Wizards Re-Sign Josh Howard
Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed free agent swingman Josh Howard. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.
“We were impressed with Josh’s versatility, how well he fit in with our team and his attitude and work ethic both before and after his unfortunate knee injury,” said Grunfeld. “His experience playing in a winning situation makes him an ideal veteran presence for us as we develop our roster of young talent.”
A former All-Star (2007), Howard holds career averages of 15.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in 435 games (371 starts) over seven professional seasons in Dallas and Washington, including career highs of 19.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists during the 2007-08 season. He was originally acquired by the Mavericks in the first round (29th pick) of the 2003 Draft, and later appeared in 62 career playoff games (57 starts) for Dallas, with averages of 15.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in postseason play. Howard averaged 16.7 points and 7.4 rebounds in 23 playoff games (all starts) for the Mavericks during their run to the 2006 NBA Finals.
Howard initially joined the Wizards via trade from Dallas on February 13, 2010, and appeared in four games (three starts) for Washington last season. In his first three contests as a Wizard, he averaged 17.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game before a knee injury on February 22nd vs. Chicago caused him to miss the final 28 games of the season.
Posted: July 30th, 2010 under Josh Howard, Wizards.
Comments
Comment from dlts20
Time July 30, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Yi has been average at best but he obviously has some talent. Before the AJ trade, you couldve said bad things about Dray. I think Yi could do good on our team with other scorers around him to leave him open and a guy like Wall who pushes the rock. He’s been on teams that moreso want to bang and stay halfcourt while not having other scorers. On the flip side, if it doesnt work then he’s gone at the end of the season so I think its good and he could do well. Its not like he was 27 and still playing that way. However, I am very interested in seeing if Seraphin can be a strong defensive player & rebounder right off the bat. That would be great
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 30, 2010 at 2:08 PM
Wiz are still considering bringing back James Singleton. Fabricio Oberto remains another frontcourt option, but Wiz want young guys to play
Comment from millie mill
Time July 30, 2010 at 2:16 PM
Washington Wizards Depth Chart as of now:
Point Guard: John Wall – Kirk Hinrich
Shooting Guard: Gilbert Arenas – Nick Young
Small Forward: Al Thornton – Josh Howard
Power Forward: Andray Blatche – Yi Jianlian – Trevor Booker
Center: JaVale McGee – Kevin Seraphin – Hilton Armstrong
Which position do we need to add a player?
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time July 30, 2010 at 2:44 PM
still like Singleton and i don’t much care for FAB but he is a smart big man can’t hurt to let him teach some of the young guys
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time July 30, 2010 at 3:08 PM
I like that team millie mill. I think that once he’s ready to go 100%, Josh will replace Al at the 3-spot as the starter. I believe that the addition of Josh Howard gives the Wizards a much stronger team whether he comes off the bench or starts.
I, too, hope that we sign Singleton.
Comment from millie mill
Time July 30, 2010 at 3:22 PM
I don’t think we need Singleton. I like him but we have two guys that will probalay bring it just like Singleton. (Booker and Seraphin)
I don’t trust Josh Howard’s injuries. I think we still need to work out a deal for Roger Mason Jr. He can play both SG and SF.
Comment from dlts20
Time July 30, 2010 at 3:47 PM
No way we bring Singelton back. I love him but I always feel that if you arent a title team then you should give the minutes to the young guys and Leonsis is finally bringing that attituted to the Wiz. Thats why I dont see us bring James back. I think he’d rather see what Yi has and give those minutes to the rooks
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2010 at 4:16 PM
On the Howard deal, from the WashPost:
“two league sources said the base of the contract is closer to $3 million, with performance-based incentives adding an additional $750,000 or so”
If he plays from the beginning of the season, it’s a good deal. If he plays from February to mid-April, it’s sort of like paying $7m for a one-season signing. Doesn’t thrill me; isn’t going to help as much as you think. He’s also a good candidate to get injured again (hope not). But we’ll see how it works out…
However the signing does mean: “In order to sign Howard, the Wizards had to renounce the rights to free agent James Singleton, which is merely a formality.”
It’s “merely a formality” unless he signs with someone else! Personally, I’d rather have Singleton than Howard. And “The Wizards remain interested bringing back Singleton”, which is good. I’d be happy to sign JS for a couple of years in fact, at a reasonable rate. I’d like to have his “Bird rights” (the right to sign him cheep cheep? 
). Not that I have a real hold on what that means!
“the Wizards remain pleased (because) they were able to stay with their plan of signing or trading for players on short-term deals in an effort to find the complementary pieces to surround Wall.”
I do agree with that plan. The thing I like best about the Howard signing is that it is only for one year.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2010 at 4:18 PM
dlts says that Yi has been “average at best.” Average would be a very big jump for Yi. He has not been good *at all.* Can’t see why he’s likely to change — sometimes I think people feel that wishing and hoping and dreaming are ways to make a basketball player better than he is.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2010 at 4:26 PM
The Post also mentions re: Howard that “The downside to the deal is that the first year following a major knee injury is rarely the best one, because players spend so much time regaining confidence in their limbs and trying to adjust to limited lateral quickness.”
Of course this is really going to be coming back from *multiple* injuries. He had not gotten to 100% from the previous injury.
Moreover, Josh peaked in ’06-7, started his decline the following year (no injury) and kept declining (at a quicker rate) in the 2007-8 season, *before* he had the first of his series of injuries.
Worth mentioning that we are only renting his services for $3m — not the $11m he might well be making if he had never been hurt. So the decline in productivity itself is acceptable. You just have to hope he comes back *at all*.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2010 at 4:31 PM
“Gotabig — I thought your response on JaVale was as subjective as Doc’s post.” – Tom M.
‘That’s true Tom. It is also why I stated that up front:
“It is my opinion that neither of those statements is true.”
Yes, fair enough. It’ll be fun to see how JaVale plays this year. Actually, it’s always been entertaining to watch him!
I think we will be fun to watch this year. (But I still don’t think we’ll win a lot of games — and I still don’t care.)
Comment from maggicman11
Time July 30, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Tom- last year Yi averaged 12pts, 7rbs, and 1blk per game. while that is by no means what i consider starter numbers, i cant see how you say “He is not good AT ALL”.. I dont mind having that production coming off the bench. Those ARE about average numbers for a 2nd string PF. maybe slighty better than average. either way, not bad coming off the bench. of course tho, like all of us, i would still like to see him improve in his toughness. Wouldnt be a sight to have seen McGee last year and Yi goin up against each other in practice. pitty pat Bball! lol
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2010 at 4:49 PM
The Thunder waived guard Kyle Weaver today. If we had room for another wing player (he’s 6’6″), he’d be a bargain on the bench, a very good defender and only 24 — I’d like to see if he developed further this year. I’d rather have him than a guy like Mason or Bogans for example.
That said, he’s no difference maker, and we’re probably full up w/ guards anyway.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2010 at 5:00 PM
No, magicman, sorry. Yi’s career FG % as a pro is under 40%. That won’t cut it at the 4. He is also a way below average rebounder for a 4. He also gets to the line less than an average NBA 4.
The reason he averaged 12.7 in 32 minutes last season is because *he took a lot of shots.* You give minutes to a forward who takes a lot of shots and makes 40% of them, you lose a lot of games; your team goes 12-70, which the Nets did. And NJ fans *hated* Yi.
NJ traded him to us for a totally unproductive guy like Quintin Ross, and they are paying most of Yi’s salary. I know they were trying to clear room for LeBron, but all the trade cleared was $3m. You think if he was a good player they couldn’t have made a better deal than that?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2010 at 5:08 PM
Btw, dlts20 and magicman, even though Yi isn’t much of a player it was still quite a good trade for the Wizards.
Why? Because a) he is certainly a better player than Quintin Ross! and b) when he goes at the end of the season, he *clears more cap space* than Quintin Ross).
Having lots of cap space next Summer is a big part of the rebuilding plan. Obviously, that’s also why we’re signing veterans for this season only (e.g. Armstrong, Howard and maybe Singleton).
Comment from maggicman11
Time July 30, 2010 at 5:20 PM
Tom- I think u should post a matrix of what you consider to be a good or “productive” player.. i think only 25% of NBA players would qualify.. most likely the east and west all-star team… Look up the stats for PF’s that come off the bench, and compare to Yi. let me know what u find..
As far as Howard is concerned, He is a much better pick up than singleton. we have a few of players that fit his mold and need to develop the young guys. Howard’s 1 year deal however doesnt make sense. if he is clearly going to miss a good amount of time in the begining why only sign him to one year. Cap space next year doesnt matter if we arent going to use it. We had cap space this year when there were many FA available… what good did it do us?
on another note, I would have liked to see Jeremy Lin geta invite to training camp.. I think he’s gona be a really good PG.
Comment from neal
Time July 30, 2010 at 5:20 PM
millie, I thought Booker would play at the 3, rather than the 4.
I’ve been considering Seraphin as a 4 (rather than a 5) until I heard his standing reach is more than anyone’s except McGee. This guy must really have long arms.
So when Howard joins the team does Booker go to the D League. I would definitely like him to be playing and it would be good to see him play at that level for a while.
Comment from gray16
Time July 30, 2010 at 5:21 PM
nets fans were happy as you know what to see yi go, that should tell you how pleased we should be with him at the moment. of course, things could always change, he’s still very young. it’s all up to him of course…
BUT he won’t see a minute if he doesn’t play well, that’s one thing flip will do, make you play hard or sit. nobody on this team has a reputation yet, (unlike the big three did last year), so this is ALL tryouts for everyone. flip isn’t trying to groom already proven players into an offense and win, he’s trying to figure out what he’s got. so i doubt yi will see any playing time if he isn’t doing something right.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2010 at 5:22 PM
Next Summer, our expected 5 key young core players — Wall, Andray, JaVale, Seraphin and Booker — will cost us only $14m. We’ll also likely still have Hinrich’s $8m salary which will be expiring. And we’ll have Gil’s salary unless we’ve made some kind of trade to move him.
Even if we have both those salaries, we’ll still have plenty of room to cut a new deal with Andray if that’s in the cards, make good use of what will no doubt be high round 1 and round 2 choices, and put the next year squad together around those elements and high-value FAs if we like.
In this important respect, Ernie has done a good job positioning us to rebuild quickly and with good flexibility.
Comment from gray16
Time July 30, 2010 at 5:23 PM
magicman, i think we learned our lesson with gil about signing big contracts to players coming off of big injuries… no need to take a trip down that road again, we all know where it lead last time, tapsquat ring any bells lol.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 30, 2010 at 5:27 PM
Can’t wait for the season to start. Still 3 months to go.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2010 at 5:28 PM
magicman — I really like Jeremy Lin too. But a camp invite wouldn’t have done it. The Warriors actually signed him to a contract for this year (not fully guaranteed, but still… real $$ to play NBA ball). He’s a home-town kid in the Bay Area, and it’s the *perfect* place for him. I hope he sticks w/ the Warriors and turns into an excellent point guard.
Also — would it help if I posted what the numbers are for an *average* 4 in the league? I.e. what FG%, how many rebounds, steals, TOs, etc.? Then you can compare them to Yi’s numbers yourself — maybe you’ll agree with my description in that case.
I’ll put them up in my next post.
Comment from Arthritic
Time July 30, 2010 at 6:01 PM
my prediction for this season…
we’ll be somewhere in between the 7th-10th positions in the east.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 30, 2010 at 7:01 PM
Yi is not a good player straight up.
Not many players shoot under 40% in the NBA, especially not a 7-footer. Also, Yi’s age is debatable. Read the wikipedia page on him if you care to. If he turns out ok after this season then why not sign him, if he plays the same, it’s clearing cap space.
Comment from tyrone2000
Time July 30, 2010 at 7:48 PM
Not convinced that we have a starting center on the roster. Adding Singleton would help this team compete and Shaq could bring home the trophy…IMO…the spark was there…McGee is not ready…
Comment from JWALL
Time July 30, 2010 at 8:12 PM
here is a nice article from Hoopsworld to check out concerning the Wizards prospects for next season:
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16950
Comment from gray16
Time July 30, 2010 at 8:25 PM
adding shaq could bring home the trophy? if only tyrone, if only.
cavs had lebron and shaq and didn’t get out of the second round, i doubt the wiz with shaq will bring home anything.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time July 30, 2010 at 9:22 PM
JWALL, thanks to the link to HoopsWorld. The Wizards article by Stephen Brotherston is well done. It looks as though he did his research, and he might have taken a look at this blog. Many of our bloggers share his view. I am, of course, more optimistic (just ask Tom M.) and still feel that the Wizards will not only be exciting but playoff-bound.
I can’t believe that Shaq would become a Wizard. He wants another ring, not $ and I’m sure that he doesn’t think that he can get the ring with the Wizards. I also can’t see EG signing Shaq and taking development minutes away from a young guy.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 30, 2010 at 9:52 PM
Millie Mil, i got that thing about singleton from Michael Lee.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2010 at 10:45 PM
Hey, “the playoffs” is not a brass ring I want to chase. A title is what I want. Obviously, no title without making the playoffs first, but we’re not contenders to win it all this year so I don’t care.
The only way we’re strong at *any position* is via hopes, dreams and wishes:
1. We have a rookie point guard. We all hope and dream that he’ll be a star, and we wish he already was one.
2. We have a veteran shooting guard who is coming off multiple injuries and has been a point guard his whole career anyway. We all hope and dream that he’ll be the player he was in ’06-07 (but at a different position.
3. We have an injured starting SF; we all hope and dream that he’ll be ready to play by… when? And we hope and dream that he’ll be back to the player he was 3 years ago when he was 27 and had never been injured (now he’s 30 and coming off multiple injuries).
4. We have a starting PF who has a broken toe and has had flashes — but only flashes — of terrific performance but is an enigma. We all hope and dream that this will be his year!
5. We have a young, raw and very athletic Center. We hope and dream he is actually going to be a substantially different basketball player this year — without losing the things he can already do.
And then there are our backups. A reliable 3d guard who can play the 1 and the 2. Beyond that, it’s 2 unproven rookies (we hope and dream they’ll be terrific) and 4 proven non-entities (we hope and dream they’ll become better players by some miracle).
If we acquire another veteran wing player, it’s likely a minimum salary guy to hope and dream about, not a proven contributor. If we sign Hamady, it’s another raw rookie and more hopes and dreams. If Hudson or Martin emerge from camp, it’s D League players to hope and dream about.
That’s where we’re at. That’s the 2010-11 Washington Wizards. A team at the beginning of a rebuilding process. We hope and dream it’ll be successful!
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:03 PM
Great Article JWall.. Thank you.
And thank you too Mr. Pessimism for your most optomistic views regarding next season LOL. You are certainly a ray of sunshine
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:12 PM
I acutally like the team as it stands:
Pg… Wall, Hudson (?), Arenas
Sg…Arenas, Heinrich, Nick
Sf… Thornton, Booker, Howard, Martin (?)
Pf…Andre, Seraphin, Yi
C…JaVale, Seraphin, Armstrong
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:13 PM
LOL Tom keep keeping us honest
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:17 PM
Jerome Randle Signs In Turkey With Aliaga
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:24 PM
I know you guys like Singleton… I do too, but, he doesn’t bring much scoring. He is a beast on the boards and defensively. I think we are going to need some more scoring from the 3 spot this year. It’s a toss up for me. Cartier scores and defends but doesn’t rebound well. Al defends and rebounds but doesn’t score. I DON’T KNOW? LOL
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:25 PM
James …. not Al… too many thoughts running through my head
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:30 PM
Speaking of Al…. he and Yi are still young guys. Both have the potential. If both get “IT” or a part of “IT” next season we will be a lot better than expected.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:39 PM
One thing we do know so far…Wall turns the ball over a lot, BUT, seems to make every player around him better. He seems to have a great feel for the game at a fast pace and seems to see the floor extremely well. At 19? WOW. I don’t care if he gets 10 turnovers a game (well actually I do but lol) if he dishes out 20 assists… stops the other teams pg (which he seems to like to do)… and controls the flow of the game (which seems to be his number 1 best asset)…. We are going to be an exciting team. This kid is going to make a difference.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:48 PM
“mean streak” defensive team: Wall, Heinrich, Booker, Seraphin, ?….. Wes? Oh so close
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:55 PM
Oh and can’t forget Kevin Palmer is now in the mix
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 30, 2010 at 11:56 PM
Football next week LOL.. we are getting closer
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2010 at 12:04 AM
if any of you guys are racing fans… a kid I raced with for 5 years in Pa is in the ARCA race at Pocano Saturday at 3pm on Speedtv. His name is Kyle Martel and he drives the #43 car… usually black (don’t know the color scheme for this race). He qualified 19th. It’s a family race team with his Dad as owner and crew chief. Low budget operation but the kid can wheel a race car. He has finished well there in the past. I wish him the best tomorrow.
Comment from Babakism
Time July 31, 2010 at 1:05 AM
Do we really have to start Javale at center??? why not start andray at center
PF- Thorton
SF- Howard
SG-Arenas
PG-Wall
I still want us to sign james singleton. He should be the Backup Center if Javale is the starting center which he will be because my scenario of starting blatche there is kinda crazy lol
Comment from gray16
Time July 31, 2010 at 1:13 AM
that’s how i feel as well tom. you always say name a team worse than us, but at this point i don’t think we can say we are the worst team.
what i feel we are is the most questionable team in the league. so many ifs, it’s just crazy. so we could be very good, very bad, or decent all with room to improve. either way, we have room to improve, so there’s always a silver lining.
like you said though, let’s hope for the best in all cases.
Comment from Jaba
Time July 31, 2010 at 2:33 AM
I think signing Singleton to a short term contract would be a good move if we get the chance to do so. He would definitly be a nice insurance off the bench, since we all don’t know what kind of players Seraphin and Booker will be. (Lots of hoping and dreaming right there!) I reckon if both rookies do well, Singleton won’t see too many minutes. But in case both (or one of them) develop slowly or turn out to be busts, Singleton can step in and at least keep us respectable. The guy also has a great attitude which hopefully will rub off on our young players. He brings a lot of energy and toughness to our team, he plays D and is a good rebounder. (remember his 21 rebounds in a game last season). The Wiz were fun to watch with him playing, even when they didn’t win. So yes, I’m all for bringing him back!
Comment from datonypony
Time July 31, 2010 at 4:10 AM
Seraphins signing is official I think.
Comment from Jaba
Time July 31, 2010 at 6:46 AM
Yes it is.
http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/30/wizards.seraphin.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2
Have we also inked Booker? I think we have, but I’m not sure.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2010 at 7:51 AM
Yes, Booker is under contract. See http://hoopshype.com/salaries/washington.htm for a complete list w/ salaries (doesn’t yet include the numbers for Josh Howard).
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2010 at 7:57 AM
Singleton as a backup *Center*?? He’s a 3 who sometimes can get away w/ playing the 4.
That said, I like him a lot, especially if we get him for a veteran minimum salary. He had an *excellent* season in ’08-9 and was pretty good for us last year too. FG% is really the only thing that seems to go up and down year by year.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2010 at 8:03 AM
Grifonracing — are Yi and Al young guys? Well, for sure Al is not. He’s 27. He isn’t going to be a better basketball player, and he is not known for his work ethic (not suggesting he’s lazy).
Yi is listed as 22, but a lot of people think that’s false. Draftexpress lists him as born in ’84 and turning 26 in October. More important, Yi is *not* a good player, full stop. Better than Quintin Ross, yes. But a good player with upside? No way.
Comment from tyrone2000
Time July 31, 2010 at 9:31 AM
The will not be “very bad” the very least that I see is a competitive average team. They can be a very good running team but need that anchor to play against those teams that just will not allow them to play that way. Shaq did not fit with Cleveland because they had too many around the basket offensive players. Yi and Blatche would benefit tremendously.
Armstrong, IMO, when I saw him play, he looked like the 5th player on the floor cause you need 5 out there. Maybe he has a game…I don’t know…Anyone see this guy play over an extended period?
Comment from tyrone2000
Time July 31, 2010 at 9:32 AM
The Wizard will not be “very bad” the very least that I see is a competitive average team. They can be a very good running team but need that anchor to play against those teams that just will not allow them to play that way. Shaq did not fit with Cleveland because they had too many around the basket offensive players. Yi and Blatche would benefit tremendously.
Armstrong, IMO, when I saw him play, he looked like the 5th player on the floor cause you need 5 out there. Maybe he has a game…I don’t know…Anyone see this guy play over an extended period?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 9:39 AM
IMO Tyrone2000 has been making some very good comments lately. Not to say that his other posts are not good…lol….but the recent posts have been on point.
The only thing that I want to know is why are we still looking at players that were on our roster last year? It’s not like we were only a point guard away from the promised land.
Just a few months away now….
Comment from gray16
Time July 31, 2010 at 9:54 AM
tyrone, i don’t think we will very bad either, but it’s definitely not out of the question. last season we thought we would win 45+ games, but we saw how that turned out. if someone had told us the amount of games we won before the season started, we would’ve never believed them.
and with so many question marks, this season is anything but a certainty. wall could flop, blatche could revert, mcgee could never learn, arenas could get hurt or find another way to miss a season, howard could get hurt, all of these are things that could happen. of course i hope none of them happen, but if last season taught me anything it’s that never count them out, just hope for the best.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 10:01 AM
If HA couldn’t do anything with CP3 at the helm, what more can you ask for? I mean really, lets call it what it is. There’s no sugar-coating his skills. There was no reason to go out and sign him, like he was some sort of commodity or WE deserved to give him a second chance. That was just a bad signing. That could have been done on the day before training camp….or could have gotten an undrafted big for cheaper to round out the bench or invited someone to training camp….oh well, it’s done but wow…lol….
Is shannon brown a three?
Comment from tyrone2000
Time July 31, 2010 at 10:40 AM
“HA couldn’t do anything with CP3 at the helm”
Wow, that says a lot to me…A big playing with CP3 couldn’t avg 5 points or even get 2 offensive rebounds a game? Maybe it’s his attitude? Maybe it is his ability to keep the floor balanced with CP3? Is it potential? Is he a monster defensive player? Singleton or Oberto probably would fill what ever role he’ll bring. I guess everyone deserves a shot…
Comment from doclinkin
Time July 31, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Here’s the thing about Yi and Hilton Armstrong. Neither one has proven to be particularly great. But that’s why they were available. Neither one is locked in long-term, both are young enough to have some potential to surprise. And each suits the team concept and system.
This team is not committing to long-term salary, especially given the question marks surrounding the league’s expiring contract with the Union. If there’ll be a strike or a lock-out (or a work stoppage of any sort) is unknown, but what is certain is that the economic structure of the league is bound to change.
This team is committing no new long-term big ticket dollars while it is rebuilding, and it is waiting to commit to serious restructuring until we see what the new rules are. The formation of the Me-ami Trio (for instance) doesn’t change that.
(If anything it emphasizes it, though for me I get the urge to attack a bully. I’m willing to say ‘rebuild-rebuild’ all year long, but when I see a swollen sack of self-importance like MeBron, I’m thinking ‘Okay, let’s stick in rebuild mode, and still win THOSE four games…’).
So for now, we add short term contracts on cheap deals; while trying to add players that fit the system so that players who are here long term will get used to the concepts. You have to ink 13 players by league rules. You can’t run entirely with youth, it helps to have professional attitudes who contribute to smooth offcourt practices etc. Both Hilton and Yi for instance are noted as decent team guys, no extracurricular distractions, just hard workers.
As for system and potential. Here’s the deal. Flip’s system runs on one concept: to hit a high percentage of shots you take the shot they give you, you take open shots, you work to get high percentage shots.
The shot that every team in the league is willing to give up is the midrange jumper. The long two-pointer. Teams will pack the paint with size to prevent easy dunks and lay-ups, teams will run long defenders out to the perimeter to force 3-pt snipers to put it on the deck instead.
Flip’s system is designed therefore to feast on that mid-range two. IN fact is it’s designed to spring players free for that shot. Almost every player in the league can hit a wide-open jumpshot in rhythm. Flip’s playbook systemizes that rhythm, creates open jumpers. While also opening up space underneath the basket to create room for perimeter players to swoop through and become interior attackers.
A key feature of the system is the mid-range attack of his face-up Bigs. Whether we’re watching KG in Minny or Sheed in DET you often see his finesse forward posting at the foul line or out. If the opposing Big follows, you have room under the iron for your real interior attack– your ballhandling guards– to duck their head and drive to the hoop. Starbury, Mr Big Shot Billups, etc.
If the defender decides to stick in the paint, you have to be able to make him pay. A big who can consistently stick that midrange shot — when wide open at least– and is not shy to try the shot, well that guy becomes an asset.
League-wide average for the long-two is under 40%. Both Hilton and Yi have hit above 40% on this shot at least one year in their careers. Both take this shot regularly, especially compared to other PF/C’s in the league. Heck, Dray Blatche hit less than 40% out here last year, and we generally like him on our squad.
I have no doubt Flip can find a role for these two in the offensive system for now. In the long-term they may end up only as placeholders for the next guy, but they may experience sudden renaissance in a system designed to reward the one thing that they do at an average or better rate. Never know.
Basically: No complaints here, since there are no great expectations. We need 13 live bodies, cheap, short term, and if one or two pans out long-term then great, we got a steal.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:03 AM
This team is making a bunch of excuses. Pay now or pay later, you’re still going to pay. This team has JWall and Seraphin and Booker on the books POSSIBLY until 2015….so much for not signing anyone to long-term salaries.
Comment from gray16
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:07 AM
doclin, very informative post, thanks. that 40% shooting doesn’t look as bad when you put it that way lol, if yi adapts to the system it could fit him well. still have to worry about his defense and other things, but like you said, if he can stick that midrange jumper (which i have even heard net’s fans say that, just that he shoots too much of them), that will help out.
basically, if the system is built in a manner that accommodates his abilities well, he will look better than he ever did.
Comment from gray16
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:10 AM
dcbutler, i think what they are thinking is why sign a 28+ year old for 5 years and a lot of money when j wall, booker, and seraphin won’t even be entering their primes until the end of that contract?… seems like wasted money when instead you could be getting and trying out younger players that will still have fresh legs in 5 years. that’s how i see it anyway.
Comment from doclinkin
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Rookie contracts from productive players are the best deal in the league. The squad will definitely add contracts before 2015. Now, with no probability of contending, and uncertainty about the coming new structure, it would basically be stupid. Especially when, by reserving your budget, you can essentially trade cap space for draft picks etc.
Watch Seraphin this year, and Kirk, and realize we got them both for ZIPPY, because other teams were capped out and desperate to buy talent. Now imagine the league opts for a hard cap. How much more desperate will teams be to dump $$ then?
Ted’s a smart fellow, he’s been through a lockout before. I’d trust his leadership on this.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:30 AM
I just don’t see why everyone is painting a picture of signing rudy gay or a 28 year old, there were/are other players out there, why keep going after cheap stuff no one else wants and thinking we are going to the playoffs? This team will over-achieve if it makes the playoffs(it will be cool to see, but the reality factor steps in…)
Doc, I agree with the dumping scenario, it’s been brought up before. That’s why we shouldn’t have gotten Yi, from 1mill(ross) on the books to 4mill. When getting Hinrich, we were supposed to go “BOYD”….get a player and draft pick (player is supposed to be for one year, not two(and that leadership stuff, please can it)…(i.e. How Okc did it/does it). Hinrich is a decent vet, but the process was in-correct and when looking at the cap, they aren’t adding six mill to our cap, because they gave us cash…lol….
Ted will do his best to get it straight, i’m sure….There are pros and cons to everything, and we could be here all day pointing out each. THIS YEAR, i will just be a fan and see what transpires. But the wait is over, this team really hasn’t done anything to build on since Caron was signed…
Comment from gray16
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:49 AM
i don’t think the organization is worried about making the playoffs this year, they are just going to see how much they can get out of the young guys. if they make the playoffs, great, if not, what did the wizards lose?
and dc, you keep talking about all these players out there, but haven’t named any… you say this is ernie’s job, but if you don’t know of any, how are you going to say they exist…
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 12:10 PM
If any team in any sport says that they are not worried about winning anything prior to a season starting or working towards higher heights, they shouldn’t expect anyone to come see them. That is definitely a fan talking (I hope no one in mgmt said that)
Are you saying there are no players that could have been signed, besides the ones that we signed (other than Rudy Gay or being 28 years of age or older?????) You don’t access to the internet, tv, or newspaper?? NBA.COM, hoopshype, etc
As I stated earlier, we could go back and forth all day about this. The only part that matters is what Ted and his mgmt decides, and they have chosen the route that they have chosen….
Comment from gray16
Time July 31, 2010 at 12:34 PM
you have access to the same things i have access to, but you make it seem as if i can find these things out and you can’t… name some players, that’s all i’m asking.
and even if you were to name some players, you have to realize that it’s the player’s choice. if a player doesn’t want to come here (which really, a lot of proven role or star players aren’t looking to go to a rebuilding team UNLESS there is some good money involved), then it’s not like the wizards can force it on him.
as far as the winning part, i don’t think the wizards are trying to lose games, and we KNOW flip isn’t trying to lose games. i don’t think that would look too good on his next resume. that’s not what i’m saying.
i’m saying the wizards aren’t going to spend a lot of money just to have success this season, and not worry about the following seasons. no need to blow money this season just to make the playoffs, when you can spend less money, build more for the future, and let guys with more years left prove themselves. it’s the slow and precise road instead of the quick and risky road.
of course, we could always go back to having one of the highest paid rosters and not making it out of the first round again, that should end well.
okc won 20 and 23 games their first two seasons of the rebuilding process. have patience, even they didn’t sign names immediately when they didn’t know what they had…
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Rudy Gay got a max contract from the team he already played on. What are you talking about dcbutler? I mean what in particular?
Ted made the plan clear enough right away; we’re following through on the plan. You think there was some move we could have made this Summer that would have made us a better team over the next several years? If so, *what move?* I would have spent *zero dollars* on high-priced FAs this Summer. You don’t buy stock when the market is at the top.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Did you see any player say No, I am not going to Washington….at this point, this conversation is pointless.
Go look at the free agent board, go look at undrafted players, you can look for yourself. That is why this team hasn’t gotten a quality player since Caron…..and maybe AB will reach that level. If EG and his crew wants me to go point it out, there’s a real problem. And if a fan keeps making excuses for having a sorry team, that’s your perogative….it’s already noon, and I have other things to do, besides going back and forth over something that really doesn’t matter at the end of the day.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 12:56 PM
TomM, YOU keep bringing up Rudy Gay…..get a clue
If a blogger doesn’t agree with the masses why do you all keep ASSUMING?? Geez
Ya’ll can really be a joke sometimes.
Comment from gray16
Time July 31, 2010 at 1:41 PM
again patience please. two years ago i didn’t hear people saying why couldn’t our team just be like the sonics/thunder… now people throw that stuff around so much it’s crazy.
patience, let’s know where we are at before we decide where we are going why don’t we? sound reasonable?
yes it’s an excuse for this team being bad (well on paper, we really don’t know how good this team is until it plays, case and point last season), but it’s whatever.
dc, i know you want this team to win right now, we all do, we all would love to see this team win the championship this season. but we aren’t. let’s just have patience for right now, that’s all i’m saying. i see your patience with ernie and flip has just about ran out, but hang in there lol, let’s just use this year to truly figure out what we got.
Comment from neal
Time July 31, 2010 at 1:59 PM
Thanks for the link to hoopshype, jwall. I think he painted the picture pretty well. I’m more optimistic about Yi and less about Armstrong.
There’s definitely a chance we’ll be in the playoffs this year, but several things have to happen. Following is my opinion of those things and the odds they will happen.
Wall becomes a capable NBA point guard early in the year: 6 in 10
Arenas returns as a top-flight player and meshes well with the team: 5 in 10
Thornton returns as good as his 2nd year: 6 in 10
Blatche continures to develop: 7 in 10
McGee continues to develop: 7 in 10
Now let’s say only 4 of those 5 things needs to happen. Then optimistically our odds are .6 X .6 X .7 X .7 = .18
That seems about right to me.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2010 at 2:23 PM
I am pretty sure we’re going to be a terrific team. Just not this year. Somewhere @ 20 wins this year.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 2:23 PM
Since there seems to be limited resources I’ll lend some of mine:
http://blog.shamsports.com/2010/07/best-of-whats-left.html
stopped short of including players who would have starred on this list five years ago, who continue to ply their trades elsewhere. This meant no Jelani McCoy, no Rodney Buford, no Keith McLeod, and no Dan Dickau. I could have opened it up to include more undrafted players; Trevon Hughes, Artsiom Parakhouski, Gavin Edwards, etc. But I didn’t. It had to stop somewhere.
And for those that really have time on their hands, and need to make more excuses:
http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/rosters/rosterview.jsp?teamId=31&sortColumn=position
http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/world/transactions.jsp
DISCLAIMER: If the org didn’t pick young players only, that limit shouldn’t be applied to my resources….finnicky fans…..
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Here’s an interesting article about Josh Howard and his FA off-season:
http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/art_garcia/07/30/howard.summer/?ls=iref:nbahpt1
Did he have other offers? Check this out”
“Most were offering the veteran’s minimum for one year, about $1.3 million. Howard wasn’t insulted… Coming off a knee injury, Howard understood the market just wasn’t there….”
“Reestablishing his career and getting a chance to play significant minutes, plus a bigger payday, made Washington the only choice….” (my emphasis)
Reading carefully, it sounds like we were willing to pay Josh Howard up to three times as much money as anyone else. That sure does make a lot of sense, huh?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 5:12 PM
Thanks tom,
Now I really feel good about out mgmt 
Check out this statement:
“Gil has also been through a lot, and being able to see him in the summertime and see his work ethic, I know he’s coming to play,” Howard said. “Chip on his shoulder or not, I know the man is coming to play. I know I have a chip on my shoulder, too. Two guys like that on the court are going to be hard to stop.”
Now, if they put both bodies together, they may have a set of healthy knees ….lol…
Mad love to EG, for his ride or die negotiating skills…LOL…
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time July 31, 2010 at 5:45 PM
Tom M. – You twice wrote that you thought that Andray Blatche was an enigma (“a person of puzzling or contradictory character: To me he has always been an enigma, one minute completely insensitive, the next moved to tears.” – Dictionary.com)
If I’m correct and you were referring to his basketball prowess rather than his personal character (unless, of course, you do personally know him), then you would have to be referring to a presumed contradiction in his basketball performance. Jamison laid the groundwork for that nonsense by spouting off to the press that Andray didn’t work hard and was therefore inconsistent, while all the while Andray was kicking AJ’s butt in practice (from a very good source). It took AJ about two weeks to level the same BS attack at J.J. Hickson, his competition in Cleveland, after he was traded there.
Like most NBA players, Blatche has his good games and he has his bad games. His performance is not enigmatic; it is fairly consistent and predictable…if he gets significant minutes, he produces significant numbers. As reported in Hoopsworld, once AJ was gone, “…the still very young Blatche got his chance to start again and surprised everyone ( actually not everyone ). In 36 starts, Blatche averaged 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks.” By comparison, Kevin Garnett (the starting Eastern Conference PF in the NBA All-Star game last season) averaged 14.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks. Amare Stoudemire (the starting Western Conference PF in the NBA All-Star game last season) averaged 23.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks. So when Blatche got the minutes he statistically outplayed both All-Star starting PFs in every category except he was 2.3 ppg and .01 blocks per game fewer than Stoudemire. He’s not an enigma, he’s a very good player who has been underutilized until the second half of last season.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 6:37 PM
ROFL….I thought you and tomm were discussing Javale…LOL….
I don’t see where he said that on this page about AB…LOL…Are ya’ll starting to babble on here…ROFL…HURRAY UP BASKETBALL SEASON 
Before we see millie mill or neal take a snipe at somebody (and that NEVER happens) or we see Grif post something at 4pm instead of 4am…LOL….
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2010 at 6:44 PM
I wasn’t trying to diss Andray, Gotabig. And he did play better overall in the games after the trade — especially in the first 8 and the last 4 games. In those, he played absolutely outstanding ball. I was especially happy to see him re-surge at the end, as it meant that he showed the ability to respond to changes in the way he was being defended. I look for him to play well this year.
As to outplaying old man Garnett statistically, not really — but there’s so little point in debating this with you that I’m reluctant to get into it. Suffice it to point out that KG got his 7.2 boards in 29 minutes, while Dray got his 8.3 boards in nearly 40 minutes, ditto for the assists, steals and blocks. That KG shot 52% to Andray’s 48.5%, that KG turned it over 2 times every 40 minutes instead of Andray’s 3.2. Etc.
Of course, Garnett is in the waning years of his career. At Andray’s age he grabbed 14 rebounds every 40 minutes. Andray gets 9.
But it’s unfair to Andray to compare him to a consensus first-ballot hall of famer. I agree he’s a good player.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2010 at 7:17 PM
dcbutler — Gotabig and I do this every month or so! We’re used to it, both of us, and it’s been a long time since either of us got mad at the other about the issue. Probably the reason for that is we both WANT Andray to excel. We just differ about whether he has and/or to what degree he has.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2010 at 7:18 PM
About the Josh Howard deal — we don’t really *know* what the Wizards are paying Josh. It may be less than stated. I don’t mean to suggest that it’s certain we’re paying more than we needed to.
Comment from datonypony
Time July 31, 2010 at 7:27 PM
This is why the season needs to start har har. We seem to have nothing new to talk about.
The game day blogs are what I thrive on anyway, everyone has so much to say on the offseason blogs, I can’t even find anything constructive or new to add sometimes.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time July 31, 2010 at 8:36 PM
Are you implying that we’re getting cabin fever?
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time July 31, 2010 at 8:37 PM
As long as we don’t turn to cannibalism. I never heard anyone say that bloggers taste just like chicken.
Comment from neal
Time July 31, 2010 at 8:40 PM
yes, we are for sure.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time July 31, 2010 at 9:32 PM
hey GABBO don’t count cannibalism out times are hard we might have to take a few bites lol.. now thats just funny..
Comment from datonypony
Time July 31, 2010 at 10:18 PM
Lol, I would so laugh if someone from the Blog declares for the Draft.
Comment from doclinkin
Time July 31, 2010 at 10:42 PM
Doc, I agree with the dumping scenario, it’s been brought up before. That’s why we shouldn’t have gotten Yi, from 1mill(ross) on the books to 4mill.
Actually it’s close to a wash. A 4-million dollar expiring contract at the trade deadline can be the equivalent of 4 mills in cap space. Teams will trade for both since at the end of the year it amounts to the same thing.
That said, we had to add salary and needed back-ups at 3-4-5. Yes, Yi has been sub-mediocre at each position, but by contrast QRoss is both a piss-poor player and is not even versatile at sucking. Since Ross plays a position at which he would (hopefully) never see daylight, he’d be paid for sitting the bench only and we still need 13 useable bodies. Landing Yi saves us the salary of 3 players. That’s a bargain.
That said, consider one thing: additional revenue from outside sources can equate to a team’s flexibility later on. It was the Jordan-Return income that allowed us the cojones to overbid (at the time) for Gilbert.
A team that has a ton of subscribers to online feed and satellite subscriptions can point to advertisers the large bump in viewers, and sell their product at a higher rate. You can trot out the David Stern stat that China has as many people who play basketball on a regular basis as the US has living residents. I can neither prove nor disprove that, but I do know that even though they were a terrible team last year you could always find a feed showing the Nets games on a Chinese language site.
If we also have a good exciting product, then we’ve got a foot in the door to a huge potential market, and kids in China will be snatching up those Arenas/Wall/Blatche jerseys.
When getting Hinrich, we were supposed to go “BOYD”….get a player and draft pick (player is supposed to be for one year, not two(and that leadership stuff, please can it)…(i.e. How Okc did it/does it). Hinrich is a decent vet, but the process was in-correct and when looking at the cap, they aren’t adding six mill to our cap, because they gave us cash…lol….
We got a player and a pick. Not a prospect and a pick but a player. I don’t care much about the leadership aspect of Kirk, what I do care about is somebody exemplifying defense in practice. Challenging both Gil and JWall. You can practice your jumper at 3 in the morning in a gym by yourself, but you can only learn defense by being defended and seeing how it is done when done well.
By your words, we got a “decent vet”– and I’d add a stud prospect– simply by trading the rights to 2nd round Euroscrub Vlad Veremeenko. Seems to me that’s not just a steal, that’s a pillaging.
Though the proof ultimately will be in the performance of K Seraphin, more than Kirk. I’m willing to wait to judge that one. Still, it should say something that the teams rumored as trying to move up to take him were: San Antonio, OKC, Portland, Houston — teams with the best analysis & scouting teams in the league.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:08 PM
LOL DCB… hey I’m a night person
“Quinton Ross is not even versatile at sucking” … Doc.
Rofl !
The same age thing is being said about Seraphin. Nobody really seams to know how old he really is. Who cares
I can’t imagine you watching basketball on a Chineese broadcast Doc. Tom on the other hand probably speaks fluent mandarin (love their oranges by the way).
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:11 PM
we’re really going to have to incorporate a maximum amount of words….it’s like giving a speech….if you talk too long, the emphasis of the speech is lost…lol…
all of that being said and at the end of the day, we’re still three million more towards our cap…LOL…
.Seriously, i’ll go back and read it…lol
Comment from doclinkin
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:11 PM
As for the rest of the free agents. Citing the list of who is still available sorta makes the case against itself. Ain’t crap out there.
As for players who have already signed, this year teams cleared a ton of cap room hoping to land an all-star and when they all fell short teams have had to overpay on free agents desperate to placate fans with devastated hopes — in a rough economy, with no extra ducats for tickets.
There were very few bargains this year. Most players got waaay overpaid. Rudy Gay among them. Shaun Livingston was a bargain, but once we landed the #1 pick there was no way he’d sign with the team.
If we had to fold our hand and lose the ante only, this was the year to do it. I’m okay with that.
But I understand.
No true fan is satisfied with a losing team. And even fans preaching patience root passionately for a win every game. Still get hopes up and hopes crushed. If you’re alright with losing might as well quit the game entirely. No point being dispassionate, since sports ‘fan’ implies fanatic. You’re supposed to lose your perspective and quite possibly your mind for a few hours on game day. If you aren’t righteously pissed when your team loses, well you’re just no fan at all.
So I’m with you my friend. I get that same grinding impatience, restless for those wins to come rolling in. And any team satisfied with treading water doesn’t deserve their fandom. It’s a good idea to stay skeptical and angry until the team rewards your loyalty with their work ethic, effort, performance and ultimately: results. And it’s been a long while since this squad has fully done that.
I’m just saying if we’re shooting large, I want more than a championship, I want a dynasty. This year, the way things lined up, looks like we had no chance of being more than an also-ran. I’m saying I’d be more irritated at the half-moves than I am about a squad who says: I’m sitting this one out. It ain’t time to go all in, yet.
Understood though, recent history is on your side if you come up with an unprintable response whenever you hear the squad say: “trust me”. No: ‘show me’. You’ right.
Comment from doclinkin
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Yeah, understood, I got way too much to say.
Like Mozart said to Emperor Joseph, which notes do you want me to remove?
But I’ll shut up now.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:19 PM
NO MINIMIZING DOC’S POSTS ! Not ONE WORD.
If there is one person here whos opinion I respect and whos humor always makes me laugh it the good Dr. By limiting him I might well miss a joke I’m planning on retelling tomorrow
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:25 PM
Ok, the real appointed/annointed keeper of the blog has spoken (grifon)…..we’re just trying to figure out exactly who/whom appointed him….LOL
Doc, keep t
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:26 PM
continued from last…..
Doc keep typing away
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:27 PM
Keeper of the Blog? I’m so honored. I want to thank all the little people for helping me achieve such a position
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:33 PM
Oh well, we have a few spots still open. Only a few months left and we’ll really be warming up the keyboards
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:37 PM
The “only a few months” part is the part that really sucks
I guess it is kinda like basketball cabin fever.
Oh well football starts next weekend…. kinda
Comment from dcbutler357
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:41 PM
yeah and this thing with haynesworth is getting to be a joke….looks like he may be out of washington???
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:45 PM
I don’t get the Haynesworth thing AT ALL? It CAN’T be the money… I have no idea what that dude’s problem is?
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:46 PM
Hot Plate Albert?
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:48 PM
I think he got too “full of himself” literally and ate like it was Thanksgiving every off season day. For a Pro athelete to act like that is inexcusable.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:50 PM
He leaves a large (pardon the pun), expensive hole for the Redskins to fill if he can’t pass the conditioning tests tomorrow.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2010 at 11:54 PM
Nite DCB… you home yet? If not I hope the nurses are treating you well. Hope you are feeling better.
Nite All
Comment from datonypony
Time August 1, 2010 at 12:27 AM
Here in New Zealand we are crazy about Rugby. Is American Football any good?
Comment from neal
Time August 1, 2010 at 12:37 AM
I am not a “little people”, grifon. Better mince your words till after the trade deadline.
Comment from neal
Time August 1, 2010 at 12:39 AM
You’re still on the bubble.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 10:06 AM
LOL…..Yeah Grif, how did we become “lil people”…LOL….
Datonypony, american football is the worst, I don’t even know why we still have it….LOL….
Grif, I didn’t stay in the hospital. The surgery was in/out. The initial caste was taken off friday. I can start walking in the boot in two weeks and start rehab also. Thanks for asking
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 10:10 AM
LOL…..
Charles Barkley on being misquoted in his autobiography: “That was my fault. I should have read it before it came out.”
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 10:20 AM
FYI
When players are signed to league minimum, they are actually paid more, the league pays the remainder of the salary. Just put your mouse over the players name, in the below link and it will tell you….pretty cool.
http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/wizards.jsp
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 11:25 AM
If you’re living in a glass house, don’t throw stones…lol..
“When you are 60, hang out with 60-year-olds, not 20-year-olds. That is all I got to say about Jerry Buss.” – Shaq.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 1, 2010 at 12:40 PM
doclinkin — you are a very good writer. Write more not less. Good basketball (and basketball business) analyst as well — more of that too, please.
dcbutler — glad to hear you’re making good progress. To avoid re-injury, keep foot out of mouth!!
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 1:30 PM
LOL @Tom,
Being a blogger doesn’t mean you’re a comedian….lol…
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 2:09 PM
Kings hire Cousins’ former coach Hughley as assistant
Hughley has previously served as a college assistant at Wright State, Liberty and Southern. He also has coached for the league’s NBA China program and worked at Pete Newell’s “Big Man Camp”
I would feel better if there was a wizard on the below list….utterly ridiculous(lol…kinda like tom’s remarks sometimes..lol…..)
http://www.petenewellbigmancamp.net/images/2008_Professional_Alumni_List.pdf
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 2:10 PM
Brendan is on the above list, i wonder when he went…to see if it coincided with his development
Comment from tyrone2000
Time August 1, 2010 at 2:28 PM
Brendan always was a very good center… he just never scored big points and the E Thomas thing was a joke cause when the Wizards went to him they started losing more.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 1, 2010 at 2:52 PM
In a quick look over the list, I found 15 ex-Bullets/Wizards.
The Kings hiring Cousins old babysitter, I mean HS coach, struck me as funny. And probably a good idea too.
I’m hoping to see Cousins and Seraphin face off this season.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:00 PM
I wonder why none of the current wiz haven’t partaken? It could only help?
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:08 PM
The significance of the Josh Howard signing is that I believe that the Wizards are not going to “lay down” this year and settle for a lottery pick.
I don’t think you sign a starting calibert small forward, if he’s healthy a very good small forward, if you plan on sucking and giving up this year.
If Josh Howard can play at a top level this year and we get grea performances from Blatche and McGee I think we can be a very good team this year.
Our guards are set and are very good.
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:11 PM
Is Brendan Haywood going to be the career 7 rebound a game player or the 9 rebound a game player from his “contract year”?
That’s the gamble.
I think he is going to go back to the 7 rebound a game player because he does not have any incentives to be better.
Then we can all tell Mark Cuban: SUCKER
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:23 PM
Haywood really wasn’t meant to be a topic of conversation, I just noticed his name on the big man camp list (after glancing again, I saw Etan(who’s really a PF) and Rasheed on there) as tom stated there were approx 15 ex wiz/bullets on the list. The emphasis of the topic is why aren’t our current big men attending.
In regards to Josh, he’s signed so it’s a mute point. If we werent lying down, we sure wouldn’t have signed HA, and signed him so early….ROFL…ALSO, why in the ==== would we sign a player at 4 mil a year when everyone else was offering 2 mil?…since we so conscious about “over-paying”
Draftazoid, i’m used to your responses, so…….lol….
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:24 PM
I would like to sign Shannon Brown for the leftover on the salary cap, I believe $5 million, and then trade him at the trade deadline.
I am sure there would be alot of offer for him then.
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:28 PM
Well for Howard in order to close the deal the Wiz had to go overboard. If the money is close between San Antonio and Washington it would not even be close. The Wizards really wanted him so they had to dish out the dough.
$1.3million to play on a title contender or $3-4million on a team that he can start on if healthy.
I believe that was what Josh was looking at.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Why sign shannon if we have josh? We are slowly putting ourselves out of contention for being able to to take over contracts for other players and getting more draft picks…..
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:32 PM
What happens to the team this year if John Wall plays like an All Star from the very first game?
Would your outlook be different?
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:33 PM
You would sign Shannon to a one year contract. You would trade him for picks at the trade deadline.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:34 PM
My questions don’t begin with Wall. He’s only one player. One player doesn’t win championships.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:36 PM
What are you going to trade for picks? your cap space also determines your trade leverage. Rumor is that the lakers are willing to trade someone now for a pick, we are not even close to a deadline.
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:36 PM
Well, if John Wall is an All Star this year would the Wizards make the playoffs? or would they suck like last year?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:37 PM
If we sign shannon, i would love to do a sign and trade…lol….but that is probably out of the question. Is he under bird rights or anything?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:38 PM
That would remain to be seen…..do you have a crystal ball?…lol…
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 1, 2010 at 3:40 PM
By aquiring a Shannon Brown, you are collecting assets to be able to trade for picks half way through the season.
This aquisition would be for the sole purpose of using Brown as trade bait.
Every playoff contender can use a defensive stopper lilke Brown.
Because we only signed him for this year there is no way he can hurt out cap next year if he gets hurt or just does not play very good. There is almost nothing to lose except for his salary this year that you have to pay him.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 1, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Draftazoid — how would you know what it took to sign JH, or what anyone else offered him or who it was? You have no way to know.
As to Shannon Brown, to make a trade, salaries have to match. We *already have* an asset to trade, namely a TPE. I imagine Brown will get a multi-year deal, which is what every FA wants right now (new CBA coming that will hold salaries down).
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 1, 2010 at 5:37 PM
“John Wall… an All Star from the …first game”
Man, this John Wall mania is starting to bug me. Wall wasn’t drafted first because he played like a college all star *last year* — he didn’t. He was drafted because he is a superlative athlete with terrific intelligence and will, adding up to *outstanding potential.*
He’s also 19 years old. His outstanding potential will take some time to turn into something outstandingly *actual.* I look forward to watching him grow.
We’re going to win 20 games this year — 25 if everything really breaks right. Get used to it.
Comment from gray16
Time August 1, 2010 at 9:15 PM
well, since we are worried about the amount of games we will win, or more specifically lose, what are the problems you see with the team at the moment?
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time August 1, 2010 at 9:16 PM
“We’re going to win 20 games this year — 25 if everything really breaks right. Get used to it.” – Tom M.
So you are saying that the Wizards will win fewer games (at best) in 2010-2011 even with the addition of Wall, Gil (for hopefully a full year), Hinrich, ‘Dray and McGee (with more experience), the return of Josh Howard, Al Thornton for a full year, and the purge of the me/me two????
Come on, my friend. This team is much better than the team that took the court last year (pick your poison, pre or post All-Star game). The attitude difference without AJ, CB and BH will be amazing.
This is a winning team…Get used to it!
Comment from gray16
Time August 1, 2010 at 9:41 PM
gabbo, to be fair, weren’t you saying that last years team would win 50 games?…
you don’t know what you have until they take the court
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 10:03 PM
The thing that I like the best is that Wall be a LEADER on the court. He got in Javale’s face in summer league, and will probably “compel” his team to work harder. If you see a leader going to the rim, it will cause others to follow. That will account for 20 wins by itself. If all of the stars align, this could be the beginning of something and attract some top tier free agents and cause an attitude that’s needed.
So let’s keep it real, we can build through the draft, but we will definitley need some FAs to help us get to the next plateau….
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 10:35 PM
“By aquiring a Shannon Brown, you are collecting assets to be able to trade for picks half way through the season.” –Draftazoid
ROFL….I get it now, your avatar (stewie/stouie/however you spell his name) is the one blogging, not a real person…LOL…
If shannon brown was all that, he would’ve been picked up already….LOL…AMAZING….if nothing else, draftazoid will provide plenty of laughs this year
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time August 1, 2010 at 10:58 PM
gray16 – you are right. But who would have figured contention between Arenas and Butler; suspension of Arenas; trade of Jamison, Butler, Haywood and Stevenson?
I maintain that the current team is a serious playoff contender.
Comment from neal
Time August 1, 2010 at 11:03 PM
Here we go again, Tom. I will bet you a virtual cup of coffee that the Wiz win closer to 33 games than 25. And I think the odds are 1 in 5 that the Wiz will be in the playoffs. Not bad for a rebuilding team.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 1, 2010 at 11:52 PM
Okay, what other teams in the east are playoff bound
Boston, Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, milwaukee, chicago, charlotte
So, not necessarily in that order, but these teams will more than likely make the playoffs. so that leaves that eighth spot open for the wiz? New Jersey and Philly should be better this year also. So for us to make the playoffs, we better have it together…..
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 2, 2010 at 2:19 AM
Here ya Go DCB… a nuther late nighter.. LOL
Playoffs maybe not, but, we are going to be fun to watch next season. I predict a little higher than Tom does, but then, every season that’s true
We have 12 players under contract for next year… Gilbert, Kirk, John, Yi, Josh, Andre, Al, Nick, JaVale, Kevin, Trevor, and Hilton. We still have either moves to make or training camp to start. Who are the other 2 guys going to be? (I’m still guessing no #15… for flexability in trades.. Unless somebody “really” stands out). Hudson as a back up combo that has had a quadruple double…. Cartier that has been a …. Who? until summer league when he showed us his defense as well as his offense at a position we covet…. Hamady who is certainly raw, but, won defensive player in the big east for a reason and certainly has atheleticsm. Kevin Palmer Blow up in training camp???…. still going to be interesting.. Once IT gets here LOL
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 2, 2010 at 2:23 AM
Oh forgot to put this in the above:
Tom didn’t you say the salary cap was at 58mil? I think I remember that correctly. If so we are in good shape. We are at 50 mil without Josh. Given the upper end of 3 mil that brings us to 53mil. 5 mil under the salary cap and WELL Under the Luxury tax. Bunch of years since we have had the bull by the horns
Comment from Babakism
Time August 2, 2010 at 4:17 AM
@Tom
James singleton is a PF 6-8 230 pounds
He has the speed to play small forward defensively but lacks the offensive skill set to play SF on offense
As a center he is a couple of inches undersized but has enough muscle and strength coupled with his heart and desire to play Defense that allow him to compete as a center off of the bench
He averaged 14 rebounds per 48 minutes last year as well as 2 blocks per 48 minutes.
He’s a better center than Michael (throw the ball to maurice peterson) Ruffin ever was and is deffinetly a better center than Hilton Armstrong is or ever will be.
He also fits into our philosophy of having fast big men who can run the court (booker, mcgee, seraphin)
Ben Wallace is 6-9 240
Comment from Babakism
Time August 2, 2010 at 4:35 AM
Wall most likely will not be an All Star this year.
If an All Star is to come from the Bullets this year it will be Gilbert Arenas.
Forget the last part.
Gilbert Arenas will represent the Washington Wizards in the 2011 NBA All Star Game.
Fact of life!!!! Get used to it like your going to get used to us winning more than 20- 25 games if we are lucky.
Tom is using the reverse pychology I don’t wanna jynx things again strategy……. and I am ok with that.
We are an improved team from last year and we will be competative and fun to watch. We will compete for a playoff spot.
Comment from Babakism
Time August 2, 2010 at 5:16 AM
So I decided to do some research to back up my statement about the wizards making the playoffs and to go forth with the formula of who is better than we are and there are only 4 teams in the east better than us. That doesn’t mean we will finish 5th in the east. It just means that there are only 4 teams signifigantly better than us.
Boston
Orlando
Atlanta
Miami
Chicago has barely reached the 40 win plateau the last 2 years. Is there really that much of a gap between Wall and Rose? Carlos Boozer is a nice addition but he doesn’t bring anything Deffensively to the table and while he does score in the paint he is not a true post back to the basket player(much like Amare Stoudamire) and cannot be given the ball with the game on the line. The Bulls gave us Kirk Heinrich so they could sign Kyle Korver??????? how stupid is that. I’d take Heinrich over Korver any day of the week. He can shoot just as well as Korver, plus he is a playmaker who can run an offensive and most of all…….He plays D……..whats so great about chicago???
Charlotte only won a couple more games than Chicago and now they traded Tyson CHandler for Erik Dampier and let their starting point guard leave town…………………………whats so great about Charlotte???
Milwaulkee or however you spell that lol added Corey Maggette and Drew Gooden. Big freakin whoop. They played well last year but so did skiles bulls. There is only so much ridicule you can take from a hothead coach before you cease to repsond.
On a bright note when I was doing my research I decided to go to Clevelands website to look at their roster. When, “Cleveland signs Joey Graham” is your news and your teams webpages big link is “Cleveland Welcomes Ramon Sessions and Ryan Hollins Presser” it’s just SAD………unless your a Bullets fan lol
Comment from gray16
Time August 2, 2010 at 5:58 AM
the thing that seperates the bulls, bucks, and bobcats from the wizards is outstanding defense, which all three have.
that’s what’s so great about all three, and why they are able to compete with any team, especially at home, which is where you need to win a good deal more than 50% of your games.
at this point, all three teams look a good deal better than the wizards.
Comment from JWALL
Time August 2, 2010 at 7:10 AM
I have before and will say it again. It is time for the Wiz to have some good fortune. The past is the past. We are in the NOW! The beginning of the good fortune started when the Pollins turned the franchise over to Ted L. Then the Wiz were able to win the lottery. Then were were able to pick up TB and KS alongwith JWall in the first round.
For a very long time we have posted about needing a enforcer down in the paint. We were able to negotiate to obtain KS alongwith kirk h.
We were able to resign Josh Howard which is a good move in regards to a key veteran player being on the roster once he get’s completely healthy. Josh does not have to rush back that is good fortune because we have some players who will get some minutes at the SF spot including AT, NY, Yi and TB possibly.
So if I believe that we are barking upon more good fortune then I totally disagree with Tom M. prediction of 20 to 25 wins.
I say good fortune will bring us at least 35 or more wins.
I am not so much looking at what all the other teams have done to improve but I am looking at good fortune to help us to at double our wins from last season .
The good fortune for me was that I was able to afford a reasonable season ticket plan this year. For me that is good fortune not just to go to 12 or 15 games of teams I like to see. But now I can watch good fortune unfold for this franchise. I agree with doclinkin I want dynasty not just one championship. Dynasty will certainly be good fortune.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2010 at 7:56 AM
JWALL — congratulations on the season tickets! I am envious, watching from 125 miles away.
Hey, we all *liked* the team that went 9-23 to close the season last year. We enjoyed watching them, they played hard, they gave us a lot to think about. It was fun; it was good.
We didn’t want them to lose, but we didn’t lay a lot of winning expectations on their ragtag shoulders either. That meant that when someone or something looked good, we simply enjoyed it without worrying about “playoffs” or whatever.
We’re rebuilding around youth — lets get into *that* mood and have fun with whatever happens.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2010 at 8:11 AM
In the East, in no particular order, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando and Milwaukee all seem to be locks for the playoffs. Obviously, injuries etc. can change that, but that’s what it looks like right now.
Cleveland still has enough pieces to contend for the 8th spot — and wouldn’t a first round matchup of Cleveland vs. Miami send off some sparks!
New Jersey is an improved team — and they improved towards the end of last season as well. But they could triple their wins and still miss the playoffs, so “improved” doesn’t necessarily mean that much for this season. Indiana could make a run at a bottom playoff berth too.
We won’t be in the picture. But, we’ll compete and play hard in every game and do some surprising things on the way to 20-25 wins.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2010 at 8:15 AM
babakism questions how good Chicago is.
I think they’ll win 50+ games this year. Who do you think is right? Would it be ok, at season’s end, if I point out that it was I who was right?
Comment from Jaba
Time August 2, 2010 at 8:58 AM
One of the keys to how competetive we’ll be next season will be the way Wall and Arenas fit together. This point has been brougt up here and there, but for me this is really one of the major question marks. Both have a similar playing style (with Gil’s being the better shooter), however both are most effective when having the ball in their hands, and this could turn out to be a problem when they’re both sharing the backcourt. I think Hinrich could actually compliment either one better, however it’s hard to envision either Arenas or Wall being happy coming off the bench. It’ll be interesting to see how that’ll work out.
If everything falls into place, there is a good chance that this team will overachieve and surprise a lot of people. However, I can’t recall the last time *everything* fell into place for a Wizards team, so I’m keeping my expectations low and just hope for 25 wins.
As long as we play our butts off in all other games, I’ll be perfectly happy with that.
Comment from JWALL
Time August 2, 2010 at 9:18 AM
Tom I know what you are saying: no old wine in new wineskins.
But isn’t their the slightest possibility in you to believe that the Wiz can overachieve and get the 8th spot.
I think the list of teams you you have listed are are legit contenders. but a couple of them could easily have a lack of chemistry or misfortune rest upon their franchise. There are no automatic locks for all or some those teams. One or two of them will falter in their efforts.
Why because good fortune hangs out with why not the Wiz this time as the turnaround team.
When I say turnaround what I see is a new leader in JWall with a re-embraced Gil and a steady Kirk to go alongwith a much improved AB who really will be the one to stir the spot of good fortune followed by a improving JaVale and a re-energized Al Thornton to go along with some new young help means we are destined to improve and not be worser than we were last year.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2010 at 9:51 AM
JWALL — of course, you are right that there is nothing automatic, nothing guaranteed. Some teams may falter, other teams (especially young ones like the Nets and the Wiz) could take unexpected leaps.
And I agree with the concept of “turnaround” — really *whatever* happens this year, that word already applies.
I can’t think about “better” or “worse” than last year. We are a different team. We have a new owner, a new strategy, 7 new players out of 12 with 1 or 2 more coming, and so forth.
To me, this is *already* “good fortune.” If we keep on this path and work wisely and hard, that’s all we need to become a very good franchise — the kind of franchise that San Antonio is, for example.
Comment from JWALL
Time August 2, 2010 at 10:26 AM
OK Tom I am in agreement with your last post.
So do we need to add Ndiaye to the roster or wait to see who is waived from another team during training camp?
Or do you think we are set?
Comment from doclinkin
Time August 2, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Wall wasn’t drafted first because he played like a college all star *last year* — he didn’t. He was drafted because he is a superlative athlete with terrific intelligence and will, adding up to *outstanding potential.*
He’s also 19 years old. His outstanding potential will take some time to turn into something outstandingly *actual.* I look forward to watching him grow.
We’re going to win 20 games this year — 25 if everything really breaks right. Get used to it.
I doubt the 20 game figure, though I won’t knock self-protective pessimism as a sanity-preserving gesture. Even if it’s clearly a sham-pose, a bone thrown at the hungry gawds of despair in hopes of placating them….
I’d simply say, despite the loss of sometimey allstars Caron and Jamison there are positive signs for probable improvement overall. Consider:
Kirk replaces DeShawn as the backcourt defensive specialist off the bench.
Gilbert Arenas substitutes for Randy Foye as the underheight combo guard.
6’4″ superlative athlete John Wall replaces McNugget-sized Earl Boykins on defense and distributing the ball.
All in a guard-directed offense. Elsewhere, on defense yes we lose Caron and Jamison, whom I will not say a single bad word about. I love those cats.
I will say that for a long time we’ve struggled here with frontcourt tweenerism, where undersized players had to overacheive with hustle to make up for their physical shortcomings. When you have the (measured) 6’5″ Caron defending players like LeBron and Durant, or underweight Jamison battling the Big Monsters on the interior, you have to scramble and fight every second of the game. Somebody collapses or doubles to help. It becomes habit to have to always run out of position to give assistance.
Basically you make more work for yourself. The blanket is too short to cover both shoulders and feet, somebody needs to help, somebody is open somewhere, usually spotting up at the three line.
There’s a reason why teams are always trying to force Caron to 2-guard and Jamison to SF. If you are oversize for the position you make less work for yourself, don’t have to hustle to death just to cover the basics.
I’ll miss ‘em both, miss their effort and attitude. But there’s a suggestion that whatever their statistical output, the effect on the win/loss record might be made up for (by Thronton/Josh/Booker/Yi at SF; and Seraphin/Hilton + increased minutes for 7-foot Andray Blatche at PF) by not having to work so damn hard to defend in the first place.
The point of a zone (requiring long, space clogging players) is that you don’t need the superior effort to make it work. Which preserves your energy for when and where you need it, even late-season.
But defensively there’s no minimizing the loss of Brendan Haywood though. Big fella forced misses helping Jamison’s rebound rate significantly. He patched a ton of holes for us on defense. No doubt. Here we rely on a platoon of raw talents (McGee, Seraphin) and under achievers (Yi, Hilton) to make up the difference.
That said:
Raw data shows a consensus #1 pick tends to be good for ~7-13 games in the win column. Not every year has a consensus #1. But when the professionals (who are very good at what they do) all agree on a player, that player generally has an immediate impact. Guards especially.
John Wall was drafted not on potential alone. He was drafted because he is expected to play as a starting point guard. Immediately. Calm reasonable professionals whose jobs depend on these sorts of things speak about the kid in breathy superlatives, suggesting that he may reasonably displace Gilbert Arenas. Instantly.
Yeah he’s 19 with room to improve. Yeah people are perhaps overzealous on playoff talk (cue Jim Mora). But I haven’t seen pundits this lightheaded and giddy for a long time. And my eyes-on read tends to agree. Kid is good. Already. It’s okay to be excited about that.
Comment from JWALL
Time August 2, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Bleacher Report has the Wizards backcourt ranked number 11 out of 30.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/428153-nba-power-rankings-best-backcourts-in-the-nba
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Oh, I *am* excited about Wall. As I am about Seraphin as well. And pretty ready to like Trevor Booker a lot too.
And yes I do want us to sign N’Diaye — he has such great size, and he is a very *smart* kid. Worth giving him some runway to find out how fast he can move himself forward.
But doc — that Wall was drafted to start right away doesn’t mean he wasn’t drafted on potential, and the enthusiasm about him is forward looking as well.
It’s ok to look past .375 shooting and lots of TOs (in college too), but not to blind yourself to them. He’s going to be a heckuva player I’m sure — but he has a road to travel, and all the anointing of him as franchise savior is *marketing* not basketball.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2010 at 12:19 PM
doc — you raised the subject. So…
The last 10 #1 choices who’ve played in 3 rough categories:
1. Disappointing — Kwame Brown, Andrea Bargnani, Greg Oden (because of injuries).
2. From Ok to very good — Elton Brand, Kenyon Martin, Andrew Bogut, Derrick Rose.
3. Superstars — Yao Ming, LeBron James, Dwight Howard.
As you can see, it’s possible for a #1 pick to make little difference. And of the guys in #3 one of them is a once-in-a-generation athlete (lbj), one is skilled and huge, and one is a pretty unusual combination of athleticism *and* size. Hard to get into that 3d category.
Comment from tyrone2000
Time August 2, 2010 at 1:30 PM
“but he has a road to travel, and all the anointing of him as franchise savior is *marketing* not basketball” speaking on JWall. Exactly, Tom and I am amongst the few that thinks JWall shouldn’t even be the starter unless he earned it.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2010 at 1:59 PM
Well… I would expect him to earn it w/o too much difficulty.
Comment from gray16
Time August 2, 2010 at 5:36 PM
tom, you think the bulls will win 50? i’m thinking close to that, but not that much, more around 45 imo. of course they are in a sorry division, so that could propel them there.
but 50 is a lot for them. they don’t really have a lot of offensive firepower, especially when it comes to shooters. that’s something they would struggle with last year, hitting their shots. when they did it, they won, when they didn’t, they couldn’t overcome even with all of energy being put into it (which was on a nightly basis).
being healthy and the addition of boozer should help them, but 50 might be a bit steep. good thing is they are deep with hustlers, much like the wizards are trying to be. korver, brewer, taj gibson, noah, and kurt thomas are all guys who will beat and bruise their way to success. but those are all guys who are limited offensively (korver is a good shooter at times though of course, but not a one on one scorer).
so defensively and rebounding wise, that team will be able to hang with most of the teams in the leagues, it’s offensively where they could struggle, especially at first with bringing boozer in. we shall see…
ok back to the wiz lol
Comment from gray16
Time August 2, 2010 at 5:47 PM
i’m pretty sure wall has already earned a starting spot. if you are going to say he hasn’t even played a minute on the nba court, well:
gil has the most to earn, he has to earn his way back into the locker room much less the court. he’s gonna start off of reputation just as much as wall.
kirk has done nothing for this team yet. and he came off the bench for the bulls last season behind a second year player. he hasn’t done anything for this team but provide a pretty picture while getting a gil fadeaway drained over his head lol.
all three guys have to earn their spots, but with how mature and hard working wall is, and what he has shown thus far in his career, you start him no questions asked.
besides, it could hurt his development. tyreke evans came off the bench to start his career, and he was quickly on the road to being a disappointment, until other people’s injuries allowed him to start, and he was able to show how good he really was.
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 2, 2010 at 6:30 PM
In 33 minutes we are going to know how good the NBA thinks the Wizards will be.
The TV Schedule for who the NBA considers it’s marquee games will be released at 7pm on NBA.TV
If the Wizards are listed then you have to think the John Wall mania has also hit the NBA offices.
If the Wizards get the opening game of the season then you would have to conclude that the NBA thinks John Wall will be a “hit” from the opening game.
Tune in at 7pm to find out.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 2, 2010 at 6:32 PM
“If it ain’t broke, don’t break it.” – Charles Oakley
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2010 at 6:33 PM
It’s kind of a non-issue, I think — I’m sure he’ll start.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Amar’e Stoudemire is preparing for his first season in New York:
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=182914
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 2, 2010 at 6:37 PM
Oh, it’s obvious the league thinks Wall is a good story and a guy who will attract public attention. They should — he is all of that. And a talented basketball player too!
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 2, 2010 at 6:48 PM
Hoopshype is saying Miami/Cleveland for the opening night.
One of the best versus one of the worst.
What a joke if that’s true!
Sorry, I won’t watch it. (maybe a little).
Comment from gray16
Time August 2, 2010 at 8:05 PM
i’m hearing miami/orlando @ orlando’s new arena to start the season, which should be a good game. can’t wait to see orlando’s new arena either.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 2, 2010 at 9:28 PM
isn’t that special tommorrow night? I believe it is.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 2, 2010 at 10:36 PM
Chicago has Noah, Dang, half of Utah….they will be a force to be reckoned with. Also, when you look at these teams, you have to know who’s coaching these teams. You have Larry Brown, Avery Johnson, Thibodeau is a rookie, Skiles. These are no=nonsense coaches. Sorry to say it, but Flip couldn’t corale none of the troops last season. Let’s hope he gets the respect that a coach deserves….
Comment from Babakism
Time August 3, 2010 at 1:51 AM
@Tom there will be alot of finger pointing about who was right and wrong at the end of this season and I know deep in your heart you are hoping the fingers will be pointing you were wrong lol
We now have the personel to play tough hard nosed D
NO MORE JAMISON is HUGE on the Defensive end. no more tweening his way around getting pushed around on D without being even a weakside shot blocking presence and settling for jacking up 3s 1 pass into the offense. We will now have much more traditional play from the 4 spot and I can’t wait to see it.
Virtually everyone on this team has something to prove or a chip on their shoulder and should be hungry to hustle on every play which usually translates into a recipe for deffensive success.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 3, 2010 at 2:00 AM
I felt a little sorry for Flip last season. He comes in with his huge “notebook” encoumpacing offense and defense.. and NOT ONE of the “Big Three” bought into it. Just kept playing that old sandlot ball. If I were Flip I would have quit on the spot. Kudos for him having a set.
This season is a little different… to say the least. For this to work short/long term… Gilbert has to “buy into” the whole scheme of things. IF he does he could be an all star again (as someone said earlier). We all know he can shoot, but is the knee up to playing defense? Is he willing to play defense? Mr. Wall and Mr. Heinrich are… so Gilbert has to come into this season with a different mindset.
I know it’s been a while, but, we have to let it sink in a little…. this year (and probably/hopefully) for years to come we are focusing on defense.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 3, 2010 at 2:14 AM
Getting Heinrich and Seraphin for… how did Doc put it? Zippy?? was the first step. Booker and Hamady were no flukes either. Booker and Seraphin are probably going to equal the “mini” bruise brothers. Big East defensive players of the year… no matter how raw… simply have to “get a chance”.
Defense… Hudson, Martin, Palmer…. Let’s get to training camp already
Comment from Arthritic
Time August 3, 2010 at 2:58 AM
for the love of god
can some of you please learn to spell others’ names correctly?
its hard for me to respect your opinion when you cant even spell the player’s name correctly.
whos “andre” blatche
and whos kirk “heinrich”
…
???????
i dont see those names in the list of nba players.
im sorry
i dont like to type properly online or be anal to other people about spelling but it still bothers me to see that these “fans” cant correctly spell the name of a player on their team.
Comment from doclinkin
Time August 3, 2010 at 3:16 AM
The last 10 #1 choices who’ve played in 3 rough categories:
1. Disappointing — [The KFB.] Greg Oden (because of injuries).
2. From Ok to very good — Derrick Rose.
3. Superstars — Yao Ming, LeBron James, Dwight Howard.
As you can see, it’s possible for a #1 pick to make little difference. And of the guys in #3 one of them is a once-in-a-generation athlete (lbj), one is skilled and huge, and one is a pretty unusual combination of athleticism *and* size. Hard to get into that 3d category.
You misread me.
Of the above the hands-down consensus #1 picks were: Oden, Yao, LeBJ and possibly Dwight.
(Okafor was in the conversation, but scouts were pretty adamant that the upside of Howard outstripped the production of Okafor. That says alot about what they thought of Howard).
Oden too was a question mark but was still a clear #1. may have outstripped KD if he didn’t have the 40 yr old legs to match his face. Even when semi-healthy he’s had really solid production.
Derrick Rose was a near toss-up with winscore gawd Cool-Beasley. Though as I recall, he pretty quickly had a positive effect on that win/loss record.
It’s fair to pose as a skeptic, a safe position to take. But if you honestly think John Wall is unlikely to quickly have a positive effect on the team’s success, well you do expose yourself a little bit as a reflexive doubter. Doubt for doubt’s sake. Not that I’m criticizing at a wise-old-head adding a bit of needed balance to the mix. Sometimes the natural exuberance of fandom does tend to get a bit frothy.
Stat cognoscenti know Berri’s system likes players who shoot for high percentage (even if they don’t shoot much), rebound, and don’t take risks with the ball.
On the otherhand that tends to mean you get players like the scared-to-shoot Mike Miller as statistical standouts. Or WinScore giant Joey Dorsey who won’t pass because he can’t but won’t turn it over either. Yes he’ll rebound, but can’t defend because he’s undertall and groundbound even if he is about as wide as he is tall.
Every now and again you can trust the evidence of your eyes. John Wall is too quick to guard, has natural instincts for leadership on the court. And the two skillsets that respond very quickly to a bit of work are: reducing turnovers and developing your jumper. Add about 7 games to your estimate and you’re probably looking a little less gunshy from a billion years worth of Wiz disappointments. Lucy has suckered us into kicking that football too many times, Snoopy.
Health of course being the key watchword in the whole equation. (Pray for mercy). But sometimes good things do happen to fine people. Pretty sure there’s at least one Wiz fan out there with good character, good karma, who deserves a bit of happiness. Let’s hope the fates chose to reward him. This time.
Comment from Babakism
Time August 3, 2010 at 5:26 AM
@arthriticiticitic
obviously you still know who the players are
who cares if its off by a letter or 2.
I don’t see anyone correcting you on your non-capitalization of the word “I” or your lack of placement of apostrophes.
We are not on here to win grammar awards and spelling bees. We are here because we LOVE OUR WIZARDS.
I bartend 5 nights a week and year round someone talks about the skins every night I work. During the actual NBA season I go nights without a single mention of the Wizards.
It’s 4 months before the start of regular season play but us fans are already deeply involved in it because our season never ends. We live, eat, sleep, and drink Bullets 365 days a year cause we’re crazy like that…………………………….
The last thing we need to do is discourage anyone from wanting to speak freely about our team.
We should all be so happy to have a forum like this where other people are just as interested as we are in the potential of our team.
I wish we had the internet when I was a kid so I could have posted about how great we were gonna be once Pervis Ellison and Bernard King recovered from their injuries, or how the Tom Hammonds for Rex Chapman trade was gonna change our fortunes………..lol
Comment from gray16
Time August 3, 2010 at 6:02 AM
if players don’t buy into a system, it’s not going to work.
mr no nonsense larry brown didn’t do squat in new york for that very same reason….
flip’s situation was no different.
you have to build around a coach to be successful, it’s what the bucks, bobcats, and eventually the nets will do. us as well.
Comment from draftazoid
Time August 3, 2010 at 7:13 AM
Rumored Wizards to open up new Amway Center in Orlando on the second night of the season against the Magic. (Boston/Miami to open up the season rumored)
http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2010/8/3/1602473/spears-washington-wizards-could-be
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 3, 2010 at 7:39 AM
doc — oh I totally agree! both about John Wall, who is likely to be a heckuva player in this league (though he *does* have to master the turnover issue; that’s his limitation right now) and about the limits of Dave’s wp48/winscore system.
In fact I’ll point you to a long analytically critical comment I made chez him on using winscore to judge *individual players* — it’s a *statistical* measure; it only has direct meaning across a range of player. Viz. compare *all* players who x w/ all who y, and which group’s teams did better.
I refer to this as the Nick Fazekas problem (wp48 loved nick), but Joey Dorsey works just as well (not quite… at least he’s in the league! Nick is on some team in france)
Can’t find the link now, cuz I’m out the door to play golf, but it’s coming.
Comment from Arthritic
Time August 3, 2010 at 11:55 AM
@barkbarkism
youre a funny guy! purposely messing up my sn. i decided to come up with my own version.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 3, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Arthritic… funny stuff
Just a hint though…. before you criticize someone else for spelling, grammer, or punctuation it would probably be best to proof read you post prior to posting it. You missed 8 letters that should have been capitalized, three periods, and 5 apostrophes.
in comparison lol I only added ONE letter
Comment from neal
Time August 3, 2010 at 3:34 PM
I couldn’t agree more Grifon and gray16. Our group of players (I’m not calling them a team) did their own thing and hats off to Flip and EG to have the courage to start from scratch rather than try to change the culture with a player or two.
Same thing happened under Jordan. When he was fired the team had gotten to completely (it seemed to me) ignoring the Princeton offense. Doesn’t matter whether the coach has the best ideas. His will always be better than each guy having his own.
I trust that Saunders has the stature and bearing to get players to do what he says. Fortunately, the new crowd are presumably not so set in their ways.
Comment from gbkdc
Time August 3, 2010 at 3:43 PM
Classic:
“a swollen sack of self-importance like MeBron”
Thanks, Doc!
Comment from dcbutler357
Time August 3, 2010 at 6:43 PM
Ok, the last article i read on bulletsforever.com stated that Seraphin would be best-served by staying in the d-league for a year…..NOOOOOOOOOOO, has anyone seen this kid play live?
Comment from Arthritic
Time August 3, 2010 at 10:01 PM
does it look like i try to capitalize my letters or use proper punctuation?
good job counting through my post to see what was missing… seems like you have a lot of time on your hands.
i dont feel the need to write properly online because i dont see it necessary.
misspelling a name thats mentioned everywhere makes me question the persons intelligence… either the person is blind or has a slightly deficient iq
lets not argue over this online
most of you are probably older than me anyways
i apologize for bringing up my peeve
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 3, 2010 at 11:06 PM
No … actually you don’t. You “never” use the proper capititalization, punctuation, or spelling. That’s why it surprised my that a topic best kept in English 101 was brought up by you.
By the way in the German lauguage HINE… is spelled Hein. My mistake though… at some point his family apparently dropped the E. I’ll try to be a little more diligent in my spelling of the players names for your benifit however.
Comment from crozby
Time August 5, 2010 at 3:21 PM
The only other two pieces the Wizards need is a good 2/3 who can help spread the floor (inject: Cartier Martin) and another half-way decent backup big man (inject: Earl Barron, 7-0 center, if still available). Cartier can shoot and would get better and better if given more minutes and Earl got hot towards the end of the season in N.Y.
Comment from crozby
Time August 24, 2010 at 9:23 AM
Just getting back on from yesterday (I work a lot). I was asked how many wins this year, and I pick 50. Also, I wish a lot of people would stop comparing this team to the past Wizards. This is a totally different team. I say again, totally different team. Forget about the past. We now have a “true” point guard (oh, and he was the best pg in college basketball) who is lightening fast and will energize the entire team to play better. And, he plays great defense as well. He is compared to Derrick Rose, who averaged 20 ppg last year. I say again, 20 ppg last year. Take out Randy Foye and insert John Wall and see what you get- more action, more defense, and more points, which could have won us a lot more games last year by itself alone. Add a returning all-star player beside him (Gil) (a pure shooter that spreads defenses like crazy) and we potentially have maybe the best backcourt in the NBA. Speed can kill, and they have plenty of it, both of them. John Wall is not a pg like Rhondo, Nash, or others. He is faster and can go to the hole and dunk on you. I am also a Lakers fan (2nd favorite team), but the Wizards backcourt can now compare to the Lakers backcourt in my opinion. Kobe and Fisher avg. 34 per game last year (Kobe 27, Fisher 7). With Gil at 22 and Wall possibly at 15, that’s 37- more than the Lakers. And, the defense is about the same. I think Kobe provides better defense than Gil, but Wall will provide better defense than Fisher. Averages out to be equal backcourts defensively. Josh Howard will give you a little less defense than Artest, but will give you more points. AB has proved he can avg. 20 a game (two more than Gasol), and has some of the best moves under the basket for a PF (similar to Gasol). They both play a lot alike. Both can shoot from outside and both know how to get to the basket. All that is left is for McGee to have a breakout season and get to around 12-15 per game (similar to Bynum, who avgs. 15). But, if he doesn’t, our bench could make up for that, because I think with Kirk, Thornton, Nick, and Yi, we actually have a better bench than the Lakers did this past year- more scorers. I know that I am comparing the Wizards to the Lakers (and some may think that is crazy), but in order to measure how far you are, you have to compare yourself to the champions. I actually see us as a junior Laker team. Two great guards and two 7-footers under the basket that can score. And, I know I talk a lot about scoring, but if a team scores 110, as long as you score 111 you still win the game. We have scorers! No doubt about it! Heck, look at Phoenix, who gave the Lakers a hard time in the playoffs this year. They have always been a great scoring team with lackluster defense, and they were very close to going to the championship this year. I coach basketball and I know talent when I see it.
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Comment from dlts20
Time July 30, 2010 at 2:02 PM
F The Starters, I Like The Bench
1st off let me say that I think our starting group will be very good and will be able to hold its own. However, I tend to think that Howard will atleast start out on the bench. I think he will be just coming back and they like his energy there anyways. They will probably bring him along slowly. Also, I think we would have enough scoring in the 1st unit anyways if Dray is right by then so you dont really need Josh.
The fact is that I cant remember the time we had a good consistent bench. We either always have a ton of young guys who dont know nothing or play like crap because they are scared they will be bench after every little mistake, or we have old washed up vetrans who were barely good in the 1st place. I have always a nice mix of vetran & young guys on the bench who have a style that you can count on and play with energy.
Its been forever and the same thing, where the starters go to the bench and we get outscored by 10. Now we will be coming off the bench possibly with a great vetrean 3sum of Hinrich, Howard, & Yi sprinkled in with some NY who I think would play well between 2 guys like Kirk & Howard. Even if you just stay with the 1st 3, its still great if youre going to keep in Gil & Dray or whoever. I just think it keeps us consistent all game long. I wouldnt trust Al off the bench as much as Howard but that would still be alot better than the past. For some reason, I think Seraphin & Booker can give you some solid minutes without the thought of them overstepping there boundaries