Wiz 2010 General Season Tracker - Grading - How we doing ?

[Wizardspride]

Click on the link to read the rest. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 05677.html

David Stern to Gilbert Arenas: Don't talk about gun incident

The NBA and the Washington Wizards are hoping Gilbert Arenas will be able to reconnect with fans more through his actions than his words. The three-time all-star is returning after serving a 50-game suspension and a month in a halfway house after bringing guns into the Wizards' locker room at Verizon Center, but anyone expecting the loquacious Arenas to open up more about what led to that embarrassing incident and the aftermath might be sorely disappointed.

NBA Commissioner David Stern spoke with Arenas on Tuesday to express his excitement about having Arenas back in the league after the lengthy banishment, and he told Arenas he can talk about anything going forward - except the infamous dispute last December involving guns. Stern later called Wizards owner Ted Leonsis to inform him public comments from the organization about the situation are also off limits. Stern wants Arenas and the Wizards to put it all behind them.

"It's time to move on, rather than obsess about the past," Stern said in a telephone interview on Wednesday. "It's just that it's been discussed, and discussed, and discussed. It's been written about, and written about, and written about on each occasion - his release, his sentencing, my ruling or what have you - and at some point, it's time to move on. I think he's entitled to do that. And I'm supportive of him. We're lucky he's well and we like the way he's worked with various groups over the summer. And we think it's time. Millions and millions of dollars later, and a new season later, I think it's time to move on. And that's what I told him.'

[WizStorm]

I'm sure Stern would like to have all this behind him. I know I would really like to hear an explanation as to why Delonte West only got 10 games for transporting loaded and unregistered firearms in Maryland. Blatant hypocrisy and feebly succumbing to a media feeding frenzy are a couple of reasons that immediately pop to mind.

[hands11]

I'm sure Stern would like to have all this behind him. I know I would really like to hear an explanation as to why Delonte West only got 10 games for transporting loaded and unregistered firearms in Maryland. Blatant hypocrisy and feebly succumbing to a media feeding frenzy are a couple of reasons that immediately pop to mind.

I think it could be - one happened in an NBA facility, one didn't.

Stern can want this to be behind them all he wants but this isn't done yet. There are these things called reporters and they haven't had a chance to interview Gil in an NBA environment since the events. Also Gil has not addressed the fans during an NBA season when he was active on the roster.
Not sure how Sterns guidelines work in reality. I would rather see Gil address this during camp before the season gets started.

They will asked questions so Gil will have to provide some kind of answer. I guess Stern wants that answer to be what he said. This is behind me. It's been reviewed and discussed. I just want to get back to basketball and help my team. After reporters get that answer about five times they may leave it alone for a while but this won't leave him quickly. Even if he does really really well and makes the All Star team, it will come up again. But he should be able to handle it if he stays humble.

It's just going to take some time to fade away. God forbid his does something else screwy. If he does, it will just come up again.

As long as he keeps his nose clean, this will eventually go away. Who really talks about Artest and the Indy thing anymore ?

[hands11]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... l#comments

NBATV to televise Midnight Madness
Fans unable to make it to George Mason's Patriot Center at midnight on Sept. 28, don't fret. There is still an opportunity to watch the NBA's first-ever Midnight Madness festivities, as the Wizards kick off training camp in style by using a little NCAA tradition to generate hype for a team with several players not far removed from college.

NBATV will have a live telecast of No. 1 overall pick John Wall's first practice, including player introductions, interviews with Wizards players and the team scrimmages. The 24-hour network will also broadcast the opening day of practice for the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

Coach Flip Saunders came up with the idea of starting practice at 12:01 a.m. as a way of allowing his young team, which features three rookies, a chance to get over the early jitters and ease into the transition of the first training session. The Wizards' marketing department got on board soon thereafter and now the event will also feature a pep rally on Sept. 27, hosted by WPGC radio personality and Wizards DJ Big Tigger at President's Park on the George Mason campus, beginning at 10 p.m.

Doors for the practice tip-off open at 11 p.m. and there will also be live performances from Mambo Sauce and the GMU marching band. The first 500 fans will receive a free donut and coffee coupon from Dunkin Donuts, while the first 300 will receive free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches. The team will also giveaway T-shirts and offer special ticket offers to regular season Wizards games. Three people who stay through the end of practice will also have a chance to win $500.

[JWizmentality]

I'm sure Stern would like to have all this behind him. I know I would really like to hear an explanation as to why Delonte West only got 10 games for transporting loaded and unregistered firearms in Maryland. Blatant hypocrisy and feebly succumbing to a media feeding frenzy are a couple of reasons that immediately pop to mind.

You don't want to come down too hard on a guy with a "mental condition." Especially if he's secretly banging your meal ticket's Mom.

[Rafael122]

I don't know where to put this. Ernie had a presser today at 3. They are bringing back the red, white, blue uniforms for the 2011-2012 season.

[AceDegenerate]

I don't know where to put this. Ernie had a presser today at 3. They are bringing back the red, white, blue uniforms for the 2011-2012 season.

Next, the Wizards name has to go.

[dlts20]

what did he mean about those unis? How many times will we wear them?

[Wizardspride]

In listening to some of Ted's inteviews, I believe that its just a matter of time before we become the Bullets again.

[Rafael122]

what did he mean about those unis? How many times will we wear them?

I haven't listened to the presser, but it sounds like home games?

[hands11]

I don't know where to put this. Ernie had a presser today at 3. They are bringing back the red, white, blue uniforms for the 2011-2012 season.

Yes, I just heard that. Pretty interesting.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... 29,r:4,s:0

[Wizardspride]

what did he mean about those unis? How many times will we wear them?

I haven't listened to the presser, but it sounds like home games?

Nope. They're changing the uniforms completely. Home and away.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/39331733/ns/sports-nba/

WASHINGTON - The Washington Wizards are turning red, white and blue.

Team President Ernie Grunfeld said Thursday the Wizards will change the colors of their uniforms for the 2011-12 season.

The switch is spurred by new owner Ted Leonsis, whose Washington Capitals also wear the colors of the U.S. flag. Leonsis has said the desire for new colors was among the top suggestions he received from fans after assuming control of the team earlier this year.

The Wizards, who open training camp next week, will spend one last season in their current colors of slate blue, black, gold and white.

[willbcocks]

I'm going to miss the ol' blue, black, gold and white

[TheGreatWall]

Did anyone check out the new footage of the pickup games at Verizon on the Wizards website?

[GhostsOfGil]

http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/2010/0 ... index.html

2:20 AMMO SIGHTING lololololo

[closg00]

Who wants to play odds-maker? What are the chances AMMO is in a Wiz uni this season?

[hands11]

I can't wait to see a live interview with him. We are sure to see those braces signing with his big grin after getting the new contract.

Get see up to start off camp and a fun season.

Now Dray can truly come into his own.

This is also a great set up for all those players who are playing for contracts.

[Wizardspride]

Click on the kink to read the rest.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 0092700183

Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis has big marketing plans for his new team

Ted Leonsis has owned the Washington Wizards for little more than three months, but the official coming-out party for his regime will be on Monday when the new-look team meets with members of the media in the afternoon and hosts an extravagant pep rally at George Mason in preparation for the first NBA midnight practice to start training camp.

Leonsis already offered a hint of what is to come, in terms of generating excitement for his franchise, when he welcomed No. 1 overall pick John Wall with an over-the-top introduction the day after the draft, complete with a police escort, red carpet entrance, balloons and screaming fans in "Game Changer" T-shirts.

But Leonsis and his marketing team have much more in store this season. The camp-opening "Midnight Tip-off" festivities - which include live music, a DJ, the George Mason marching band and food, ticket and other giveaways - are considered a test run.

"We're going to try a lot of different things," said Greg Bibb, the Wizards' executive vice president of business operations. "We're going to be innovative. Maybe some of the things we try don't work, but some of the things we try will work. And we're not going to be mundane. We're going to be dynamic in how we market this team and move this business forward."

The Wizards are already benefiting, as they rank among the top 10 in the NBA in new season ticket sales. Bibb said the team is closing in on 2,000 new season ticket holders, a significant move for a team that has won just 45 games the past two seasons.

When Leonsis signed his purchase agreement with the Pollin family to become the majority owner of the Wizards and Verizon Center last May, NBA Commissioner David Stern called it a "spectacular transition" and praised Leonsis for his ability to market and promote the NHL's Capitals.


"I think that the numbers, in terms of their season tickets, renewals and ticket sales, speak for themselves," Stern said last week. "The fans feel that this is a new season and a new era and they are rallying to support the Wizards."

One of the big selling points for the franchise is that this is a fresh start, but Leonsis does not want to move forward without reaching back and connecting with the successes of the past. The late Abe Pollin and Irene Pollin represented the history of the franchise, having owned the team since 1964.

As a newcomer, Leonsis felt the need to reach out to past greats, such as Earl Monroe and members of the 1978 championship team Wes Unseld, Bobby Dandridge, Elvin Hayes and Kevin Grevey.

In addition to establishing a Wizards/Bullets alumni association - which will include past players appearing at Wizards games, practices and special events - Leonsis has also created what he calls the "over-the-shoulder campaign" to link the past with the present. The campaign will feature pictures of Wall dribbling, with a faded image of Monroe over his shoulder; and Andray Blatche shooting, with Hayes in the background.

[KiNgSbOi]

Encouraging to see that the fans want to come and support the Zards' this season. It should make home court advantage that much more interesting.

[Rafael122]

Anyone staying up for this? Maybe chat it up?