Wizards Training Camp & Preseason 2022

[FAH1223]

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[BearlyBallin]

Watch on YouTube

Per Unseld Jr, Deni, Goodwin & Q. Jackson didn’t participate fully. I know they said it was Deni’s groin but it looks like he’s reaching behind him rubbing his lower back around 7:59. Hopefully it’s nothing much.

[Kanyewest]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/wizards-kristaps-porzingis-is-leaner-and-starts-year-without-limitations/ar-AA12bPcv?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=57872016046d4c0aa045f5489132f285

[AFM]

Not sure where to post this, but is anyone going to the open practice in October? I'll be there, come say hi. Unless you're PIF. No offense.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Not sure where to post this, but is anyone going to the open practice in October? I'll be there, come say hi. Unless you're PIF. No offense.

Sounds fun. But how would we recognize you? I’m imagining skinny jeans, wire rim glasses, euro fade hair do, latte in hand.

Amirite?

[BearlyBallin]

Not sure where to post this, but is anyone going to the open practice in October? I'll be there, come say hi. Unless you're PIF. No offense.

Where is it this year, Morgan St again ?

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Watch on YouTube

Per Unseld Jr, Deni, Goodwin & Q. Jackson didn’t participate fully. I know they said it was Deni’s groin but it looks like he’s reaching behind him rubbing his lower back around 7:59. Hopefully it’s nothing much.

Maker smooth stroking at the end ... I hope he comes in aggressive and balls out! They got a diamond in the rough.

[AFM]

Not sure where to post this, but is anyone going to the open practice in October? I'll be there, come say hi. Unless you're PIF. No offense.

Sounds fun. But how would we recognize you? I’m imagining skinny jeans, wire rim glasses, euro fade hair do, latte in hand.

Amirite?

Did you mean to quote PIF instead? I'm middle eastern. Imagine Aladdin.

[AFM]

Not sure where to post this, but is anyone going to the open practice in October? I'll be there, come say hi. Unless you're PIF. No offense.

Where is it this year, Morgan St again ?

Nope, Oct 11 at the Arena. 6 PM. Free shirts for whoever shows up.

[keynote]

Media Day came and went, and I heard absolutely nothing about Isaiah Todd. No obligatory 10-15 lbs of muscle; no reports of how he showed flashes during that one private pickup run.

This is silly szn. Everyone is faster, stronger, lighter, and quicker; yet is fully aware that nobody believes in them. Everyone has a deeper bag. Kuz grew an inch; Gaff developed a J. KP got "leaner." But nary a comment about our moonshot prospect after his first NBA offseason.

Did I miss a quote? Or Shep writing this project off like the Batgirl movie?

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using RealGM mobile app

[payitforward]

Not sure where to post this, but is anyone going to the open practice in October? I'll be there, come say hi. Unless you're PIF. No offense.

اراك هناك يا صديقي القديم.

[AFM]

Not sure where to post this, but is anyone going to the open practice in October? I'll be there, come say hi. Unless you're PIF. No offense.

اراك هناك يا صديقي القديم.

Quoting a persian in arabic is probably the most offensive thing I can think of.

[payitforward]

Maker smooth stroking at the end ... I hope he comes in aggressive and balls out! They got a diamond in the rough.

Some Maker SL highlights. He looks like a player!

Watch on YouTube

[AFM]

Dude has a 7'2 wingspan apparently. Just a massive dude.

[BearlyBallin]

Watch on YouTube

[doclinkin]

Takeaways from various media interviews.

Man. I like these guys. Seems like if chemistry means anything, this crew could put together some win streaks. Always before the season there's nothing but wins in the vision, (and never mind the rearview) but still, there are some positive signs of a decent team. I can see realistic ways that the talents on this squad could each take a jump forward. And with that, strong possibilities for better team play. There's a maturity level here it feels like. We have a few key players who have been in the league long enough to get comfortable and know what they can do and what they need to improve. Generally these improvements seem realistic and achievable.

Individual takeaways here:

Spoiler:

Porzingis is a personable cat. Smart of him to emphasize his base and mobility, while losing bulk. Seems like that will be the best way to stay healthy, and maximize his best skills. Getting lighter ought to help his ranged jumper as well, especially with better conditioning and fresher legs.

Beal seems confident and settled with his contract issue behind him. His left hand injury may mean it takes a bit to regain his handle, but if he handles less and moves better off the ball, it's a fair trade. Still, recovery is what he needs most. He needs to get back to what he used to do. But he's not far removed from this:

Watch on YouTube

Brad seems highly confident in Rui's development. As if he is really looking forward to seeing this version of Rui in games. Sounds like he is making all his shots and locking down his individual match-ups. Rui talked about working in the weight room so that he could be more physical in getting to his spots. Okay he cited his midrange game, but still, I've wanted him to be able to assert himself, developing confidence in his natural strength. Brad suggests his confidence is not in question. That bodes well if he can sustain it. More than anything of course his mindstate and game awareness are key. If he is less anxious about it all, maybe he can process it better. Have the game slow down for him. Sounds like he really needed the summer off. He stated how in Japan there is no such thing as an offseason. Baseball players play year round, etc. Taking time to work on his game was key, and he really appreciated the voluntary minicamp that everyone showed up to. Said they should do that every offseason. I want him learning from this guy:

Watch on YouTube

Taj Gibson has been cited a few times as a vet's vet. Attitude adjuster. No nonsense, win-oriented, about playing the right way, and helping teammates more than getting his own stats. Seems like an ideal addition compared to the vets of last year's locker room. That team seemed a little more me-focused and volatile. Taj is a serious MFer, and approaches the game that way. That said it sounds like he really appreciated playing pick up with the crew and spending time with these 'kids'. Said "They're teaching me to smile again". Enjoying waking up early in the mornings to train and then battle with the young cats. Loved that he is enjoying the mentor role: "I'm always encouraging. They're my teammates. I'm gonna push the limit, I'm gonna talk, and its gonna be physical, but you're gonna learn." That he understands he may not play as much, but his job is to be ready and to challenge the guys in practice, push them to get better.

Taj talks about Gafford being "a specimen". Says he has barely scratched the surface of what he can be. He just needs some tweaks to unleash that beast. Gafford seems receptive and said he formed instant chemistry with another new addition in Monte Morris. Between those two I can see Gaff's game taking a leap. He needs to know how to be physical when groundbound, to defend with positioning and technique so he doesn't pick up cheap fouls. He can still launch to beat the helloutta the ball when he needs to, to intimidate and deter players from driving inside, but you can't do that if you are sitting on the bench with foul trouble. Taj's whole career has been as an undersized big, playing with leverage and smarts. If Gaff can pick up a bit of that serious attitude, a bit of the nasty, as well as the technique, his game can take off. Gaff talked about expanding his range as well, that he is ready to show his jumper a bit. That's fine, if he starts hitting it, but more than anything having a true Point to feed him is going to help him most. Easy buckets. Highlight dunks. Raising the energy level of the team and the building.

Monte Morris comes across as a spark plug on and off the court. Raising the energy level when he enters the room. Statistically NBA players tend to hit their prime at age 27. Morris, Kuzma and Porzingis are each now at that age. NBA scouts pretty much universally agree that Morris has been the best back-up PG in the league. I like that he has been underrated and has something to prove, and takes a leadership role seriously. He talks about policing his own body language, not liking to show it affect him if his team is losing, since his teammates are going to look to him to quarterback the team. That's a skillset that Brad in particular could learn from. Morris talks about expecting to win, having been in the playoffs every year of his career, and part of that is holding everybody responsible. From the top player to the last one. Again, a lesson that the squad needed to hear last year, for sure. On defense, he says communication is key. The best defensive teams talk every play. He's the shortest guy in the team but overall is impressed with the team's length. Says it's a slap in the face how underrated this team is going into the season. Will Barton talks about how Monte plays to win, does not turn the ball over, likes to set up teammates to get them going, classic point guard, all that. And that anyone who every played with him will tell you the same. To me, his taking a leadership role is the thing this team has needed most. And definitely what Wes needed most. For him that is the next step in his career, and the area he needed to improve in: to take the reins of a team and lead them to wins.

Barton talked about similarities in his game and Brad's and how that will put pressure on defenses with no let up. Mentioned how he knows Wes' game concepts and can help teach the team and keep them organized at both ends. Sounds like he expects to compete for a starter's role, ok sure, but even if not I think he will be an energizer off the bench. With his and Brad's games being similar (I agree) seems to me you can run many of the same sets with no drop-off. I like Will off the bench to floor the accelerator and add offensive pressure when the team needs it. I can see him wearing down back-ups or tired starters when the team needs to rest Beal.

Corey Kispert talked about improving his range and consistency from outside to build on how he finished the year, but also about improving his handle so that he can attack closeouts and make them pay. Defense too was an emphasis, since realizes that is a shortfall in his profile. Stretching has helped him not be limited on court, that his body could not physically do what he wanted it to do, flexibility will help. Consistency and defense are the top 2 things he wants to improve. Consistency: to be a high level shooter every night. On defense, he lived in Phoenix in the offseason so he scrimmaged all summer against the Suns players. Defending that crew has made him better. As well as picking the brains of a lot of vets and former players who came through Phoenix.

Kispert talked about how Johnny Davis was tight in Summer League, reminding him of himself, but when he played in the team minicamp he looked like the player they saw in Wisconsin. Confident and dangerous. Expects a good year out of him. I mean what else is he going to say, but still. Davis confirmed he felt better by minicamp and that Monte Morris and Will Barton especially gave him pointers and were mentoring him. And Taj of course.

Kuzma talked about how his 3rd and 4th years he didn't really have room to develop his game. Playing on a veteran team with championship aspirations he had to play within the roles designated for him. Last year was the first chance he had to expand. He feels like he has made a leap every year but last year in particular he saw what sort of player he would like to be. How he has been a late bloomer all his life, and feels like now he is developing. Feels like his next step is making his teammates better. He emulates LeBron's ability to make everyone around him better. He feels like he can do anything on court, but talks about how much gravity players like "K-Pizzle" and Brad have, so he can be a facilitator instead of forcing things and needing to star. About how versatile all the forwards are, how many different line-ups they could play with, and make work. This is what I would hope from Kuz: to fit into a team concept, take the shots in the flow of the offense and not try to do too much. Move the ball when that is the better play, find his moments as needed.

In a similar if opposite way Deni discussed how his role in Eurobasket was different than here. There he had opportunity to lead the team, and show parts of his game that he hasn't shown here. To add all the things he worked on while training early in the summer. He clearly enjoyed it, likes the European game, that the players here are more physical, but the game itself there is more physical. Here players can star, there they play more of a team concept. Kuzma had talked about how impressive KP is to play with and see every day. That a guy that big shouldn't move that well, and that he is a better passer than he knew. Talks about how KP clearly loves the game, lives it. It occurred to me as Deni was talking though that with KP as the keystone of the team, the biggest talent, and as Deni has become an indispensable Defender who will get minutes in high pressure moments, these two have the opportunity to shape the team around them. That together they can borrow from some of the better teams of the Euro game, and exemplify how to play that way. On a team with willing passers and players who make smart cuts etc, seems like this squad has a better chance than many to play the kind of game where the sum is greater than the parts. Deni talked about improving his range and adding physicality. Ballhandling, finishing at the rim, playing physical through contact, developing confidence with his shot, off the dribble, step-backs, pick and roll.

Just saying. Everybody is positive in training camp. Zero losses so far. I just like the potential of this team to play better team ball: more passing, off ball movement, easy shots from open players. And talking on defense. This team has some talkers. IF every player does take a small step forward in each of the things they say they want to improve, then the team itself may take a larger step forward in better play.

[BearlyBallin]

Media Day came and went, and I heard absolutely nothing about Isaiah Todd. No obligatory 10-15 lbs of muscle; no reports of how he showed flashes during that one private pickup run.

This is silly szn. Everyone is faster, stronger, lighter, and quicker; yet is fully aware that nobody believes in them. Everyone has a deeper bag. Kuz grew an inch; Gaff developed a J. KP got "leaner." But nary a comment about our moonshot prospect after his first NBA offseason.

Did I miss a quote? Or Shep writing this project off like the Batgirl movie?

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using RealGM mobile app

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=9UJYsI3Sv2M8wCx0SMvltw

They did tweet these photos, so Todd isn’t totally on the “he who shall not be named” bench.
Although it was embarrassing when he looked so lost in summer league, after the team talked about Vegas being an opportunity for Todd to show his growth. After that maybe it’s better just to let him go out and play without any hype. Hopefully it’s not a sign of giving up on him and more of an acknowledgment that Todd needs another season to develop in gleague.

[BearlyBallin]

Takeaways from various media interviews.

Man. I like these guys. Seems like if chemistry means anything, this crew could put together some win streaks. Always before the season there's nothing but wins in the vision, (and never mind the rearview) but still, there are some positive signs of a decent team. I can see realistic ways that the talents on this squad could each take a jump forward. And with that, strong possibilities for better team play. There's a maturity level here it feels like. We have a few key players who have been in the league long enough to get comfortable and know what they can do and what they need to improve. Generally these improvements seem realistic and achievable.

Individual takeaways here:

Spoiler:

Porzingis is a personable cat. Smart of him to emphasize his base and mobility, while losing bulk. Seems like that will be the best way to stay healthy, and maximize his best skills. Getting lighter ought to help his ranged jumper as well, especially with better conditioning and fresher legs.

Beal seems confident and settled with his contract issue behind him. His left hand injury may mean it takes a bit to regain his handle, but if he handles less and moves better off the ball, it's a fair trade. Still, recovery is what he needs most. He needs to get back to what he used to do. But he's not far removed from this:

Watch on YouTube

Brad seems highly confident in Rui's development. As if he is really looking forward to seeing this version of Rui in games. Sounds like he is making all his shots and locking down his individual match-ups. Rui talked about working in the weight room so that he could be more physical in getting to his spots. Okay he cited his midrange game, but still, I've wanted him to be able to assert himself, developing confidence in his natural strength. Brad suggests his confidence is not in question. That bodes well if he can sustain it. More than anything of course his mindstate and game awareness are key. If he is less anxious about it all, maybe he can process it better. Have the game slow down for him. Sounds like he really needed the summer off. He stated how in Japan there is no such thing as an offseason. Baseball players play year round, etc. Taking time to work on his game was key, and he really appreciated the voluntary minicamp that everyone showed up to. Said they should do that every offseason. I want him learning from this guy:

Watch on YouTube

Taj Gibson has been cited a few times as a vet's vet. Attitude adjuster. No nonsense, win-oriented, about playing the right way, and helping teammates more than getting his own stats. Seems like an ideal addition compared to the vets of last year's locker room. That team seemed a little more me-focused and volatile. Taj is a serious MFer, and approaches the game that way. That said it sounds like he really appreciated playing pick up with the crew and spending time with these 'kids'. Said "They're teaching me to smile again". Enjoying waking up early in the mornings to train and then battle with the young cats. Loved that he is enjoying the mentor role: "I'm always encouraging. They're my teammates. I'm gonna push the limit, I'm gonna talk, and its gonna be physical, but you're gonna learn." That he understands he may not play as much, but his job is to be ready and to challenge the guys in practice, push them to get better.

Taj talks about Gafford being "a specimen". Says he has barely scratched the surface of what he can be. He just needs some tweaks to unleash that beast. Gafford seems receptive and said he formed instant chemistry with another new addition in Monte Morris. Between those two I can see Gaff's game taking a leap. He needs to know how to be physical when groundbound, to defend with positioning and technique so he doesn't pick up cheap fouls. He can still launch to beat the helloutta the ball when he needs to, to intimidate and deter players from driving inside, but you can't do that if you are sitting on the bench with foul trouble. Taj's whole career has been as an undersized big, playing with leverage and smarts. If Gaff can pick up a bit of that serious attitude, a bit of the nasty, as well as the technique, his game can take off. Gaff talked about expanding his range as well, that he is ready to show his jumper a bit. That's fine, if he starts hitting it, but more than anything having a true Point to feed him is going to help him most. Easy buckets. Highlight dunks. Raising the energy level of the team and the building.

Monte Morris comes across as a spark plug on and off the court. Raising the energy level when he enters the room. Statistically NBA players tend to hit their prime at age 27. Morris, Kuzma and Porzingis are each now at that age. NBA scouts pretty much universally agree that Morris has been the best back-up PG in the league. I like that he has been underrated and has something to prove, and takes a leadership role seriously. He talks about policing his own body language, not liking to show it affect him if his team is losing, since his teammates are going to look to him to quarterback the team. That's a skillset that Brad in particular could learn from. Morris talks about expecting to win, having been in the playoffs every year of his career, and part of that is holding everybody responsible. From the top player to the last one. Again, a lesson that the squad needed to hear last year, for sure. On defense, he says communication is key. The best defensive teams talk every play. He's the shortest guy in the team but overall is impressed with the team's length. Says it's a slap in the face how underrated this team is going into the season. Will Barton talks about how Monte plays to win, does not turn the ball over, likes to set up teammates to get them going, classic point guard, all that. And that anyone who every played with him will tell you the same. To me, his taking a leadership role is the thing this team has needed most. And definitely what Wes needed most. For him that is the next step in his career, and the area he needed to improve in: to take the reins of a team and lead them to wins.

Barton talked about similarities in his game and Brad's and how that will put pressure on defenses with no let up. Mentioned how he knows Wes' game concepts and can help teach the team and keep them organized at both ends. Sounds like he expects to compete for a starter's role, ok sure, but even if not I think he will be an energizer off the bench. With his and Brad's games being similar (I agree) seems to me you can run many of the same sets with no drop-off. I like Will off the bench to floor the accelerator and add offensive pressure when the team needs it. I can see him wearing down back-ups or tired starters when the team needs to rest Beal.

Corey Kispert talked about improving his range and consistency from outside to build on how he finished the year, but also about improving his handle so that he can attack closeouts and make them pay. Defense too was an emphasis, since realizes that is a shortfall in his profile. Stretching has helped him not be limited on court, that his body could not physically do what he wanted it to do, flexibility will help. Consistency and defense are the top 2 things he wants to improve. Consistency: to be a high level shooter every night. On defense, he lived in Phoenix in the offseason so he scrimmaged all summer against the Suns players. Defending that crew has made him better. As well as picking the brains of a lot of vets and former players who came through Phoenix.

Kispert talked about how Johnny Davis was tight in Summer League, reminding him of himself, but when he played in the team minicamp he looked like the player they saw in Wisconsin. Confident and dangerous. Expects a good year out of him. I mean what else is he going to say, but still. Davis confirmed he felt better by minicamp and that Monte Morris and Will Barton especially gave him pointers and were mentoring him. And Taj of course.

Kuzma talked about how his 3rd and 4th years he didn't really have room to develop his game. Playing on a veteran team with championship aspirations he had to play within the roles designated for him. Last year was the first chance he had to expand. He feels like he has made a leap every year but last year in particular he saw what sort of player he would like to be. How he has been a late bloomer all his life, and feels like now he is developing. Feels like his next step is making his teammates better. He emulates LeBron's ability to make everyone around him better. He feels like he can do anything on court, but talks about how much gravity players like "K-Pizzle" and Brad have, so he can be a facilitator instead of forcing things and needing to star. About how versatile all the forwards are, how many different line-ups they could play with, and make work. This is what I would hope from Kuz: to fit into a team concept, take the shots in the flow of the offense and not try to do too much. Move the ball when that is the better play, find his moments as needed.

In a similar if opposite way Deni discussed how his role in Eurobasket was different than here. There he had opportunity to lead the team, and show parts of his game that he hasn't shown here. To add all the things he worked on while training early in the summer. He clearly enjoyed it, likes the European game, that the players here are more physical, but the game itself there is more physical. Here players can star, there they play more of a team concept. Kuzma had talked about how impressive KP is to play with and see every day. That a guy that big shouldn't move that well, and that he is a better passer than he knew. Talks about how KP clearly loves the game, lives it. It occurred to me as Deni was talking though that with KP as the keystone of the team, the biggest talent, and as Deni has become an indispensable Defender who will get minutes in high pressure moments, these two have the opportunity to shape the team around them. That together they can borrow from some of the better teams of the Euro game, and exemplify how to play that way. On a team with willing passers and players who make smart cuts etc, seems like this squad has a better chance than many to play the kind of game where the sum is greater than the parts. Deni talked about improving his range and adding physicality. Ballhandling, finishing at the rim, playing physical through contact, developing confidence with his shot, off the dribble, step-backs, pick and roll.

Just saying. Everybody is positive in training camp. Zero losses so far. I just like the potential of this team to play better team ball: more passing, off ball movement, easy shots from open players. And talking on defense. This team has some talkers. IF every player does take a small step forward in each of the things they say they want to get better at, then the team itself may take a larger step forward in better play.

This is where I’m at too. The whole can be greater then the parts.

[BearlyBallin]

Maker smooth stroking at the end ... I hope he comes in aggressive and balls out! They got a diamond in the rough.

Some Maker SL highlights. He looks like a player!

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I like how he communicates too.

[closg00]

Media Day came and went, and I heard absolutely nothing about Isaiah Todd. No obligatory 10-15 lbs of muscle; no reports of how he showed flashes during that one private pickup run.

This is silly szn. Everyone is faster, stronger, lighter, and quicker; yet is fully aware that nobody believes in them. Everyone has a deeper bag. Kuz grew an inch; Gaff developed a J. KP got "leaner." But nary a comment about our moonshot prospect after his first NBA offseason.

Did I miss a quote? Or Shep writing this project off like the Batgirl movie?

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using RealGM mobile app

Watch on YouTube