Washington Wizards Blog

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 29, 2008 at 4:23 PM

Reports say that the 2d year is his option. I find it hard to believe that he is worth this money (not that it’s a lot in NBA terms).

Comment from neal
Time July 30, 2008 at 8:56 AM

There was also a former Wizard named Ham that played for Detroit for a year, wasn’t there?

Comment from FantasticWiz
Time July 30, 2008 at 8:58 AM

neal… I should have mentioned “1st rounder” by the Wizards. Webber is the exception.

Comment from popcornkid
Time July 30, 2008 at 9:44 AM

Yeah and don’t forget the other players who went from Wizards to BAD BOYS (without regard to round drafted):

RIP HAMILTON
BEN WALLACE
RASHEED WALLACE

Comment from FantasticWiz
Time July 30, 2008 at 9:56 AM

Yor’re right… popcornkid. BTW, Davin Ham played for the Wizards for one season (’97-’98) and was on the same squad with Rip and Wallaces in 2003-05.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2008 at 12:23 PM

Well, obviously, Rip and Rasheed were first rounders. Big Ben wasn’t drafted.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2008 at 12:26 PM

The Houston Rockets just acquired Ron Artest. It’s the West, so who cares, but they could be a pretty good team this year! They gave up Bobby Jackson, newly-drafted Donte Greene, and a next year first round pick. Greene can’t be officially traded until 8/14, so the trade won’t be made official until then.

Comment from millie mill
Time July 30, 2008 at 1:01 PM

It seem like a lot of teams are making moves. I hope the Wizards are as good or better than last year by staying with the same roster.

I never knew that a player that makes as much money as Artest and Camby could be traded for players making way less or draft picks. I thought the money had to match.

Comment from millie mill
Time July 30, 2008 at 1:07 PM

I hope Mcgee turns out to be better than P.J. Ramos they just so happen to wear the same number.

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 30, 2008 at 1:09 PM

i think the pistons overpaid Kwame. Yea, his is a legit 7 footer, and they dont come around that often, but 4 million a season…
Maybe thats just me but man….

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 30, 2008 at 1:12 PM

Guys the artest deal really makes me mad.
Look at this:

AD is better than bobby j IMO and think most would agree.

The deal was jackson, greene, 1st, cash FOR Artest

We coulda offered AD, Blatche, 1st FOR Artest
Thats a better package IMO
EG …..WHY!!!!!

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 30, 2008 at 1:15 PM

milli mill:
Artest is making between 7-8 million
Bobby jackson and Greene’s contract combined to be around that number so it does match up.
Also camby made about 8 million and LA was way under the cap so they could absorb his contract for a 2nd round pick.

Comment from millie mill
Time July 30, 2008 at 1:22 PM

wizbulletman0 Thanks for clearing that up.

Comment from millie mill
Time July 30, 2008 at 1:43 PM

wizbulletman0
I’m guessing you would have Artest coming off the bench. For some reason I think if Blatche dosen’t have a real break out year this year he will be traded but, right know the Wizards have a steal in a guy that can play C, PF and SF for 2.5 mil. Also if we trade away AD we won’t have a back up PG. God forbid some happen the Agent 0 the only backup we would have is Dee Brown. :’(

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 30, 2008 at 2:06 PM

my plan would have been move butler to SG and have EG go out and sign a cheap vet pg.
so we wouldnt have to worry about young being our majority backup at SG.

Our lineup would have been:

Arenas/Vet pg/Brown
Butler/Stevenson/Young
Artest/McGuire
Jamison/Songaila/Pecherov
Haywood/Thomas/McGee

Comment from dmac
Time July 30, 2008 at 2:12 PM

Detroit signing for KB for 4 mill is a good deal both way’s. He is still young and is 7 ft and 265 wt. He will be a space eater for the Pistons. He does not have to score much and if he can stay out of trouble it may be a team he can finish his career with.
Only the first year is guranteed. So if he does not work out it’s no lost for Detroit.
Plus they are trying to move Sheed and his contract so they can make a big splash next year in FA.
Artest in Houston is a good fit for Houston. Since we resigned AJ their is no way we could have used artest on our team at his salary. Plus we already have tough juice.
It seems EG is content in working with what we got.

Comment from neal
Time July 30, 2008 at 2:18 PM

Artest would have to be a steal before I would be interested. Not a good fit for a team with so many straight arrows and young kids.

I thought Ham was a good minimum salary guy. I hated to see him go.

Maybe Dumars has finally made a mistake on a former Wizards guy. Or maybe he can bring out what we, the Puddlers, and the Phizzlies couldn’t.

Dumars owes us a few. He’s probably trying to trade us back the guys he got from us as they go over over the hill.

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 30, 2008 at 3:08 PM

there was an article on deshawn’s “i cant feel my face” thingy….. firstly let me say that last season on the wizards website they asked deshawn where did it come from or what does it mean…… i cant find it but i know it happened. now i am a big fan of deshawn but let me make it clear. deshawn never said he created that. it was first seen “nationally” but someone always gets something from someone else….. on tony yayo “seductive” video which is true is connected to a cocaine reference. im so high right now i cant feel my face. maybe deshawn means i just made that shot in ur grill and i bet u cant feel ur face…… like man that was nasty….?? but that does not mean deshawn is saying hey world look at me im high off coke. maybe he just likes the little gesture. when use the peace sign……. but that comes from “stick it up ur #@@” lol seriously but were not saying that. also deshawn is a big lil wayne fan and lil wayne does that gesture meaning “u cant see me” im invisible right now. meaning u cant stop me right now. they also said john cena does it but deshawn may not even watch wrestling. ne way it doesnt matter where it came from……. deshawn definitely put it on the map. it is a gesture that every nba player and fan knows. i seen a dunk during a carolina game when the whole bench was doing deshawns gesture last year it was on espn highlights in that particular night. so the basketball world knows it from deshawn the rap world knows it came from yayo…….. people cant say deshawn stole it….. just check the video from the interview with deshawn last year and he will clearly state where he got it from…….. gee wiz lol whats the big deal people????? i am writing this cause i saw the articles blog responses off around the net

Comment from gee wiz
Time July 30, 2008 at 3:31 PM

lets not forgot sports is entertainment. its a personality thing. some are laid back some are expressive. some just go out there and get the job done. some get it done and have fun while they do it. gil and deshawn of course are our crazy ones. but hey gestures are nothing new. gil does the hibachi. KG talks more trash than anyone. MJ sticks the tongue out or gives the shhhh sign like reggie miller. lebron throws up the rock sign. mutumbo waives the finger. the mailman and mourning flexes their muscle. shaq and steve mcnair flashes the q-dawg sign (fraternity). brett favre is a gun slinger. my good friend culpepper (UCF) alumn gets his roll on. its what the fans expect to see from certain players and love to see if thats ur favorite player. it is a part of the game. to be honest it is a type of ritual at times cause u see other fans do it too. like in the playoffs every shot deshawn made the building erupts with i cant feel my face. so let em have fun baby! if u dont like the flashy stuff just do you….. whatever it takes to get the job done baby

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time July 30, 2008 at 3:40 PM

any one seen Gils mill.. $ pool yet ?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2008 at 4:29 PM

I love Ron Artest, but not every good player is someone we need.

*Why* do people keep trying to trade Antonio Daniels? He is *the heart* of the team. He certainly is more productive for us than Artest would be.

Comment from AUNDRA
Time July 30, 2008 at 9:08 PM

Rip Hamilton was the only regret because Jordan failed to let him develop into a All-Star.
Rasheed Wallace head case.Ben Wallace freethrow liability.Darvin Ham not ready for the NBA. Juan Dixon was exciting but never a consistent factor off the bench.Jarvis Hayes just down right nervous when he got on the court, one dimensional jumpshot only. Chris Webber a mult-talented Big Man who had great pass instincts but couldnot keep out of trouble when not in uniform!Kwame Brown another headcase who will not except responsiblity for anything he does wrong! I would like to see Kwame get therapy and make a change for the better because no one was born to be a loser!

Comment from AUNDRA
Time July 30, 2008 at 9:29 PM

Oh by the way congrats Agent Zero on your Pool. Lets have a pool party! Invited guests only! I can’t wait to see it on display because I heard its the Big Kahunna! It will make the pool at the Atlantis in the Bahamas look small by comparison!

Comment from neal
Time July 30, 2008 at 9:35 PM

Well, here’s my take Aundra:
Rip Hamilton – agreed
Ben Wallace – rebounds and D more than made up for his missed FT’s
Darvin Ham – he was worth his pay
Juan Dixon – debatable
Jarvis Hayes – agreed, after first injury he was always tentative
Chris Webber – we should have had more patience and/or traded Howard instead
Kwame Brown – agreed, and I’m glad he’s not our problem now

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2008 at 7:20 AM

Trading Hamilton was a big mistake — but, the whole league overrated Stackhouse. He hasn’t contributed in Dallas either.

Trading Rasheed was NUTS — was that Wes who did that? Or was it John Nash? Players with his size, skill, and intensity don’t come along often, and his career proves my point.

Ben Wallace went in the trade for Ike Austin — a Wes Unseld special. Another horrible trade.

Trading Webber for a washed-up Mitch Richmond was another Wes Unseld special. What did Webber do off-court, does anyone remember? Or do you mostly remember what he did *on-court?* Yeah.

As to picking Hayes, well, Pietrus went right after him and would have been the better pick, obviously — but who knew?

Comment from neal
Time July 31, 2008 at 7:31 AM

Webber held some wild parties that I wasn’t invited to. I remember it well.

I forgot to mention Rasheed Wallace. He was a big loss. Who did we get for him?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2008 at 10:01 AM

We got a point guard from Portland — very good player, but past his prime. I can see him in my mind, but his name is just out of my grasp.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2008 at 10:22 AM

Rod Strickland.

Comment from millie mill
Time July 31, 2008 at 11:15 AM

What do you guys think about a trade with Denver that would bring J.R. Smith here for Stevenson?

Deshawn Stevenson’s 2007-08 Statistics
PPG 11.2
RPG 2.9
APG 3.1
SPG 0.8
BPG 0.2
FG% 0.386
FT% 0.797
3P% 0.383
MPG 31.3

J.R. Smith’s 2007-08 Statistics
PPG 12.3
RPG 2.1
APG 1.7
SPG 0.8
BPG 0.2
FG% 0.461
FT% 0.719
3P% 0.403
MPG 19.2

Comment from dopeboyfresh
Time July 31, 2008 at 11:32 AM

does anyone know if Antonio Daniels ever had surgery on his wrist?………

Comment from millie mill
Time July 31, 2008 at 11:46 AM

dopeboyfresh I asked that question a few weeks after the season and I think Sportswiz said that he didn’t have surgery. He said it was something that can probably heal with time and rest.

Comment from neal
Time July 31, 2008 at 2:04 PM

Sure Millie, I’d make that trade. Smith is a FA, so it would be a sign & trade deal. The only way Denver would do it would be if they couldn’t sign and keep him (Smith refused to stay there).

Comment from dmac
Time July 31, 2008 at 2:33 PM

I would not trade DS for JRSMITH. Talent wise JR is great but he is a head case. He is not as good of a defensive player as DS. Case closed.
We be foolish to trade Antonio Daniels. If our bench is to help this year then it will be cause of the leadership of Antonio. He is not flashy but he is effective.

Comment from millie mill
Time July 31, 2008 at 4:18 PM

Stevenson talked sh*t to Lebron James and James whoop our butts in the playoffs. Smith talked sh*t to Kobe and Kobe whoop their butts in the playoffs.

No one has offered Smith anything yet. Plus he average those point of the bench with only 19.2 minutes playing time. In the playoffs he averaged 18ppg.

Denver also needs Defensive player, we do too but I can’t see not making that trade (if it was available) because Stevenson is a better defensive player. I really don’t see Stevenson locking down anyone. If Stevenson played like Bruce Bowen and scored like he already does than no question.

I don’t know too much about him being a head case. I do remember him getting suspended for fighting the Knicks, but he got attacked from behind by some guy off the end of New York’s bench.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2008 at 8:10 PM

JR Smith’s numbers are not as good as DeShawn’s. Yes, he scores more — mostly because he shoots more. But, there’s only *one basketball* — we don’t need another shooter. Btw, last year Smith’s FG % was higher than DeShawn’s, but for their careers they are identical.

Smith plays no defense and turns the ball over twice as often as DS.

Now… he has improved as a player over the last couple of years, and he is quite young (turns 23 in September — he is younger than Nick!).

Comment from jmpalomo
Time August 1, 2008 at 12:40 AM

There is not one proven “shooter” off the bench for the Wizards.
Every NBA team needs a guy who can come right off the bench and his some J’s consistentantly.
With Mason gone there is no one.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 1, 2008 at 1:23 AM

I agree Jmpalomo. The Spurs calculated their bid for Roger to be “just” out of our reach. That was a huge loss. The team seems to placing a lot of eggs in the “Nick Young” basket. Let’s all hope he comes around in a lot of ways. We still have time though to “back Nick up” with a free agent. We can thank Gil for the flexability to do that.

Comment from dmac
Time August 1, 2008 at 7:32 AM

I have a good trade proposal that includes Antonio Daniels. Tom before you get upset my point is that sometimes you have to give up a valuable asset to get one in return.
If I was EG for the first day of August I would inquire into trading AD, NY and Darius Songalia to Chicago for Kirk Hinrich and Thabo Sefolosha.
This trade would meet cap requirements:

Nick Young- $1,602,960 (one year remaining)
Darius Songalia- $4,235,000 (3 years remaining)
Antonio Daniels- $6,200,000 (2 years remaining)

Kirk Hinrich- $10, 000,000 (4 years remaining)
Theo Sefolosha- $1,931,160 (one year remaining)

Chicago just signed Deng to a big contract and they are negotiating with BG.
There is no way the Bulls are going to keep Hughes, Hinrich, Gordon with big contracts alongwith Derrick Rose. Hughes is injury-prone with $12 mil. to be paid out for the next two years. BG wants at least what Hinrich makes now or more. BG would not be a good fit for us to lose AD over. Then we would need another PG. Plus the Bulls want to off load Nocioni who makes 8 mil. for the next four years because he plays the same position as Deng. Songalia could help them at the PF. AD would be a great mentor to Rose and we would get Hinrich who is a good defensive player who plays the point and is a good shooter. With Hinrich’s skills with him and Arenas on the court together they could be lethal.
With Sefolosha you bring in another SF to compete with Dmac backing up Tough Juice at the 3. i don’t like really having to give up NY but getting Kirk makes us really competitive in the east with Boston, Detroit, Philly and Orlando.
What you guy’s think?

Comment from millie mill
Time August 1, 2008 at 8:40 AM

I wouldn’t mind giving up AD for Hinrich but that price tag on Hinrich scares me. Hinrich makes more than Jamison and Butler. How do you think Hinrich would fit into our line up starting or coming off the bench?

Comment from neal
Time August 1, 2008 at 9:14 AM

I think this year will depend on 3 things:
Staying healthy
Arenas – if he learned something about team ball on both ends of the court
Young – if he develops into an all-around NBA player

If only one of these happens, we’ll still be a so-so one-round-and-out team. If we are lucky enough to hit on all three, we’ll be in the conference finals.

Just think. If Unseld had kept all those draftees, we would have been the powerhouse that Detroit became.

OK, Smith isn’t a very good fit alongside Arenas. But I like him alongside Daniels. And I think he has more potential. But I didn’t realize he is a “head case”. What has he (not) done?

Comment from dmac
Time August 1, 2008 at 11:09 AM

Hinrich would be our 6th man. Hinrich is a team oriented player who is very sound fundamentally. AJ wouldn’t have a problem with what Hindrich. My mind set is we are trying to get past the first round in the playoffs and further. I doubt that the Bulls would want to unload Hinrich now. They would unload BG on us but he does not fit in our chemistry. A Hindrich deal would place us as a possible top four team in the East.
When I said that Smith was a head case I meant he was trigger happy and selfish with the ball. In fact Smith is trigger happy the way Deshawn use to be when he was at Utah.
Smith is an example of a hs player who should have played at least two years at UNC where he committed.

Comment from dmac
Time August 1, 2008 at 11:10 AM

I meant to say Jamison would not object to Hindrich’s salary if it means they will be a better team and can go further into the playoffs.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 1, 2008 at 11:44 AM

Hinrich has too big a contract for me — otherwise, I do think he is a very good player. I kind of wonder, however, what happened to him last year. As to Sefolosha, I don’t think he has been as productive as hoped by the Bulls.

It’s true that we don’t have a shooter off the bench. But I don’t think KH or TS really solve that problem.

Comment from millie mill
Time August 1, 2008 at 1:57 PM

Name this Wizards player:

Positives: A smooth, scoring _________ who does a little bit of everything. Good athlete with long arms and explosiveness. Skilled in just about every area of the game. Nice form on his jump shot, both the long and midrange jumper. Good rebounder. Game looks like it comes easy to him.

Negatives: Intensity. _______ doesn’t always seem to possess that killer instinct on either end of the floor. Disappears at times. Work ethic has been questioned. At times in the past, he has played out of control. He also needs to hit the weight room.

Summary: ________ has the potential to be a lottery pick with his skills. But scouts are still waiting for him to put it all together consistently. The skills wow you, and his consistent play for the ________ this season have moved him solidly into the first round.

Comment from neal
Time August 1, 2008 at 2:08 PM

Nick Young

Comment from neal
Time August 1, 2008 at 2:35 PM

He’s the leopard that hasn’t changed his spots, isn’t he?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 1, 2008 at 6:23 PM

Well, it’s a description of a college player, so obviously it’s not Andray, whom it would also fit.

Comment from Reuben
Time August 1, 2008 at 8:34 PM

Millie how can he have the potential of a lottery pick and be in the NBA

Comment from Phemy
Time August 1, 2008 at 10:05 PM

lol

Comment from neal
Time August 1, 2008 at 10:05 PM

Reuben, that also wondered me at first. It was apparently written some time before he got to the NBA.

Comment from dmac
Time August 2, 2008 at 6:43 AM

Millie Mill it is Nick Young. I remember seeing the write up on either ESPN or NBA Draft.net

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2008 at 12:19 PM

When will SportsWiz return, does someone remember?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 2, 2008 at 2:41 PM

He said he would be back August 4th Tom

Comment from neal
Time August 2, 2008 at 2:43 PM

Is he on his honeymoon?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 2, 2008 at 3:05 PM

He said he was on vacation and closing on his condo.

Comment from neal
Time August 2, 2008 at 4:59 PM

What a slacker.

Comment from Reuben
Time August 2, 2008 at 8:51 PM

haha

Comment from jmpalomo
Time August 3, 2008 at 3:05 AM

Dee Brown is bad news for Antonio Daniels. AD will hardly see the floor anymore.
Eddie has shown that when Gilbert is healthy, AD does not play. Deshawn moves to the point when Gilbert takes a break.
Now that Ernie has invested in another point guard, Dee Brown will most likely take the few minutes that AD used to get.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 3, 2008 at 3:36 AM

As far as playing Gilbert 40 a night Eddie had better get a clue. Antonio has “always” been the first point guard off our bench and I don’t see that changing because we got Dee Brown. Ernie really hasn’t invested a thing…. yet in Dee. Ernie will probably add another player if Dee doesn’t impress in training camp. He may Even if Dee does impress us. With the Gil deal we still have a little wiggle room to add a good FA at the 2/3 spot. We are pretty well covered everywhere else.

Guys Antonio isn’t going anywhere. He is our best point guard by far. If you find a good point guard or a good center you cherish them. The 2 hardest spots to fill at any level of basketball.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 3, 2008 at 3:43 AM

….. if Nick….. can really play at the NBA level…. we don’t need anybody else!

We are SET. (a nice back up at the 2/3 would still be nice …. just in case )

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 3, 2008 at 7:46 AM

That’s *really funny*, comparing Dee Brown to Antonio Daniels! You have a great sense of humor, jmpalomo. Antonio is one of the best point guards in the league, and his minutes are gonna be taken by a guy who played in Turkey last year!! Hahahah!

Seriously for a moment, Antonio will play @ 20 minutes a game; Dee Brown will get off the bench in blowouts, for a bit of spot duty, and in case of injuries. That’s if he makes the team, btw — which is by no means certain.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 3, 2008 at 7:48 AM

But, Grifonracing, it’s a *big question* whether Nick can play NBA ball. So far, he has shown little indication that he can.

Comment from neal
Time August 3, 2008 at 8:13 AM

I agree on all points, Grifon and Tom. But I’ll bet money Brown makes the team.

Comment from millie mill
Time August 3, 2008 at 8:54 AM

Yeah it’s Nick Young.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 3, 2008 at 9:01 AM

I’m not suggesting that he won’t make the team, neal. I hope he does; he is a good kid. But, it’s not certain, depending on who else falls available in this seemingly weird off-season.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 3, 2008 at 12:28 PM

Tom not only is it a “big question” it is Too Big a Question. I keep hoping he will come around, but, I’d like to have a good competent back up there just in case.

I hope Dee hangs ,but, he really didn’t do much for me in summer league. Can we secretly switch him for Bayless?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 3, 2008 at 12:36 PM

Thanks Millie. I was thinking I had read a similar write up on Kwame, but, you know they say the memory is the first to go LOL.

Comment from neal
Time August 3, 2008 at 1:13 PM

I liked what I saw of Brown in Summer League. What didn’t you like Grifon?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 3, 2008 at 10:25 PM

I just thought he was a little too average Neal. He didn’t do anything to make me cheer for him. He only shot the ball the last few games and seems to have a descent shot. He didn’t get as many assists as I expected. He is quick but always seemed to be just a little out of position on defense. He doesn’t look like he drives to the basket much.

On a positive note he appears to have a good handle and ran the team well given the limited offensive sets. He certainly fits into our price range.

Someone was advocating Jonathan Wallace, and to tell you the truth, I thought the first two games Wallace outplayed Dee. I think Dee finished out summer league better though.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 3, 2008 at 10:38 PM

I’m really not to worried about our point guard position this year given “everone” is healthy. Antonio should be our starting point guard but he won’t be. Which leaves him as an over competent back up. Deshawn can also fill in pretty well. That leaves Deshawn and Nick at the 2. Now that’s downright scarey. We need the fifth guard. Dee is ok with me for that role unless somebody impresses us more. Chances are John Stockton will stay retired

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 4, 2008 at 7:47 AM

You can’t expect much from Dee Brown; it’s not fair. He doesn’t have NBA size or shooting skills. But, he should be just fine as a 3d point guard. He certainly doesn’t solve the problem of who backs up the wing. For that we need Bonzi!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 4, 2008 at 8:47 AM

I wonder what Ernie and the rest of the staff feel about our situation at the 2/3? Are they a little concerned as we are, or are they happy with Nick and just feel he will come around?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 4, 2008 at 8:53 AM

I have expectations of everyone the Wizards have under contract. If we can’t expect much from Dee why did we sign him?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 4, 2008 at 1:55 PM

Ok, I didn’t express myself clearly — we can, and should, expect Dee Brown to be a very good 3d point guard. We can’t expect him to have the skills and ability of an Antonio Daniels, however. Make sense?

Comment from neal
Time August 4, 2008 at 8:10 PM

I don’t think Brown will embarass us if someone gets hurt and he has to be in the rotation for a while. I think he’s experienced enough and has a cool head – won’t try to do more than the coaches want him to do and won’t make many mistakes.

But unless we get a veteran two guard we know Young will be in the rotation. And he could end up being another Jarvis Hayes on both ends.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 4, 2008 at 9:02 PM

Well, according to SportsWiz, the front office all like Nick’s game. Fine. I’m kind of wondering *what* they like.

Obviously, not the high number of turnovers, the low number of rebounds, the high number of fouls, the low number of assists. Oh, and Nick, who has a 7′0″ wingspan, gets one block every 180 minutes he plays.

Obviously, what they like is his shooting. He shot a very good % from 3 point territory (40%) and is great from the line (82%). Overall, his FG% was .439, which is not great for someone who shoots as much as he does.

How close do you think Nick’s rookie production was to Caron’s rookie production for Miami in ‘02-03? Not very.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 4, 2008 at 10:29 PM

I think we had one too many trains of thought going on Tom lol.

Dee seems to be a pretty solid player. He has a good handle. I just wish he would have had a few more assists.

That is what scares me too guys. They seem to be putting an awful lot of stock in a guy that really hasn’t shown us very much yet. I wouldn’t mind him in the rotation if we still had Roger as insurance (or Bonzi or someone like that). It’s not like he didn’t get minutes last season, but, I didn’t see much of an improvement in summer league. I wish he would have improved as much as Dominic has. Keep everything crossed. Maybe he will surprise us.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 4, 2008 at 10:44 PM

You know… if he Does surprise us we could be a pretty awesome team?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 4, 2008 at 10:47 PM

I can’t imagine Nick’s rookie stats not being close to the bottom of the barrel in everything but shooting percentage.

Caron’s rookie stats probably blew Nick’s away.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 5, 2008 at 7:07 AM

Yes, Caron is just a *much* better basketball player than Nick.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 5, 2008 at 7:26 AM

If Nick can ever learn the rest of the game of basketball, up to the level of his athletic skills, of his potential as it were, he can be a phenomenal NBA player, maybe as good as someone like T-Mac (although never as good as Kobe, who is so much stronger — out to his fingertips).

But… *will he* do that? Or even, *can he* do that? If so, yes, “we could be a pretty awesome team.”

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 5, 2008 at 1:04 PM

Hey, Gilbert thinks this is Kwame’s year.

What do you guys think?