Comment from Wizfan4life
Time October 1, 2009 at 9:31 AM

Love the intensity of the workouts that the players are having this week! It really seems like Flip has these guys under control…..Hey Dave Johnson and SportsWiz, how’s Oberto doing? what has he been working on most this week?

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time October 1, 2009 at 9:34 AM

It was great hearing Blatche said he is finally ready to stand up as a play and act more mature! We will especially need consistency and depth at the 4 and 5 spots this off-season to compete with the Cavaliers and the Celtics…not to mention the Magic and the Hawks as well

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 1, 2009 at 9:46 AM

Wizfan4life, Oberto’s passing is sensational for a big man, right now he’s thrown a few no look passes that have gotten some wows from everyone.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 1, 2009 at 10:15 AM

Good Morning All:

Wow, Randy Foye looks great in that video!!! As well as Miller, Blatche and others. I enjoyed the re-cap by Dave as well.

SportzWiz, Oberto is all about winning, and his leadership of accepting a role on this team will go a very long way! I think we will see him get major run at times, and other times he may be on the bench. But I love that he wanted to be a Wizard, he is very savy and will show up on the floor every night.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 1, 2009 at 10:16 AM

Great article in the Post today!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/30/AR2009093004722.html

Comment from Rick
Time October 1, 2009 at 10:23 AM

To NBA — Making us watch the LeBron promo in order to see the camp highlight videos is just WRONG!

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 1, 2009 at 10:24 AM

jeffmalone savvy is a great word when describing oberto

Comment from Phemy
Time October 1, 2009 at 10:25 AM

… i read somewhere on espn rumors that Pecherov broke his hand. oh my poor fellow :/

Comment from AUNDRA
Time October 1, 2009 at 10:52 AM

SportWiz ask Agent Zero has the jammed finger on his left hand is effecting him in any way ? What is his take so far on the team and them learning of the play book. I would like to know has Gil taken any leadership role by talking to anyone about being out of position yet or is everything hunky dore!
It appears to me everyone is hitting the threes so far, so thats only a good thing because it a dimension we definitely didn’t have last year!

Comment from AUNDRA
Time October 1, 2009 at 11:13 AM

I donot like to play favorites but Randy Foye range looks unlimited also and he has the ability to create his own shot when a defender is right in his face. Nick Young has the smoothiest jumper off the screens and thats great also. The old/young man of the group MIKE JAMES still has that first step which he blows by his defender to the basket for a easy lapup! This team is focused and everyone better beware!!!!

Comment from Bmack34
Time October 1, 2009 at 11:19 AM

BMACK is back, Im so ready for the season to begin. Im really interested in who will be taking the 2 Guard spot. Im hoping mike Miller or nick young grabs that spot. No disrespect to Deshawn

Comment from Rick
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:02 PM

I’ve got to say Mike James was a big disappointment last year. Perhaps he would find some success in Flip’s more traditional offensive schemes, but it’s hard to imagine him getting many minutes at all this year. I think he’s a good guy to have around the locker room and in practice, so at least his $6+ million salary is not totally wasted.

So far, Flip hasn’t really said anything that wasn’t expected. I really hope he can finally be the coach to bring some defense to DC. With our offensive firepower, even a mediocre defensive effort will win a lot of games. But mediocre would be a SIGNIFICANT upgrade from last year.

Comment from Wizkid79
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:10 PM

Hey I was wondering can you get a pic of those shirts that Flip got for the team.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:24 PM

wizkid if i see one i will snap a pic for you.

Gil is out shooting and he isnt missing much, basically the whole squad is here getting ready to go.

Comment from TAG FLIP
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:38 PM

wow, it’s been quite awhile since i’ve logged onto this. last season was definitely tough to watch. there was an article in the local paper here in virginia beach saying that the caps are THE team in dc, but i beg to differ. these wizards have the potential to be great this year. i think we will be just that.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:41 PM

here we go PM practice is underway…only one of the day

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:43 PM

hey terrifc comments everybody and thank you

Comment from AUNDRA
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:44 PM

I really would crack up if I could see the footage of Nick Young, Agent Zero and Mike James doing the funky chicken.You are getting very very very sleeppy. Now when you awake you will attack like MJ and be on red alert! I want you act like a champion and destroy Lame Brain and all his yes men! Awake!!!!!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:45 PM

Hello Dave and Glenn, and Steve and Phil (they blog loves those guys well)

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:46 PM

and on defense here is every reason to believe we will be better defensively

need to be more efficient on offense

and from blogger chase hughes
Wizards had the 12th best defense in the NBA in 2008(season before last), according to opponent’s points-per-game averages. By allowing only 99.2 points-a-night the Wizards made an improvement from being ranked 28th overall in that category the year before

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:47 PM

and since
2003-04. Saunders has not coached a team with a defense ranked worse than 9th.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 12:48 PM

afternoon jeffmalone can’t wait until your first phone calll..we are boradcasting tuesday night

‘glenn and phil went back to dc but will be back …i i am still here and so is steve and i pass on the appreciation

Comment from Jgarcia104
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:05 PM

In case you guys didnt know you can watch the wiz training camp live @ 1pm on Monday on NBA.com =) Dave do ya know if they are going to be scrimmaging during the taping or is it going to be more technical stuff?

Comment from Jgarcia104
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:05 PM

honestly it doesnt matter to me either way im just excited to see this team live!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:07 PM

i don’t know yet but i will find out….it woul;d be fun if there was a scrimmage…..because i think that is part of what excites is all the possible combinations that exist

Comment from Jgarcia104
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:13 PM

is everyone practicing today dave?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:15 PM

yes everyone is a go….i was just thinking how great it is to have everyone heallthy…it seems like going all the way back to darius and his back problems we have always had some injury issue

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:16 PM

going through a variety of drillss to start with…and just enjoying some nice one on one battles within the drills

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:17 PM

and when I talk about healhty I of course incldude DeShawn who looks better than I can remember…..along with the surgery he spent some time with a specialist in vancouver who helped with everything including the right way to stand

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:19 PM

and it is great to see because i don’t think deshawn has been fully healthy in a long time….remember in the 2007/2008 season he played through knee pain…i used to see him at shoot arounds with his knee as big as grapefruit but he would play

Comment from Dakota Wizard
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:35 PM

DJ if you were grading Mike Miller on how he has performed thus far in camp what would you give him?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:39 PM

he welcome dakota wizard…you are not from north dakota are u?

the thing that strike sme about miller…is that we know about his shooting…but he is so muych more than that…been very impressed with his passing and he uses his szie very well as a rebounder………..

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:43 PM

just the one practice today so it gives a great opportunity to review what has been accomplished in the first two days

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:45 PM

what also jumps it is how much attention to detail on technique

Comment from Dakota Wizard
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:45 PM

No From South Dakota Mike’s home state…consumate team player..he certainly has a lot of talent..looking forward to following the Wizards this season..with Mike and especially Flip wow what a proven winner…the future looks bright in D.C.! Thanks for welcoming to the blog! Go Wizards!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:52 PM

i hav relatives who were from grand forks north dakota….but i will tell mike he has dakota supoort

and we BLOG LIVE during games on the radio…and you can listen online if u want

Comment from Dakota Wizard
Time October 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM

Thanks…looking forward to it..and I plan on picking up DirecTV to catch the games that are not on national TV..keep up the greast job of informing all of us with your blogging

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM

thanks

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:01 PM

former Buller Jeff Ruland is here watching he is now the head coach at UDC

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:03 PM

interesting note on the level of detail….practices are viedo taped and then reviewed by the coaches

Comment from Babakism
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:16 PM

Randy Foye reminds me of Caron Butler from the standpoint that they both have a stocky strong build for their positions. Yet they still posess speed and quickness as well. = all around inside and outside game.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:18 PM

it is good point…babakism..it is what enabled Butler to play some 2

Comment from jazzy1
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:37 PM

I actualy think Foye can be a Billups type crafty bulky pg who can bully the smaller pg’s alittle bit and get in the paint and finish with size plus hit the deep ball. I think he’s gonna be a steal of a pick up. If Arenas gets nicked or anything we’ll not miss much at all.

I also like his attitude very tough but humble type guy very confident.

The 2nd unit should really be able to extend leads this season. I count Miller and Foye as an additional starter caliber players with D Steve being the other one.

team is stacked with talent.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:38 PM

Jeff Ruland, wow…We could use him to set some picks for this team and of course rebound!!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:42 PM

yeah ruland was a bruise brother

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:44 PM

and good points about foye and he has talked about….they have had him playing bith guard positions during training camp

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:45 PM

Photos From Today’s Practice

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:46 PM

Have you seen any defensive sets put in yet today? Or drills? And do we have an assistant on the staff for defense or is it all on Coach Saunders?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:49 PM

after two busy days to starts…today has been a day i think to review and go over a lot of things…i have noticed any specific designation yet…like we had when randy ayers put inthe defense last couple of years….all assitants have been involved

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:50 PM

sam cassell has been fun to watch in the scrimmages he will probably be a head coach some day

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:52 PM

into scrimmages….. and again some times things chancge

but white jerseys grier, dray, dom, haywood, and deshawn

black jerseys mike james, antawn, caron, fabricio, mike miller

Comment from jazzy1
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:53 PM

It’ll be interesting to see the relationship between Sam Cassell and Arenas. If Arenas is open to it Sam could be a huge asset to Gil’s game.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM

jazzy they are constantly talking and working together.

Comment from Rook
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM

DJ-Wiz ,

After three days, and most of 5 practices… you see anyone dragging? Tongues lolling?

Comment from jazzy1
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:57 PM

Is there a chance any of the other invitee’s sticking around or is everything locked in pretty tight roster wise.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:57 PM

no dragging….that is something i have notcied from the get go…and that is a credit to the summer work….i really seemes to me like an express train that left the station on tuesday and you need to be on board..everyhting has been so quick seamless and focused

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM

and you do notcie the chnage in demeanro of the nick and andray and javale….with time comes confidence in what they are doing and i think that shows

Comment from dlts20
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:01 PM

Great updates DJ,

We already know what we have in the big 4 including Wood so Im so glad to hear about how great the rest of the team is doing. My question is regarding Gil. So far all weve seen of him is very short highlights in pickup games. He looks good but you still cant get a true feel for him and Ive heard good things before only to be fooled. I know you cant say truly that he will stay healthy but how does he look physicaly? I know his weight is down and his body looks good but is his quickness really all the way back?

Thats my main question. Does he have that burst again and is he limping or favoring the leg any? Its probably hard for you to tell after a couple of days and he probably wont go full out until we play real games but I just want to make sure that he’s all the way back or atleast 90%. Ill take 90 for now but I want to see him blow by guys like he use to. I havent seen that in a long time

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:02 PM

on the roster….just don;t know…we have 14 under contract but you can keep 15..we have 16 in camp….

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:08 PM

good comment about sam cassell and his being able to help gil

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:10 PM

On the floor now

white jerseys—-randy foye, nick young, deshawn, paul davis, brendan haywood

black jerseys viincent grier, mike miller, javale, antawn, and fabricio

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:10 PM

i know we have said it before but Oberto just a terrific passer

Comment from jazzy1
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:22 PM

Is there any chance we get to see Javale and Haywood together on the floor with maybe Jamison at 3. Not so familiar with Flip’s style regarding going big. It always seemed that EJ liked to go small but I think defensively Javale and Haywood together could be a good line-up in some instances. Against teams like the Celtics and cavs who have 2 big guys who play regularly.

Comment from gbkdc
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:23 PM

Just a quick drive by to say hi! I can’t go on the internet during business hours so I am waaaay behind on my usual Wiz blogging.

Anyway, all I can say is that I am VERY excited about this season for a million different reasons.

Does anyone know if the game on Tuesday will be broadcast anywhere, even online? Thanks.

Here’s to a great season, and a great blog! Thanks, DJ, for your outstanding coverage!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:26 PM

gbkdc…game will be online and on 106.7 FM in Washington. and 910 AM in Richmond…but yes it will be online and we will be BLOGGING live during the game

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:29 PM

not sure on javale and haywood at the same time…but i willsay this that was something antawn noted about this team…that the wizards can play big or small…..or physical or finesse…but we have the option to go big

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:48 PM

just finshed up with some free throws….fun afternoon check back later…am practice tomorrow

Comment from datonypony
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:56 PM

Hey guys. Just a question, will the preseason games be on the wizards sportstop system? Because I have no way of watching preseason games from where I am haha.

Comment from dlts20
Time October 1, 2009 at 4:03 PM

I heard that Gil is sitting out and limping again? Is that true? Is the curse back?

Comment from gray16
Time October 1, 2009 at 4:03 PM

its funny that someone mentioned foye becoming a chauncey billups like player, because i was watching the denver vs minnesota game earlier (from this past season) and they were comparing billups to foye as well. they talked about how they have very simular games and their averages were simular their rookie year.

also you have to remember, billups when he was younger was a scoring point, he was far from looked at as a leader, or great pg. foye is looked at the same way, but look who’s guiding him now: cassell and flip.

i can see foye being a major player off of the bench. his defense is great, he has a great first step, when he drives his floaters are amazing, he can get the shot over anyone due to his floaters, his jumpshot off of screens is great, he can be a great pick and roll/pop player like billups, and with some more teaching and hard work he can be a great player in this league.

man we are stacked this season, just want the season to begin.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 1, 2009 at 5:31 PM

I hope Foye can be a good player; that would be nice. He has not been an above-average NBA player yet in his first 3 years.

Putting Chauncey Billups on him as a comparison is likely to lead to some serious disappointment. I’d just like to see him be the best Randy Foye he can be.

If Gil, Caron, Antawn, Mike M. and Brendan play to their average career productivity, and play their average season number of minutes, then we will win a lot of games. If Dom’s season last year was an indication of what we can expect out of him, that will help too. Pencil in Oberto for productivity (but not a lot of minutes — he is 35 or 36).

That’s a pretty solid basis for a season right there.

If we get solid minutes from DeShawn and Randy, contribution from Critt when he’s in, and improvement from Nick and Dray, I’ll be ecstatic. Ditto if Mike James spends most of the season cheerleading from the bench.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 1, 2009 at 5:37 PM

just a quick note on mike james, the guy hasn’t been brought up much but we talked to him today, He IS CHISELED!

Under 4% body fat and just looks great so far in camp.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 1, 2009 at 5:39 PM

Mike James had one really good season in the NBA, and it earned him a really good contract. It’s his contract year this year again, and he’s chiseled. I guess he wants to chisel up another good contract!

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 1, 2009 at 5:40 PM

gil sat out some of the scrimmage today due to his finger, accordin to flip he jammed it a few weeks back and it just got hit again yesterday.

Comment from gray16
Time October 1, 2009 at 6:03 PM

tom, i personally feel chauncey is a bit overrated to be honest with you. i think he is very fortunate to have been under the coaching of larry brown and flip saunders (who he had his best season under i believe).

i mean, look at billups numbers. his first 5 seasons weren’t even good tbh. injuries, low numbers, nothing good. but when he joined the pistons, he became a better player. this was his sixth season mind you and he was a third pick overall.

so all this randy foye is a disappointment stuff was really on billups at the time. but he learned, matured, and had better coaches over the years. to say foye can’t do the same thing is severely overrating chauncey billups. there is nothing chauncey has over foye accept experience and practice, two things foye can easily attain, especially with the coaches and gil above him at the moment.

i see no reason why foye couldn’t become a chauncey billups type player, the only thing that will hold him back in washington is the minutes.

Comment from dlts20
Time October 1, 2009 at 7:14 PM

Flip said it was his finger and I dont want to not beleive him but weve heard coaches or orginizations say things like that before only to find out differently later on. I heard some reporters say that he looked like he was limping and favoring the knee when running sprints. Ill go with Flip because I dont beleive they would let him do sprints if he was limping but maybe they feel that the sprints will keep his swelling down. I just get nervous when I hear things like that from reporters. Its not like it was just anyone who said that. These are guys that are use to seeing him

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 1, 2009 at 7:36 PM

i was there and talked to the reporters after, lets just say there’s a difference of opinion.

Comment from dlts20
Time October 1, 2009 at 7:50 PM

dont get me wrong, Ill definatly trust you. Ive seen the reporters get things like that wrong before. Have you yourself noticed any limp or him having his hand fingers wrapped? Even if its his fingers, that would kind of suck. I want things to be perfect for Gil with no setback. I dont want anything screwing up his jumper. Hopefully he’s ok in both areas. Thanks for the updates

Comment from doclinkin
Time October 1, 2009 at 7:52 PM

FIRST OF ALL:

Thanks and appreciation for all the videos, even back-stage scenes like Fab-O house-hunting in those wee lil model train houses in G-town. Interesting stuff.

Hmmn, since I brought it up and it’s been mentioned, can we get a Sam Cam feature, camera focused on him coaching during the next scrimmage etc? Just a thought, don’t want to squander a resource as oddly compelling and funny as old Shammo. Even if you have to bleep out half of his dialogue.

jazzy1
Time October 1, 2009 at 3:22 PM

Is there any chance we get to see Javale and Haywood together on the floor with maybe Jamison at 3. Not so familiar with Flip’s style regarding going big. It always seemed that EJ liked to go small but I think defensively Javale and Haywood together could be a good line-up in some instances.

Flip likes to go big. This is the guy who played Tayshaun at 2-guard. Played KG at SF.

That said JaVale has some significant work to do before coaches will be comfortable with him at the other forward spot. Consider the savvy of players Flip is used to at the Power Four. Rasheed and KG were used as pivot captains and decision makers in the high post, relay passers when teams overloaded on the ball side.

JaVale may prove a quick study, but in teh meantime I suspect Flip would prefer someone with a more inante reaction speed and a feel for the game based on experience. Oberto, next to Haywood is plenty big and defensively tough. Dray may be coming along with the reduced responsibilities in his role.

So. Yes but not yet.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 1, 2009 at 8:15 PM

i can tell you he’s won every three point contest before practice (including today) against everyone (except mike miller who has yet to face him). its his left hand so it doesnt effect his shot as much.

i also havent seen the limp

Comment from dlts20
Time October 1, 2009 at 8:35 PM

see thats why Im kind of worried though. It seems like he’s been shooting the ball like crazy but now he needs to sit not only 1 but 2 practices basicaly? It sounds like it could be more. If it is more then we all know for sure that we are cursed. I say that because the guy has been in Chicago working out full go like a maniac for months with no problems and then he comes here for basicaly 1 practice and his knee hurts?

Anyways, Im know for being Mr. Optimust and even though people hate me for it, I will stick with it. This season feels like its meant to be great. I guess we could lose Gil, start Foye and get Gil back late for the playoffs which could still be ok but I dont even want to think about things like that. Lets just hope its the finger and thats it. I guess we will know more soon enough. If he sits out the next one then I will really worry

Hey Wiz, I know we’re over the cap but what do you think of Davis? I heard someone over the summer say that Gil was making him look like Stoudamire in the pickup games. Does he look like he could be a servicable backup and if so, do you think there is any way the Wiz would pick him up for cheap?

Comment from dlts20
Time October 1, 2009 at 8:36 PM

BTW, when I said looking like Stoudamire, I meant with him on Gil’s team and Gil kept feeding him the rock for easy finishes

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 1, 2009 at 8:46 PM

the only part he’s sat out is the end of practice scrimmage, he went through about 75% of practice

Comment from gray16
Time October 1, 2009 at 8:48 PM

from the day 3 videos, foye is looking sharp out there as i expected. his jumper off of picks is money, and his driving is great.

i also loved how confident dom was looking out there. he seems to be his old self from last season, but with even more growing confidence and a growing game. he will be earning a new paycheck for next season.

as for gil, i doubt it’s anything serious, but if it is that would suck to say the least. but at the same time, i would rather him get little injuries now than later in the season. but i’m expecting it’s just the finger (if it was the knee, it wouldn’t have taken this long to get injured, it would’ve happened in grover’s camp or summer games).

the finger part doesn’t bother me, especially on the nonshooting hand. i’ve personally played basketball with after getting my finger dislocated on my shooting hand, and trust me, as hard as these guys work, and with the top quality doctors they got around them, that is like a papercut. they are just sitting him out to make sure it doesn’t get worse. no need to push it in training camp.

Comment from gray16
Time October 1, 2009 at 8:50 PM

oh and he only sat out a little bit of the practice (basically the scrimmages), now i’m not even in the least bit worried.

Comment from GlingGling
Time October 1, 2009 at 9:50 PM

I have played ball with two fractured fingers on my off hand. Off hand finger injuries aren’t a huge deal… I seem to remember Kobe having two of his fingers taped together for a rather long time this past season.

dlts20, you can chill. If SportsWiz says he hasn’t seen him limping that’s enough for me. Reporters are always trying to get a story on Gil, cause Gil sells.

Tim Grover is a bball training god, he works with the best (including working to bring Dwayne Wade back from injury). He literally guarantees a player’s success if they follow his instruction and with the guys he has trained I think his guarantee is very valuable. You can tell how much he cares about Gil’s success because he came over here from Chicago to watch Gil work out with the team.

Point being, a lot of work has been done to make sure the knee has the least chance of failure. If it was his knee he wouldn’t have been participating in any practice whatsoever.

Now let’s put this knee silliness behind us please.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 1, 2009 at 10:38 PM

Hey, gray16 — I’ll be really happy if Randy Foye turns out to be the next Chauncey Billups! Why wouldn’t I.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time October 1, 2009 at 10:53 PM

Just remember that old Coach GABBO predicted the Wizards would win the 2009-2010 EAST title back in May of 2009, and that Slick would be the starting shooting guard by game 10 of the regular season. Now it seems that Coach Saunders might be agreeing with GABBO.

Also remember that, despite what will probably be his protestations to the contrary, my friend Tom M. essentially said that I was wrong.

GABBO also predicted that ‘Dray would be a strong contributor to the Wiz success and many blogged otherwise. The dissenters are supposed to eat their keyboards when proven wrong. Get the mustard!!!

Comment from dlts20
Time October 1, 2009 at 11:16 PM

well when Foye came out everyone compared him moreso to Wade, saying that he was a poor man’s D-Wade.

Hey, does anyone know if NBA TV is coming to camp? I see on Monday that the Wiz have a training camp on there but it says 05. I remember when we had one back then but I also know that the last couple of days I also saw it say that they will show the 05 Nuggz camp but when it came on it was this years, with Billups. It would be great if they showed the Wiz one day

Comment from millie mill
Time October 1, 2009 at 11:17 PM

Can someone post a poll so the fans can vote for the starting SG? I know it’s not going to mean anything just for fun.

Comment from GlingGling
Time October 2, 2009 at 1:59 AM

Gabbo, the season ain’t started yet. We’ll keep in mind your predictions though.

dlts20, yes NBA TV will have a Wizards Real Training Camp on Oct 5th. I believe you can catch it at 9pm or 10pm though they’ll run repeats of it for a couple days after that.

Comment from neal
Time October 2, 2009 at 7:49 AM

We’ve got 5 guys with reasonable aspirations to start at the two. I love it. The Post spoke of the possibility of McGuire being a point forward in relief of Arenas. Interesting idea. I’ll bet Dom and Slick would work well together in the back court. I still think Miller will start at the 2 and will fit well with Gil.

Tom, I didn’t know you were such an accomplished guy. I know something about entrepreneurship but nothing about poetry. Both impress me, however.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 2, 2009 at 8:04 AM

Gabbo — I remember everything but the mustard. I thought it was ketchup.

You predicted we’d win the East, win 60 regular season games, and (more modestly) that Nick would be the starting 2 guard by game 10, yes.

I said at the time that there was *no way* we’d win 60 games — I’ll stick w/ that statement.

I also said there was no way we’d win the East — but this was before we traded some spare parts for Mike Miller! (yes… and randy foye). I still don’t think we’ll win the East (if Cleveland, Boston and Orlando stay healthy), but we are a *much better team* than we were in May; we might well get home court advantage in round 1 of the playoffs, and if C, B and O *aren’t* healthy… who knows?

As to Nick starting at the 2: I think Mike Miller will and should start at the 2. He wasn’t around when you made your prediction, and you may wind up agreeing with me — we’ll see.

But I’ve been more critical of Nick than just to say he shouldn’t start. Up to the present, he has not been a competent NBA player. Flip seems to be recasting him, and he seems to be responding. *No one* will be happier than I that I was wrong about Nick, if this works out.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 2, 2009 at 8:09 AM

About ‘Dray: Gabbo, we’ve heard many a new season resolution from Andray Blatche, no?

I’d love for him to improve significantly, and this is clearly the season for him to do it. Do I hope he will? Yes, I’d love to see that. Do I think he will? Not really.

But, then, this is the time for hope — so… go Andray!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 2, 2009 at 8:14 AM

Michael lee, Wizards Insider:

Flip Saunders raved about the way Nick Young and Andray Blatche had focused on being consistent. He pointed out how Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison have been focusing on defense, singled out the play of Mike Miller and Foye, and gave another nod to Mike James. Yep, that Mike James.

“During these first days, at some point, everyone has had their time,” Saunders said.

Foye has been spending a lot of time handling the ball and looked good in the scrimmage for the second day in a row. Dominic McGuire has been really aggressive defensively, but he turned a few heads with his offensive repertoire on Thursday. He had a nifty baseline drive and reverse layup and also hit a nice turnaround jumper over Jamison.

One of the biggest surprises of the first few days of practice really has been the play of James. Since the Wizards acquired Foye and Miller in June, James discounted as having no chance of seeing the floor for Saunders but he has been really solid this week. He’s also in impeccable shape. James said he’s lost 20 to 25 pounds since the end of last season, and Saunders joked, “That’s why you see him taking his shirt off.”

Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 2, 2009 at 8:49 AM

Tom, both that drive and a jumper are in the highlights.