Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 12, 2009 at 12:12 PM

He looked good to me

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 12, 2009 at 1:39 PM

@ Wizbulletman0

“wizards fusion, i am just saying I heard something about that, not saying it was actually true”

I know you didn’t say it was true – I’m responding to the information your heard as something that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

You do know there are people reading these blogs thinking all information posted by bloggers, not the Wizards, are true and factual. I’m trying to help put out fires before they spread.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 12, 2009 at 1:56 PM

I wonder if this is the draft order now:

1. Griffin – LAC
2. Thabeet – MEM
3. Harden – OKC
4. Rubio – SAC

I no longer think Rubio is in top 3. He’s caused too much drama by saying he has reservations playing at certain cities. Chances are good that Sacramento will get Rubio and he will solve their PG problem, even with the team drafting 4th.

With the above scenario, I believe the Wizards are screwed if they can’t go down or if they don’t make a “blockbuster” trade of some sort. I’m confident Jordan Hill is not in the Wizards plans. I’m curious how EG and FS will feel about Evans after today’s workout.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 12, 2009 at 2:53 PM

hey guys the other two workouts have wrapped up. We’ll post videos and photos soon.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 12, 2009 at 4:33 PM

If not Wizards Fusion I think you are very close. Harden seems to have raised his value and Rubio has decreased his. If we stay at 5 it looks like Evans or Curry. I’d still be very surprised if we didn’t trade it though given our 14 man roster.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 12, 2009 at 4:54 PM

Rubio is in the middle of a soap opera. He would really help Sacramento, so maybe it’ll work out.

Harden looks like he has very good size and a good head on his shoulders. He never negotiates anything with his right hand, however — though there was a little summer league footage that showed him driving right.

Looks like we got no video of Evans, just his interview. Too bad. Also, they didn’t work out against each other — both their agents disallowing that maybe?

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 12, 2009 at 6:00 PM

Sportzwiz is there going to be video of Evan’s workout, because the only video is him talking.

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 12, 2009 at 7:27 PM

Harden looks good i dont think it would be a easy call to trade him if he were to land on us and we need a guy at that spot and like he said he was “NBA ready” dont know it thats true or not but thats what we need so do we keep that and run with it or trade for a vet who knows thats what makes this time of year so great

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 12, 2009 at 9:51 PM

I have to agree Wizards4Life. If Harden is still there for us it would be pretty hard not to take him even given our roster. I don’t think anybody coming out of college, even Blake Griffin, is NBA ready. The media likes to throw that around but the games and talent level are just too different. It will take everybody “some” time to adapt.

Tom physically those two are the same person lol. I think Evans is listed at an inch taller, but, that’s about it. I’m sure their agents had it written in stone that they wouldn’t work out against each other (probably for any team). They are too close together on the draft boards. Shame woulda been fun to watch

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 12, 2009 at 10:01 PM

Hey SportzWiz… is there any way to increase the volumn on the videos? I’m old but not “that” old lol.

Harden looks good. I think I know why. Does he remind anybody but me of Gilbert? I don’t know something about the way he goes to the rim and how he shot that one outside jumper reminded me a lot of Gilbert. Anybody else or am I wishful thinking?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 12, 2009 at 10:23 PM

unfortunately no video of evans workout. Also as far as volume unfortunately some of the guys just dont talk that loud as im usually right in front of the guys during interviews

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 12, 2009 at 11:08 PM

Thanks SportzWiz. I am by no means complaining. We never had things like the interviews and all the clips you give us. You have taken a good site and made it great. I’d be very surprised if any other team in the league treats it’s fans as well as you and the Wizards do.

Tell them to “speak up” would ya? lol

Comment from hotfire2009
Time June 12, 2009 at 11:38 PM

im hoping we draft and keep Harden
Manu is too injury prone now and we dont not need more of that noooo noo god no noo noooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 13, 2009 at 6:43 AM

Nobody is “NBA ready” out of college? Whoa there! How long a list do you want?

Lets start with Wes Unseld — he was was the league MVP his rookie year. More recently, and on a much more modest level, Mario Chalmers was a 2d round pick and started at point for the Heat all his rookie year.

I doubt Griffin will do what Wes did, but he may well be a star from the get go.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 13, 2009 at 6:48 AM

Harden *does* look just a bit like Gil, doesn’t he — although a bigger version. Looking at him, tho, he still could use to lose 5-10 lbs.

Gil is *incredibly* strong for a guy his size, and he has incredible handles. If Harden has those attributes, to go with his shot, he can be quite good.

Won’t fall to us, alas.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 13, 2009 at 7:01 AM

…or maybe not “alas” — I think Stephen Curry is every bit as good a prospect.

Comment from M2
Time June 13, 2009 at 2:14 PM

Harden!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 13, 2009 at 2:16 PM

sure… if he’s there.

Comment from M2
Time June 13, 2009 at 2:22 PM

Yeah looking more & more like a pipe dream everyday…
I’ve said his name all along instead of Curry & Rubio etc & I’m sticking with it.
But it does look like Memphis might even grab him at two?
Geez
I don’t think that’s too high for this kid. He will be productive for a long time.
We’re gonna have a lot of kids left at five & EG has work to do. I think this draft is plenty deep. DeRozen, Holiday, Evans, Curry, even the big kid Hill, etc will be all most likely be on the table at five.
& no way guys like Lawson & Thornton are there in round two… NO WAY!
So if we want to grab a combo guard, we have a few to pick from. At that point it’s all about proper development (something we haven’t been very good at).
EVERYONE of these kids CAN play if the right situation presents itself.

Comment from M2
Time June 13, 2009 at 2:34 PM

& I know everyone is hung up on age, so keep in mind that Harden (while having played two years of college ball) is younger than Derozen & a month older than Evans (both coming out of their freshman years)… Harden is young for his class. Not as young as Gilbert was, but about a year young.
He is gonna lean up & get better & better. All the tools are there.

At 21, Curry still has some physical maturing to do so we’ll call him a late bloomer… All good

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 13, 2009 at 2:48 PM

Here is why we shouldn’t take Jordan Hill under any circumstance.

Comment from dmac
Time June 13, 2009 at 4:13 PM

The closer it gets the more I am inclined to hope we land Harden if he is there. Since we did not get to see any video it is hard to judge whether we will draft Evans at 5 if Harden is already off the board.
Unless we can get a proven starter to bring in exchange for the 5th pick, I say keep it.
If we do draft Harden then we can use our 2nd pick to trade with a couple of players and pick up or create space to receive or sign a David Lee, Brandon Bass or any other veteran help.
There is a very good article on the Wizards today concerning our immediate needs on hoopsworld.com

Comment from doclinkin
Time June 13, 2009 at 9:26 PM

Harden looks like he has very good size and a good head on his shoulders. He never negotiates anything with his right hand, however — though there was a little summer league footage that showed him driving right.

In the Kings workout (vid below) You get to see a bit of him handle a bit both directions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf5ye0Fc4oo

Watching this workout, if I’m nitpicking, he always dips the ball before he shoots it. Minor quibble but it makes it easier to defend. Still –dang the guy has long arms, and his step is quicker now than it was at ASU.

Hey if you think he looks like Gil when dribbling you should see him in interviews. He has the same Cali scattedrshot cadence as Gil, same tambre and timbre of voice. But more of a stutter, like, and somehow looks like Gil’s older bro.

Here’s the kings interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrhYjZCMXgs

Comment from dmac
Time June 13, 2009 at 10:38 PM

Thanks Doclinkin. It was a pleasure to see both Harden and Evans in their video workouts with Sacramento.
Even though I favor Harden, I also liked what I saw of Tyreke. Tyrekes flexibility as a combo guard is a good thing. He could play with Gil, Nick and Javaris in the backcourt.
Harden and Tyreke seem to both have that sneaky type game. You may not really notice it while they are playing but as a fourth scorer they could easily add 14-20 points a game with good sound play on both sides of the ball. Most of all I like their personalities in the fact that they could blend very well with Wiz team and are hungry for improving their games.

Comment from dmac
Time June 13, 2009 at 10:55 PM

There is some talk on Draft Buzz (ESPN) about the Wiz being one of the teams that Boston would be willing to trade Ray Allen to because Danny Ainge really likes Tyreke Evans. The discussion is would the Celtics be willing to take certain expiring contracts off of the Wiz hands.
It would be nice but hard to imagine Ray Allen in a Wizards uniform.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 13, 2009 at 11:45 PM

Thanks Doc…. great videos. He does talk kinda like Gilbert lol.

I was impressed by how fluid both Harden’s and Evans’ shot mechanics were. I wouldn’t worry about dipping the ball in gym shooting Doc. They both did it. Kinda normal when you know nobody is guarding you I’d expect.

I don’t know about Ray Allen Dmac? He is going to make almost 20 mil next year. I’m not sure he is worth that at this stage of his career. On the other hand next season is his last under contract. I can’t see giving up any of the core guys for him which means Boston is “going to have to” take dead contracts and probably knew that going in. I guess he would be ok because he somehow gets his shots with Pierce and Garnett. He would probably do the same with Gil, Caron, and Antawn. Even if just a thought for a moment it’s nice to say… with the starting line up of Gil, Ray Allen, Caron, Antawn and Brendan

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 13, 2009 at 11:53 PM

Hey Dmac… you bring up another point I’ve been thinking about. Ray Allen in a Wizards “uniform”. Ok we are losing the gold ones. I guess that means the silly teal stays. That leaves us the teal and the Zephyrs. We must be getting a new uniform this year?

Any News SportzWiz?

I liked the old red white and blue ones

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 13, 2009 at 11:56 PM

yeah grifon i dont see how that would work out but if i were to it happen i would be happy to see a line up of Arenas,Allen,Butler,Jamison,Haywood but who do we have that they could take to make this work? weres Tom and GABBO when you need them lol

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time June 13, 2009 at 11:58 PM

wow i just re-read that and i hope you can speak dork my bad…

and i would love to see a black and Gold one or even Black Blue and white would be nice

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 14, 2009 at 9:03 AM

I’m really starting to like Harden, but he won’t reach us it seems.

The Kings videos are *much* better than ours. Thanks for pointing them out, doc.

Evans looks explosive, but his shooting form looks weird to me. And slow.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 14, 2009 at 9:04 AM

Ray Allen is a hundred years old. I can’t imagine Ernie being interested.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 14, 2009 at 9:30 AM

if i hear any jersey changes i will let you know

Comment from doclinkin
Time June 14, 2009 at 12:39 PM

The Kings videos are *much* better than ours. Thanks for pointing them out, doc.

Also, while we’re giving an honest critique, our post-workout interviews always seem like they’re filmed in a police holding cell. Cramped, in too tight, mics all up in a man’s toothbrush zone.

Treat ‘em like we want ‘em here, take interviews at the podium as if they’d made the team. Room to breathe, time to be expansive on a topic.

Seems like a journalistic feeding frenzy, let the man take a shower first or something.

Just a thought.

Comment from M2
Time June 14, 2009 at 4:52 PM

Yes our style with any & all interviews seems to be much more renegade (always has been)… I definitely agree that a better structure would not only improve the process, but be much more “professional”.
Sac is a fantastic model…

There’s a time & place for the candid renegade style interviews… Them becoming the standard though, not that great a look.

Anyway, Harden & Holiday continue to be my guys… I continue to be open to having my mind changed though.

Comment from dmac
Time June 14, 2009 at 5:09 PM

Wiz4Life I like the Black and Blue uniforms. New coach and coaches. It would be nice for a fresh hot uniform the Wizards would have for a new season.

Comment from dmac
Time June 14, 2009 at 5:43 PM

So which one of us will make the right prediction concerning draft night for the Wiz. Who will get the blogging bragging rights?
I need help pulling this together. Lets put all of our possible scenarios together and see whose scenario we do our poll from.
Doclinkin you will probably be good at this.
Example scenario:
Wiz keep pick and draft James Harden at 5
Wiz trade up so they can get rights to James Harden
Wiz for select Curry for the Knicks and a draft day trade
Wiz make draft day trade with Mavs after selecting Hill at 5 for Josh Howard or Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse etc.
Wiz trade down for veteran player and to get rid of expiring contracts
Wiz trade up for Rubio
Lets keep it interesting until draft day.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 14, 2009 at 7:06 PM

Fun — we should do a pool!

Comment from wizbulletman0
Time June 14, 2009 at 10:40 PM

I still keep hope we trade up to get Rubio. I dont care what Rubio’s agent says, I believe Arenas and him and coexist and the whole “Arenas needs the ball in his hands” is overused. Yes he needs the ball a good amount but Rubio can get it to him easier with out guys doubling and all that. Easy points and open looks for Agent Zero and everyone else.

If the Thunder really like Harden, why not swap picks with them and take back one of their bad contracts like COllison and give them a guy like Blatche + filler (James)

Comment from neal
Time June 14, 2009 at 11:20 PM

SportzWiz, do you know when the luxury tax ceiling will be announced?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 15, 2009 at 9:37 AM

Neal last year it came out on July 8th or 9th. I dont know when the exact date is this year but my guess is around the same time.

Comment from M2
Time June 15, 2009 at 3:35 PM

Rubio?
We’re still talking about Rubio?
If anyone thinks that this kid is ready to come into the league & immediately contribute, let alone worry about he & Gil sharing the ball…?
C’mon people.
Rubio is a project. He will be drafted based on his potential… & NOT expected to be some teams focal point out the gate.
“He & Gil both need the ball in their hands blah blah blah”, give me a break.

Yeah some skinny Pistol Pete wannabe 18 year old with “unlimited potential” from Europe is gonna come in & tear up the league like he’s Chris Paul.
Hahahahaha… Wow
It’s like Sebastian Telfair or Kenny Anderson or Dejaun Wagner or any of a number of overhyped kids that can actually play, but not play nearly as well as their hype, all over again & again & again…
Who’s gonna take the fools gold?
NOT the Wizards!
Rubio will be fine, but he’s NOT the #2 pick in any draft.