RealGM

Posted: **Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:08 pm**

Obligatory optimistic thought: Wow, N1 and McGee are going to be awesome!

Obligatory optimistic thought #2: Gilbert will be back by Thanksgiving!

Obligatory optimistic thought #3: Thank god we didn't draft Blatche #1!

Posted: **Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:06 am**

Know what's kinda nice? Even though we have to endure another round of whining and fussing about the coach, hey we've been through that before, nothing new-- still there doesn't seem to be the deep dire level of depression that usually would accompany a dismal start.

Why? Because the future don't look hopeless. And in fact many of the past arguments will be put paid. Even with temporary futility we get some dedicated doubters giving up on the chant to fire the coach because hey if we fail well enough we collect lotto tickets, there's always some high end talent who can help long term. As Wiz fans we've been there before, many many times. We know how to endure a losing season. But there's an essential difference, a few actually:

At some point we get back a top defensive center, we have complete appreciation and recognition how key he is for the team. The much maligned back-up has been conclusively proven to be sub-average, the arguments will finally be put to rest. At back-up we have a young rookie who adds incredible excitement to the game, playing steady minutes and gaining the loyalty and respect of his coach.

We've seen big and superbig line-ups with regularity, even the occasional sighting of Caron at 2-guard. Unproductive veterans see their minutes shaved, young players are getting heavy time to improve or reveal themselves as tradable. We're learning quite clearly what we have and what we lack, what we need.

And we are assured if not guaranteed of a mid-season pick-up of a perennial allstar guard. Unlike in past years we have a core of some remarkable talents to play with any draft pick we select, or any key player we trade the pick for.

So we're insulated if we lose. Not great, but it's a better position than decades of intractable futility and the certainty of failure. There's an upside to the downside for once. And even if we decide to swap the coach it's an attractive situation for any new Coach coming in, an owner who shows loyalty, a team with good lockerroom personalities, good young talent you can mold how you want, talent if not depth at key positions.

For those who are willing to be positive right now there are even a few good signs. Less than ten games into the season the coach has dropped an exciting rookie into the starting line. Usually that's a team in a rebuilding year, expected to struggle. But the rook is proving to be one of the better players on the team. It may take a minute to adjust while the team learns itself and new configurations, but the track record suggests that while he' may be slow to adjust, the coach does find offensive tweaks that take advantage of his best personnel.

First game out with the new line-up, and in the first half the team had 15 assists. This is a team that rarely posts in the ast column, this game the early ball movement was better. It's entirely likely that the team ball movement improves as the guys learn their new roles. Ball movement was what saved the team last year when Gil went down, this year it's been somewhat awful, but hey we're playing Nick Young and a rookie 30 mins a game-- the team game tends to follow familiarity, if we lsoe early but learn eachother well, that stat will tend to tick back up.

Offensively we have no attack-the-rim slashers until Gil gets back. If he's 100% though he's the best in the league. Shotblockers are scared of him sicne he tends to foul them out. If he's healthy. But hey this is the optimism thread.

Yes we got our collective ass handed to us on rebounding in ATL, but this team has shown an occasional aptitude for grabbing the ball. The rook has room to improve, as do the guards (though Gil, when he returns, has always shown a knack for the long rebound). Given the need for better rebounding, it's entirely possible we see Dom earn a few more minutes. But even the personnel we've got has shown better boardsmanship in past games.

The most nagging longterm problem is the vulnerability to the outside shot. We have no particular stick-em man-to-man perimeter lockdown artist. And the personnel tends to preclude it unless Nick Young continues to improve to an unforeseen degree. But since this is the optimism thread: as our interior improves (Brendan returns and McGee matures) perimeter defense often improves. That's the theory anyway.

So, never know, if you're looking for possible happy things, you can see 'em. When life gives you lemons, make Lemonheads. Or something like that.

Posted: **Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:02 am**

Aaaahhh, the good old days...... :lol:

Posted: **Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:04 am**

I bet Tapscott on accident coaches the team to about .400 ball or better.

Posted: **Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:07 am**

Eddie Tapscott using his past work experience will "Light a fire" under these player's asses. They will be very tired of being obliterated to do it on the court too.

Posted: **Thu Dec 4, 2008 7:46 am**

Didja notice? In 9 of our 13 losses, the Wiz have had a _lead_ in the 4th quarter. And since McGee has been starting we often have a lead in the first quarter as well. Granted, we tend to piss it away on the defensive end, but for the optimistically inclined:

Hey imagine how much better we'd play if magically we could pick up an all-star scorer in the back court (where our starting duo has been averaging a combined 12 points... and no other starting guard line-up has averaged less than 20 points). Okay I'd take the +23 points, sure. (Gil's potential 29 replacing Dee's six points). I'd also like a dash of the late-game clutch heroics that help us pull away or put a team away. Not to mention a shutdown Big who helps improve our defense vocally and physically, with intelligence and excellent size.

And consider this, with these two back, much of our quick-starting starters get bumped to the bench, where they do damage against other team's back ups. And where high-energy rookie JVMcG can tire out opponents without playing past his stamina and effectiveness and not have to worry about foul trouble on the rookie-whistle effect.

Plus, hey, lotto. It's the weirdest thing to enjoy watching the team lose, knowing we'll be better for it long term. Or anyway somehow it just feels that way. It's a rare opportunity to lose with dignity, no shame, good effort, good experience for the puppies, then late game substitutions that somehow just barely fall short. You know, you'd almost think it was done on purpose... but nah, you'd have to have a hand-picked coach, a friend of the GM, who had no fear for job security or his future on the bench who was interested in team development above all...

Posted: **Thu Dec 4, 2008 2:36 pm**

Doc, I think you may be right. I think there's a distinct possibility that we're in "honorable tank mode," that is, tanking but not making it too obvious so as to disrespect the game or your players.

You're not going to try to lose every night; you still want to develop the young'ns, and games like NJ and GS are important for that. But last night, with the AD/D-Steve backcourt in down the stretch, something was fishy. Taps is no dummy, and neither is Ernie.

And you know what? I love it.

Posted: **Thu Dec 4, 2008 2:56 pm**

I don't buy it. It's too early in the season for Eddie T to be intentionally throwing games. Maybe I'd believe it if he were ending games with young talent on the floor because some of the veterans had "back spasms" and so forth. But I don't think that Eddie T put Daniels and Stevenson in the game because he truly believed that the vets gave us less of a chance to win. Like any coach, he was simply more comfortable with veterans than youngsters because they're less prone to mistakes.

Bottom line. If we were in "honorable tank mode", Jamison wouldn't have played 41 minutes and Butler wouldn't have played 39. Take the tin foil hats off, fellas.

Posted: **Thu Dec 4, 2008 3:59 pm**

I agree with Nate. There is no way Tapscott is making substitutions at the end to lose games. I think he just feels more comfortable with DS than NY late in games. DS has sucked this year, no doubt about it. However, NY has made some boneheaded plays at the end of some close games. I just think Tapscott believes that DS will make less stupid mistakes at the end of close games than Nick Young. Its kind of like pick your poison.

Posted: **Thu Dec 4, 2008 5:39 pm**

Excuse me gentlemen this ain't the realism thread, take that cold hard facts shxt elsewhere, if you ain't conforming to the rules of the thread I'm a have to rport your ass for trolling. Try again, repost your happy pablum instanter!

Posted: **Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:56 am**

Chicago version.

Once again a late-game charge tries to make up for an early game sleepwalk. But the fact is we keep finding ways to cut it close. If we're looking for positives: every game a different player shows up. The key will be when each player can hit their stride at the same time and maintain the upside for the longest time. But first you have to experience what it feels like to play well, then you can repeat it, or strive to. Nick Young was remarkably efficient on the offensive end, and it initiated with a monster dunk. Once he learns to start aggressively he'll start to attack the game the same way every time.

This current cycle of 7 games has come to a close. We'll perhaps see a litttle more McGee, more Nick Young is a likelihood, perhaps as a starter. Maybe soem Juan, though he doesn't feature in future plans or trade scenariae.

Seems to me the first half of the season, the team has been trying to showcase our long-term properties and high dollar contracts to see what offers are available. Teams will overpay for an all-star, or a long multi-talented player like Dray, just developing into his own. We have a logjam up front, especially when Brendan returns, but we have a few players that may entice GMs league-wide to take a risk. The probability is, with a new coach we'll see roster changes, we got to showcase our showroom properties before we spend time on the longterm projects. Nobody is untouchable right now.

I suspect once Gilbert returns it will be harder to preserve the tanking. But by then we may be comfortably waaaay out of playoff contention, so Etap can say to the fans that the team is going to use the second half to develop rooks and rehab Gil, try out combinations, showcase the exciting future. Here comes JaVale, with Gil, for instance.

I suspect EG would like to use Andray's nice deal to offload one of our more awkward contracts (Etan if possible, DeShawn, Mike James, whatever) on a two-for-one to net us a quality veteran, clear up roster spots, cut other deadwood. But I'm sure he's willing to listen to offers for Jamison, Butler even, depending on how tempting the deal. May not happen, but right now it's about displaying assets for trade. After the deadline, it's about the future, and selling tix for next year. A late season run of exciting play, while still preserving good lotto positioning.

Even if no deal is made at the deadline, it looks to be an interesting offseason. Remember, Ernie bumped EJ and hired ETap for a reason, and it wasn't due to his stellar track record as a HOF coach, but instead because the two think alike and work well together. Better believe ETap is playing the line-ups he does for a real reason. I'm still of the mind that many of these are designed losses. If we surge late-year, fine, in the mean time, it's about carefully massaging the roster. Even if it's easy to get distracted and get yourself tossed from a game in the heat of the moment.

Posted: **Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:31 pm**

Good news - their record is so bad well into the season, that all delusions of playoff chances will be swept away, so ET/EG/AP will take away the requirement to play Jamison and Butler 40 minutes a game - as well as minute requirements to other vets - such as James, DSteve, Songaila, et al. The young'ns will get more minutes. McGee... will get 20 plus minutes a game! There will actually be reasons to watch the Wizards!

Posted: **Sat Jan 31, 2009 6:14 am**

drag and drop from the trade thread:

JWizmentality wrote:
Blazinaway wrote:Por fan here. Guys is there any chance Wiz really blow it up and trade Arenas? just curious

Wouldn't make sense. Management knew Arenas wasn't going to be available for the season and still gave him the contract. Gil is here long term unless he doesn't come back 100%. Arenas is just fine, the media is blowing his procedure way out of proportion like he had MAJOR surgery when all he did was clean out the debris in his knee. Add to the fact that we're getting a top three pick and Haywood back, why in the hell should we blow it up? Wouldn't mind dropping Twan's contract but other than that, we don't need to do anything major. IMO we're setting up pretty nicely like Boston last year. If we land Griffin and Arenas comes back even close to 100%, look out!

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 1:33 am**

I know you guys are going crazy and that I was the only one in this area who didnt want Blake but its all good. We wont get to have Rubio now but that never was a big deal to me "unless" Gil is always going to be hurt. We just have to pray that he's healthy. My whole plan was to get the #1 pick, trade down to get Rubio, use those trades to get rid of DS, Songalia, Etan, and James but I still never wanted anyone back. I just wanted that cap room for the future if nothing works out. I still want this same team. I still say that we are way more talented then people give us credit for and that everyone will look 10x better with Gil back, espically the young guys. With the 5th pick I say we should get Gil's twin brother in Harden or just trade out the whole draft completely. Yes, trade the 5th pick to someone else for a future 1st or something. No one we get will matter anyways. I just cant stand watching TV or listening to the radio and hearing everyone diss us. I had this picture in my head of us doing well next year but everyone acting like it only happened because we got Blake or that we made some trade to get a Bosh or something. I dont want that "yet". I still want that 1 shot to see what these guys can do. If were healthy and cant get it done then you can do what you want but I think they can. Whats sad for me is that you have alot of the players acting like theyre even accepting the fact that there not that good. All of them were talking like we needed so much or we needed Blake or whatever.

Man Blatche can be a stud. McGee has a big time future and both NY & Dom are the real deal. I dont want to see any of those guys get moved until they all have a chance to play with a healhty Gil. I also had this pic in my head of Blatche or McGee rotting on the bench with Griff getting alot of the run. Those guys are better then that. You know that I have never been a big rotation guy. I like 8 or 9 set guys and thats it. I said earlier that I wanted those 4 players moved but thats not a must. I still think Deshawn is great with Gil and that Darius is also a very good player. If it was just about them being good then I would easily keep them but I just wanted to move them because we have Blatche & McGee up front with NY & Dom in the back. It gets crowded. Then you have Etan & MJ. I can live with them also but I like Critt better then James so I didnt want him to stunt the young guy while I dont trust a coach to play McGee over Etan but both only have 1 year left so its not a huge deal. I honestly 100% cannot watch the playoffs because I look at these teams and I think we are better. The Cavs have Lebron and like 14 role players. The C's big 3 is 157 years old and none are dominant scary players while Orlando has cupcakes in Lewis & Turk with the most unpolished star in the league in Howard. Those teams are not head and shoulders over us. Weve been depleted.

I still read how we need a PG to move Gil to the 2. Come on now. He's not that guy anymore. I think he could seriously lead the league in assist next year. I was just watching his 60pt game yesterday and man was he special. IDK if we'll ever see that guy again after those injuries but he still should be a very good player and if he gets his explosion back then he's an MVP next year. I think he will seriously be the most unstoppable player in the league because he can score 30 or get 10 dimes every night, espically with the guys we have around him now. I just also keep reading about how we should draft Tharbeet if we got the 2nd or 3rd pick because our Centers cant get it done. Come on man. Im also sick of people dissin our frontcourt. I truly beleive that our frontcourt will be one of the best in the leauge if were healthy with Wood, AJ, Blatche, McGee, and Darius. Give it 1 more shot. However, I will agree that this is the last shot. Even if we have mad injuries again, it should be the last shot because that just proves that we have brittle guys who you cant depend on but IM not ready to say that just yet. This team is better then all the media & fans are saying. They are not far off, its just been injuries. Its that simple to me and on top of that you have all the guys talking different now. For the 1st time its like all of them realize that this is it. Gil is maturing and even the young guys know that they have to workout super hard this offseason. The biggest thing is that I think Flip will help our D or atleast allow us not to break defensive 3pt records like we do every year. We are going to be such a sleeper this year and Im glad that we get to prove it the old fashion way because if we wouldve got Blake or a big time vet then everyone would say that the old Wiz team wouldnt have been able to do it with the guys they had. Now we get to prove that wrong. This team can do it. We have the pieces

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 1:36 am**

IBTL/M, with hope that paragraphs will soon be discovered by some.

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 1:38 am**

dlts20 wrote:I know you guys are going crazy and that I was the only one in this area who didnt want Blake but its all good. We wont get to have Rubio now but that never was a big deal to me "unless" Gil is always going to be hurt. We just have to pray that he's healthy. My whole plan was to get the #1 pick, trade down to get Rubio, use those trades to get rid of DS, Songalia, Etan, and James but I still never wanted anyone back. I just wanted that cap room for the future if nothing works out. I still want this same team. I still say that we are way more talented then people give us credit for and that everyone will look 10x better with Gil back, espically the young guys. With the 5th pick I say we should get Gil's twin brother in Harden or just trade out the whole draft completely. Yes, trade the 5th pick to someone else for a future 1st or something. No one we get will matter anyways. I just cant stand watching TV or listening to the radio and hearing everyone diss us. I had this picture in my head of us doing well next year but everyone acting like it only happened because we got Blake or that we made some trade to get a Bosh or something. I dont want that "yet". I still want that 1 shot to see what these guys can do. If were healthy and cant get it done then you can do what you want but I think they can. Whats sad for me is that you have alot of the players acting like theyre even accepting the fact that there not that good. All of them were talking like we needed so much or we needed Blake or whatever.

Man Blatche can be a stud. McGee has a big time future and both NY & Dom are the real deal. I dont want to see any of those guys get moved until they all have a chance to play with a healhty Gil. I also had this pic in my head of Blatche or McGee rotting on the bench with Griff getting alot of the run. Those guys are better then that. You know that I have never been a big rotation guy. I like 8 or 9 set guys and thats it. I said earlier that I wanted those 4 players moved but thats not a must. I still think Deshawn is great with Gil and that Darius is also a very good player. If it was just about them being good then I would easily keep them but I just wanted to move them because we have Blatche & McGee up front with NY & Dom in the back. It gets crowded. Then you have Etan & MJ. I can live with them also but I like Critt better then James so I didnt want him to stunt the young guy while I dont trust a coach to play McGee over Etan but both only have 1 year left so its not a huge deal. I honestly 100% cannot watch the playoffs because I look at these teams and I think we are better. The Cavs have Lebron and like 14 role players. The C's big 3 is 157 years old and none are dominant scary players while Orlando has cupcakes in Lewis & Turk with the most unpolished star in the league in Howard. Those teams are not head and shoulders over us. Weve been depleted.

I still read how we need a PG to move Gil to the 2. Come on now. He's not that guy anymore. I think he could seriously lead the league in assist next year. I was just watching his 60pt game yesterday and man was he special. IDK if we'll ever see that guy again after those injuries but he still should be a very good player and if he gets his explosion back then he's an MVP next year. I think he will seriously be the most unstoppable player in the league because he can score 30 or get 10 dimes every night, espically with the guys we have around him now. I just also keep reading about how we should draft Tharbeet if we got the 2nd or 3rd pick because our Centers cant get it done. Come on man. Im also sick of people dissin our frontcourt. I truly beleive that our frontcourt will be one of the best in the leauge if were healthy with Wood, AJ, Blatche, McGee, and Darius. Give it 1 more shot. However, I will agree that this is the last shot. Even if we have mad injuries again, it should be the last shot because that just proves that we have brittle guys who you cant depend on but IM not ready to say that just yet. This team is better then all the media & fans are saying. They are not far off, its just been injuries. Its that simple to me and on top of that you have all the guys talking different now. For the 1st time its like all of them realize that this is it. Gil is maturing and even the young guys know that they have to workout super hard this offseason. The biggest thing is that I think Flip will help our D or atleast allow us not to break defensive 3pt records like we do every year. We are going to be such a sleeper this year and Im glad that we get to prove it the old fashion way because if we wouldve got Blake or a big time vet then everyone would say that the old Wiz team wouldnt have been able to do it with the guys they had. Now we get to prove that wrong. This team can do it. We have the pieces

Yes??? are you freaking retarted you blowhole?

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 1:46 am**

dlts20 wrote:..snip...

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 2:34 am**

who the hell is gonna read all that?

based on your first few sentences though, your (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 2:35 am**

Bump for merge.

Posted: **Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:22 am**

Link.

"He's worked really hard," Saunders said of Arenas. "The strength in his leg, that's been operated on has been off the charts. He's played. Everybody knows that he's kind of a workaholic when it comes to basketball. He says he's averaging 44 points a game in the Chicago Pro Am. So he's got his scoring touch back. He's getting his confidence back. I think he's excited about where he's at. He looks good. Weight is lower. And I think he's anxious for training camp. And I think he feels he's got some things to prove because he hasn't played in the last year and a half. He's ready to go."

Crossing fingers, knocking wood, thinking happy thoughts, praying for mercy.

RealGM

Go Wiz--the Honorary dlts20 Homer/Optimist thread

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Re: Go Wiz--the Honorary dlts20 Homer/Optimist thread

Re: Go Wiz--the Honorary dlts20 Homer/Optimist thread

Re: Go Wiz--the Honorary dlts20 Homer/Optimist thread

Re: Go Wiz--the Honorary dlts20 Homer/Optimist thread

Re: Go Wiz--the Honorary dlts20 Homer/Optimist thread

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Re: Go Wiz--the Honorary dlts20 Homer/Optimist thread

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

Re: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

Re: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

Re: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

Re: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

Re: Go Wiz--the Honorary dlts20 Homer/Optimist thread

Re: Go Wiz--the Honorary dlts20 Homer/Optimist thread