Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

I like the Seraphin pick a lot... he's got more build than McGee and he's a beast on the defensive end. We needed a replacement for Haywood (looking at the long-term plan... meaning I don't expect this kid to produce for a few years) and McGee is too inconsistent (and skinny) to do that right now.

Hoping Pondexter falls to 30.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Warren85Ellard;708800]We're also not going to bring Randy Foye back. It looks like we gave up last year's #5 overall for Mike Miller and a year of Randy Foye. That pick could have been used on Stephon Curry or Brandon Jennings... [/quote]

Well when you put it that way hahahaha...

Seriously, if we draft either Jennings or Curry last year we may very well have possibly had a different record. Which would have meant a different combination of lotto balls- which equals no J. Wall.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Eh, not sold on that Trevor Booker trade for our last two picks... undersized 4.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=itvnetop;708817]Eh, not sold on that Trevor Booker trade for our last two picks... undersized 4.[/quote]I concur. Pretty disappointing IMO.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=itvnetop;708812]I like the Seraphin pick a lot... he's got more build than McGee and he's a beast on the defensive end. We needed a replacement for Haywood (looking at the long-term plan... meaning I don't expect this kid to produce for a few years) and McGee is too inconsistent (and skinny) to do that right now.

Hoping Pondexter falls to 30.[/quote]

Leonsis had said he wanted to put a greater emphasis on scouting European players (which is interesting because when MJ took over he said the same thing after seeing we had no one scouting Euro players). Still, I'm not a fan of this move. Part of me thinks there's got to be more to this. As in, Seraphin is going somewhere else. But, word is it's a salary cap move for 2012. How? I don't really know

As for Booker, I like Booker but why trade the 30th and 35th for him? Once you get into the 20-30 range I don't think there's much difference in the players. I would have held on to those two picks try to stockpile.

John Wall is a great pick, and I like Hinrich a lot but right now I'm not sure what to think of the other two choices.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;708822]Leonsis had said he wanted to put a greater emphasis on scouting European players (which is interesting because when MJ took over he said the same thing after seeing we had no one scouting Euro players). Still, I'm not a fan of this move. Part of me thinks there's got to be more to this. As in, Seraphin is going somewhere else. But, word is it's a salary cap move for 2012. How? I don't really know

As for Booker, I like Booker but why trade the 30th and 35th for him? Once you get into the 20-30 range I don't think there's much difference in the players. I would have held on to those two picks try to stockpile.

John Wall is a great pick, and I like Hinrich a lot but right now I'm not sure what to think of the other two choices.[/quote]

I agree with you on Booker... I think James Singleton fits the same exact role as Booker, plus he was slotted to go where we had picks at 30/35 anyway.

In terms of Seraphin, if the FO liked him I think they knew they had to deal to grab him. I don't think he would have slipped past the early 20s. But yeah, Hinrich's contract eats up half our space for the next few seasons. I'm thinking Gil's as good as gone, but they'll have to wait until mid-season to find decent (but never equal) value. It's been said that Hinrich was instrumental in D. Rose's growth- I think no one's expecting Gil to lead by example, so hopefully Hinrich's influence will reach Wall in a similar manner.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

After looking at the first round, it seems the move to grab Seraphin may have been the right one (if that's who the FO really wanted). OKC traded up to 18 yesterday, then moved their pick (Bledsoe) to the Clips after ours- presumably meaning they wanted Seraphin.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

I think I would have let the Thunder take Seraphin if they really wanted him.

On another note, I'm not saying the Wizards should fire Grunfeld but I am saying they should seriously consider Kevin Pritchard

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;708831]I think I would have let the Thunder take Seraphin if they really wanted him.

On another note, I'm not saying the Wizards should fire Grunfeld but I am saying they should seriously consider Kevin Pritchard[/quote]

Portland is insane... I'd can EG for Pritchard in a heartbeat.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Anyone see the Welcome to D.C John Wall video CSN put together? They showed it on CSN during the Mystics game (yes I watch them), it was pretty awesome, Zimmerman, McNabb, Dunn, Orakpo, Strasburg, some of the Mystics players as well as the tennis team was in it as well as local people and owners of resturants.

They showed a very short version of it before Washington Post Live with Ivan Carter. I've been recording since I saw it in hopes it would come on again, haven't been lucky so far.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Wow, Leonis wasn't lying when he said the Wizards were intent on building through the draft.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Nope, he did it with the Capitals so he's going to do it with the Wizards. I heard you don't build through the draft anymore though, that true? I'm not a big NBA fan so I can't really agree or disagree on that.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=itvnetop;708833]Portland is insane... I'd can EG for Pritchard in a heartbeat.[/quote]

Ridiculous that they'd fire him 30 minutes before the draft started. I mean it's been known for weeks, if not months now that he was gone. But the timing is ridiculous. "Good luck with the draft tonight Kevin...by the way, as soon as it's over you're fired"

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

The way I look at it a nice mixture of free agents, drafting, and trades can build a great team. Look at Boston. Back a couple years ago when they just had Pierce they were an average to good team. Then they go out and get Garnett and Allen and boom! championship. I think we could make huge leaps if we went out and got a nice free agent this summer, combined with Blatche (up and comer despite maturity issues), Wall and Arenas who is still certainly serviceable despite the upcoming change to the 2 spot.

Lately it seems like winning championships in the NBA is about having a game changer combined with role players who have team chemistry and know what it takes to win. I'm not too huge on the NBA but it seems like the draft is even more hit and miss than the NFL, especially with many guys who don't make an impact their first few seasons in the league. The last team I remember winning the title with a bunch of solid all around players with not really a huge, game changing superstar amongst the bunch was the Pistons back when they had Ben Wallace (sure he was the Defensive POY but he wasn't like Kobe or anything), Billups, Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Rip Hamilton.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;708831]I think I would have let the Thunder take Seraphin if they really wanted him.

On another note, I'm not saying the Wizards should fire Grunfeld but I am saying they should seriously consider Kevin Pritchard[/quote]

I'm not well versed in NBA front offices, but isn't Pritchard the same guy who passed on Durant for Oden? Granted, Lamarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy have worked out well, but I don't see how he's a major upgrade over Ernie. Again, I don't know much about NBA front offices at all. Why do you like him?

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=GMScud;708844]I'm not well versed in NBA front offices, but isn't Pritchard the same guy who passed on Durant for Oden? Granted, Lamarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy have worked out well, but I don't see how he's a major upgrade over Ernie. Again, I don't know much about NBA front offices at all. Why do you like him?[/quote]

I can't fault Pritchard for selecting Oden. Hindsight is always nice, but a healthy Oden (and there really wasn't reason to think he wouldn't be other than a few minor injuries here and there) would have been the perfect defensive anchor in the middle for that team.

Pritchard is a shrewd (some say too shrewd) negotiator who turned guys like Tyrus Thomas and Sebastian Telfair into Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Alridge.

He brought in one of the more underrated veterans in the NBA in Andre Miller to serve as not only an effective leader on the court, but in the locker room as well.

He's basically been let go for two reasons 1) He's kind of arrogant from what I understand and doesn't necessarily get along well with others in or out of the organization and 2) Paul Allen is considered one of the most hands-off owners in the NFL; but he's considered just the opposite in the NBA. He basically wants to be the GM, or at least get the credit for it.

All that said, if the rumors of Sam Presti (Thunder GM) going to Portland are true...that'd be remarkable.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=GMScud;708844]I'm not well versed in NBA front offices, but isn't Pritchard the same guy who passed on Durant for Oden? Granted, Lamarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy have worked out well, but I don't see how he's a major upgrade over Ernie. Again, I don't know much about NBA front offices at all. Why do you like him?[/quote]

He knows how to wheel and deal without giving up value picks. Jarryd Bayless, Martell Webster, Nicholas Batum (who's the reason they shopped Webster during the draft for Babbitt), Rudy Fernandez (who they're also probably shopping), Sergio Rodriguez (traded for first pick in the second this year) were all taken at really good spots in the draft. Plus, he sprinkles in veteran pickups that make sense- Miller and Camby both filled holes last year and performed well (Miller had a tough start, but turned it up later... I still say Nate McMillan should have won CoY with the injury situation in Portland). Most importantly, Portland turned Tyrus Thomas and Randy Foye into Roy and Aldridge on draft day. And remember, Pritchard had to clean up a real bad culture in Portland- finally shipping the last remnants with Zach Randolph packing his bags.

Compare that with Ernie moves: Nick Young and J-Mac were first rounders that are still unknown quantities at this point. Pecherov was an absolute bust in the first. Before this season, I'd say his only gem was Blatche in the second. Although I liked the Foye/Miller move at the time, we see how his draft last season ended up... both are probably gone from the roster this year and we end up with nothing to show for last season's number 5. But the upside is that we may not have had the record needed to get Wall this season if we don't make that trade with Minny. To EG's credit, he did get Washington back to the playoffs with the Jamison trade for Devin Harris. But that's negated with the Gilbert contract extension after two or three surgeries (but maybe Abe made him). Kwame for Caron was a win, however. But Haywood and Caron for cap space+Howard+Ross+Singleton (and no Beaubois) was pretty terrible. Then again, AJ for a Z buyout and Al Thornton wasn't bad. He's like the Rod Gardner of NBA GMs... 50-50.

*edit- just saw your post SS... same brainwave on this one!

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

SS and itv,

Good posts, and thanks. I really do enjoy the Wiz, but I'm soooo not attached to all things NBA like I am other sports.

Sounds like canning Grunfeld for Pritchard would bring some good and possibly some bad. I'll put my hands up and say let the cards lay where they fall.

Is it weird that I do and do not want Gilbert on this team? As much as I'd like to see how he could turn into a combo-guard with Wall, I'd like to see him pack his shit and get the hell on.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=InsaneBoost;708840]Nope, he did it with the Capitals so he's going to do it with the Wizards. [B] I heard you don't build through the draft anymore though, that true?[/B] I'm not a big NBA fan so I can't really agree or disagree on that.[/quote]

From what I've seen it's get one big name and a few role players through the draft. Afterwards you need to find one or two other impact players weather it be through free agency or trades.

Actually there is one team (and a pretty damn good one at that) that has been able to build through the draft and go all the way, and thats the Spurs with Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli all being draft picks. However it seems that everyone else is doing it through one big draft pick and a free agents/trades. The Blazers also might be end up being the next "build through the draft" team to go all the way but they need Oden to get healthy and right now the man is two years behind on his development which is critical since he has a very weak offensive game.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

This isn't the long verison, but still good:

[yt]zNaH9FKtLKI[/yt]

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

There's talk that a deal is in place that will send Vince Carter (and possibly some other bench player) to the Wizards for Randy Foye, Kirk Hinrich, and Al Thorton

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

I heard this rumor before the Hinrich deal went down.

The team has a ton of guards, so the Hinrich deal served two purposes:

*Clear cap room for Chicago to get TWO max contract players, one being LeBron.
*Give the Bullets a trade piece.

I don't think there was ever an intention for Hinrich to play for Washington. He's been a great player (before Derrick Rose took his job) but he'll be moved.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;708912]There's talk that a deal is in place that will send Vince Carter (and possibly some other bench player) to the Wizards for Randy Foye, Kirk Hinrich, and Al Thorton[/quote]

What would that do for us? I don't like that one bit.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Vince Carter is awful after watching him against the Celtics this year my respect for the guy dropped big time. He is/was just a highlight reel.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Here we go, got the full video:

[yt]2YXRvUSnJJA[/yt]

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=GMScud;709004]What would that do for us? I don't like that one bit.[/quote]

Basically a salary cap move.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=InsaneBoost;709028]Here we go, got the full video:

[yt]2YXRvUSnJJA[/yt][/quote]

Great stuff. John Wall, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Alex Ovechkin, Donovan McNabb... Man, we really have some star power in this town. Finally.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Wall and Seraphin, Together Again: Found this interesting video on YouTube:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAXx0GQPYaY&feature=related]YouTube - Nike Hoop Summit: Game Recap[/ame]

It’s the highlights of the Nike Hoop Summit (US v. World) where both Wall and Seraphin played. They both look really good, but at the 2:35 mark you have a play where Seraphin dunks, then runs the floor to block Wall, followed by a play in which Wall has a nice drive in Seraphin’s face.

I must admit, I hadn’t heard of Seraphin before and was a bit let down when I first heard about the pick, but all the highlights I’m seeing show good athletics and potential and he seems like a nice young kid. We don’t need him to be a world-beater, just to develop nicely and be a part of our front-court rotation with Blatche and McGee. Even just getting a rotation player at 17 is good.

I wasn't too high on Booker, but I heard Ernie loved him, and one rumor is that Minnesota actually selected him for themselves at 23, but when Ernie saw he was off the board and wasn't going to get who he wanted at 30, he traded up to get him. As much as we like to dream of getting diamonds at 30 and 35, I'm not too upset with the trade if he becomes a rotation player as well. It looks like we gave up too much to get him, but that all depends on how Ndiaye pans out from the 56 pick we also got in the trade.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;708912]There's talk that a deal is in place that will send Vince Carter (and possibly some other bench player) to the Wizards for Randy Foye, Kirk Hinrich, and Al Thorton[/quote]

I saw that Hoopsworld article, but for the life of me I can't understand why Orlando would do that unless Carter burned some bridges there with his poor play in the playoffs. Even then, it seems like Vince's ability, cache, and expiring contract is worth more than those three. Any real sources at ESPN confirming any of this?

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Unless its for clearing room and obtaining assets for Orlando to get Chris Paul...

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;708912]There's talk that a deal is in place that will send Vince Carter (and possibly some other bench player) to the Wizards for Randy Foye, Kirk Hinrich, and Al Thorton[/quote]

SS, is VC expiring? If so, this is a brilliant move- hands down.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=CooleyAsCanBe;709088]I saw that Hoopsworld article, but for the life of me I can't understand why Orlando would do that unless Carter burned some bridges there with his poor play in the playoffs. Even then, it seems like Vince's ability, cache, and expiring contract is worth more than those three. Any real sources at ESPN confirming any of this?[/quote]

I had heard it from someone here that the Wizards and Magic have been seriously talking the past couple of days and the latest scenario is the one posted above.

But we're the fall back option for the Magic, they're trying to move Vinsanity for someone like a Chris Paul

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

John Wall shirts were available as early as the day before the draft haha

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=GMScud;708853]SS and itv,

Good posts, and thanks. I really do enjoy the Wiz, but I'm soooo not attached to all things NBA like I am other sports.

Sounds like canning Grunfeld for Pritchard would bring some good and possibly some bad. I'll put my hands up and say let the cards lay where they fall.

Is it weird that I do and do not want Gilbert on this team? As much as I'd like to see how he could turn into a combo-guard with Wall, I'd like to see him pack his shit and get the hell on.[/quote]

oh he's packin alright

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=itvnetop;709095]SS, is VC expiring? If so, this is a brilliant move- hands down.[/quote]

Yeah. He's got one more year. $16M off the books. Gotta make room for Carmelo next summer. :)

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;709115]I had heard it from someone here that the Wizards and Magic have been seriously talking the past couple of days and the latest scenario is the one posted above.

But we're the fall back option for the Magic, they're trying to move Vinsanity for someone like a Chris Paul[/quote]

Yeah, a buddy of mine and I were crunching numbers and convinced ourselves that the proposed Carter trade with the Wizards would be part of a larger three-team trade in which the Magic get Paul and Okafor and the Hornets get pieces like Gortat, Hinrich, and maybe Pietrus. I wouldn't mind renting Carter for a year. Armchair GMs.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

The more I see/read about Seraphin and Booker, the more I'm convinced the FO did the right thing by trading up to secure them. I read that Booker's sprint times were actually faster than Wall's! If he can project anything close to Milsap, that's a plus. I think Seraphin may be a force in two or three seasons... defensively, I think the Wiz just got a whole lot better.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Thinking it's time we all get tickets once the schedule comes out and meets up at a game.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=GMScud;709037]Great stuff. John Wall, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Alex Ovechkin, Donovan McNabb... Man, we really have some star power in this town. Finally.[/quote]

The talent is great to see, but that commercial is stupid.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

The Wizards have traded Quinton Ross to the Nets for 7 footer Yi Jianlin

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3214]Yi Jianlian Stats, News, Photos - New Jersey Nets - ESPN[/url]

Not a bad move considering Blatche's broken foot.

What's interesting is that gives the Nets some more cap room. It almost seems like the Wizards are trying to help teams like the Bulls and Nets clear some cap room so some (all?) the big free agents don't end up in their division with the Heat