He knows his role on this team, and game after game he plays it well. AUNDRA those are nice stats that you listed. You also made a good point about his health, because we need more players that can stay healthy all season. He also has developed into our best 3 point option besides Gil. I keep hearing that he’s not aggressive enough on defense. What ? Besides Caron theres no one on this need more aggressive on defense. Those 2 gives this team defensive presence, and toughness that no other player gives us.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:15 PM

Thank you 2. Almost thought for a minute i was alone in this. One thing AUNDRA Stevenson DID get hurt last year. He played 3/4 of the year with a knee the size of a grapefruit. Didn’t stop him though. The guy is tough. He made more 3 pointers last year alone than he did in his previous years in the NBA COMBINED! When he gets down in “that stance” the opposing player knows he is in for a fight.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2008 at 11:18 PM

Since he has been with us Deshawn is turning into the player everyone though he would be coming out of High School.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 15, 2008 at 12:50 AM

im loving the fact that yall are supporting my boy stevenson, cause i am always supporting him. grifon that knee ur talking about has been bothering him since orlando. its been 3 years now since that has been going on. it started the summer that brian came to orlando. stevenson had surgery on it. so something is really bad with that knee but all of this time he has been playing on it. and like someone mentioned earlier well kinda… stevenson is in third place in the entire NBA for most consecutive games played behind bowen and prince. grifon u also made the point about deshawn turnung into the player we thought he be out of high school….. no not exactly the guy only averaged 34 points a game in high school, he was suppose to come in a be a point gaurd and replace john stockton. so he was really looked upon to strictly be a scorer. sloan gave him toughness and after so much criticism on stevenson’s shot being inconsistent brian hill decided he wanted to train him more on defense. deshawn was allowed to take jumpers and slash but they did not want him shooting 3′s they thought his shot was not good enough. check out his stats the last year with the magic and see how many attempts he had at 3 point shooting. im not going to cause im positive on it. so here in washington they made him a 3 point shooter. well not really stevensons shot is flat, so his best shot was a corner jump shot. and since the 3 point line is not a farther in the corners he was able to make them here at washington the first year and then he was able to stretch that all around. but washington propelled his career and i believe this is home for him. i go to the local barbershop here in orlando and dwight has mentioned numerous times that he is glad for deshawn and that deshawn was his favorite teammate cause he got him so energized when he played d. of course he and deshawn are still friends and deshawn lives in orlando during the summer. but dwight always speaks highly of him thats all i talk about when i see him, maybe 5-7 times a year at the barbershop and mama johnson’s soul food! lol

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 15, 2008 at 12:53 AM

i started the summer that “brian hill” came to orlando or became the new coach again for orlando. i think it came from a collision between he and grant hill. oh yea and i also met dwight at halloween horror nights…. he loves that place. he just a big a#$ kid

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 15, 2008 at 2:05 AM

yes Gee Wiz, but, everyone was considering him a “bust” before he came here. It seems Deshawn and the Wizards are kindred spirits

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 15, 2008 at 10:45 AM

true, they were considering him a busts. matter of fact in orlando at one point they said he was the worst starting 2 gaurd in the league.

Comment from d.c.
Time July 16, 2008 at 4:10 PM

I think it was tooooo big a risk to give Gil 111 mil. Especially when it’s not concrete that he’ll be the same player that he showed himself to be pre-injury.But to think about it…to get the same player would not be the order of the day either.At least not operating fron the point guard’s spot.In my opinion Gil,(though talented) is a selfish self promoter who couldn’t stand to see his teammates function so well as a team without him.It will always ring in my head that Gil threw his team under the bus in his absence last season stating that the wiz were a good team without him,but a great team with him. He couldn’t just praise his team for doing well without him,which in most circles was deemed the impossible.There was more continuity in theteams play because everyone knew that the mad gunman Arenas wouldn’t be jacking up jumpers all game. Here ,the team still produced two All-star players and made the playoffs without his help. For all the buzzer beaters and high point games produced Gil wasn’t worth the max or the # he signed for because he has not shown the ability to make his teammates better.
Suppose,that knee never gets right.You’re stuck with him,and the cap space he munches on.Ernie shoulda showed some nads and offered less because realisticly this team is a solid big man and a true point guard away from being in the hunt.The blessing in disguise was seeing Caron butler emerge beside a steady Jamison.That 111 could’ve probably got maggette,and Brand here.Who coulda argued with that.O.K no Gil …big deal.If Rondo can anchor the C’s the Wiz coulda found a pg to keep it solid with team play in mind. Now the team is banking on a attitude adjustment and a knee that is in question. G-Wiz what were you guys thinking about.