Comment from proofofconcept
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:35 AM

Good Morning Blogger Family,

From a humanity perspective, I would like to send out my best wishes to Flip Saunders for having the courage to attempt to get our team on the right path to success.

While we see basketball as entertainment, it is the livelihood of others and we do not like to see anyone lose their job, regardless of the amount of money being earned.

to Flip and best wishes in all his future endeavors. From a humanity perspective, we all care for one another.

Now, back to blogging.

Comment from gray16
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:48 AM

Flip just wasn’t the guy for this squad, even though this squad needs a major overhaul. He was a soft coach who isn’t able to get through to young guys, and that’s not what we need.

That said, I still think he’s a good coach. I think with the right personnel, he can take a team far in the playoffs. But I don’t think he matched what we needed, and I think us and him will be better off after this move.

I did like what Mike Prada suggested after this season. Keep Wall, draft a star in this draft, and then put veterans around them. He mentioned that this is what the Sonics did for Payton and Kemp, and that turned out to be one of the best teams of the 90s, that would’ve won a ring had it not been for the GOAT.

If we can get a stud out of this draft, we have a lot of bargaining chips in Javale, Booker, Singleton, and Mack that could be traded for good vets. I don’t personally want to see any of those players go, but for good veterans, it would be worth it imo.

The only problem with this suggestion is the man behind the wheel, Ernie Grunfeld. Do we really trust he could turn those players into good veterans to build a squad to make a run? I don’t think I do, and I doubt many others do. So we would need to make another front office move imo if we wish to go that route.

Either way, this is the move we pretty much had to make at this point. I wish Flip well.

Comment from proofofconcept
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:18 AM

LOL….I in no way tried to say that we didn’t need a new coach, let’s get that clear RIGHT NOW…LOL…OR see all of my hair on the floor during the last two years.

In regards to this team and Flip as a coach, i’m ecstatic that he’s gone….

aren’t you in school? this blog ain’t paying your bills later in life, go study

Comment from gray16
Time January 25, 2012 at 11:36 AM

proof,

that wasn’t a response to you, that was just me typing out loud about how I felt on the situation.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time January 25, 2012 at 11:37 AM

“If we can get a stud out of this draft, we have a lot of bargaining chips in Javale, Booker, Singleton, and Mack that could be traded for good vets.” – gray16

You want to trade young, athletic players (at least one of whom could be a franchise player) for good veterans? I really don’t see that happening (thank goodness).

However, the Wizards had better do something with McGee this season or they will lose him and get nothing in return.

Comment from dayle
Time January 25, 2012 at 11:39 AM

So, what do you all think Nick is worth right now?

Grif, you missed my point.. you mentioned Randy had a
bad record.. I was just saying, Flip had a good one and
look what happened.

I do think Flip is a good guy and wish him the best.

Am hopeful now everybody will improve including Nick.

Comment from AJfromVA
Time January 25, 2012 at 11:49 AM

I’m excited bout tonights game! I think it was very strategic to fire Flip on the Tuesday when we didn’t have a game, and the next 3 games that we play being against the Bobcats, Rockets, and the Bobcats again which should give us a good chance at building a little win streak under a “new”/old system.

My expectations tonight:
Wall – 22, 10, 12 (6/16 from the field may not shoot great, 10 free throws)
Young – 33, 4, 3 (12/20 from the field, with threes, free throws)
Blatche – 20, 8, 5 (8/15 from the field, w/ free throws)
McGee – 17, 14, 4 bl bks (not a lot of post plays, just lots of put backs)

Comment from proofofconcept
Time January 25, 2012 at 12:02 PM

@gray16….ummmmmm schoolwork?…lol…

anyhoot, Ted has come out with his statement, in case anyone is interested.

Comment from dabeatkeeper16
Time January 25, 2012 at 12:12 PM

Well sorry if it sounds mean but I am glad to see Flip go! Changes was needed and the same old trash play could not go on. I expect the play will step up a little and we will win some games, next season get a long term coach in here and cont. to make changes and we may be on to something. I have always said we are better then what our record shows, just really, really poorly coached!

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time January 25, 2012 at 12:17 PM

Nick – I think he is worth four years/$25M. He has improved every aspect of his game, however he will be paid to score. He can fiull it up in the right offense, but there are a lot of great shooters in the NBA who shoot at a higher percentage than Nick. I believe that his agent was shopping him at five years/$50M. He might be worth $10M a year to some team(s), but I just don’t see it.

Comment from takeitback
Time January 25, 2012 at 12:22 PM

@ Gotabig — “You want to trade young, athletic players (at least one of whom could be a franchise player) for good veterans? I really don’t see that happening (thank goodness).”

What my man said!

(And this is really quite a development that Gotabig and I agree on so many issues — most of them, actually, outside of Dray)

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time January 25, 2012 at 12:23 PM

@ AJfromVA – man, I hope you’re right with your predictions for the game tonight. I agree that the timing of the coaching change and the schedule gives Randy a chance to get off to a great start.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time January 25, 2012 at 12:31 PM

@proofy, thanks for the heads-up on Ted’s Take. I read it and it’s kind of like the teacher’s voice in the Peanuts cartoons. There’s noise, but who cares!

Comment from takeitback
Time January 25, 2012 at 12:35 PM

@ Gotabig — I can’t see Nick as worth that kind of money, but at least you aren’t in the $10m camp w/ Neal.

The problem is that Nick is a specialist — a shooter. He doesn’t have the kind of all around game that a starter needs, and on a good team he can’t even really be the first 2 off the bench for the same reason.

Unfortunately, all his numbers are *down* from last season — he’s taking the same # of shots and FT attempts, but he’s producing a point less from them, and his other numbers overall are slightly down as well. It’s still early in the season, of course, but if his productivity season-long is at this level, then I’d be pretty clear that this is what you get from Nick Young, and it’s not enough.

To tell the truth, I expect that within about 4 years, Nick will be closer to a veteran minimum style player than anything else. I wouldn’t be investing in him long-term. Maybe one year @ $5m (and that’s over-paying, but we have the cap room) with an option — just in case he does suddenly improve.

Comment from takeitback
Time January 25, 2012 at 12:36 PM

@ dayle, jm90 & gotabig — I wrote some posts in the previous thread this morning that were in response to you. NBD, but if you want to read them, that’s where they are.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time January 25, 2012 at 1:29 PM

@ takeitback – Prior to this year I would have agreed with you about Nick being a one-dimensional player. I never argued that Nick was anything but a scorer. However, watching Nick play this year, it is obvious that he has worked hard to improve his defense, passing and rebounding. He is no longer one-dimensional.

You wrote that all of Nick’s numbers are down from last season. I’m not sure about last season, but I am certain that this season he has improved on his career numbers in rebounds per game (up 50%), free throw percentage (up 6%), assists (up 26%), and points per game (up 43%).

Most players on the Wizards have seen their numbers go down this season. One of the factors in the slide is the play of the point guard. The ball does not get to players when they are in a position to be successful. Passes are a beat too early or a beat too late. While I don’t agree with it, players are hesitant to run the floor when John has the ball because they are fairly certain that he is going to take it off tackle and there will be no outlet passes to spot shooters in the corners or on the wings. I hope that Wittman can make a real point guard out of John Wall because he is a talented athlete with a lot to offer.

Comment from takeitback
Time January 25, 2012 at 4:30 PM

@ Gotabig — Nick has *definitely* improved his focus and abilities on defense. It started last year, and this year we’ve seen him take a charge a couple of times; to me that is an indicator of having a “concept” on defense, thinking better about it.

His raw numbers this year and last are up from previous years because he plays so many more minutes. But, looking at just this year and last, the trend is as I described it.

Nick is playing 30.8 minutes per game so far. Last year he played 31.3 — about the same, in other words; 30 seconds less.

His FT% is up from a terrific 81.6% to an off the charts great 88.1%. But that’s more or less the end of the good news.

Per 40 minutes (to even out that 30 second difference), Nick shoots the same number of FGs as last year, but he gets a point and a half less. That’s because his FG% is down — on 2s and 3s. He gets a little bit of that back because of his even more excellent FT shooting, but not much.

Over the first 17 games this season, the rest of his stats are almost the same as last year: his rebounding is slightly down, his assists are slightly up, and the other stuff is just about the same.

He was shooting lights out the first few games, and then sort of fell off a wall percentage-wise, so I don’t know if I buy the argument that point guard play is the issue. In any case, it’ll matter more what we see nearer the end of the season.

Not trying to ding Nick Young. He’s a great kid — how could you not like him!? But… he’s not all that good an NBA player.

’07, when Nick was taken, was a really weak draft. 5 of the first 11 players taken have had no impact in the league and a 6th, Spencer Hawes, is having his first good year. Almost 1/3 of round 1 picks aren’t even playing in the league now! Of those that are, very few are productive at all (Thaddeus Young being a notable exception). Only 8 round 2 picks are in the league at all (but one of them is Marc Gasol).

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 4:33 PM

Go Wizards, I hope we get the best effort from the players for the rest of the season. We are not the worst team in the league.

Comment from takeitback
Time January 25, 2012 at 4:37 PM

@ Jerry Lee — “We often wonder how teams pass up on guys like Michael Jordan…”

?? Michael was taken 3d in the draft after Alajuwon (a hall of famer) and Bowie (who was fantastic but was done in by injuries). *Nobody* “passed” on Michael. Everyone knew he was going to be a fabulous player.

And no one questioned Kobe Bryant’s “intangibles” either. He was taken #13 in ’96 — when he was *17 years old!*

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 5:09 PM

Hakeem *Olajuwon*

Comment from jdeloris89@yahoo.com
Time January 25, 2012 at 5:16 PM

takeitback,nick may not be the best bball player in the NBA, but he’s a lot better than DOMINIC MCGUIRE,YOU’RE BBALL GOD.

Comment from dabeatkeeper16
Time January 25, 2012 at 5:55 PM

I think Nick will be a good player in the NBA just not here. I think it is time him him to get a frsh start. It was onlt this year that I really felt that way. Dre is the other one, I have also liked him and again think it is time for him to get a fresh start somewhere else. Well going down to see the game tonight, hopefully I can see the start of something new and exciting!!

Comment from dayle
Time January 25, 2012 at 6:22 PM

Tom, even your description of Nick has improved from a
couple years ago.. from really bad to not all that good.
His defensive improvement doesn’t show up in the numbers
and don’t you think his play this year is part of the whole
team’s disconnected and dysfunctional play? There are so many variables to be considered.. the coaches, the team he’s with.. if he’s used properly etc. don’t you think? It seems to me he’s done his most improving this last year so why would he stop just because he’s 26. maybe he’s a late, late bloomer.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 6:54 PM

Dave and Glenn checking in from Verizon Center…we start with Randy Wittman interview at 7:00 PM

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 7:03 PM

D.J Augustin is out with a toe injury

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 7:53 PM

Nothing is guaranteed in this league. The Wizards have had plenty of chances this season against banged up teams. The Wizards can not take anyone lightly, especially with their record. They have to just come out and play hard.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:00 PM

Looking forward to seeing

1. Starting line ups
2. 1st qtr start
3. Substitution patterns
4. Offensive and Defensive rotations
5 Whittman’s coaching philosophy

Lastly, the energy and effort on all the players who will be re-energized and who will fall by the waist side…Answers coming soon

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:03 PM

Looks like the same line ups from Wittman’s shootaround interview.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:04 PM

we are underway

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:06 PM

starters Wall and Young at guards

Lewis and Blatche at forward

McGee at center

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:07 PM

Bobcats Kemba Walker and Geraald Henderson at guards

Derrick Brown and Tyrus Thomas forwards

Byron Mullins at center

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:07 PM

@wewantawinner-Interesting pregame interview, sounds like he will not change much to start. Hmmmmm, man talk of a lame duck coach.

Simplify and accountability we will see, he already is making excuses if you listen to him, oh well good luck Wizards and Randy (for the rest of the short season)

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:08 PM

Okay Lewis is getting the start????????

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:09 PM

B.T.W. Dave and Glenn have a great call tonight, and Dave enjoyed you last night on 106.7 the fan, I was the next caller after your interview

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:09 PM

Henderson and Thomas are Wizard killers, Wall has to keep Walker out of the paint and use his size advantage.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:11 PM

It’s weird how bad the Wizards are this year without the annual injury excuse.

Comment from datonypony
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:12 PM

Let’s go wizarrrrds

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:14 PM

Nice start on both ends, Nick Young has come out shooting tonight.

Comment from Phemy
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:15 PM

Mcgee making the extra pass in the paint. Good to see.
Let’s get that W tonight!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:16 PM

8-2 energy ios godd

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:17 PM

Young is the reason, and McGee and others playing with passion

Comment from datonypony
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:20 PM

Defense needs to be sharper.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:23 PM

Good effort so far, Vesely is coming in early.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:26 PM

It’s seems like the Wizards can never get a rebound after a missed free throw.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:27 PM

good call phemy

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:27 PM

Good point Glenn about Whittman and accountability so why didn’t Flip do it more?

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:30 PM

23 pts and counting for the Wizards (again 1st qtr start) nice so far

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:30 PM

Mack and Vesely, the rookie connection!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:30 PM

mack and walker rematch of the 2011 national title game

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:33 PM

Brown has been out working the Wizards bigs.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:34 PM

Thank you Dave and Glenn for the shout out

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:35 PM

good d by vesely

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:37 PM

You’ve got to love Vesely’s energy.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:38 PM

We had a 31pt 1st qtr when was the last time that took place? The Bobcats are like Chicken soup, if any team needs to get better just look for them on the schedule…

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:38 PM

thanks everyone for listening

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:38 PM

henderson out lower back strain

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:39 PM

No Dave, Glenn and Sportzwiz…THANK YOU for making this blog a place for Wizards fans

Comment from datkid88
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:41 PM

Like wat I see so far but I expected this against the bobcats 2nite with or without flip…but wtf did booker do to get out the rotation????

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:42 PM

@JeffMalone The Wizards still can’t take them lightly.

Comment from Phemy
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:44 PM

haha, JaVale McGee, meet Bismack Biyombo.
And please stop taking jumpers….

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:44 PM

Vesely looks the best defender on the team in terms of pick and roll defending and staying in front of his man. McGee is of course the best shot blocker on the team.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:45 PM

@wewantawinner-We agree on that however with DJ and Henderson out for the Bobcats we should get a win at home

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:46 PM

Stop booing Blatche, he is playing with great effort and any other player would have been blocked by Thomas… The Wizards have only scored 1 point in this quarter.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:49 PM

@JeffMalone1990 Of course, but with two wins so far this season, the Wizards can’t get ahead of themselves and start playing sloppy.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:53 PM

Javale McGee is an awful outlet passer, he needs to work on his passing.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:55 PM

Blatche is playing hard, but he is struggling to finish at the rim.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 8:59 PM

11 turnovers for boibcats

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:02 PM

12 assists and 10 TO’s so far for the Wiz…Blatche is playing hurt and is getting the boo birds at home, c’mon fans we are better than that

Comment from dayle
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:03 PM

also, wondering about Booker.. he didn’t play the last
game did he?

Comment from datkid88
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:03 PM

Booker’s in!!!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:04 PM

The mark of a bad team…being inconsistent…The Wiz have a great 1st qtr and so far a horrible 2nd, so more like the 2nd qtr of this game is like what our 1st has been all year

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:08 PM

The Wizards need to pick it up on offense in the second half.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:09 PM

we want a winner you called it…he is doing right moves but a step slow at rim

Comment from dayle
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:13 PM

20 points ahead.. when has that happened?
I’m sure they can do more, but they look good to me.

Comment from datkid88
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:20 PM

Sorry but I think the bobcats are just that bad…can’t go wrong with a blowout tho

Comment from Mr. Know it All
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:20 PM

Wiz up by 20!!!….. Well I guess we all know now what/who the problem was …… LOL

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:23 PM

yeah we cant worry about opponent…just get it and keep moving forward

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:25 PM

Kemba is 4-15 and all of Blatche’s 8 shots have been in the paint.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:27 PM

The Wizards are getting sloppy and Brown is still taking the ball to the rim.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:28 PM

7-0 bobcats run

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:28 PM

Get Vesely in there, take out Lewis. The Wizards have proven that they can’t play with a lead.

Comment from datkid88
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:31 PM

I really don’t like lewis on this team

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:31 PM

8 blocks tyrus thomas

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:37 PM

10-2 run

Comment from tyrone2000
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:40 PM

Lewis should be the Wizards go to post up player when they go on one of their slumps…

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:41 PM

Lewis could give us way more than he has, oh well. Vesely, Singleton, and Booker are all way better options at starting small forward.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:45 PM

Vesely really helps get the ball moving with his touch passes.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:50 PM

vesely comes in and makes things happen you are so right

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:50 PM

I like the spread of minutes tonight, I hope Wall did not get too use to playing 37 minutes a game. He’ll play better if he’s well rested.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 9:59 PM

like the wizards activity on defense

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 10:06 PM

58 points in the paint for wizards

Comment from Jerry Lee
Time January 25, 2012 at 10:10 PM

I was right about the Wiz picking Vesley.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 10:14 PM

Wall ending the game really sloppy with 3 straight turnovers.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 10:19 PM

Glad to see Randy take him immediately and stay true to his word of accountability.

Comment from datonypony
Time January 25, 2012 at 10:23 PM

Well our half court offense certainly wasn’t pretty, but we defended adequately against a Bobcats team with pretty much no offense at all.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 25, 2012 at 10:25 PM

post game show with glenn $50 gift card up for grabs from carmines

thanks again everyone

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 10:28 PM

Good win, I won’t overanalyze this game because we played a bad team. All around good effort. It looks like Randy is really going to make players earn their minutes. I like what I saw from Vesely, Mack, and Seraphin. Wall still has to cut down on turnovers, but he shot the ball well and helped shut down Kemba. Blatche hustled hard, Young made shots, Crawford got in the passing lanes, and McGee blocked shots. On to Houston.

Comment from proofofconcept
Time January 25, 2012 at 10:36 PM

Young’s tenure is definitely about up. 7 of 18 is not making shots…he is what he is…if he didn’t shoot as much it would add 3 assists to his stat sheet.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 25, 2012 at 11:03 PM

Man Wall, 7 turnovers is not efficient basketball. The 6-9 shooting was great. We should continue to play Book, Jan, and Chris as much as possible. AB needs to lose weight so he can be quicker and finish better. He was actually really skinny when the Wizards drafted him. He’s doing a good job at staying closer to the basket. Young needs to get to the line more since the offense is geared towards him getting the ball a lot. I’m done. Go Wizards!

Comment from takeitback
Time January 25, 2012 at 11:15 PM

Good games from Dray and McGee. Also from Vesely, Singleton and Seraphin.

7 turnovers in 26 minutes by John Wall, who had a very good game otherwise.

Dray had 10 rebounds in less than 24 minutes.

Fun to watch a win.

Comment from takeitback
Time January 25, 2012 at 11:18 PM

Booker only got 9 minutes.

In 24 minutes, Singleton had 5 steals! Nice!

Comment from jdeloris89@yahoo.com
Time January 25, 2012 at 11:21 PM

Takeitback; the 2007 draft was one of the deepest, hardest, and best draft since the 2005 draft. the 2009 – 2011 was the weakest, but 2010 was the worst

Comment from jdeloris89@yahoo.com
Time January 25, 2012 at 11:42 PM

You people don’t have to worry about Nick Young; Young have never wanted to be on the wizards team. And now that young have a get out of jail free card, he is getting the hell out of the wilderness. Run Young run.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time January 26, 2012 at 12:11 AM

The NBA is marking fitness week this week. Both teams wore special warm-up shirts indicating the NBA was pushing fitness. The Wizards, on the other hand, advertised the heck out of the “all you can eat” ticket plan.

For those who don’t get an opportunity to attend Wizard games one of Ted’s marketing schemes is an “All-you-can-eat” ticket. Wizards All-You-Can-Eat seats start at just $30* per person, and include unlimited access to the following menu items at a designated concession stand:
Hot Dogs
Popcorn
Soft Pretzels
Peanuts
Cracker Jacks
Ice Cream
Assorted Sodas

Available for most home games
*Pricing will vary for premium games

We are such a class act.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time January 26, 2012 at 12:12 AM

In case anyone is interested, all-you-can-eat seats are in the 400 Section (top level).

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time January 26, 2012 at 12:25 AM

Good win against a bad team that was without two of its better players. But, we’ll take it. We can beat Houston on Friday and then we get the Bobcats in Charlotte. Randy just might win his first three.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time January 26, 2012 at 1:02 AM

The Wizards had until midnight Wednesday to extend McGee’s contract. I guess that didn’t happen. On a more positive note, sources have said that the Wizards will make a qualifying offer that will allow them to match any other offers. Apparently, the Wizards intend to keep McGee as a Wizard (good choice).

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 26, 2012 at 1:16 AM

Fitness week vs All You Can Eat. Love it

Bad team with the number of injuries. STILL we looked pretty good in the first game under Whittman.

Dayle I apologize… reread your post and understand your point. It’s that Flip wasn’t a good teacher for the “younger guys”. Given a veteran team he is. His record suffered because he couldn’t get the young guys to buy into whatever he was selling. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

How can you NOT like Vesely? Wow that guy plays well and with a lot of passion! EG showing he can draft the last few years? What is this world coming to?

Andray had the best game he has had all season. He was a Beast on the boards, shot, and defended very well. If he could get a half step quicker nobody would be able to stop him if he continues to play with that kind of passion.

Wall had an excellent game going until the end of the 4th quarter when he apparently got “brain freeze” and committed 3 quick turnovers…AHHHH. He was doing sooo well too lol.

Who is starting to love Crawford? Only me? That’s ok lol. That kid plays with passion and I never knew he could pass like that. He keeps showing me updated parts of his game

May the Rockets fizzle on the launching pad.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 26, 2012 at 1:19 AM

Gabbo.. good choice is right. But as usual the Wizards are winning friends and influencing people… NOT. He should have a contract matched. He should have been given an extension so he knew the team had faith in him. Now what he knows it that the Wizards are going to wait to see how other teams value him “first”. DUMB !!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 26, 2012 at 1:30 AM

Dayle… I really thought Whittman would have gone with the more productive line up to date of Singleton and Booker. It really surprised me when he started Lewis and Blatche. Given the game tonight we will see if Randy was paying attention and start Singleton and Blatche against Houston.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 26, 2012 at 1:36 AM

Gabbo… what I meant above (sometimes my brain gets ahead of my poor typing ) JaVale should not have had to wait to have any offer given to him matched. The Wizards should have stepped up and extened the best player on the team.

Comment from dayle
Time January 26, 2012 at 3:38 AM

Since we already have Proofy how about
Griffy!
Didn’t look at the stats but I heard that no player played
more than 30 minutes. It appeared Mack and Vesely played
a lot more. I love the way he rotated players sooner and the bench had more time, then more players are competing and also rested and have more energy.
I think Flip was not strong, hopefully, Randy is. Also I didn’t
like Flip calling out individual players publicly.
Jason Reid has written a couple of unpleasant columns about the Wiz. I think sportscasters and writers in the area go over-board bashing the team. Brian Mitchell was mouthing off, after their good game, about how terrible they are and they won’t get better. Does he know anything about basketball?

Comment from dayle
Time January 26, 2012 at 3:40 AM

Keep in mind Vesely had no training camp (bad hip) and
almost no practice. Think how good he will be with more
minutes!!!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 26, 2012 at 4:24 AM

Vesely, Booker, Singleton, Wall, Crawford, Seraphin, Andray, and JaVale are really starting to excite me

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 26, 2012 at 4:29 AM

Nick too, but, he has to show me More. I’ve waited a long time for Nick to grow into a basketball player and not just a shooter. Last year he started to “get it”. This year he seems to be trying to expand on it.. ie blocks and steals he never got before. We will see. I hope it Detlef Schrempf kinda growth and not just playing for a contract.

Comment from takeitback
Time January 26, 2012 at 9:22 AM

@ Gotabig — “the Wizards will make a qualifying offer… intend to keep McGee”

This was the path I thought they’d take and outlined a week or so ago. Of course, even if you *didn’t* intend to keep him, you’d still make a qualifying offer. Makes it possible to do a sign and trade deal.

Comment from takeitback
Time January 26, 2012 at 9:25 AM

@ dayle — on the other hand, keep in mind that Vesely has been playing professional basketball at an extremely high level for several years in Europe.

Comment from AJfromVA
Time January 26, 2012 at 9:28 AM

We played great last night, too bad my phone was dead and I couldn’t blog. One thing I did notice was Blatche feeding into the boos. He kept trying to do “McGee like” dunks that he knew had no chance in finishing but he wants people to like him. He’s tired of being booed and tired of being called soft, but at the end of the day he has to play his game. He’s a finess type player and he’s good at it.

Randy did exactly what I said he would do. He didn’t run the offense through Dray as much as I’ve seen in the past, but I knew that Young and Blatch would get off the most shots along with wall. Whitt realizes who our top two scorers are (Dray and Nick) and he lets them shoot, shoot and shoot again, which is what scorers are suppose to do. With Flip guys were so scared to miss becuase they may be substituted. I noticed Gilbert was scared to miss the first year Flip got here.

But anyway good game and I want to see Vesley eventually start at the 3 becuase his basketball IQ is amazing. He has already surpassed my expectations of him.

Comment from takeitback
Time January 26, 2012 at 9:30 AM

@ jdeloris — you think the ’07 draft was “deep?” Wow. Take a look at how many guys from the ’08 draft have already established themselves in the league. Well into round 2.

’09 wasn’t as good as ’08, but it was better than ’07 — that’s for sure.

Comment from proofofconcept
Time January 26, 2012 at 11:07 AM

AB isn’t gifted with jumping ability. Instead of trying to be athletic, get the contact and go to the line. his wingspan is minimized when he tries to pump fake and all that other stuff.

easy fix, with acknowledging it and putting it into place.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time January 26, 2012 at 11:52 AM

Andray is showing the ball too early when he goes to the basket. That allows opponents to time a block more easily, but that is fixable. He also has to make some room for himself when he goes to the basket. He should be initiating contact. Gil was the very best at moving into any opponent he encountered on his way to the basket…can we say “and 1″.