Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 17, 2009 at 5:48 PM

Hmmmmmmm…..????!!!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 17, 2009 at 6:49 PM

I hope he has a great NBA career, however he really does not fit our present roster. However I realize we have to go through the process.

Comment from Rick
Time June 17, 2009 at 8:32 PM

i think this is a keep everyone honest kind of workout

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 17, 2009 at 8:58 PM

Believe it or not, I’m getting to the point where the draft is making me too nervous. I want it to be over.

I know you don’t believe that, SportsWiz.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time June 17, 2009 at 9:49 PM

My feeling is that the Phoenix Suns want Jordan Hill and in order to give up a front court player like Stoudemire that a potentiall very good power forward be available. If Hill is gone at #4 then the Wiz don’t get Stoudemire.
The Suns definitely know Hill since he played at Arizona.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 17, 2009 at 10:00 PM

This evening I had the opportunity to attend the “Meet the coach” festivities at the Verizon Center and even got to shake his hand and speak with him as I was leaving. Coach Saunders is everything that I knew he would be AND MORE.

He began by talking a bit about the Wizards in general and what he hoped to achieve. Then he took questions from the audience for about an hour. He answered my question thoughtfully but without hesitation. The man knows what he wants to do and any player who challenges his decisions or authority will not be playing.

He emphasized team defense and said that it was important that every player understand his responsibilities on defense and that every player also understand that there are four other players out there to support everyone else’s defensive role.

When asked the most important thing that he would teach about defense, he said “offense”. He explained that when he coached against the Wizards his teams understood that they would have several offensive runs during the game that would let them defeat the Wizards because the Wiz would take hurried 3-point shots that would lead to long rebounds and fast-break opportunities for the Pistons. Those fast-break opportunities would allow his team to be set on defense because most of his team would not be involved in the fast-break and would be waiting for the Wiz to bring the ball back up the court. The Wiz, on the other hand, would be facing a set defense, making it more difficult to score. He wants the Wizards offense to not be hurried in the half-court, but also to push the ball at every opportunity.

He said that his defensive success at Detroit was due to the fact that the Pistons challenged all shots in the paint; seriously challenged all layup attempts; contested 3-point attempts; and funneled the ball to the corners as frequently as possibly.

He spoke about his tenure at Minnesota and Kevin Garnett’s respect for the game; his dedication; and his desire. It was obvious that KG was his favorite to coach. He then compared ANDRAY BLATCHE to KG. He said that ‘Dray has the same skill set and that he has been very impressed with his workouts. He went so far as to say that he asked some other coaches if Andray had been “trick’n” everyone so far because he looks really great. — get the mustard ready for that keyboard.

He was asked about whether or not he felt that the Wizards needed to get a 2-spot player. He said that he felt that the Wizards did not have to find a 2-spot player that we have Nick Young who he feels has demonstrated that he can fill the spot. He said that he liked the idea of having a 6’6″ 2-man who will be taller than most other 2′s.

He said that neither Andray nor Nick would be going anywhere other than with the Wizards.

When asked about Javale, he said that he has tremendous talent, but that he needs to be schooled in the fundamentals.

When asked about the draft, he said that no matter who the Wizards picked that player would not be challenging for a starting position. He said that, unlike some other teams, the Wizards do not need someone who can step into the starting lineup and make a difference.

He talked about his meetings with Gil and Gil’s responsibility to acknowledge that leaders are people in whom others trust. The Wiz players trust Gil, so he is the leader…like it or not.

He was asked whether or not he would intentionally foul the opposition if they had the ball with little time on the clock and the Wiz had a three point lead. He said FOUL (what a change from EJ and ET).

He was asked about the importance of statistical data to his approach to the game. He said that they video the entire game and one of the assistant coaches has the video (real-time) on a computer behind the bench. When he wants to know how successful play #52 was during the game, he can find out that they ran it 6 times and that Caron made 3 jumpers as a result. Since he has all of the game plays readily available, he can use that information to help to decide what to run and when during the game. However, he emphasized that statistics only provide information for his decisions, and that most of the time he sees what is going on and coaches accordingly.

Coach Saunders said that he felt that it was very important to have a serious scoring threat (maybe one of your best players) coming off the bench to give the team a lift at important times.

He will be deeply disappointed if the Wizards are not one the the three best teams in the division.

I swear that I am not making this up even though, from all of my previous blogs, it reads as though I might be coach Saunders. How can I not like the man, his coaching approach is just what my blogs said that the Wizards need.

Now I really can’t wait for the season to begin.

Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 17, 2009 at 10:11 PM

M2 – In response to my blog about Andray Blatche’s upside…”Not with you on Dray my man, not at all with you on Dray!”

As I said, M2 you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but it looks as thoug the BIG DOG (Coach Saunders) agrees with me.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 17, 2009 at 10:12 PM

gabbo i was there as well, just a great time, i will concur with everything you said in your post above (so now you have another source backing you, not that you needed it)

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 17, 2009 at 10:15 PM

Thanks SportzWiz. I wouldn’t want my fellow bloggers to think that I was handing out BS. It really was a first class time.

Comment from ChenierFan
Time June 17, 2009 at 10:25 PM

Back from vacation (Grand Teton & Yellowstone) National Parks and just got caught up on the blogs.

Some random thoughts…
1) Lots of ink on Andray’s workout the other day. I have said this before and I will say it again: Any team that wants to win the title needs a 4 who has length and skill. Garnett and Gasol are two quick examples. Andray has a chance to be that good. His skill level for a big man is off the charts. His biggest handicap has been the miserable coaching he has received at the NBA level. I think it is mostly a matter of confidence. Andray has to be very pleased to have a “big man” coach in Saunders.

2) Pity the poor Sixers. Their fans will have to endure a year and a half of that dreadful Princeton Offense. It is guarenteed to turn a 20/10 Elton Brand into a 17/7 player. I can’t wait to see Brand do that weave between the circles.

3) Another ingredient that NBA champs need is a tall 2-guard who can make plays. That is why we need to keep Nick. He will also benefit from a better coach.

4) I get a kick out of scouting reports that say a player is “raw”. Translation: they can run and dunk but can shoot a lick.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 17, 2009 at 10:32 PM

I’m sorry that I didn’t initially mention the extent to which the Wizards management went to make the attendees at the “Meet the Coach” event feel welcome.

We were greeted by Wizards hostesses at the front door and escorted to the practice court where we were invited to partake of hors D’oeurves of dip and bread and cheese. Waiters circulated with shrimp. Non-alcoholic drinks were available gratis; while alcoholic drinks could be had at a nominal cost.

Dave Johnson, voice of the radio Wizards, was the emcee and did his usual great job while introducing Coach Saunders and then providing the audience with an opportunity to ask questions.

Very nice evening. Thanks Wiz management!

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 17, 2009 at 10:34 PM

ChenierFan, welcome back. Hope the tour was fun.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 17, 2009 at 10:39 PM

Okay, enough excitement for a Wednesday. Blog tomorrow.

Comment from imawizkid
Time June 17, 2009 at 10:42 PM

the linup would then look something like this

C. brendan haywood
PF. amare stoudemire
SF. antawn jamison
SG. caron butler
PG. gilbert arenas

I LOVE IT
AMARE’S A BEAST THATS MUCH NEEDED IN OUR FRONT COURT

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time June 17, 2009 at 10:52 PM

for Sportswiz and for gabbo

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 17, 2009 at 11:38 PM

@ GABBO:

I’m shocked you didn’t mention the one thing that stood out the most during Flip’s Q&A – him repeating the term “respect”.

I think you took notes or have an incredible memory because your summary was about as accurate as I remembered it – and I transcribed it digitally!

Since you took care of the technical portions of the “town hall meeting”, I’ll fill in the comedic portions and also what I got from it:

1. Flip told an excellent joke about a prophet-healer/miracle worker and a Wizards fan. Those that attended can re-tell it during a slow blog day.

2. Someone asked Flip to give some background information about himself. Flip said he’s from Cleveland and then the room started to turn against him with some jeers and boos.

3. A blonde haired lady went Gil-bashing a bit during her question and was quite animated. She didn’t like the fact that Gil can be a leader when he hasn’t shown any maturity on and off the court during his injured timeframe. Flip gave an answer alluding coaching players and also to parenting children where not everyone is the same “cookie-cutter” type and each case needs to be treated independently. In other words, Gil will be dealt only if he does something to hurt the team. If Flip can manage some sort of relationship with the Marburys and the Sheeds of the world, Flip can handle and work with Arenas.

4. Flip told everyone that he’s really not going to coach the Wizards. Instead, he and his staff is going to TEACH the players because he’s a teacher. This is an important distinction and I think the entire Blatche discussion centered around these two topics. Flip wants to reinforce FUNDAMENTALS for guys like McGee because “freakish athleticism” is not going to be there after the player passes his prime. Flip is already thinking about expanding McGee’s offensive skill sets beyond just dunking the ball.

5. There were a lot of questions from ticket holders talking about the past (e.g., injuries, no defense). Flip made it clear that he doesn’t care about the past. All he can do is to look toward the future. This is important because the players can’t let past failures dictate the team’s psychology today. If Flip can get past his “can’t pass the first round in Minny” and his “can’t win the Larry O’Brien in Detroit”, us Wizards fans can get past “LeBron’s talking to Gil at the free throw line” and “LeBron’s travellings and crab dribbles”.

I don’t know if GABBO or other attendees will agree with me, but I thought the chat got better and better as Flip felt more comfortable talking (he became audibly louder as time went forward – which was a sign of him getting more excited). Those that doubt Flip’s knowledge of basketball are going to be sorry because this guy knows what’s up. I agree with GABBO 110% that Flip has a plan to improve the Wizards (he definitely knows what he’ll do and how he’ll do it). I felt that Flip really did some homework on the Wizards before taking this job and it’ll pay off greatly when he assess more closely who can do what in the next coming months. Although I still have mixed feelings on how the Eddie Jordan coaching reign ended, I am giddy about Flip as the head guy now.

Comment from doclinkin
Time June 18, 2009 at 2:15 AM

Appreciate the re-cap from attendees. I’m a rare ticket buyer so I don’t get the inside scoop like the high-rollers. Hope y’all don’t mind if I cut and pasted your comments to another message board and gave y’all all the credit for the recap. Nice write-ups.

Comment from dmac
Time June 18, 2009 at 6:57 AM

wizards_fusion and Gabbo thanks for the feedback. Just reading you guy’s recap was very encouraging.
One thing I totally agree with Flip on is it is about now and the future. The past is gone. This is a new era and new beginning. Last season is gone. I believe in dealing with young men in life today is you needs guy’s who are teachable and willing to be mentored and given principles to live by. Eddie was good while he was here but it was not meant for him to lead us to our promise land. Flip seems to be the guy that I believe EG will confide in greatly before he decides to trade or keep our pick. I think today with Jordan Hill will determine a lot of how the draft will unfold for us. The comments Flip made about Dray and Nick were encouraging.
I hope this is a break out season for both guy’s. looks like Nick may have a chance to start with Gil in the backcourt. Not taking anything from our desire to draft Harden, it really does not make sense to write NIck off because he has proven to us that he can score. what he needs is coaches to teach him how to bring the whole package he has together. At 6 ft. 6 in. like Flip say’s that gives us good size in the backcourt.
Rick when Dray breaks out make sure he get’s you courtside seats for the season. Tom seems like Flip may want to watch some film with you as long as you don’t give Nick a hard time.
If we need some scoring off the bench it could be that Curry is headed this way.
Has anybody heard anything on Deshawn and his rehab.
One last thing I hope Flip does is teach Javale to develop a Kareem hook shot with either hand and a Elvin Hayes fade jumper. Those were the two hardest shots for anyone to defend against post men back in the day.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 7:17 AM

How cool! Sounds like a terrific evening.

It’s interesting that Flip compared Dray’s skill set to Garnett — KG is the guy that Blatche made me think of when he came into the league.

If Flip can turn Blatche and Nick into players, no one will be happier than I. But, please remember, what sets Garnett apart from guys like Blatche, and Nick for that matter, are not his physical skills — it is his attitude, brain, discipline, comprehension of the game, dedication, self-motivation, and extraordinary focus and determination that make Kevin Garnett the player he is.

We are *a long way* from seeing those qualities in any young Wizard — Dominic is the only one who gives any indication. One of the reasons I like Curry so much is that he seems to show those kinds of qualities.

It’s going to be a very very fun season — a true new beginning, which we are all eager for!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 7:35 AM

Interesting podcast on DraftExpress.

Givony is very high on Rubio, Harden and Curry. He says that “Curry had a terrific workout with the Wizards, and I know they really like him.” But he may go to Sacramento. If so, Rubio might drop to us — Givony describes him as “the kind of point guard that only comes along once every five or six years.”

In the end, however, Givony thinks we’ll trade the picks. We have, he says, “a lot of good trade offers on the table and are looking for even better ones.” But, he describes us as “looking to cut costs” and doesn’t see how the Amare trade could fit that goal.

Well worth a listen.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 18, 2009 at 10:57 AM

I don’t believe this for one second .

I will be heading down to the workout shortly. We’ll have vids and pics of it for you.

Comment from Tom Mandel | [e]
Time June 17, 2009 at 8:58 PM

Believe it or not, I’m getting to the point where the draft is making me too nervous. I want it to be over.

I know you don’t believe that, SportsWiz.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 18, 2009 at 11:11 AM

wizards_fusion, your certainly filled in the blanks from my memory of the “Meet the Coach” session. Nice job.

I agree with your assessment of Coach’s use of the word “respect”. I remember that he said that KG’s respect for the game was one of the things he liked most about him.

dmac, Coach said that DeShawn was working in the weight room as he was speaking to us.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time June 18, 2009 at 11:20 AM

I think that if the Wiz make a move out of #5 then Antawn is gone. That’s too bad because he is a heck of a player. He has a very reasonable contract also.
I’m just praying that Amare is one of the pieces that we get in return.
No way Rubio drops to #5. I think it would be more likely that Thabeet drops to us than Rubio.
The point guards are moving up the draft board on a daily basis as we get closer to the draft.
Curry looks like he aint going past #4.
Point Guard is in Highhhhhhhhhh demand!

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 18, 2009 at 11:51 AM

doclinkin – “Hope y’all don’t mind if I cut and pasted your comments to another message board and gave y’all all the credit for the recap.”

Thanks for the shout-out.

If you do, please let us know where. It would be interesting to see feedback from other boards where the bloggers might not be Wizards fans.

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:15 PM

Tom “the kind of point guard that only comes along every five or six years” huh?
Damn, that means hall of fame… I guess we’re talking what, Oscar & Magic, Issiah, Stockton, J Kidd & Gary Payton, Nash, Parker, CP3, maybe throw guys like Cousy, Mo Cheeks, Kevin Johnson & Lenny Wilkens in for nostalgias sake?
Another guy drinking the kool aid…
What a freakin’ JOKE!

& Gabbo et all… What in the hell do you expect coach to tell a bunch of rabid supporters after possibly the worst season on record? That Slick & Dray are marginal? That we shouldn’t be one of the top 3 (wow, top 3) in our division? I mean, I’m fired up about everything just like everyone else but lets inject a little perspective. He’s our new coach & he’s keeping confidence high. You’re supposed to roll out of that event & blog excitedly. Well done Flip!
I’ve got my mustard ready Gabbo, MORE than ready. But I know good PR when I smell it…

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:25 PM

M2 — I just quoted the guy; I didn’t set up an altar and worship his opinions! I’ve never seen Rubio play.

Your response in re: Flip’s fan evening and the response by getabig et. al. is more or less exactly what I would have written, but I decided there was no point in raining on the parade. Flip’s words don’t make Andray a better player, Nick either. Those guys played a lot = we won 19 games.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:27 PM

There’s been some talk of a T’wolves – Grizz trade where Kevin Love goes to Memphis for the 2d pick. Love is a big-time player. I wish he was a Wizard.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:29 PM

M2 – Of course, you are right about the PR. That’s what the event was all about. However, it was very interesting that Coach Saunders singled out both Blatche and Slick without any prompting from the audience. He mentioned them enthusiastically in his opening remarks. I’m just happy that it appears as though that both Blatche and Young are going to get an even break this year and be allowed to play. We’ll see how they respond, but I believe that they’ll be successful.

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:33 PM

Not going after you at all Tom, going after “the guy”…

Curry, to a degree has made me think (if only for a minute), Rubio is ALL HYPE right now & our league continues to coddle the likes of him. It’s pathetic. His a$$ should be working out for teams just like every other kid in line to become a millionaire. Problem for him is, there’s zero upside to doing such a thing. Most of these kids (Flynn, Lawson, Jennings, Holiday, Evans, hell even your boy Curry) would gobble his a$$ up in work-outs. Hell, I’d love to see his vertical jump, speed & bench press numbers (that would be funny stuff) That’s why I’ve always said, bring his a$$ to town & watch J Crit eat him up day in & day out in practice.

I’m starting to really like you!

But when our season starts & you start giving us all of those ridiculous stats … That will be the true test.

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:33 PM

Because they NEEDED to be singled out Gabbo!

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:35 PM

They are two of our three or four youngs that EVERYONE expects more from immediately. McGee & D Mac are still in the show great promise phase. Blatche & Young should be there by now & the entire league knows it.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:36 PM

Highlights from the Jordan Hill workout

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:41 PM

I can tell you two things…
He’s much futher along in several areas than say Chris Bosh was (although he’s also older) when he came out of Ga Tech.
& Sam Cassell is the 2nd best guard in our organization.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:44 PM

Tom M. – “Flip’s words don’t make Andray a better player, Nick either. Those guys played a lot = we won 19 games.”

You’re absolutely right. Flip’s words won’t make anyone a better player, but his coaching WILL.

Total minutes played are just statistics. Who was on the court with you; what plays the coach is calling; the score; and many other factors contribute to being able to play quality minutes. Slick had three monster games in a row and then ET decided not to play him – HUH!!!

Blatche was starting and playing great and then he got hurt. He rehab’d according to schedule and was ready to play when he recovered, but ET decided not to play him – HUH!!! Our braintrust coaching staff had decided to play Darius at the 5 spot (yet another guy playing out-of-position) instead of Blatche. It was the LOTTERY COACH in action.

The guys who played a lot were Caron and AJ (the two All-stars) and we won 19 games. Don’t lay only 19 wins at the feet of the kids. The only way the Wizards could have done any better is if they stuffed Tap in a locker and played without a coach.

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:48 PM

Well said Gabbo…
& don’t confuse me for a complete contrarian or realist, they will BOTH be better than they’ve EVER been this season.
A full compliment of healthy all star type bodies around them & a much better coaching staff will insure that, but they will never be what you seem to think they are.

Mustard in hand, ready & willing!

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:49 PM

M2 – Why would D Mac be in the “show great promise phase” and “Young should be there by now & the entire league knows it.” when they entered the league together and D Mac started most of last season?

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:52 PM

@ M2:

GABBO and I were just repeating what we heard and saw at the “meeting with Flip”. Just like the stuff people opine here, you have to take everything with a grain/pinch of salt.

Flip mentioned he’ll most likely run an 8 man rotation. If the core doesn’t change, 4 definite spots are taken for starters and 4 are up for auditions. McGuire, Young, and Blatche will most likely get playing time – thus, Flip’s comments about Andray and Nick made logical sense to me. You may not care how truthful those descriptions are, but at least he talked about players having the best chance of making an impact for the team. I mean, why would Flip “promote” Pecherov during the rally if he knows it’ll be difficult for Stewie to get PT? He didn’t, so you’ve got to think Pech is most likely a bench warmer again. You’ve got to read between the lines and not take everything said in a literal fashion.

I want to re-emphasize what GABBO said in his first post about the rally (this is really important since we’re talking about the draft and all) –

“When asked about the draft, he [Flip] said that no matter who the Wizards picked that player would not be challenging for a starting position. He said that, unlike some other teams, the Wizards do not need someone who can step into the starting lineup and make a difference”

Re-read GABBO’s description of Flip’s thoughts of the the draft once more. What Flip basically told me was if the Wizards draft someone, that player isn’t going to be starting. That’s right – everyone’s fantasies of seeing Curry or Harden or whomever run with the 1st team isn’t happening – at least, not from the git go.

So, I’m fairly confident the Wizards’ starting lineup for 09-10 season is the same one from a couple of seasons ago – again, if the core doesn’t get traded.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 18, 2009 at 1:56 PM

Just different points of view. We’re obviously all reading from the same book, but are on different pages.

We all want all of the Wizards to be successful, but we don’t share the same level of enthusiasm for various players.

That’s what make the blog interesting and fun.

Go WIZ!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 18, 2009 at 2:00 PM

wizards_fusion, Thanks for jumping in and helping to clarify some points. Well put!

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 2:12 PM

Kinda… I mean the Pech example screams of you all not understanding my point. Slick & Dray are obviously in the current eight or nine man rotation, Pech should have never had an NBA contract but okay…

D Mac was a 2nd round draft pick that has not only stuck but at times even thrived (no Tom, not thrived the way you seem to think he has but hey). I & most people thought that Slick would take DSS’s job midway through his rookie year but as we all know, he didn’t & hasn’t. Hell, even in last seasons injury riddled bring in the likes of Dee Brown & Mike James, Crit & Dixon, even start D Mac at the two, Slick couldn’t stick. On any other team in that predicament, a guy with Slicks supposed talent TAKES the two spot job & KEEPS it all year.
That’s the type of gut coach is hoping to see. That’s the type of encouragement coach is giving.
Two seasons ago our two spot was messy & EG took, & was excited about taking, Slick. He has not seized the day as of yet. I’m not sure he ever really will? A scoring threat off the bench though, YES… He can hopefully be that. But I was hoping we drafted a Larry Hughes type to play alongside Gil for at least a handful of years. That’s the type of talent he has. that’s why I tend to be down on him.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 18, 2009 at 2:57 PM

@ M2:

I know what you’re saying about Nick Young, but I hope you’ll also remember that “Slick” wasn’t even part of the Wizards drafting plans 2 seasons ago.

Nick was supposed to go in the late lottery, like 11th or 12th pick (from the same draft boards that are predicting the Wiz to get Harden, Hill, or Curry now) but he dropped out of the lottery and basically into the Wizard’s lap at the 16th pick. At that time, the team was still very much upbeat about everything, including having guys return from injuries and such, to contend for the East. Ernie drafted Nick because he was the best available; he didn’t draft Nick because the Wizards AT THAT TIME desperately needed a SG to replace Hughes or Stevenson.

No one is questioning your opinions of Nick and Andray and why you have a very short leash on them. You’re not the only Wiz fan that don’t see much more out of these two. I’m a bit more patient and knowing what I know now about those guys in the last couple of years, I want to see what Flip’s staff can do before I ultimately put my stamp on them.

I don’t know if you’re a football fan from the past, but Sam Huff, the great middle linebacker for the NY Giants and later on the Redskins, was a nobody on the Giants because he was playing on the offensive line as an undersized guy. Tom Landry, the defensive coach for the Giants at that time (mid 50s), saw Huff’s skills and told him to move to defense and be the leader on Landry’s newly developed 4-3 defense. Sam, being an arrogant athlete from West Virginia, liked the idea that he’s “the man” and did what Landry told him. He excelled and is now an NFL great and Hall of Famer.

Alluding to the story above, I’m not saying Nick and Andray will be all-stars or hall of famers or even starters in the NBA; but I am saying that with a combination of better coaching/teaching with this new Wizards staff + a personal desire to get better by himself (which both showed snippets of it and were reported by the local media outlets to some extent), there may be a silver lining afterall.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 18, 2009 at 2:58 PM

I hear you, M2.

My point has always been (especially with regard to Slick and ‘Dray) that the previous two coaching staffs had no idea of how to use the skills that were starring them in the face.

EJ wanted the players to adapt to HIS system, rather than adapting the system to put each player in the best position for the player to succeed using the player’s strengths. EJ also got far more credit than he deserved. His tenure coincides with the arrival of Gil in DC. Gil made EJ a winner. When Gil was no longer available to play, EJ became a loser. Gil overcame EJ ‘s offensive system by ignoring it. Gil could do that…he is a superstar. The other players could not ignore it…they got benched.

ET had no idea about anything. Enough said about him.

Hopefully, with Coach Saunders, all of the players will have an opportunity to make the best use of their skills and succeed.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 3:17 PM

That would be great — and if Nick and/or Andray thrive, that’ll be even greater!

As for all you McGuire under-estimators — watch out!

Obviously, who is going to start at the 2 will be determined competitively in camp. We kinda know who’s starting at the other positions! (barring trades)

Again, pre-draft is dream time. Guys are superstars on potential. No one knows who is going to work out, although of course there are indicators. I.e. even Griffin is still untested, but that doesn’t mean he’s as much of a question mark as e.g. Jordan Hill.

If we were to nab Harden, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him contend to start. If Curry, I will be surprised if he doesn’t start by his 2d year. But, again, who really knows? Remember, Miami won 2.4 times as many games as we did, and they started a rookie second round pick — and *didn’t* start the 2d guy taken in the draft!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 3:23 PM

Not much you can tell from the Jordan Hill workout video. His shooting motion is a little mechanical and slow, he gets up high, he has a good frame but probably needs a few pounds…

Seems a very nice kid. That matters.

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 3:33 PM

Tom continues to get smarter…

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 3:35 PM

I have you guys to thank for any increases in my intelligence

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 3:40 PM

Jonathon Givony and the draftexpress gang have put up yet another new mock draft. Now, he says we’re taking Jordan Hill at number 5 (Curry goes to GS at 7) and nabbing Sergei Gladyr w/ #32. Gladyr is a very young Russian guard who is supposed to be phenomenally talented. He stayed in the draft, but who knows if he’s coming over.

He must think we’re trading Hill — and going to get a lower first round pick in the trade.

Comment from doclinkin
Time June 18, 2009 at 4:15 PM

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 18, 2009 at 11:51 AM

If you do, please let us know where. It would be interesting to see feedback from other boards where the bloggers might not be Wizards fans.

I’m mostly at Realgm.com, though that’s about as rabid a Wiz fanbase as you can get. Highly educated though, need to have your stats holstered if you get in a fact fight.

On Nick (aka ‘N1′ or ‘N1-on-5′) It occurred to me that learning some basic pro sets and having an actual playbook will help him a ton, compared to Eddie’s looser ‘read and react’ style that requires of it’s players significant savvy, decision making and understanding of the game.

If Nick burns into muscle memory even one or two repeatable and successful plays he’ll be a far more useful player for the squad. He won’t have to dribble into traffic and chuck up a contested shot.

One thing is certain he’ll need to learn to play without the ball running next to Gil. Doesn’t need to be Rip Hamilton, just needs to be able to get open, catch and shoot with reliable accuracy.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time June 18, 2009 at 4:46 PM

Remember when Andray Blatch was a free agent.
NO TAKERS!
His potential is gone. If he hasn’t played well in all these years he’s been with the team then he will never be more than a backup.
I have lost all faith that he will come around. Some guys just don’t have it.
By the way, isn’t Dominique Maguire a free agent?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 6:43 PM

A catch and shoot game would be a great thing for Nick, yes — an obvious deficiency right now.

Dom is under contract for the coming year, then a RFA.

Comment from neal
Time June 18, 2009 at 8:11 PM

Thanks for the very encouraging report gabbo. Like I said before, I think we fired a good coach and hired an excellent one. Hope I’m right.

dmac, I think Kareem hook shots and Elvin Hayes fading jump shots are mostly out of date. Jump hooks are easier.

Slick still has a lot of talent, and still has a lot to learn, such as catch and shoot.

For an 8 man rotation we have Arenas, Butler, Jamison, Haywood and Blatche as shoo-ins. Young, and McGuire are probables. Stevenson, Crittenton or the draftee will be the third guard. That leaves Songaila, McGee, Thomas, James and Pecherov on the bench until injuries happen. I know that’s hard, but if the man says an 8-man rotation, you have to take him at his word. Sounds to me like we’re again going to have the big 3 logging big minutes.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 8:46 PM

neal — that doesn’t sound like a starting 5 to me? You have Butler at the 2, Jamison at the 3 and Blatche our starting 4?

I don’t see how that’d work: neither offensively nor especially defensively. Caron had to handle the ball more than usual last year, and his productivity dropped significantly– both because of turnovers and having to create his shot off the dribble. His handles are not his strong point.

I doubt that Jamison would be able to defend the other team’s 3, and I wonder whether working against a quicker defender would hurt his offense — don’t know about that.

Blatche is not a starting 4 in this league yet. Whatever anyone thinks of his skill set and potential, he hasn’t shown starter productivity, he doesn’t rebound well enough to start, and he commits too many silly fouls.

Unless DeShawn makes a big-time comeback, or we somehow wind up with someone via the draft or a trade, Dominic will start at the 2 again. His lack of shooting won’t matter — we have a shooting point guard — and he does everything else incredibly well on both sides of the ball.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 8:58 PM

The backup unit would presumably see Crittenton and Stevenson in the back court — hence, a primarily defensive, size-oriented back court — with Nick, Andray and JaVale counted on to provide offense. This is leaving out whatever might happen via the draft/trade, obviously.

If JaVale can’t produce quickly enough, we’d have to use Songaila as an undersized 5 (or slide Andray over, and use Darius at the 4). James would be a kind of wild card combo guard on that unit — when he’s “on” he’d add offense and make it easier for Nick. When he wasn’t, he’d come back out in a hurry.

Pech and Thomas — if he’s ok to play — would be relegated to spot duty.

Now… the draft, a trade, summer league, and/or training camp could change a lot of the above, obviously. But that’s how I’d see it right now.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 18, 2009 at 9:02 PM

Interesting report on Dejuan Blair — still my “sleeper” pick as a guy who could wind up being a beast in the NBA.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 18, 2009 at 9:29 PM

(the following post assumes the Big 3 is not dismantled before the start of the 09-10 season)

@ Neal:

I don’t think we have to be as worried this time around with the Big 3 getting too many minutes. When Flip was at Detroit, he had a bunch of wily veterans that were not young anymore. No starter, except for the occasional 40 minute performances from Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, played more than 30 minutes per game. The Pistons team utilized and trusted bench guys like McDyess, Lindsey Hunter, Amir Johnson, and Jason Maxiell to do their job as well.

This is where we will all find out how good of a coach Flip really is when he has to deal with Andray, Nick, Dom, Javaris, and JaVale. The guys on the 8 man rotation are going to be accountable every game. The blame game will not solely be on the Big 3.

Eddie Jordan’s staff was very weak in knowing how to control player minutes. I know part of it had to do with the pressure of winning and he can only trust the same 4 guys (GA, CB, AJ, AD) night in and night out. It is my hope that Flip will expand the sharing of responsibilities so that Gil, Antawn, and Caron don’t have to be hibachi all the time when the game is on the line.

Comment from neal
Time June 18, 2009 at 9:52 PM

Tom, I didn’t mean those 5 would be the starters, just that they would be locks for the rotation. I don’t expect for Blatche to start. An as yet-to-be determined guard will join the other 4 as a starter.

There are 240 minutes in the game. If Haywood plays his career average (23.7 minutes) and the SG plays Stevenson’s career average (24.5 minutes), that leaves 191.8 minutes. If we are generous and say that the three subs play 24 minutes each, that means that the big 3 will average 39.9 minutes each.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 18, 2009 at 10:21 PM

The Wizards will open the season (sans injury) with the following lineup:

1 Gil
2 Slick
3 Caron
4 Andray
5 Brendan

1st man off the bench will be AJ.

Comment from ChenierFan
Time June 18, 2009 at 10:32 PM

Getabigboyoffense’s lineup is the dream scenario for me. In my earlier post I noticed that to be NBA title contender nowadays you need LENGTH at the 2 & 4 position. This lineup give the Wiz exactly that. With AJ reprising his 6th man role he had at Dallas the Wiz will have a serious spark and consistancy off the bench.

Comment from jsuh0
Time June 18, 2009 at 10:37 PM

serious doubts about dray. All the skills and length to succeed, but he thinks hes a 2 guard way too often. I would like to see gabbo’s lineup at least in the first couple games to see the advances the youngn’s have made.

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 10:45 PM

Tom, NO WAY Dom starts this season…. NO FREAKIN’ WAY, sorry!

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 10:51 PM

Provided we just draft & sit still, it will look like this
Gil
DSS
Butler
Tawn
Wood
Sorry but that’s what it’ll be folks.
Basically what last season was supposed to be.

Blatche
D Song
Young
& Dom will get involved

McGee
& our Draft pick will get involved in blow-outs

Pech, Thomas, James & who the hell ever else might as well wear their street clothes under their sweats when they’re not on the DL…

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 10:52 PM

All provide we sit still… Which I hope we don’t do.
But in that event, none of us have a clue.

Comment from M2
Time June 18, 2009 at 10:53 PM

provided

Comment from Babakism
Time June 18, 2009 at 11:04 PM

I love Amare Stoudamire but……………..can you imagine if everyone gets injured lol Gil Amare Jamison and Butler. I mean they do have a history. Why don’t we send pech down to the D-league so he can log in some minutes and get more confident playing???????

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 7:27 AM

Andray and Nick start off of their performances last year, Getabig?

I assume you have the idea that Nick will have a big summer league, and both of them will have outstanding camps and earn their way onto the starting five? If so, sure, why not?

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 7:27 AM

M2 – You really have to start telling us how you really feel about things.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 7:34 AM

As I said, M2, “unless DSS makes a big time comeback… Dom starts at the 2.”

Anyway, it’s kind of pointless for me to have to lay out again and again the really outstanding numbers Dominic McGuire put up in his 2d year. Especially over against analysis based on “I think Andray has really decided to bear down… etc.” as if there was a window into his head.

I certainly agree that Stevenson is more likely to start than Nick, who hasn’t shown that he can produce in the minutes he has been given.

Once again: Nick/Andray played a lot last year = 63 losses in 82 games. You like?

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 7:35 AM

Good morning Tom,

No one argues that Slick and ‘Dray don’t have the skills. They’ll get the start because they’ll have a coach who understands how to take advantage of a player’s skills and place them in both an offensive and defensive position to succeed.

This year’s training camp should be something to see because there are a lot of guys who started at various times last year who think that they should be in the starting lineup this year.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 7:50 AM

Tom M. –
AJ played in 81 games and started all 81 and averaged 38.2 minutes per game
CB played in 67 games and started all 67 and averaged 38.6 minutes per game
DMac played in 79 games; started 57 and averaged 26.2 minutes per game
They were the players with the most playing time.

Slick and ‘Dray played fewer minutes than any of them and you are still trying to lay the blame for 63 losses at their feet.

I like the upside for ‘Dray and Slick VERY much.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 7:57 AM

As fans, we live in our imaginations. “Our” team is a projection of our own hopes for the world. Our good players become great in our minds. Flawed players are seen only for their skills; we don’t look at the flaws. It’s just the way it is.

Reality is pretty different. The Wizards, as constituted now, are a middle of the pack team. That’s with everyone healthy.

Sometimes, I just let myself be a fan — above all when I’m watching games.

But, when I’m thinking about the team, my entertainment is to try to think like a GM, and that means being *objective.* I can assure you that behind closed doors, Ernie and Flip take a different attitude than at events for season ticket holders.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 7:59 AM

“Upside” = what you haven’t actually *done* yet.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 8:07 AM

When Gil was healthy, the Wizards made the playoffs. They did it with Gil and AJ and either Larry or Caron and very little else. As currently constituted, the Wizards are a much better team than those teams that made the playoffs three years in a row AND this team is not limited by EJ’s coaching style.

This is not a middle of the pack team. This is a contending team.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 8:14 AM

Some of us think like the GM they would like to be. Some of us think like the coach that they were. Fantasy vs reality.

Comment from neal
Time June 19, 2009 at 8:54 AM

I agree gabbo, training camp will really be interesting. I think the only competition for a starting job will be at the 2 but the competition for the rotation will be fierce. Hard to believe Flip will only use 8. I will be surprised if Blatche starts at the 4 ahead of Jamison. That’s a lot of offense to put on the bench. And Jamison almost never makes the mental mistakes that Blatche still does.

I don’t get Ricky Rubio. His production sure doesn’t make him a top 5 pick to me. Seems obvious why he doesn’t want to compete in workouts with the US kids. Just because he’s white doesn’t make him Steve Nash.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 9:04 AM

I apologize for my last post. That was not in the spirit of fun that this blog represents.

Comment from dmac
Time June 19, 2009 at 9:38 AM

Tom sometimes your comments take me for a ride on a rollercoaster. I think we are more than a middle of the pack team. Flip has stated that the past is the past. I think as fans and bloggers we should have the same type of attitude. We need to be positive about our hopes for our team. Our hopes should be that this is the year our franchise turns it around. When our guy’s are healthy and the fact that we have a new coach should mean I am not going to continually put everything on the players because some of the problems start at the top. Hopefully EG will right the ship this year. Nobody is going to tell me that when we are healthy and our guy’s like Dray, Nick, JMAC, DMAC and CRIT are mentored correctly that we are not as good as any of the teams in the East division. Man I believe we can make a serious run and easily win 50 or more games. I don’t need a computer to tell me that. Tom as much as you and I like Curry I don’t see him as a starter for the Wiz.
I have love for Dominic McGuire’s game and potential and that is the name I use to blog with (DMAC) but I don’t think he should be starting. Last year was a great opportunity for him to play and he did well. But if I am the GM I see him as backing up Caron and I don’t believe he will be as fluid enough offensively to play the 2 guard night in and night out. As much as I wish he was a Scottie Pippen clone he is not.
We are are involved in a new beginning for the Wizards and even Gil has stated that it is time to stop playing kid games with the young fellas. If Gil, AJ, Caron and Brendan lead by example then I don’t see why it is not us giving the blues to Cleveland, Orlando, Boston and the rest of the NBA.
In fact Tom I will buy you dinner at your restaurant choice if we finsh in the middle of the pack this year.
I say the Fat Lady can still sing.

Comment from dmac
Time June 19, 2009 at 9:52 AM

GABBO this is what makes us unique as bloggers to fantasize and feel like we are the GM while we are blogging. You don’t have to apologize for what u feel is true. I agree with u that we are not a middle of the pack team. It is okay to agree to disagree as we blog. I think the worst thing that could happen is that as we blog we start taking things personally. Then we have gone to far. Someimes as a example i dont agree with Mr. Mandel but I respect his opinions and his post because I know he is a concerned Wizards fan as we all are. In fact we all ought to hook for a couple of games this season. Maybe Dave Johnson can help us bring this about. We could be the first fans in the NBA to have a bloggers seat section.
Less than a week away for the draft…..wow………..

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 10:55 AM

Getabig — I didn’t take offense one bit, if that is what you were concerned about.

You are *oh so very right* in fact; my “GM fantasy” is no more unrealistic than other fandom phenomena!

We can handle a little bit of jostling among each other here — we’ve been doing this together for some months, and there’s a good level of trust. And we *all* are looking forward to next year.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 11:07 AM

dmac — nice posts! New beginning: you bet.

Are we a “middle of the pack” team or a contender. Well, there is no question, guys — all we’ve ever been is middle of the pack. We’ll be a contender when we contend, and not before then.

What I see is 3 teams (Cleveland, Boston & Orlando) that are *decidedly* better than the Wizards.

I also see Detroit, where a clever GM put himself in a position to rebuild very rapidly around a core of productive players — I look for them to rebound quickly, though obviously I can’t know how high the bounce will be.

I also see a Miami team built around one of the top handful of players in the game and an Atlanta team that has gotten better year over year as their young athletes take hold.

When we’ve shown that we’re better than some of these teams, we’ll be contenders.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 11:48 AM

Draft analysis does not end:

http://www.hoopsanalyst.com/hoopshome.htm.

He likes Tyreke Evans — even more than Harden. Predicts him as a potential all-star.

Comment from M2
Time June 19, 2009 at 12:43 PM

With a healthy Gil
A healthy (& vastly improved since a couple of seasons ago when we were all healthy last) Haywood
Jamison & Butler ever more discerning
Better role players than Ruffins & Jarvis Hayes etc in D Song & Blatche etc
& a group of youngs much further along…

We WILL BE FAR BETTER than we were a couple of years ago when we basically had this same team together & had EJ coaching in the All Star game.
FAR BETTER!

I watched (just like you all most likely have) Fratello declare that the Wiz go from 19 wins last season to 50 wins this season. NBA.com did a nice piece on us yesterday… Everyone knows our unrealized potential & nobody wants to see us if we stay healthy & get out act together (something we all believe Flip will help us do)… We do not need to look far for talent or missing pieces. We have a very nice squad RIGHT NOW. The entire league knows it, but us fans & followers have been so beat up the last few seasons, we’re no longer sure anymore.
I for one have always contended, we’re hell on wheels with group of focussed healthy players & a better system.
I think the basketball Gods finally shine on us in 2009-2010!

Comment from dmac
Time June 19, 2009 at 12:53 PM

M2 all I can say in regards to your post is AMEN!

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 19, 2009 at 1:59 PM

If the Czar of the Telestrator is saying the Wiz will win 50 games, I want to see him personally draw up plays to help get this team to that level. 50 wins is very difficult to achieve during any season and the one, non-controllable factor toward 50 wins is luck – which the team hasn’t had a lot in the last several seasons.

When Tom M. mentioned “middle of the pack” for the Wizards, I’m equating it to mean the Wizards are 15th, 16th, or 17th best in the league (30 NBA teams / 2 = 15). Assuming there are exactly 8 West and 8 East teams in the top 16, the Wizards will still make the playoffs. I don’t see “middle of the pack” as a negative description for the Wizards. I mean, we were 29th out of 30 last season (in terms of overall record) – which was not anywhere close to “middle of the pack”.

Each year, Madden gamers and real pro football athletes argue about the “Madden rating number” – a semi-fictitious overall rating for that player. In the past, elite QBs like Peyton Manning would be a 99 (no one gets a 100 because no one is perfect) and Jason Campbell would get like an 83. For Redskins fans, is 83 justified for Campbell? I mean, is that number pretty close to what you think describes Campbell as a professional QB? I don’t want people to answer these rhetorical questions. I just want you to think about how these numbers are developed.

In conjunction with the Madden rating system, I think we should post what you think you would assign Wizard players based on an overall number. The purpose of this exercise is for us to compare concretely. It is impossible for me to figure out how to quantity your views on Blatche if you say “he sucks; he needs to be traded”. But with some numbers, I can figure out if you overvalue player x and undervalue player y.

Here’s my list (I tried to be as unbias as possible and I didn’t steal numbers from any basketball video game)

Arenas – 93
Blatche – 77
Butler – 89
Crittenton – 67
Dixon – 71
Haywood – 79
James – 70
Jamison – 85
McGee – 68
McGuire – 74
Percherov – 51
Songaila – 70
Stevenson – 72
Thomas – 61
Young – 75

My data came from what I’ve seen in the last couple of years.

Comment from FLOYDBT
Time June 19, 2009 at 2:15 PM

Aw its nice to hear that ppl think blatche will start and im all for it and have been since the start of last season..
my ideal lineup for the season would look like this..
Gil,Crit,Mike James
Nick,Harden,Deshawn
Caron,Dom,2nd rnd pick
Andray,Antawn=”6th man of the year award”,Darius,Pech
Brendan,Javale,Etan,Pech

Comment from Babakism
Time June 19, 2009 at 2:19 PM

If NBA.com/David Stern think highly enough of the wizards to have them as the feature on the website in the offseason after losing 63 games we should be jumping for joy. Maybe we will actually get some calls and respect AKA no crab dribbles allowed Queen James.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 3:25 PM

wizards_fusion, rating the Wizards is a pretty cool idea. I have to think about my rankings, but I’ll post them.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 3:26 PM

All of us who have been stating all along that the Wizards as currently constituted are potentially a very good team had better get a bigger wagon because everyone is going to want to get on.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 3:54 PM

Hmmm, well that’s a valid issue: if I’m going to throw around a term like “middle of the pack,” what do I mean by it?

Well, lets assume from the playoffs that there were 4 “elite” teams last year — the Lakers, Denver, Cleveland and Orlando. Certainly, I don’t think we’re as good as any of those teams.

There are also some really *bad* teams — the Clippers, OKC, Memphis, Sacramento, etc. — for sure I don’t think we’re a bad team; obviously not.

16 of 30 teams make the playoffs, so you can be “middle of the pack” and still play in the post-season. Yet, even if you miss the playoffs by say 1 game — still you can be MOP. Sort of.

I guess a team — ours — will be clearly better than MOP if we have home court advantage in Round 1 of the playoffs. Does that make sense as a measuring stick? I.e. if we don’t have home court in round 1, we’re a “middle of the pack” team?

I’m certainly hearing that Getabig, M2, Wizards_Fusion think we’re going to have that advantage — right?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 4:07 PM

Another way to define it would be having from the 11th – 20th best record in the 30-team NBA.

Doesn’t take the playoffs into account, since it’s conceivable that either the West or the East could have much better records than the other conference — as happened last year when e.g. the Rockets had 53 wins but no home court advantage, whereas Atlanta did have it in the East w/ 47 wins, yet they wouldn’t have made the playoffs at all in the West!

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 4:40 PM

Tom M. – “… the Lakers, Denver, Cleveland and Orlando. Certainly, I don’t think we’re as good as any of those teams.”

That is just my point. I believe that healthy, we are as good as any of those teams.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 4:41 PM

It goes without saying that we had to have a good coach also.

Comment from M2
Time June 19, 2009 at 5:14 PM

We are as good as any team in the league when the pieces that EG has assembled actually assemble!
For perspective, the young ass roll the ball out there & go Atlanta Hawks won like 47 games this past season…
WE CAN win 50 games!
We lost a couple years worth of play-offs coming into 08/09 vs Cleveland because we were undermanned for health reasons.
Right now if/when “healthy”, there might be 8-10 teams better than us BUT, by the end of next season if all goes well, there might be 3 or 4 & then anything goes in the post season.
EVERYONE, throw this past season & anything you think you might have gleaned from it, out the damn door!

Comment from M2
Time June 19, 2009 at 5:15 PM

Denver is a great example… We remind me alot of Denver.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 19, 2009 at 8:10 PM

@ M2:

The Hawks won 47 games this years because they basically substituted themselves with, more or less, what the Wizards would have done if Washington was fully healthy. Atlanta will not win 47 next year. They will be a .500 ball club. Atlanta basically built their team like the Wiz – they have very good starters and like only 2 serviceable bench guys (Pachulia and Murray). The Wiz bench is at least a half step ahead of the Hawks bench because Washington’s guys had to play starter minutes and took the challenges head on. Although they lost a lot, it was great experience; something the Hawks guys never got and may never get.

In addition to being a slowly rising team (emphasize slowly), Atlanta was fortunate to play in the East where 3 normally playoff bound teams (in the last couple of years) took a crash for whatever reason (Washington, Toronto, NJ Nets).

Remember back in the 04-05 season when the Wiz won 45 games and took on Chicago and won a series for the first time in 23 years? Well, the 04 Wizards’ regular season mimicked the 08 Hawks regular season. Aside from Miami and Detroit, the Eastern Conference was bad (not terrible, but bad) back in 2004. Semi-good teams ate up the really bad teams. And for the Wizards, their home record was great (29 out of 41 wins) but they had the worst away record for a playoff team. When all was said and done, Larry Hughes had a great stat year (which led him to his 70 million dollar free agent contract); Arenas emerged as a dangerous closer and a volume scorer; and Jamison became the Wizard’s team leader.

Last year’s Hawks got the two bonuses mentioned above and produced 47 wins. There will be none of those bonuses this coming year. The Wiz, from 05 to 08, hovered around .500 not because the team got worse, but because the bonuses from 04 weren’t there. The team improved marginally overall, but so did the Eastern Conference as a whole.

In summary (in equation form):

Talented Team + Good Home Record + Player’s Coach – Traditional Playoff Team Drop Outs = 45 wins

Talented Team with Slight Improvements + Player’s Coach + Tougher Eastern Conference = 41 wins

Talented Team with Slight Improvements + Injuries to Every Position + Subpar Coach + Tougher Eastern Conference = 19 wins

Talented Team + Ability to make Defensive Stops at times + Intermittent Injuries + Knowledgable Coach + Tougher Eastern Conference + Ability to Hit 3s above League Average Percentage = 52 wins

- -
At the moment, there are 4 teams in the SE division with a good potential to go to the playoffs. Realistically, only 2 of 4 or at most 3 of 4 teams make it. Assuming Orlando is in (with or without Hedo/Alston), that leaves Washington, Atlanta, and Miami. The weakest team out of these 3 is Miami. They only got in last season because they played defense. If teams shut down Wade or if he’s hurt again, Miami is nothing and will be lucky to score 70 points a game. Atlanta, to me, feels like a talented team with a lack of focus and control. Josh Smith is still an airhead and a coach killer – given all his unbelievable talents. Joe Johnson is too laid back to be a strong team leader. Their coach, Woodson, has a sharp basketball mind (I got that from listening to him analyze the playoffs on NBATV 2 seasons ago) but he couldn’t get the most out of his guys. He is basically Eddie Jordan with better teeth.

Bottomline is that I predict New Jersey and Washington back in the playoff hunt while Detroit and Miami get bounced.

Comment from neal
Time June 19, 2009 at 8:39 PM

I think you’ve got it about right wizards_fusion. I think the Wiz will be behind only Orlando in our division. Other than Cleveland, who else in the east will be better than the Wiz?

Gabbo, I hate to bet against our guys but if you still have that opinion and show up Thursday night we’ll talk.

Are we still at only 5 attendees for Thursday?

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 9:47 PM

Neal, what do you mean “I hate to bet against our guys but if you still have that opinion and show up Thursday night we’ll talk”? What opinion? It sounds as though we are in agreement.

I be there on Thursday in spirit only.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 9:59 PM

It’s very hard to know how to discuss the team in the context of an opinion that we are the equal of the champs.

They have Lamar Odom coming off the bench; we have Andray Blatche. If you think those players are equal — or comparable in any way — I hardly know what to say. It’s just an enthusiastic fan, and there’s really no way to dialogue with such an opinion.

I’m pretty sure we don’t have a single player as productive as their fourth best player. Certainly we don’t have anyone as good as Kobe; we don’t have anybody as good as Pau Gasol.

We’ll just have to agree to disagree.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 10:06 PM

Wizards_Fusion — oh, I’m sure we’ll be “in the playoff hunt.” I don’t see any reason we wouldn’t be. Detroit was in last year w/ a 39-43 record.

But all this “contending for the title” stuff — I find it depressing, actually. It’s fantasy-land. You build a better team by actually accepting where you *in reality*.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 19, 2009 at 10:34 PM

From nbadraft.net:

“The Knicks are trying to make a deal with Washington to move up to the 5th pick offering Wilson Chandler. New York is after a number of players that they don’t feel they can get at their #8 pick including Curry, Ricky Rubio and Jordan Hill.

“It’s possible they will offer their pick in a deal or hold onto their pick and add the 5th pick along with their 8th pick.”

Comment from neal
Time June 19, 2009 at 11:26 PM

Gabbo, you said that if we’re healthy we’re as good as the Lakers, denver, Orlando and Cleveland. I’m optimistic too, but that’s a little much don’t you think?

Someone tell me about Wilson Chandler. Do we want him? Which Wizard makes about the same that we should give up in addition to our pick?

Comment from M2
Time June 19, 2009 at 11:43 PM

We don’t have a player as productive as the 4th best player on the Lakers?

Wow… yeah, lets definitely agree to disagree.

No to Chandler.
We want Lee or nothing!

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 19, 2009 at 11:49 PM

I understand neal, but no, not at all. I believe that we are on a par with any NBA team when we are healthy.

Tom M. – putting SuperDude Kobe aside, Gil, Caron and AJ are equal to or better than anyone else on that team.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 20, 2009 at 4:16 AM

@ Tom M:

I agree with everything you’ve said concerning the Wizards “contending” this season. It is not going to happen unless every single Eastern Conference superstar, besides the Wiz’s own, gets hurt (LeBron, Pierce, Howard, KG, Johnson, etc) and are out for the season.

I know everyone is hopeful for very positive things out of the Wizards, but the team is not going to transform overnight from “middle of the pack” to “top 2″ with just the hiring of a new coaching staff and maybe potentially drafting an impact rookie. Success takes time, luck, and stupidity from other teams.

I don’t doubt the Wizards *can* be as good as the best 4 teams from the playoffs that just ended (like GABBO said); but realistically, my common sense meter doesn’t lead me to the same conclusions as others. Could I be wrong and will have to eat my words? Absolutely. I mean – who doesn’t want to attend the NBA FINALS in his/her home area? But I could also be right and that’s where I’m leaning.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 20, 2009 at 7:33 AM

Fans see the world through rose-colored glasses.

Gil is coming off of multiple injuries; here’s hoping he makes a full recovery.

Caron is a very good, but somewhat flawed 3 — he turns the ball over *a lot* not because of accident or circumstance, but because he doesn’t really have great handles. Watch video of him with the ball, then watch video of Paul Peirce with the ball, and you’ll see what I mean. Gil has unbelievable handles; Peirce is almost at that level. Caron has trouble in that area. Still a terrific player.

Antawn is in great shape, but he is in the last 3d of his career — surely, you’re not going to question that? His productivity was down last year, and if you look at other guys his age and the patterns of their careers, he is on the decline. Not a ding on a guy who has been and still is a wonderful player and an even better person. If you think that time has effects on other players on other teams, but not on the Wizards, then there’s little point in having a discussion with you. Faith moves mountains.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 20, 2009 at 7:43 AM

No, Getabig, we’re not on the level of LA, Cleveland, Boston or Orlando. And we’ll never get to that level if the place we start is to think we’re already there.

Cleveland and Orlando are built around stud superstars of a kind we just don’t have. I love Gil, but if you think he has the effect on a basketball game that LeBron or Superman has, you’re dreaming. Both those teams are pretty badly flawed other than the 747 they’re flying on, especially Cleveland.

Boston might be the team we could compare ourselves to most closely in that they are vulnerable to one of their three core, and aging, players being injured. But, they have one of the best players to ever play the game in Garnett.

With Allen and Peirce, it’s a “big 3″ that’s at least the equal of ours. And they have one of the best young point guards in the league. Off the bench they have Eddie House where we have Mike James. They have Leon Powe, who actually *produces* where we have Andray who actually doesn’t. Now, over the next year or so, they are bound to fade and we may overtake them. Not yet.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 20, 2009 at 7:51 AM

As to a comparison with the Lakers, that’s completely ridiculous. We have *no one* who is *nearly* as good as Pau Gasol. Lamar Odom is nearly 7′ tall, a supreme athlete, and can play and guard just about any position. Trevor Ariza is turning into a prototypical 21st century NBA wing. They have young Center with terrific potential. And they have a more productive bench than we have. And, oh yeah, they also have one of the best players in the game.

Now… they only have 8 guys under contract for the coming year, and they may well lose Ariza and Odom. On the other hand, they are in a huge market and can afford to outspend just about anyone. Not to mention that players are more likely to *want* to play in LA than just about anywhere else.

Pretty good coach, too, if I remember rightly.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 20, 2009 at 9:54 AM

Good morning Tom,

Nice critique of some of the better teams.

I guess a lot of us simply don’t remember that before Gil got hurt there was not a game that we played that we didn’t think that we would win. We have three proven all-stars and a much better supporting group of players than we had then. We’ll all just have to wait-and-see.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 20, 2009 at 10:19 AM

Tom M. – ” They have Leon Powe, who actually *produces* where we have Andray who actually doesn’t. ”

2008-2009
PPG Reb TO A Steals Blocks PF FTP
Powe 7.7 4.9 1.1 .7 .5 .5 2.7 .689
Bbatche 10.0 5.3 1.7 1.7 .8 1.0 3.0 .704

I believe that you misread your stats. Blatche is better in every category that matters.

Comment from Babakism
Time June 20, 2009 at 11:23 AM

We are just as good as Orlando. Antwan Jamison is just as good if not better than Rashard Lewis. Antwan is a far superior rebounder and better offensively around the rim and shoots just as well from the outside as Rashard. Caron Butler crosses people up on a regular basis. Takes people off the dribble all the time right to the bucket. Tom might be the only person I have ever heard say carons handles aren’t up to par. I’m to lazy to look but I bet his turnover numbers probobly coincide with the team being healthy or not. So Caron is better than Turgolu because he plays both ends of the court. the 2 guard is a toss up cause neither team has tha set in stone right now and Gil haywood is almost as good a combo as jameer and dwight. I think our benches are equal. However I really like Gortat alot. I doubt we have a chance to sign him but I wonder if we did would he still be the same player as a starting center or would he be like Ike Austin Jamal Magloire, and every other center that only played well as a back up

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 20, 2009 at 11:53 AM

Sigh… If Andray’s a Wizard, he must be better than Powe, right? I mean it’s by definition, no?

Andray played 40% more minutes than Powe.

Andray scored 33% more points — that’s not better is it? Well, it would be ok if it came from fewer shots and a higher FG%. But…

Andray had a substantially lower FG% .471 to Powe’s .524 — that’s not better is it?

He grabbed 10% more rebounds — that’s not better is it? In 40% more minutes?

He had 54% more turnovers — that’s not better is it? But, if you factor in steals vs. turnovers for both players, they rate about the same in the combined stat.

Andray was better in fouls, blocks and assists.

Overall, Leon Powe is a guy who succeeded in college and has succeeded in the NBA — he has a role, and in his role he is quite productive. His numbers are above average for a 4 in the league. He’s no star, but he is a productive player.

Andray is a guy who didn’t go to college, hasn’t found a role in the NBA and isn’t productive when he’s on the floor. His numbers are below average for a 4 in the league. He has gifts, but he hasn’t produced using them. He’ll have a new coach this year; if he produces, good. If he doesn’t, will you agree that he didn’t work out?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 20, 2009 at 12:01 PM

Babakism — about the only things I agree with in what you wrote about us vs. Orlando are that AJ is as good or better than Lewis (who’s an overrated player to say the least) and that Gortat is someone to “like a lot.” He definitely earned himself a big pay raise!

Orlando is definitely a flawed team. But they have a superstar Center — that’s the *rarest* thing in the NBA and makes more difference than any other single factor on a team. And they have an allstar point guard. And they went to the finals. When we go to the Finals, *then* (and not before) we can say we’re as good as they are.

Comment from M2
Time June 20, 2009 at 12:03 PM

Tom has never dribbled a basketball if he thinks Gils handles are amazing & Pierce handles the ball better than Caron.
I have NO IDEA what you’re looking at?

Gil does a serviceable jog handling the ball for a point because of his strength & the separation he’s able to create with his first step. He doesn’t have amazing handles. Larry Huges, for example, has always had better handles than Gil.
I can say that Gil’s handles have gotten better over the years & that’s a great sign that he continues to work on all areas of his game.

& Caron has some of the best handles in the league from the three spot. Turnovers aside, because he’s run those numbers up in Gilberts absence.. Caron is actually guilty of relying to heavily on his handles & that is what has gotten him in trouble. He’s a little too confident in them.
Anyway, to say Pierce handles that ball better than Butler is just ridiculous…

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 20, 2009 at 12:04 PM

I’ve allowed myself to be pushed into a role I don’t enjoy — poking holes in balloons of fantasy. Andray the great, etc…

The draft is in 5 days; it’s happening in the real world not in fantasy. Obviously, teams that have high picks need to figure out how to use them — via a pick or trade — to get better.

How should we use our # 5 pick?

Comment from M2
Time June 20, 2009 at 12:05 PM

But Tom is right about Powe v Blatche…

Comment from M2
Time June 20, 2009 at 12:05 PM

We should trade it… I package will happen.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 20, 2009 at 1:03 PM

Given our salary and roster situation, then, what’s the package?

Do we trade *players* and the pick for better players and a lower pick?

Lets leave any speculative blockbuster deals (e.g. for Amare or Bosh) out of the picture. How would you improve this team in some way that doesn’t involve making it over?

Comment from wizfan and the kid
Time June 20, 2009 at 5:13 PM

Hi everyone,
The kid and I stopped blogging when we could hardly take it last season. The games were a bit much for the kid to understand and my negative attitude wasn’t helping the fan in her come along.

And so, summer is back and it is time for a return to hope.

Reading this blog is amazing, as the knowledge level here is so high and those of you that keep it going are passionate. For those of us who have been silently on the sideline:

Thank you.

As to Tom’s question, I don’t think there is a package to be had. I think we should play it cool and aloof, be prepared to take a decent front court player in the first round and field offers in case someone falls in love with a player and wants to give us a present for the #5 pick.

I believe that gabbo is on the right track. Let’s see what is produced when we have a coach that will teach these players. How do I improve this team: coaching.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 20, 2009 at 6:42 PM

If you have the 5th and 32 pick in the draft, it’s incumbent on you to use the opportunity to improve your team:

The fifth because you don’t (or at least shouldn’t) get that opportunity too often.

The 32d because it’s a first round talent without a guaranteed contract.

I’m pretty sure Ernie has a bunch of possible deals on his desk; he’s going to work it to get the best one he can, and if he doesn’t like any enough, *then* we’ll make a pick at #5.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 20, 2009 at 6:56 PM

Hi Wizfan and the kid ! We missed you guys

Don’t you guys think comparing guys like Powe and Andray is kind of like apples and oranges? Powe and Andray play the 4. This year Powe played the 4 and Andray played the 5. I don’t think that’s a very fair comparison with one guy totally out of position. It’s also not fair to compare Andray to other centers as he isn’t a center. Same with Caron at the 2 with Gilbert out. Of course he will make more mistakes trying to do “it all”. With Gil there and Caron playing the 3 he doesn’t make those mistakes.

I’m looking forward to a season where everyone is healthy…Gil, Haywood, Deshawn, Antawn, Caron, Etan… all the guys that have lost a lot of games to injury the last few seasons. Injuries, especially when a player is playing through them, aren’t very conducive to good “stats”.

Healthy team and a coach that can play them in position with a good offensive and (hopefully) a good defensive scheme and with good minute distribution between the primary 8……. I’m looking forward to it!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 20, 2009 at 7:00 PM

I think you are right Tom. No doubt Ernie’s phone has been ringing ever since the lottery. Interesting time of year. Will we pick a very good combo guard….. will Ernie tade it in a minor way to free up a roster spot….will Ernie trade it in a major way that could possibly break up our core…. will he trade down or possibly up? I hope we don’t lose our second round pick again this year. This one is way too high a second rounder.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 20, 2009 at 10:05 PM

Grifonracing — I’m looking forward to a healthy season too! A lot. Whatever the results, it’d be great just to be able to *watch* our team!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 20, 2009 at 10:10 PM

Big point guard workout in Minnesota with extra props for Tyreke Evans and surprising positivity on Jennings.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 20, 2009 at 11:17 PM

YES! It’s been way too long since they were all healthy at the same time.

Very nice article. It sure would have been nice if Curry and Harden also attended

Comment from doclinkin
Time June 21, 2009 at 12:57 AM

Just to back up and jump in for a second. What gets lost in translation on analysis of Blatche is how young of a cat he is.

What I said before, think of Blatche as a graduating senior in this year’s draft class. One who redshirted his freshman year. It’s not a ridiculous stretch to think he may still have a chance to improve.

In that context the 22 year old Blatche put up numbers comparable (per36 minutes and in the advanced stats categories) to the 23 year old Powe (when he entered the league). With Blatche playing out of position as the back-up center.

http://tinyurl.com/blatchevspowe

Granted Blatche has been a knucklehead who stunted his own growth by failing to dedicate himself to his own career.

But at some point even in college the nightlife gets old and you prefer to earn the respect of your peers by your performance. Even Dray’s detractors have to admit some of their frustration has to do with his as-yet unfulfilled ‘potential’ more than an obvious lack of talent. And if the kid ever did get serious and string together his best performances why we’d really have something good.

The aforementioned knuckleheadery has worked in the Wiz’ benefit in a way, driving down his re-up price to a manageable level. As a player putting up just about exactly the league average PER (15) he’s not hurting the team, and though he plateaued last year he’d shown a pretty growth of skill level.

The adage goes ‘first you win then you get good’. I suspect Blatche playing an important role on a winning squad will do wonders for his growth. Winning provides incentive and reward for offcourt effort and professionalism. When the Celts stank, who talked about Leon Powe anyway?

Blatche playing for the first coach of his role model and idol KG, in a system that likes versatile Bigs who can pass and hit a jumper (McDyess, Sheed, KG) with a coach who is pretty good at designing sets to maximize a player’s strengths. I expect good things from Dray. He’s shown that he can do it, that’s important, consistency lies in offcourt offseason practice to learn to be able to do it every night and whenever you want to. Fortunately reports say he’s been putting in serious work this summer. Sometimes kids grow up.

Given a role and an expectation to live up to it, playing for a coach who likes to go Big, and actually runs sets more than freeform offense. There are steady minutes available for him. That fact will keep him focused. And if not, I expect SamIam will chew him a new orifice with those rat teeth of his, clown him mercilessly.

I love the fact that the players are in town and working with Flip this early. Should be an interesting year.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 21, 2009 at 3:00 AM

News early on was Andray was working out with Gilbert. SamIam has alteady given Gilbert his “approval”. Oh My goodness if Andray has committed to the game and the Wizards…. We have all seen what he can do in spurts. If he can give us consistency….. Wow. Crit news next please lol.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 21, 2009 at 7:32 AM

Oh I think *everyone* understands his potential. He should already be a very good player, in fact.

But he isn’t. And although his PER may be average, his WP48 — much more predictive of contribution to *team* success — is below average.

Yes, he’s just going to turn 23 this summer, so he’s still young. On the other hand, he’s going into his fifth year in the league, and *almost always*, no matter where they start, guys are the player they’re going to be after that many years. Think of KG, since you brought him up. Or think of Larry Hughes or for that matter Kwame Brown.

Still, although he hasn’t done it yet, he certainly gets this year — new coach, new system, etc.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time June 21, 2009 at 9:37 AM

doclinkin, nice post. Very interesting and thoughtful. You make some very valid points.

Tom M. – Do you really read what others are saying, or do you just see a player’s name in their post and then write the same old stuff about that player that you have been writing for the past several months? doclinkin made some very valid points about maturation and how everyone doesn’t mature at the same rate. Many of us see talent and potential, you only seem to see statistics. We’re looking at the court while you’re looking at a stat sheet. We’re looking to the future and you’re dwelling on the past.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 21, 2009 at 9:40 AM

Are we going to trade our pick to Minnesota?

An article in the Wash. Times discusses the rumored trade, in which we’d get Mike Miller.

I’d be happy to give them enough of our broken parts to make the salaries work (e.g. Darius, DeShawn and Andray) plus the 5th pick for Miller and their 2 late first round picks (18 and 28), if they’d go for that. But, the article suggests they want to dump Randy Foye on us as well along with some of their expiring contracts (cardinal and madsen). I guess if they’d take Thomas too it might work out.

Miller would be a *big* upgrade for us. The article says he had his worst season last year; actually, that’s not true at all. He had a terrific season; yes, he scored less, but he did many more things way *above* his average.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 21, 2009 at 9:47 AM

If I were Ernie, I’d be thinking it was important to lower our salary burdens going forward without hurting our chance to find out *this year* whether we really do have a contending team.

The simple version of the trade I describe would accomplish that nicely. It would make us much better in the coming year (e.g. Mike Miller shoots the 3 at 40.5%), get rid of a couple of signing mistakes (DS and DS) and remove a big question mark (AB). Miller is expiring this year, so if things don’t work out we accelerate our ability to begin rebuilding.

The 18 and 28 picks would give us a good shot at a couple of players who could work out well — e.g. Ty Lawson (keep fingers crossed) and Marcus Thornton (if that’s a guy Ernie likes — long list of guys who could work at that spot), — along w/ our own pick 32.

Comment from M2
Time June 21, 2009 at 10:52 AM

That trade SUCKS!

Next…

Comment from M2
Time June 21, 2009 at 11:01 AM

At the end of the day we’re basically talking Blatche for Miller & as much as I don’t believe Blatche will ever be the all star everyone here prayers he’ll be, I wouldn’t trade him for Miller.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand all the spare parts & salary dumpings & clearings associated… I’m not crazy about most of that either.

I don’t want five new Chucky Atkins Mike James Popeye Jones types on our bench this season going through the motions on their last decent contract…
So all of this hodgepodge you describe to get Miller in the short term & some draft picks does not interest me. It’s messy…

Understanding that you gotta get messy to move forward some times… I don’t like this particular suggested mess.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 21, 2009 at 11:08 AM

Why do you think that, M2? Don’t like Miller? Love someone at 5? Can’t stand giving up DS/DS??? Don’t think lowering salary obligations (ours are in the top few in the league) is important?

Getabig — yeah yeah, I get it. Andray is a great player. We’re gonna win 60 games. It doesn’t matter what we do with a very high draft pick. The Lakers/Cleveland/Orlando/Boston ain’t s**t compared to us, etc. etc. etc. (ok… so i don’t like writing stuff like the last paragraph; but i also don’t like being told that i only look at the stat sheet whatever. so, give me some respect and i’ll do the same, ok?)

Comment from M2
Time June 21, 2009 at 11:22 AM

I love my chances at five more than I love Miller…
If EG is as smart as I hope & think he is, we will dump Thomas, D Song & James etc & their salaries at the trade deadline when we have even more leverage.
In the meantime, let last seasons supposed line up that we were ALL excited about have a shot at life.

Comment from tyrone20000
Time June 21, 2009 at 11:24 AM

Songalia is a very good NBA power forward coming in off the bench. Average if he starts. In my opinion, he is a key piece to this Wizards championship team. This team, as it is can win this thing. The draft could land us a good player but I would not trade anyone yet and that includes AB. I would release him if he were not interested in learning how to win. Sometimes what we think we can do does not help to win the game. AB has to do what the Wizards need him to do (think, rebound, hustle, run, jump, think). I still think we need an athletic power forward. Maybe he is AB. Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence until you are on that side.

Comment from M2
Time June 21, 2009 at 11:27 AM

Keep a level head… don’t let all this draft trade move waive whatever madness cloud your vision. That’s what great GM’s count on it doing.
Last season we all blogged constantly about how our youngs were taking their lumps & getting the fast track experience that they wouldn’t normally get necessary to properly complement our core when they all get healthy next season. Well, it’s next season… & I’m excited.

Comment from M2
Time June 21, 2009 at 11:30 AM

& for the record, I love whoever the BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE is at 5 regardless of position.

I’d imagine EG will make moves with that pick though, which I trust will be fine.

Comment from gray16
Time June 21, 2009 at 11:44 AM

tom m, i personally like that trade with minnesota grated we get rid of those broken parts as you named, and we don’t get to draft harden.

mike miller would be a great fit for the two around gil, caron, and antawn imo.

and randy foye imo is very underated. he could be a great backup pg for gil.

so getting a shooter to spread the floor in miller, a great backup pg in foye (basically making up for the 5th pick), and getting rid of dead weight would be a great opportunity for the wiz. this is the first trade opportunity in this draft for the wiz i have actually liked.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time June 21, 2009 at 12:09 PM

Hey guys I’m back! Sorry I haven’t been on the blog in a couple weeks….I’ve been down in NC working as a camp counselor at this camp I’ve been going to since I was in elementary school…..anyways, only 4 more days until the draft! get excited! first off, for the past few weeks I’ve been hearing (and reading) rumors that if the Wizards do trade the pick for a veteran, most teams will want Antawn in the package…..I’m going to start off by saying that if we broke up our core, the Wizards would essentially be in a rebuilding process…..Antawn has helped Gilbert mature into a more patient, team focused player, and Antawn has also helped Caron realize his potential and step up as a team leader…..not to mention Antawn has also inspired guys like Nick Young and McGuire to be more mature in the locker room, and to focus more time and energy into the team……Gil also said before we resigned him that if the Wizards did not resign Jamison that he would refuse to resign with the team as well, because he believes Jamison is one of several players that has helped Arenas become what he is (or was a few years ago)

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time June 21, 2009 at 12:38 PM

No doubt Mike Miller is a significant upgrade for the Wiz at the SG position; however, I wonder how effective he can be if the Big 3 remain healthy all year long.

Ever since Miller made his mark in Orlando, I see him as a guy that needs to shoot about 16 times a game to get into the flow of the offense. Later on when the Grizzlies developed into a low-end playoff team, Miller (and Gasol) still took most of the shots because players around him were complementary but not good enough to make noise for the franchise. And now in Minnesota, he’s still taking shots, but not as much due to his age and a natural decline of athleticism.

It’s great that we all talk about Player X coming in here to help the Wizards, but there are times when you have to look at how each part contributes to the machine. I believe in a normal 48 minute NBA game, there are roughly 85 shot attempts per team. Assuming Arenas (18 shots), Butler (15 shots), Jamison (12 shots), Haywood (6 shots), and Miller (16 shots) take their respective shots estimated in the parentheses, the team has already taken 67 shots – leaving only about 20 shots for everyone else. It’ll be difficult for Nick and Andray to mature offensively when they don’t get shots.

If the Wizards stick with the Big 3 offensive model, the other 2 starters around them have to become complementary players. I can’t envision a team with 4 starters that provide firepower and only firepower on offense (you can argue that Team USA was but that team isn’t representative of a normal NBA team). And, I can’t see Miller playing sidekick to the Big 3.

Example – The Lakers had to put Odom on the bench because they were running the Big 4 model after acquiring Gasol. Luckily for them, Odom is nonchalant about playing basketball so the situation worked out well for L.A. However, I don’t think any of the Big 3 would receive being demoted “positively” if he still can demonstrate playing at an all-star level. Besides, the talent level at the PG, SF, and PF drop significantly after the Big 3 (e.g., anyone after Arenas is not even close talent wise; McGuire doesn’t have the offense that Butler has; Blatche is inconsistent unlike Jamison), thus Washington doesn’t have the luxury that L.A. has.

In summary, my opinion tells me although Miller is good for the Wizards in theory, he won’t be as good in practice.

Comment from tyrone20000
Time June 21, 2009 at 12:59 PM

wizards_fusion-you are 100% correct and on point…see LA Clippers on paper…

Comment from neal
Time June 21, 2009 at 1:59 PM

Actually, the guy with the best “handles” is Jamison. Although he’s not a great leaper he gets more rebounds per 48 minutes than all but our centers because he almost never bobbles a rebound. Similarly, he has fewer turnovers than anyone per 48 minutes played except for Pecherov because Jamison doesn’t mishandle passes. Part of the reason for almost no turnovers is, however, that after the first couple of passes if Jamison got the ball inside the circle everyone cleared out and let him go 1 on 1. He wasn’t expected to pass much so there were fewer opportunities for turnovers (he also got very few assists).

I doubt if Saunders will want Jamison going 1 on 1 as much as Jordan and Tapscott did. He will want AJ to have a more team-oriented role on both ends. Ditto for Young. It will be interesting to see how well they adapt. It will be a huge plus if they can do it.

Ernie, the phone is ringing!

Comment from Babakism
Time June 21, 2009 at 2:21 PM

If we did make that stupid trade miller would come off the bench. WE DON”T NEED GUYS WHO SHOOT 3s AND PLAY NOOOOOOOOO DEFENSE. Call me crazy but I think if Deshawn is recovered from his injury I can see him returning to the starting lineup if he has a good preseason. Even if he never regains the little bit of shooting touch that he had he can still be an important part of the team as long as his athleticism is still there. You need a balance of scorers and defenders on the court. It’s great if you have people who can do both. Butler is the only 2 way player we got so deshawn and haywood balance out gil and twan and make them better on D.

Comment from Babakism
Time June 21, 2009 at 2:24 PM

Blatche is a second round pick. Last time I checked second round picks weren’t even expected to make it in the league. I am a Blatche fan and see his potential but we really can’t be mad or upset if he doesn’t fufill our expectations cause after all………………………2nd round pick

Comment from neal
Time June 21, 2009 at 8:09 PM

Right. We need 3 point offense AND defense.

If Deshawn is healthy I think he will shoot as well as ever. Shooting is so much about confidence and his confidence was growing before he was hurt. Young is going to have to improve on both ends of the court to beat Stevenson out. And Young may do that. He was improving in both areas the last half of last year in everything except shooting %.

We may trade for a star SG, by giving up one of our high salaries and our pick.

Otherwise, we will probably pick a SG. That means Stevenson will probably have to win the starting job or be out of the rotation.

Answer the phone Ernie.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time June 21, 2009 at 8:28 PM

Whoever is around will compete in training camp — DeShawn, Dom, Nick, and any SG we pick.

Comment from M2
Time June 21, 2009 at 10:02 PM

Like I’ve said 37 time in the last three weeks:
Gil
DSS
CB3
Tawn
& Wood…

That’s what it is barring reconstructive roster surgery!

Comment from Babakism
Time June 21, 2009 at 10:26 PM

I think the only person on the current roster who can beat Deshawn is Dom because even if nick is phenominal you want him scoring his 15 or 18 points a game coming off the bench because we have enough fire power in the starting line up

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time June 21, 2009 at 10:48 PM

Flip’s statement about our draft pick seemed to indicate that M2 has it right. He said no matter who we draft they will not be competing for a starting spot.

If Deshawn is healthy we have to start him. Before he got hurt he was considered to be our defensive stopper. Dom was that last year. Nice to have more than one. I’d really like to have 5 or more? Before Deshawn got hurt he hit more 3 pointers in one season than he had in his entire career combined. That sounds like offensive growth to me.

Neal it would be great if Nick comes into this season ready to compete for his spot. I think all he lacks to become a good player is comittment. Nice to know he has been around town some and Flip has worked with him a little. I’m hoping for real growth from him this year. I agree with Babakism… with growth he can be our “scorer” off the bench.

With Haywood back…Etan heathy and back in there banging…. and any growth at all from JaVale and Andray will be fine. He will be able to move back to the 4. It seems this year (from what I’ve read) Andray has been working a lot on his game and conditioning. It was especially nice to read that his workout for Flip went so well.

Very curious about what is going to happen Thursday.

Comment from jsuh0
Time June 22, 2009 at 12:05 AM

fyi, if you guys havent read this article, i suggest you give it a read. very informative and interesting. get captn kirk!

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2009/6/17/912245/who-is-gilbert-arenas-ideal

Found it from yahoo’s BDL

Comment from Babakism
Time June 22, 2009 at 9:26 AM

I like how they call stephen curry one of the top 3 shooting guards in the draft lol

Comment from gray16
Time June 22, 2009 at 10:09 AM

i don’t know if its old news but i just heard about a potential trade with the knicks where:

wiz get:
hughes
jeffries
chandler

knicks get:
james
etan
5th pick

what do you all think? i think it would be a good trade, getting rid of dead weight and getting some decent role players in return.

Comment from Babakism
Time June 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM

thats a new one I beleive. the problem is we have to give up our expiring contracts and take on hughes and jeffries bad contracts which I’m not sure when they are up and kind of wold defeat the purpose of us not overpaying for both of them when they were free agents last time lol

I like us working out nick cathletes he would be great to pick with our second round pick except the spurs or someone will probobly take him at the end of the first