Wizards' Haywood Could Miss 4-6 Months?

[doclinkin]

Well yeah, add all your stuff to mine. You have facts and stuff. And I agree with all of it. Though if I'm at a game I always sit waaay to high up to ever get me that free Burrito.

Well, you will have to go to a game with me sometime...my seats are dead center 16 rows up...you can have my burrito if I catch it.

Sure that'd be fine. Mostly I'm just glad I don't work for the team 'cause if I had access to a burrito launching gun I'm pretty sure I would find some use for it besides lofting lukewarm morsels to the crowd... Does the District have a self-defense provision in it's legal code?

[DCZards]

But even if I wanted to, I couldn't walk away from this team. They have turned me into a diehard, and sticking with them now will make that champagne taste all the sweeter in a few years.

Go Wiz.

This is where I am as well. Forgive me for having little patience with fans who talk about "tanking" it or throwing in the towel (especially posters here who I consider hardcore fans) before a single game has been played. It's just not in my DNA to think that way.

Yes, it's going to be especially tough without Boy Wonder and BH, but, as Bobby D says, it's an opportunity to see if AB can take that next step (I have a good feeling he will) and to see McGee's potential and upside. He certainly appears to be physically gifted, especially for someone his size and length.

Young Nick may be the wild card. His offensive potential off-the-charts...and we'll need every bit of it now that Mason is gone and GA is hobbled. It will also be interesting to see if someone like a McGuire, Dixon or a DeMarr Johnson (if he makes the team) can provide at least an occasional spark off the bench.

Of course, we'll have to depend more on Etan than expected now that it looks like he'll be getting the bulk of the minutes at C.

Bottom line is that most would agree that the Zards overachieved last season and the eternal optimist in me doesn't see any reason why they can't do the same this year.

BTW, I also just got my 20 game package yesterday and would probably go to all 41 home games if I could afford it.

Let's go Wizards!

[dobrojim]

After pouting for the last two days about the latest setback and crying about how this team is cursed, I have actually come to grips with the latest news. Yes, the loss of Haywood is significant, probably devastating. Notwithstanding, here’s my top ten reasons for still watching the Wiz this year.

I think only devastating if it does turn out that he misses 6 rather than 4 months AND
if EJ returns to playing ET as the starting C AND
that results in significantly less C minutes this year for AB (these 2 definitely related)
as well as both the opportunities that JM gets and what he does with those opportunities.

1. The Wizards weren’t going to contend for the championship anyway this year, so why stop watching now.

Not a championship but a shot at advancing a round or 2 further in post-season

[major snippage of good stuff
7. There’s nothing else to watch on TV.
8. I won’t be stressed out…I hate to say it, but I actually enjoy games much more when I have no expectations. When we lost to the Cavs with both Butler and Arenas out, I basically said, “oh well, we weren’t going to win anyhow.” When we lost to the Cavs the year prior and last year, I had trouble sleeping for days.
9. I’ve been a Bullets/Wizards fan for 32 years. If I can make it through all those dismal years, I can survive through this season.
10. I like getting free Chipolte Burritos at the games.

I think you me and Greendale are probably contenders for longest term fans here...
I can (just barely) remember watching Wes as a rookie, trading for Elvin, getting BobbyD,
Ruland, Carlos Terry (remember him?), Manute, Muggsy, Pervis, AmerPie, Googs, CWebb/Juwan,
HotDog_barfer and Mitch....this is a much more interesting team now than so many of
those teams

TV does truly suck big time

Gotta get your secret for snagging Burritos. My daughter has gotten 1-2 but our seats last
year were poorly placed in that regard.

I'd like to meet you this year. We should have a WizBoard happy hour maybe before
game one.

[dandridge 10]

Yeah, we should definitely get together. I vividly remember watching the Bullets win the championship on a small black and white tv in my bedroom when I was ten years old. Ahh, those were the days!

How old is your daughter? My son is approaching two...although I might take him to his first Wiz game this year, I can't wait until I can take him regularly with me. If he hates basketball or the Wizards, I'll be devastated!

[Rafael122]

Another reason to be pessimistic:

Per Carter's blog, Jamison's official injury is a patella tendon contusion which could sideline him for 1-2 months. Jamison will play through it, and I think he's doing it for the sole reason we don't suck until Gil gets back.

Basically, Jamison won't be himself the first couple of months. Just remember, October 10 it's a patella tendon contusion. For all we know, he'll have an MRI in November and its "oh, well your ACL is torn, silly, that's why you can't walk."

[dobrojim]

Yeah, we should definitely get together. I vividly remember watching the Bullets win the championship on a small black and white tv in my bedroom when I was ten years old. Ahh, those were the days!

How old is your daughter? My son is approaching two...although I might take him to his first Wiz game this year, I can't wait until I can take him regularly with me. If he hates basketball or the Wizards, I'll be devastated!

I was in FL (college) during the 2 late 70s Finals trips. I clearly remember watching some
of the classic Knick-Bullets playoffs in the early 70s, esp the year they made it to the
Finals only to be smushed by Lew ALcindor, O, and your namesake.

My one daughter is 11 and is a rabid fan as Cramer and JasonR can atest. But my older
one (13) likes to get under her fathers skin by rooting for the Heat and generally
against the 'zards. At 2, your son doesn't need a tix but I'm not sure I'd bring a kid
that young to a game. It'd make it hard for you to enjoy yourself.

[realfung]

Good Luck Wiz..

[Induveca]

On the wiretap it says possibly for season. Obviously no clue if accurate, but if our medical history is any indicator I think the season sounds realistic.

[MJG]

On the wiretap it says possibly for season. Obviously no clue if accurate, but if our medical history is any indicator I think the season sounds realistic.

1 Wizards Medical Staff Month = 1.5 Regular Months, so that sounds about right.

[doclinkin]

On the wiretap it says possibly for season. Obviously no clue if accurate, but if our medical history is any indicator I think the season sounds realistic.

The only hopeful sign: the team doctors aren't doing the work. Ernie sent him to wrist specialists in NYC. Plus the team has hired a rehab specialist for the training team. No more d**king around with friends-of-the-family docs, got to treat this like a professional franchise and act like it matters.

But more importantly, indu:

You back in the states yet? If no, how's that bodyguard situation working out? Guess you ain't dead. That's a good thing.

[Induveca]

Yep back in NYC. House still guarded in Peru, still going back in a few weeks/months to live. Lesson learned, but need to go back regardless!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Just don't go back like OJ. Sometimes even armed associates can't help you.

You must have some very compelling reasons for going back down there, but I think you'll be doing so at risk.

[Induveca]

Yep, definitely at risk but I'll do my best to be safe.

My building in NYC is undergoing restoration/maintenance so I have returned to the sound of loud drills from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday-Friday for the next few weeks. Combine that with the "gloom and doom" reporters and journalists fueling the fire to the whole economic problems, and Peru is sounding better and better even with guns.

I might go back sooner than I planned.

[cavsfan_osiris]

ouch. this guy was just getting into his prime. he's one of the most underrated players in the NBA.

[TheKingOfVa360]

This could be a blessing in disguise. More minutes for Blatche and McGee. But I hate to see the most underrated center in the league not playing

[hands11]

After pouting for the last two days about the latest setback and crying about how this team is cursed, I have actually come to grips with the latest news. Yes, the loss of Haywood is significant, probably devastating. Notwithstanding, here’s my top ten reasons for still watching the Wiz this year.

1. The Wizards weren’t going to contend for the championship anyway this year, so why stop watching now.
2. To me, this year was less about contending for a championship, than it was determining whether Blatche, Young, McGuire and Pecherov can help us get there in the next few years. All four need to show significant improvement this year, both in terms of play and professional attitude, to demonstrate that they can be major contributors when we are healthy for a title run. If it appears that they won’t, then its time to cut our losses next summer and find people that will. Continuity only works if people get better.
3. Blatche, Blatche, Blatche…to me, this is the year he turns the corner or shows that he is just another wasted talent. If work ethic or consistency continue to be major issues, we might want to consider trading him next summer while we can get something valuable in return. (this is actually the same as #2, but I thought Blatche deserved special mention).
4. Butler…can he continue to add to his arsenal every year. Last year it was the three ball…what’s it going to be this year?
5. Etan…it will be interesting to see if he can regain some of his form so at least he is a tradeable asset at the end of the year
6. McGee…athletic big man with a lot of upside….he has a huge opportunity to get minutes with Haywood out…will he make the most of them?
7. There’s nothing else to watch on TV.
8. I won’t be stressed out…I hate to say it, but I actually enjoy games much more when I have no expectations. When we lost to the Cavs with both Butler and Arenas out, I basically said, “oh well, we weren’t going to win anyhow.” When we lost to the Cavs the year prior and last year, I had trouble sleeping for days.
9. I’ve been a Bullets/Wizards fan for 32 years. If I can make it through all those dismal years, I can survive through this season.
10. I like getting free Chipolte Burritos at the games.

As I said last year, this year CB is add the drive to round out his game. He is be a top stud in the league with everything you need.

I'm not really that down on the team. For me, CB was the heart and leader anyway. I think he is going to drive this team and put it on his back. And now we have finally added a 2nd PG. That's a huge plus. We can play the whole game with a true PG. We just have to get the surrounding pieces in place and contributing. My biggest worry is that EJ doesn't know how to get from here to there. Never has.

Additionally, this was always a long term plan to build. Etan and OP are the 2 to watch. I'm surprised they extended OP. Something will likely happen there before the year is over. We can finally move ET if needed.

I excited to see our team get on the floor again. There is so much to watch.

CB takes it to another level.
We get to see Dixon again
Blatche, NY, and now McGee
Dee Brown blowing by people.

Sprinkle in some vet play by DSong, AJ. and ET. With the right coach, this would be fun to watch.

[bulletproof_32]

Has there been any word on where Wood is rehabbing (or resting depending on where he is in the recovery process)?

I ask only because I was at the "Meet the Team" event last night and Wood was the only player who didn't attend.

Perhaps he's in DC and just didn't attend because with his hand in a cast he can't really shake hands/ sign autographs which is basically all that happens at these events, but I didn't know if maybe he were in NC (or even NY where he had the surgery).

I'm not trying to read anything into this, just curious.

[dobrojim]

corrollary to 'proof's post....

I wonder how soon we'll have some notion of whether Wood's
recovery will be closer to 4 or 6 months. Obviously this is
huge. 4 months, we could salvage the season. 6 months, barring
spectacular development from McGee and at least incremental
development from Dray and N1, probably not so much.

Hands,

our "2nd PG" has not shown us much of anything. Dixon, maybe a little
more PG skills than his first tour here. And the real issue is how well
will Brown/Dixon do compared to what RMjr gave us last year. I'm not
all that optimistic that those minutes will be more productive this year.

ET doesn't logically figure to be any better than he was before heart surgery,
which means he's quite mediocre, which means bad things for the team given
EJ's mancrush on him and no Haywood to get the "other C" minutes.

OP has not demonstrated much that would lead us to think he
will be even somewhat helpful. In addition to EJ's mancrush on ET,
he (EJ) seems to think playing DSong at C is a good idea...personally,
until proven otherwise, I'd much prefer McGee getting those minutes.
Or 'dray.

Caron has had some ability to drive in the past. In fact, when he first
got here I thought (and liked) that his first instinct seemed to be to
take it to the hole and dunk on people. I don't expect much/any noticeable
improvement in that area (driving). Caron is a good passer but I'd argue that
that is more to do with his vision and basic unselfishness than his dribble-drive.

sorry to rain on your parade. The team may well be "interesting". But
not all that good at actually winning games. For the fire EJ crowd maybe
this will be a good thing. I was always on the fence there feeling that it
was possible for his replacement to be worse.

[Dat2U]

corrollary to 'proof's post....

I wonder how soon we'll have some notion of whether Wood's
recovery will be closer to 4 or 6 months. Obviously this is
huge. 4 months, we could salvage the season. 6 months, barring
spectacular development from McGee and at least incremental
development from Dray and N1, probably not so much.

The timeline seems to point to the end of the regular season. From reading the Post, if the Wizards make it to the playoffs, he may be an option then. I guess that puts it more at 6 months. I just don't see how the Wizards can survive that long without a legit center unless Blatche somehow morphs into a stud or McGee shocks everyone and can force his way into the rotation and play exceeding well.

[dobrojim]

but I guess the question is how do they define the "end of the season"?

Gil (08) ie last 5-8 games?

plus I'd guess that it may be some time before the medical staff
really has an idea of where he is on the timeline. My question,
poorly asked, was more wondering how soon they will have a
really good idea of when his return could be