Monday Morning
Hey everyone I will be heading down to practice shortly. Just a few things to note.
First off the Wizards are now offering individual tickets for as low as $11 and tickets for January are on sale.
Second, a lot of people have been asking about the three point defense. One of the things Coach Tapscott is trying to get the players to do is run the shooters off the three-point line. Part of the problem is teams are finding ways to penetrate the defense and once the Wizards help they are leaving men open beyond the arc. Another big problem has been who the team has played. Atlanta and Orlando are two of the best at shooting from long range and it becomes a pick your poison, especially with Orlando, do you single cover Dwight Howard or do you double and force the team to make shots. Currently the Wizards are 18th in the league in defending the three which isnt great but hardly as bad as people are making it out to be.
A couple positive notes.
PRACTICE UPDATE:
I talked a little bit about practice below, but here is the audio. The first question is cutoff but Daniels is talking about Head Coach Ed Tapscott.
DANIELS POST PRACTICE AUDIO
TAPSCOTT POST PRACTICE AUDIO
Posted: December 1st, 2008 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 1, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I want to say they were 2nd last year. Let me do a quick dig.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 1, 2008 at 12:47 PM
They were 2nd in the league last year behind Josh Howard and Dirk Nowitzki.
Comment from aznzero
Time December 1, 2008 at 1:26 PM
ok thanks sportwiz!
didn’t we also have the best guard duo with arenas and hughes back in the day? sorry if i keep you busy sportzwiz.
Comment from GlingGling
Time December 1, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Well, love the stats, it’s great to know that our forwards are doing a great job (like we knew they would). I’m looking forward to seeing the big three again, shouldn’t be long now.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 1, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Just got back from practice. Got some sound from AD on the transition to coach Tapscott and some Ed Tapscott sound on the game tomorrow.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 1, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Also, a quick funny story WWE Raw was in town today and it was very funny to see how some of the reporters who cover the NBA on a daily basis got really excited seeing old wrestlers like Hacksaw Jim Duggan and the Brooklyn Brawler. Its interesting when you see certain guys everyday you aren’t star struck but then Vince McMahon walks by and everyone is going crazy.
It was also funny because basically none of the reporters knew who the recent big name wrestlers were like Cane, The Giant, Chris Jericho and John Cena were.
Anyway thought you would find that interesting.
Comment from aznzero
Time December 1, 2008 at 3:21 PM
man i havent went to wwe in years which was wwf back then
Comment from Jason C
Time December 1, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Hey sportzwiz jim mcmahon the old Bears quarterback? I’m guessing you meant Vince? Haha btw did anyone who won the opening day t-shirt get it yet? =\
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 1, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Also Jason C the shirts should be arriving soon. I apologize for the delay.
Comment from Phemy
Time December 1, 2008 at 5:07 PM
hehe, seriously though…u gonna wear a “START STRONG – WIZARDS” shirt? Man u gotta get some rough comments 
Comment from Jason C
Time December 1, 2008 at 5:35 PM
No prob sportzwiz was just wondering. And phemy I was going to put it in the back of my car along with my “One team, one goal” rally towel from 2004/2005.
Comment from Rick
Time December 1, 2008 at 6:22 PM
i have been reading some commentary about why we should pick up marbury. i think if we can sign him for a short term contract, like 1 year for the league vet minimum (he is already getting paid by the knicks) we should absolutely do it. what’s the downside?
Comment from dmac
Time December 1, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Yes we should sign Stephon if he is availa le. Do we need help? Yes! What harm could it do. I say EG if you get permission to talk with Stephon go for it. The main thing is to see where his head is right now. I really think that he is willing to hum le himself to play a game that he has loved all his life. I actually think Stephon is in the position where he can really help us. I am looking pass and fact that he has never won ig games where he has played. I have seen his recent interviews and I see someone who desparately needs a good start. If I was EG I would talk to Gil, AJ and Caron to see if they would approve of such a move. Right now at least 8 other teams especially the Celtics, Heat, Spurs, Hawks,76ers and the Suns.
For the mininum what would we have to lose. We are already losing. I think Tapscott knows Stephon as well. Anyone agree or disagree? Go for it.
Comment from Jason C
Time December 1, 2008 at 7:16 PM
I disagree as gil dominates the ball enough as it is…having marbury there will be as bad as him and francis trying to share the ball.
Comment from rgz
Time December 1, 2008 at 7:18 PM
While I read that his teammates don’t like Marbury, I have not really followed why they say what they say.
Why is he a cancer in the locker room, does anyone know from his years playing with KG and recently with the Knicks?
Comment from ChenierFan
Time December 1, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Isn’t Marbury the guy who once boasted that he was the best point guard in the league, after which his career went steadily downhill. (pride goeth before the fall). The Knicks pay this guy $21 million/year and he cannot bring himself to go into a game when the coach asks. Let’s see, if Stephon gets paid every two weeks that would be about $808,000 gross wages each paycheck. That is incredible!
I think this guy is a disgrace to the league. With our backcourt play (except for Nick) totally impotent, of course he would be an updgrade but we shouldn’t take him and neither should anyone else. The league should not reward such bad behavior.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time December 1, 2008 at 9:06 PM
i think after your told you do not fit the team and they dont want you bench you then get in hard times and need some one to help and look at you would you get off the bench i dought it i sure would not.. and every players says there the best would you rather him say aww i suck im no good why did they pay me so much dont make
Comment from aznzero
Time December 1, 2008 at 9:12 PM
dont get marbury. he will def hurt our chemistry
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time December 1, 2008 at 10:14 PM
I don’t know what Marbury’s problem was with the T’wolves or the Nets, but he played for DiAntoni with the Suns and now the Knicks. Probably some bad blood there. I know that he claimed to be the best point guard in the NBA…even though he’s not, he is a very good point guard (19+ ppg / 7+apg) and a very good point guard is what we need.
I think that dcbutler asked what I thought of AJ. AJ is an absolute class act. He plays hard every night. He gets the points and the boards. He is deservedly a two-time All-star. If we had someone at the point who could both distribute the ball and take some pressure off by driving the lane, both he and CB would be All-stars again.
Without a point guard who can create; who can drive and dish off, both AJ and CB have to work toooooo hard to get a shot and they are made to look less than All-star caliber even with their numbers.
The Wiz issue is entirely on the inability of our point guards to play like decent NBA point guards. NY and JD are shooting guards; they should not be counted as point guards. I like DB, but he needs more experience. That leaves…
The Nick’s should be happy to keep Marbury’s salary and take ET and AD in trade with us keeping their salaries. Right now they are paying Marbury to sit. They could have another guard and a center, both of whom, I believe, are on the short end of their contracts, so they would not be clogging the payroll when NY goes after LeBronze in two years, and they’d get rid of Stephon.
I hope that EG is burning the phone line to NY as I type.
Go Wiz!!!!
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 2, 2008 at 12:24 AM
On paper Marbury would fill a need immediately. As he and Ron Artest kinda tie for the most self absorbed players in the league I’m not so sure he is such a good fit for us. Granted his stats speak for themselves. But so do the teams he has played for where he gets along with nobody. Jason C also makes the point what about when Gil gets back? There is only one basketball. All that is if Marbury would even consider playing for us “or anyone” at the league minimum. It’s really not his style.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 2, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Hey SportzWiz… It’s December. How about a Gil update if you get the chance. I don’t mean the Dr’s stuff (that stuff rarely sees the light of day). Just how is he moving, shooting, jumping (if allowed). That kinda thing.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 2, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Anyone remember the days when it was called “Studio Wrestling”? Ringside Rosie was always there clutching her rubber chicken. And Bruno Samartino was the reigning champ for I think about 15 years lol. He battled guys like Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby “Hurricane” Hunt.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 2, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Grifon I made a post a few games back about him but basically Gil shoots around before every game and is moving pretty well. Now realize I only see him shoot and do some one dribble pull up stuff. So its hard to get a read, but he’s out there on what seems like a daily basis moving around at a pretty good pace.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 2, 2008 at 6:08 AM
Thanks getabigboyoffense
Comment from Reuben
Time December 2, 2008 at 8:17 AM
http://store.nba.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3304246&cp=2710386.2482948.2806599
HERE IS THE LINK TO THE NEW ZEPHYRS JERSEYS!!
Comment from Rick
Time December 2, 2008 at 9:25 AM
I think it is too risky to make a significant financial commitment to Marbury right away. But if we can give him a chance to play before offering any real dollars then I say do it. If he plays poorly, his career is over. If he listens to the coach and makes his teammates better, that could be great. Gilbert played very well teamed with Larry Hughes (and he took a lot of shots). I think the real issue would be getting enough shots for Caron. Antawn would suck it up and do whatever it takes to win.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time December 2, 2008 at 9:57 AM
My point about Marbury is:
1) The Knicks are paying him to not play
2) The Knicks are short-handed without him
How about if the Knicks keep paying him but they ship him to the WIZ and the Wiz ship AD and ET to the Knicks but keep paying their salaries.
The Knicks get two players who will play and the Wiz get one point guard and the salary structures remain the same.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 2, 2008 at 11:23 AM
For about the buzillionth time — the Wizards *cannot* add a player. We are up against the Luxury tax limit, which it would be stupid to get into.
We also *already have 15 players* — the nba limit. Next someone will say “well why don’t we waive so and so” and I’ll have to remind you that you can’t get rid of salaries that way in the nba. The player can go away, but the salary remains.
We might be able to drop Dee — he may not yet be guaranteed for the season (although he may be). But, nonetheless, even a vet minimum contract for Starbury would likely push us into luxury tax territory (meaning his signing would cost closer to 8 million than the vet minimum — he ain’t worth it).
Getabigboy — your proposed trade is not legal in the nba.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 2, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Hey Tom Mandel,
You deserve a bonus for passing along your wisdom 
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 2, 2008 at 11:34 AM
LOL…..Well, we got AJ for Devin Harris, Laettner, and Stackhouse…..LOL….
ANYTHING is possible
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 2, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Dcbutler this is the first game where that trade is going to possibly bite us in the butt. Devin Harris has been “tearing it up” lately and we are lucky enough to catch him right in the middle of his excellent play. Our guards are going to have to be on top of their defensive games to slow that guy down a little bit.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 2, 2008 at 12:11 PM
I think we frustrate the heck out of Tom every once in a while LOL. Tom has always been the “keeper of the sanity”. When we all get to college rah rah, or want to trade Etan for Howard, or try to “borrow” other teams players while the other team still pays the player’s salary Tom steps in as the voice of reason and tells us the errors of our ways. He is kinda like the guy on “Pardon the Interruption” that tells Kornheiser and Wilbon where they have screwed up during the show 
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time December 2, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Tom M., Thanks for the insight on the NBA rule that makes the player swap I proposed illegal. How about Marbury + cash (his salary) for ET and AD + cash (their combined salaries)?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 2, 2008 at 12:52 PM
getabigboyoffense salaries have to match so you just cant throw in cash. Check out the ESPN NBA Trade machine which i linked below. This will tell you if any of your proposals would be approved by the league. For instance if you threw in Darius with Etan and AD then you could get Marbury, but Etan and Ad’s salaries don’t match up with Marbury’s.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 2, 2008 at 3:07 PM
WOW!! You guys are on the ball…..okay, who is getting paid to know this info
Well, I see that Juan and Dee have trade clauses until Dec 15th, very educational information…and if i’m reading it correctly, we are 900k over? I did a trade with AD, DS, DSONG, ET and it worked….not that I want the trade, but to test it out….
Now, this kind of inter-action is one of the many times when you really feel priviledged to have the blog.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 2, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Well, looking at the salaries across the league and the players…just about all if not all of the teams seem to be over the cap….if you have 3 big-time players, you’re over.
According to the pay chart: Indiana, Clippers, Minnesota, Okl has pos $, and the wiz have the lowest amount over the cap (wiz are higher than the other four, and look at all five records….) I guess we need to spend more over to have a decent team.
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Comment from aznzero
Time December 1, 2008 at 12:24 PM
twan and caron have been the best foward tandem last year too right?