Comment from DCWIZGvP
Time July 30, 2009 at 4:59 PM

What a tease! Good to hear though, with the pounds on JaVale and B good to go, should be a fun season.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time July 30, 2009 at 5:01 PM

would you rather me not post it . Thought everyone would like to hear that, if I could change the schedule so training camp started next week so you could see him in action i would.

Comment from GlingGling
Time July 30, 2009 at 5:38 PM

It’s always good to hear guys are dedicated. I never got the idea that Brendan was a slacker. Let’s go breakout into a double-double season!!

Comment from millie mill
Time July 30, 2009 at 7:08 PM

Good news about Haywood. If Etan pushed Haywood to keep his starting job. Then McGee will make Haywood turn into Shaq.

Lamar Odom Signs with Lakers Thank God!!!!

Comment from ChenierFan
Time July 30, 2009 at 10:58 PM

I’ll have you know that Brendan is not the only one working hard during the off-season. I’m doing my part with my off-season blogging workouts. That’s right, 100 finger push-ups a day… stretching excercises – holding position while I stretch for the shift key. Getting back to basics, the fundamentals… doing a lot of film work on old blogs, reading Strunk & White’s “Elements of Style”. Working on my punctuation drills. I’ll be adding the semicolon to my array of punctuation marks. I’ll be nailing at least 80% of my conjugated verbs, using italics and latin phrases more.

All this so when the season starts…I’LL BE READY!!!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2009 at 11:31 PM

ChenierFan we need you here and healthy next season. Don’t over do it! You go down with carpal tunnel syndrome and a valuable member of this “band of crazies” ( ) will be one crazy short.

Wow did I laugh when I read that

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2009 at 11:34 PM

Millie Mill THANK YOU. I came here before going to the NBA site. I got the “Odom news” from you first

WHEW

Comment from GlingGling
Time July 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM

ChenierFan, I’m delighted to hear of your training. Any friend of syntax and grammar is a friend of mine.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 31, 2009 at 12:52 AM

@ GlingGling (from previous thread):

i didn’t know wnba jerseys have multiple sponsors now. i guess it is like russian hockey and soccer jerseys (in general).

re: Lamar Odom staying in lakerland

GR should be doubly happy because not only will LO not going to face the Wizards 4x+ a season, his stay with L.A. may have prompted Wade to step even further away from the franchise that drafted him. Both Wade and Riley are thinking about Flash’s extension; however, one guy is making “LeBron-type” demands for a competitive team capable of going to the Finals (along with a high salary) while the other guy is thinking more fiscally responsible knowing that Miami is a subpar sports town. The bickering is also interesting between Wade and Riley. The negativity tells me Wade doesn’t want to be in Miami after this season.

@ Haywood quote

Just want to clarify that this is Haywood’s contract year; thus, he has a lot of incentive to produce “breakout’ stats for his next contract.

Comment from GlingGling
Time July 31, 2009 at 2:47 AM

That is some interesting commentary on Wade.

I think it would be terribly interesting if certain superstars started conspiring to play together. I am imagining Dwayne Wade and LeBron James coming to some sort of agreement with a team to play together (perhaps each of them even taking slightly less money to both be able to sign under one team).

That is just an example, there are PLENTY of big names coming up in free agency next year. But just thinking about some of the bigger names coming together is mouth watering.

Comment from dmac
Time July 31, 2009 at 7:04 AM

With LO back in LA with Kobe, Pau, Fish and Artest indeed they are the favorites in the West. If Bynum grows up some more and they get quality back up point guard play they will be a force to reckon with.
It is because of KOBE all those teams are making these changes. Example Shaq in Cleveland to help LBJ.
I see it this way, the the Wiz stay healthy and improve their defense they meet the Lakers in the Finals and pull the upset.

Comment from dmac
Time July 31, 2009 at 7:06 AM

Fantastic Wiz are we going to have any wardobe changes for the coming season?

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 31, 2009 at 7:36 AM

@ GlingGling:

Although Wade and LeBron have mentioned, somewhat indirectly, to the media of “loving to play with each other” (when they talked about their Team USA experience), it is very difficult for me to see how both of these guys can coexist on a championship contending team.

LeBron is a playmaker and he needs the ball in his hands 90% of the time. Wade is a playmaker and he needs the ball in his hands 90% of the time. Neither guy “really” trusts his other teammates all that much and prefers to take matters into his own hands to decide how the game is going to end.

I know what I just typed is trivial (because that’s what superstars are supposed to do); however, a regular team is very different from Team USA where one mistake or a missed play during a crucial juncture of the game can and will seal up a defeat. Team USA has the luxury of 12 world-class players where mistakes were made but were immediately rectified.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 31, 2009 at 7:56 AM

@ dmac:

Cleveland is getting desperate for a championship and that’s why you see all these moves (like the Shaq trade). The interesting thing is that if LeBron decides to leave “home” after this season, the Cavs are still a decent team capable of going to the playoffs with about 40 wins. Certainly, the LeBron factor can add 25 more wins to 40, which was what happened this past season.

Out of all the teams that did something this offseason (which includes draft, dealin’ and wheelin’, and free agency), I believe Sam Presti’s Oklahoma City Thunder did the best out of all team (yes, I think Sam beat out R.C. Buford of the Spurs). I think Grunfeld did the 5th or 6th best. Seattle would have had a great basketball revivial if they didn’t relocate from the city to the country.

[sidenote - the Wizards would never have gotten to this point with Foye and Miller if the Timberwolves kept their first round draft pick back in 2006. Yea, "the Natural" helped Minny reinvent the basketball wheel for the 17th time in 3 years. I feel bad for Rick Kamla.]

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 31, 2009 at 8:13 AM

ChenierFan – now that was createive and FUNNY! Thanks.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 31, 2009 at 8:13 AM

it was also creative

Comment from millie mill
Time July 31, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Who do you guys think will start at the Shooting Guard postion when the season starts??

Options:
A) Foye
B) Miller
C) Young
D) Stevenson
E) D-Mac
or
F) Caron Butler

You know you got pretty deep team when Stevenson and Mike James is your worst player becuase they both are average vets.

Comment from AceUzoukwu
Time July 31, 2009 at 10:02 AM

uh….i think that Mike Miller should be our starting guard

does anyone know when Fabricio Oberto will finally officially sign with the wizards?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2009 at 12:29 PM

Hey — I’ve been in LA for the last few days; the LA Times was full of joy over LO’s re-signing — and who can blame them.

They point out that he “only” got @$ 8-9m per year, because he’s already 30 (…think about what we decided to pay Antawn!).

Who’s going to start at the 2?? Obviously, that’ll be determined by performances in camp. My guess is it’ll be Mike Miller, as he is an almost perfect complement to Gil. On the other hand, we might need his scoring off the bench (given 3 scorers already in our starting 5).

I can’t see it being Randy, as that gives us a *very* small backcourt for the current NBA, but training camp will tell.

Comment from DCWIZGvP
Time July 31, 2009 at 12:52 PM

millie mill, I agree with Tom Mandel on the 2 being Mike Miller. Reports have indicated Foye might play back-up point behind Arenas, but he could play either the 2 or 1, while Miller can play the 3 or 2.

Butler will likely stay at the 3 because of his toughness on the boards and his ability to guard both positions.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 31, 2009 at 1:38 PM

@ Tom M:

A big distinction between Odom and Jamison (comparing salaries-wise) is Antawn is a starter and Lamar comes off the bench. Paying a guy 12 million to come off the bench doesn’t look good to other starters not making as much money, unless you’re Dolan and you had Marbury on the team.

In addition, Pollin *loves* Antawn far more than Buss *loves* Odom. When the owner makes you stay no matter what the GM thinks, you are on easy street.

Lastly, Odom is a magician as he likes to disappear from games when you expect him to be more consistent. Odom fans still don’t know what his true potential is and he’s been in the league like 10 years. If we thought Blatche is frustrating – imagine being an Odom fan. Antawn’s consistency matters and I think it deserves a raise over Odom’s extension (which AJ got).

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 31, 2009 at 2:10 PM

Well we’re still at it. Just received this error:

This error (HTTP 408 Request Timeout or HTTP 409 Conflict) means that the server took too long to display the page or there were too many people requesting the same webpage.

I didn’t take my own advice to create the blog in Word and then paste it on the site, so I lost it. Frustrating!

Comment from GlingGling
Time July 31, 2009 at 2:29 PM

You have terrible luck gabbo. I’ve only lost a post once.

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time July 31, 2009 at 2:42 PM

are we going to get another PF/C or what i think we need one to at least foul someone i dont care as long as they can play some D#

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time July 31, 2009 at 2:48 PM

@ W4L:

(from Wiz Insider – WaPo’s M. Lee)

The Wizards plan to sign and formally introduce Fabricio Oberto in a press conference some time early next week. Oberto agreed to terms with the Wizards last week and will have to pass a physical prior to signing his deal. Though he had a heart procedure this summer to correct an irregular heartbeat, a team source told me that the Wizards had spoken with doctors about Oberto’s heart condition and that it wasn’t a concern. The same source said that Oberto was probably the last move this offseason.

Comment from millie mill
Time July 31, 2009 at 3:26 PM

I like ESPN’s Depth Chart for the Washington Wizards.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/depth?team=was

At 6-8 Mike Miller should be among the tallest SG in the league. I hope he has the speed to defend.

Comment from GlingGling
Time July 31, 2009 at 3:28 PM

With Oberto we should be good to go. 14 is a good roster number. Lot’s of options.

Comment from Babakism
Time July 31, 2009 at 4:31 PM

I starting to lean towards the idea that mike miller will start at 2 but guard the 3 on D and Caron will D up the 2 guard. I don’t know what to expect on the Defensive side but Gil and mike better step it up a notch on D and haywood will have to get oberto to teach him how to flop sometimes so he doesn’t get into foul trouble

Comment from Babakism
Time July 31, 2009 at 4:31 PM

I starting to lean towards the idea that mike miller will start at 2 but guard the 3 on D and Caron will D up the 2 guard. I don’t know what to expect on the Defensive side but Gil and mike better step it up a notch on D and haywood will have to get oberto to teach him how to flop sometimes so he doesn’t get into foul trouble

Comment from millie mill
Time July 31, 2009 at 7:35 PM

Do you guys think the Wizards would trade J-Critt to Phil for Jason Smith??

Phil don’t have a Point Guard except The rookie Hoilday. The Wizards need another big body.

Comment from datonypony
Time July 31, 2009 at 7:54 PM

I wouldkeep J-Critt, he’s a big guard and he’s learning.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time July 31, 2009 at 8:39 PM

Folks talk about being frustrated with Andray Blatche; I believe that it is Andray Blatche who has every right to be frustrated.

This is a 6’11″ 22 year-old guy who was drafted in the second round in 2005. He brought tremendous talent to the NBA. The biggest knock on him is that he has not performed up to his potential. I’m not aware of the caliber of coaching that he received prior to entering the NBA, but he certainly was stuck with the worst once he got to the NBA. Neither EJ nor ET did anything to hone Andray’s talent. Neither of them got him to focus on the things he did best; neither of them took advantage of his skills; neither of them helped him to improve. All either of them did was put him on the floor and expected him to learn for himself how to play in the NBA. Everytime he (for that matter any of the young guys) made a mistake they were benched. It’s tough to try to learn how to play against the best basketball players in the world when you have no coaching.

To a lesser degree Slick, McGee and Dmac were in the same boat except they had, at least some decent coaching in college.

This will be a telling year for Blatche, McGee, Slick, DMac and Critt. They will have a coach who has demonstrated that he knows how to win and how to get the best out of his players. Let’s back off the criticism of these players until we see how they perform with a real coach.

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time August 1, 2009 at 1:49 AM

Thanks wiz_fusion I don’t know how I missed that but he should do the job… But now I got mobile web I should be able to stay up with you guys

Comment from dmac
Time August 1, 2009 at 12:28 PM

There is a very good article from 7/31/09 written by Travis Heath on “The State of the Wizards” on hoopsworld.com
It is a very good and positive article about our Wiz.

Comment from Babakism
Time August 1, 2009 at 2:37 PM

my main thing is how can anyone be mad blatche for not reaching his potential when he was a second round pick. Now obviously when you watch blatche play sometimes you can see he has the unique combination of size, speed, and skill set to be a very good NBA player.

However, when you remember he was only a second round pick “project” he was already exceded his potential (exceded kwame brown too)

People are always so hard on him like he was the number 1 overall pick like kwame I don’t know how to take my clothes to a dry cleaners but I do know where the popeyes is brown.

Yes we can all hope and have aspirations that blatche can become a starter in this league and one of the better players but we cannot be disapointed if he dosn’t because he was only a second round pick.

Comment from datonypony
Time August 1, 2009 at 9:07 PM

I believe that Bltache was predicted to be a high first round pick? If he and Nick entered this year they definitely be lottery -.-

Comment from GlingGling
Time August 1, 2009 at 9:40 PM

datonpony & babakism, let’s not forget he is only 22 years old. He basically got to play and train in the NBA instead of playing and training in college or overseas. He is only now going to begin to mature. Say what you will about “if you’re in this league you have to grow up quick.” Most of the guys in this years draft are age 20 to 22. Blatche took a different route but he still has an entire career in front of him. I know Tom will say, players don’t change if they haven’t improved in the first few years. But I don’t feel comfortable saying that for a 22 year old with the obvious potential Blatche has.

The main question is, will he ever develop commitment?

Comment from XrayEcho
Time August 2, 2009 at 12:04 PM

Hi. I’ve been enjoying this blog for a while and decided to join. Most seem to be pretty well informed and that’s a good thing.

I agree that Andre Blatche has taken a while to reach his full potential but look at Brendan Haywood. It’s taken our top center quite a few seasons for him to reach his present status plus he did 4 years at NC.

Coaches are still hoping though fairly confident that Gilbert Arenas will become the point guard envisioned many years ago with larger numbers of assists and better shooting percentage. This does look like his year.

Often it’s about being coached up. Blatche and Nick Young should reap many benefits from our new coaching staff.

Comment from datonypony
Time August 3, 2009 at 4:30 AM

Mmmmm That is what I hope very much would happen GlingGLing. Not saying that it will never, jsut that we have not seen it yet. I hope he can prove himself well this year.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 3, 2009 at 11:39 AM

I agree w/ Getabig that this will be a critical year for our young players. In particular, if Andray doesn’t improve significantly this year, I wonder whether he ever will.

Anyway… we’ll see — and pull for our guys.

Comment from neal
Time August 3, 2009 at 12:09 PM

What a guy! ChenierFan really gives it up for the team.

Comment from neal
Time August 3, 2009 at 12:24 PM

Thanks, millie, for the ESPN depth chart. The only (mild) surprise to me was having James in front of Crittenton. But it’s common to have a veteran at third on the depth chart. Your #2 is normally the developing guy. The #3 should normally be a veteran who can come in and play if there’s an injury w/o making many mistakes.

I will be happy if Haywood improves just a little in all categories. It’s a little too much to hope for that he’ll have a “breakout” year at this point.

I agree, gabbo, Blatche has given more than can be expected of a 2nd round choice. Anything else is icing on the cake. (and I think that’s quite possible)