Game Day Chicago
SportzWiz checking in….another road game and another road win for the Wizards. As people mentioned yesterday, it was hardly the best start in the world, but the Wizards came out and dominated the second half, scoring 64 points in the half en route to the double digit win. Here are a bunch of Wizards highlights from last night’s game (should be more than you’ve seen anywhere else). Other links from last night are below.
The Wizards will now look to end their road trip at 3-0 when they play the Bulls at 8:00pm. Blogcast starts at 8…Hope to see you then!
3:39 PM Dave Johnson checking in…..slept in…it has been a busy week..but productive week…Last night was not one of the prettiest games but the Wizards were strong on defense and played a much better second half. John Wall aftera tough start showed his maturity and did a better job of getting his teammates involved. Consider his comments:
Coach (Flip Saunders) told us our defense was very good. But our defensive stops should have led to easier baskets. Instead we were not passing the ball around and it was either one pass or we were coming off the pick and roll and just shooting.”
“I was forcing it a little too much and trying to get myself involved instead of being the point guard,” Wall explained. “I missed a couple of easy layups early and that got to me and as a point guard and a leader on this team I can’t let that get to me.”
“We have great shooters on the wing and we have big men who are athletic and can run the floor. The key thing is our effort on defense and then our offense will come. We are a transition team and then we have enough sets to get easy baskets. As a point guard I have to continue to work on getting people in the right places.”
Indeed he is special again BLOGCAST…radio and libe blogging together tonight at 8 on 106.7 FM The Fan..and there is a listen live link at the top of the page.
7:08 PM…Dave and Glenn checking in at United Center….John Wall vs. Derrick Rose and the return ogf Kirk Hinrich to Chicago….should be fun
DAVE JOHNSON POSTGAME REPORT
Posted: October 8th, 2010 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Bulls tonight.
BIG THUMBS UP for ‘Dray.
Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 8, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Flip should sit Gilbert down tonight and start Nick.
Flip needs to reduce the minutes for John Wall tonight.
Flip needs to play Booker and Seraphin more.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 11:21 AM
maggicman/SportzWiz – According to the Bulls web site, the game will be televised on WGN. DirecTV has WGN on channel 307. The DirecTV guide doesn’t indicate that the game will be televised, but that’s not unusual for pre-season. They may not have updated the guide listing.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 8, 2010 at 11:27 AM
gabbo im not sure, but i think there is WGN (what they get in chicago) and WGN america (what the rest of the nation sees).
if you look at our schedule http://www.nba.com/wizards/schedule/
On November 13th we play @ Chicago and under national TV it says WGN america.
Also gabbo did you see my post regarding the photo galleries, hope that clears it up.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 11:28 AM
It will be very interesting to see if they let Gil play on a back to back but its Preseason so they may just sit guys anyways. I think they will want to see Wall vs Rose, McGee vs Noah, and Kirk against his former team moreso than anything else.
I actually hope Flip starts everyone again tomorrow because most of the times when teams have a game like we did today and still win, they will look way better the next day. I think we will look great if Flip plays everyone. I think both Wall & Gil will have great games along with Dray
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 11:31 AM
SportzWiz, I just had an opportunity to take a look at the clip from last night’s game. Thanks for the post. The guys look really energized. The “D” looks tough. Everyone runs whenever we have the ball. This is definitely not your grandfather’s Wizards. 
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 11:35 AM
@SportzWiz – thanks for the clarification regaring the photos.
Regarding WGN – Maybe it’s because we have the total sports package from DirecTV, but I have watched previous Wizards games on WGN ( DirecTV 307). There will be great disappointment in the GABBO household if it is not on WGN.
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 8, 2010 at 12:02 PM
bullets-fusion,
I believe I heard Flip say that the best way to get a rookie going is to keep on playing him.
I think John Wall is going to keep getting his 37-38 minutes throughout the pre-season.
Do you think the Wizards should have sat him the rest of the night when he had a tough start?
He came back, matured, and had a heck of a second half.
I am glad they brought him back to play the second half.
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 8, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Sportzwiz,
Any word on who from Chicago will have the night off?
I sure hope Rose and Noah play.
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 8, 2010 at 12:06 PM
@ draftazoid
Reasons why Flip needs to calm Wall down tonight (and it has nothing to do with you points)
1. It’s a back-to-back game. Do you want to run Wall into the ground?
2. As you have blogged many times, Wall is the man. If the man gets hurt now, then what?
3. It’s preseason. Wall already has a job as a rookie. It’s the other guys that need the scrimmage.
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 8, 2010 at 12:12 PM
This is disgusting (MUST READ FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS) -
As much as I enjoy going to the Verizon Center to see the Wiz, Caps, and some Hoya events, I don’t think I’ll be eating there anymore.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=100725/stadiumconcessions
(SCROLL YOUR MOUSE OVER VERIZON CENTER)
An investigation conducted by ESPN on how CLEAN the vendors are at all the major sporting venues in America. Ted Leonsis, you better get help FAST. This problem is far more important than jersey color changes and team name changes.
Note: VC and Tropicana Field were the only 2 places that scored the highest (max score). Nats park has a very low score (which is good).
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 8, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Imo the preseason should be for establishing chemistry and rotations. Everyone should play so Flip can properly evaluate the players. We already know Wall is on the team. Let’s see some of the guys fighting for a spot. Guys like Palmer and N’daiye should at least be given a chance.
Comment from ericw
Time October 8, 2010 at 12:24 PM
Wow. Very exciting highlights!
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Wall has been awesome since day 1 and we still havent lost a game yet with him starting in the SL or Preseason but the only thing that has bothered me a little with him in these 2 Preseason games is I think sometimes he is shooting too much. He’s still getting alot of assist and running the O but he has to realize that he is our 3rd scoring option and maybe even 4th when Howard gets back.
I definitely want him to be aggressive and he’s not just a passing PG but there is no way he should ever go 0-9 in the 1st half. Gil can do that because he is our primary scorer but Wall cant do that. He’s supposed to run the team and be a secondary type of scorer. He should be passing it to the scorers 1st, “espically” if he’s cold. Other than that he’s been awesome.
Some of it is Gil’s fault for being submissive and less assertive. If he wont be aggressive then Wall will do what he should be doing and taking his shots. Hopefully Gil steps it up from an aggression standpoint but Wall has to calm down sometimes on looking for his own shot over more proven scores
Comment from Rick
Time October 8, 2010 at 1:08 PM
@dlts20, Wall needs to continue take open jumpers and remain a scoring threat in order to be effective (even if he starts off cold). Otherwise defenders will lay off him and make it harder for him to penetrate. and it is his penetration that leads to defensive collapse and assists for wide open jumpers.
what i did not like to hear last night was that everyone (especially wall and dray) was taking the first available shot rather than moving the ball around more and making the defense earn it.
Comment from AUNDRA
Time October 8, 2010 at 1:48 PM
Wall is smart enough to realize that when the team is shooting below 45 % to go inside where the big fellows are for the high percentage baskets. In the past we became a jump shooting team only and not a inside out first team and that hurt us because the muscle guys failed to get into rhythm. Last night the team looked a little tired until they got in sych in the third and forth quarters. The defensive mindset is what really kept us in the game and just helped to save the win! JW is smart enough to make the adjustment when things are going well and go inside that speaks volumes for his intelligence. The coaching staff however must keep his minutes under 32 to preserve him ready and fit for the regular season. The key tonight is keep putting fresh legs in who can bring energy/scoring and keep the defense up to playoff levels!
Comment from aznzero
Time October 8, 2010 at 1:53 PM
Lets go Wizards!!!
I can honestly say I will root for whoever is wearing a Wizards jersey even if Kobe or Lebron is in one.
Lets see some McWalls tonight haha.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 2:15 PM
Rick, I dont want to make him into a 5ppg, 11apg type guy. Im not concerned about his 16fga’s. Im concerned about his 0-9 in the 1st half. Thats what Im talking about. That 0-9 should be 0-4 or 0-5 and thats it. He’s not at that point where he can go 0-9 in 1 half and thats why Flip told him at halftime that he can do other things instead of worrying about scoring. Thats why he played much better in the 2nd half because he tried to set guys up more.
Dont get it twisted, Wall is a beast and I have no problem with him scoring but sometimes he does too much from a scoring standpoint. In the 1st game he took like 3 jumpers in a row at one point, missed all 3, and shot 1 air ball while Gil didnt touch the ball the whole time. He took like the last 2 or 3 shots at the half while not even looking at Gil. Thats my point. Its not his overall play or scoring oppurtunities but just sometimes he gets into a zone where he’s trying to score too much and he’s not a good enough shooter or pure scorer for that yet.
Dray averaged 22ppg late last year while being tripled every night. Wall is not a better scoring option than him right now at all and Josh Howard was an all star who looked great in our system. I already said that I didnt want to handicap him and just tell him to look for guys but he also cant play like he is Kobe going for 81 and sometimes he can get in that type of zone. Thats why Flip said that too him at the half and we as a team lit it up in the 2nd half when he was PG 1st, scorer 2nd instead of the other way around.
He can shoot 40 shots every game if he shoots a great percentage. If he was 9-9 in the 1st half then I would say he shouldve shot even more but he cant go 0-9. We use to be upset about Gil going 0-9 and that is with a 30ppg scorer. Wall should never go 0-9 in a half with the other options we have and with his great passing ability.
I dont want him to be Brandon Jennings who scored 55 and then played every game the rest of the year like he was Kobe. The Bucks fans loved his talent but hated how aggressive he was from a scoring standpoint. I think Wall is much better than Jennings at scoring. I think his J is better and he can get to the rim & finish better. I want him to be aggressive at all times but dont have those multiple possesions where he looks like he is our #1 scoring option and Gil is Shane Battier or something. He can do that if he’s on but when he’s not then he shouldnt
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 2:25 PM
bullets_fusion ???? LOL !!
Highlights were great — Booker brings a lot! Feeling good about our terribly tall tykes and tots!!
Get them tonight!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 3:46 PM
PM Dave Johnson checking in…..slept in…it has been a busy week..but productive week…Last night was not one of the prettiest games but the Wizards were strong on defense and played a much better second half. John Wall aftera tough start showed his maturity and did a better job of getting his teammates involved. Consider his comments:
Coach (Flip Saunders) told us our defense was very good. But our defensive stops should have led to easier baskets. Instead we were not passing the ball around and it was either one pass or we were coming off the pick and roll and just shooting.”
“I was forcing it a little too much and trying to get myself involved instead of being the point guard,” Wall explained. “I missed a couple of easy layups early and that got to me and as a point guard and a leader on this team I can’t let that get to me.”
“We have great shooters on the wing and we have big men who are athletic and can run the floor. The key thing is our effort on defense and then our offense will come. We are a transition team and then we have enough sets to get easy baskets. As a point guard I have to continue to work on getting people in the right places.”
Indeed he is special again BLOGCAST…radio and libe blogging together tonight at 8 on 106.7 FM The Fan..and there is a listen live link at the top of the page.
Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time October 8, 2010 at 4:29 PM
John Wall is going to fry tonight. Go wizards. The article on food sanitation is disgusting because some places had 0% violations but VC is a disgrace for a pretty new arena.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 4:41 PM
gotabigboyoffense and others..alos thanks for the comments on last night’s radio broadcast.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM
I believe that the food sanitation piece has been around for awhile. I also think that Ted Leonsis said that many of the issues had been addressed last season and were cleared up, but that he would also continue to work very hard to make the phone booth the cleanest and best in the NBA. Can anyone verify?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 5:35 PM
Gil and Hughes only played for one year together but:
Best Seasons by These Unconventional Backcourts
Year Guards Combined PER
1971-72 Gail Goodrich/Jerry West (Lakers) 43.2
2004-05 Gilbert Arenas/Larry Hughes (Wizards) 42.9
1980-81 Magic Johnson/Norm Nixon (Lakers) 41.2
1975-76 George Gervin/James Silas (Spurs) 41.2
1984-85 Micheal Ray Richardson/Otis Birdsong (Nets) 38.9
1978-79 World B. Free/Randy Smith (Clippers) 38.7
1988-89 Fat Lever/Michael Adams (Nuggets) 38.1
1969-70 Dave Bing/Jimmy Walker (Pistons) 37.7
1974-75 Walt Frazier/Earl Monroe (Knicks) 37.6
1978-79 Gus Williams/Dennis Johnson (Sonics) 37.1
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 8, 2010 at 5:38 PM
lets go WIZ!!! I’m staying in for yall 2nite so i expect a win.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:11 PM
7:08 PM…Dave and Glenn checking in at United Center….John Wall vs. Derrick Rose and the return ogf Kirk Hinrich to Chicago….should be fun
Comment from reddog271
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:40 PM
is gil going back to back nights? Any talk at all about pass knee issues?
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:42 PM
no talk at all about knee issues…in fact starters are in
wizards wll go with john wall, gilbert arenas, kirk hinrich, andray blatche, and javale mcgee..
bulls will have derrick rose, keith bogans, luol deng, taj gibson, and joakim noah
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:47 PM
No need in fussing about being outrebounded….
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:51 PM
I predict we win with Wall, Gil, and Dray all looking great tonight. If it doesnt happened then forget this post….lol
Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:53 PM
I hope we are not considering kirk as our small forward to start the season. It would be funny if it worked though.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:55 PM
here we go gang blogcast startst with flip saunders interview
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:57 PM
it’s funny we wnat a winner…that lineup with wall arenas and hinrich has actually been our best rebounding lineup
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:57 PM
well here we go ill be keeping my ears open but my hands are going to be busy with the ps3 for few
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:03 PM
@WE WANT A WINNER
Its worked so far.. Kirk has really good defense and has not been exposed for his size as of yet. like the saying goes: If it aint broke, dont fix it. We have benefited on offense having 3 guards that all handle the ball well as PGs (since they are of course) that means a SF will have to guard him on the wing. If it is not working we can go with Yi at the 3 which is a major switch. thats the best thing about this roster. we can go really small or really big. we can have Gil or Wall with Howard, Yi, Dray, and Mcgee.. or we can go with Wall, Gil, Kirk, dray, Mcgee.. or wall, Gil, howard, dray mcgee for a more conventional look. that flexibility can be very useful in playoffs (if we make it) because we can identify where we are overmatched and make a drastic change. like Kirk to Yi. or howard to kirk.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:07 PM
wizards4life that is realmulti tasking
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:09 PM
Thanks for the shoutout guys 
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:09 PM
Im watching it
http://realsportz.net/watch/31201/1/watch-chicago-bulls-vs-washington-wizards.html
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:10 PM
ecpect full court pressure from d rose
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:13 PM
rose impressive on break
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:14 PM
hinrich tough
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:18 PM
hello all…. 3 turnovers? We will correct that just now… & Noah needs to be handled…
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:18 PM
dcbutler 357 you are welcome and thanks everyone
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:21 PM
sounds like we are not getting good looks at the basket and there running right over us
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:22 PM
Thanks for the link dcbutler.. wiz not looking good right now tho..
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:25 PM
like the old arenas on that drive
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:26 PM
This is where Arenas & Hinrich really need to step up with the experience…. sounds like out young guys are getting schooled left & right….
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:28 PM
Gilllllllbertttttt
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:29 PM
I love the way Wall just defended those 2 one on one breaks by Rose. That wouldve been 2 layups against anyone else in the league. Awesome defense
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:30 PM
i spoke too soon! wiz looking much better.. Wall’s defense is incredible! im looking for him to challenge for defensive player of the year. Thats twice he stopped Rose on the fast break with no help to prevent the easy layup. thats 4 total points he saved us so far by himself.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:30 PM
oh dlts20 gave the link, looks good
What a luxury to have multiple floor leaders on the floor at one time.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:30 PM
Man sounds like Arenas is getting his grove back
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:32 PM
for video…DJ for audio
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:33 PM
defense on booker booker great hustle
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:35 PM
What is impressive (& so divine!) is how we adjusted our defense to slow Rose down & I am hearing defensive rebounds now!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:35 PM
thanks gotabigboy…funwith hinrich goign at deng
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:36 PM
Wall is having that same problem at the rim that Gil had last year and i still say it has more to do with Flip’s system than anything else. You can see that pick & roll coming a mile away and its not tight. The defense will always be ready for it and it will be a tough finish nearly every time. You also have a long way to go around on it alot of times and its so easy to see for the bigs
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:38 PM
this is a fun game.
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:39 PM
yall are genius for posting the link… i think i’ll watch and mute just so i can still listen to THE FAN
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:40 PM
I also think that Booker put back may have been good. Im not so sure about that in the cylinder call but I could see why they called it
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:40 PM
oh so maybe @dlts20 agrees with my opinion of eddie jordan being better for our team
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:41 PM
Shoot, Yi has been the best player on our team so far this season…lol
Seriously though, that was a good trade for basically nothing. Keeps it up then we should extend him
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:42 PM
alot of D# but not alot of box outs and rebounds need to work hard on that can’t have 3 7′ players that can’t rebound
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:43 PM
AJ, I thought EJ was better for our old team. I said last year that I think Gil looks alot better and we wouldve won alot more games with EJ but I do think Flip is the much better coach and we just need to change the team to get players to fit his system. Still, Im not 100% sold on the system at all times. I think he should run more of the system he ran late last year. He said that was the one that we would use this year but that was before we won the lottery to get Wall. I think when we got Wall, he went back to his original system
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:44 PM
wow great opressure
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:45 PM
booker doing everything 2 steals
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:46 PM
Has Booker played the three yet?
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:48 PM
booker has played at the three
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:48 PM
@2stepsaway the only catch is flipping back to the blog but i’ll just use my brains and put the screens side by side lol
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:51 PM
booker got back on d this full court press is intensne arenas some of the best d
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:52 PM
please refresh my memory…. What did we give Chicago for Hinrich?
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:53 PM
AJfromVA – you will become a pro in no time!
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:54 PM
What happened to the Wizards lowpost offense? This looks like EJ re-visited except at a higher speed. Are we going to give the ball to anyone except a guard?
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:55 PM
AB should not be taing a jump shot off a curl from the foul line. Get him the ball in the post!
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:57 PM
Gil & Wall out at the same time means the O sucks. Dray looks rusty. Whenver youre rusty you look great the 1st game and then reality sets in. Still, get down low and post up instead of the other stuff. His body language doesnt look good either. He had a good start though so maybe he can catch his 2nd wind
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:58 PM
the whole game sound like we are just not running plays like we are just doing what ever till some one hits a shot
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:59 PM
answreing right niw…. part of it dribble penetration by guatd
Comment from Mr. Know it All
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Mr. Know it All checking in, Whats up everybody!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:02 PM
awright… watching on realsportznet whatever that is — but can’t listen to dj, because the radio station is about 30-40 seconds behind.
We’re not looking real fluid right now. But Booker definitely looks like a player doesn’t he!
Korver making Nick foolish 
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:06 PM
Wiz 4 life, Glenn here: Wiz running plays, just a littlt impatient, rushing a tad, not making the xtra pass. I’m sure Flip will address it at half.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:07 PM
yep, booker has that unteachable sixth sense
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:07 PM
coach is going to have to talk to some players at halftime there are alot of small stuff that would make a huge diff in the game if he could tweek it
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:07 PM
Agree with Tom M. that Booker looks good.
I hope that Flip isn’t going to revert to a small-ball, Princeton style offense, but that’s what is looks like tonight. He was a guard, so he thinks like a guard and IMO wants to run a guard offense.
Get the ball to the post; run a cutter through; put a good shooter on the ball side to negate the double team. Play tough “D” and RUN RUN RUN. Let’s go Flip!
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:07 PM
lol…radio is ahead of internet now…lol
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:08 PM
extra pass and low post pffense on the last play
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:10 PM
‘Dray is taking bad shots. He has to let the game come to him. Get him involved in the offense. Get him the ball in the post.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:13 PM
That was a push in the back that allowed that offensive rebound at 3-pointer.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:14 PM
We’re a little heavy-footed here at the close of the first half. We need JaVale to *rebound* the ball, and then to *rebound* the missed FT! Can’t have him w/ 3 boards in 14 minutes! He’s got some Turkish rookie schooling him.
We also can’t start assuming that we’ll turn it on when we need to and win in the 4th.
Knock the airball out!!!??????
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:14 PM
we are getting punished due to penetration.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:15 PM
Neither can rebound when they have to help out due to penetration
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:17 PM
well there is another half to fix whats going wrong.. lets hope we can fix some of this b4 the season starts nows the time to show were we need to get better
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:17 PM
How many minutes for Gil?
Tom M. – Love it when you are watching the game and blogging. Great insight.
Comment from datonypony
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:20 PM
Only came back now, and the wiz are down by 10 D:
Let’s go guys, 2nd half play better defense and get the ball inside. ALso, from what I’ve read (:P) Heaps of missed FT’s.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:20 PM
How does Booker look at the three? Wouldn’t it strengthen our rebounding
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:21 PM
8-12 in free throws
Chicago 8-16
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:24 PM
john calipari in the hosue coached both wall and rose
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:24 PM
@Dj – Points in the paint?
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:25 PM
i know you can sych radio and tv….with the tv dvr…not sue about internet
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:25 PM
booker look great at the three and yes it would help rebounding
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:27 PM
points in paint 18-16 bulls
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:27 PM
We have better personnel than the Bulls. What’s the problem?
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:28 PM
Thanks DJ. I thought it would have been a greater delta.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:29 PM
Turkish rookie schooled JaVale again near the end of the half.
We’re being outrebounded 24-16 at the half. And we have let them score 51 points off of 42 shots.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:30 PM
dcbutler — we’re 5-11 from the FT line, not 8-12.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:31 PM
We’re coming back strong in the second half!
Lots of “D”; get the ball to the post; and RUN, RUN, RUN
Go Wiz!!!!!!!
Comment from reddog271
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:32 PM
any update on when howard will be ready?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:33 PM
@Gotabig — I don’t know why you think we have better personnel than the Bulls? Except they are missing a couple of guys, and they have played their reserves much more than we did in the first half.
They’re a very good team.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:34 PM
John hasn’t been able to contain Rose.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:34 PM
Rose running Wall into the screen repeatedly and getting right to the rim.
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:35 PM
wall vs rose now… hinrich playing the 1 its getting intersting
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:35 PM
Come on guys. Same-old, same-old. Perimeter players can’t contain their man and the big guys pick up fouls.
Comment from reddog271
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:36 PM
I don’t think anyone expect Wall to be able to contain rose. I mean… no one in the league has done it to this point
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:37 PM
Spectacular!!!! If only they would award 10 points for a spectacular play. THINK SOLID.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:37 PM
no timetable but josh howard is working out and looking good
Comment from CarolinaWizFan
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Nice game by Wall so far.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:39 PM
The video on my screen is a little choppy so that I miss a little bit, but I’m not seeing the help coming on penetration, and then I see kind of a dumb foul by JM.
Comment from CarolinaWizFan
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Glad to be blogging with you guys for the first time ever. Love the Wizards here in South Carolina.
Comment from CarolinaWizFan
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Way to go Yi with that pass from Gil
Comment from reddog271
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Yi will be the new Aj
Comment from CarolinaWizFan
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:42 PM
come on Gil…looking good
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:43 PM
reddog — No one has contained Rose? He’s a superstar? He’s done what exactly?
Yi looking good again.
Gil is playing very well — ooops, just gave one up to Rose.
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:43 PM
a little too many monitor reviews for a preseason game
Comment from reddog271
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Tom….. I never said he was a superstar…. I said no one has been able to contain him. who has you seen keep Rose out the lane in the league. I’ve never seen anyone do it.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:47 PM
at what point should Gil and Heinrich say “Look!!”
Get this together, regardless if it’s wall team or not
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:47 PM
Ok, guys — sorry but I have to check out. Get it close for me and then pull out a win!!
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:48 PM
why is blatche even doing at the three point line….this offense is not the answer. no pressure on the inside
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:52 PM
I love Dray but Flip needs to tell him that we start 3 guards who are 6’4. We have no inside punch on the bench except for Yi and he’s still more of a perimiter guy on Offense. Dray is the only inside presence we have so he has to play more down there. We dont need him outside when we already have Wall, Gil, Kirk, Al, NY, and so on
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:54 PM
An offense that is designed to run AB to the corner for a jumper is pure BS.
@ Flip – do you have a post-oriented offense in any of those “books”you have? If so, pull one out. Guard-oriented offenses DO NOT succeed in the NBA.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:55 PM
back on internet we were knocke doff
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:56 PM
too many j’s but its our D that really sucks. Gil needs to start going behind his back on the FTs or something
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:56 PM
We are going into familiar territory… forcing shots for one
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:58 PM
okay, lets see seraphin and the other players.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:59 PM
a lot of energey for the sceond of a bakc to back
Comment from dlts20
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:59 PM
Dray needs to be more inside but I also think Flip is doing a very poor job of calling post plays. It seems like all pick & roll or drive & kick type stuff with alot of the kicks being to Dray for some reason
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:00 PM
@Gil – get a weed-wacker for that thing on your face. Focus on winning basketball. Give the posturing a rest. Forget the past, think future. Understand that we all know that you are one of the BEST. Play basketball and stop the BS.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:02 PM
agreed two steos away
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:03 PM
wizards big men can run the loor
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:05 PM
@dlts20 – Agreed. Kick-out passes to ‘Dray should be a safety valve. Get the ball to ‘Dray IN THE POST and make things happen.
I’m going to reserve judgement on Flip’s offense until the REAL season starts. 
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:07 PM
lot of quick shots
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:12 PM
bulls out rebounding wizards 40-27
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:15 PM
Okay Flip. You can take your 3 guard offense and stuff it against the better teams. Why would you abandon a successful post-orientd offense to go with a guard-oriented offense?
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Totally out-coached. Sad.
Comment from Mr. Know it All
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Lost my internet connection 4 a while………. just heard about the rebounding disparity, thats one of the draw-backs of having a 3 guard lineup!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:23 PM
nice touch kevin
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:26 PM
but it was more than just the three guards….but understand your point…bulls just bgtter on the boards
Comment from datonypony
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:27 PM
Sounds like we are owned
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:27 PM
as glenn just said wizards just flat
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:34 PM
thanks everyone see you tuesday
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 9, 2010 at 1:36 AM
“Our team has to rebound,” Wizards coach Flip Saunders said. “It’s not our guards getting beat on the glass, it’s our bigs.”
- – -
I will look back at this quote during various times of the regular season. With as much talent oozing out of legitimate big man in McGee, Blatche, and Yi (and potentially Seraphin and Armstrong), these guys have to ANTICIPATE, BOX OUT, AND SECURE BALL. I understand it was the 2nd night of a back-to-back, but these fundamentals are too important to not focus on.
If you check out clips during Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace’s heyday, you will see these 2 guys having great anticipation of where the ball is going to bounce off glass/rim; having very good to excellent boxing out technique, and grabbing and securing the ball with 2 hands for a sure rebound.
After 3 preseason games, I evaluated that
a) John Wall is fine (maybe I need to take back what ChenierFan said that JW is like GP)
b) Gilbert Arenas is fine (I will say this – if he is really unhappy inside, he won’t be as good as he can be even if his knee is 110% healed. I know if I’m unhappy at work, my productivity is poor.)
c) Andray Blatche is fine
d) Yi Jianlian is fine (maybe he’s turned the corner?)
e) Nick Young is fine (just don’t expect him to be anything more than what we know he is)
f) Lester Hudson should only be in consideration of making the team from the pool of unsigned players
Comment from Babakism
Time October 9, 2010 at 5:16 AM
Wins and losses don’t mean alot in preseason. The main thing we need to see is our rebounding improve dramatically from the first half of preseason games to the second half. Being outrebounded by double digit numbers is unacceptable, I don’t care how many steals and 3s we get and make. I’m glad to see Yi still looking good. It may be the bigs getting beat for rebounds but you can’t help but think if we had a bigger forward like Thorton instead of Hinrich that he might be able to bail out the bigs. With that being said I still like this 3 guard lineup and would like to see the experiment continue lol I bet Flip likes it less because of “on court talent” and more because you have 2 “vet presences” on the court at the same time between Gil and Kirk. If we started anyone else besides Kirk than we would have no experienced players on the court besides Gil.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 7:07 AM
Ignorant statement. your guards are getting beat by penetration. your big man goes to help and their man gets the rebound or we get a foul, plus the offense has your bigs on the perimeter during the offensive sets……wow, and he’s coaching?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 7:11 AM
we cant compare our bigs to rodman, etc. they were also put in positions to rebound. I honestly cant wait until we have finished “renovating” the team. there will be other changes. okay, why can’t the #17 pick get more minutes. the #24 pick has more minutes than the #17 pick? and we put out more to get him?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 7:15 AM
also, before the game even started, i said “don’t fuss when we get outrebounded with the 3 guard lineup” or something similar. The initial response was “we rebounded the best with our 3 guard lineup”….lol….at this point, we need better plays, not three guards in the game, what advantage did that give us. In the NBA teams will go after weaknesses and make you pay…
Comment from MakRapLifestyle
Time October 9, 2010 at 8:36 AM
You can’t win every game, but the rebounding thing needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. That’s what bothers me in 2K11 as well, lol.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 8:48 AM
Booker has speed and power…..time to unleash him at the 3. That has to be an advantage, in more ways than one. And these weak screens just blow me away. the most we are going to get out of that is an offensive foul. Same ole Flip to me. Begin as you expect to proceed. Practice as you expect to play during the game. Any way you paint it, this can’t continue. Yeah, skill (and pure speed) will get you there sometimes, but execution will get you to the promised land….and what was the comment about teams are getting away from post play….tell that to the lakers, celtics, etc.
Wall doesn’t need to play 38 minutes in the preseason. He isn’t going to learn all he needs to learn in the preseason. He has 82 regular season games that count, and he needs to be ready for that also, becuz he is surely going to run into the rookie “wall”.
I am glad Yi is coming along. whoever lit the fire in him (if it wasn’t lit already, but never had a chance to show it or didn’t get credit for it), they need to come and school our big men.
Well, this is refreshing, because i feel that we have a chance against any team, but the execution is more than athletic ability.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 9, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Ok ok ok. You don’t win every game! Especially not on the road and especially on night 2 of a back to back.
We also have to expect situations where the flaws in the team are revealed, not just to always have every guy perform to his best level.
John Wall is a rookie. He has a *long road* to travel. Lets see how he handles some adversity, ok?
I’m pretty impressed with Gil’s play so far this preseason. It’s early days, but so far it looks like the move to off guard might work well for him. No, he isn’t scoring big numbers, but he is extremely productive. He got 16 points last night on only 12 shots. At the 2, he is not turning it over much at all. And he is still getting assists (4 last night — prob. some minutes at the point?) and rebounding pretty well. He got to the line 3 times last night in 24 minutes; not back to his previous average, but an improvement.
We aren’t going to be a good rebounding team no matter which of our guys are playing. We just don’t have a single above average rebounder at any front court position, and no they are not going to change totally just because we want them to. Maybe Booker and/or Seraphin develops in that direction. Right now it’s a team deficit.
Last night we were out-rebounded by 16. But one good thing is that we made up for that deficit in the other 2 stats related to possession of the ball — we had 6 more steals and 3 fewer turnovers.
I had to duck out mid-3d quarter; for one thing the video was so choppy it was more frustrating than beneficial, and for another I’d been up since 5am and was fading.
So I didn’t see the 4th quarter. From the boxscore it looks like we had Nick, H, Hudson, Seraphin and maybe Thornton (?) on the floor most of that quarter?
We were down by 20 at the end of 3, so maybe it was just run and jump the last 12 minutes — is that how it looked to you guys who got to watch the game?
Still, it does look like H had some good minutes. He missed his only shot, but he had 3 rebounds, a steal and a block in 11 minutes.
Hudson looks to have played extremely well, making up for his spotty effort the other night (one of those “spots” being a game-winning shot! 
).
Seraphin maybe not so much, as he managed 4 fouls and 2 turnovers in only 8.5 minutes. He needs minutes all the same.
Comment from Dunked
Time October 9, 2010 at 9:26 AM
The draft picks need an extended look mixed-in with the starters, they look lost. Booker is NOT an SF, not sure what he is going to offer since he’s undersized.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 9, 2010 at 9:39 AM
CBSsports article on Gilbert — you won’t like it, but maybe want to read anyway:
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 9, 2010 at 9:40 AM
Booker doesn’t look lost to me — not at all, not from what I’ve seen (which admittedly is only 5 or so minutes).
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 9, 2010 at 11:24 AM
re: Tom M’s link to the CBS article on Arenas
Anyone that CARES about Arenas or has an opinion of him should read the article. I don’t think it should turn into a “like/dislike” issue for the reader; it is a “truth of the matter” situation. A nice find.
The idea of “pitying” Arenas is hogwash – no matter how big of a fan/supporter you are to him. We fans can/have forgiven him and that should be the extent. Logically, there is no example I can think of that warrents the “pity” perspective.
And I shall end my rant with a real life situation (paraphrased from Reader’s Digest). A husband/wife ran a small restaurant together with no outside help other than their own children. Wife dies of cancer prematurely and thus effectively ending the marriage partnership and the restaurant partnership. The husband goes through emotional pain and depression because he is clueless on how to restart his life; both from a work and non-work (family) perspective. The husband goes around town and runs into former restaurant customers and tells stories of how terrible his situation is as a result of his wife’s passing. He only wants pity from others because he thinks those people are empathetic to his cause. He gets pity and sympathy from others until the truth is revealed that he does nothing to improve his own situation except sulking. He also does not confront the truth and does not ask for help. And so once the gig is up, he’s left with absolutely nothing but despair because no one will help him or care.
Does Arenas have the capacity to do something similar with his situation? You bet and it is up to you to figure out if he’s squeezing you of false pity or if he’s really dying inside.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Arenas is about the best thing going on the team right now. I don’t see any cries for pity, I just see what a healthy gil is all about. Gil will always make “head-scratching” comments. He is what he is, whether it’s politically correct or rational/irrational, that’s what we have in Gil.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 12:47 PM
My honest opinion of the wiz. We seem to have struck gold with Yi, thus far. I don’t understand what’s up with playing Booker at the three. that was the early word, now we see nothing. The perimeter will be okay with the three guards (not in at the same time), but it’s just a lil to soon to say that the team is JW’s, let him play a year under Gil/Heinrich. McGee is not a starter in the NBA right now. He will continue to be outrebounded as long as he has to keep helping out the guards that cant keep their men in front of them…
Hmmmmmmm, it may be preseason, but Flip may be past his coaching prime. Last season it was we don’t want to show too much during preseason and the same stuff happened in the regular season….lol….He can’t run an offense. There is no way AB should be running out on the perimeter taking jump shots….go be an assistant whereever garnett is playing if you want to see that, btw-i don’t even thing kg is doing that anymore…lol….outdated
There is no excuses of a back-back. chicago played a back-back also. How about the team relies on athletic ability moreso than running plays, and if a team has more/better athletes we’re done???????
Comment from gray16
Time October 9, 2010 at 1:14 PM
didn’t see the game so i won’t comment on that, other than saying we need some rebounding help. as far as the offense, i won’t get into that, nor flip’s coaching.
but i will comment on the gil situation. i think the media is going to read into whatever gil says. unfortunately, they haven’t learned to take whatever gil says with salt, and not just a grain. what comes out of his mouth is either misinterpreted so much, or so crazy for many to understand, that you have to hear him say it twice to understand it. so like i said before, his comments about feelings and moving on don’t bother me.
as far as needing a trade or a new place, i do think he would be better off in other places. but i also think he likes what he is doing here. and i don’t think even he can gauge how he feels here until after a season of play. this team hasn’t hit it’s lowest of lows or highest of highs for the season yet, and that’s when you find the true characters of players. so we have a while to hear what gilbert is really thinking, and while the media is trying to draw blood from any stone in sight, they are just going to be typing hot air for now.
but for both situations, the offense, and the gil situation, i think a half season or more is needed to get an idea of where things really stand.
Comment from Arthritic
Time October 9, 2010 at 2:37 PM
i just remember when we first got yi
everyone here didnt know him very well but said he was an “average” to “below average” player who has a “bad shooting percentage”
ive been saying hes pretty good.
well have to see what he does once the actual season starts.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Right now, I think Yi is more of a starter than our other two starting big men. I don’t know what the problem is right now, but he’s finding a way to fit in. HOWEVER, if we are moving to more of a perimeter team, we can’t complain about the rebounds but so much.
I for one, hated the the trade, but i’m hoping he can keep proving me wrong.
My last opinion on Arenas: He’s had time to get healthy, and now he’s basically back.
Comment from dayle
Time October 9, 2010 at 3:23 PM
Great comments from DCB and Gray.
You can’t run away from your problems.. like somebody
said, Gil is still adjusting.. he just needs a little support.
What happened to our idea of giving Gil a present with
our sentiments?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 9, 2010 at 4:12 PM
Arthritic — it’s not a matter of having “said” he was below average — he *was* below average. He’s been an unproductive NBA player for 3 seasons.
But he has played well so far in preseason, especially vs. Cleveland and his first half vs. the Mavs. Not all that well last night. We’ll just have to see how he plays in the regular season.
There’s been some talk about extending him — we have til 11/1 to do so. That’s *not* something I’d do. It’d be a decision based on hope and nothing more.
Comment from gray16
Time October 9, 2010 at 5:35 PM
if yi continues to play well, he should be our starting 3 for now imo. either that or a sixth man with major minutes.
mabye this is just the right team for him. mabye all that hard work is finally paying off. mabye yi has a lot of confidence after finally being china’s main guy this year. who knows, but if he continues to show he can be a great player for this team, that’s all that matters.
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 9, 2010 at 6:17 PM
I think the starting lineup on opening night, based on training camo and preseason, should be
1. Wall
2. Gil
3. kirk or thorton (but hopefully howard is back)
4. Yi
5.Blatche
McGee, although the most exciting player to watch, needs to earn a starting spot. not given one to make the crowd say WOW every now and again..
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 9, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Lots of ideas, but…
Yi doesn’t handle the ball nearly well enough to play the 3, and he isn’t quick enough to defend the position either.
Howard back for opening night? I’ll be happy if he gets on the court a little in December and is ready to start in January.
McGee is not a strong rebounder, but he has averaged more than either Yi or Dray. Without him in the starting lineup, we would be giving our opponents a lot of extra possessions of the ball.
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 9, 2010 at 6:58 PM
re: Gil’s latest article and other blogger responses
What I don’t get is – why so many of you bloggers keep blaming the media for “twisting words” and “making Gilbert look bad” and “misinterpreting him” and whatnot but have not provided any proof to justify your claim? I don’t have problems with your opinions of Gilbert, but I do have problems with a lack of evidence.
Here’s some facts on why the media can’t and shouldn’t be blamed for EVERYTHING Gilbert related:
a) Gilbert has lied before – not once but a couple times
This is the big one. He’s protecting his own self interest and he has a habit of reducing any issue (no matter how serious) into a non-issue by skirting/side-stepping the truth or talking about something completely different than the issue at hand (red herring)
b) The media has “insider sources” that speak on conditions of anonymity because that source is protecting the subject under fire (in this case, Gilbert) but at the same time is revealing some truths on the subject under fire
As much as I would like to believe the media makes up a lot of dung on athletes, I think it is far too much work to do so. Plus, reputations are on the line. For “lower level” journalists like Mike Wise/Michael Lee of WaPo – if their aspirations are to get to the top (say, to a national outlet like ESPN), then screwing up now is really bad for their career advancement. These journalists can destroy their careers once they’re in the big leagues (i.e., Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon [ticking time bomb], Chris Broussard [ticking time bomb if he doesn't get off LeBron's n*ts]), but their records were clean when they were a “nobody”.
c) Gilbert’s track record is not squeaky clean
In addition to throwing coaches under the bus (i.e., Eddie Jordan), throwing teammates under the bus (i.e., Caron Butler), having an inflated ego greater than all the other egomaniacs at Team USA tryouts (i.e., spewing some simmering words at director Jerry Coangelo), Gilbert has also gotten himself with a couple arrests (famous quote from South Beach “You can’t arrest me. I’m a basketball player. I play for the Washington Wizards, and I’m not going to leave my teammate.”) and misdermeanors (Golden State gun charge) and now a felony (DC gun charge).
Seriously, when you look at everything this guy has brought to, not just the Wizards but, his own young life of only 28.75 years old, you really have to weigh the costs and benefits.
And this is why all the negative stuff that’s been written on Gilbert are justified.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 9, 2010 at 7:00 PM
PG Wall
SG Arenas
SF Yi
PF Blatche
C McGee
This is what I would love to see on opening night…..
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 9, 2010 at 7:07 PM
At this point, I just want the focus to be on basketball. Just play at your best on both ends of the floor, and that goes for the entire roster.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 7:21 PM
WOW, Hibbert looks like a SF against Yao.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Hmmmmmm, just a thought. If you keep bringing in a certain level of players to play a position, what do you think is going to happen during game-time?
Get a better grade and you might get better results. I’m still stuck on why a 17 and 24 pick can’t get more time to see what they have during preseason. isn’t this the perfect opportunity?
Comment from tyrone2000
Time October 9, 2010 at 7:25 PM
bullets_fusion
Concerning my man Gilbert Arenas
a) Not too many of us has not lied before – not once but a couple times
This is the big one. Name the person that does not protect his own self interest at some point and has a habit of reducing any issue (no matter how serious) into a non-issue by skirting/side-stepping the truth or talking about something completely different than the issue at hand (red herring) and I will show you a bum on the street…
b) Someone always have inside info that means nothing
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 9, 2010 at 7:43 PM
@ tyrone2K
a) Here’s the big difference between you, me, and Gilbert with lying — he has a camera or voice recorder following him A LOT; we don’t. Gilbert is under the microscope and he needs to be smarter on when to lie and when not to lie.
b) I don’t understand what you’re saying there. So many important stories (sports, politics, whatever) are broken due to insider info. Heck, even in Wall Street, insider info is key to making or breaking the financial system.
If we don’t have insider info, how would we know Gil got into an argument with Javaris about gambling money and then did some gun thing in the locker? If we don’t have insider info, how would we know Mike Vick was involved with mistreatment of dogs?
Bottom line is that both YOU and ME should know what’s going on, sports-wise, with Gilbert. We don’t need to know things like he likes to get his nails done at Monique’s Parlor on U Street on Wednesdays at 2 pm, but we need to know how his knee is doing and how he’s coping with the gun thing and how he’s doing as the 2-guard.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 7:58 PM
ROFLMAO At Fusey…..
20 games into a healthy season and IF we have a winning record, all of this may be mute. IF we have a losing record, Gil is going to say something else…lol…he probably will say something if we’re winning, but it would be more of a shock if he didn’t/doesn’t say anything at all…lol…it never was a big deal while we were winning, why is a big deal now?
I know we are rebuilding, but at what point do you stop grabbing “potential” and start grabbing bonafide.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 8:00 PM
whatever happened to the big man that was on the lakers? did someone sign him? he seemed pretty good.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 9, 2010 at 8:29 PM
I want to make sure that I have this right: The Wizards have played 3 pre-season games, all on the road. They have 4 players returning from the 2009-2010 pre-season team, and one of those players played about 30 games last season. They are starting a rookie at point guard and a new Wizard at the 3 (Hinrich). The experienced players, who will be getting 35+ minutes per games when the season starts, are averaging about 25 minutes per game now. We haven’t even determined the members of the 2010-2011 team. With all of that, the Wizards are 2-1…and we’re complaining. 
Only a Wizads blogger could take such a position.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 9, 2010 at 8:30 PM
Obviously, we bloggers are in mid-season form.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 9, 2010 at 8:38 PM
Having written that, I think that the Wizards have to take advantage of an inside-out game, and not rely entirely on the guard-oriented offense that we’ve shown so far.
Last season we saw that ‘Dray could score in the post even when double/triple teamed. We have also seen ‘Dray pass out of double/triple teams to lesser scorers than Gil, only to have the shot missed. We have seen “dribble/dribble/dribble” having a terrible time getting the ball into the post.
Now we have a point guard who can get the ball to the post; a SG who can put the ball in the basket; and ‘Dray who is great one-on-one in the post. So???
I hope we are playing possum! 
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Gotabig,
are you posting just so that you can use the emoticons?…lol…
After seven seasons as a GM, i don’t think EG values big men all that well. In all honesty, i don’t see how you turn over the center position to someone that hasn’t arrived. I just recall Haywood vs Thomas for 2/3 years battling it out, and they both “sucked” during that time frame. New team same “mentality”. I mean really, how is HA going to come in and almost claim a center position, but doesn’t get burn during a preseason game…..mind games aren’t going to cut it, this isn’t chess.
If Booker is as fast as JWall, put him on the three and get some more beef under the basket. Heinrich having heart at the three is admirable, but it’s not what is needed. Begin as you plan to proceed…..
Comment from ChenierFan
Time October 9, 2010 at 9:05 PM
If Flip is really serious about starting Kirk on the opening night then I have to change my guess for how many games the Wiz win this year from 48 to 34. I wasn’t counting on that level of stupidity.
Small ball does not work in the NBA on a consistant basis.
It works for about 8 minutes a game. That’s it.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 9, 2010 at 9:10 PM
MAN, The rockets have guards out the ying yang
ismael smith is a keeper.
Comment from gray16
Time October 9, 2010 at 9:15 PM
dc, i don’t think flip knows how he wants to proceed. i think he’s going to use this entire season to see how he wants to proceed for the future.
i know we want a winner, but it’s not going to happen overnight. and i know if it’s not looking like we are on our way after, let’s say, 3 preseason games, we might get a little worried, but we just have to be patient.
hilton armstrong will get playing time, there’s no doubt in my mind. flip is just juggling the rosters, trying to see everyone before the team starts making cuts. armstrong is a lock, he just needs minutes in those last couple of games to get a groove going into the regular season.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 9, 2010 at 9:33 PM
@dcbutler357 – just love those yellow-dogs.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 9, 2010 at 11:59 PM
Gilbert is Gilbert and will always be Gilbert. Who knows what you are going to get from him off the court? I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start wearing flannel shirts, carrying an ax, and saying heel to a big blue ox?
We need rebounding… but aren’t set up as a rebounding team…. duh. None of our bigs is a known rebounder. Yi has surprised but that isn’t going to be enough. Rebounds will be “our weakness” this season. Our only hope is that Booker and Seraphin develop all that beef QUICKLY. That would translate into a few rebounds, but, I’m really not expecting it. I would rather see Booker getting some minutes at the 3 while Kirk was over reading war and peace on the bench. We already know what Kirk can do. Seraphin is a big atheletic dude. I say we give him a lot of burn now, in the preseason, to see if we have anything we can develop This Season. If we can’t rebound I don’t give us a lot of chance to win that many games.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 2:43 AM
Gray16, you tried, but it’s not making sense, sorry.
This man is starting to look clueless, once again. Okay, next phase of rebuilding: new coach…lol
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 10, 2010 at 8:10 AM
@dcbutler — for “mute” I think you mean “moot.” (sorry… I was an english teacher long time ago!)
@ gotabig — I’m w/ you on the rush to doubt everything. It’s kinda silly — of course that doesn’t make it any less fun!
@dcbutler — I don’t know that Ernie doesn’t appreciate big men; I wonder about that. It does seem *extremely hard* to get even one good big except with a high draft pick, or if you’re in a market where you can pay well into the luxury tax and still make out, or if you happen to be lucky.
I put the picks of McGee and Seraphin in the “lets try to get lucky” category, and I think that’s a good use of mid first round picks (they have a pretty low % of working out as something special anyway).
SA has another trick where they pick a European big in round 2 who isn’t coming over right away — like Tiago Splitter, who just joined them; they also grabbed Luis Scola that way. Marc Gasol is a similar example, Marcin Gortat another, ditto Fesenko — all mid to late round 2 picks.
Of course, there’s a list of those picks that *didn’t* come over or didn’t develop or whatever — anyone seen Stanko Barac lately?
Hard to get a good big man.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 10, 2010 at 8:41 AM
Good Post Insider article on Yi:
His work w/ Thorpe seems to have been in the right direction. Maybe he *will* become a better player this year. Would be altogether excellent for that to happen!
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 9:07 AM
Thanks Tom , for the english lesson and another HUGE LESSON.
not ONLY should the team be sending their players to camps, BUT THE AGENTS, should also look into these measures, to make their players marketable. Or the players themselves should hire someone. Now i’m asking, who does JM have for an agent? Who did he hire to “school” him? I can’t take anymore statements like, “I didn’t learn anything with Team USA”. If he didn’t, cut him now…LOL….
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 9:15 AM
C’mon, in seven years? That is a bit too long to get a half-way decent big man. What, we give him another three or four? If you can’t draft one, go get one off of the free agent wire. Stop signing or extending your own players, that are more or less backups on another team, if another team would take them (fab, and the other guy that went to china, and the awful extension give to etan thomas). But Haywood finally comes around and you trade him……that’s not appreciating or knowing what to do with a big man. Then there’s drafting Ramos, signing calvin booth, the other big man that threw the ball in the air and mo pete grabbed it and hit the three. I say EG doesn’t appreciate big men because he figures you can go grab anyone (HA) and plug him in on the team. Other teams come and their bigs have career days against us. Their bench players look like all-stars against our bigs….lol….oh well, I give EG one more, two more seasons at the max and he’s gone.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 9:23 AM
Do some of these players have a clue? No matter how much we dislike the kobes and the lebrons of the league, we MUST give them their props. These players separate themselves from the best because they go get better, not talk about getting better. Kobe is already being compared with Jordan, and he still went and hired Akeem the Dream to teach him. These players are basically on an operating room table during the off-seasons, due to trying to carry their teams on their back all season on a bad hand/leg/arm etc. These players deserve to be paid for what they do and go through. I’m not going to sit here and keep bashing McGee, but cmon son, your mom has an inside track (or so you would think), why think you are so good that you don’t need to pay attention to anyone?
Comment from neal
Time October 10, 2010 at 9:33 AM
I am so pissed with the Post. They are completely ignoring the preseason. Imagine them doing that with the Redskins.
I went to a sports bar but no luck getting the Wiz on direct TV. Maybe I wasn’t saying the right thing.
Someone tell me how Thornton and Booker are looking. Who looks better? Does the 3 guard lineup look like a keeper? Are we being outrebounded?
Comment from Dunked
Time October 10, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Neal – The Post Wizard Insider HAS been doing a very good job covering pre-season and the Wizards in-general.
I wish I knew how the draft picks were doing, but Flip isn’t really giving them an extended game-time look. I have no idea. I heard Booker isn’t an SF, so I wonder how they are going to use him.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 10, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Kirk At The 3?
What are you guys thoughts on this? I like Kirk and I think it could work but I also think it could be the dumbest move in the history of coaching. 1st off, many people wondered could Wall & Gil work together for a number of reasons. You are taking the ball out of Gil’s hands and its a small backcourt defensively. It would probably also hurt our rebounding. Now not only do we have that but Flip is starting another 6’4 guard at the 3. Kirk has always been one of the best perimiter defenders in the league but that was at the 1. He’s been good enough to defend the 2 but at the 3? He’ll have to guard Lebron, Pierce, and all these guys. I saw Pierce kill him last year.
On top of that, 1st Gil had to worry about Wall but now you are putting 2 guys on the floor to take the ball out of Gil’s hands. That makes no sense. The Gil-Wall backcourt can be dynamic so why screw with that by putting a 3rd ball handling PG in the lineup? Gil looks better every game and should have the ball when Wall doesnt have it. The other side is Offense. What did we say about Gil at the 2? We said that he could have a hard time guarding cats but no 2 can guard him. You cant say that about Kirk. NY starts a 7ft Gallo at the 3. Kirk has to guard him but on the flip side he has to guard Kirk, except Kirk cant take advantage of that matchup like an Arenas could. Its like no upside. Kirk isnt going to drop 30.
When it comes to rebounding, Dray & McGee are already suspect and now you are going to surrond them by 3 PG sized guards? Then what about scoring? We all know that you cant count on McGee and right now you pretty much just want him to be a finisher. That means we are counting on a rookie, a guy who hasnt really played in 3 years who you dont know what to expect from, and a big who is rusty from a foot injury, out of shape, and isnt fully finished yet anyways. I still think Flip’s system makes it hard for guys like Wall & Gil to finish at the rim off the pick & roll. To me it just makes more sense to have a bigger guy who is also a scoring threat.
I dont like Yi to be at the 3 because I want both him & Dray to stay being used to playing inside. You also want that guy off the bench that you know you can count on. I think you have to start a Howard or Thorton. Maybe even an NY over Kirk. Shoot, I may even say that if you want to start another little guy then maybe it should be Hudson. One thing you might could do is start Dray at the 5 & Yi at the 4 but again with Kirk at the 3 so you have enough O but again, I like to have that scoring on the bench that you can count on. However, I wouldnt be totally against that one. Just let Kirk get used to being the 3rd guard and stop making it more harder for Gil to have the ball in his hands. Despite everything I just said, Im not 100% against it yet. I think weve seen evidence that it can work.
That main thing to me is Gil. I think so far he’s still our #1 guy to count on and I think you have to do whatever it is to put him in the most comfortable position. I think maybe removing Kirk and letting Gil handle the ball more would be better. No doubt Wall will still be the primary ball handler but when its not him then it should always be Gil. I think that will keep him more aggressive also. The one problem on the flip side is that having Kirk maybe makes Gil more of a scorer. Adding another scorer in the lineup may take shots away from Gil. It’s just all so tricky because every guy I talked about can be great for us but youre still not 100% sure that you can count on them alone right now to dominate by themselves at what they do.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 10, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Thats not even including the problems with size, rebounding, and defense
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 12:32 PM
we have been needing a three for how long? I put this solely on the people that could have brought one in here, even if it was someone that would have been here for one year. we could have used singleton at the three?? whatr about Martin? Have we given Booker a realistic shot before shooting it down??
All of the players that went overseas, there wasn’t a three among them? Okay, let’s stop trying to convince ourselves that what the current regime is doing, is actually going to work. Put a team together for once, with people in a position that they can succeed, rather than over achieve
Comment from neal
Time October 10, 2010 at 12:47 PM
At some point I get to say “I told you so” about Yi.
Slick isn’t a great defender but he’s certainly better than Arenas. Gil gives his man an 8-10 foot cushion, allowing him to shoot all the perimeter jump shots he wants.
Draftees who aren’t good enough to be in the rotation right away have a tough situation. I’m disenchanted with the D League. Seems to me from what little I’ve found out that they get not much and not good coaching there. And it’s hard to develop sitting at the end of the parent club bench. They would better coaching and experience on a good college or foreign team.
Or you guys sure that if we don’t put N’Diaye on our roster we lose his rights? We can’t sent him to Europe for a year or two?
Has Armstrong taken a shot yet?
Comment from gray16
Time October 10, 2010 at 12:58 PM
i don’t like hinrich at the three myself. yes he is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, but that’s a huge size disadvantage that hurts us is our already weak category: rebounding.
we need a sf out there who can not just defend, but also rebound.
i say put booker out there. he reminds me of dom mcguire with more scoring ability. he can fill the stat sheet in assists and rebounds, along with blocks and steals. if he can limit his turnovers, and make the most of his open shots, he deserves the starting sf spot.
if not him, the obvious choice is yi imo. but like i said before, yi off the bench with major minutes would be smart, since we would have guy to go to off the bench.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 1:56 PM
If we cut NDiaye, we don’t have a claim to him at all. If cut, we sever the ties.
I’m excited about the new start, not excited about some of the decision/wasted opportunities
Comment from neal
Time October 10, 2010 at 7:55 PM
I guess a draft pick could go to Europe for a year or two, even if he had never played there before, as long as he had never appeared in training camp, and we would retain his rights.
How much has N’Diaye played? How has he looked?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 10, 2010 at 8:13 PM
N’Diaye saw his first action vs. the Bulls and seems to have played well, especially (ok… exclusively!) on defense. In 11 minutes, he had 3 rebounds, a steal and a block. Missed his only shot and committed 2 fouls. Not a bad start.
I’d definitely keep him this year w/ an option for next year. Who you going to keep instead, Cartier Martin? He is going to do what for the team?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 8:36 PM
they way these players are “marinated” into the team, it doesn’t look like any of them are going to do anything. As I said previously, time to renovate the mentality and start getting proper grooming for our youth. The way it has been up to now, there is NOTHING in place to groom the kids. Free agents don’t wanna come and surely draft picks are going to start following suit, until we change the culture. Forget what the player is going to do for the team, what is the team going to do for the player once they are here. This waiting for Javale to become a beast isn’t going to happen, just because we see potential. NY isn’t going to become a beast because he added some weight. What type of training, from proven trainers, is in place for these kids. We have drafted four kids and only 1 1/2 see minutes. Why did we draft the other two? Please don’t say to sit on the bench.
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 10, 2010 at 8:52 PM
Dcbutler,
Free agents are going to come soon.
Who wouldn’t want to play with a point guard like John Wall?
Most players follow the money most of the time anyway.
Where are they going to go? Sacramento? Detroit? Milwaukee? Clippers?
Let’s see what this group can do before we even decide we need free agents.
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 10, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Ndaye’s box score sure looked good for his first action.
Tom, I’d sign him to a one years contract with two team options.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 10, 2010 at 9:02 PM
“… I was an english teacher long time ago!” – Tom M. Okay, now I’m getting nervous…too scary. You were an English teacher; so was I. You are a professional writer; I was a professional writer. You are now an entrepreneur; I am an entrepreneur. Please don’t tell me that you were a basketball coach. We might just be mirror twins who were separated at birth.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 9:10 PM
hmmmmm, draftazoid (or should i call you left field)
haven’t you paid attention to this off season. money is being pushed aside to go for the ring. the players are going to get paid regardless. Everyone isn’t as shallow as you perceive them to be.
LOL…Unfortunately, i’m not the one to ask to “let’s see how they do, before we decide we need free agents”
i’m not the one that decides how much burn they get, and I never said forget the draft picks and go get free agents. Do we pay attention before we run off with thoughts around here????
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 10, 2010 at 9:20 PM
Rebounding is comprised of four elements: (1) position, (2) determination, (3) size, (4) the bounce
The bounces even-out over the course of the season (Tom M. – please confirm that’s a true statement. I’ve preached it for years). McGee and ‘Dray both have the size. I believe that they both have the determination. I think that, on both offense and defense, they are not in position enough to get big rebounding numbers. That is a factor of both the players’ instinct and the coach’s Xs and Os. Don’t lay it all on the players, but, also, don’t lay it all on the coach. The best rebounders are just that, rebounders. We don’t have anyone who just rebounds. McGee should (and Flip should use offenses/defenses that allow him to) concentrate on rebounding and running (racing…really liked that from Post Yi article) the floor. He could become the best rebounder in the NBA while getting 10+ pts every game through pure hustle. JV, if you are reading this – THOSE ARE BIG BUCKS, ALL-STAR NUMBERS! That was just for dcb.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 9:28 PM
Yeah, Yi went and got a professional trainer. also, the whole play isn’t getting broken down. If McGee is jumping out because the guards are getting beat, his man will get the offensive rebound. It’s a domino effect.
It’s time to get the PR mentality outa here and get the “real” folks on the team.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 9:30 PM
oh well, i’ll just see how this plays out…..one Gm and coach, to go please….lol…
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 10, 2010 at 10:03 PM
Money is only being pushed aside if you are Lebron, Dwade, Bosh (superstars already making 17 plus million a year) or you are old like Mike Miller (he said he has plenty of money now). Anyone else and you are pretty much going for the money.
Wait until the next collective bargaining agreement and it changes to a Hard Cap. Players will go for the money as soon as possible.
In a hard cap, like the NHL, you could be offered $5milion a year from one team. If you hesitate and the team pulls the offer, you could end up with 1.5 million a year (or worst).
Most likely the next agreement will have a Franchise Tag. So you will not see the CP3′s and Durants move.
In my opinion we don’t need anybody right now. We could use a really good small forward but there aren’t any in the open market.
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 10, 2010 at 10:06 PM
Javale’s going to blow up this year.
He will be an opposing big man’s night mare. With John Wall pushing the ball and our 7 foot center running the floor like a gazelle what are the big boned centers going to do?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 10, 2010 at 10:08 PM
if you really don’t think that we need anything but a small forward, have a nice night, this conversation is over, i will go no further…may you keep receiving all your wishes
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 10, 2010 at 10:26 PM
No trust in the Wizads this year.
Do we need a guard?
What Power Forward or Center would you like to have?
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 10, 2010 at 10:35 PM
I wanted David Lee. I would have settled for Carlos Boozer for a couple years.
David Lee ended up not being on the market because he left in a sign and trade.
Chicago is hoping that Boozers age doesn’t catch up to the years they gave him on his deal.
Add Stoudemire and Bosh and that is all the quality bigs on the market.
4 of them.
Stoudemire has injury problems so I wouldn’t have signed him.
That leaves 2 long term Bigs in Bosh and Lee that were available in the market.
Again. Lee went in a sign and trade so he really wasn’t on the market.
Bosh went with Lebron and Wade.
Who does that leave? No one except for very high priced backups getting paid starter money. No thanks.
I am really glad the Wizards were conservative with this free agent market this year.
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 10, 2010 at 10:40 PM
I wonder what happened to Chris Wilcox when he was given a $60 million dollar deal.
He played dead and stole the money. That’s what he did.
Ended up he didn’t have to work hard anymore.
Guaranteed cash.
That is the problem with the NBA’s salary system.
You are guaranteed cash without working for it.
You really only need to work hard on the last year of your contract. (talk to brendan haywood=another great example-he goes from 7.3 rebounds a game to 9.3 on his contract year)
Comment from MakRapLifestyle
Time October 11, 2010 at 4:26 AM
Yeah, David Lee would have been the perfect addition to our roster.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 11, 2010 at 7:58 AM
@ Gotabig —
Really I am an *ex-entrepreneur*. I’m trying hard to be retired. But I was never a coach of any sport or other activity. Not nearly a good enough manager of people.
I don’t think I was a very good teacher either, to tell the truth. I taught college back in the day when they gave you no preparation or training.
(Btw, rebounding *comprises* — rather than being *comprised of* — its elements.)
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 11, 2010 at 8:14 AM
Tom M. – Yep. 
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 11, 2010 at 8:17 AM
@Gotabig –
Certainly, “bounces” even out over the season, although maybe there are some guys whose eyesight (or something…) is acute enough that from the flight of the shot they get at least some idea of which way the bounce will go?
All the same, rebounding is one of the skills that carries over from college to the pros most consistently, which a little bit argues that rebounders are as it were “born” not “made.”
I don’t think either Dray or JaVale will ever be strong rebounders. Anyway I always think you should concentrate on getting a guy to continue improving what he’s *good* at rather than fixing his deficits.
Problem in JM’s case is that other than what his extraordinary athleticism gives him, I don’t know what he’s good at. Shot-blocking obviously, but fun tho that is to see it’s not really something that makes a big difference in wins and losses.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 11, 2010 at 8:27 AM
@ dcbutler –
The best players go to camps to improve their play most summers — *Paul Peirce* goes to them!
Nick Young seems to spend his Summers playing in the LA leagues. I imagine it’s lots of fun, and I’m sure it’s a context where he shines.
McGee needs the help more than anyone. Despite his size and gifts, he really isn’t an ideal body type to defend the C position, and he needs someone working with him to learn how to work around the problems and get benefit from his extraordinary length, etc. He’s wasting important years.
Dray seems to have worked really hard this off-season, and he is someone whose attitude seems really to have taken a turn in the right direction. Maybe what happens next is that he becomes a student of the game, as it were. He could really take his productivity up another notch if he were to concentrate in that direction.
This whole thread is motivated by Yi’s off-season work w/ David Thorpe and his good results in the first 3 pre-season games. Love it, but lets hold judgment on him until we have a little more experience in the season.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 11, 2010 at 9:11 AM
LOL…Tom, that’s true, and it’s also motivated by the players bringing the same skill level to the team each year. We keep using the CBA as an excuse, but what is the real excuse of the inability to bring players in here, that are better than DLeague players.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 11, 2010 at 9:17 AM
Hello, Goodmorning (pdiddy/dirtymoney)
Flip Saunders’ experiment with 3-guard lineup leaves Al Thornton, the expected starter @ SF, confused with his role: http://wapo.st/aVxKhK
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 11, 2010 at 9:19 AM
aint this some caca!?!?!?
we in preseason and the players are questioning their roles? The sad part is, this player isn’t even a key player…..if he is questioning his role, im sure there are others….
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 11, 2010 at 9:58 AM
@dcbutler — From where I sit, I don’t see this team as ready to get any benefit from a high-priced FA.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 11, 2010 at 10:35 AM
That really isn’t the point…lol….english major huh
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 11, 2010 at 10:36 AM
I haven’t read or seen this yet:
Video of John Wall discussing 1st meeting with Derrick Rose: http://wapo.st/cFyJFK; UK’s John Calipari compares the 2: http://wapo.st/9FJGoI
Comment from neal
Time October 11, 2010 at 12:24 PM
No, we’re not in a position to go for a high-priced FA yet. We need to be a play-off team first.
To be a playoff team we need for several big questions to be answered positively, or we need another good draft or two. And we probably an all-star on the team to go with the one we get through free agency. If Wall or Blatche or McGee becomes an all-star we probably still need to get rid of the Arenas contract to afford raises to our current players and still afford a big-time FA.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 11, 2010 at 12:28 PM
RT @dcsportsbog: Does Gilbert look more like Bill Cosby from Uptown Saturday Night or Grady from Sanford and Son? http://wapo.st/btDU0c
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 11, 2010 at 12:36 PM
There is no need to answer the question on whether we need to go after a high-priced FA yet.
Some people always skirt the issue by bringing up an unrealistic question. That only works on kids or some bloggers…lol…
the issue is why can’t we field a team, when we’ve known our needs since prior to the end of last season. There is no reason to be playing Heinrich at the 3 for a long period of time. Begin as you plan to proceed. This is the NBA, what could you possibly be saving for the season????
I can root for a team, but I can’t follow people that are not leaders. I recall last year this same coach stating “we don’t want to show what we’re going to do in the regular season, during preseason” and i’ll be —- if he didn’t do the same preseason plans during the regular season…lol….what a character…
Write a comment
You need to login to post comments!
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:53 AM
DJ, Nice call last night. Even though there was no video your descriptions made it feel like I could see what was going on. Thanks.