SAUNDERS PRESS CONFERENCE AT 3:00pm
Hey everyone SportzWiz checking in…A very exciting day for the Wizards as Flip Saunders will hold his introductory press conference at 3 pm. We will have full coverage of today for everyone which includes live streaming video of the press conference on WashingtonWizards.com and we will post the link here for you to view it later today.
I will also be blogging live so if you have questions let me know and I will see if I can answer them. We will also have photos and some behind-the-scenes videos and maybe some interviews along the way so make sure to check back later this afternoon. Thanks for joining us!
Posted: April 23rd, 2009 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 10:15 AM
i completely agree grifon, there is a lot of positive energy going around right now with the changes and I only see that growing through the summer into next year.
Comment from truthaboutit
Time April 23, 2009 at 11:57 AM
SportzWiz, I have two questions:
1) In the past, the Wizards were purportedly hesitant to use their D-League affiliate in Dakota because they did not run the same intricate offense as Eddie Jordan.
Does this philosophy change under Flip Saunders? Will the Wizards be more willing to develop players in the D-League?
Also, in terms of player development, Tapscott got a lot of complaints about not playing JaVale McGee enough. However, there’s also something to be said about learning via observation.
What will Flip’s philosophy in developing the younger players versus his preference for a limited lineup of veterans?
Many thanks.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time April 23, 2009 at 12:17 PM
JaVale played 1143 minutes — that’s a lot for a rookie, especially one taken in the middle of the 1st round (i.e. not a stud from the top of the draft).
It’s about the same as Nick played last year.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time April 23, 2009 at 12:31 PM
I am looking forward to the press conference today, thanks for the coverage and the updates SportzWiz
Comment from truthaboutit
Time April 23, 2009 at 12:36 PM
@ Tom Mandel
Yea, I personally wasn’t complaining about JaVale’s minutes this year…..he can do some learning by watching D-Song from the sidelines IMO.
Of course, with injuries, the window for increased time was more open than Young’s last year.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 12:40 PM
truth two excellent questions, to be honest im guessing some of these will be answered closer to camp to see if there is anyone that fits into the D-League equation. I can tell you when Flip coached the Pistons, Detroit used sent guys to the affiliate (i.e. Amir Johnson)
The 2nd question i think will play out in camp and in the early part of the season, most NBA coaches dont play young players too much, but if they show their stuff in practice that usually means PT come game time (i.e Dom McGuire). As Tom stated above, JaVale saw a pretty extensive amount of action this year a lot more than what the coaching staff thought he would get before camp started.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time April 23, 2009 at 12:40 PM
We had injuries last year too, truth — gil was out all year, caron was out for 20 plus games, etc.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 12:42 PM
just got down to the press conference area, got espn 980 going on right next to me and they are setting up the equipment right now.
Fliip just previously had lunch and met with the rest of the Wizards organization for the first time. He is very exxcited about the situation
Comment from millie mill
Time April 23, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Are you guys going to set up a link where we can watch the press conference later?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time April 23, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Positive energy — you bet, it’s a really good thing to get Flip Saunders as our coach. He is a proven commodity. Like Eddie Jordan, he is one of the most respected coaches around the league.
I hope, as Sportswiz says, that the changes continue over the Summer.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 1:18 PM
tom, again just met with flip along with the rest of the organization. Great guy that is really exxcited with this opportunity and what he sees out of this roster.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time April 23, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I know a lot has been made about Juan Dixon and his future as a Wizard, but if my memory serves me correct didn’t Flip coach him when he was with the Pistons? Maybe Juan will catch on the roster after all…..
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time April 23, 2009 at 1:53 PM
thanks for the link SportzWiz
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:01 PM
just talked to steve buckhantz about flip, should have that for you later today.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:11 PM
just got some chris miller sound as well, we’ll try to put together a nice little package for you guys later today of what the local media has to say about flip
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:16 PM
thanks Sportwiz 
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:17 PM
writers are all filing in and flip and ernie just got to the podium.
Comment from vitality08
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Will/can the team members get a chance to learn the new plays under the new coach before training camp?
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:18 PM
I got the sound, any video?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Mr. Pollin is speaking and just said that they brought Flip here to win a championship.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:18 PM
got it
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Ernie is talking about Flip “he’s a really good fit for our team. He’s a good x’s and o’s man. He’s very underrated on the defensive end”
Comment from vitality08
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:20 PM
update what everyone is saying if you can. I can’t get the video at work.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:20 PM
“I think the timing for us is perfect. The type of players we have he enjoys coaching”
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Ernie just introduced flip.. im trying vitality 
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Flip – “Its a pleasure to be here. Mr. Pollin didn’t put any pressure on me he just said don’t let us down (laughing).”
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Flip the three reasons why he took this job
1. the committment of mr. pollin to win a championship
2. Ernies committment to put a winning team on the court
3. the team itself and how the roster is set up.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Flip – We are going to make it where people (other teams) dont come in here and win too often.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Flip is talkin about how injuries really effected this team and how it changed other players roles.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Flip – What I love about gilbert more than anything else is i love his competitiveness.
Comment from vitality08
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:26 PM
does he have specifics to do all this? maybe it’s too early to hear his “plan”.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I know that Gilbert wants to win more than anything. I think he’s rerady to take a step and have people follow him.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:27 PM
vitality, just trying to paraphrase typing as fast as i can.
Comment from vitality08
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:28 PM
i know…do your best. no pressure.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Flip – I think the main thing is sacrifice. I believe in teams of high assists and low turnovers and hockey assists, the assists that lead to the assists.
And if you keep driving in it they believe in it.
From a technical standpoint we have to defend. About 60 % of my big playbook is defense
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Flip – the process starts today, it starts in the offseason, it starts with the committment i have as a coach and i expect the same committment from them as players.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:32 PM
I am encouraged by his approach to the defensive end of the floor, as well as becoming a unit and team as wel as sacrafice for the team and wins.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Flip is talking about the NBA and what he has missed in the last year
Comment from neal
Time April 23, 2009 at 3:04 PM
It all couldn’t sound better.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Hey guys talked to flip at the end, basically he said one of the biggest things he’s looking forward to is playing at home and making verizon center a place where the wizards don’t lose and opponents hate to play.
Comment from gbkdc
Time April 23, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Awesome!!! I wish I could have seen it, but I’m at work. Very exciting!
Comment from GlingGling
Time April 23, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Great stuff. Looking forward to having flip around. As others have said, he is proven coach and a great guy. I see he mentioned that Ernie is dedicated to bring in the right guys, maybe that means they’re planning on making some moves.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time April 23, 2009 at 4:44 PM
GBKDC- dont worry we should have the whole thing up soon.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time April 23, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Flip said the magic words that some of us have been screaming all year – “I put players in situations to be successful.” If he really does that, the team will be successful.
Welcome to the phone booth Coach Saunders!!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time April 23, 2009 at 7:52 PM
SportzWiz great job today
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time April 23, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I liked everything he had to say. I was especially impressed that he mentioned the blog and all of us bloggers by name (nickname). Or… hey was that edited out of the video or something?
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time April 23, 2009 at 8:10 PM
yes it was tom.. but i still love the fact that he wants to show how good he can be at D#… at first i was kinda lost an did not know if i thought it was a good move or not….. but when he said that play book had 60% D# that put a smile on my face…. another thing he is underated as a D# coach witch if he is like Gil he will want to prove that he is better than people think and that will only help us.. i also like that he plans on putting even the Vets in there place as far as blame and so on.. all in all i am verry happy with him so far!
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time April 23, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Tom M. – that was funny. That’s the first time I’ve seen your sense of humor. LOL
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time April 23, 2009 at 8:20 PM
I didn’t think that I would be so pumped up about next season, but coach Saunders said just the right things to get the juices flowing already. I can’t wait…fast forward, please!
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time April 23, 2009 at 9:55 PM
LOL Tom. I think we are all becoming a bad influence on you
Gabbo LOL you really didn’t think you could “turn it off” did you? It’s like a drug… once a Wizards fan always a Wizards fan. Besides you knew you would miss us
I just got home and watched the video. That has to get everybody from the fans to the staff to the team pumped up. So far it’s been a lucky off-season. Let’s keep it going on lottery night. After the last few seasons it’s our turn for a little luck !
Comment from neal
Time April 23, 2009 at 10:24 PM
No more humor on this site. Serious stuff only.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time April 23, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Neal I wish I could. It goes against my nature
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time April 23, 2009 at 10:56 PM
yeah man this is a hard nose site.. by the way we just heard that we have traded the whole wizards roster for LBJ and the first round draft pick
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time April 24, 2009 at 1:09 AM
OMG Wizards4Life? 2 against 15? Take that microphone away from Phil Chenier and give that guy a uniform
Comment from Phemy
Time April 24, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Great coverage by you guys
… and welcome to the “family”, Mr.Saunders! GO ZARDS!
Comment from neal
Time April 24, 2009 at 10:30 AM
And by the way Grifon, if Hubbard plays I know a hot dog vendor that’s going to really be PO’d. He’s been waiting a long time.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time April 24, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Actually, I’m known for my sense of humor. This was a hard season for humor, however.
A little like the farmer whose horse died, and he complained because “I had him just about trained not to eat.”
Comment from datonypony
Time April 24, 2009 at 7:42 PM
I can’t wait till next season! But it’s still so far away! Thankfully the guys on this blog don’t seem to want to retire until November ahha.
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Comment from GrifonRacing
Time April 23, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Thank you SportzWiz. This could be the beginning of a very good journey.