Washington Wizards Blog

Comment from Phemy
Time March 16, 2010 at 4:41 AM

wow dave you’r up early!

Yeah well… I dont mind the losing as long as the young guys try hard and learn from their mistakes! Man mcgee could be such a game changer… hopefully he will be. He really needs as experienced Big man Coach!

Schoenen Tag euch allen,
Phemy

Comment from millie mill
Time March 16, 2010 at 7:44 AM

Shake off that lost boys and go hard against Denver!!!!!!!!

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 8:02 AM

Nuggets in Denver tonight.

BIG thumbs up for ‘Dray.

Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 16, 2010 at 8:32 AM

Lets give the Nuggets a battle!! Go Wiz!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 16, 2010 at 8:34 AM

Continuing a thread from last night:

Gotabig argued against saying that “AB is a work in progress” — but of course he is! He’s only 23. And he’s getting his first really extended minutes. When young people deal with change, that’s when they develop. It’d be too bad if he *weren’t* a work in progress. It’s also how he describes himself.

But, no doubt about it, he’s proved he’s a quality NBA player. The biggest concern I had about him was conditioning, but he’s also shown he can take heavy minutes night after night. Andray gets a lot of credit. But, yes, he still has room to grow.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 16, 2010 at 8:45 AM

Gotabig also says that 90% of NBA GMs would want Blatche over Jamison. Not much doubt of that! Blatche is 10 years younger and costs 1/3 as much!

That said, I’m *really* getting tired of the Antawn bashing. Ditto on the Caron bashing. Ditto on the Flip bashing. 10 months ago the same guy who says all this stuff was confidently predicting those guys would win 60 games and stoutly maintaining that the Wizards had the most talented roster in the NBA. Better than the Lakers, better than Boston, better than Cleveland, etc.

The NBA is a *game* not a war. And it’s a *business* not a religion. Guys don’t get better because they put on the Wizards uniform of virtue. And they don’t turn into their evil twins because they got traded.

We are not a good team right now. And we’re not good because we don’t have good players. You can’t coach Randy Foye into being a better basketball player than he is, just to take one example (but not meaning to pick on him). Ditto Nick Young, Al Thornton, etc.

We also lack the two essential ingredients for NBA success — we don’t have a starter quality point guard or a starter quality Center. The worst team in the league has better starters at those 2 positions.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:35 AM

Tom M. Take your hands off the keyboard and slowly back away from your desk…take a couple of deep breaths; relax…

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:19 AM

Something I said you don’t agree with? We *are* a good team? You *didn’t* say the old Wizards’ roster was the most talented in the league bar none?

I’d like to focus on the positives right now — AB is one. It’s nice to see JaVale start to grow. It’s a happy thing that Shawn Livingston may be resurrecting his career (and that’s true independent of whether we want to or are able to keep him next year). James Singleton is a real contributor.

I don’t want to focus on negatives invented for the occasion: AJ only cared about his stats; Caron was a black hole; Miller is dogging it and he too cares only about his stats. Flip is “Flop”, etc.

I’m not trying to stop you or anyone from expressing himself. Just my $.02

Comment from HardCoreFan
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:20 AM

I totally agree with Tom about all of the bashing. I was thinking the same thing but I didn’t want you guys bashing me about it. In fact I was tempted to stop reading the blog because of that and because of all of the complaining about a team that was never expected to compete. These guys are working hard every game but like Tom said they are not starters and they also lack experience. Please give them a break.

I really stopped worrying about them winning and I am more concerned about experience. I like seeing the hustle and the effort. If they win it’s a bonus.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:43 AM

I come from a background where excellence is the norm and failure is not tolerated. When people *make mistakes*, someone has to be held accountable. The NBA is the professional level – if you want nurture, go back to lower levels of competition. By the time guys get to the NBA, they should have developed enough *tough skin* to not take words so seriously.

What Tom M. calls *bashing* is what I call *criticism*. If I buy one of Tom’s poetry books and rips it apart, am I bashing it or am I critiquing it? To me, it’s the same thing but to you it just depends on how you look at it. The glass IS both half full and half empty at the SAME time.

The theory of “focusing on the positives” is analogous to parents standing on the sidelines clapping hands in support of their offspring. Does it make the kid feel good inside? Absolutely. Does it do anything to improve that kid’s team in terms of wins and losses? Absolutely not.

Positive reinforcement time is over for these players and coaches. Do you even know how much Flip makes a day? Answer = $18,000. He’s certainly open to *bashing* because he has somewhat defrauded fans.

Lastly, Flip *bashes/makes negative criticisms* at his own players all the time. What makes that ok versus what we say? Wouldn’t the situation be worse for him because his relationship with his players is closer than my relationship with the organization?

It’s time to wake up and smell the truth. Family blog or not – this is how the situation is no matter how much sugercoating you want to pour on top of it. It is a negative situation because nothing has gone right after a period of mild success.

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:34 AM

i agree with wizfusion, i think sometimes when i’m blogging negative things towards flip, caron (when he was on the team), antawn (when he was on the team), boykins, miller, whoever, it’s in hope that they will change. it’s criticism as fusion pointed out.

i think negative things should be part of a blog, what would this place look like with nothing but positive remarks lol. to all those that it brings down, sorry, but i think the blog is better from it. we need something to talk about lol.

plus when i go to other blogs, how else am i going to figure out how good other players or coaches are if all they are typing about are the positives. heck if i would’ve went to the pistons forum before flip became coach, i would’ve known what this team would’ve been in store for. at least i did it for thornton before he joined the team and i already knew he was known for a being a black hole who struggled on d a lot.

so the criticism imo only makes the blog more truthful and better. but of course it shouldn’t all be negative, but on a 7 game losing streak it’s hard to point out positives. the only positives right now for me is the draft and the wiz getting better position in it, and of course blatche and mcgee. and i’m sure every member in here, even if they/we have said negative things, have definitely touched on those positives.

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:37 AM

as for tonight, this is going to be a tough game. the wiz are coming off a game where they are looking like it’s the end of the season and they are done trying, while the nuggets are coming off a disappointing last second loss as well.

hope the wiz continue to play hard, that’s all we can ask for, and i hope flip spreads the minutes and let’s his players grow, and isn’t playing purely for wins but also developing.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 12:00 PM

An opion that states “I am tired of…” is also an opinion, and has its place on the blog just as the opinion that that individual is tired of reading has its place.

Anyone who thinks that anyone else in a position of authority within the Wizards organization is reading the blog and hanging on our every word to decide what the team should do is delusional. This is just a fun place for each of us to express his pleasure or displeasure with the team, players or the opinion of other bloggers.

I’m glad to see that hardcorefan agrees with Tom M. and I’m happy to see that wizards_fusion and gray16 feel the same as I do.

If anyone doesn’t like what another blogger writes, stop reading those blogs, or fire back. That’s what this is all about.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 16, 2010 at 12:15 PM

Yup, what Gotabig said!

But… but… you really don’t think the brass care what we say… They don’t hang on our words?

I guess that means we haven’t contributed to the huge success they’ve made of the franchise huh! Ummmmh, maybe they *should* seek a little outside perspective. Like maybe ‘don’t max out an injured player, guys’.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 12:36 PM

Just like probably every other blogger, I always hated losing, and I always tried to figure out both why a loss happened and how to prevent it from repeating. Sometimes it involved making an adjustment in the way I was doing things, other times it necessitated changing components that were contributing to the loss. IMHO you can not improve if you are not critical of the performance. If the Wizards win a game by the score of 100 to 0 I’ll probably be critical of how Flip folded his arms on the sideline or why some player got too many or too few minutes.

Did I believe that the Wizards were playoff-bound at the start of the season? Sure I did. So did Flip, Ernie, the players, and the vast majority of professional and amateur analysts. However, even before the faux shootout and at a time when we had all of the players (even though Miller was injured), I had begun to criticize the fact that AJ and CB appeared to be more interested in individual rather than team success; that Gil wasn’t a point guard; and that Flip’s offense(?) was lacking. With Gil’s suspension, I felt that AJ and CB reverted to their 2008-2009 season form and this season became more disappointing with each game. I lobbied daily to get rid of both of them (wait a minute…maybe Ernie does read the blog ). I felt strongly that the Wizards could not be successful with them as the core. While I am still disappointed with the fact that we have a terrible W/L record, I am very happy to see the young guys playing so many minutes and getting a chance to both develop and demonstrate just why they are NBA players. Even in defeat and although under-manned, they are finally fun to watch.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 16, 2010 at 1:22 PM

everyone’s right – this blog is really for *OUR* amusement.

- – -
flip has repeated himself with the “oh, believe me, this situation can get worse cuz we’re in the NBA” comment after last night’s game.

flip also mentioned that all teams are going right at javale mcgee and he’s just taking it. flip is hinting that at some point, javale needs to know he won’t take this b.s. anymore. (see – imo this is a good way for flip to communicate with his players through the media. the coach points out an obvious tendency but he also challenged his starting center to do something about it. this is a form of constructive criticism done right because he didn’t put javale down or call him out of all the mistakes he made.)

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 16, 2010 at 2:17 PM

I thought they were playoff-bound as well — 45 – 48 wins was what I predicted, I think, and a shot at home court advantage in the first round. I didn’t think much more than that was likely.

I also thought that the trade for Mike Miller was good (and didn’t care much about Foye being part of it). We were going for broke as it were, and it didn’t seem likely any of the available rookies would have paid off in such short order.

That still seems true. Of course, had we known how things were going to turn out, it’d be great to have an asset on the roster that’s likely to appreciate rather than one on the way down.

Most of you will remember how high I was on Curry last year. Some will even remember me suggesting we trade down and try to get Dejuan Blair and Ty Lawson. WP48 analysis predicted they would likely be the two best rookies (after Blake Griffin, down w/ an injury), and gee whiz that’s exactly what they’ve been. Hmmm, maybe Ernie really *should* listen to me? (no)

Comment from millie mill
Time March 16, 2010 at 2:17 PM

I think McGee will play harder because of Flip’s comments. That was a good way of letting a player really know where he needs to step up is game.

Maybe it’s been asked here before but do you guys really think if sentenced, Gil really has a chance to come back next year?

I maybe wrong but I don’t think he will be back despite what he or Gurnfield says.

I can’t wait until next week!!

Comment from neal
Time March 16, 2010 at 2:30 PM

I got a chuckle out of your advice to Tom, gabbo. Take a deep breath, Tom.

But I more or less agree with Tom. The big 3 were playing the best they knew how. I’m left with Grunfeld’s comment that the team was “stale”.

Yes, we need top quality at center and PG and don’t have either at present. But we do have possibilities at both.

Millie, I think if EG comes back, the Wiz will buy out Arenas. But I don’t think EG is coming back. In that event, the new GM may give Arenas a year to try to fit in with this group.

I think to be a top team, we need three “stars” and a top-notch coach. We apparently have one star (Blatche). Let’s say the odds are 40% that Arenas comes back, fits in, and returns to his old form. And lets say that the odds are 50% that McGee becomes all he can be. So we probably have the equivalent of two stars. Whether Flip is a “top-notch” coach is debatable, but he’s certainly a good one.

So IMO we just need to get lucky in the draft and get someone who develops into a legitimate star and need 2-3 years for everyone to develop and gel.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 16, 2010 at 3:16 PM

neal — that’s a nice dream! The only thing not still in question on your list is whether Flip is a top-notch coach. He’s proven that he is.

Andray has shown he can start and play big minutes and be productive. He’s an NBA player now; he might be a starter on many teams — he’s a starter for us because we traded away our starter. Lets see him have a productive season — whole season — in which he solidifies what he does now, figures out how to avoid turnovers, and stays healthy. *Then* we get to see if he can develop further and be a star.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 16, 2010 at 3:17 PM

these are strictly my opinion

1) if gil gets more than 90 days in the slammer i would be shocked. anywhere outside 30 – 90 days is where even the anti-arenas pundits would think is abusive.

2) mcgee may not be able to play harder if he tried. his conditioning is not there and his body is breaking down while his mind is still alert. andray looks like he’s suffering the same fate.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 16, 2010 at 3:25 PM

http://www.esquire.com/features/what-ive-learned/gilbert-arenas-gun-interview-0410?click=pp

i have no words to describe what i just read from the link above regarding gilbert … wow …

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 3:56 PM

crazy how stuff can get really blown out of proportion in the media these days. wish you could just hear the real story from the beginning.

what arenas did was stupid no doubt, but i can’t help but feel sorry for what he’s going through. he has no one to blame but himself, but it’s like blaming a kid for touching a hot pot and burning himself, he just doesn’t know better.

i hope he learns from this and becomes a better person from it, and i would have no problem with him being on the team past this season. he’s still my favorite player in the league, and i still support him, so good luck to gil in his sentencing.

as far as what wizfusion said about mcgee and blatche, it does seem like heavy minutes are getting to them, neither is used to being put through these type of minutes (although each is being put through different levels). both are just having the period rookies go through after a full season of heavy minutes, but they should only get better from it, especially blatche with the demeanor he has right now.

but at the same time, i wish flip would go back to playing everyone like he did after trades instead of playing one guy 40 minutes every night. blatche is so good he can get you 20 and 10 in 30 minutes of play right now, let gee get more minutes. mike miller doesn’t need 35+, give nick minutes. let the youngins play is all i wish he would do. not like playing guys 40 minutes has had any success.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 16, 2010 at 4:06 PM

esquire’s interview was candid and i think gil is best when he is candor. there were bits of stuff in that link suggesting gil’s bipolar existence – a good sign for arenas fans because it is what made him popular in the first place.

jamison was right about 1 thing – the importance for the young guys to NOT BE LAZY and work hard in the weight room. jamison knows an 82-game season is gruelling for the weak-bodied and he was very vocal and upset that blatche didn’t work as hard as he should have. well – the truth is out and blatche’s body doesn’t seem to be able to withstand the sudden onslaught of minutes. if there’s one thing for andray to learn, it is that he has to get stronger so that he can continue to be a focal point of the wiz’s offense no matter who’s on the team next season and beyond.

Comment from neal
Time March 16, 2010 at 6:17 PM

Am I missing something? I haven’t noticed Blatche or McGee being visibly tired. That’s not to say that they couldn’t use more weight training.

If Gee really is good, but we have no place for him at the 2 next year, we could always protect him with a contract, then send him to the D league for another year. After next year both Young and Ross are FA’s.

Comment from M2
Time March 16, 2010 at 7:39 PM

A sports blog is typically a place for critical thought & expression…

Nice banter folks!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 7:43 PM

LOL…A few good men

You can’t handle the truth!!

LOL….

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 16, 2010 at 8:22 PM

if we had nothing bad to express we would not be a blog… how many times can you talk nice about the NBA or the coach or the old players or the new ones or the ones we might get…. funny thing is no matter how much most of us dissagree we all have the same goal to watch our basketball team win it all…

Comment from dlts20
Time March 16, 2010 at 8:32 PM

Ill just post what I wrote on another site about the game but it was also in response to a dude saying he wanted to see Blatche match Melo tonight if he wants to be great. He said he has to win these battles or atleast match him and he made it sound like they would be guarding eachother alot so I responded with this:

I dont really look at it that way since they wont be going against eachother but weve already played them once and Dray played very well in that game against K-Mart & Nene. Without K-Mart I think he should do well. I think they will put Petro on him so I would like to see him faceup more this game and take him off the dribble. The same probably goes for the rest of there bigs.

Im not really concerned with Dray anymore. He looks so good right now that even when he misses or makes a mistake, he still looks good like “wow that was a good move or pass for a near 7 footer”. He genuinely looks like he is as good as any big man in the league right now.

The other thing is that we have played so much lately that he has to be getting tired. 5 games in 6 nights all in different cities while getting trapped all game long. I mean the defenses he is seeing right now are crazy. He litteraly has to do something perfect every time because they are sending 2 or 3 guys or shifting the D towards him. That will only help him in the future.

In this game Im more into seeing how Livingston bounces back. He did something on his 1st pass last game that I bet no one noticed. Miller was cutting to the hoop as a 1st player/decoy and Shaun hit him right in stride and he got fouled. I went crazy when I saw that because that play has been open since game 1 of the season and not Gil, Foye, or Boykins have hit it due to size or being a split second too late. The play is like the 1st guy cuts threw as a decoy and then you hit the 2nd cutter coming behind him but the 1st guy is always open on that play but you have to throw it super quick and its not always a great lane so guys are hesitant.

Shaun has that quick decision making skill and the size to see over the D so on his very 1st play he hit something we havent hit all year. If you make that pass then its either a sure fire score or foul just like what happened. I dont think people saw that but I went crazy and I replayed it to see Flip and he was clapping crazy like “no one all year has been able to make that simple play”. Stuff like that changes the offense and makes it much harder to guard but as good as he is at that, his J was equally as bad and the PG in Flip’s system will only get J’s most of the time.

The Jazz were just a force but I could see him matching up much better with Billups & Denver’s uptempo game. The problem is that Billups knows our Offense like the back of his hand which could hurt our team and Livingston but oh well. The other thing I do want to see tonight from Blatche is more hustle, pep, and then comes rebounding. He’s been so soft, slow, lax, and just non caring on the boards lately but I dont rip him because I know he is insanely tired with all the taveling, the minutes, the huge role he has to carry now, and the non stop double teams. Still, I would like to see him get atleast 10 tonight

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 8:43 PM

8:40 PM…Dave and Glenn checking in… starters are in….it will be Livingston, Miller, McGee, Blatche, and Thornton once again for the Wizards….Kenyon Martin remains sidelined by a knee injury…the Nuggets starters are Chauncey Billups, Aaron Afflalo, Johan Petro, Nene, Carmelo Anthony

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 8:51 PM

Al Thornton did well against Carmelo Anthony in the sceond hald the last time these two teams met need it again

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:00 PM

Glenn here: Hi all, thanks for blogging with us!! Keys, Wiz need to be patient set good, solid , strong, screens, attack the paint. If Wiz try and run, gonna be a long night!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:01 PM

here we go BLOGCAST underway with Flip’s comments

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:07 PM

@dlts20 – I think your pre-game analysis is GREAT! You must have been, or maybe still are, a serious player.

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:11 PM

Evening all!!!!

Yes, we have a challenge on our hands tonight – esp since we beat the nuggets not so long ago & I think they just snapped a winning streak…..

BUT – remember how Thornton HANDLED Carmelo Anthony the last time out… Let’s go with that feeling…

Let’s get ‘em Wizards!!!

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:13 PM

First touch…. fouled on the way to the basket…. a good look!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:13 PM

yeah dlts20 can break it down

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:15 PM

What a way to start!!!!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:15 PM

great start

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:16 PM

thornton draws foul on anthony remeber wizards won kast game again den ver on d

Comment from HardCoreFan
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:18 PM

Looking for a good game tonight. Looking for energy and hustle tonight.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:18 PM

oh that hurts blatche made the move but not layup

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:20 PM

Is our defense forcing them into some bad shots?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:21 PM

double teaming blatche early

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:22 PM

too earl to tell onb the bad shots

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:24 PM

thornton doing it!!!!

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:27 PM

thornton is giving them the early blues…. keep it up! keep it up! keep it up!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:29 PM

good d by livingston

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:29 PM

billups 2nd foul

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:31 PM

great hustle by thronton

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:31 PM

Layups….. make them…

nice hustling out there!!!

Comment from dlts20
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:32 PM

Dray gotta finish that with the left. Thats one of my huge pet peeves how a ton of pros still never finish with the left when on that side of the basket

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:32 PM

Tremendous defense by the Wizards. ‘Dray is helping out all over the place; McGee is threatening anything inside. Just hope they don’t tire out.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:34 PM

Thanks guys, just observing right now

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:34 PM

DJ – you’re on target about Livingston’s defense. He’s stopping the penetration…something we have been seriously lacking.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:35 PM

Getabig, AB has to go up stronger sometimes, no way he should be getting his shot blocked.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:36 PM

Z-G in the game. Let’s go!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:37 PM

good d on the last play just over passed

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:38 PM

You can absolutely count on Miller to kill any Wizards momentum with some stupid pass early in the game.

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:40 PM

wiz wish they could play denver every game lol

many top notch teams wish for the opposite

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:41 PM

@dcbutler357 – You’re right. I’ll get him to work on that.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:42 PM

solid first quarter but nuggets can play better thye are missing lawson and martin and andersen to injuries

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:43 PM

I really think Miller is worried about missing shots that could lead to fast point baskets

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:43 PM

Man, Gee is really agressive, need that a lot

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:43 PM

the more i see from gee, the more i’m impressed from him

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:43 PM

it is gee time

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:43 PM

We are playing with a sense of purpose…. Singleton aka the Hitman….. Not always warrented, but they will make calls on him…

Comment from dlts20
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:44 PM

thank god we see Gee instead of Ross

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:45 PM

Miller is totally terrible!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:45 PM

no unforced turnovers guys….don’t lose composure

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:46 PM

It’s Livingston time! Put him in for Miller and move Foye to the 2. I love the way Z-G plays the game.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:47 PM

you said dc butkler 357 becuase we need to take advanatge with anthony and compoany on the bench

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:50 PM

wowwwwww

that must be the “you’re not lebron james or paul pierce” call

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:50 PM

that’s the first time in the history of whatever i have seen that called that way and probably the last time.

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:51 PM

Tonight really needs to be a team effort… no one super star…

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:51 PM

lol…we don’t have a center in the game?

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:52 PM

Great rebound by Miller

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:52 PM

gee again

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:52 PM

with these lineups, the last man standing wins…

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:52 PM

go ahead gee baby lol

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:53 PM

Z-G can handle the ball also. Give that man a contract!!!!!!!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:53 PM

He has a very good feel for the game. Nothing looks forced and its fluid.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:54 PM

thornton and singkleton bith now with three foiuls

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:56 PM

Okay. Held our own with AB resting…Let’s go!

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:57 PM

You have to love the defensive intensity especially with so many games in so few days.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:59 PM

Someone gave McGee the “rubber-band man” for a nickname, it kind of fits, he jumps in the air and then does about three things before he leans back and try’s to shoot a underhanded shot from 10 feet away from the rim. He really needs to practice EVERYTHING during the off-season.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 9:59 PM

Would have been nice if Buck was paying attention then and could have kept us informed.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:03 PM

That was pure BS. How many steps does Mello get?

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:05 PM

I like the “rubber-band man” nickname for McGee. Maybe we can get Big Tigger to play some Spinners oldie “Rubber-band Man” when McGee enters the game.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:06 PM

wizards are olaying well but small margin of error

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:07 PM

blatche nice jo of not dribbling into double team

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:07 PM

“Blatche lost it going up for the shot” – Buck

He was fouled man. Be a homer announcer for once.

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:08 PM

Radio and TV was actually in sync at for a while until the sound went out and now it is behind

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:08 PM

Radio and TV was actually in sync for a while until the sound went out and now it is behind

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:10 PM

Buck is the worst play-by-play announcer in the NBA

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:12 PM

I am so glad we kept our composure during the last two minutes. We didn’t implode in the 2nd qrtr, that’s another milestone

how did he miss that???

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:12 PM

I’M LOVIN’ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Wizards had their Wheaties this morning!!!!!!

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:12 PM

McGee had an easy layup. but wanted a dunk…he’ll learn.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:12 PM

strabnge missed dunk by mcgee but good defense by wizards

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:14 PM

Take that from AB! He’s the MAN

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:14 PM

Livingston is the composure

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:14 PM

he has been looking rather tired lately, does he eat properly?

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:14 PM

blatche is another reason i can’t wait for next season

can’t wait to see his rise to success continue.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:15 PM

alright gange we are playing through

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:17 PM

I don’t know how the Wizards can maintain the energy level and the focus in the second half given the ridiculous schedule they’ve had for the past week. However, my hat is off for the defensive effort in the first half. It looks as though everyone is contributing on “D” and on the boards. Way to go WIZ!

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:24 PM

The defense has been very good since the trade and at times throughout the year but rarely able to sustain it for the entire game…

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Nuggets avg 106 per game and our “D” held them to 39 in the first half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good grief. How do we maintain the intensity????? FOCUS!!!! BELIEVE!!!!

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:28 PM

Wouldn’t it be GREAT if we could become known as a defensive team?

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:30 PM

We could be starting to put together the basis of a very good team.

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:31 PM

Is Mcgee limping???

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:36 PM

oh what a miss and then a three

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:37 PM

mcgee does just seem tired these minutes catching up with him

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:38 PM

I guess that the refs got the half-time fax.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:40 PM

wizards could end up losing this game at the free throw line

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:41 PM

Miller’s man. Let’s see how much damage Miller can cause.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:42 PM

have to start double teaming anthony earlier

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:45 PM

wizards have to get back

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:45 PM

Send Miller to Europe. He’s horrible!

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:45 PM

I’m just checking in right now.

Hey DJ, can you check out the radio broadcast to make sure there isn’t wrong with anything? I’ve been having problems with the broadcast the last few days. I like listening to the radio as opposed to comcast sportsnet… so I would like the problem fixed.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:45 PM

thronton four fouls.. so gee has to come in

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:46 PM

If we are stuck with his contract, make him FAN MAN for a month.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:47 PM

NeNe had his arm on miller the whole time…

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:49 PM

Does anyone know how long Gee’s contract is? Is it a 10 day contract or what?

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:51 PM

Nice offense Flip (not). Give your best player the ball with 2 seconds on the shot clock. GET MILLER OUT OF THE GAME!!! Sorry for the shout, but Flip’s in Denver and my voice doesn’t carry that well.

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:51 PM

as wiz fusion pointed out before, you can see the fatigue in blatche and mcgee, the big minutes have caught up with them

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:51 PM

gilfanatic is this on the internet i am having my producer check right now… and i will have it double checked before friday….

quick shots now hurting

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:52 PM

ok… we are falling apart here… how many fouls on Livingston?

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:52 PM

It really is the little things that change victory to defeat. Out primary “little thing” is Miller.

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:54 PM

@DJ, yes I’m using the internet radio. I used to not have that many problems with the listen live feature from 106.7 the fan. It’s only been more of a problem recently.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:54 PM

Is Singlton dead? Get him in the game!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:54 PM

producer just checked it is okay.

if you still have problems e-mail andrew rosen
at arosen@washsports.com

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:56 PM

singletin is back in he had four fouls

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:56 PM

I’m listening to it on the radio right now and I seem to have no problem with it (minus the static). I think it’s just with the internet radio that I’m having problem.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:57 PM

Make that Our primary “little thing”

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:57 PM

great block by singlketon

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:57 PM

Defense is keeping us in the game

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:58 PM

nick dribbling too much

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:58 PM

I’ll send an email if I have more problems.

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:59 PM

gee can’t miss lol

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:59 PM

EXCLAMATION FOR GEE…LOL

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:59 PM

Oh my! What a shot by Alonzo Gee!

That completely unexpected. I hope they count it.

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:59 PM

whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! I KNOW I just woke up some neighbors with my big mouth!!!!

We SOOOOOOOOOOOOOo needed that lift!!

Comment from HardCoreFan
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:00 PM

Gee looking good – I am really impressed with him!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:01 PM

amen….amazing wizards in it even though the wizards are 10 of 19 from the free throw line

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:02 PM

Thanks for the shoutout! And yes, I really like what I see from Gee… he’s quite impressive.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:02 PM

Man, is something wrong with McGee? decisions decisions decisions

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:03 PM

good pay back job Nick

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:03 PM

We have to move on offense, two men were out there on gee

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:04 PM

earl is definitely dribbling too much

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:05 PM

Hey Flip, Are you going to wait until the game is truly lost before #7 gets back in tha game?

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:05 PM

What do you mean by that DCbutler? What do you think is wrong with him?

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:06 PM

I just realized that Earl was in the game. Where the H is Livingston?

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:06 PM

Wait a second. How was that a foul against the Nuggets? I didn’t see it.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:07 PM

Come on coach…little guy next to you on the bench…Livington at the point.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:10 PM

Gilf, I just don’t like McGee’s offense….unless it’s a rebound for a slam, it’s just not fluid IMO

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:10 PM

Earl can score, but he is too short to be a point guard in an NBA offense. He can’t see who he is supposed to pass to.

Comment from datonypony
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:11 PM

Mcgee’s offense??WHat offense dcbutler

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:12 PM

So much for defense. Earl couldn’t defend me.

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:13 PM

dcbutler- I don’t know if I agree with that. I think he just needs to refine his offense. You’ve got to remember that he didn’t really get that much playing time when Haywood was dominating the center position back when he was with the Wizards.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:14 PM

Great 4th Q combo…Earl and Miller…what is the spread?

Comment from datonypony
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:14 PM

Guys gotta defend….

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:14 PM

Man down… is AB okay? I really hope he’s not seriously hurt. The last thing we need right now is another injury.

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:14 PM

oh no……. throwing up shots…. shooter down….

OH NO…

Comment from datonypony
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:14 PM

…. put livingston and w/e pack in…..

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:14 PM

there you go blatche, get some of that good ol’ washington wizards luck

hope he’s ok

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:15 PM

sorry we were off the internet blatche looks okay…

Comment from datonypony
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:15 PM

Oh man if AB gets a serious injury, it will seriously challenge my dedication….

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:16 PM

Hey Flip… you’ve screwed upon every rotation so far. How about getting this one right. SIT BATCHE DOWN for the remainder of this game.

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:17 PM

Blatche has shaken it off & is back on the floor!!! trooper!

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:17 PM

It looks like he’s okay. That’s good. I was really worried for a second. I hope he’s not hurt.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:18 PM

gee in for blatche

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:18 PM

GilF, EXACTLY, so until he obtains one, he needs to stop practicing one during the game…lol

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:19 PM

I’m really, really, really hoping he’s okay. I don’t want to see a player like him go.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:19 PM

miller bad turnover and then amazing shot by jr smith

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:20 PM

Miller stinks as a passer whether he’s with the starters or off the bench. PLEASE sit this guy down for the remainder.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:21 PM

I hate to see our guys play so hard and still lose.

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:21 PM

what is boykins doing?….

oh my goodness, thornton gets carter on him and boykins takes in one on one against melo?…

come on flip, if nick did that he wouldn’t the light of this day or the next

Comment from datonypony
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:22 PM

Wow boykins had a block?

Comment from datonypony
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:22 PM

Was about to say defense is key, but saw the dunk. wow.

GUys, cmon

Comment from datonypony
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:22 PM

And that is good game…

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:23 PM

game is getting physical

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:23 PM

mistakes but a lot of fight

Comment from datonypony
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:24 PM

ABSOLUTELY NEED STOPS

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:24 PM

LOL…Does miller have grip on his sneakers, he falls every time he touches the ball

Comment from datonypony
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:25 PM

Wow I’m not talking anymore, everytime I said defense, they get a 3 pointer or dunk.

Comment from datonypony
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:27 PM

Those freethrows look VERY costly now!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:28 PM

I don’t see anything that will get us closer….after the play by mello, that may be it.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:31 PM

g ot more than i expected tonight

Comment from Gilfanatic
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:32 PM

Is there any update on Blatche’s status? I’d really like to know what’s up with him.

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:33 PM

Ok – so we agree the big diff was the foul shooting…

*crap crap crap crap crap*

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:34 PM

1 800 636 1067 for post game

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:34 PM

Start G at the 2 or 3 and see how he works with livingston

Comment from gray16
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:35 PM

not too bad, other than the ft shooting

hope dray’s ok, don’t need to hear any more bad news with the wiz

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:36 PM

Athletic Wizards team could use Haywood, Gil, and another power forward

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:38 PM

rofl……left field

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:41 PM

Well, Gil will be back…. Haywood gooooooooooooone!!! LOL!!

Missed free throws…. overall, not such a bad game… of course we want the W’s, but hey -gotta find the highlights to keep us going…

Comment from neal
Time March 16, 2010 at 11:48 PM

There’s still room for optimism.

dcbutler, millie suggested plasticman, which reminded me of the Rubberband Man song. If I get the album by the Spinners does anyone know who we send it to to propose putting it on the PA system? SportsWiz? DJ-Wizards Radio?

Comment from dlts20
Time March 17, 2010 at 5:59 AM

I felt that we were playing well and then the whole team basically hit a wall. I just think we got really fatigured midway through the 3rd, maybe even more mental than physical. Just like all the games and hard play is takinng its toll, which made us start to make horrible decisions

Comment from dlts20
Time March 17, 2010 at 10:28 AM

Has Our Crap Offense Been A Blessing In Disguise?

Blatche has been such a beast that even when he misses or makes a bad play I still go like “wow, I havent seen too many guys in this league be able to do that”. I thought in his prime that Gil was one of the most exciting players in the league and we didnt really have another one until NY came along and played ok for a little while, then McGee came along, did some things, and still does some things, but Blatche right now is one of the most exciting in the league for me and more exciting then all those guys were at there most excitingness if thats a word, lol.

Seriously, his game is crazy exciting right now from the post moves, spin moves, crossovers, fadeaways, reverses, and so on. The thing that is funny about his play as a starter is that in like the first few games he was basically strictly in the post. He would step out and shoot a J sometimes but for the most part he was back to the basket. Then the doubles came and he for a long while went almost strictly outside to the faceup game and started playing more like a guard. Alot of fans from other teams still think thats what kind of player he is because theyve never see his down low game. This is when I got a little upset a Dray because I thought he was settling too much and drifting too much to the perimiter.

Then the last few games again he went back to the block and basically we run like 1 or 2 plays for him every time now and they all are to try to catch it on the block. Now its like forcing him to do low post moves on the regular and you can tell that even though he already had some moves, his game has grown on the post so much even since the very 1st game he started. Thats why I hate fools like Tapscott benching these guys even though we were way out of it. They need to play and you can see it in Dray these last few games that he’s killing it on the blocks right now. Strength wise he’s even looking good as Ive seen him back down strong dudes like Boozer and so on.

Then what about that spin move in the post? Thats money. If you lean hard on him to the inside then he’s spining off every single time and its so quick that no big can stay with him. The only thing that upset me about it is when he does those moves and gets to the rim he then either tries to reverse lay in or do a bunch of fakes. Sometimes thats just his nature without the explosion and other times he’s anticipating someone trying to block it on the front side that never comes. I get upset because Im like Dray, its already open for you right there. Then today against Nene he finally spun and dunked it on the front side. He needs to do that more because even if he doesnt get it, he will be fouled.

I just like the fact that for the 1st time ever it seems like we are starting to have a legit “low post” big man. IDK if you can 100% be comfortable saying that yet but Im starting to feel like we can throw it into him and he can get it done even strictly on the block. I see him growing in his mind to where he’s even backing down big guys now when at 1st he would only try it against smaller guys. I also see his whole facial expression & mindset has changed now to where he truly has no fear of even the best bigs in the game. Did you see in the 3rd against Denver where he came and got it at near the top of the key, took the dribble right, got Nene moving that way, and then hit a mean crossover to the left, and pulled up for the J while Nene was nowhere in site? How many bigs can do that? Then a couple of plays later is when he did that play where he got the ball against Nene in the post, spun real quick, and dunked it on him. He’s sick right now.

Even that play where Malik Allen blocked him, the moves were sick. Thats not even including the guard like passes he can make in the post or in transition. Basically I think our O is so bad right now that its almost forcing Dray to work more in the post and he’s quickly developing at a crazy fast rate. I just love it and he’s going to be a beast next year.

Comment from dlts20
Time March 17, 2010 at 10:43 AM

My only fear for Blatche now is that ankle injury, espically when we are about to play big tough teams. Will he be able to move the same and will he have the same aggressive mindset after it? I worry that just when he was coming into his own as a great low post scorer, now this will hinder that growth and maybe even change the way he plays some

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 17, 2010 at 10:44 AM

Comment from dlts20
Time March 17, 2010 at 10:28 AM

Has Our Crap Offense Been A Blessing In Disguise?
- – -
no, because a bad offense is still a bad offense no matter how good the players in it are.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 17, 2010 at 11:06 AM

Praise for Alonzo Gee and his play so far & especially last night — he gets a second 10-day contract. Good for him!

I wasn’t able to watch last night’s game, alas. The question for him is whether he can play the 2. If he can do that, he can stick in the league. I don’t think he has quite enough size for a 3 (or he’d have to have lots more skills I guess).

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 17, 2010 at 11:45 AM

is it me or does alonzo gee play similarly to mickael pietrus?

Comment from dlts20
Time March 17, 2010 at 12:24 PM

fusion, lol. Thats funny & true but I really just meant for Blatche. I think it bodes well for him for the future which will help us

Comment from dlts20
Time March 17, 2010 at 12:30 PM

I just saw an article that said we could have some interest in Al Harrington next year. I responded this way on that board:

I just wanted to say that I hope this is false because I dont want anymore of these black hole chuckers on our team, skilled or not. I got sick of AJ and he’s even worst than AJ. Thats also how I feel about Bosh but atleast you could justify that somewhat. Then you can like times all that by 10 when you consider us being the Wiz because guys like that think that our team is so bad that they get a green light and try to average 30.

I love the way Howard played for us but I started to get that sense about him too, that he was just trying to come here and throw up shots since he felt he was Lebron on a bad team. Now even scrubs like Ross come in the game gunning because of that. I already know what Harrington would do even with Gil back and maybe another piece. Give me Thorton any day over that. We dont need the both of them. Please dont do it. I was so sick when alot of people on here use to want Hughes back so much and this would just make me go insane

Comment from millie mill
Time March 17, 2010 at 1:11 PM

I think Al Harrington would be a good player for us if he comes off the bench. I would not like him starting over Blatche.

Some people on this blog suggested that the Wizards go after Chris Bosh. I don’t think he would want to play here nor do I want him playing over Blatche. Same goes for Carlos Boozer and Amar’e Stoudemire.

There is not a PF I would go after to start over Blatche. I think we should ride this ship and see where it goes.

All other positions we need good players PG, SGx2 SF, backup PF, Center.
Both the guys we got from Minnesota are horrible. No wonder they traded them for a draft pick and scrubs.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 17, 2010 at 3:22 PM

Al Harrington is not a particularly good player. On the other hand, you seem to think that Andray is the best 4 in the league. You sure about that?

Comment from millie mill
Time March 17, 2010 at 3:37 PM

I wouldn’t say he is the best 4 in the game, but he is showing flashes at 23 that he can be good. Putting someone else in front of him is going to set him back.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 17, 2010 at 4:02 PM

True enough. I guess everything depends on our strategy for the off-season.

Anything is possible and none of us knows what’s likely — heck, Andray would be a great piece in a trade for that matter, because of his bargain contract for his expected productivity. E.g. if we were doing a sign-and-trade for a big name.

Not suggesting it, just pointing out the flexibilities…

Comment from millie mill
Time March 17, 2010 at 4:44 PM

In this free agency, outside of Lebron, Wade and Joe Johnson the next wave of top players are Power Forwards.

There are a lot of PF’s here are a few.

Chris Bosh
Carlos Boozer
Amar’e Stoudemire
David Lee
Dirk Nowitzki (ETO)
Kenyon Martin (ETO)

No other big names stand out to me except your mid-thirty players. Ray Allen, Paul Peirce, Brad Miller, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Shaquille O’Neal, Marcus Camby, Manu Ginobili. Most of these players will either retire or will be on the decline.

Most of the RESTRICTED free agents will stay with there teams like.
Ronnie Brewer, Luis Scola, Carl Landry (T), Anthony Morrow, Rudy Gay

Unless I’m over looking someone, there isn’t much out there. I would be surprised if we get any of the top 10 free agents. I would welcome Brendan Haywood back.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 17, 2010 at 4:51 PM

Dlts20, The wiz are my favorite team, but AB is not the most exciting 4 in the league. Carmelo is more exciting, and definitely Durant is more exciting, just for starters. I will give him his props, but one has to admire the way Mello will shoot it from the outside, and in crunch time”bull-dozer” his way to the rim. AND Kevin Durant….need I say more, even though he may be playing the 3, can’t really tell, but I think he is taller than Green.

Whoever gets to pick players starting this summer, may be under a lot of pressure, but they will be the name you hear saying, credit goes to xxxxx for putting this team together…(but they better get Tap out of the picture first….lol..)

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 17, 2010 at 4:58 PM

Congrats to Michael Jordon, he’s now officially the Bobcats new owner.

16 more games to go….and some if not most of these players will never wear a wizards uniform again…

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 17, 2010 at 5:06 PM

Build your own 2010/2011 Washington Wizards NBA TEAM
Outdated:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-09-10

Up-to-date
http://www.sportscity.com/nba/2010-nba-free-agents

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 17, 2010 at 5:10 PM

Miami has 8 unrestricted free agents….you KNOW they are getting a big name, if not two down there with Wade…

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 17, 2010 at 6:00 PM

Miami can sign Wade and 2 other max contracts. Will they score big? They’ll sure try to.

Hey that sportscity article lists Marcus “Laundry” as unrestricted — but I think he’s washed up!! LOL

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 17, 2010 at 6:28 PM

LOL….Tom has a sense of humor?????

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 17, 2010 at 6:44 PM

Who wouldn’t I be surprised to see us try to sign among the unrestricted? Lets see:

Tony Allen — will come cheap. Not a complete bum.
Sheldon Williams — low price, solid citizen, not very good (note: he was taken 3d or 4th in the draft!)
Raymond Felton — we need a “veteran” point guard
Hakim Warrick — a backup 3. If we get a starter at 3 we probably wouldn’t need him.
Nazr Mohammed — better than Fab. Might retire, however.
Brendan Haywood — I can’t imagine we won’t be in the hunt for him!
Kwame Brown — just joking…
Drew Gooden — he’s very productive and still in his 20s. I love his game, always have.
Steve Blake — see under “veteran point guard”
Udonis Haslem — he’s a pretty good player, underrated
Luke Ridnour — might be the best of the ‘veteran point guard’ crop.
Sergio Rodriguez — another BUPG (actually, looked again — he’s restricted)
JR Giddens — cheap, has potential as backup 2, wch we need
David Lee — I sure hope so. I wanted him *bad* last summer!
Louis Amundson — cheap, productive back up front court guy
Amare Stoudemire — but I think he stays in Phoenix…
Marcus Camby — one of the most under-rated players in the game. Great model for JM.
Keith Bogans — Very adequate backup 2. Strong defender (better player than Roger Mason)
Amir Johnson — cheap, good back up for Andray (picked out of high school in round 2 of the ‘05 draft. Just like AB!)
Javaris Crittenton — oh boy did he cost himself some money this year!! He’ll come at minimum salary, has good size and strength at the point, and he can defend.
Shaun Livingston — assuming he gets through the season w/ no trouble, he seems like a low risk option.

No one on that list except maybe Stoudemire who is central to a turnaround package here.

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 17, 2010 at 6:51 PM

didn’t Drew Gooden elected to seek a buy out of his contract with the Wizards?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 17, 2010 at 7:56 PM

yep and javaris is still a work in progress, no thanks

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 17, 2010 at 7:57 PM

serge ibaka/okc is a nightmare for opposing teams….

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 17, 2010 at 8:04 PM

Cleveland struggling against lesser teams, they won’t go far if they’re big men don’t get back….

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 17, 2010 at 8:08 PM

pacers firing up AJ on d, and they are purposely going after him….i think he has on lebron tennis shoes now…lol….

Comment from neal
Time March 17, 2010 at 9:02 PM

PF is a position where I think we are solid – with Blatche and Singleton coming back (probably). I don’t think we ought to be thinking about FA’s there. And not SF either since it sounds like Howard is coming back. He and Thornton are a good pair. If we don’t get both Arenas and Livingston back (probable), then we badly need help at PG. And unless Young is reborn we badly need help at SG. And we badly need help at C, where we have only McGee.

Tom, what positions do your top four draft picks play?

Are you guys really interested in trying to get Rubberband Man played when McGee comes in at Verizon Center? I would pursue it but only if I can do it in the name of all us bloggers.

Comment from gray16
Time March 17, 2010 at 9:18 PM

pgs that could fall to the 30th pick are:

kalin lucas (the best pass first pg in the draft imo, unless he drops out and returns to mich. state)

sherron collins

willie warren

greivis vasquez (a combo guard)

out of those guys i’d love to see the wiz get kalin lucas or collins

i’m still wondering what good free agents the wiz will have a shot at this offseason. people say names like bosh and david lee but when’s the last time washington attracted a good free agent? gilbert came here on a coin toss, hughes was bad when he first came here and only had one great year here. guess the wiz would have to get lucky and get a rising player again like they did with gil, unless their luck turns around.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 17, 2010 at 9:26 PM

Yes, Ibaka is having an extremely strong rookie season. He’s a big part of why OKC is so improved.

neal — the consensus top four at this point are Wall (point guard), Turner (SG), Cousins (PF/C) and Favors (PF/C). Wall is all-world potential but young. Cousins may not have the right attitude and habits. Turner is thought of as the most ready to contribute: he’s a Junior, whereas the other 3 are Freshmen.

Right now, we’re penciled in at #5, and DraftExpress has us picking Al-Farouq Aminu. Why he is likely to be an outstanding NBA player I have no idea. He looks like an undersized 4 to me. Very athletic but not very skilled. On the other hand, he’s 19.

The next two guys projected are Cole Aldrich and Ed Davis, neither of whom look like outstanding NBA players to me. At #8 is Wesley Johnson, and if he can play the 2-3 he looks like a dynamite player. Right now, at 6′7″ / 195, he plays the 4 for Syracuse. No future for him at that spot in the NBA! But he could be a very good 3. On the other hand, it’s no surprise he’s more accomplished than Aminu — he is 3 years older than him!

In other words… who knows about these guys? Any of them.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 17, 2010 at 9:39 PM

gray16 — I’d rather have pick 31 than pick 30. No guaranteed money required. But… 30 is what we have.

DraftExpress projects Warren and Lucas gone by the time we pick. Sherron Collins is tiny and doesn’t have great college numbers.

Vasquez is down-graded by lots of people because he lacks athleticism and his ability to defend in the NBA is questionable. On the other hand, he has had a very very effective season. DraftExpress projects him to stay on the board until the 48th pick. I don’t think anyone is going to pick him in Round 1. He got almost no interest from teams when he flirted with the draft last year.

I think he’ll be there for us to grab w/ our Round 2 pick if we want him. As to our pick 30, Draftexpress projects us to take Duke’s Kyle Singler. Any thoughts on that?

Comment from neal
Time March 17, 2010 at 9:41 PM

Well, that simplifies things. We take either Wall or Turner.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 17, 2010 at 9:52 PM

ESPN’s Ric Bucher (NBA guru) had a report on which rookies will have the biggest success in the NBA. Scouts, thus far, are only seeing 3 guys with potential to improve where everyone else is almost maxed.

The 3 names are

John Wall (6-4 PG, Kentucky, freshman)
Wes(ley) Johnson (6-7 SF, Syracuse, junior)
Patrick Patterson (6-9 PF, Kentucky, junior)

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 17, 2010 at 9:53 PM

Since I wasn’t that high on Evan Turner last week and I love how the Orangemen play zone defense, I’ll jump on Wes Johnson’s wagon.

Plus, since Johnson isn’t a big time scorer for ‘Cuse, chances are good he’ll be available *near* where the Wiz may be picking.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 17, 2010 at 9:59 PM

There are exactly 99 days till the NBA draft.

Speaking of which, nbadraft.net has these guys right now

1. Nets – John Wall
2. TWolves – Evan Turner (Clippers get Minny’s pick if it is lower than 10th spot; hence top 10 protected)
3. Warriors – Wes Johnson
4. Pacers – Derrick Favors
5. Wizards – DeMarcus Cousins
6. 76ers – Donatas Montiejunas
7. Pistons – Greg Monroe
8. Kings – Xavier Henry
9. Jazz (cuz Knicks unprotected their pick) – Patrick Patterson
10. Clippers – Al-Farouq Aminu

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 17, 2010 at 10:05 PM

neal — Right now Wall and Turner are projected to go 1 – 2 by Draftexpress. We won’t have either of those picks.

If the Warriors go on some kind of a tear (and why would that happen?) we could *conceivably* get the 3d pick, but it’s unlikely. Right now we slide in at 5.

Of course the #$%&@ ping pong balls could screw us up! Or they could give us the #1 pick for that matter!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 17, 2010 at 10:15 PM

Wiz_Fus — Cousins has the physical ability and skills to be a dominant NBA player, most people agree. But most people also question the rest of the package. We’ll see.

As far as draft order and picks, it’s TBD. But DraftExpress is usually a lot closer to reality than nbadraft.net.

Right now, btw, we have the 4th worst record. That might well be where we wind up — before the ping pong balls that is.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 17, 2010 at 10:17 PM

Wes Johnson — right now he looks good to me too. Looking forward to seeing more of him in the tournament.

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 17, 2010 at 10:25 PM

it seems like nba draft express favors big men to go early in their mock draft. they have 4 centers going in the top 10 – which i don’t really see.

wes johnson’s age may hurt him – he’s already 22 and only a junior. all the other guys around his current draft area are mostly 19 year olds.

Comment from gray16
Time March 17, 2010 at 11:17 PM

tom m.- collins is undersized a bit, but so is chris paul aka arguably the best point in the league. a point at 5-11 can still be very good, it’s a matter whether collins really wants to be. collins is like a smaller version of arenas imo, but i don’t know if he has the same drive arenas has to be that good. i wouldn’t mind the wiz drafting him, but i wouldn’t be disappointed for it not to happen either.

wes johnson has a lot of potential, but that’s all he has right now. drafting him is a bigger risk than with others because you don’t what you are getting, only know what he is doing in college.

evan turner however you know what you are getting. i would put him way over johnson at the moment. he has an nba game and will probably have a much easier transition to the next level.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 17, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Tyrone 2000 we traded Gooden and bought out Z.

Comment from gray16
Time March 18, 2010 at 12:42 AM

i never heard what were the restrictions on the pick from sacramento?

i knew it was protected, but what were the restrictions?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 18, 2010 at 7:45 AM

Great question — SportsWiz, can you find that out for us?

Gray16: Wes Johnson transferred, right? And sat out a year? Why do you see only “potential”? He has excellent numbers in college. I do agree that Turner looks like an NBA-ready player.

On the other hand, comparing Collins to Chris Paul makes no sense. Look at CP3’s college numbers — off the charts. He’s the best PG in the NBA, yes, and he may be the best *player* in the NBA altogether.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 18, 2010 at 8:29 AM

Andray Blatche talking about the wrong stuff:

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/03/17/much-improved-blatche-could-head-nba-all-underpaid-team/

He’s right that his contract is a tremendous value; it’s just better — *much better* — not to be the one saying that!

Comment from millie mill
Time March 18, 2010 at 8:30 AM

I agree gray16 I could never find out what the restrictions were either.

Out of the RESTRICTED free agents I think Rudy Gay is the best.

23 years old, 6-8 Small Forward averaging 19.8ppg 5.9rbs 1.9ast. Also he is from Baltimore MD.

Again I don’t think the Wizards have a chance to get any of the big unrestricted free agents, but going after Gay with a big contract maybe too much for Memphis to handle.

The future would be very bright with Rudy Gay and Andray Blatche both only 23 years old. I don’t want to over pay for a guy, but you have to go high or go home. Especially if the Wizards are able to void Gilbert’s contract money won’t be a problem in stealing him away from Memphis.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 18, 2010 at 8:34 AM

In the Post this a.m.

‘Saunders said that helping Blatche develop from a backup into a go-to guy after the all-star break has been “a lot of fun.”

‘Blatche has averaged 24.4 points and 9.5 rebounds in the past 16 games and Saunders said: “That’s something we can hang our hat on. Knowing that we’re going to have Gilbert, we’re going to have draft picks and we’re going to have a lot of cash. We’re going to have the ability to change this team drastically. What we’re trying to do now is see what we have. The decisions we have to make this offseason are as big a decision that we’ve made in a long time.”‘

Comment from gray16
Time March 18, 2010 at 9:05 AM

tom. m- i say this about wes johnson because imo it’s not that he’s consistently showing us a great nba ready game, but he has flashes of brilliance. every once in a while he will make you say ” this guy is going to be a star” and other times there’s not much to say about him.

he’s just not consistently showing he’s a great player imo. imo he’s one of the least nba ready “stars” out of this draft, like i said, i think he’s a bit of a risk. i don’t know if i see him turning into an nba star soon if at all. right now, he’s just another al thornton to me.

as for the collins/paul comparison, i’m not saying he’s that good, i’m just saying small guys are not as big of a risk as you may think. heck don’t just look at paul, look at his “mini me” darren collison, he too is proof that a small pg can still do damage.

a great comparison for collins imo is jameer nelson, as they have very similar games. they are both small, play a scoring point role, and come/came into the league just needing a more consistent jumper.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 18, 2010 at 10:40 AM

Sure, a small point guard can be a great player. Tiny Archibald for one. And see above for my estimation of Chris Paul.

But Collins doesn’t have *near* as good college numbers as Darren Collison — and Collison’s numbers weren’t near as good as Jameer Nelson or Chris Paul.

Collins is not a player in any of those guys’ league. There’s not much about the guy to suggest he’ll be an NBA success. Admittedly, you’re pointing to him as a potential round 2 choice. So… maybe he’d be ok. Doesn’t appeal to me as much as e.g. Kenneth Faried at that spot.

Comment from dlts20
Time March 18, 2010 at 11:47 AM

Flip now seems to be sold on him by those comments from the post and I think he likes the thought of a Gil-Blatche inside/outside duo.

You know what I like about that Fanhouse article though is Blatche’s comments on his game. Its more than him just thinking that he’s underpaid or whatever. If you look at some of his comments, he doesnt feel that no one can mess with him anymore. He feels like he’s unstoppable and will be an All Star next year or close to it and I see that on the floor. He dont have any kind of fear of the elite guys and his game is growing by the game, literally. You can see game by game he is learning more moves and pulling them off easily against top guys

Comment from vitality08
Time March 18, 2010 at 12:05 PM

I agree that Blatche shouldn’t be discussing his contract and if he’s underpaid. In my opinion, up until the all-star break, he was overpaid.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. he took a 5 year, 15 million deal a few years ago to guarantee his time in the league. There was no guarantee he would have gotten the opportunity he has now. Had he signed a one year deal back then, he’d probably be out of the league by now or making league minimum somewhere else.

Comment from neal
Time March 18, 2010 at 1:55 PM

It’s good that Blatche is thinking big. I hope that means he’ll put in a lot of time in the weight room in the off season in order to make it happen.

Comment from gray16
Time March 18, 2010 at 3:20 PM

tom m- to me numbers aren’t everything, ESPECIALLY in college

collins junior numbers are a much better judgement of his game imo, this season he was doing great until his injury and still did decent after that.

like i said i’m not saying he’s going to be a star, but i do think he’s going to be a good nba player.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 18, 2010 at 4:41 PM

Ok, AB has gotten better, but pump the brakes on all this pay me more stuff. Get off the mike and do it on the floor….not just score, throw good passes, go up strong all the time etc……win some playoff games, then start talking more…Geez, i thought the game was played on the court…lol

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 18, 2010 at 6:32 PM

gray16 — in general college numbers translate to nba numbers. All the guys you mentioned liking in the crop of young nba point guards, all of them had very good college numbers.