Mini-Camp Continues
SportzWiz checking in… I hope everyone had a great weekend. The Wizards will conclude their mini-camp today before heading to Las Vegas for the 2009 NBA Summer League presented by EA SPORTS. We will have quotes and pictures following practice which ends at 4:00pm.
We will also have a gameday blog for each Wizarrds game and as always we encourage you to give us your opinions on the game. The Wizards Summer League schedule is below and you can watch all the games on NBA.Com by purchasing the Summer League package for $14.95.
(all games times are Pacific time)
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
PRACTICE UPDATE:
Two quick note on summer league from today’s practice.
Flip Saunders said Andray Blatche has been practicing with the summer league team on certain days and might play in a game or two.
Also Dwyane Anderson, Ryan Ayers, James Lang, Alex Ruoff, Diamon Simpson and Jimmy Baron were cut from the team.
Posted: July 13th, 2009 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from maggicman11
Time July 13, 2009 at 2:21 PM
also, i think this summer league will be critical for those 4 players. especially nick and dom. i believe we will have the most talented and experienced summer league team in the nba this year and it will show how hungry our young players are. there should be no excuse for our wizkidz to lose any of these games in the summer league.
Comment from jdmek9tec
Time July 13, 2009 at 2:22 PM
I’m really excited about summer league. ONE MORE DAY!
Just wondering if any of you guys read this article about Aminu.
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Alade-Aminu-I-can-be-a-Chris-Anderson-type-of-guy–3245/
I really like his attitude. Maybe Aminu can be our 10min man aka “birdman” off the bench.
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 13, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Ernie has said that the organization did a great job of trading the #5 pick in the draft for “two starters.” Let’s remember that the #5 pick ended up being Ricky Rubio who some believe can be a legitimate star in the NBA (if not a Super Star).
I have heard that some people have called Randy Foye a Bust in the NBA. Numbers don’t lie and Mike Millers numbers last year are just down right horrible for a shooting guard/small forward because he averaged 9 points a game. His numbers just crashed last year. We can talk about how great a shooter he is but 9 points a game just does not cut it. (I personally do not think he is quick enough to get his own shot off anymore).
If Randy Foye is indeed a bust and Mike Miller is an “unrestricted free agent” at the end of the year then my only conclusion is that Ernie got taken on this trade. (Although a big part of the trade was getting rid of a few stiffs and their salaries).
I don’t believe it because I am on the opinion that the best is ahead for Randy Foye. Mike Miller can hopefully help us “this year” because he aint’ getting paid next year by the Wizards (look at how many play his position).
I remember listening to one talk by Ernie and he did not even mention Mike Miller by name. He did talk about how good Randy Foye is and that he is only 25 years old.
For the Wizards organization we better hope that Randy Foye plays at an all star level especially if Ricky Rubio becomes a STAR.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 4:35 PM
A guy who can’t get his shot off doesn’t shoot .560, jmpalomo. Still, I hope you are right about Randy — why would I not want him to succeed?
Far from having horrible stats, Mike Miller was @ the 4th best 2 guard in the league last year, statistically — and in the top 20 players overall. It just astonishes me that someone can be so into basketball as you are, and still think that looking at “points per game” is how you assess a player.
In any case, as with Randy, I’m sure we both want Mike Miller to do well.
As to the trade, it had many reasons — for one thing, we dumped a number of non-contributing players. This was not a superstar draft, and *any* draft choice is a crapshoot. Certainly Ricky Rubio is. As you know, I can be critical of Ernie’s moves. Not of this one, however.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 13, 2009 at 4:40 PM
one quick note on summer league from today’s practice.
Andray Blatche has been practicing with the summer league team on certain days and might play in a game or two.
Also Dwyane Anderson, Ryan Ayers, James Lang, Alex Ruoff, Diamon Simpson and Jimmy Baron were cut from the team
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 4:42 PM
neal — I put the Wizards guard numbers you wanted in a link in the previous thread.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Washtimes:
“The summer league roster includes NBA hopefuls … Gonzaga’s Josh Heytvelt, two-year veteran John Edwards, Georgia Tech’s Alade Aminu. But according to league insiders, Washington officials aren’t seriously considering any of those prospects to fill the void, prefering instead …a seasoned veteran.
“…I’m hearing that Rasho Nesterovic no longer is a player of interest for the Wizards, and instead they are turning their attention to free agents Chris Wilcox (New York), Sean Marks (New Orleans), Jamaal Magloire (Miami) and Mikki Moore (Boston) or Fabricio Oberto, who was waived by Detroit last Wednesday.
“The Wizards remain committed to finding for someone for the bi-annual exception of just less than $2 million or less, and have contacted representatives of players, expressing their interest. But at the same time, according to league sources, they explain their financial situation and what they can afford. And from there it’s a waiting game…. Wizards management remains confident that they can land a solid big sub, but know it will take a while longer.”
Comment from catch22
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:20 PM
anbody see dajuan blair debut had a double/double 13 and 10 going to be a beast.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:21 PM
What a miserable list of cast-offs! 
I guess Wilcox would be the best choice, but he has had only 1 really good season.
At least with a guy like Heytvelt you don’t know yet that he is a bum. These guys…
Then again, if someone thinks they know what Ernie is going to do, that probably means he’ll do the opposite!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Dejuan Blair was the biggest second round steal since, what’s his name? Oh yeah… Gilbert Arenas. 
Comment from catch22
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:23 PM
i love to get wilcox brining him home would be sweet and he fits our needs
Comment from M2
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:23 PM
TBD
& I like Wilcox…
Comment from M2
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:24 PM
TBD on Toms Blair declaration that is… I loved him for sure.
Comment from catch22
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:25 PM
yeah i knew you were big on him (blair) tom.if that first game is any indication hell help the spurs big time
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Btw, he had his double double in 22 minutes! And I’m sure there wasn’t a single play called for him either.
Comment from catch22
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:30 PM
i know were guard heavy but do any of you guys think tyrese rice might make the team the boy can flat out shoot from any where on the court.
Comment from neal
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Tom, I tried to get those Wages of Wins figures but I got a screen that wanted me to open a Google Account. Do you know if that costs money or subjects me to junk e-mail?
I didn’t expect the Wiz to take a young guy for their final big. Optimally, they’ll trade a guard for an experienced one and unload a salary at the same time. If they like a FA, they might do a sign and trade with his former team.
Comment from catch22
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:32 PM
yea i think most his pts were put backs.
Comment from neal
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:56 PM
I mentioned before that the real questions re. Miller and Foye is not who is better but whether Miller is worth the $9.8M we’ll be paying him this year and whether Foye is worth the $4.8M that our qualifying offer would have to be for for next year. I would hate to have to decide those questions now, but if I had to, I would answer no to both.
I wonder if EG had in mind that both would probably be gone after this coming year, getting us under the lux tax limit and giving us (I think) flexibility to go after a big-time FA next year.
Comments?
Comment from neal
Time July 13, 2009 at 5:59 PM
If our roster stays as is, we should be a potent offensive force. Proven scoring power at four positions and the highest percentage shooter on the team at center.
Saunders has a complicated play book. That, plus his record at Detroit, says to me there won’t be room for guys like Arenas, Young and Foye to shoot from the perimeter after just a couple of passes. I can’t wait to see if the big three buy in.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 13, 2009 at 6:06 PM
neal — a google account is free and won’t get you any spam. if you prefer, however, I can put up an excel version of the spreadsheet where you can download it. Let me know.
Mike Miller is well worth the money we’re paying him — compared, I mean, to other guys who produce the way he does. Randy is not very expensive this year; whether we qualify him depends on whether we think he’s worth the $$. Not a worry right now.
As to your question about whether Ernie is just renting these players for a year, I don’t think so. Letting them go doesn’t get us much flex as you might think — we have $50m tied up in *five players* for next year!!
Comment from datonypony
Time July 13, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Hahaha what did I say, sive Pech the minutes and he will be a monster. DOuble double in less than 30 min. I still think that we should have kept him D=
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 13, 2009 at 8:53 PM
SportzWiz, I recently saw an article that stated that a team was only allowed 3 roster players. Was that not correct? Is there any criteria for which players can play? I am reading that McGee, McGuire, Crit, Nick and now maybe Andray will play on the Wozards summer league team. Can you provide any insight?
Comment from kg
Time July 13, 2009 at 10:26 PM
eventually i decided to buy the pass for summer league. Blake Griffin was playing point guard with amazing ball handling skills. Can’t wait to see him play against Wizards.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 13, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Gabbo I’m guessing that during summer league we will see different combinations of 3 players between Dominic, JaVale, Nick, Critter, and Andray. I guess you can change team members mid stride?
Blake Griffin playing point guard? That must have made the opposing guard a little uneasy lol.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 13, 2009 at 11:53 PM
I always wanted to know what Pesh would do with a little playing time. I wish him the very best. The last thing I say about Dejuan Blair is I hope he has a long, productive NBA career. (Good for Him though LOL)
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:35 AM
The four young’uns were in mini-camp — but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will (or can) all go to SL, I guess.
On the other hand, the team roster page does list them all, so — I guess we’ll find out today, huh?
http://www.nba.com/summerleague2009/team/index.jsp?team=wizards
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:42 AM
Here you go:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Wizards_offer_deal_to_ex-Spur_Oberto.html
We have made an offer to oberto, according to this article.
Comment from dmac
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:50 AM
Today is the day. With reports that that Dray may possibly play in a couple of games is very good. It would be a great chance to see if Dray is blossoming as has been reported. I know a line up of :
Javale McGee -Center
Andray Blatche- PF
Dominic McGuire- SF
Javaris Crittendon- PG
Nick Young- SG
has to be one of the most talented lineups in the Summer League . We’ll see.
Report out of San Antonio is that the Wizards have offered a contract to Fabricio Oberto.
Comment from millie mill
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:58 AM
I don’t know if that’s a good thing Fabricio Oberto has a heart condition. Sounds like another Etan Thomas heart problem.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 9:00 AM
I have heard nothing regarding the 3 players per team rule. Does anyone have a link to an article regarding the summer league rule?
I know for instance last year Dray, Dom, Nick and JaVale all played in summer league and Pech would have played but he was injured in mini-camp and did not play.
Im pretty sure all four will play and 5 current wizards might play a few days if dray dresses.
Comment from dmac
Time July 14, 2009 at 9:05 AM
millie mill makes you wonder why the other teams have have passed over Oberto? Hopefully EG has or will get a clean bill of health on Oberto. He is a good role player. He would be good to have and hopefully we can find a diamond in the rough between Heyfelt and Aminu.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 14, 2009 at 9:31 AM
SportzWiz, I got the idea that three per team was the limit from the following:
http://probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=637
“Phoenix GM Steve Kerr said the Suns use a similar approach, as the summer squad is put together by assistant GM David Griffin.
‘It’s always a combination of using three of our current players (that’s the limit), all of our draft picks (this year that number is two) and then a number of young free agents who we like who can complement our core group of five or six roster and draft pick-types,” Kerr said. “Also, you usually have a guy or two on your roster that are simply favors for agents, so that ‘their guy’ can be in the summer league.’”
Comment from neal
Time July 14, 2009 at 9:34 AM
millie/steve, I read a little more on buy-outs. The buy-out is prorated over the remaining years of the contract.
Thomas was signed to a multi-year deal. Presumably, we’ll only have Oberto for one year. He’s 34 years old. I hope he has something left.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Gabbo, thats interesting cause earlier in the article it says this
“Presti’s Thunder recently completed play in the Orlando summer league. Their roster featured first-round draft picks James Harden and B.J. Mullens, as well as second-year pros Russell Westbrook, Kyle Weaver and D.J. White.”
Never a good thing to contradict yourself in your own article .
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 9:42 AM
obviously I understand where you are coming from, I jsut find it interesting that he would say two different things in the same article.
With the comment about the Thunder disproving the quote from Kerr.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 14, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Maybe the limit is 5 including draft picks?
Not sure how much more speculation we need on this topic!!
As to diamond in the rough — I am sure Aminu and Heytvelt will show something, but I want
Comment from Phemy
Time July 14, 2009 at 10:00 AM
I think there is no limit for newly drafted player in that year, so you can have 3 of your current players on the team plus as many newly drafted players as you want…that’s how i would interprete the article…
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 14, 2009 at 10:01 AM
OOooops — hit wrong button and posted.
I was going to say that I WANT RICHARD HENDRIX, and I’m going to hold my breath until I turn blue if we don’t sign that kid!!!!!
Comment from gray16
Time July 14, 2009 at 2:08 PM
just heard wizards are planning on making an offer to fabricio oberto. i hope this isn’t true.
Comment from axarca
Time July 14, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Flip Saunders said yesterday (07/13) that “there is a ‘realistic’ possibility that the team could sign summer league participant Josh Heytvelt…Stay tuned.”
Source: Washington Post 07/14/2009
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2009/07/oberto_update.html?wprss=wizardsinsider
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Comment from maggicman11
Time July 13, 2009 at 2:17 PM
sportzwiz- I guess that the starters for the summer league will be critt at the 1 nick at the 2 dmac at the 3 and mcgee at 5, but who will be playing the 4? from what i have seen hyvelet seems to be the best choice but aminu seems good too.