Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 10, 2010 at 7:24 AM

Season summary (thus far)

It’s always been said that Washington has many fickle NBA fans. Well, the theory looks right when the going gets ugly. No one wants to root for a loser.

Too many things were said to the media by the organization that didn’t pan out. Too much uncertainty with everyone that matters in the organization (ownership, management, coaching staff, and players).

When repeated comments are made by fellow bloggers after each game, there is nothing else to chime in. The situation is dire and Wiz fans just want to close this season like last year – as quickly as possible.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 10, 2010 at 1:12 PM

DJ, Glen, et all, be safe!!

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time February 10, 2010 at 1:51 PM

Dj, glen sorry that you have to cover the wizards every day.
LBJ!!! LBJ!!! THE CAVS ARE GOING TO DO IT THIS YEAR AND THAT’S THE TRUTH.

Comment from HardCoreFan
Time February 10, 2010 at 2:22 PM

I disagree – I don’t think that they will make it at the end. I think they are not a playoff team. And I sure hope that don’t – I hate LBJ’s attitude.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 10, 2010 at 2:27 PM

ROFL….We Want a Winner….that was very much needed humor…LOL…

Virginia Cavaliers do look better than last year…LOL…Cleveland? Still rely on LBJ a lil too much and his sidekicks are just that….LOL

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 10, 2010 at 2:31 PM

Wizfusion, i like your last two paragraphs…..

I don’t mind LBJ’s attitude, as long as he doesn’t go overboard. This year everyone’s attitude is getting put into check(fined for water-bottle incident)….i kinda like the idea of no one being above reproach(by Stern). AJ even got fined for being late from the superbowl(by the wiz)….

OKC won sixth straight

Comment from dmac
Time February 10, 2010 at 6:50 PM

todays rumor from yahoo.com has a possible 3 way trade involving the Wiz, Knicks and Rockets.
We r suppose to give Caron and Brendan to Houston who TMAC to NY who send us Al Harrington, Jared Jeffries? and a draft choice or another player and cash.
Is it possible Caron and Brendan are gone. What are your thoughts bloggers?

Comment from dmac
Time February 10, 2010 at 6:58 PM

If we trade Caron and Brendan does that mean the Wiz are canning the season without a real proven center?

Comment from dmac
Time February 10, 2010 at 7:01 PM

One other thing not meaning to slight Javale but do u think if BH is gone this means Flip has to start Javale as our possible center of the future? With the right players around Javale can we win or will Flip start Andray B?

Comment from HardCoreFan
Time February 10, 2010 at 7:38 PM

I certainly hope that Jeffries does not return to DC. Keep those loose hands in NY.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 10, 2010 at 8:03 PM

LOL…Jeffries shooting jumpers scares me…lol

Hmmmm, if we have two bigs in at the same time, I feel better with Javalle as a 5? but I don’t see him as a 5 yet. Does the birdman play a 5 for Denver?

I think Brendan will be a good fit for anyone…should have tried to keep him, if at all possible.

If we get Harrington, what position is he playing? Would that make AJ obsolete?At the end of the day, change is what it is…it will play itself out.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 10, 2010 at 8:13 PM

@ dmac

As far as I know, I think most of the team has already canned the season by now. 7 games behind the 8th seeded Heat with less than 40 games to go is impossible to catch. Plus, Eddie Jordan’s 76ers are all of a sudden making a push while the Wizards are still treading water.

If the 3way trade is true, Al’s contract is done after this year and Jared has a player option for next year (which he’ll take since it is like 6.5 million – think Mike James for this year). How is this going to improve the Wizards?

I’d rather take Tmac instead. The Knicks are freeing up the max amount for LeBron, Bosh, and/or Nash. If no big name player goes to the Knicks, they just screwed themselves big time.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 10, 2010 at 8:27 PM

If Haywood is traded, it tells me that Grunfeld has no intention of resigning him (even if the Wiz gets first dibs).

@ dcbutler

Who knows that position Harrington is going to play was a Wizard? Also, who knows if Jamison is going to be moved as well?

The roster for the last 30 games may be crazy. I wouldn’t hold it against the team if it is all for a better future.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 10, 2010 at 8:29 PM

*as*, not was ^

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time February 10, 2010 at 8:37 PM

Al will play small forward and i don’t mind. This is Javale and Andray’s chance to prove them selves. Caron and Brendan have done a lot for this team and I hope houston is a better situation for them. One can only imagine what the wizards will look like next year with the gilbert situation and expiring contracts. Most of us asked for change and it looks like we are going to get it. Its been really tough to watch jamison struggle, I hope he is limited to 25 mins per game the rest of the year.

It is really annoying seeing the sixers go for a six game winning streak when the wizards can’t get on a three game winning streak. At least we won’t finish last in the east this season.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 10, 2010 at 8:49 PM

lol….what do the sixers have to do with anything?

the ownership or lack thereof….how does this work, while making the moves. I guess its better to clear out as much of the roster as possible, to let a new era begin?

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 10, 2010 at 9:05 PM

OK, so the Wiz are going to change. But that doesn’t mean that guys like Young, McGee, Blatche, McGuire, and others are going to get time. Flip is probably going to play Harrington 40 minutes and keep the “home grown” players their usual 2 minutes per game.

I think the Pollin family still trusts Grunfeld enough to make moves on behalf of everyone with a financial interest to the organization. Ernie’s track record has been really good at times (when team was playoff bound) and really sour (when team is constantly losing).

It is not Ernie’s fault that Gil brought guns to the locker room and subsequently had no choice but to shelf a good player. However, it is Ernie’s fault for not knowing that team chemistry is terrible from Game 2 to Game 50+ with the roster moves he made.

“New Era” may not fully start until 2011-2012 season. Can everyone hang tight for 112 more wishy-washy games, not just 30?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 10, 2010 at 9:14 PM

wiz_fus

the system requires that we type more than one word, but my answer is “nope”

if ya gonna clean house, clean house….even if it means ernie also. we kept hearing we’re working towards a championship, but what we saw on the court was nothing towards a championship….more living in the past than towards the future….

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 10, 2010 at 9:18 PM

uh oh, derrick rose just got hurt…

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 10, 2010 at 10:29 PM

caps look to extend that streak tonight

getting beat 5-2 by montreal!!! not looking good!!!

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time February 10, 2010 at 10:45 PM

7 days to trade deadline… to trade your only center (let’s face it – Oberto did not pan out….) tells US, THE FANS, the Wiz org has checked out for the rest of the season… and fully expect US, THE FANS, to continue to support….

It’s just a bad move. But if what I have been reading is close to the truth, Haywood prob will not resign w/ the Wiz (due to how the org regards/treats him) anyway… so why not tick him off NOW along with the rest of us…..

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time February 10, 2010 at 10:56 PM

It is a shame that we would lose B-Wood at this stage of his career when he is playing as though he FINALLY gets it. However, prior to this year he never showed any desire; never hit the boards strong; never seemed to care. Is that because he is now in a contract year, or because he has finally began to understand how to play the game?

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time February 10, 2010 at 10:57 PM

began … begun

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time February 10, 2010 at 11:04 PM

IMO, if CB and B-Wood are gone:
We need a REAL point guard, however until then
1 spot Foye (sadly,Earl, better James))
2 spot is still strong Miller (Slick)…DSS gone
3 spot should be AJ (McGuire)
4 spot is AB (let’s see who we might get)
5 spot is McGee(Oberto)

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 10, 2010 at 11:36 PM

I’m going to try and take a break along with the players. Looks like we have to keep the faith. Decisions have to be made, while keeping in mind there’s new ownership in the works also? before i do, something to ponder, if we are going to move forward.

From the last couple of games, did Caron look like he’s fitting in the system or auditioning for other teams. He had eight assists and 20+ points vs charlotte. AJ has 52 assists in 41 games. If AJ is staying he has to change his mentality, his shot selection is VERY poor(someone mentioned if he was 22 for 23…if so, it’s once in 30 games AND if it wasn’t in a game, it was probably in warmups). His 3 pt % is 35(1/4per game), mike millers is 52…shoot more MIKE. Also AJ is averaging 17 shots a game and only 5 free throws….need more inside presence from a power forward.

Basically everyone can see who I want to go, but the offense needs to go through more than the two of them for success. No one else is even attempting double-digit shots on the team (not counting Gil). This team needs more balance. (if neither can adjust, both will probably have to go, in the long run)

LAST NOTE: WE ARE 29TH IN THE LEAGUE IN ASSISTS PER GAME…..Our highest ranking is 11th in Off boards and 16th in personal fouls….

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/was/stats

Have a nice break

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 11, 2010 at 12:18 AM

The caps came back and went into overtime….but lost in O/T….GREAT STRING OF WINS

Comment from datonypony
Time February 11, 2010 at 5:03 AM

Well, I just hope that we actually make some changes. If no changes are made, and or if our young guys still aren’t being played I will struggle to keep watching games….

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time February 11, 2010 at 1:22 PM

Speaking of Caron Butler trade, ESPN’s Marc Stein reports: Houston would acquire Caron Butler, Andray Blatche and Cuttino Mobley. New York would acquire Tracy McGrady, Mike Miller, Mike James and DeShawn Stevenson. Washington would acquire Al Harrington, Larry Hughes, Darko Milicic and Brian Cook *IF* any trade occured…….if this occured, we would receive a terrible end of the deal by losing Blatche, Haywood, Butler, and Miller……I have heard a possible trade of us only getting Harrington in the trade, and a 1st round pick from Houston by only getting rid of Butler and Haywood…..if they end up doing a trade involving Butler, I think the Haywood one makes more sense for the Wizards, though Harrington is 30 years old…..we would have a deep bench if we had Harrington coming off the bench, and Haywood could always re-sign this summer and retire with the Wizards for a veterans minimum salary, or possibly more…

Comment from gray16
Time February 11, 2010 at 2:28 PM

looks like it’s time for some trades to go down. now is the time we find out whether or not the wizards are serious about starting over.

i just hope in at least one of these trades that may go down, a good draft pick is received. i liked the idea in the caron trade with the wiz getting the knicks first round pick, that would definitely help. the more chances at picking up some good talent in the draft, the better.

hope everything comes out well in the following days for the wizards, these days could really help determine much of the future for the wizards.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time February 11, 2010 at 3:34 PM

gray16: the Knicks’ 2010 1st round pick is already going to the Utah Jazz, so we would not receive the pick in a trade unless we involve Utah in the trade, which seems highly unlikely…….we can’t get rid of Miller or Foye…..they will determine the strength of our bench for the next couple of years if we get rid of Butler

Comment from dmac
Time February 11, 2010 at 5:15 PM

Wizfan4life I agree we can’t get rid of Mike Miller or Randy Foye. The reason i could be happy to see Caron be traded is because we have mike miller to fall back on.
With no telling what is going to happen in the next 7 days I am not going to speculate on the trade rumors as much. i am really more concerned about Gilbert’s situation and whether they will have grounds to void his contract.

Comment from dmac
Time February 11, 2010 at 5:21 PM

My most disappointing player so far is Blatche. To be so talented and tall I am ready to ship him for a Tyrus Thomas or Brandon Bass. I am just fed up with his lack of hunger to be a great player.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time February 11, 2010 at 7:21 PM

Looks like caron is already gone but we don’t know where. I hear the houston trade is not going to happen. I don’t get it I thought jamison is older and makes more money than cb, wouldn’t it make more sense to keep cb and let twan go.

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 11, 2010 at 7:48 PM

Caron has 2 years and $20,342,930 left on his deal.. thats not so bad so why in the world would you trade him for nothing? and thats what we are gettin nothing… on the other hand AJ has $50 million through 2011-12 and he is wanted by the cavs who would give us JJ and some one who we could buy out for close to nothing.. and drill 30+ mill of the books.. the other thing is why get rid of Haywood? he is going to be gone next year anyway and he is playing some high level basketball at the point so he can get some cash this summer.. if we do get rid of one person we need to clear the whole team but not AB not Nick not McGee and not Foye thats going to be what you bild around and do not just move them just to dump money

O YEAH FIRE EG please and thankyou

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 11, 2010 at 7:54 PM

I would bet money with every blogger here that if Blatche played on a team that won as much as the Cavs and Lakers the last few years, he would be 10x better than JJ Hickson and 6x better than Shannon Brown.

The year the Lakers went 36-46 and missed the playoffs, Kobe still got his ho-hum stats. But many others on that team didn’t do squat. However, the following years had those same guys play much better because the team started to dominate again – with Pau Gasol’s help, of course.

For Blatche, it is all mental. If he wants to be a basket-case like Josh Howard, then so be it. If he wants to be a really good backup PF that may be able to start for an NBA team someday, then so be it also. I can no longer watch him go 25 pts, 8 rebs, 2 blks, 1 stl against X team and then go 6 pts, 2 rebs, 4 tos against Y team 2 days later. He brings too much false hope.

I use “false hope” instead of inconsistency because of all those opportunities he has had in 5 years.

Comment from tyrone20000
Time February 11, 2010 at 8:32 PM

Oh my God, why do the Wizards need to trade Haywood or CB? To get Harrington on the roster? Makes no sense at all…When they put M Miller in it that really sounded like the Wizards are a farm team to the Knicks and Houston. If our coach would just put the right mix of players out there at any given time we could have a good team. Too many close games that we lost. Like the Celtics game…Jamison was having a terrible game but Flip did not play his favorite big man and a lot of folks on this blog Blatche. I don’t care for Blatche’s game but he was playing well against either Garnett or Wallace in that game but Flip went with Jamison anyway. There were many games that he took Haywood out in the fourth and we start losing because of NO INSIDE DEFENSIVE PRESENCE…than reinsert Haywood after the other team gets a good lead and than the game gets close…and we usually lose

Comment from tyrone20000
Time February 11, 2010 at 8:36 PM

By the way, I ‘d like to see Blatche’s name on the trade board…I’d like to see what team would be interested…

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time February 11, 2010 at 10:46 PM

Tyrone2000 Flip has taken out haywood in every close game i can remember except a game earlier this year against the bucks when he hit a big shot and a home game against dallas where he took a big charge on dirk.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 11, 2010 at 11:26 PM

I want a coach that motivates and develops players. Flip is not the answer. Play his system when the players “GET” his system. He has no system. Play to the players strengths for once. Keep the right people on the floor.
Shannon brown went from bench player to star(Phil Jackson), I wonder if the kid in Denver would be playing if he were here and got drafted(george karl)? Rick Adelman, Scott Brooks, why can’t we get a DECENT COACH HERE. We need fresh owners, fresh gm, fresh coaches, and maybe our players will get good opportunities to be judged more by what they do on the floor rather than speculation. I am so ready to get rid of this “earning time” mentality. This is a first year coach, go earn your time trying to grow from the ground up somewhere else. We should not be speculating on a second or third year player getting spot duty, we should know as fans exactly what we have from one end of the bench to the other. I don’t care what flip has done in the past, in detroit, in minnesota, i only care about what he’s doing now, and thats NADT. We are 50 games into the season and he keeps starting the same SORRY lineup over and over. GO sit down somewhere and get a clue. Quit, do something, but please leave dc and don’t look back, we deserve better.

whew, that felt good, good night everyone

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 11, 2010 at 11:27 PM

JJ Hickson just blocked Supermans shot…..who cares how well he shoots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time February 11, 2010 at 11:29 PM

I still wish we got jj hickson he is a real power forward because he plays with power. Aj shoots ugly flip shots while jj dunks and blocks dwight howards shot.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time February 11, 2010 at 11:30 PM

Man dcbutler you beat me to it. LOL

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 12:40 AM

@ dcbutler

I am definitely NOT on the Hickson bandwagon. Having 1 highlight block on “nationally televised” games doesn’t get my juices flowing. Omri Casspi is way better than JJ Hickson.

I think Shannon Brown was drafted by the Cavs on the advice of his head coach at Michigan State.

Scotty Brooks is an unproven coach – I can’t lump him into the “good coach” category. For coaches that still can do damage, I only have like 4 guys on the list of being “really good”

a) Pat Riley (can come back if he wants to)
b) Larry Brown
c) Jeff Van Gundy (can come back if he wants to)
d) Jerry Sloan

d2) Maybe Rick Carlisle

Notice I left out Phil Jackson, Mike Brown, Rick Adelman, etc. I’ve never seen these 3 guys take a below aveage team and mold them into something. Having MJ, Scottie, Kobe, Shaq, LeBron, Drexler, Porter, CWebb, Bibby, Yao etc. all in their primes is darn good at the start.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 12:43 AM

Comment from tyrone20000
Time February 11, 2010 at 8:32 PM

Oh my God, why do the Wizards need to trade Haywood or CB? To get Harrington on the roster? Makes no sense at all…

- – -
It’s called DUMPING CONTRACTS. It does make sense and it is something the Wizards need right now more than anything.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time February 12, 2010 at 12:43 AM

Well we drafted mcgee over hickson, who starts on the best team in the east.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 1:07 AM

WOW, wiz_fus you really need to get out more, van gundy hasn’t coached in how many years???….but that’s your opinion, so roll with it.

Rick adelman has taken a lot of “no-names” this year and is having a good year in Houston. Phil Jackson is taking “role” players and getting their best out of them. Brooks is taking a lot of “young” players and their in the playoffs right now. Yeah, they are pretty much running and gunning, but he’s taking them to higher heights (but he does have some good assistants to help him out)

Hickson plays D, he knows his role, and Shaq is schooling him, so he’ll be a better big man (hopefully). He blocked wades shot and dunked on wade the other night, so he’s up to atleast 3 highlights and counting….

WeWant a Winner, your comment leads me to another point….PLEASE GET RID OF OUR SCOUTS!!!!!!!!! Which means TAP, once again??????…..I just don’t believe this organization…..

It almost makes being a fan at this point, begging for heartache….two years of the same mess??? once again, no matter who we bring on this team, AJ and Caron are the only ones shooting more than 10 times every night? I REALLY blame Flip for that stat, I don’t want to hear about a bench, draft pick, trade, anything. The coaches are letting this happen and should take full responsibility for leaving them on the court doing it…..

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 10:41 AM

@ dcbutler

1) it doesn’t really matter how long a coach is out – if he’s good, he’ll know what to do to get a team in the right direction. the rockets were excellent defensively (probably too much) when jvg was there – and now, they’re infusing the offense from adelman to make them a very dangerous 2-way team. i only provided my opinion of who i think are “good/proven coaches” – you could have dinged me on pat riley since he’s been away as well.

2) i don’t buy the argument that adelman is taking “no-name” players and making them good. aaron brooks was one of the top high school players (i have some high school tapes of him – and he was just under the radar at oregon because – well, because it is oregon [a football school, not basketball] and because he’s like 5-10); scola has been like euroleague player of the year candidate every year since he’s been there; battier is a hated player because he went to powerhouse duke, lowry, landry – sure, you can make an argument for these guys but they were the BMOC at college.

as i’ve said above, adelman has always had a nice team to manage.

pj’s team hasn’t changed in years – he’s not teaching that many things to new “role-players”.

brooks doesn’t have enough experience in my book, thus he’s not even in consideration for the “good coach” category. if brooks go consistent like sloan in 20 years, then yes – i will concur; but until then.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 10:47 AM

NBA basketball defense is actually very simple – we only need to look at PLAYER TENDENCIES.

All shooters have sweet spots – take them out of those sweet spots and they struggle.

One thing about the Wizards that I absolutely hate is their poor preparation in learning their opponents’ player tendencies. It doesn’t take a genius to know that the Cavs penetrate with LeBron and he kicks the ball out to wide open 3pt shooters – and these shooters are good at 3s (mo, delonte, parker, etc.). Why the Wizards don’t close in on the 3pt shooters is beyond me when all those guys can stroke it from downtown?

I’m frustrated when I see the Wiz let Kobe/Melo get to the elbows and have them drain shot after shot; when I see Jeff Green/Durant get to the wings and have them drain 3s; when I see blah blah blah …

Why have film sessions when they do nothing on the court? The Wiz fail at JPMs when dealing with player tendencies.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 11:28 AM

From WaPo M. Lee:

“The Wizards are in discussions with several teams, looking to make deals that one person familiar with the talks described as “retooling on fly” as opposed to rebuilding.”

- –
Retooling means that Flip is staying. Saunders is not interested in development but is instead focused on winning the whole shebang.

There goes another year of “FREE MCGEE”.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 11:35 AM

Oops, I meant to say

Here comes another year of “FREE MCGEE”

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 11:44 AM

Good Morning Wiz_fus,

Great Stuff. Soooooooooo, it seems that Flip has more to work with, than Adelman and is doing worse. The reason that I say that is because people doing well in high school and college doesn’t necessarily mean that NBA stardom/success is waiting?

With that being said about Flip, I would say EG needs to go also. All this championship talk for three or four years and not noticing we don’t have a real power forward….it’s like he wants the phoenix suns to win a championship with less- than phoenix caliber players (no big men and we really don’t have a swing man)….AND now we don’t have a point guard….wow, what are we re-tooling for/with? Can I have some of what they have, cuz i’m not getting it anymore….better yet, i don’t wanna get no-where near what they’re having….too far from reality.

Comment from novers12
Time February 12, 2010 at 12:35 PM

Has anybody seen the latest trade rumor developing??

The deal has us sending Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison to the Celtics and receiving Ray Allen, Brian Scalabrine and JR Giddens, all who have expiring contracts.

I think that would be a huge slap in the face to Ray Allen, especially since it was reported that Ainge told him he wasn’t going anywhere

What does everyone think of this??

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 1:09 PM

Ray Allen got a ring, no biggee on his end. Besides, it’s when you’re mentioned about going “no-where” that you need to start packing…lol…

Comment from Reuben
Time February 12, 2010 at 1:17 PM

@novers
I just read that rumor and im hopingit doesnt happpen

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 1:50 PM

Talking about a president’s day sale……whatever it takes to get this team in the right direction….player, coaches, management, owners….trade, fire, do whatever. We haven’t come close to a championship in over 30 years……

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 2:37 PM

Another has Miller going to Houston with Caron….the saddest part about this whole thing is that the wiz had pieces to make some noise, and still do. A good point guard is needed and a coach that instills discipline to everyone and demands accountability. Neither exist and this is where we are at….

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 2:46 PM

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the deal would send Caron and Antawn to Boston for Ray Allen, Brian Scalabrine, and J.R. Giddens, who all have expiring contracts.

UPDATE: Michael Lee has two league sources shoot this down. Also says the deal with the most legs is Caron Butler/DeShawn Stevenson for Josh Howard and James Singleton, which I don’t like. I still think there’s something to this Celtics rumor, but we’ll see.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 3:01 PM

Wiz_fusion, you kind of twisted this…lol…I guess to give it more flavor:

“…looking to make deals that one person familiar with the talks described as “retooling on fly” as opposed to rebuilding.”

Michael Lee. In common English, “retooling on the fly” is what’s known as an “oxymoron.”
Semantics aside, you really can’t retool on the fly unless you have a great player leading the effort that can lift you to average play even as you rebuild around him. There are five guys in the league that let you do that, and we don’t have them.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 5:08 PM

@ dcbutler and others thinking similarly

I agree about your Grunfeld thoughts. But, I’m giving him one more big shot at righting the ship and then he’s on the blocks too if false promises come about.

GMs make a lot of mistakes and Grunfeld has certainly been batting above .750 during his DC tenure. The last 2 biggies – Gil re-upping for 111 million and the current season fallout – are going to sting the longest. If he’s able to patch it as best as he could, I still have faith that he’s one of the better GMs in the NBA.

At this moment, I don’t like the idea of “retooling”. I have decided that “rebuilding” is best. With the latest ESPN link trade about the Mavs re-interest (http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=4909238), it sounds like Grunfeld has 2 ideas in mind (in this priority)

a) Go below luxury tax (highest priority at any reasonable cost – like getting ride of 40% of the starters)

b) Retain Jamison (I know, I heard the sighs and groans too) – just to stick it to LeBron? LOL – I don’t know.

Butler and Haywood are going to make the Mavs a heavy favorite to knock out the Lakers in the West. You have Kidd, Terry, Butler/Marion, Dirk, Haywood/Dampier as the starting 5 – very experienced and very strong.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 5:11 PM

LOL @ the Boston trade scenario (I can’t see that happening at all)

Butler is going to one of the Texas Triangle teams.
If DeShawn and Haywood are joining him, it means that 60% of the projected starters for the Wiz (with supposed Gil healthy) a couple of years ago will be gone. That’s crazy.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 5:14 PM

Last thought for now:

Getting Josh Howard isn’t too bad now after looking at his salary.

He has a team option for 10.something million next year – it is not a player option. The Wiz doesn’t have to pick it up and let him go as an unrestricted free agent.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/dallas.htm

My god – Marion is really cheap for the Mavs, considering he’s only like 31 years old.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 5:19 PM

Wiz_fusion,

Here’s something to VALIDATE my conclusion:

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2010/2/12/1307032/flip-saunders-deserves-blame-for

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 5:23 PM

Wiz_fusion,

I rest my case, and this is only the tip of the iceberg:

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2010/2/12/1307032/flip-saunders-deserves-blame-for

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 5:53 PM

I have no problems with you conclusion.

I guess you pasted the same story link twice to emphasize your point? lol

Another reason why I don’t want retooling. Jamison is not getting any better with anything if he’s kept.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 6:29 PM

Thank you for communicating wiz_fusion, i guess the most recent Dallas deal looks the best right now. If I was going to re-tool, even though we really don’t have anything to re-tool with, I would keep Caron.

Almost time to begin all-star festivities. Here’s to a blockbuster trade that initiates promise

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time February 12, 2010 at 7:11 PM

I want to thank dcbutler and wizards_fusion, I really have enjoyed your posts….

Comment from HardCoreFan
Time February 12, 2010 at 9:11 PM

Just in: The Mavericks appear to have agreed on the major points of a trade that will send Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, Quinton Ross and James Singleton to Washington for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson.

The deal is not done. But a source said that the pieces of the trade have been tentatively agreed upon.

The trade would require league approval, which could take until after All-Star Weekend.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 9:26 PM

Hellooooooooooooo My Brother from another Mother/Jeff M

Waiting to see who’s left on the team after the break is the most exciting thing since November (in regards to the wiz). I feel like i’m about to be finished with some kind of punishment (pick a reason…lol…)

Thanks for the info Hardcore!! I wonder if Zo could open a big-man camp, he has Terrel Owens looking like an MVP in the celebrity all-star game

Comment from HardCoreFan
Time February 12, 2010 at 9:30 PM

Terrel Owens plays pretty well. I’ve seen him play in the last couple of celebrity all-star games and I think he got MVP too.

I can’t wait to see what out team will look like come next Friday!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 10:22 PM

Well, since we can’t seem to find a point guard, why dont we just ask sam i am to come out of retirement…lol

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 10:26 PM

UPDATE by Jake at 9:15 p.m.: Wojnarowski is now reporting that both teams are “negotiating whether to expand the trade to include Wizards center Brendan Haywood.” I’ve been texting back and forth with Mike about the proposed deals. He isn’t a big fan of the 4 player trade and he is even less of a fan of the proposal involving Haywood, as you would probably expect. Also, I didn’t include this in the original post, but Quinton Ross has a player option for 2010-11, so I’m guessing the Wizards would like to avoid taking on his contract if possible.

Right now, everything is still in the rumor stage. There is no fire yet, but there are plenty of smoke signals out there.

Celtics are still trying to get AJ on the back-end….oh, the wiz are seriously cleaning ship!!!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 10:30 PM

Isn’t Howard a “problem” child? How many years are on his contract?

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time February 12, 2010 at 10:39 PM

I want the wiz to be at least competitive. Dang, this season has been unbelievable.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 12, 2010 at 11:06 PM

Cavs and Celts will go head to head for Jamison, but sources say Cavs are very involved in talks for Amar’e Stoudemire

If the cavs get amare, IT’S A WRAP FOR A FEW YEARS!!

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 11:27 PM

@ dcbutler

Yes, Josh Howard is a wallflower but it is only for 30 games. As stated earlier, he has a team option next year.

If you really want defense at all costs, Quinton Ross is a pretty good defender. He just doesn’t care to shoot.

@ jeffmalone

C’mon sir – dcb and I can’t carry the blogs everyday LOL! Get the blogging juices flowing. Thx for the shoutout. Yall just don’t know that I have to blog at least 3,000 words to get paid.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 12, 2010 at 11:33 PM

@ celebrity game

Mark Cuban was pwnd by Nancy Lieberman.

Robert Horry is so fat above the belt and he’s got chicken legs. I was worried.

I didn’t know over 50% of the celebs in the game. How can you call it a “celeb game” if no one knows who Pitbull is, for example?

@ soph/rook game

rooks dominating with better team play.

jennings, evans, and blair are playing to win.

sophs ballhandling are very sloppy.

omri casspi posterized gallinari.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 13, 2010 at 12:08 AM

omg, dejuan blair got robbed of the soph/rookies mvp trophy.

evans is the official winner with 26 pts in 11/15 shooting, but blair got 22 points (11 of 19 shooting) and 23 rebounds! how can dejuan not get it?

brook lopez is shaking his head in the background – classic.

evans did the right thing – and forced the mvp trophy onto blair as well, making them co-mvps.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 13, 2010 at 12:10 AM

wiz_fusion, i’m not going to ask……LOL…30K to get paid….

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 13, 2010 at 12:11 AM

I know a lot of bloggers dis-like Barkely, for his dislike of the wizards, but he should have his own show, if not tv, radio at the very least….lol…he’s funny.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 13, 2010 at 12:12 AM

I guess it has to be tv, because you need the visual for the full effects….lol

Comment from datonypony
Time February 13, 2010 at 12:17 AM

Oh my goodness I will be so happy if both Butler and Jamison are moved and we can rebuild.

I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT DENNIS RODMAN WAS SNUBBED FOR HALL OF FAME! WHAT IN THE WORLD???? SERIOUSLY

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 13, 2010 at 12:55 AM

Now you know Dennis Rodman wasn’t getting in…..same thing will probably happen to T.O. in the NFL.

Looking at old clips/all-star games, etc. I wonder how many players have come through the NBA.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 13, 2010 at 11:02 AM

Sometimes, the hall of fame looks at “off the court/field” issues far more than the stats accumulated by the athlete (i.e., Rodman, Pete Rose, maybe TO). I think Dennis will eventually get it, but just not on the first ballot (which means a flawless resume with everything considered).

The Mavs-Wiz trade is like 95% complete – awaiting only on NBA League approval.

[from ESPN] “… sources say the Wizards are gaining so much payroll and luxury-tax relief — while also keeping Jamison — that they couldn’t pass on Dallas’ offer.”

Butler, Haywood, & Stevenson –> Howard, Gooden, & player 3

I am uncertain why the Wiz are still so loyal to Jamison. This is a business and the team has to look far ahead. It is not like Jamison has no suitors. I kinda dreamt that there would be a Mavs vs. Cavs Finals and have Butler/Haywood/Stevenson go against Jamison. The “Wiz” will be well represented in the Finals nonetheless LOL. And someone will get a championship.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 13, 2010 at 11:23 AM

wiz_fusion,

The president’s day sale isn’t over yet, and EG said if deals don’t happen now, they could happen this summer.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 13, 2010 at 11:25 AM

Poor Juan

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AuSWTd8AVXTRaPVOpXP3MhU5nYcB?slug=ap-dixon-doping&prov=ap&type=lgns

Comment from gray16
Time February 13, 2010 at 11:36 AM

i like the washinton/dallas trade, gets rid of salary if needed, but also brings in a couple of players that i like.

especially josh howard. while he might only be here for the remainder of the season, i think he is a player built for flip’s system. i think the wizards would be smart to consider keeping him for next season as well, unless a better option comes along.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time February 13, 2010 at 1:02 PM

Man caron haywood and d steve get playoff basketball. Well deshawn might not play but Im happy for them. That is why jamison should get traded, get some more cap space and give jamison a chance to win.

Comment from gray16
Time February 13, 2010 at 1:14 PM

the wizards don’t need to worry about what happens to players they let go off imo, they shouldn’t care less. they should be worried about themselves and getting the wizards back to the playoffs.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 13, 2010 at 2:00 PM

Isn’t it true that if Jamison is also gone, the Wiz would have given up about 32 million in contracts for this year (10 from CB3, 6 from BTH, 4 from DS, and 12 from AJ). Subtracting their overage from the luxury tax (that’s about 9 million, right?) – and this leaves them with 23 million to play with going into the offseason.

If Gil gets the rough end of the stick and the courts agree with the Wiz on absolving his contract, that takes another 16 million away – making it a grand amount of 40 million to spend.

40 million can lure Chris Bosh and a real good point guard, not a hybrid or tweener. Real point also doesn’t mean a 36 year old Steve Nash either.

The Wiz would have the greatest spending power – over the Knicks!

Who knew that LeBron may be a Wiz? LOL

Comment from M2
Time February 13, 2010 at 2:11 PM

I absolutely hate to see Butler go.
He’s struggled this season in Flip V1.0 but I think he’d eventually figure it out.
Remember him taking a season to figure out EJ’s? I do… I remember being blown away that he didn’t immediately start for us when we acquired him.
Butler is one on the 20-30 best players in the league & we weren’t paying him tons of money. Dallas is licking their chops right now…

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 13, 2010 at 2:56 PM

Yeah, I feel that Butler is the one player that could fit in any system….oh well, time to move on.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 13, 2010 at 3:43 PM

Caron was in his prime during his years as a Wizard. We milked the best from him so I don’t feel bad at all that he’s going to Dallas as he approaches 30 yrs old.

Cuban has no problems paying luxury tax and his team will continue to get top flight talent if wanted. Washington, however, has never been under the Pollins.

Caron may start tailing off soon.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 13, 2010 at 3:53 PM

Shannon Brown will win the dunk contest, the kid from Toronto will give him a run for his money

Comment from dmac
Time February 13, 2010 at 3:57 PM

If the Dallas trade goes through I will be more relieved than upset. I am happy for both Caron and BH because they would help the Mavs in the playoffs.
I wish we could have Barea or Beaubois with Gooden and Howard. Josh Howard and Drew Gooden alongwith Jamison and Miller keep us respectable for the rest of the season.
Keeping Jamison is a good move because he will keep control of the locker room. Also his professionalism has earned him the right to continue to be the leader of the Wiz.
I believe the Wiz have the opportunity to really reshape this team. Gooden will probably have better numbers than BH playing the Center position. Also Josh Howard is no slouch of a player. I think that when the Mavs signed Marion that started the friction with them and Howard. But I believe Josh Howard will fit well with the Wiz if this trade goes off.

Comment from dmac
Time February 13, 2010 at 4:24 PM

Drew Gooden could have a Al Horford affect on our frontline.
Here is a look at the next starting lineup for the Wiz after the all star break: possibly
Jamison-PF
Howard-SF
Gooden-C
Miller- SG
Foye-PG

Comment from dmac
Time February 13, 2010 at 4:36 PM

ESPN reports that AJ could still go to Boston with Mike Miller for Ray Allen’s expiring contract.
Maybe EG is trying to go for Chris Bosh or another big name.
I still think AJ stays.

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 13, 2010 at 5:05 PM

yeah or CB3 could go to the Mavs and turn his whole NBA game around an be one of the best players in the NBA because that has happend 50 times in the past

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 13, 2010 at 5:27 PM

I disagree.

Gooden was unwanted and he won’t be a lick of help to the Wiz.

Howard, I think, is a salary dump decision only – meaning he will only be a Wizard for this season only. Josh may be traded again.

The skills challenge is my favorite Saturday event. The player can’t hide his flaws during the obstacle course.

Comment from gray16
Time February 13, 2010 at 5:56 PM

i was hoping gerald wallace or nate robinson would drop out and allow terrence williams to be in the dunk competition, it’s a shame he’s not in it.

they need to stop putting old guys like gerald who couldn’t even win with young legs into the competition. and stop putting guys who have already been in the dunk competition 3 times unless they deserve it (nate doesn’t)

i think if eric gordon had made his original dunk last night, he would’ve had enough to deserve the win, but wouldn’t have won because the stupid voting system allowed votes before the competition even started. but demar deserves it and i’m glad he is in it.

can’t wait for tonight, love all the challenges.

i say deron williams wins the skill competition, steph curry for the 3 point, and shannon brown for the dunk competition.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 13, 2010 at 6:42 PM

Remember gerald green? Terrance Williams is going to be out of the league if all he can do is dunk comps.

Comment from dmac
Time February 13, 2010 at 6:57 PM

Well it has been reported that the Wiz and Mav have aggreed to trade Butler, Haywood and Stevenson for Howard, Gooden, Ross and Singleton.
There has to be another trade coming because the Wiz are now over the player limit by one.

I am very sad to see Caron go. I really believe if Gil had not done what he done it would have been AJ who would have been traded instead of tough juice.

Brendan had a very good comeback season and now has a chance to help the Mavs.

Comment from dmac
Time February 13, 2010 at 7:02 PM

The only thing I see about this deal is Caron fitting in. He basically plays the sames position that Marion does. I am not sure if placing him at the SG put’s him in a position to perform at his best.

Comment from dmac
Time February 13, 2010 at 7:07 PM

wiz-fusion I think Drew will help us because he will get more minutes on the floor. I don’t think Andray or Javale will do anything to change Flips views about them. I could be wrong. They may start Andray at the Center spot. Well we once again have something to really blog about all the way to the draft and next season.

Comment from dmac
Time February 13, 2010 at 7:10 PM

wizards_fusion where do think Josh Howard could wind up? We have to make another deal because we are one player over the roster limit.

Comment from dmac
Time February 13, 2010 at 7:24 PM

I hope EG has done his homework because we are picking up a guy (Howard) who has baggage(unpatriotic national anthem comments) to go with what Gil has already done to himself.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 13, 2010 at 7:34 PM

@ dmac

I think Howard will be a Wiz for the last 30 games of this year, have the Wiz use the team option on him, and then trade him to someone before the start of next season. I wasn’t clear with my post earlier about him being traded.

You bring up a very interesting point with the roster limit – I have no idea who is doing to get dropped. Maybe Mike James is just going to be cut because 30 games isn’t worth the trouble of keeping and he will get the remaining 5.5 million player option. The Wiz isn’t keeping him long-term anyways, so if he can get signed by a playoff team – everyone’s happy.

I can’t fully agree with you on the Butler-Gil working out if the gun thing didn’t happen. I’m led to believe that Caron has earned to be at least the first option on final plays and that’s what Gil is supposed to do. There was too much ‘ego-jocking’ between them and it will never work out – also having Jamison sandwiched in the middle in the bitterfest. If you remember, same thing happened in Milwaukee where Cassell, Allen, and Robinson couldn’t share egos anymore and they broke up. Grunfeld hasn’t learned that Big 3s will implode in time. It has happened under his watch in Milwaukee and now, Washington.

Comment from gray16
Time February 13, 2010 at 9:13 PM

they are talking about the trade on tnt right now

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time February 13, 2010 at 9:15 PM

Thank you Caron, DSteve and Haywood for being great Wizards players!!

Welcome Josh Howard, Gooden and whomever else was added….The Wizards are in official rebuilding mode……Caron and DeShawn and Haywood will be a beast with JKidd running the show

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time February 13, 2010 at 10:34 PM

Just my opinion of course….but as an organization we could not have done any better in this trade? I mean to give up Caron, DSteve and Haywood for an often injured Howard, reserve Gooden and others, really?

I am just going to wait for the next shoe to drop, and I am sure it will take place soon….

Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 13, 2010 at 10:51 PM

continued on next page…..