Gameday Cavaliers
SportzWiz checking in…The Wizards will kick off their 2009 Summer League tonight at 6:30 EST when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Similar to our regular season games we will have a live gameday blog and for those that want to watch the game they can do so by purchasing the Summer League package for 14.95.
While tonight’s game is the Summer League opener for the Wizards, this will be the Cavs 3rd summer league game after falling to the Lakers on Saturday and Bucks on Sunday.
Just a quick list below of some Summer League rules that are different from standard NBA Rules.
Timeouts do not carry over.
Posted: July 14th, 2009 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Jaba
Time July 14, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Well, here we go! Go Wizards!!!
Comment from jhough813
Time July 14, 2009 at 11:44 AM
I’m a little disappointed Comcast isn’t carrying the games this year. I have a feeling Javale is going to do some dominating.
Comment from jhough813
Time July 14, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Apparently we offered Oberto. I don’t think he’d want to be a 4th big although he’d be a nice Darius replacement.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 1:48 PM
for those that will not be able to see tonight’s game, i will be in front of the computer and will do my best to give you some highlights from the game.
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 14, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Fabricio Oberto:
34 years old
12 minutes a game
2 points a game
2 rebounds a game
Does not get to the free throw line.
Does not block shots or steal the ball.
Looks like Ernie just wanted another big body.
This will be 14 guaranteed contracts. Which means the Wiz can only sign one more player at double the minmum wage because of being over the cap threshold.
Each team is only required to have 13 players under contract.
Comment from jmpalomo
Time July 14, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Wow. Summer League you can have 10 personal fouls before fouling out.
What is this, the Big East of the 90′s.
Comment from neal
Time July 14, 2009 at 2:45 PM
I’m a little surprised at the Oberto offer. I thought the Wiz would try hard to trade a guard so as not to be paying 7 guard salaries.
Tom, I gave up trying to establish a Google account. Couldn’t get a user name and password accepted.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:13 PM
do you have excel, neal — I’d be happy to post the file for you to download.
Comment from Jaba
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Nooooo! Not Oberto!!!!!!
Comment from Jaba
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Oberto had a heart problem….and he’s 34!! There must be something better
out there than him!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Oberto is in no hurry to sign with anyone, according to his agent. In any case, whether it’s FO or one of the other bargain basement players, they are interested in someone “who is willing to play spot minutes and possibly go a game or two without playing.”
Insider also reports that “Saunders said yesterday that there is a “realistic” possibility that the team could sign summer league participant Josh Heytvelt.”
I agree, neal — I thought there’d be a trade, and there still may be one. But, you have to consider the possibility that *no one wants* any guard we’re willing to trade away.
Comment from GlingGling
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Jaba, remember also that we already have our core. Anyone signed at this point is going to be third string. Every position we have is two deep, with the 1,2, and 3 positions being three deep.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Isn’t there “something better out there,” Jaba asks?
Keep in mind that if we acquire someone who’s a FA, we’re looking to sign him for *one year* at a veteran minimum salary. We’re not in the market for e.g. Lamar Odom. Would I like to have him? Yeah. He’s a premier talent. Do I want to pay double for him (via the Luxury tax)? No thanks. Ditto for a bunch of other good players that are available.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Oberto? Really? Why?
That news makes me wish we had Pesherov back.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:38 PM
The realistic possibility of signing Heytvelt now looks a lot better.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Maybe Oberto says no and we give serious consideration to Aminu too?
Comment from Rick
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:43 PM
given the amount we are looking to pay, i think oberto is a pretty good option.
1) he’s a wily veteran who does a lot of little things and doesn’t care about filling up his own stat sheet
2) he has won a championship and would be the only player on our roster who has gone deep into the playoffs
3) he’s a legit 6’10, 250lbs which is good for practice
In fact, I’d be a little surprised if he signs with the Wiz at this point…
Comment from millie mill
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:53 PM
I don’t care if Oberto just gets spot minutes he has health issues, slow and don’t show much on D. To waste 4 million on a player like that, just makes no since. I’d rather sign a summer league player tell him what his role is and hope for the best. To sign a vet pay his salary and tax so he can get fouls is dumb.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:55 PM
I hope you are right Rick. To me he is a big that doesn’t rebound or score. I see very little value in him. If that’s the best Ernie can find I’d rather give Heytvelt and Aminu a chance.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2009 at 3:56 PM
What Millie said LOL
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2009 at 4:03 PM
I think the vet minimum is around 1.7 mil.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2009 at 4:03 PM
oh… got ya though
Comment from millie mill
Time July 14, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Rick,
Mike James also won a Championship!
James was a member of the Pistons’ 2004 NBA Championship team as a reserve. He and fellow reserve guard Lindsey Hunter formed a formidable defensive guard combination nicknamed the “Pit Bulls” by Rasheed Wallace, because of their aggressive nature on defense.
Comment from Rick
Time July 14, 2009 at 4:15 PM
I stand corrected! But speaking of Mike James, is trading him for a big with more value still a possibility?
Comment from millie mill
Time July 14, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Yeah, we can still trade Mike James but keep in mind that his salary comes off the books at the end of the season. I think one of the reasons we traded Etan Thomas for Mike Miller is not only because Millier is better than Thomas but both of there salaries comes off the books next season.
Comment from Rick
Time July 14, 2009 at 4:34 PM
About Etan and Miller, that’s true, but what does that have to do with James? I can understand keeping James so we can free up that money next summer, but if the goal is really to “win now”, then why wait till next summer. Plus maybe we can trade him for another player with an expiring contract… maybe:
Tim Thomas from the Bulls (he’s probably not the ideal fit for us)
Luis Scola from the Rockets (he might not make enough money)
Darko Milicic from the Knicks (I think they like him though)
Joe Pryzbilla from the Blazers
None of these seem like obvious deals to me, but I think the possibility should not be discounted.
Comment from Aj
Time July 14, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Go wizards!!! Too bad i my family switched 2 verizon fios, and fios doesn’t carry nba tv. Can someone tell me when does training camp starts?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 4:43 PM
no official announcement yet on trainincamp dates.
Usually late september or early october start time.
Comment from neal
Time July 14, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Yes, Tom, I have excel, and would appreciate getting that file from you, although I don’t know how that would work. Do I need to give you my e-mail address?
I do think that we have guards that others would want, and I don’t know why we can’t do a sign and trade deal with someone.
Oberto doesn’t sound like a very good deal to me. But neither does signing a rookie.
Comment from wizfan and the kid
Time July 14, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Hi all!
Hope the “young guns” take the summer league seriously. They all need to show the effort and learning from playing last year. It will be interesting to see if JaVale can follow through with his off-season mindset (work out videos and all).
I have to agree with some of you, I would bring rather take a shot on Heytvelt than sign Oberto, but that is just me. I saw a few Zags games last year and Heytvelt seemed to be working hard to regain his promise. He would be much better sitting on the bench and learning, in the long run, than Oberto. The knocks on Heytvelt are conditioning and focus, along with the big ones in character and his injury. Yet, he seems to have some promise and if all he is going to get it a few minutes, maybe that will be to his advantage…along with getting coached.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:11 PM
neal — no there’s no need for email. Here is the file:
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Can’t wait for wizards to trash the cavs!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:21 PM
If we sign a veteran minimum big man, it’s not for “the long run” — not at all. It’s an insurance policy. Moreover, the league pays part of veteran minimum salaries, so it’s a little cheaper than you might think.
As to signing Heytvelt, most teams do try to add a round 2 choice — or if they don’t have one then an undrafted guy. Assuming there’s a good one available, obviously. Not Ernie.
To put it baldly — I don’t think Ernie is building for the future. Why? Because he has been here 6 years; he had good success at first, and overall things are certainly much better for his work. Yet, at the same time, we haven’t improved in the last 3 or 4 years. We have hit a ceiling. Blame injuries if you want, but in this league you either win or you don’t.
In other words, he can’t feel he has much longer to get the job done here. He may be the longest tenured GM in the league, or close to it, and nobody’s job is safe forever. Dumars, Kupchek and SA’s Buford have gotten more done. I don’t know any other GM who’s been around that long.
So, he wants to take a big step this year and not to worry long-term. No success this year, and we have to rebuild. If so, it might not be under Ernie’s leadership.
Any thoughts?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:28 PM
national anthem is going on right now. nba.com just started the feed.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Andray Blatche is dressed and standign with the rest of the team.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:34 PM
DOm isn’t playing and Blatche is? Interesting.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:36 PM
really choopy stream, strugglin to get an idea of whats going on, however javale with a nice alley oop dunk from critt
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:37 PM
nick with his 2nd three of the game and wiz on top 12-4.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:39 PM
The boxscore is updating horribly but our guys seem to be playing well 
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:41 PM
real nice pick-and-roll with critt and mcgee with critt going to the line after getting into the paint.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Oh please tell me that critt has practiced freethrows
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:45 PM
critt has spent a huge amount of the off-season working on his jumper.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Suddenly 15-12. What’s wrong wiz!
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:48 PM
is D mac playing or not.
I mean if you start the majority of the games i dont think you really have to prove anything more playing in SL
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Too many fouls.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:49 PM
wizbulletman i posted above, no dom tonight. not sure on the reason
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:49 PM
15-14 not good.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:50 PM
rice hits a floater after a javale ft to make it 18-14
Comment from kg
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Nick looks good so far..
Comment from ta1ent
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Watching summer league and Blatche looks like he hasn’t gained any muscle at all. What is the deal with this guy, has he hit the gym at all these past 5 years? Nick looking real good though.
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:58 PM
nick is on fire
nice play by rice
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:58 PM
tyrese rice with a bucket and the foul on a fastbreak, wiz up by 10.
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 14, 2009 at 6:59 PM
nice board by young, but not good TO
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:00 PM
nice sequence by JH
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:02 PM
with up by 14. Stream is struggling, not getting a great look at the action. Im going to watch tonight after its over (the archived games run much smoother) and I’ll have some bullet points.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Oh now its good
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:08 PM
39-31 wiz. nick with 12 and tyrese rice with 11.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:12 PM
dray converts a nice driving layup three-point play 43-35.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:14 PM
great oboard by dray off a ft miss, he puts it in and has scored 7 in a row, wiz by 12
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:22 PM
three players in double figures at half,
nick, dray and tyrese rice
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:30 PM
ny on a post up with an up and under that was very nice, led to a goaltend
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Javale’s freethrows…..
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:33 PM
nick with a 3 and follows it up with a fastbreak dunk
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:34 PM
No assists for Nick whatsoever
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:43 PM
nick dooin a real nice job using his screeners to get open and hits a three.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:49 PM
nick buries a triple from crittenton, wiz by 14, Nick with 31!
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:49 PM
nicks gonna go for 40
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Wow nick 31 points
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:52 PM
nick is abusing his defenders by using his screeners, and dray is started to slip the screen when the defenders get over aggressive.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:53 PM
in case u were wondering summer league record is 42 points
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 7:55 PM
flip is now talkin to the announcers, antawn spoke earlier, unfortunately due to the stream its hard to pick up. ill talk more tomorrow on the interviews.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:04 PM
cleveland cuts thel ead to six, and in comes dray and nick
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:05 PM
nick adds a pair of FT’s and now has 33, wiz by 8. 3:20 to play
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:06 PM
single digit lead
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:11 PM
This is horrible. What is wrong with our offense?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:11 PM
tie game after a real tough jumper by gordon. But dray responds with an and 1 reverse lay up.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Game tied now….
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:12 PM
nick drives and is fouled and goes to the line, makes first and misses the 2nd.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:13 PM
wizards get a stop and dray gets the board and is immediately fouled.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:13 PM
dray hits both, wiz lead by 4, 30 seconds remain
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:14 PM
another stop, and jason rich gets the board and will go to the line.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Can we hold on!!!!!!
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Is the game over?
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Jeez that was intense. Very poor fourth quarter but we managed to hold on for the W.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:32 PM
It was great to see a Wizards bball game again. It was a typical Summer League game. Nice that we won. Silck was a scoring machine; ‘Dray was very solid. Critt and McGee combined for a couple of nice baskets. Defense was weak.
Thanks for the commentary SportzWiz.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:32 PM
How is it that we have 5 people with 5 PFs. Jeez
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 14, 2009 at 8:42 PM
If some “big” doesn’t shine in the summer league so that we make an offer, we’ll go into the season with 13 players on the roster. Coach Saunders wants an eight-man rotation, so why waste money on yet another guy to sit at the far end of the bench?
Comment from Rick
Time July 14, 2009 at 10:43 PM
i gotta say i’m pretty disappointed in this broadband. i paid the 15 bucks, have super fast internet (verizon fios) and the game pauses every few seconds on replay. very annoying.
Comment from Rick
Time July 14, 2009 at 10:47 PM
seriously, now i can’t get it to work at all. i want my money back
Comment from neal
Time July 14, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Great to hear we won and that Slick “was a scoring machine”. Not great to hear that the D was weak.
Who coached our team?
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2009 at 11:04 PM
I know what you mean Rick. The stream is very flawed. I’m watching the San Antonio / Denver game now and it isn’t perfect, but, it’s a lot better than our game was. Hopefully NBA.Com gets it working much better for tomorrows game.
If it stops working… just exit it and go back in… you won’t have to sign in again it just comes up. At least for me it did.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 14, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Randy Whittman Neal. No D to speak of at all, but, Andray and Nick had good games. Nick was shooting lights out and Andray had a good all around game. That Tyrese Rice is going to make some team in the NBA very happy. That guy has game.
Comment from zbp18
Time July 14, 2009 at 11:37 PM
I know I’m late but with this but, Fabricio Oberto ??? Ernie…………. NOOOOOOOOOOO!
Comment from dmac
Time July 14, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Anyone know how to retrieve your password on the Summer league games. I signed on July 10th. I saw games on the 10th. I did not write my password down. Now I can’t get back in to see the games. I sent an e-mail to the streamer with no response. Because I wanted see the Wiz so bad I put in a new subscription and it would not go thru. I wander if that is because I am already registered. Well I am glad to know the young guy’s won. I always knew Tyrese could play this game. I always thought he was as just as good as Ty Lawson if not better.
Comment from AUNDRA
Time July 15, 2009 at 12:25 AM
I,m here vacationing in sunny Las Vegas and I see Nick has his A game working this year ! I hope to see if he has consistency in three areas and thats three point accuracy,mid-range and defensive steal abilities. The stats look impressive from Andray but the TURNOVERS still are a flaw that keeps him second tier. I see”DRAY” a rebounding machine if he really wants to be and quite a magician around the basket offensively! J-Critt has the assist down pat but what else can he do offensively and defensively. Whats the status on D-Mac is he ok physically or is there a problem! I see the Quad-4 of Young,Blatche,D-Mac and J-Critt make a big impact with consistent results this year in Sunny Las Vegas. Check in tomorrow!VIVA LAS VEGAS
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 15, 2009 at 1:42 AM
If i’m comprehending correctly, NY is catching and shooting and using screens? VAST IMPROVEMENT ALREADY 
Great to see that the guys are responding to the teacher
Dom has already proved his worth…imo.
There are a lot more buyouts in the league, no need to rush with the offers. The good thing is that Detroit is paying a major “chunk” of the salary for FO already. Good job Ernie, I know you’re not done “working it” yet!!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 15, 2009 at 7:23 AM
Glad we got a win, and sorry not to be able to see the game. No way am I paying to watch NBA streaming — I’ve had enough experience of the NBA’s low technical abilities; I don’t need the frustration — especially not to *pay for* the privilege.
Glad we got the win — we sure *should* win a game like that. We played real NBA players for 125 minutes; they played real NBA players for about 80 minutes if that.
Looks like Heytvelt had a very effective 8.5 minutes — 2 steals, a block and made his only shot. Good.
Nick shot lights out — did anyone who watched see him do anything else? The line gives him a block — but no assists or steals and only 2 rebounds. Sounds like he was coming off screens and playing some catch and shoot. That is great!
Comment from millie mill
Time July 15, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Rick,
I’m with you on wanting my money back. The stream line was terrible. About my comment yesterday and my comparison of the Thomas and Miller trade. I think if we trade Mike James for another big that big would have to have an expiring contract.
The game:
Last night Nick and J-Critt almost looked like Rip and Billups. Nick would run off screens and J-Critt would find him. Nick had no assist but I don’t think that was the game plan. Almost every time he had the ball he may have dribble a few times and shoot. Blatche looked pretty good the shot was there, but the turnovers were terrible. The team had 17 TO’s and Blatche had 7 by himself. McGee looked like he picked up some weight, but other than that he didn’t look to good to me. He also had 3 TO’s and one right in front of Coach Saunders. Coach Saunders was on the microphone at the time of the turn over and said “Plays like McGee’s behind the back pass would get him right on the bench come the start of the season”. I’m disappointed they didn’t play Josh Heytvett much at all (that’s who I really wanted to see). I guessing we are only going to play four of the contract guys per game to me McGee needs to be out there every game.
All and all I thought they should have won this game by at least 20. To only win by 3 is almost like a lost.
Comment from kg
Time July 15, 2009 at 8:09 AM
dmac…check your email from that date u signed up. They sent you the email with the password you wanted to use.
Other than shooting high percentage shots, Nick had his hands up on D and moved his feet well. McGee looked lost during the game, maybe the jet-lag haha
Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 15, 2009 at 9:00 AM
The rule actually is 4 guys on the current roster can play, so that is why Dominic sat out last night.
Very impressed with Nick’s off the ball offense yesterday. We haven’t seen him work to get open like that, and in doing so it opened up Dray down low.
Comment from neal
Time July 15, 2009 at 3:03 PM
I love hearing what Slick is doing on offense. If he makes the rotation and continues to work off the ball he should get plenty of those catch and shoot opportunities. And I love that Crit is doing a lot of assisting. That’s the most important thing for him at this point.
Are the other teams playing as many players that are already under contract?
Somebody tell me Randy Wittman’s background. Is he sort of the second in command?
Comment from millie mill
Time July 15, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Neal,
Randy Wittman’s background.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Wittman
Write a comment
You need to login to post comments!
Comment from Phemy
Time July 14, 2009 at 9:57 AM
…no excuses. Gotta win all of these games with our lineup! Esp. against cleveland…grrrr ;>
Greetz