Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 2, 2009 at 1:31 PM

The problem we have with players not reaching their potential (no break out year) is because they are all financially set for LIFE.
They do not need to work another day in their life.
Andray Blatch is guaranteed $15 million dollars. Chris Wilcox is guaranteed $60 million.
Kwame Brown was guaranteed about $12 million with the Wiz out of High School. He got really good at Playstation.
Just the Interest alone is bringing them at least $1 million dollars a year. (with the principle balance in the bank).
Even the 30th pick in this draft will have received 2.65 million dollars over his 3 guaranteed years. Do the math and after paying taxes, buying a house for $500,000 and spending $200,000 for the 3 years he will still have $1,000,000 in the bank getting about $100,000 in interest a year for the rest of his life. That is only for the 30th pick in this years draft.
Marvin Williams, taken 2nd before Chris Paul or Deron Williams, has already collected over $17 million dollars over 4 years. Take out his taxes and $1 million dollars spending money a year for the past 4 years and he probably has $7 million dollars in the bank collecting interest.

So when we look at free agents we have to find out what kind of drive do they have to be the very best.
Are they closer to Kevin Garnett or to Kwame Brown?

Comment from millie mill
Time July 2, 2009 at 1:44 PM

I look for the coaches to look hard an Alade Aminu, Josh Heytvelt and maybe James Lang the most. I don’t remember why we cut Lang a few years ago. I think Alade Aminu and Josh Heytvelt fit a need for this team. because they can play either Power Forward or Center. I’m assuming if selected their contract won’t have too much guaranteed money.

I just read this article http://www.rototimes.com/article/2009/7/Offseason-Overview-Washington-Wizards . It was pretty good. In this article they have McGuire playing backup PF. I don’t see that happening but it’s interesting. I always knew McGuire can play the 2, 3, 4 but at 220lbs I wouldn’t play him too much at the PF position. Now if he had a body like Lebron James 6-8, 250 then yeah. I’d love to see D-Mac add 15 to 20 pounds of muscle. I hope he is working out like McGee. Adding weight to his body is the only way I can see D-Mac getting any playing time. His shot may never come but his knack for rebounding and defense is already there. Imagine Dominic McGuire at 6-9, 240 that’s Ben Wallace size.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 1:49 PM

speaking of Ben Wallace, does anyone know for sure whether Wallace will retire, or if his contract will even be bought out by Phoenix? If he doesn’t plan to retire, I would love to have a guy like Wallace on our team…..sure he only has maybe 1-3 years left in the tank, but he is very defensive minded, and can still grab at least 8 boards a game and get 1 block and 1 steal…..having a player like him or Marcus Camby on our team would mold our defense and make us a solid team

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 1:50 PM

millie mill: I don’t necessarily think the Wizards are looking to add a player from the summer league roster to the team……we are already a young team as it is, and really need another veteran player on our team more than anything

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 1:51 PM

I think the Wizards are just looking to get McGuire, Young, McGee, and Crittendon to get some playing time this summer and not get distracted by taking vacations

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 2, 2009 at 2:41 PM

Wiz Summer League Schedule

Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – Tuesday, July 14 at 3:30pm
Washington Wizards vs. Denver Nuggets – Wednesday, July 15 at 7:30pm
Washington Wizards vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – Friday, July 17 at 5:00pm
Washington Wizards vs. Los Angeles Clippers – Saturday, July 18 at 5:30pm
Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks – Sunday, July 19 at 1:00pm

Comment from millie mill
Time July 2, 2009 at 2:58 PM

I wonder if Blake Griffin is going to play in the Summer League.

Comment from Rick
Time July 2, 2009 at 3:10 PM

If we can sign Heytvelt or Aminu for a song, then I say do it.

Comment from Rick
Time July 2, 2009 at 3:12 PM

hey, jmpalomo, i think i asked this already, but what bank do you know off that offers 10% interest?! I think 1% is more realistic. Unless you want to lock up your money in a T-Bill and get 4% or perhaps take on a riskier investment in the stock market or elsewhere. I suppose it is not really relevant, but just saying…

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:00 PM

I like the feel of the free agent maket for bigs this year. There are a lot of them on the market, but, only a few teams with money. If the Wizards wait and let the teams that have money get the players they want it will still leave a lot of free agent bigs teamless. We could concieveably get a good big for fairly cheap.

I like Aminu and Heytvelt too. If one of them impresses us in summer league we have a spot for them too as neither would cost us much.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:00 PM

wow it went through?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:02 PM

Millie (since this thing is working for me today lol) I’ve read that Blake Griffin will be playing in summer league

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:04 PM

I forget who it was that wanted to see Pecherov against JaVale, but, you may get the chance July 17th. Great day in history by the way. It’s my birthday LOL

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:10 PM

millie mill — Dominic worked hard last off-season to *lose* 10 lbs. His future is not at the 4. His jumper looked very good last Summer League, and then not as good against nba competition, and then ultimately it improved over the season. He’ll wind up a pretty good shooter, I’m sure — although that’s not really what we use him for.

Grifonracing — which of the FA bigs do you like? There are a lot of expensive ones, yes, but I don’t see many moderately-priced ones I have a hankering to add. Linus Kleiza might be one.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:14 PM

Why do I keep hearing that Trevour Ariza is considering signing with the Rockets? Who in their right mind would sign with the Rockets right now?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:14 PM

Don’t know yet Tom. We have to wait until all the team with money make their moves. When we get toward the end of trading we will have to evaluate who is left and offer league minimum. Somebody will have to take it if they want to play (like Deshawn did when he over valued himself and came to us for the minimum).

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:16 PM

you never know.. Drew Gooden? It could happen. Depends on who is left

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:17 PM

Tom: you’ve probably heard me say this before, but Rasheed Wallace is a player I think can still bring defense and 3 point shooting to a team….I’ve been hearing he would consider signing a mid-level contract with a team that is going to be a contender…He may be aging, but he would be a great asset to the Wizards. Also, if Ben Wallace is bought out by the Suns and he doesn’t retire, I wouldn’t mind having him as a veteran player on the Wizards either

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:17 PM

Sorry all It’s been about a week since I’ve been able to post with the new server. I’ve got a lot of thoughts pent up LOL

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:19 PM

Wizfan4life. I don’t see us offering the mid level exemption to anyone. Too much money. If we pick up a free agent I don’t see it being for any more than the league minimum. Rasheed is old enough he may be one of the ones to fall.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:20 PM

Theo Ratliff anybody? He might not seem like much, but with his experience, size, and defense I think he could be a good cheap veteran PF/C

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:23 PM

GrifonRacing: I’ve been hearing Rasheed has considered teams like Cleveland, Orlando, the Spurs, the Lakers, the Heat, and the Celtics……it saddens me that one of those teams will probably get him before we even get a chance to talk to him

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:24 PM

Oh another thing, ever since free-agency has started, I haven’t been hearing any chatter online about the Wizards making anymore trades or talking to any free agents……Sportswiz is there anything you can tell us?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:26 PM

Wizfan4life — Ben Wallace has a $14m contract. Even if he doesn’t retire, how are you going to acquire that?

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:29 PM

Tom: many believe the Suns are looking to buy out his contract….if that occurs, we could sign him to a 1 year veteran minimum contract

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:29 PM

I don’t really see us making any moves until the trading deadline nears. We are strapped for cash and will be “bargain” hunting.

Mike James is really the only player on our roster that has any trade value. I should probably define that a little more. James is the only one with trade value that we would be willing to part with. Without somebody needing his expiring contract he isn’t going to turn any heads as a combo guard. I don’t really see much of a trade in our future

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:35 PM

GrifonRacing: sometimes you gotta sacrifice a little money to win it all……I doubt there have been a lot of teams in the past that have won NBA titles while staying under the salary cap…….Look at teams like the Lakers, the Celtics, and the Spurs: they have won titles, and all of them have been at least $5-20 million dollars over the limit while doing so……..if a team like Cleveland, Orlando, or even the Spurs (they dont really matter much b/c theyre in the West conference, but I’m just saying) get a player like Rasheed Wallace or any other decent free agent on their roster this offseason for the mid-level, you might as well hand them the trophy today

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:41 PM

Jerry Buss isn’t our owner. Abe simply doesn’t have the resources owners like that have. Buss and Cuban can pretty much do as they like…. go home and roll around in hundred dollar bills. We won’t be going any farther into luxury tax land than we absolutely have to.

Comment from neal
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:41 PM

Unfortunately, you’re right Wizfan, I don’t expect us to challenge for the championship w/o one of our young guys becoming a miracle all-star before his contract is up.

I still think we’ll trade a guard for a big guy before the trade deadline is up. When is that?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:49 PM

Wizfan4life — Better think that one through again. We pay more salary than Cleveland (that’s w/ shaq), more than Boston, more than Orlando, more than Atlanta, more than Miami, more than Detroit, more than Philly, more than NJ, and even more than the NY Knicks.

That should tell you that spending money doesn’t win championships. Moreover, there’s more than one “decent free agent.” If we get a guy, that doesn’t mean that Cleveland and Orlando don’t get other guys.

As to Ben Wallace, think about it for a minute from his point of view. I take a buyout at some discount from $14m, and then I go play for $1m. Right… why exactly do I do that?

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:50 PM

GrifonRacing: What do you mean Abe doesn’t have the resources? He essentially owns D.C.’s entire entertainment industry, is still running the franchise at 86 years old, and has a streat near the Verizon Center named after him!! If Abe Pollin really wanted to win another championship, he could throw a little bit more money towards the Wizards making a couple more moves

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:54 PM

Tom- I was just making a point that not making roster changes simply to save a little money isn’t necessarily always the smartest move. As to Ben Wallace, if he is bought out, it’s not like he’s going to get a mid-level contract….also Ben Wallace has been wanting to win a championship really badly ever since he left Detroit after they lost in the Eastern Conference Finals a few years back…..he just hasn’t found the right team yet

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:57 PM

I agree Wizfan4life you don’t become a sports franchise owner without having some “where with all”. Still I’d feel better about throwing money around if I had Cuban’s internet millions or Buss’ real estate millions. Abe Polin Way isn’t a toll road LOL

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2009 at 5:58 PM

neal — we aren’t going to challenge for a championship any time soon, you’re right. That’s not even what Ernie or Flip have indicated. “Return to the playoffs and do some damage.” In other words get back to where we were, and take one more step.

Assuming everyone stays healthy and Mike Miller plays @2500 minutes that otherwise would have gone to James/Young, and plays at the same level of production as last year, I think we’ll be a 46-48 win team and maybe have home court in the first round.

For me that would be a very good season — beyond anything we’ve done previously, and how can that not be good?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 6:01 PM

After waiting 30 years to make the playoffs consistently…. I’ll take it.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 2, 2009 at 6:07 PM

Wizfan4life — Again, you think Ben Wallace is going to throw away millions of dollars to play for the Washington Wizards rather than the Phoenix Suns?

And you think Mr. Pollin should spend millions of dollars because you are *sure* that we’ll win a championship if he does?

Why don’t we think about what players — not stars — we might actually trade for — without trading one of our stars. That kind of trade is something that might actually happen.

Comment from BenchMob
Time July 2, 2009 at 7:05 PM

OT….Ron Artest to sign with the Lakers. CBSSports.com

Comment from BenchMob
Time July 2, 2009 at 7:06 PM

OT..Ricky Rubio decides to stay in Spain. RealGM.com

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 7:14 PM

Tom: The Suns aren’t going to be a playoff team next year…..they are rebuilding, so if I was Ben Wallace and I could choose to play for the Wizards or the Suns next season, yes I would play for the Wizards. As to players that we should think about, I was simply naming Rasheed Wallace and possibly Ben Wallace as potential players for our roster, not because they’re “stars”, but because they have been coached by Saunders before, they are solid veterans, and they play good post defense and are pretty good shot blockers

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 2, 2009 at 7:20 PM

plus, Ben Wallace lives in Richmond, and I’ve heard he would welcome the idea of retiring with a team close to Virginia

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 2, 2009 at 8:46 PM

It was obvious during the playoffs that Ben Wallace has nothing to contribute to a NBA basketball team at this stage of his career. Rasheed has the heart of a lion and the sense of the scarecrow. .. even the Wizard of Oz couldn’t do much with him…forget both.

Comment from GlingGling
Time July 2, 2009 at 8:47 PM

Lot’s of movement around the NBA, lot’s of teams getting scary. I hope ‘Sheed ends up in Boston (if not with us, haha). I think he’ll fit right in there with his level of energy.

Now let’s see if LA can keep Lamar Odom since they seem to be losing Ariza.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 2, 2009 at 8:48 PM

I wish I could post a photo of a keyboard sandwich with several of my fellow bloggers taking a big bite out of it…of course that won’t happen until next year.

Comment from neal
Time July 2, 2009 at 11:16 PM

Sure, 46-48 wins would be a big success.

Wow! I had no idea! We are scheduled to spend more money than any team other than the Hornets and the Lakers. My estimation of EG’s performance just dropped a notch or two.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 11:20 PM

Hey Neal… sounds like there may be a new sandwich in town? lol

I think Kleiza is under contract next year Tom. Who I would really like to somehow get would be Chris Andersen. I know there is no chance of that, but, that would be my “ultimate” player.

What team has a lot of bigs (one around 6 mil would be nice) that is looking for a guard with an expiring contract?

Summer league should be a lot of fun this year. We have some good players. And we get to see our old team mates the 17th. And we get to see Blake Griffin.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 11:26 PM

Let’s just make it to the playoffs. Anything can happen from there.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 11:29 PM

Yep we are the 3rd highest paid team. Hard to read that one all at once lol.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 2, 2009 at 11:31 PM

I was surprised the Hornets and not somebody like Dallas was 2nd?

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 3, 2009 at 12:58 AM

where are y’all getting these numbers from? Also, how is Cleveland not in the top 3 for highest paid team?

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 3, 2009 at 1:05 AM

I see no player additions in this free agent class that would take us over the top.

The one player that could make the best positive difference in terms of quick chemistry and player growth is Antonio McDyess, though I suspect he signs with the Pistons, priced out of our range. He’s got size and veteran savvy combined with a low-key selfless demeanor and love of the game that could help a player like Andray Blatche.

McDyess nearly lost his career due to knee explosions and had to learn a floorbound fundamental game based on leverage, cunning, effort and a midrange shot. He works well in Flip’s system. I suspect his addition would help smooth over rough patches when our young bigs are still guessing at how best to get ‘er done. I’d bet he’s good for +1 crucial playoff win, every other series. And will help players learn the system at an accelerated pace.

But all in all I don’t see any one player that would equate to a championship run here.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 3, 2009 at 1:32 AM

millie mill — Dominic worked hard last off-season to *lose* 10 lbs. His future is not at the 4. His jumper looked very good last Summer League, and then not as good against nba competition, and then ultimately it improved over the season. He’ll wind up a pretty good shooter, I’m sure — although that’s not really what we use him for.

Dom can hit a wide open shot, he just doesn’t trust it at all. He hit %50 from three last year, taking one shot every three games or so, if I remember it right. I fully expect his shot to improve once he grooves it, the presence of a gym rat like Mike Miller will help exemplify the kind of work that must be put in to get any results in building a reliable jumper.

But I’m in accord with ‘Mills’ here that Dom could stand to put on a bit of muscle. He lost babyfat last summer to try to add footspeed and become a defensive perimeter specialist; but more than anything he needs a finishing move underneath to create putbacks out of the offensive rebounding chances he collects. Too often he’s still trying to finesse the ball into the hoop, when it’s not like many people can match his raw athleticism. Hey this is a cat who played football in highschool, I’d like to see him unafraid to bounce off people, or go over ‘em, or through.

With a notch more strength he can play the Mikael Pietrus role defending LeBron: big long athlete, undaunted unmoved by LePout, LePushoff, LeCrabdribble.

In this offense though, Dom also needs a midrange shot, and fundamentals in setting a solid pick, pick and pop, pick and roll finishing move, since he’s basically left alone here by defenders out here.

Unlikely opium dream but my best hope for Dom is a slow start but that in practice and some games he eventually adds any/all of the above and renders Mike Miller superfluous. If he developed anything like Miller’s pretty shot, or dribble pull-up game well, we could re-sign him longterm for somewhat less than Mike Millions’ $9m per, and add the same passing/rebounding at a cheaper price, with better defense.

Easier said, and all that. But it’s the offseason, for longtime Bullets fans this is the time where dreams come out to play, before the dreamhunters ruthlessly gun them down come October.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 3, 2009 at 2:09 AM

Where I differ with the rototime piece millie posted: depth chart.

Flip says he wants to play 8, then rotate in others in spot duty. Flip says he prefers to play large not small when possible (due to match-up zone considerations). The rumors of Blatche hitting shots and working hard this summer suggest he’ll see some utility at PF. And an occasional Blatche/Haywood frontline works nicely underneath in an intimidating match-up zone.

I suspect we’ll see something like:

PG: Gil, Foye,
SG: Miller, Nick, Foye, Caron (as an experiment)
SF: Caron, Miller, Jamison (next to Blatche)
PF: Jamison, Blatche,
C: Haywood, Blatche

That’s eight as a core group. Other players:

PG: Critt– as back-up only unless he shows some kind of mid-range or outside shot.

SG: DeShawn — depends on his back issues, though I suspect Ernie is trying to trade.

SF: Dom is a back-up spot-duty defensive specialist, subbing for Mike Miller or Jamison when offense is not a consideration.

PF: Dom backs up Dray at PF out of necessity when Blatche gets in foul trouble. At least unless/until Ernie lands a trade, or Aminu is inked cheap and learns quick.

C: Flip has made comments that McGee is still raw, still learning. Past complaints about Flip from other teams are that he doesn’t tend to trust rookies, and that his complex playbook requires vets to really understand and run. I’d bet McGee doesn’t earn the PT that his fans desire except on days when Dray is a foul-valanche. How quickly JaVale learns is the primary limit to his playtime.

I suspect Nick Young may have his minutes jeopardized by Miller/Foye for a similar reason. Except that Flip will likely find ways to use him on the 2-3 plays that Nick can pick up with repetition. A playbook actually helps Nick more than Eddie Jordan’s free-form offense that requires more decision-making by the players.

But Nick will need to learn to play off the ball, hit a shot off the catch, use a pick. Gil, Miller, Caron, even Dray are all willing passers, there will be enough shots to go around for players who work within the system and work to get open. But dribbling into the defense for 10 seconds then trying a fadey– that’s not gonna cut you playtime. We’ll be more likely to see Miller or Foye sub in after the next dead ball.

Comment from dmac
Time July 3, 2009 at 6:49 AM

We need to try to go after Amare for AJ, Mike James and a young player. Or we need to get the guts to sign Brandon Bass and make AJ the 6th man.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 7:49 AM

doc — interesting stuff, but just a few things:

1. Foye has proven himself an ineffective point guard. Especially, he is a poor passer and picks up very few assists. Critt has better size and he rebounds very well for a guard. Yes, he has *a lot* of improvement to make, but I think he’s as good a point guard as Foye right now, maybe better.

2. Unless you’re assuming into the prediction that Nick ups his level of play substantially, I go more with your caveat about Nick than your suggestion of him as somehow the first sub at the 2. I’d rather have Dom soak up minutes at the 2 than either Nick or Foye. Especially playing next to Gil. Aside from his defense and athleticism, Dom has a high basketball IQ; things flow well when he is in the game.

As to gaining 5-10 pounds — what player *wouldn’t* want a few more pounds of muscle, if we assume that there’s no cost in quickness. But, at his new light weight, Dom was an *extremely* effective player last year.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 7:55 AM

dmac — the only thing I’d like about the Amare trade you suggest is that his contract is expiring. The trade wouldn’t get us a championship, and anyway Amare has no interest in coming here.

Wizfan — I’m going to work on understanding why Ben would let himself be bought out of $14m (for about 1/2 price) so that he could come here to play for the vet minimum. I promise I’ll really cogitate on that one. Somehow, though, I just don’t think he’ll leave $5-6 million on the table!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 8:12 AM

Getabig — we’re all willing to bite the escape key if you’re right. What I *haven’t* heard is what *you’re* willing to do if the Wizards (healthy) win 46-48 games and don’t get out of the 2d round?

Wizfan — Our salary numbers are here:
http://hoopshype.com/salaries/washington.htm
There’s a pull-down for other teams.

When you think about salary, don’t just think about this year. We have over $207m in trailing salary obligations!! The highest in the league. Nobody else is even close. And that doesn’t take into account that Caron, Brendan and Dom all need to be re-signed.

If I had a criticism to make of Pollin, it’d be for *over-paying* not for holding back.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 3, 2009 at 8:31 AM

Since the Wiz are over the salary cap. Any signing they make will double in cost.
If we use the $5 million mid level exemption it will cost the team $10 million.
I don’t see that happening. No matter how much money Abe may have.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 8:31 AM

grifon — Kleiza is a restricted FA; he is expecting to move. Toronto and Cleveland are both very interested. I’d *love* to have him, but we probably don’t have the $$.

I was just thinking — if Heytvelt should stick with the Wizards, it’d be the same as if we picked him in Round 2, which we might have done. Except of course, we’ll have an extra $2.5m to help fund our lux tax payment!

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 3, 2009 at 8:39 AM

Trade Partner: Utah Jazz
Wiz have two real good SF in Butler and Jamison
Jazz have two real good PF in Boozer and Millsap.
The money is right:

Antawn Jamison for Carlos Boozer.
Although Boozer only has one year left on his contract.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 3, 2009 at 8:50 AM

Is Jeff Ruland or Rick Mahorn available to play Power Forward for the Wiz?
What about Charles Jones?

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 3, 2009 at 8:51 AM

Or the former Bullet with the huge (I mean massive) elbow pad?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 10:40 AM

jmpalomo — Utah may well lose Millsap in free agency, and if so it’s because they don’t want the salary hit.

A sign and trade would involve the same salary hit. And they’d have to be interested in Jamison — and interested in guaranteeing him $16m when he’s 35 too.

Would you do it for Caron instead?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 10:58 AM

Another guy who could be a very effective backup 5 if he has his head screwed on finally is David Harrison. He’s a good basketball player, but he’s been something of a hothead. David is playing on Cleveland’s Summer League team — w/ Varejao going unrestricted, he might actually make that team and not be available to us.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 11:33 AM

Interesting list of what one commentator thinks this year’s free agents are worth.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 3, 2009 at 11:52 AM

1. Foye has proven himself an ineffective point guard. Especially, he is a poor passer and picks up very few assists. Critt has better size and he rebounds very well for a guard. Yes, he has *a lot* of improvement to make, but I think he’s as good a point guard as Foye right now, maybe better.

Funny, here I have to teach my grandfather to suck eggs. Check the stats, pops:

http://tinyurl.com/crittfoye

Foye actually has a better assist/to ratio, similar assist rate per 40 mins (pace adjusted), better pure passer rating. Granted Critt is a more willing passer (per possession)– problem being, he passes to the opposing team twice as often.

Compound that with the fact that Critt can’t shoot at all and Foye’s quotes that he’d prefer to play PG and try to set people up more. I suspect that it would be easier to teach Foye to run a few plays than it would to make Critt into a reliable gunner.

I expect to see Foye at both spots. And with willing passers like Gil Caron and MikeMillions (and Dom, possibly Dray) I’d bet the ball gets moved around a fair amount, generosity becomes infectious.

2. Unless you’re assuming into the prediction that Nick ups his level of play substantially, I go more with your caveat about Nick than your suggestion of him as somehow the first sub at the 2. I’d rather have Dom soak up minutes at the 2 than either Nick or Foye. Especially playing next to Gil. Aside from his defense and athleticism, Dom has a high basketball IQ; things flow well when he is in the game.

Nobody is more in the tank for the LiveWire Dom McGuire than me. I went berserk on various boards (like Dom) crowing about the acquisition when we drafted him. That said, Flip says he sees him as a utility player. And if he can’t hit a jumper (yet) then I don’t see an offensive minded coach like Flip finding a ton of utility out of him.

With one caveat: Dom + Haywood could make that match-up zone look like a thing of beauty in moments when Jamison is off the floor (Blatche substituting especially).

But if I’m honest, until he shows an ability to shoot, I don’t see him earning PT behind:

2G: Gil, Miller, Foye, Caron

(Flip mentioned Caron at offguard before the team landed Miller/Foye)

SF: Caron, Miller, Jamison

Flip likes his offguard to be able to actually, you know: shoot. Fact is the available minutes right now are in the frontcourt. Dom was carrying a bit of college weight (beer and cafeteria food). He burned that off, but hasn’t yet begun to pack on strength. He’s got a frame that will take a little bit more strength without losing quicks.

And he has the right kind of attitude, he wants a long career in the NBA, he’s smart enough to realize that if he can both hit from outside and finish in traffic off putback chances, he’ll have a long career in the NBA. But I doubt he sees his future at 2-guard. Few teams will look for a backcourt primary rebounder. Runs your court balance and transition defense.

As for Nick– Sammy and Flip have been drilling him all summer. I have no doubt that he’ll be able to learn one or three repeatable scoring plays. That’s all he needs to be subbed into the rotation.

And you might be surprised to note that Nick had one of the better on/off defensive +/- ratings on the team (in part because he never thought to double-down on the bigs– stupid idea– and just stuck with his man by default). He’s silly-long and athletic and can do the hardest thing in the sport: score a contested shot.

Now I’m dubious how quickly he’ll pick up principles of the match-up zone. But with Brendan back, barking instructions (he was the player most often talking to Nick on court and helping him learn the Pton offense, directing him where to move) he should improve by leaps and bounds.

And with the 10-1 assist/TO version of Gil back (small sample fluke, but still, a hopeful sign) Nick won’t touch the ball until he’s made the right move and gotten open. And should look good.

I expect Sammy will make it a personal mission to ride this kid until he gets it. His talent is special, he just has a few lazy sloppy habits.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 3, 2009 at 11:57 AM

“Ruins” transition defense and court balance to rely on a backcourt rebounder. (not “runs”).

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 1:30 PM

Like you, I thought Dom was a tremendous steal from draft day forward. If you’re basing his utility role on what Flip has already said, … ok — but when he starts disrupting his opponents in camp, and his team wins most of the games no matter how players are distributed, Flip may change his mind!

I’d *love* to see all that good stuff happen for Nick — yes, he is a special talent. On the other hand, doc, not knowing how old you are I’ll just reference my experience from all the professions I’ve practiced from writer to entrepreneur — guys (and gals) with “special talent” show up all the time and fade all the time too leaving little behind. The most important talents are the ability to learn and the will to apply yourself to that learning process. When I see *that* “talent” in Nick, I’ll be really pleased — Dom has it in spades.

Your stats comparison shows Critt with more assists per 40min than Foye, more rebounds, and a higher FG%. Yes, he turns it over a bit more — but he also steals it a bit more. Critt is definitely still pretty raw, but he looks to me like he has a higher ceiling and IMO is already more productive.

But… this is not a religious matter to me! May they both play extremely well!

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 3, 2009 at 1:34 PM

one thing about dom possibly playin the four (not saying it will or wont happen).

Guys like Rashard Lewis and Lamar Odom saw significant minutes at the 4 spot last year in the finals. They are hardly natural “4s” in their play style and there has been talk of LeBron James moving to the 4 at times for Cleveland. That makes Dom’s versatility a strength because he can match up with some of those non-conventional power forwards.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 1:35 PM

One more thing: I’ve never understood why the “assists-to-turnover” ratio is a meaningful stat. What does it reveal about a player? Obviously, better is better — but it’s not meaningful the ways *steals* to turnover ratio is meaningful, or made to missed FGA’s is meaningful (i.e. FG%).

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 3, 2009 at 1:47 PM

Hey SportsWiz: is there anything you can tell us about coach Casell? Has he been working with any guards in particular yet?

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 3, 2009 at 1:49 PM

oh yeah I would also like to see McGuire play the 4 spot as well…he can be a great shot blocker and post defender…..he just needs to add a little muscle

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 3, 2009 at 2:01 PM

cassell has been working with a lot of the guys (ive seen him with foye and crittenton told me he was working with him on his pullup game).

He’s very vocal on the practice court and is always showing little changes to try to make the guys better (for instance with foye he was working on different jumpstops and how to use hesitation dribbles)

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 2:12 PM

Sam was a magician — it is *great* having him on our staff!

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 3, 2009 at 2:18 PM

really random news here: i just read an article on foxsports.com that the NBA is switching its fast food sponsorship from McDonalds to Taco Bell lol

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 3, 2009 at 2:19 PM

SportsWiz: do you know if Casell is going to be working with Arenas on his playmaking abilities?

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 3, 2009 at 2:44 PM

Wow Hedo to the Blazers, Wallace maybe to the Celtics, and Ron to the Lakers…..And Iverson wants to play with the Grizzlies, and the Heat have always expressed signing him as well???? Can we at least make a phone call to Iverson’s agent? The East will be really tough this year we need all the scoring we can get!

Comment from Aj
Time July 3, 2009 at 3:13 PM

It seems like the teams that are already contenders are the ones getting better through free agency. With the celtics cavs and magic making moves to improve their teams, (even though I believe that between those three teams only the celtics will actually have a better record than this past season if they can aquire wallace) I still think the the wizards can get the fourth spot in the east if they add another post presence.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 3, 2009 at 3:22 PM

Aj: you also have to add the Lakers to that list, but only if they can keep Odom….replacing Ariza with Artest will make them better for sure

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 5:34 PM

Hey Aj, glad to see you on the blog again!

Well, it’d be hard for Cleveland to actually improve their record, given that they won 63 games!

After being sure that Dumars was going to rebuild the Pistons quickly, I’ve been *very* unimpressed w/ what he’s doing. Neither Gordon or Villanueva are actually very productive overall — esp. not Charlie. Gordon is a scorer and that is all. Not terribly efficient either.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 5:39 PM

We’re not going to acquire a big any time soon, or be able to land McDyess, according to Mike Jones of the Washtimes.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 3, 2009 at 6:55 PM

Your stats comparison shows Critt with more assists per 40min than Foye, more rebounds, and a higher FG%.

Lower points per play, lower True Shooting percentage.

Critt’s FG percentage is so low because he only shoots it when he can drive in close for a lay-up, and even then, hit’s a pretty poor percentage. Check the difference:

Javaris shot jumpers 45% of his shots with an effective FG% of 23%, 14% from three. That’s just not any good at all. Not for a guard. His FG percent is rescued by the fact that half of the shots he was willing to try were lay-ups. More than half of his offense was inside the paint.

http://www.82games.com/0809/08WAS6.HTM

Now that’s nice and all… but not realistic in a pro offense to think that he’ll make his living underneath the hoop.

I identified early that he’d be a prodigy of a rebounder compared to other PG’s — but again that’s a dog walking on two legs, you don’t especially need nor want your Point trying to dig out the ball among the trees. That’s how Gil got his knee blowed up for instance.

Now, Foye’s no great shakes as a scorer, and since he injured his ankle he’s been less likely to attack the inside, but his 3 pt shooting has been as high as 40% when he’s healthy. (In ’07-08; and after the allstar break this year).

That’s an NBA-useful skill for a guard. You will find minutes if you can hit the long ball. Provided you don’t make mistakes.

Segues into the turnovers discussion. I’d agree that assist/turnover ratio is a less useful stat. I’d look at TO/possession. Critt turns the ball over once for every four touches. That’s terrible for a player at a primary ballhandling position. That number is 3rd worst among all point guards last year (in players who averaged at least 10 mins per game).

Steals though– advanced tracking shows steals actually often correlate to a slightly negative win percentage. Players who gamble for steals often jump out of position and allow opponents open shots.

I’m not killing Critt, I’m making a prediction. I suspect Foye is more likely to get minutes backing up Gil than Javaris does. If you can’t shoot, and half your passes go to the other team, you ain’t earning time as a floor general. Even at back-up.

Maybe Crittenton has developed a reliable jumper, I like his work ethic and attitude, he should improve. But Daniels was a hardworking guy and he never earned range on his jumper. And Crittenton has a looong way to go before he’s even as good a shooter as Antonio Daniels.

Comment from GlingGling
Time July 3, 2009 at 6:59 PM

Tom, I think Mike Jones is right. At the moment it’s more interesting to look at other movement in the NBA. Thinks aren’t going to get interesting for the Wizards until summer league starts, and even then only to watch our young guys play.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 3, 2009 at 7:03 PM

So what do you guys think about this?

Offseason Overview: Washington Wizards
By Cory Elfrink
July 1, 2009 4:35pm CDT

Before the season ever started, the Wizards had to deal with the fact they would be without starters Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood due to injuries. They went on to have the worst record in the Eastern Conference (19-63), 13 games worse than any other team. Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler played like All-Stars, but the rest of the roster was a young work in progress. An overhaul this offseason is producing some grandiose expectations for 2009-10.

Cap situation: $75.8 million committed to 13 players. League salary cap estimated at $58 million for 2009-2010 season.

Returning players: Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Gilbert Arenas, Brendan Haywood, Nick Young, Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee, Mike James, DeShawn Stevenson, Dominic McGuire, and Javaris Crittenton. Mike Miller and Randy Foye were acquired via trade.

Key free agents: Juan Dixon

Five Burning Questions

1) What, if anything, can we honestly expect from Gilbert Arenas?
In 2005-06, Arenas scored 29.3 points per game. In 2006-07, he averaged 28.4. In the next two seasons, he played a total of 15 games. Two left knee surgeries were the culprit for his absence, but Arenas has been more than active in his rehab. As early as January, Arenas has been practicing against teammates. By February, teammates and coaches were talking about how he was dominating team practices and looked 100 percent. Yet, he only played in two meaningless games towards the end of the season. The last we heard of Arenas was that he was in excellent shape and attending the NBA Finals. All seems to be in place for him to be 100 percent at the start of training camp and he should have no limitations as he shakes off the rust during the preseason. With a new coach, and the addition of some veteran talent to his supporting cast, I expect Arenas to focus a bit more on facilitating rather than scoring next season. That said, I still expect him to be the team’s leading scorer, or just behind whoever is. Expect to see more jump-shooting and less penetration from Agent Zero next season. Also, given their sudden depth, expect Arenas’s minutes to be between 33-36 next season, rather than the 40-plus he logged pre-injury. Bottom line? Something like this: 34 minutes, 21 points, six assists, four rebounds, two steals, and 2.5 three-pointers (per game averages). We saw Dwyane Wade dominate last season after multiple surgeries; Arenas is the same age and has a chance to rebound with an excellent season, as well.

2)Was adding Flip Saunders the right move?
Absolutely. The Wizards have an offensively gifted team, when healthy, and Saunders is an offensive-minded coach. Not only that, but he has been incredibly successful in the regular season, almost guaranteeing his teams a home court series in the playoffs. Since 1999, he has won at least 50 games seven times (he won 47 one season and was fired in the middle of another). Both of his former teams, the Timberwolves and Pistons, got dramatically worse after he left. His last four times in the playoffs? He has won 10 games each time, making the Conference Finals on each occasion. Saunders is a phenomenal coach and he should be able to get another 50 wins out of his newest talent-laden roster.

3) How will Randy Foye and Mike Miller fit in?
GM Ernie Grunfeld pulled off a big trade prior to the draft to acquire Randy Foye and mike Miller from the Timberwolves for the fifth overall pick (international man of mystery Ricky Rubio), Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila, and Oleksiy Pecherov. Foye and Miller (along with Arenas) will immediately improve their three-point shooting, of which they ranked second worst in the league last year. Foye turns 26 in September, and he is in a very similar mold as Arenas. Foye thrived in Minnesota when he was playing the off-guard position, and he’ll fill that role more often than not in D.C. Also, he provides phenomenal insurance in the case of another Arenas injury. Miller, who won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2005-06, will likely be the first player off the bench most nights. He’s coming off his lowest scoring average (9.9) for any season as a pro, but while the scoring was down, his 4.5 assists represented the highest mark of his career and his 6.6 rebounds marked the second-best average of any season.

4) Will there be enough shots to go around?
Both Butler and Jamison averaged more than 20 points per game a season ago without Arenas in the mix. Arenas likely still sees himself as this team’s top scorer, so these three will have to find a way to effectively share the ball as they did in 2006-07. Enter Randy Foye. Foye took 14 shots per game last season in Minnesota, but he’ll be lucky to see 10 per game next season. Miller is also known for his shooting prowess and Nick Young fired off nine shots per game in a limited role last season, as he appeared to be an emerging young scorer at different points in the season. Stevenson hopes to rebound from his back problems of last season, but he will have to adapt his game. He was primarily a shooter while starting over the past six seasons. The point is that this team is filled with guys who focus on scoring (and I haven’t even discussed Mike James and Andray Blatche). They have enough attractive pieces that they could ship in a trade, but it’s hard to determine where they need improve. A defensive presence like Marcus Camby, who is very effective even when he’s not scoring, is the type of player they would have to target if they wanted to shake up the roster any more.

5) Can this team compete for a championship?
The Wizards have had terrible luck in regards to injuries over the past couple of seasons, but the unit they currently have assembled has as much talent and depth as any team in the Eastern Conference. I have no problems considering them, along with Boston, Cleveland, and Orlando, among the top four teams in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, no one on this team has ever been past the first round of the playoffs, so the likelihood of winning a championship does not appear to be very good.

Ideal Situation: The team assembled as it is right now is 30 wins better than a year ago. If the main ingredients stay healthy, this team should lock up a top four seed in the Eastern Conference. The odds are that this roster will be the one we see on the floor by the time the season tips off in October.

Resulting Depth Chart
PG: Gilbert Arenas/Mike James/Javaris Crittenton
SG: Randy Foye/Nick Young/DeShawn Stevenson
SF: Caron Butler/Mike Miller
PF: Antawn Jamison/Dominic McGuire
C: Brendan Haywood/Andray Blatche/JaVale McGee

Strengths: Scoring, depth, three-point shooting, star power, average age of 27
Weaknesses: Durability, rebounding, defense

Comment from ta1ent
Time July 3, 2009 at 7:35 PM

what about channing frye, why is he a free agent? i thought he was pretty good.

Comment from ta1ent
Time July 3, 2009 at 7:38 PM

and can’t we just release james? what happens when teams release players that are still under contract?

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 3, 2009 at 7:45 PM

ta 1 ent, you don’t want to drop Mike James because a team may need a point guard at the trade deadline. Thus we can pickup a young player or draft pick for him. If we cut him them we still have to pay his $6 milloion dollar salary.

Comment from neal
Time July 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM

Sportzwiz, I just spend 30 min writing a brilliant post, which was kicked out because the site is “too busy”, which is what it’s been telling me off and on for the last month.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 3, 2009 at 8:15 PM

neal, that has happened to almost everyone on the blog recently. Try composing in some editor and doing a cut-and-past to the blog. At least you won’t lose the Pulitzer work altogether.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 8:29 PM

Or even, before posting, highlight and copy the whole thing. Then, each time it doesn’t work, you can paste it in and try again.

If for some reason you don’t *have* a word processing program, you can download http://www.openoffice.org, or just use google docs.

ta1ent — jmpalomo’s right; you don’t gain anything but a roster spot when you release a guy. Even if you can negotiate a buy-out, his contracted salary counts against the Luxury Tax limit. As to Channing Frye, if Portland just *let him go* at the end of his contract, that ought to tell you something.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 8:36 PM

doc — yup, Crittenton’s shortcomings are significant. If Foye can be more productive in Washington than he was in Minnesota, fine.

Thing is, Ernie went out and made an effort to acquire the young Mr. Crittenton. And he has size and athleticism to spare for a point guard. Developing him may not be a big focus in this “win or die trying” season the Wizards seem to be embarking on, but my secret concern about this team is that if the young’uns don’t develop we’re back in the basement soon.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 3, 2009 at 8:56 PM

jeffmalone, I saw that write up and in general I agree with Cory Elfrink. But, I believe that the Depth Chart will look more like:
PG: Gilbert Arenas/Randy Foye/Javaris Crittenton
SG: Nick Young/Mike James/DeShawn Stevenson
SF: Caron Butler/Mike Miller/Dominic McGuire
PF: Antawn Jamison/Andray Blatche
C: Brendan Haywood/JaVale McGee

Gil can play PG or SG; Foye can play PG or SG; Miller can play SG or SF; ‘Dray can play PF or C; James can play PG or SG; Dom can play SG or SF; and I heard that they are working JaValle at PF as well as C…nice versatility in that group.

I still would not be surprised to see AJ reprise his 6th man role and ‘Dray start at PF. I would also like to see DeShawn come back strong and move ahead of Mike in the chart.

This team is so much better that the 2008-2009 version.
The key to the entire season will be the healthy return of Gilbert (Yes, he is that good). Maybe some folks don’t remember seeing how Gil could just take over a game. It takes having a superstar on your team to win the championship and he is our legitimate SUPER. If he is all the way back, we win the East; if not, we might win 35 games. Actually, Gil and any combination of the remaining players could win the East. He’s been out almost two years, but the rust will be gone by game three AND his legs are two years younger than they would have been had he been playing the past two years.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 3, 2009 at 9:26 PM

Sportzwiz–

Sammy’s working on guard-minutia. Do we have anyone concentrating on the Bigs? My dream of course would be for Flip’s good friend McHale to take a role as a Big Fella coach and work hands-on with McGee and Blatche.

Okay yeah he’d have to take a seat on the bench next to two guys he fired, but still…

Anyway, do we have a Big Man coach right now? Are Dray and McGee attending any Big Camps?

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 3, 2009 at 9:35 PM

SportzWiz…echo doclinkin’s question. I’d like McHale or Zo as big man coach. I’ve been lobbying for Zo for a few months.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 3, 2009 at 9:42 PM

and can’t we just release james? what happens when teams release players that are still under contract?

Thing is Supernanny James can actually prove an asset. Cutting him keeps him on your salary cap, you pay him to do nothing but keep away from your team.

But keeping him preserves the chance to use his contract as a throw in on a trade, and as an expiring deal, he can actually help you land a decent player if another capped-out team desires to drop longterm salary off their cap.

Notice San Antonio picked up a solid talent in RJeff simply by trading expiring contracts.

Now granted that impacts the Wiz ability to re-sign their own free agents, considering that Brendan, Mike Miller, Dom and Foye are all due to be re-upped. The team will need all the money they can free up. So.

Also, if Mike James suddenly shows a bit of something you may be able to trade him in his own right for another sub-mediocre player in a more needed position. Agree that’s a stretch, though.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 9:46 PM

McHale would be UNBELIEVABLE as our big man coach. Just thinking about what JaVale McGee could learn from him raises my pulse!

Even leaving aside Gil’s return, we will be a better team than last year’s 19 win disaster. For one thing, we’ve added a dozen wins just with Mike Miller taking e.g. Mike James’s minutes. And, obviously, we’ve significantly upgraded our coaching staff.

The picture up front still needs to come into focus, however.

The Washtimes article indicates that Ernie will be waiting to see how things develop and what bargains are available. If that’s true, this blog crew is likely to be on pins and needles. I hope we can just amuse ourselves attending to the Summer League games and hoping that e.g. Heytvelt or Aminu shows something special.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 3, 2009 at 9:54 PM

“Best of the rest” undrafted page on nbadraft.net.

They like Heytvelt.

Comment from neal
Time July 3, 2009 at 11:02 PM

Well, jeffmalone and gabbo, I disagree with both of you. My starting lineup is Arenas, Miller, Butler, Jamison & Haywood. Saunders says 3 others will make the rotation. For now I have to take him at his word. The only guy I assume will be added to the above 5 is Blatche. But there will be a roster change/addition before training camp begins and then we can all speculate again.

jeffmalone, you spent a lot of thought on that long post. I’m really glad it didn’t get rejected like mine.

I hope Arenas is 100% and that he shoots fewer jumpers but continues to penetrate. We have other shooters who are just as good, but no one penetrates as well. I’d like to see me penetrating and handing off to the center or kicking out to the off guard.

Probably the biggest factor of all is whether Saunders really is all we hope he can be – whether he can get these guys to play team ball at both ends.

I expect the average points of all the big three to decrease. Saunders doesn’t highlight certain scorers – he gets everyone involved in the offense and Miller is at least as good a shooter as the others. And Haywood can produce more in a system that tries harder to get him the ball down low.

Sure, we can compete for the eastern championship if all the ifs come true. But other teams also have good players and good coaches, plus the experience and confidence of winning. So it’s unlikely, but anything is possible.

Comment from neal
Time July 3, 2009 at 11:03 PM

I’d like to see HIM penetrating and ……

Comment from neal
Time July 3, 2009 at 11:18 PM

Looking at the committed salaries, in comparison with other teams, really makes something sink in with me. Grunfeld has really spent/gambled the team’s future on the Arenas and Jamison contracts. If Arenas’s contract turns out to be too expensive, or Jamison’s too long, we are SOL for a long time to come.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 3, 2009 at 11:26 PM

Neal don’t feel alone. I’ve only been able to log onto the blog about 5 times in the past week or so and only able to post to it in one running thread. The other two times it let me post were a couple comments apiece then it wouldn’t let me post anymore. Only able to post 3 times out of the 5 times it let me log on. I sure hope this gets fixed soon !

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 3, 2009 at 11:27 PM

well that now gives me 6 log ons and 4 posts lol

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 3, 2009 at 11:29 PM

While it’s letting me post I’ll say that I’ve gotta love that Mike Jones Tom. He said almost exactly what I said in an earlier post / this thread lol. Not the easiest thing to make me look smart LOL

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 4, 2009 at 8:10 AM

Here’s a nightmare: “According to sources, Washington looks like the favorite for Stephon Marbury’s next gig after Boston came up with an initial offer of $1.2 million, the veteran’s minimum. Flip Saunders and Marbury are intrigued about reuniting. Sacramento also has inquired about the guard.”

That’s in the NY Post.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 4, 2009 at 10:58 AM

Yeah, NYPost is not credible. Period. Starbury to DC is plain not happening. That’s just idle speculation, and possibly an agent blowing smoke up your uh-uh-uh.

Comment from doclinkin
Time July 4, 2009 at 11:00 AM

I’d like to see me penetrating and handing off to the center or kicking out to the off guard.

Okay fine, but how’s your defense?

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 4, 2009 at 11:03 AM

I will be most surprised and disapppointed if EG signs yet another guard (especially SM).

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 4, 2009 at 12:03 PM

Sounds like bs to me…

Comment from neal
Time July 4, 2009 at 12:18 PM

Go for it EG, we need more guards.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 4, 2009 at 12:18 PM

LOL Doc.. Neal plays great D. They should be thinking of signing Neal and NOT Starbury.

Comment from neal
Time July 4, 2009 at 12:21 PM

Makes better sense. I can be had for cheap, and I would love to sit on the bench permanently.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 4, 2009 at 12:24 PM

I’ll bet Cassell and Marbury would seriously clash

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 4, 2009 at 12:29 PM

That’s the second time I’ve heard that and it scares me a little. If Flip really does like the guy and he is willing to play for cheap it could happen. I think he would be more of a hinderance than a help.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 4, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Hey Neal…. you couldn’t get better season tickets? With any luck Pesh left his deck of cards behind.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 4, 2009 at 3:42 PM

For the love of Terry Catledge, Charles Jones, Jeff Ruland, Gus Johnson, Moses Malone and of course Jeff Malone (and honorable mention: Dudley Bradley)

PLEASE SAY NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Stephon Marbury To The Wizards?
Posted: 7/4/2009 7:05:00 AM
Source: Marc Berman of the New York Post

According to sources, Washington looks like the favorite for Stephon Marbury’s next gig after Boston came up with an initial offer of $1.2 million, the veteran’s minimum. Flip Saunders and Marbury are intrigued about reuniting. Sacramento also has inquired about the guard.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 4, 2009 at 3:45 PM

Ok so here I go again, if we sign Stephon Maybury why in the world would we not go after Allen Iverson. THERE IS NO WAY MARBURY IS BETTER THAN IVERSON!!!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time July 4, 2009 at 3:50 PM

Neal the long post, was a cut and paste, just wanted to post it. And I am glad that we are up and running on the new server, thanks Sportzwiz.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 4, 2009 at 4:46 PM

Jeff: Iverson would want more money than Marbury and would want more possessions on offense than Marbury…something that we will struggle to balance this year

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time July 4, 2009 at 6:06 PM

who knows how that works Jeff we got 100000 gards but what ever…. happy 4th everyone have a good one and be safe

Comment from neal
Time July 4, 2009 at 6:39 PM

Happy 4th to all.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 4, 2009 at 6:47 PM

Wiz to jump into the Lebron Sweepstakes?

Just something to think about the Wiz only have $49 million in guaranteed money after this year. That will leave them about 10 million under the cap?
If Deshawn gets traded, which I really expect with all our guards, we would have about $15 million in cap space.
We would have Gilbert, Caron and Antawn and be under the cap with alot of money to spend, not to mention Mike Miller’s $9 million slot to boot.
If you’re Lebron, DWade or Chris Bosh the Wizards are going to look like a great situation to step into.
We will also have McGee, Young, Critt and Randy Foye under contract.
If we get one of those top 3 guys they will step into a deep team.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 4, 2009 at 8:32 PM

jmpalomo — trading Deshawn won’t lower our salary structure. When you trade someone, you have to take someone back w/ roughly the same salary.

Moreover, that $49m is in 5 players. It doesn’t include Randy, Nick, Javale and Javaris — and of course we need a minimum of 13 under the CBA.

I would expect Wade or LeBron to earn well over $20m in any case. Not in our future.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 4, 2009 at 8:58 PM

A little more info on salaries for jmpalomo.

Randy, Nick, Javale and Javaris add another $11m — that’s $60m for 9 players.

Assuming we re-sign Brendan and Dominic, add another $10m at least. We’ll have a 1st round draft choice to sign for @$2m. That’s 12 guys for @ $72m.

Mike Miller is not included, and of course Mike James is gone. Assuming a 13th player at @ the mid-level exception — whether that’s Mike Miller or someone else: obviously, we don’t want the roster to get *less* good!

That takes us to $78m for 13 guys — in other words, salary obligations next year will be worse than this year, not better.

Now you understand why we don’t have the flexibility to make deals the way many other teams do. We’ve painted ourselves into a corner.

Comment from dmac
Time July 4, 2009 at 10:06 PM

Tom in response to your last post. Say EG gave you his job for the rest of the summer and he went vacation. EG said to you whatever you do Tom will be fine with me. Now mind this you have just inherited Stephon Marbury. Now with this logjam of guards who will you try to get rid of? Who will you go after for frontcourt help?
Do you think Josh Heyfelt could make our team?
Tom you have until labor day. Feel free to consult with your fellow bloggers to to get information on who is available and any teams possibly ready to take Mike James off our hands. For DMAC see if you can bring in Kevin McHale to work with the big men. Tom you are on the clock………………..

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 4, 2009 at 11:12 PM

Depending who’s out there as the Summer goes along, I’d be willing to trade one or more of Crittenton, Stevenson, Foye or James. The longer the contract, the more I want to trade him — wch means that DSS is at the top of the list.

It’d be nice to have James’s expiring contract rather than trade it for someone we’ll have to pay longer term — that makes the re-signing we have to do less likely, so it’d have to be someone we *really* wanted. I am sure I don’t want Stephon Marbury, to say the least. And I don’t want AI either. These are players of the past.

I have no way to know whether Heytvelt can make our team. His college numbers were nothing special. But the guy I’d target for a backup 4 is Carl Landry. He makes $3m for Houston. Would they trade him? I don’t know. Houston just lost Yao for the season and maybe forever.

The other guy I like a little bit is Linus Kleiza; he is a rfa w/ Denver.

That’s it for now — I’ll think a bit more on all this.

Comment from neal
Time July 4, 2009 at 11:12 PM

We have a GM with the opposite tendencies of the previous one. Unseld tended to trade our guys away too quickly in hopes what other teams were offering would be better. Grunfeld paid Thomas too much. He offered too much to Hughes and to Jeffries before finally backing out of the bidding (fortunately). I think Arenas snookered Grunfeld with his offer to come off his initial demand “for the sake of the team”. Arenas is still overpaid. And Jamison’s contract is for too much, considering its length and Jamison’s age. Still, I think Grunfeld has made a couple of excellent trades and undoubtedly turned down a bunch that weren’t good. Overall, I think he’s done a good job so far. If Arenas doesn’t come back 100% and if Arenas and Jamison don’t adapt to Saunder’s system well, I may feel differently.

Comment from GlingGling
Time July 4, 2009 at 11:18 PM

If we pick up Marbury I do not expect him to see anything even near to 10 mpg. Although, I have no idea why we, the Wizards, of all teams would want to sign another guard.

But honestly, I’m done with speculation. Frankly, it’s tiring. I’d rather comment and discuss who we have. Until we have them, zipped lips. I understand that might make things a little quieter around here, but hey it’s summer and summer league hasn’t even started yet.

Comment from GlingGling
Time July 4, 2009 at 11:24 PM

Neal, I wouldn’t spend a single neuron worrying about Gilbert’s performance. Also, Saunders is far too good a coach to be worrying about his fit before the season has even started.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 4, 2009 at 11:33 PM

Tom, thanks for the correction on the $49 million.
The best part of the 2010/2011 years team is that every player will be worth their contract that we have on the team. No over paid contracts.
The key is of course Gil getting to 100%.
Not to mention what to do with Haywood.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 5, 2009 at 12:05 AM

I’ve seen on InsideHoops.com a rumor that Houston is interested in trading McGrady to Utah for Kiralinko…..the article mentioned something about the trade rule for 2009-2010 is that the salaries must match within 25%? Is this accurate, or did the person writing the article really mean 15?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 5, 2009 at 9:17 AM

neal — Ernie turned the Wizards from a cellar-dwelling, self-destructive franchise that hadn’t experienced any real successes of any kind for a quarter century into a year-after-year playoff team.

The core he built might have had increased success had injuries not gotten in the way. Now they’re 3 years older, and he feels it’s now or never, I guess.

The decisions to effectively max Gilbert and re-sign Antawn for so long may well have been pushed by Mr. Pollin.

Comment from tyrone20000
Time July 5, 2009 at 10:42 AM

It must be now or never. Can’t see it another way.

Comment from neal
Time July 5, 2009 at 11:49 AM

Yes, I guess it would be like Pollin to push for keeping our guys, and overpaying somewhat if necessary to do it. He’s into loyalty. On the other hand, I wish he had pushed Unseld more to keep some of the guys Unseld traded away.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time July 5, 2009 at 3:37 PM

Looking at stats from last season compared to our opponents, surprisingly we averaged .31 steals more per game, had a higher free throw percentage, and were only out-rebounded by like 1.6 rebounds by our opponents….that’s still pretty good considering who we had on our roster! lol

Comment from neal
Time July 5, 2009 at 4:43 PM

Despite calls for a “banger” or “enforcer”, we’ve done OK with basically the same front court guys for the last several years.

As a team, we need (1) better D, (2) more assists and fewer unassisted jump shots, (3) better/more 3 point shooting, and (4) more shots w/i the paint.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 5, 2009 at 7:46 PM

Oh, we need *everything* over last year — we had a lower 3p %, a lower 2p %, more turnovers, fewer rebounds, more fouls, fewer assists, fewer blocks, and gave up more than 7.5 points more than we scored…. Wizfan found the *one team stat,* steals, where we were a little better than our opponents.

Comment from neal
Time July 5, 2009 at 10:48 PM

I was just referring to rebounds. If our overall D is better and we get another “big” for depth, I think we’ll be OK. We can’t afford a “name” PF or C anyway, w/o giving up as much as we get. In other words, we won’t be using the mid-level exception to sign a big FA.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 6, 2009 at 1:32 AM

The two most important things for this year:
1. Gilbert being 100%.
2. We find a tough Power Forward.

Gilbert is the key to getting into the playoffs.
A Charles Oakley/Rick Mahorn player gets us deep into the playoffs. (There are so many restricted Power Forwards in the market right now).

Comment from dmac
Time July 6, 2009 at 6:27 AM

Tom two players you would trade for: Kleiza and Landry are good players. But aren’t they undersized for the PF position? They are both more productive at the spot Caron plays. Now of course if we were able to sign one of them our depth chart would be deeper at the 3 spot. Then we would have Caron, DMAC, Miller and AJ at the 3 spot.
I am still looking to see who is that PF-6 ft 9 in. or taller. enforcer type we can pick up.
Is there anyone out there who has this type of profile as a starter who we would trade AJ for?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 7:21 AM

Landry definitely plays the 4, jmpalomo, and so does Kleiza, who is I think 6’8″ and 230. Landry is a good rebounder too.

This isn’t the ’80s, and play in the league is a little different from what it was. You need a more athletic 4, who is able to shoot — and defend the long, athletic 4 on the other team.

To be honest, I can’t find anyone out there I’d pursue — other than Paul Millsap, and he fits that “undersized” category you mention. Brandon Bass seems like a pretty good player, but he is about to get a mid-level exception offer, and I can’t see him as worth it.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 7:29 AM

The guy I *do* like — a lot! — is Andris Biedrins, and GS seems willing to trade him (he was supposed to be included in their deal for Amare). He puts up some of the best numbers in the league and has a long-term contract that’s way under market. I’d trade anyone on our team for him — literally.

But that’s a pipe dream.

I’ve heard people say “trade AJ for Boozer” — but Utah has some of the same salary problems we have, and no way do they want Antawn’s long-term, large-number contract.

IOW, nope, I don’t think there’s a starter out there we can realistically trade for, and I don’t even see a real rotation 4 for us (why I would have *loved* to have taken Dejuan Blair!!!). At best, we will get someone for the end of our bench.

Unless, that is, Ernie takes a notion to remake the team w/ some kind of big, multi-player deal!! Not likely.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 7:37 AM

Wallace is going to the Celtics. Looks like Glen Davis to San Antonio (maybe they’d trade Dejuan Blair??????? ). Big baby is a funny, interesting guy, but he is not really a productive player. Rasheed will be a much better piece for them.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 7:47 AM

Washington Times:

“The Wizards continue to have conversations with the representatives of players, and according to a league source, they did put in an inquiry with Antonio McDyess’ camp, but the asking price (which would require them to use the mid-level exception, but because of the tax would total roughly $10 million) is too high.

“League sources tell me that Rasho Nesterovic, Channing Frye, Jason Collins and Jamaal Magloire have all drawn interest from the Wizards.”

I understand about McDyess, although he would be a great mentor for Blatche. Nesterovic would be a good insurance policy, if he came cheap. But, Collins, Frye, Magloire…? That’s pathetic.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 8:03 AM

Actually, Frye might be worth taking a chance if the price is cheap. He has gotten worse every year he’s been in the league; I don’t know why. But he is undeniably long, athletic and skilled. Supposed to be a good person too.

We need McHale to coach these guys.

Ok, I’ll shut up.

Comment from dmac
Time July 6, 2009 at 11:19 AM

Nice posts Tom. I definitely would love to have Bierdrins.
Now on Antonio McDyess you have to look at the kind of return you get for him. Going over the cap for 5 million when we already have 2.5 million from selling the second round pick. For a team that wants to win now I don’t think it would be a bad invesment. Gives more incentive to keep Mike James around for one more season.
I think we would get more production out of Channing Frye than Dray.

Comment from GlingGling
Time July 6, 2009 at 11:39 AM

Tom, there has never been a need for you to shut up as long as I’ve been on this board.

I see you’re still not over DeJuan Blair.

Frye seems like a decent player. He kind of fell out of rotation after he got traded. I could certainly see a spot for him at the end of the bench, though only time would tell if it would be a good pickup.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 1:53 PM

dmac — We are in the luxury tax *already,* so the $2.5m is spoken for. Adding a $5m player costs us $10m. I know it’s only play money for us bloggers — but it’s the real thing for the Wizards.

Antonio McDyess is a terrific basketball player, but he is not going to turn us into a championship team.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 6:30 PM

Leon Powe, were he not injured, would be my favorite target for the Wizards. He is unrestricted right now, because Danny Ainge didn’t give him a qualifying offer — wanting maximum flexibility for the off-season, I guess.

Powe went one pick *after* we picked Vladimir Vereemenko. I’d had my fingers crossed that year that we’d get either Powe or Millsap (who went one pick before VM).

Leon Powe, btw, was downgraded for rather the same reasons that cost Dejuan Blair his place in Round one — knee injuries. Unfortunately, the injury that will keep him out probably until February is to one of his knees. He’s a tough kid, and I would bet on him to make a full recovery, but of course there’d be no point in trying to sign him until late in the season.

Comment from Jaba
Time July 6, 2009 at 6:53 PM

I like Channing Frye. Even though nobody else does.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 8:26 PM

What do you like about him, Jaba?

Comment from dmac
Time July 6, 2009 at 8:56 PM

Rumor is that McDyess is most likely returning to Detroit. Cavaliers are interested in Channing Frye.
Grant Hill is rumored to be headed to Boston.
Another rumor has Rip Hamilton to Utah for Boozer. It seems like we could offer a better deal of swapping Jamison for Boozer.
With Grant Hill out of Phoenix wouldn’t they need a small forward like Jamison for Amare?
Anybody like Big Baby? He is a big body?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 9:12 PM

Jamison is a 4; he is not a small forward. Never has been.

Boston could very well challenge for a title with Wallace and Grant Hill on board. Or they could be too old. Interesting.

Glenn Davis is *not* a good NBA player — wasn’t all that good a college player for that matter. Yes, I know he made a big shot in the playoffs. The Celtics lost that series.

Utah is *not* going to want to take on Antawn’s long contract, dmac. They are struggling with salary (almost as bad as we are, and that trade would make them a bit worse hamstringed than we are). We are not going to get Carlos Boozer or *any other* big-name player, guys.

Channing Frye is not worth worrying about. I’m afraid we’re going to wind up with Jamaal Magloire, who’ll be available for a veteran minimum salary.

I’m hoping that Heytvelt shows well in Summer League and we sign him instead. At least he has a future. It’d be depressing to scrape the bottom of the barrel w/ someone like Magloire, while Boston, Cleveland and Orlando (and don’t count out Pat Riley either) stock up. This is what happens when you paint yourself into a corner.

Comment from dmac
Time July 6, 2009 at 9:41 PM

Would we be better served with Nesterovic than Magloire?
Seems like we keep getting players on their last legs.
I hope that Josh Heyfelt can contribute and make the squad. Lot of teams left him alone because of his past personal issues. That would be a pleasant surprise to see him make the team

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 9:49 PM

RN or JM would be 10 minute a game players — wouldn’t make much difference which one we picked up. That said, I’d prefer RN.

I don’t know what Heytvelt’s “personal issues” were, but I’d rather have him anyway.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 10:11 PM

Ok, now I do know what they were. He was discovered w/ psychedelic mushrooms in his car as a soph and tossed off the team. Cut a deal w/ the prosecutors (first offense) and did community service — 60 more hours than he was required to do!

Here’s a blog post with a video that is going to make you like this young player. He carves up Tyler Hansborough.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 6, 2009 at 10:21 PM

This is for you, jmpalomo — but all you Randy Foye fans will love this too!!

Comment from Rick
Time July 6, 2009 at 10:24 PM

I like Heytvelt too, but no way can he be effective in 10 minutes per game as a rookie. I say try to grab Jamal Magloire for the veteran minimum. He’s rough and plays dirty. Hate to play against him, but wouldn’t mind him on our side. He might toughen up Blatche and McGee in practice too.

Comment from Rick
Time July 6, 2009 at 10:24 PM

Oh, and does anyone know if we will be able to watch the Las Vegas summer league games online?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 6, 2009 at 10:29 PM

Rick the NBA is putting together an online package that u can purchase to watch all the vegas summer leagues games. As soon as a I hear I will let you know.

Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 6, 2009 at 10:36 PM

Thanks Tom. Randy Foy’s 26 points in the first half in that game had not only 3 pointers but he created his own shots driving to the basket.
I would be shocked if he is not starting with Gilbert.
I know that your opinion is that Randy Foye was a throw in on the trade but I think he is just too good and Mike Miller is just getting too old.
We’ll see opening night.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 6, 2009 at 10:44 PM

Tom M. – “Jamison is a 4; he is not a small forward. Never has been.” Right on the button Mr. M.
AJ is too slow to keep up with any of the other SFs. He’d get killed as a defensive SF, but he’s also to slow for other 1st team PFs. AJ’s defensive liability is best hidden by having him become the 6th man. That way he can stay away from the opponents’ best offensive PFs. AJ’s biggest plus is scoring. There would be no other bench PF in the league that could keep up with him. It would be a tremendous weapon for the Wizards to have a super offensive player like AJ coming off the bench.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 6, 2009 at 10:44 PM

I sould have written TOO slow

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 6, 2009 at 10:46 PM

I also should have written SHOULD

Comment from ta1ent
Time July 6, 2009 at 10:48 PM

Nice vid Tom, was that Foye’s best game of his career so far?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 7, 2009 at 2:16 AM

Why are we scapeing the barrell so soon? There are a “lot” of 4/5 players out there that ARE going to drop. Why in the world are we looking at these 4?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 7, 2009 at 2:20 AM

If we wait…. we may be able to pick up more than a 10 minute player. There are a lot of bigs out there… check any FA site. Only a few teams with money. We are going to get somebody much better than any of those guys IF WE WAIT.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 7, 2009 at 2:24 AM

That’s one roster spot. The other I like for Joshy and his mushroom patch if he impresses us.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 7, 2009 at 7:39 AM

jmpalomo — they’ll work the starters out in camp, obviously (well… we know 4 of them — health permitting).

IMO, Mike will start — and you are going to love him! Still, I shouldn’t have described Randy as a “throw-in”, as that’s a little excessive. What I meant — and I’m pretty sure of this — is that we were looking to acquire Mike Miller. He was the center of the trade.

Now, in a sense, you could just say that he *had* to be! Given the salaries we were trying to rid ourselves of, and that we weren’t looking to take back a lot of players off that team (but give us Kevin Love… please!).

We’ll see!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 7, 2009 at 7:42 AM

Grifonracing — I don’t see the “lot of players” that you see. Whom do you have in mind?

(I too definitely want Heytvelt to stick)

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 7, 2009 at 8:04 AM

Oh — here’s another guy I like a lot: Nick Fazekas. Very productive college player, good size, good basketball IQ. He has had very little NBA playing time, but he has been very productive in those minutes.

Richard Hendrix is playing for Orlando in the summer league they got going down in fla. He went 4-5 last night for 10 points and 4 rebounds in 15 minutes. It’s summer league, I know — but I’d like to have a big off the bench who could give you that in 15 minutes every night!!

Comment from neal
Time July 7, 2009 at 1:58 PM

Miller is only 29. That’s not too old, even by NBA standards.

I wish we had given the TWolves Stevenson instead of Songaila.

I expect for Miller to start. If all our guards are still here, and if Saunders sticks with an 8 man rotation, it’s going to be really interesting to see which other guard makes the rotation. You can make a case for any of them.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 7, 2009 at 5:27 PM

I assume they didn’t *want* Stevenson — if they’d preferred him, I imagine we would have accommodated them.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 8, 2009 at 1:47 AM

Tom here is a short list of unrestricted FA power forwards. I’ll look up the Centers tomorrow time permitting. Some may be resigned… some maybe not…

Here are the unrestricted power forwards out there in a quick search….. Zaza Paculia, Mikki Moore, Sean May, Joe Smith, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (why is he listed at 4?), Andersen Varejao, Brandon Bass, Chris Andersen, Antonio McDyess, Lamar Odom, Chris Wilcox, Hedo Turkoglu, Drew Gooden, Shawn Marion.

Not everyone there will find a “home” let alone the Centers.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 8, 2009 at 8:21 AM

Most of those guys are already spoken for or else obviously very expensive. What’s left is: Mikki Moore, Sean May, Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox and Drew Gooden.

Moore, May and Wilcox are of no interest (IMO). We’re over the Luxury Tax limit — I can’t see us paying double for Joe Smith or Drew Gooden.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 8, 2009 at 12:00 PM

Tom you must forget how much individual guys are asking for. We won’t be in any “negotiations” with them. I put the names out there so you could see how many players are out there not for an analysis of any one player or players. The point is… there are more players out there than teams will have the ability to pick up. Somebody or a few somebodies are going to be left high and dry and be forced to take the vet minimun. Those are the guys we will target.