LyricalRico wrote:hands11 wrote:All this talk of it being Walls team is not fair to Dray. I get why people are pushing Gil out of that picture for right now but Dray has earned some respect.
That's an interesting thought. I really hadn't considered Blatche but they did just commit to him longterm and I believe he's the second longest tenured Wizards after Gil. I still have my doubts about him, though. I'm convinced that he can produce consistently but I'm not sure he's ready (or even cut out for) a leadership role. Wall is younger and newer to the league, but I trust him with that responsibility infinitely more than I trust Blatche.
Yeah, I agree Wall is the cleaner slate. He is the #1 pick. His saying all the right things and doing all the right things. I get that is the easier way to go to say this is Walls team. But this who's team it is has a lot to do with marketing. Who is the best combination of talent and reputation and hope. Who can you put in front of the mic as a player who can speak for the team. I guess Gil wasn't so good at that. He was funny or goofy or whatever you call it but Gil is no McNabb or Kobe or MJ in front of a mic.
but...
Dray was pretty much the team last year as far as stud talent goes. Dray is only what..24 Dray has put in 2 solid summers and turned into 7 DD two years ago. He has been steeping up as a leader on this team starting last year when they needed to lean on him. And as you said he just extended his contract without even having an agent before he needed to. I think that deal worked well for both sides but its not like he held out for the max contract and kept the club in the dark. Both side showed dedication and commitment to each other and the team. And Dray has actually gotten it done against the best talent in this league when there was little else to draw the other teams attention.
This .. who's team it is can be a complicated thing to get into words. Wall is the best face of the team.
Dray is a core piece for sure regarding level of talent but Wall is the better front man. Dray still needs to grow more before he will be seen as that person. Haywood got better interviewing over time.
Whos team is it vs who are the core most valuable proven pieces when it comes to winning in the NBA.
The answer to the first is Wall.
The answer to the second is Dray, Gil, and probably Kirk.
I have little doubt he Wall will produce in the NBA. I would have added him to that list but couldn't since hasn't played an NBA game yet.
