Presti's Tree Reaches DC: The Official Will Dawkins Thread

[doclinkin]

I agree that we don't need so many veteran mentors. You need one or two Gill type guys (end of bench professionals) and one or two primary rotation guys just to help calm things down when the youngsters get flustered, but that's about it.

...

I'd like to see a similar dynamic now. Play the young guys (Bub, Coulibaly, Kispert, Sarr, Vukcevic, Butler) with only 2 or 3 other vets in the rotation. As for the vets, we are stuck with Poole as one of them. I like JV as another one just because he adds some necessary beef. And that's probably about all we need. I suppose there's an argument for keeping Kuzma a little bit longer because Sarr and Coulibaly are so raw offensively and the trading of Deni sapped our forward depth, but I definitely don't see a need for Brodgon or Holmes.

I guess I come to the opposite conclusion. I think you can poison a team if you have a young roster that only learns how to lose and never learns how to be professional. I think you can only learn so much from an end of bench veteran who was never a star and has never won in the league. Who would you rather have to exemplify back court defense and team play: Malcolm Brogdon or Jordan Poole? I think a kid like Bub can pick up a ton from the 6MOY version of Brogdon more than the shotjacking and ball stalling version of Poole we have seen. Poole himself is a good example of a player who showed up best when he was running next to consummate professionals. We are still super young and learning. We will have to play the rooks and youth long minutes. If we manage to win with them, then it becomes easier to sell off the vets for higher value.

But it is far easier to sell a productive player who contributes to an occasional victory than a guy who is a bench player on the worst team in the league. That definitely tanked any offers for Kuzma, Tyus, Shamet, etc. last year.

I agree with Dat when he says that the healthy version of Brogdon is about the ideal player to run next to Jordan Poole. A guy who carries more than his share on defense, can take a lead role or an offball role, plays big for his height, and is a sober and canny veteran who can calm things down. Imagine if it works and Poole starts looking like he may earn his contract.

I do think a Brogdon + Valanciunas paring may contribute to more wins than expected. However I don't fear that the team will prioritize wins over lotto balls. If we look decent in streaks of the first half of the season, we will use the buzz to pump additional compensation out of a late season trade. If Poole/Kuzma get on a hot streak and suddenly look like valuable players, we may get offers that we weren't seeing before.

We win a little bit, salt in the rookies next to productive vets so they can learn on the floor. Then have a fire sale late in the season, ship out vets to needy teams, then let the rooks and pups run the show the 2nd half of the year.

[penbeast0]

I agree that we don't need so many veteran mentors. You need one or two Gill type guys (end of bench professionals) and one or two primary rotation guys just to help calm things down when the youngsters get flustered, but that's about it.

...

I'd like to see a similar dynamic now. Play the young guys (Bub, Coulibaly, Kispert, Sarr, Vukcevic, Butler) with only 2 or 3 other vets in the rotation. As for the vets, we are stuck with Poole as one of them. I like JV as another one just because he adds some necessary beef. And that's probably about all we need. I suppose there's an argument for keeping Kuzma a little bit longer because Sarr and Coulibaly are so raw offensively and the trading of Deni sapped our forward depth, but I definitely don't see a need for Brodgon or Holmes.

I guess I come to the opposite conclusion. I think you can poison a team if you have a young roster that only learns how to lose and never learns how to be professional. I think you can only learn so much from an end of bench veteran who was never a star and has never won in the league. Who would you rather have to exemplify back court defense and team play: Malcolm Brogdon or Jordan Poole? I think a kid like Bub can pick up a ton from the 6MOY version of Brogdon more than the shotjacking and ball stalling version of Poole we have seen. Poole himself is a good example of a player who showed up best when he was running next to consummate professionals. We are still super young and learning. We will have to play the rooks and youth long minutes. If we manage to win with them, then it becomes easier to sell off the vets for higher value.

But it is far easier to sell a productive player who contributes to an occasional victory than a guy who is a bench player on the worst team in the league. That definitely tanked any offers for Kuzma, Tyus, Shamet, etc. last year.

I agree with Dat when he says that the healthy version of Brogdon is about the ideal player to run next to Jordan Poole. A guy who carries more than his share on defense, can take a lead role or an offball role, plays big for his height, and is a sober and canny veteran who can calm things down. Imagine if it works and Poole starts looking like he may earn his contract.

I do think a Brogdon + Valanciunas paring may contribute to more wins than expected. However I don't fear that the team will prioritize wins over lotto balls. If we look decent in streaks of the first half of the season, we will use the buzz to pump additional compensation out of a late season trade. If Poole/Kuzma get on a hot streak and suddenly look like valuable players, we may get offers that we weren't seeing before.

We win a little bit, salt in the rookies next to productive vets so they can learn on the floor. Then have a fire sale late in the season, ship out vets to needy teams, then let the rooks and pups run the show the 2nd half of the year.

A healthy Brogdon and JV might be the guys you are talking about; I hope so. A healthy Kuzma and Poole have been showing off shot jacking, inefficiency, and resting on defense to play offense all too often. That's not what I want my rookie contract players to learn. And, that's potential 4 veteran starters (5 when Bey comes back).

I would love to get everything you want and have Kuzma and Poole decide they can get their next contracts with two-way play and less volume but more efficient shot making. If I believed it, I'd place a bet on the team with an over/under of 30 wins instead of the 15 that we all seem to be thinking.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'd say positional size is the only real consistent factor:

- Bilal is very long for a SF and may grow into being a full-sized PF
- Bub is long for a PG and may grow into being a full-sized SG
- George is long for a SG/SF
- Sarr is long for a PF and may grow into being a full-sized C.

If they trotted out a lineup of Bub, George, Bilal, Sarr and JV, it would be the biggest lineup in the league. Unfortunately, none of these guys (except JV) have the skill to play their idealized position yet. Skillwise, Bub is a SG, George is a SF, Bilal is a PF and Sarr is a center. And at those positions, they're not strong enough to match up.

It's interesting. Each of our recent draft picks have two positions where they could potentially end up. And they are all a bit underskilled to play the more skilled position and they are all insufficiently strong to play the bigger position. So none of them are all that effective at the moment. But each of them has a pathway to become a starter, either by honing their skills a bit more, or by filling out and getting stronger (and maybe growing a bit in the case of Bub). And if they get both stronger AND refine their skills, they become legit two-position players at both ends of the court.

Consistent yes, but what does it lead to?

I take Dawkins at his word when he says "We're trying to establish a style of play that will last, not just now but going forward." (9:50 in the vid above). If that style on Defense is relying on players that are switchable between 3 positions, alright. Especially on the perimeter. But what do the acquisitions hint at on offense?

Personally I wouldn't discount the acquisitions they've made beyond draft picks. My sense is they want at least a rough sketch of the roles they want their guys to play, so that players can grow into their skills without having to radically adjust with new personnel changes.

They tried out a tall ball platoon of skilled undersized Centers last year, in Muscala and Gallo at 5. Then scrapped that when they realized how demoralizing it is to force a miss but allow the opponent to reset the clock with a rebound. Since then they shored up the Center spot by trading for Bagwell, Holmes and Valanciunas. Dawkins says they addressed rebounding specifically this year. I think that began with shipping out our undersized finesse 4/5's and committed to fielding muscle in the interior. The platoon of Bagley + Holmes each had their career best per36 rebounding numbers with us (better than Gafford who improved when he shipped to Dallas). Add to that Valanciunas. Yes they said about Sarr (in SL) that they want him to be more aggressive on the boards, but that they think that will take time as he fills out. Meanwhile I doubt they will expose him for long minutes in the center spot but rely on Jonas and Holmes/Bagley to hold down that center spot. (Saddiq Bey, Bub Carrington, Malcolm Brogdon also add solid rebounding for their position.

Otherwise though I think they are trying to play guys who are interchangeable around the perimeter. I think they want guys who play like a more efficient version of Kyle Kuzma. Long face-up guys who pass, rebound, and can attack the basket off the dribble or motion.

I think they only guy they picked out of necessity, who did not fit this mold, was Jordan Poole. And that because they had no choice but to do something to escape Beal's drag chute of a contract. So any upside they could hope for was better than the certain misery of Brad and his injury history x No Trade Clause. Count Tyus as another player picked out of necessity since that deal came through at the 11th hour so they took whatever they could get.

I do think players like Patrick Baldwin, Tristan Vukcevic, KyShawn George -- even Alex Sarr -- all fit a type. They are finesse type guys who approximate toolsy players, even if they fall short in one skill set or another. They are tall, okay, but they at least look like they can shoot, pass, and handle well for their size. Not so much on defense or rebounding. The team is erring on the side of skill+length more than raw athleticism. They were not picked up for their aggression in attacking the interior, their ability to rack fouls on the opponent, thier tenacity in fighting for loose balls, etc. But because they look like they play 'smart'. Maybe the team hopes they can grow aggression with additional muscle, but it seems to me they focus first on guard-type skills in every spot but Center. And even then, in Sarr, they'd like the option eventually. Maybe Vuk as well.

I get the sense they'd like a Euro style offense where everyone can handle and move without the ball and make decisions on the fly. Lacking an alpha star they have no one player to build around, so until then they will build with a system. The system seems to be, motion and unselfish play outside, with at least one low-post grunt work player down low. My best guess.

They picked a bunch of weak dudes. Bub might be above average. This team will suck royally. Sarr was a terrible pick. He ruined the whole draft.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=a4lJEbpuFtPRHuId24j_LA

Great way to buy yourself time lol.

But seriously: this is still phase 1, Deconstruction, after drafting Sarr and Bub and George this year and Bilal last year.

Does this mean that we’re meant to regard them all as role players, unless one should surprise and hit?

Also, this word — deconstruction. He’s misusing it. Most do. He means destruction.

So, think about this — they’ve added four first-round picks, plus a promising second in Vuk … yet this is part of the destruction.

He missed on those picks.

[doclinkin]

We win a little bit, salt in the rookies next to productive vets so they can learn on the floor. Then have a fire sale late in the season, ship out vets to needy teams, then let the rooks and pups run the show the 2nd half of the year.

A healthy Brogdon and JV might be the guys you are talking about; I hope so. A healthy Kuzma and Poole have been showing off shot jacking, inefficiency, and resting on defense to play offense all too often. That's not what I want my rookie contract players to learn. And, that's potential 4 veteran starters (5 when Bey comes back).

I would love to get everything you want and have Kuzma and Poole decide they can get their next contracts with two-way play and less volume but more efficient shot making. If I believed it, I'd place a bet on the team with an over/under of 30 wins instead of the 15 that we all seem to be thinking.

I doubt we will get anything different from Poole. Except that his shot jacking will prove less of a weakness with the addition of a high-level offensive rebounder in Valanciunas. If his bad shots end up going in anyway (with help or not) he may get cocky and go on a hot streak. My sense is Poole plays best as a front-runner, confidence is everything in his game. When he is missing he tries harder, shoots every bullet in the magazine. When his team is winning, he hits those impossible shots. Either way his practice habits are notable and both teammates and coaches seem to love the kid. (With one notable exception, duh). If rookies pick up on his apparently fanatical dedication then maybe they can sift out the bad decision making and learn from his work in the woodshed workshopping his offensive moves.

One thing though, Valanciunas making him look good may encourage Poole to intentionally feed the post at times, racking higher assist totals. Starting the year as the lead guard gives him a position of responsibility, not saying he will suddenly be a sober vet, but if he learns to feature a big in the P&R his game will get easier. More open shots, less work, better role model, more assists, clout associated with double doubles. A good rebounder reduces the variance in streaky play. You get more whacks at the pinata.

Regardless he's never going to play good defense. Still. Keefe has shown that he has no problem benching him for poor play. So if he loses track then we will get to see more minutes for Bub I expect. And with Valanciunas rebounding, players won't be demoralized for forcing a miss but giving up the bounce for a re-set button.

As for Kuzma. Same but to a lesser degree. Kuzma is aberrantly streaky. His highs and lows are uncanny. He will get hot and drop a 40 piece. But then he shoots more when he is missing, trying to ignite a hot streak on volume. This averages out to an unreliable player. But if he catches fire then his output may carry the team for a bit. He's another one who plays with irrational confidence. If both start hitting at the same time, you may see a run that makes the highlight reels. And rustles up inquiries from other teams. Maybe not 2 first round picks. But I can see him spearheading a charge that makes it look like he's a decent trade target.

Until then I don't hate him as a tank commander. Kuzma is strange in that his analysis of what the team needs is commonly better than his play on court. As the captain and veteran he's likewise a good teammate. Commonly he's counseling other players in timeouts, etc. He has shown in the past an ability to play defense and to rebound, to be a good teammate when not relied on to star. That earned him a ring in the Bubble championship. He will be auditioning for playoff teams, so might be gunning early. But he's also smart enough to know that wins and good play all around will be his surest ticket to be traded to a team that would be worth waiving his 15% trade kicker for.

I actually think there is a chance we come out the gate hot and win a couple games we have no business winning. Valanciunas and Brogdon (if healthy) are such a significant upgrade from Muscala + Gallo + Tyus that we may catch a few teams sleeping early. We will lose leads when we go to the bench. And have no go-to scorers when Poole and Kuzma are cold. But I like the chance to at least show some good play to the rookies and give them a taste of what winning looks like. I think Bub has shown himself to be a fast starter and eager student who will swiftly understand what it takes to succeed in the league. May show up and earn quick acclaim. Until the scouting report adjusts. Then the question is if he can tweak his game in reaction.

But even if we win a little, it won't sustain, we have a developmental mandate. The rooks will get long minutes. We have no single player who is better than his match-up in any given night. But the addition of true 2-way professionals like Brogdon and Jonas will at least exemplify what it is like to play next to guys who take the game seriously and don't fxxk around. In BBIQ and emotional make-up I like the additions to this team.

[doclinkin]

Watch on YouTube

Still early in the deconstruction phase.
Coach Keefe and staff, collaborative and good at building relationships, working on small wins. (I note a few with international experience, as players. Ajinca and Brian Randle both won overseas awards for defense (Randle 3x DPOY winner in the Israeli league; Ajinca all-league 1st Defensive team in France).

Drafted 3 guys who fit how they want to play.
Malcolm Brogdon is already mentoring players in practice. (From other interviews, they see him as a good mentor for Bub and KyShawn who they see as a big guard. And think he will play well with Poole, improve their size and defense and competitiveness).
Both Jonas and Saddiq wanted to be here. Even understanding what the focus is of the team this year.
A 'handful' of the players have been here since May. 'Establishing that culture of work'.
Including Bilal. He was here in May then as soon as the Olympics was over Bilal was back in the building in August.
Kuz hosted a bunch of guys in Miami in July to work out together.
In August Poole flew everyone out to California as well.
The majority of the team has been in the gym here in DC since Labor Day.

Expectations:
Versatility, multiple guys playing multiple positions, better defensive disposition, longer guys, with better intent effort and size.
Play with pace still (#1 in pace last year) to use speed and youth as an advantage.
On offense: More ball movement, more player movement, more cutting.
Less of a primary ball handler, multiple decision makers, make teams react to you.
Plenty of experimentation/innovation in player combinations. 2 bigs. 3 bigs. 5 wings. No point guard.
Keefe has autonomy to play what works.
Potential assists weighted greater than assists.
Defensive eFG.
Did the ball get up the court quickly. Etc.

Young team, top 10 youngest. And the rotation will probably be younger than that.
2nd in the league in number players under 25 years old.
Celebrate the growing pains in glimpses of and flashes of how they want to play.
Will give the players the 'runway' to take off, but won't rush it. Won't skip steps. Will celebrate small wins. Check them off then check in every 25 games on mile stone check points. Success is all in growth, development, innovation.
Expect physical growth of young players over the season.
Better connection by the end of the year and over the games.
Seeing players play better in rematches.
And bonding, team chemistry cameraderie. Open preseason in Montreal and will go up early and stay extra for cultural immersion/team bonding.

Bilal, grew in the Olympics and when they needed him vs the NBA he was playing against the top guys late in the game. Came back with more confidence, more competitive, more fire. Is going to guard the best player on the wing every single night. See him as a big guard, will work on his playmaking late in the year but mostly want to just see his motor there.

Community involvement, notably Gill, Brogdon, Poole. But cites the District of Play, 4 year plan to grow youth sports in DC.

Kuz and Poole, re: player development. Poole is entering prime, mreo comfortable, got more efficient 2nd year that he has been anywhere, will have the ball more in his hands and a style that fits his pace.
Kuz is in shape, learning best way to lead and be more efficient.

Saddiq is a DC guy attacking his rehab, knows the area takes pride in what basketball means here wants to rebuild the Wizards rep.
Jonas sees the young talent and wants to help cultivate and teach them how to build.

Bub and Baltimore: has a joy of basketball and community, his family, the roots they have in the area. Toughness one of the best competitors in the gym already. Understands his impact in the community. Wants that. 150 people already asked him for tickets for opening night. Saddiq agrees it means more to play at home.

Want to be competitive in the in-season tournament.

Keefe: expectations, what is the measure of success for the coach. Judged by connectivity of the locker room, no finger pointing, etc.

Lottery/draft. Can be as strategic as you want, get multiple picks, best players are never 12345, so more picks are critical, but luck happens. League is looking for parity, flattening lotto odds. So they will look to take advantage of the opportunities within the rules.

[badinage]

Sounds good. But this is gonna be a long season, and it’s going to look bleaker than bleak at times. Losses, we all expect that — and want that (although — and I won’t be budged from this — it’s shameful to lose on purpose, even if it gets you what you want). But without 2 or 3 of the 5 young guys emerging, and Poole showing that he’s on the cusp of being a Maxey-level guy, this season will be redeemed only by us landing either Flagg or Bailey.

And my faith in the former happening is almost nil. And my faith in the latter happening is only slightly more than nil.

Which, by the way, is NOT to say don’t lose games (I want them to win 6), and NOT to say that I don’t want a rebuild.

….


Some questions that ought to be asked of Dawkins and Winger by the “media” — but won’t:

* Would you consider slashing prices to the “games” — making the most expensive ticket equivalent to the cost of a movie ticket and the rest free?

* What acts of service are you going to ask your players to perform, not in “the community” as a feel-good photo op, but throughout the entire city, to show fans and non-fans that you understand you operate a kind of public trust and that if you are not yet committed to winning then you have other responsibilities to us all?

* After the trade of Deni Avdija, some fans made the argument that he was the asset with the most “worth,” and that this was what motivated the trade this summer — a desire to acquire more draft capital and thus more swings at landing a potentially great player. Of course, this is all conjecture. Another argument could be made that you preferred keeping Kyle Kuzma to keeping Deni Avdija — that you valued his contributions more, and elected to continue the rebuild with him as a focal point. Which was it? Or was it neither of these and instead something else?

* If the purpose this season is to learn things about your players and to experiment with lineups and strategies, would you be open to other forms of experimentation — for instance, playing all 15 players each game and pressing from start to finish, or otherwise playing a fast, frenetic game that will make the team watchable? Or perhaps taking an 5- game stretch and shooting only mid-range shots, or a 5-game stretch and shooting only 3s? Etc., etc. After all, the goal isn’t to win — it’s to see capabilities; so why wouldn’t you explore every possible capability this season? And why wouldn’t you open yourself to play in the largest sense possible?

* Are you invested in a Hinkie-level commitment to the vision, which is to say that if a player (a la Michael Carter-Williams) has shown himself in year 2 to be pretty good but not great, the team is best served shipping him out and getting another pick?

[payitforward]

badinage --

1. I don't think any team or player tries to lose on purpose. When they throw the ball up, everyone plays as well as they are able -- tries to, I mean. When teams "tank," I don't think it means they try to play badly. I think it means that they understand that they can't play well enough to win many games, & they craft their goals around other things than winning.

But that's management not players. Competitiveness isn't something you can easily turn on and off.

2. Slashing prices? That'll be the day! Though, whatever is needed to keep the arena full or near full, they will certainly do.

3. No sane person would answer your Deni vs. Kuzma question!
At the same time, the trade motivations seem quite clear to me. Do you really imagine that a thoughtful person could possibly view the 29-year-old Kyle Kuzma as an asset of the same play/trade value as the 23-year old Deni? No -- hence, asking your question essentially delivers an insult in interrogative form.

For that matter, if for some reason the question did get a straightforward answer all it would accomplish would be to lower Kuzma's trade value. I.e. nobody would respond to a question of the kind you hoped would be posed. The question just says, "I think you guys are stupid."

We'll see how the Deni trade works out. We'll see how the rebuild works out. In both cases, it'll take a few years. One can argue, to be sure, that trading Deni was a risk: more was known about Deni than about the assets we got for him. Yet, no risk-taking also means no rebuild.

[doclinkin]

* What acts of service are you going to ask your players to perform, not in “the community” as a feel-good photo op, but throughout the entire city, to show fans and non-fans that you understand you operate a kind of public trust and that if you are not yet committed to winning then you have other responsibilities to us all?

This part they are putting some money towards with the District of Play Initiative that Dawkins mentioned.

Specific Initiatives and Funding Over the Next Four Years:

MSE will refurbish one indoor basketball court at a local school or community center each year.
MSE will refurbish two outdoor basketball courts annually, resulting in one in each Ward over four years.
MSE will build a new street hockey rink/multiuse sports facility expanding access to hockey.
MSE will provide transportation for DC youth to attend free ice hockey and skating classes to mitigate transportation barriers that can prevent participation.
MSE will build a playground in each ward in DC over the next eight years fostering safe and engaging play spaces for children across the city.
MSE will provide a basketball to every elementary school student in DCPS and donate new equipment to DPR community centers.
MSE will support DPR Youth Basketball Leagues by subsidizing league affiliations, providing jerseys, and conducting clinics to improve the quality and accessibility of youth basketball.
MSE will run free single-session community basketball clinics in Wards 7 & 8, featuring appearances by Go-Go players, Wizards alumni, and current Wizards and Mystics players.
MSE will provide scholarships for basketball camps, expanding girls-only programming to ensure equitable access to high-quality sports training.
MSE will expand Caps On Ice and Off Ice programming, offering more opportunities for youth to engage in ice sports and street hockey.
MSE will add hockey clinics exclusively for students from Wards 7 & 8 and expand Try Hockey for Free clinics, fostering opportunities for more children to have the chance to learn and play hockey.
MSE will host the Monumental Basketball Coaches Academy providing free or low-cost clinics for high school, middle school, and AAU coaches.
MSE will support pickup basketball initiatives and produce PSA content for Monumental Sports Network promoting the youth sports opportunities.
Each year during the holidays MSE will support Family-to-Family programming with Martha’s Table to adopt dozens of families, providing gifts and fulfilling wish lists .

Etc.

[badinage]

* What acts of service are you going to ask your players to perform, not in “the community” as a feel-good photo op, but throughout the entire city, to show fans and non-fans that you understand you operate a kind of public trust and that if you are not yet committed to winning then you have other responsibilities to us all?

This part they are putting some money towards with the District of Play Initiative that Dawkins mentioned.

Specific Initiatives and Funding Over the Next Four Years:

MSE will refurbish one indoor basketball court at a local school or community center each year.
MSE will refurbish two outdoor basketball courts annually, resulting in one in each Ward over four years.
MSE will build a new street hockey rink/multiuse sports facility expanding access to hockey.
MSE will provide transportation for DC youth to attend free ice hockey and skating classes to mitigate transportation barriers that can prevent participation.
MSE will build a playground in each ward in DC over the next eight years fostering safe and engaging play spaces for children across the city.
MSE will provide a basketball to every elementary school student in DCPS and donate new equipment to DPR community centers.
MSE will support DPR Youth Basketball Leagues by subsidizing league affiliations, providing jerseys, and conducting clinics to improve the quality and accessibility of youth basketball.
MSE will run free single-session community basketball clinics in Wards 7 & 8, featuring appearances by Go-Go players, Wizards alumni, and current Wizards and Mystics players.
MSE will provide scholarships for basketball camps, expanding girls-only programming to ensure equitable access to high-quality sports training.
MSE will expand Caps On Ice and Off Ice programming, offering more opportunities for youth to engage in ice sports and street hockey.
MSE will add hockey clinics exclusively for students from Wards 7 & 8 and expand Try Hockey for Free clinics, fostering opportunities for more children to have the chance to learn and play hockey.
MSE will host the Monumental Basketball Coaches Academy providing free or low-cost clinics for high school, middle school, and AAU coaches.
MSE will support pickup basketball initiatives and produce PSA content for Monumental Sports Network promoting the youth sports opportunities.
Each year during the holidays MSE will support Family-to-Family programming with Martha’s Table to adopt dozens of families, providing gifts and fulfilling wish lists .

Etc.

Very little of that is meaningful. It’s ops, it’s pr.

I’m not saying don’t do it — just don’t think you’re doing much of anything, is all.

Now this — this is what you do when you’re going to serve up an entire season of poo:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=a4lJEbpuFtPRHuId24j_LA

[DCZards]

* What acts of service are you going to ask your players to perform, not in “the community” as a feel-good photo op, but throughout the entire city, to show fans and non-fans that you understand you operate a kind of public trust and that if you are not yet committed to winning then you have other responsibilities to us all?

This part they are putting some money towards with the District of Play Initiative that Dawkins mentioned.

Specific Initiatives and Funding Over the Next Four Years:

MSE will refurbish one indoor basketball court at a local school or community center each year.
MSE will refurbish two outdoor basketball courts annually, resulting in one in each Ward over four years.
MSE will build a new street hockey rink/multiuse sports facility expanding access to hockey.
MSE will provide transportation for DC youth to attend free ice hockey and skating classes to mitigate transportation barriers that can prevent participation.
MSE will build a playground in each ward in DC over the next eight years fostering safe and engaging play spaces for children across the city.
MSE will provide a basketball to every elementary school student in DCPS and donate new equipment to DPR community centers.
MSE will support DPR Youth Basketball Leagues by subsidizing league affiliations, providing jerseys, and conducting clinics to improve the quality and accessibility of youth basketball.
MSE will run free single-session community basketball clinics in Wards 7 & 8, featuring appearances by Go-Go players, Wizards alumni, and current Wizards and Mystics players.
MSE will provide scholarships for basketball camps, expanding girls-only programming to ensure equitable access to high-quality sports training.
MSE will expand Caps On Ice and Off Ice programming, offering more opportunities for youth to engage in ice sports and street hockey.
MSE will add hockey clinics exclusively for students from Wards 7 & 8 and expand Try Hockey for Free clinics, fostering opportunities for more children to have the chance to learn and play hockey.
MSE will host the Monumental Basketball Coaches Academy providing free or low-cost clinics for high school, middle school, and AAU coaches.
MSE will support pickup basketball initiatives and produce PSA content for Monumental Sports Network promoting the youth sports opportunities.
Each year during the holidays MSE will support Family-to-Family programming with Martha’s Table to adopt dozens of families, providing gifts and fulfilling wish lists .

Etc.

Very little of that is meaningful. It’s ops, it’s pr.

I’m not saying don’t do it — just don’t think you’re doing much of anything, is all.

Now this — this is what you do when you’re going to serve up an entire season of poo:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=a4lJEbpuFtPRHuId24j_LA

“Very little that is meaningful.” Say what!

I prefer a franchise that plans to spend money on courts, uniforms, clinics, transportation, etc. for kids and the community to one that is slashing prices for well-to-do season ticket holders.

[AFM]

It is kind of inconceivable that Terd would ever sell water for 2 dollars.

[payitforward]

This part they are putting some money towards with the District of Play Initiative that Dawkins mentioned.



Etc.

Very little of that is meaningful. It’s ops, it’s pr.

I’m not saying don’t do it — just don’t think you’re doing much of anything, is all.

Now this — this is what you do when you’re going to serve up an entire season of poo:

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?s=46&t=a4lJEbpuFtPRHuId24j_LA

“Very little that is meaningful.” Say what! I

I prefer a franchise that plans to spend money on courts, uniforms, clinics, transportation, etc. for kids and the community to one that is slashing prices for well-to-do season ticket holders.

I'm with Zards on this....

[doclinkin]

Right. There are a few other things they could do to truly help in the community, like cover the insurance costs for sports related injuries for student-athletes. Or the cost of hockey equipment, which is a key barrier for many kids to get into the sport (goalies especially). But making sure kids have safe places to play, scholarships, coaching, uniforms etc is truly helpful in the community. It may be self serving, this is how you uncover the next Kevin Durant (or a Wayne Gretsky from Southeast) but still it gives kids something to do. If you really really wanted to engender good will you'd have a tie-in with your E-Sports team and give every kid in the city a gaming computer instead of a basketball .

[payitforward]

Oh doc... what an idea!!

[Rafael122]

Absolute masterclass in asset management. My guess is they will flip Smart and/or Middleton at the next deadline to a team that needs the cap savings and are willing to trade a first round pick.

They have about $138 million in guaranteed salary for 2025-2026, which gives them roughly $18 million in cap room. They'll have their lottery pick, Memphis' pick which stands at 27, and Phoenix's second round pick which is currently 46.

[BMagic]

Absolute masterclass in asset management. My guess is they will flip Smart and/or Middleton at the next deadline to a team that needs the cap savings and are willing to trade a first round pick.

They have about $138 million in guaranteed salary for 2025-2026, which gives them roughly $18 million in cap room. They'll have their lottery pick, Memphis' pick which stands at 27, and Phoenix's second round pick which is currently 46.

I agree. I just hope Ted has the stones to see this through to the 2026 Draft Class.

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He may be losing patience already . For once, the Wiz aren't on the treadmill of mediocrity and fighting for play-in spots. I for one, have never been this excited about the future of the Wizards.

One of Flagg/Harper/Bailey with one of AJ/Boozer/Arenas would be incredible with Sarr/Bilal/Kyshawn/Bub.

[Rafael122]

Absolute masterclass in asset management. My guess is they will flip Smart and/or Middleton at the next deadline to a team that needs the cap savings and are willing to trade a first round pick.

They have about $138 million in guaranteed salary for 2025-2026, which gives them roughly $18 million in cap room. They'll have their lottery pick, Memphis' pick which stands at 27, and Phoenix's second round pick which is currently 46.

I agree. I just hope Ted has the stones to see this through to the 2026 Draft Class.

Read on Twitter

He may be losing patience already . For once, the Wiz aren't on the treadmill of mediocrity and fighting for play-in spots. I for one, have never been this excited about the future of the Wizards.

One of Flagg/Harper/Bailey with one of AJ/Boozer/Arenas would be incredible with Sarr/Bilal/Kyshawn/Bub.

If they get Flagg or Bailey, and they win let's say 15 games, my guess is they win like 25+ next season. They'll still be bad, but they'll be 7th pick bad, then you get the jump in 2027.

[payitforward]

I'm sure Ted knows what Winger/Dawkins have in mind, what their plan is.

[nate33]

Absolute masterclass in asset management. My guess is they will flip Smart and/or Middleton at the next deadline to a team that needs the cap savings and are willing to trade a first round pick.

There aren't any bad contracts anymore (except Beal's). Nobody has terrible players on long term deals while also having FRP's to expend to dump them. I seriously doubt Smart or Middleton get flipped for value. My guess is Smart gets bought out this summer. We will keep Middleton to get to the 90% cap threshold. He'll only get flipped for value if he has a unexpectedly healthy bounce-back year.