Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Longtimefan;770130]Ted Leonsis continues to deny any trade rumors involving Gilbert Arenas, but they continue to surface, real or imagined. The Wizards need to do whatever they can to become a better basketball team, if trading Arenas is going to enhance the process so be it.

However, any trade should be designed with the hopes of making the team more competitive, and not just ridding themselves of the Arenas contract.

[url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/12/report-wizards-in-serious-disc.html]Wizards Insider - Report: Wizards in serious discussions to trade Gilbert Arenas to Orlando[/url][/quote]

Whats the deal with that? Do they really want to make a trade or are they holding onto Arenas thinking they can buyout his contract when the next CBA is put into effect?

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;770131]Whats the deal with that? Do they really want to make a trade or are they holding onto Arenas thinking they can buyout his contract when the next CBA is put into effect?[/quote]

[url=http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-wizards/2010/12/18/1884046/gilbert-arenas-trade-magic-wizards-rashard-lewis]Gilbert Arenas Trade: Magic Acquire Arenas From Wizards For Rashard Lewis, According To Report - SB Nation DC[/url]

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

I don't know about this. What do we need Lewis and his massive 3 year deal for?

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;770242]I don't know about this. What do we need Lewis and his massive 3 year deal for?[/quote]

Perhaps the Wizards view this as the opportunity to finally unload Arenas and his massive contract. I view it as a cost saving move. Lewis is set to earn approx. 43 million over the next two seasons after this one, his final year is not fully guaranteed.

Lewis however, is not having one of his better seasons averaging 12 ppg, but the numbers matched [contract wise] enough for them to get a deal done. Personally, I would like to have seen Gilbert stay, unfortunately it wasn't my call.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

From the Wizards official website.

[url=http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/lewis_121810.html]WIZARDS: Wizards Acquire Rashard Lewis From Magic[/url]

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;770242]I don't know about this. What do we need Lewis and his massive 3 year deal for?[/quote]

I think Lewis only has two years left on the deal. And the reason they would take the trade is because instead of getting a big contract off the books in 2014 we would get them off the books in 2012. Of course with the new CBA looming they might be able to buy it out a la the NHL.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Trying to post Ernie's press conference. Can't get the link to work properly.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

LOL, just went to the Wizards' website to see if there was an official story there and this was the first page I got:
[IMG]http://www.nba.com/wizards/media/Heat-splash.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

I think the Wizards invented new ways to lose tonight

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;770288]I think the Wizards invented new ways to lose tonight[/quote]

I've been hoping that the Wizards loose a lot this year so they can get another lottery pick and continue to build the team with top 10 picks (Nick Young is actually looking like he should have been picked higher, but one of the few games I wanted to see them win was against the Heat. That was it. If we went 1-81 I wanted that one win to be against the Heat.

On a side note cudos to Hollinger. I usually try and ignore him due to his overemphasis on weird numbers and statistics but it seems like the guy was right when he said back in 07 that Nick Young was going to be one of the better players in his draft class.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;770288]I think the Wizards invented new ways to lose tonight[/quote]

Missed free-throws and turnovers doomed the wizards after playing on their best games this season.

Gilbert Arenas discusses his trade to Orlando.

[url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/12/video-gilbert-arenas-discusses.html?wprss=wizardsinsider]Wizards Insider - Video: Gilbert Arenas discusses trade to Orlando[/url]

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Will the Wizards ever be able to get through a season without a rash of injuries, and/or character issues? I've come to the conclusion this team is truly cursed.

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/25/AR2010122502443.html]Wizards suspend Blatche, McGee for game[/url]

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Even with Wall the Wizards are still losing big time. They need somebody like Shaq...Right now John Wall, like McNabb, has a lot to worry about!

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Nick Young is the Wizards' SG of the future (and present). Dude is beasting it right now.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

They've got a serious disappearing act on the road right now though, it's amazing they are like 12-8 at home and like 0-19 on the road. I know the home record is a mirage because it's against losing teams but something happens to them on the road because 0-19 almost halfway through their road sched. is horrible. Right now the young guys need to be consistent, J.Wall has been pretty quiet lately but guys have been stepping up at home.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Nice win over a good Jazz team.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Key to this team is keeping Andrea Blache in the paint or close to it on offense and defense. When he steps out and handles the ball or shoots from outside its a fail. He is a turnover machine and is shooting a piss poor percentage for his size and type of game he has.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Chico23231;778637]Key to this team is keeping Andrea Blache in the paint or close to it on offense and defense. When he steps out and handles the ball or shoots from outside its a fail. He is a turnover machine and is shooting a piss poor percentage for his size and [B]type of game he has[/B].[/quote]

That's his game. He is only a "big man" in the physical sense. As a player his tendency is to get too far from the basket and try and create from an athletic standpoint. He's a zero on defense because of the same mindset. Blatche is the epitome of what needs changing on that team. They are a finesse team without enough talent to succeed at the finesse game. They're John Wall and a bunch of pieces. Hinrich maybe starts for some other teams. McGee as well. Other than that it's a bunch of 6th men. They desperately need a scorer. They'd be a whole different team with say a Caron Butler (healthy).

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Wining at the half by 2...total collapse in second half in Milwaukee last night, lost by 13. I watched from the half on...ugly. Still winless on the road! 0-20! :doh:




Boykins can still play too.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Flip Saunders said Wall has exceeded his expectations in many ways and is pleased with his progression. "He's been great," Saunders said. "There's only three guys in the history of our league to average nine assists [as a rookie], he's the fourth guy that's doing that right now. He plays very aggressive, considering he's had to fight some injuries and hasn't been fully healthy doing that. He has some things to improve on, as all young point guards do. But he's not afraid to accept the challenge."

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

John Wall banks in a three-pointer in the game's final minute and Washington rallies from a 16-point deficit in the first half to win over the Celtics.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Great win...too bad it was at home. Would have been a great way to break the road losing streak.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Longtimefan;779687]John Wall banks in a three-pointer in the game's final minute and Washington rallies from a 16-point deficit in the first half to win over the Celtics.[/quote]


That game was painful. Seriously as long as i have watched the Celtics they always have had trouble with the wizards/bullets. what a annoying lost.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Of all the head coaches in the NBA, few have more wisdom about good point guard play than Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers. He was an outstanding point guard in his own right back in the day, and he's also nurtured Rajon Rondo's development into one of the league's top players.

So Rivers probably has a unique perspective on John Wall, the Wizards' young star. When Rivers was asked before the Wizards-Celtics game about Wall, Rivers said the one thing he needs to improve is how he manages his speed.

"He's going to learn how to play with the speed," Rivers said. "That's the biggest concern for all young players. They have speed, they just don't know when to use it and when not to use it. He's going to learn that too."

That probably explains why Wall had so much trouble getting to the basket against Steve Nash, a defensive sieve, in the game the night before.

Rivers also said he sees some similarities between Wall and Rondo.

"I don't know if they're the same type of player, but they both have the speed component, and they both have great vision. I think John has terrific vision and it's going to get better."

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

This season is painful. I keep repeating to myself: "rebuilding year, rebuilding year." In some of our wins the kids look great, but then they disappear the next four games. We have just enough talent in the starting roster that if our four best players well, we can run with anyone (at home), but if one guy is off, we'll lose by nine.

Wall has played better than most NBA rookie point guards, and I'm excited to have him lead our team for years to come, but his offense and defense have regressed in the past few weeks. I know he is still fighting off injuries, but he keeps getting torched by the likes of middling PGs (e.g. Lawson and Calderon). He has great vision and can set up his teammates, but has done very little in the half court to create his own shot. I'm willing to wait, but I hope to see some improvement in the second half of the season.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Mustafa-Shakur-s-jersey-malfunction?urn=nba-311704]Mustafa Shakur's jersey malfunction - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports[/url]


AND



[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Video-Kevin-Seraphin-totally-Krossed-out?urn=nba-312107]Video: Kevin Seraphin, totally Krossed out - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports[/url]




What a week!

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[B][COLOR="Sienna"][SIZE="5"]Milestone. [/SIZE]

[SIZE="7"]0-25![/SIZE][/COLOR][/B]

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Chico23231;778637]Key to this team is keeping Andrea Blache in the paint or close to it on offense and defense. When he steps out and handles the ball or shoots from outside its a fail. He is a turnover machine and is shooting a piss poor percentage for his size and type of game he has.[/quote]

When the ball goes inside to Blache the offense no longer has movement. Generally, he'll pound a few dribbles and shoot. He needs to stop concentrating so much on getting his numbers by shooting every time the ball touches his hands.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Forgive the double post but, I found this laughable, entertaining and true.

[url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2011/02/ted_leonsis_and_the_pixels_of.html]D.C. Sports Bog - Ted Leonsis and the pixels of despair[/url]

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Anyone else watching Ohio State-Michigan to get an idea of what might happen if the Wizards draft Jared Sullingrer? Personally I think it would be a great compliment to have a physical inside presence that can help open lanes for Wall.

Projection: Top 10

[B]Positives [/B]
Strong, physical player
Huge lower body gets him deep position
High basketball IQ
Equally excellent facing the basket
A dominant rebounder
Tough competitor

[B]Negatives [/B]
Has had conditioning issues
Isn't an explosive, above-the-rim athlete
A bit undersized for the position

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

I'm telling ya, Ted...ditch the Wizards name, return the Bullets with red/white/blue...it will instantly turn around.

A team named the Wizards just can't be taken seriously by the basketball gods.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Buster;782382]I'm telling ya, Ted...ditch the Wizards name, return the Bullets with red/white/blue...it will instantly turn around.

A team named the Wizards just can't be taken seriously by the basketball gods.[/quote]

If thats the case wait a year or two. In the NBA you'll get no where unless you at least have a core of three guys that are good enough to be all stars. We need a guy that can be physical down low while playing lots of minutes.

Plus I don't understand why people keep putting us down for a Small Forward. as I'm worried about the fact that most of those guys with tons of potential just end up being Marvin Williams types. If you're lucky you'll get a Danny Granger type player or maybe an AK47/Ron Artest type that will give you a shut down guy on defense.

Then again Terrance Jones and Derrick Williams seem to have enough potential to at least be good contributers. Still if push comes to shove I want that guy that can play 30 minutes a game banging inside. I mean last night Sullinger was getting rebounds in a zone defense. Guy might be a little short but he reminds me a lot of Atlanta's Al Horford.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;782394]If thats the case wait a year or two. In the NBA you'll get no where unless you at least have a core of three guys that are good enough to be all stars. We need a guy that can be physical down low while playing lots of minutes.

Plus I don't understand why people keep putting us down for a Small Forward. as I'm worried about the fact that most of those guys with tons of potential just end up being Marvin Williams types. If you're lucky you'll get a Danny Granger type player or maybe an AK47/Ron Artest type that will give you a shut down guy on defense.

Then again Terrance Jones and Derrick Williams seem to have enough potential to at least be good contributers. Still if push comes to shove I want that guy that can play 30 minutes a game banging inside. I mean last night Sullinger was getting rebounds in a zone defense. Guy might be a little short but he reminds me a lot of Atlanta's Al Horford.[/quote]

I like Derrick Williams. I think JaVale still needs to get pushed, so I wouldn't mind Enes Kanter, either.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Longtimefan;781849]When the ball goes inside to Blache the offense no longer has movement. Generally, he'll pound a few dribbles and shoot. He needs to stop concentrating so much on getting his numbers by shooting every time the ball touches his hands.[/quote]

I wish they could move him, Lewis and Hinriech at this point. They need to build around Javale and Wall...and I would keep Nick Young as well. They need so much at this point...defensively and a scoring. But I look for very physical players at the 3 and 4 spots in the offseason. I think a positive, vocal vet coming off the bench in the front court would be a plus as well. Id give Flip another year to turn it around as well.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

not to hijack, but.... my man Doug Collins has done a tremendous job with my young sixers. has them on the fringe of the playoffs

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

Sunday Sunday Sunday! Sunday February 13th, it's the Losing Bowl! If current trends continue and the Cavs can't win a game between now and next Sunday, and the Wizards can't get a road win between now and next Sunday, we will witness a futile battle of epic proportions! Pitting the Wizards, who have not won a game on the road all season, against the Cavaliers, formerly known as that team that won 60 or more games the last two seasons but are currently 0-24 in their last 24 games!

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Chico23231;782555]I wish they could move him, Lewis and Hinriech at this point. They need to build around Javale and Wall...and I would keep Nick Young as well. They need so much at this point...defensively and a scoring. But I look for very physical players at the 3 and 4 spots in the offseason. I think a positive, vocal vet coming off the bench in the front court would be a plus as well. Id give Flip another year to turn it around as well.[/quote]

Unfortunately, there is no quick solutions for all that ails the Wizards. They're a young team gaining valuable experience but, will these players, [except Wall & possibly McGee] still be a part of the team if/when they ever start to win?

This from Ted's blog:

"I honestly wish there was a magic wand to wave and we could short cut the process. I wish I had candy to offer to you. I have been through a rebuild before. It is filled with angst; losses; second thoughts; and differing opinions. It isn't easy and it isn't fun and it is why most franchises don't do it. Most franchises look for a quick fix to stop the bleeding or to placate critics. That isn't a plan. That is a semi-selfish act to make you feel good as an owner or leader."

Agree?

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Longtimefan;783033]Unfortunately, there is no quick solutions for all that ails the Wizards. They're a young team gaining valuable experience but, will these players, [except Wall & possibly McGee] still be a part of the team if/when they ever start to win?

This from Ted's blog:

"I honestly wish there was a magic wand to wave and we could short cut the process. I wish I had candy to offer to you. I have been through a rebuild before. It is filled with angst; losses; second thoughts; and differing opinions. It isn't easy and it isn't fun and it is why most franchises don't do it. Most franchises look for a quick fix to stop the bleeding or to placate critics. That isn't a plan. That is a semi-selfish act to make you feel good as an owner or leader."

Agree?[/quote]

I do to a certain extent, but I just believe basketball should be a quicker turn around do to a smaller team and the dynamic of B ball to me is it is less of a team sport, where an addition of a couple guys can make a world of difference. Only a certain couple guys I would give a max deal to (Kobe, Bron Bron) so I understand his "poison pill" arguement in team building Ted has made in the past. But the team needs a much stronger, physical present at the 3 and 4.

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=mooby;782683]Sunday Sunday Sunday! Sunday February 13th, it's the Losing Bowl! If current trends continue and the Cavs can't win a game between now and next Sunday, and the Wizards can't get a road win between now and next Sunday, we will witness a futile battle of epic proportions! Pitting the Wizards, who have not won a game on the road all season, against the Cavaliers, formerly known as that team that won 60 or more games the last two seasons but are currently 0-24 in their last 24 games![/quote]

I might have to tune in for the 4th quarter so see who LOSES. :D

Re: Washington Wizards 2010-2011 Ongoing Thread
 

[quote=Chico23231;783041]I do to a certain extent, but I just believe basketball should be a quicker turn around do to a smaller team and the dynamic of B ball to me is it is less of a team sport, where an addition of a couple guys can make a world of difference. Only a certain couple guys I would give a max deal to (Kobe, Bron Bron) so I understand his "poison pill" arguement in team building Ted has made in the past. But the team needs a much stronger, physical present at the 3 and 4.[/quote]

I agree. Flip has even considered giving minutes to Booker at the #3 just because of the energy he brings in his limited time. There's a log-jam at the #4, and I'm not sold on Blache being the solution there.