Washington Wizards Blog

Comment from peej9999
Time October 3, 2008 at 10:19 AM

Dave, great job this week to you and the entire staff! How is Brendan’s injury? Hope this doesn’t turn into a nagging injury…

Comment from peej9999
Time October 3, 2008 at 10:21 AM

I wish I could make it down for the scrimmage tonight. It’s just too long of a drive from B’more especially going through NoVa. I remember the training camp days from Shepardstown, as I made most of them.

I will be reading the BLOG as it happens tonight!

Comment from oh2bawizfan
Time October 3, 2008 at 10:49 AM

Dave,

Great job on the blogging! So how many players does the Wizards have to cut after training camp?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 3, 2008 at 11:21 AM

The Wizards will have to cut three players before the start of the season. Eddie said yesterday he wouldn’t be surprised if he took the entire training camp for at least the first three games.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 3, 2008 at 11:23 AM

Dave Johnson is standing right behind me and he wants to thank all of you for the nice comments, the guy has been amazing between blogging and getting video interviews for the site. And to all the people new to the blog he will be bloggin live during EVERY WIZARDS GAME THIS SEASON!!! That’s right during the season you can ask him questions during the games and he or his partner Glenn Consor will answer them for you.

Comment from Jgarcia104
Time October 3, 2008 at 11:36 AM

see if you can get Gil to Blog with you tonight!

Comment from gbkdc
Time October 3, 2008 at 11:37 AM

This question has probably been answered before, but is the game on the 7th televised? What about online or radio? Thanks!

Great work, DJ and SportzWiz!

Comment from Jgarcia104
Time October 3, 2008 at 11:41 AM

hey i will be heading down to richmond for the scrimmage tonite! i know i havnt been leaving comments latly but i have been on here everyday reading the comments from others. im leaving work early and heading down there around 1pm =) dave anyway we can get some autographs today?

Comment from sgriff17
Time October 3, 2008 at 12:05 PM

Dave, if you could get number 11….I mean 17 to give a shout out to his ILLINI faithful it would mean a ton. I got pics taken with Jamison, Eton, and a ton of autographs yesterday, but no DBrown

Comment from sgriff17
Time October 3, 2008 at 12:06 PM

So they don’t start today till 5pm? I guess it’s an open scrimmage? That would be awesome.

Comment from dmac
Time October 3, 2008 at 1:16 PM

I like what I am reading about Andray’s play in camp so far. If he is about to breakout then that means he could possibly be the teams 6th man.
That means that AJ will probably get some minutes at small forward. If Andray becomes consistent in his play he probably could get some minutes from the 5 spot as well for offensive reasons. I can only imagine what is going through EJ’s head when he anticipates how he is going to work with his starters and bench.

Comment from millie mill
Time October 3, 2008 at 1:30 PM

With all the noise from camp, it sounds like the Wizards might have a bench this year. I hope Eddie Jordan can keep everyone happy with playing time and rested by lowering the minutes on the big three or big two right now.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 3, 2008 at 1:30 PM

We will have an eddie interview up later today. But basically he’s very happy with the way camp went and especially the depth. This team should be very deep this year.

Comment from BruceO
Time October 3, 2008 at 1:58 PM

Hi fellow bloggers. I hope everyone is doing well.
I’m excited for this game today but unfortunately it would be difficult for me to physically be there. Is it possible for the wizards organization to host the video online somewhere?
For the players please pass on my love and respect for the Vets because they are the core of the team. They define this team and while they’re in the NBA they define basketball which alot of us fans love just as much as they do. We grew up watching and playing from several places (myself nairobi, kenya) the NBA and since this wizards team is my favourite team I hope nothing but fulfillment and the best for them.
For the young guys years from now tell them I’ll still be watching them play and paying attention to them no matter where they go cause i’m a fan of not only the wizards team but basketball and individual players. I hope the best for andray and tell him I picked him to be breakout NBA player for the season. I’m glad he’s playing harder and is physically more comfortable playing longer. Tell him he’s the prototype with his size and skill and might be singlehandedly more than anyone else the reason we win a championship and that can begin now. He’s the leader of the new world of wizards players. Tell him that I’m hoping he goes out without fail trying to dominate every single second of his basketball life, find out others weaknesses in the game and expose it beginning with the scrimmage today and show everyone that he might be the coming of that championship.
Ask nick young with a straight face. If its possible to get on a kobe , Mj level. what would it take for you to reach that level? Do you think you can reach that level? Tell him during the draft I begged we would take him. Ask him if he watched rudy fernandez in the olympics who was in his NBA draft class at his position. Tell him what Kobe had was aside from skill was he never showed any weakness so it couldn’t be exposed. He believed you could kill the basketball gods and he went after MJ and anyone else who thought they were elite. He also overprepared himself for what was to come and he always felt it was his team. That leader mentality that Nick might not have right now because there are others seemingly ahead of him on the roster.
Tell Dominic congratulations on the new child. I’ve been watching and reading about him since predraft on draftexpress and when they did the article about him being a darkhorse. I’m glad we have him with us and that he’s taking advantage of a shooting coach being on the team. I’m also glad he’s working hard to be a step faster and to be stronger. Ask him what his opinions on dennis rodman are and what it’d take for him to get to that level defensively.
Tell Juan welcome back. I mean this he fought hard for this squad and he always felt like family. I felt bad when other teams weren’t giving him a chance. Mcgee I’m looking forward to what he’ll become. Pech that the work he’ll put in will make him good and be patient, work smart and prepare.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 3, 2008 at 2:17 PM

their will be a video package with highlights that hopefully will be up first thing next week, unfortunately we will not have video of the entire scrimmage.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time October 3, 2008 at 2:38 PM

hey sportswiz am i allowed to bring a basketball to get signed? last year they didnt allow basketballs to even go in the arena, which i thought was kinda weird

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:26 PM

3:58 PM…Dave Johnson checking in here at Siegel Center…..here is the deal

1st quarter—(10 minute)—2nd quarter—(10 minutes)—3rd quarter (8 minutes)

and then 4rth quarter…it will be 5:30 with starters against the reserves and the starters down by 6

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:26 PM

4:02 PM….team 2 starters dee brown, deshawn stevenson, domenic mcguire,darius songaila, andray blatche…teams 2 reserves Taj McCullough,Oleksiy Pecherov

4:05 PM team 1 starters antonio daniels, nick young, caron butler, antawn jamison, etan thomas…team 1 reserves linton johnson, juan dixon, javale mcgee

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:28 PM

So Antonio Daniels decided to give the crowd an early ooohhh and ahh play. Daniels came out with Blatche and Coach Jordan and said watch this. He took a one handed throw shot from half court and SWISHED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pretty crazy. Check the photo gallery after the game and I will post a picture in their of the shot.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:32 PM

Have fun, all you guys/gals who get to watch the scrimmage.

Interesting that Eddie is saying that it is down to the wire which 3 guys to cut! That means that Juan, and maybe Dee, don’t have spots locked up. Doesn’t seem likely we’d keep Taj McCullough or Linton Johnson (though his numbers make him look like a solid player). That means it’s between DerMarr Johnson, Juan and Dee for who among them gets cut.

I can’t imagine they’d cut Juan: he’ll put people in seats, and part of his $$ is guaranteed. I also can’t imagine — or at least hope! — they don’t cut Dee, who also has some guaranteed dollars, has hustled his butt off, and brings something to the team that we haven’t had for a while (speed). I am *really* in his corner!! So… I guess I hope it’s DerMarr — still “hope” isn’t the right word when you are talking about a disappointment for someone.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:33 PM

4:02 PM….team 2 starters dee brown, deshawn stevenson, domenic mcguire,darius songaila, andray blatche…teams 2 reserves Taj McCullough,Oleksiy Pecherov and DerMarr Johnson

4:05 PM team 1 starters antonio daniels, nick young, caron butler, antawn jamison, etan thomas…team 1 reserves linton johnson, juan dixon, javale mcgee

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:33 PM

go this site page to check out the shot.

http://www.nba.com/media/wizards/daniels_600_081003.jpg

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:35 PM

gang this should be fun..especially the fourth with starters down by 6

Comment from Jgarcia104
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:39 PM

Hey guys I’m here @ the siegal center! This should be fun! Dave nice to see u brough glen down for this one! I’m sitting here behind you guys with a black wizards shirt and some shades.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:47 PM

thanks again jgarcia104 and wiz4life for showing up

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:57 PM

crowd is really filling up here at siegel center

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:57 PM

antonio ..another half court shot oohs and aahs for the crowd

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 4:58 PM

millie mill great ppoint about the wizards bench…..should be a deep teams and even deeper when gil does get back

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:00 PM

nick young slam dunk m,ore oohs and aahs

Comment from BruceO
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:09 PM

sounds like fun, will you pass on my earlier comments and questions to the players

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:12 PM

where is Haywood?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:18 PM

Brendan is not playing tonight due to a sprained right wrist.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:23 PM

scrimmage underway

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:25 PM

bruce o i will… i had computer trouble today….so will get to it when i get back to dc…we will be blogging from here on out…including during the games on the radio

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:25 PM

4-0 team 2

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:26 PM

darius back to back baskets…6-0 team2

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:26 PM

ad to the hoop and one….for team 1..they are in black and team 2 in white

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:27 PM

6-2 team one….thomas just had a good low post battle with dray..shot didn’;t go …good d

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:28 PM

jamsion shovel to thomas nice….. team one leads 6-4

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:28 PM

buteler and one on the break…ooohs and aahs from the corwd now team one leads 9-6

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:30 PM

thomas put back and one..team one now up 12-6

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:30 PM

3 things i like so far: antonio daniels driving to the hoop more, dee browns quickness. and andray’s intensity and passing has improved also

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:31 PM

wizfan4life good calll…..on everyhting..sure you weren’t watching all week

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:32 PM

brown is super fast

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:32 PM

dee brown just started the break.,.. ends with deshawn going to the line

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:34 PM

it is now 12-9 team one.. team 2 with ball…juan just checked in for team one

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:34 PM

caron reverse slam smile for the crowd!!!!!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:35 PM

dermarr for three

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:36 PM

juan from the baseline..it is 16-16

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:37 PM

pechs shot looks good but he puts it up too quickly

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:37 PM

dom steal…..all the way…flying slam

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:38 PM

tied at 18

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:38 PM

ood point wiz4life

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:41 PM

2nd quarter now

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:41 PM

20-18 team one

Comment from tyrone20000
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:41 PM

How is Etan Thomas playing?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:43 PM

great pass by dermarr to darius

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:44 PM

another one handed jam by caron

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:44 PM

etan is not in right now…startred was aggressive….completed a three point play…and a few rebounds

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:45 PM

dermarr’s great camp continues…..just drive the lan and would have slammed it had javle mcgee not fouled him

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:46 PM

daniels is the only one im hearing talking on the away team…they need to communicate more because thats key in games!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:46 PM

video highlights of the scrimmage will be online monday

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:47 PM

nice feed by deshawn to pech and one

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:48 PM

dom from the wing..high arcing swish

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:48 PM

back and forth now team two actually leads 27-26……..

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:49 PM

teamtwo has deshawn pech dermarr who just hit a 3 dom and dray

Comment from suzie-qwiz
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:50 PM

How is the health of Deshawn? He took a pounding in those playoff games and I have not heard how he is holding up.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:50 PM

team one in black has ad nick twan etan and caron

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:50 PM

dermarr back to back threes for team two

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:50 PM

liking mcquires shot, its really improved…he needs a little work on ball handling though.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:51 PM

big cheers as gilbert walked to the team two bench

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:52 PM

yeah wizfan4life…dom really had a terrific summer.. coaches were real impressed in summer league and it has carried over

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:52 PM

speaking of dom…flying block on nick young shot attempt

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:53 PM

caron dunkfest…baseline drive and a slam

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:54 PM

tied at 33,…nice move from post byd ray for teeam 2 in white..dray at the line for two

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:54 PM

now caron from the corner…he is healthy again

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:55 PM

jamison to thomas nice..slam

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:56 PM

37-35 team one in black….19 seconds left

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 5:57 PM

and that is the halftime score

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:02 PM

3rd quarter..another flying stuff by caron… have lost count

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:02 PM

team 2 up 40-38 as pech make a jumper ofr team one

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:02 PM

dray ties it with strong move

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:04 PM

dee brown what a drive…change of pace…great boidy control and one

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:05 PM

jamison swish from three…team two in white leads by one 45-44

Comment from BruceO
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:06 PM

has nick young done anything? He hasnt been mentioned by you since beginning of the game. How are the young guys looking against the vets in their matchups

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:08 PM

suzieqwizHow is the health of Deshawn? He took a pounding in those playoff games and I have not heard how he is holding up.

good question we were just recalling the other day the pain that he played through..he is 100%…having a good camp… on a blog yesterday milt newton no surprise descibed as best one on one defender….there should be a video interviw with deshawn i did yesterday on line on wizards tv on the front page

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:09 PM

bruceo nick young has made a shot..sorry i can’t kpee up with everyhting..as as i write nick just drove to the basket…..anbd was fouled….it is a tight game….with team 2 having mostly reserves exceopt deshawn

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:10 PM

nice swish by etan from foul line

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:10 PM

good one on one now between de brown and juan dixon

Comment from tyrone20000
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:11 PM

E Thomas rebounding okay?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:11 PM

bruceo…funny nick just hit a fadeaway…. right on cue

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:12 PM

now nick young.. a miss on a drive in the lane… gets his own rebound and is fouled by dom

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:13 PM

from the basleine flying slam dray on a nice feed by dom

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:13 PM

thomas has been strong on the boards.. in fact got an and one on an offensive rebound

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:14 PM

white team two leads 56-50/…

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:15 PM

dee brown great baseline to baseline defender with his speed just showed it as he got back intercepted like a cornerback…. and then started a break that led to d song jumper

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:18 PM

alright here is the deal on the fourth 5 :30 minutes starters vdown by 6

Comment from tyrone20000
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:18 PM

leading scorers?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:19 PM

now down by eight as mcgee hit a turnaorund low post

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:19 PM

butler baseline jumper down by six

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:20 PM

mcgee able to draw the foul on butler….”starters” team has dnaiels setevnson butler darius and etan

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:20 PM

dom steal and stuff

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:21 PM

starters down by eight now as stevenson converts on the break

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:21 PM

mcgee anothe rjumper…rookie coming alive

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:22 PM

starters in black down by ten 2:41 to go

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:23 PM

pech for three now starters down by 13….this has been the way it has been all camp….mike o koren coaching the “reserves”./…phil hubbard “the starters”

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:24 PM

alright starters trail now 77-64 with 1:45 to go

Comment from BruceO
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:25 PM

ok again another question about Nick young. I’d be asking about dray but he’s shown he has stepped up. I know he worked with Don maclean. Last year despite his hops he didnt have enough running strength to get to the hoop without being bumped out of his path. I’m wondering if he’s getting to the hoop in traffic. If hes showing any improved strength towards that direction.
As far as mcgee goes is he getting pushed around as well?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:25 PM

nick young nice drive for starters

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:25 PM

wo what a follow slam by javale..79-66 resrves

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:27 PM

mcgee looks just so much fitter…but not just relying on his athleticism….being proactive vs reactive

yes young has been more forceful on his drives if that is what you are asking

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:28 PM

mcgee has had a nice finish to this game.. as he just took a chrage

Comment from BruceO
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:28 PM

I like javale despite other peoples griping post draft. Basketball family, plus his height, plus his top of the NBA reach, Plus his hops, plus his speed for his size = a good draft pick. I’m happy when I hear it being reiterated by the players how he’s a top three big man athletically. Now he just needs to get better fundamentals and strength. Just wondering how far behind he is on those things

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:30 PM

resreves win it….good stuff

Comment from BruceO
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:31 PM

but its not purely the traditional starters we have. And they were down by six right? as indicated before the game

Comment from doclinkin
Time October 3, 2008 at 6:50 PM

Sure but the back-ups won by 13. Pretty decent showing, that.

Comment from GlingGling
Time October 3, 2008 at 7:08 PM

You did a great job Dave. It must be hard to type and watch at the same time so I’ll forgive the typos . Looking forward to all the media from the public scrimmage. I just wanna say thanks for all the work from the whole crew for all of training camp. I told my friend that I’ve learned more in the past five days of training camp than I have all summer. I don’t think us super fans could ask for more. Truly good stuff. Can’t wait for the preseason games.

Comment from neal
Time October 3, 2008 at 7:31 PM

I trust McGee will get stronger and learn what to do on both ends. I’m only a little concerned as to whether he has the coordination to make a higher percentage of his shots than in summer league.

Comment from doclinkin
Time October 3, 2008 at 7:35 PM

Just saw JaVale’s dunk over Dray on Eddies wrap-up interview. Wooo, that was big. Looks to me like he’ll make garbage time interesting this year, if they activate him every once in a while just to give him a taste.

Comment from Bmack34
Time October 3, 2008 at 8:36 PM

hey guys , i’ve been reading this blog for along time. I’m new to posting. I’m really excited about this season! I’m a die hard wiz fan! The team is looking very sharp. Glad to see blatche maturing as a player. Looking forward to Caron being an allstar again this year!

Comment from neal
Time October 3, 2008 at 9:59 PM

I would love to see McGee and Pecherov sent to the Development League. Seems to me that would do them more good than sitting on the bench here. At least unless/until we get injuries.

Comment from GlingGling
Time October 3, 2008 at 10:19 PM

neal, I think that would be a good idea too. I don’t think it’s shameful or anything. It’s similar to Dee going overseas to be a starter and get some game time. As you said, rookies need game experience to get better and they aren’t going to get it being bench warmers.

Comment from Bmack34
Time October 3, 2008 at 10:21 PM

yea pech and mcgee definently are going to get garbage minutes

Comment from Reuben
Time October 3, 2008 at 10:26 PM

Pech will probably get a bit more than last year, but still barely anytime. If they go to the D-League doesnt that mean anyone can pick them up

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 3, 2008 at 10:50 PM

That is very encouraging. The Bench beat the starters. We should be a very deep and exciting team this year.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 3, 2008 at 10:51 PM

Rueben I “think” the D league players are still under the contracts of the teams that sent them.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 3, 2008 at 10:54 PM

Welcome aboard Bmack

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 3, 2008 at 10:57 PM

I should have gone one step farther. There are players in the D league that have no NBA team affiliation. Those players are available to any team.

Comment from GlingGling
Time October 3, 2008 at 11:53 PM

That sounds about right GrifonRacing. Coby Karl seemed to follow that pattern last year when he was jumping in and out of the D league.

Comment from doclinkin
Time October 4, 2008 at 12:07 AM

Off the top of my head: Signed players in their first two years (3?) may be sent to the D-League up to three stints in a year. There’s no time restriction on how long those stints are. They are still the ‘property’ of the team that inked them.

But, there’s no stipulation that the D-League affiliate (the Dakota Wizards in our case. With ‘Too Much Rod Benson’ of blogdom semi-fame (& the ‘Boom, tho’ video)) — no stipulation that the affiliate is required to actually play the NBAer.

This team was disappointed in the lack of progress of PJRamos, and Andray Blatche was sent down fro 6 games and hated it. So the (DC) Wizards soured on the idea after the first year. A key reason for the distrust, way I see it, is that the D-League team doesn’t run a Princeton based offense. These sets are notoriously tricky to learn and get comfort in , since it’s based on reads and options more than set plays. The more time you get (even in practice scrimmaging against the first team) the better.

Personally I think the system would work best if each team had it’s own minor league squad, ideally local to the area, where walk ons could try out etc. (since the DMV area has solid high-quality ballers) and the team could recruit and assign a coach who ran a similar system. Let Wes Jr do his thing. Hire Pete Carrill as an occasional consultant. Send Tony Massenburg to beat on the young bigs and teach them to play with hustle. And even let injured NBA players slum in the juniors to knock the dust off during rehab, if they so choose. You know: a true minor league system.

Who wouldn’t pay 5-20 bucks to watch Gil show up to test out his knee, practice his true point guard floor leader game. Who wouldn’t rock the gear of the DC Dogs, the Washington Justice, the DMV Sorcerors — or to keep it retro: the Bullets, or whatever they call it.

And if the team could have some sort of minor signing rights on their junior players, that might make it more interesting to management. Something else to sweeten a trade.

But some of this requires the consent of the Player’s Association, and would need to be written into the next CBA. Just saying, it would be better for everybody. And you could tell the true diehard natives by who was rockign the merchandise.

Seriously, I want a Washington Justice hat and jacket.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 4, 2008 at 2:03 AM

NEXT TUESDAY GUYS!

The Wait is ALMOST OVER.

GO WIZARDS!

Comment from neal
Time October 4, 2008 at 9:22 AM

I think all that info is correct grifon & doclinkin. I used to think I was one of the more knowledgeable guys on this blog. Now I’m learning from others. It’s neat that we’re getting more and better informed participants.

Comment from Reuben
Time October 4, 2008 at 9:26 AM

Thanks guys for the info on the D-League

Comment from ricklevinenyc
Time October 6, 2008 at 10:26 AM

is the scrimmage video available yet?