Wiz 2010 General Season Tracker - Grading - How we doing ?

[miller31time]

Wow, according to Michael Lee, Josh Howard is progressing much better than anyone thought.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... ss-wi.html

excellent. I keep seeing him on the bike

"A couple of weeks"? Does that mean it's a distinct possibility he could be back for the regular season opener?

[hands11]

Michael Wilson suggesting that the Wiz owe it to Gil to move him as soon as possible.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 06693.html

He made some valid points but it is too early to conclude these things.

Wilbon does tend to jump the gun and do it in a definitive voice. That said, Gil does need to stop with all the drama stuff. Frowning Gil with beard. I think Picasso did one of those. Look at Wall, he has all the attention and he just says the right things. He isn't overly happy and smiling all the time. Actually, mostly he isn't. He is mostly serious and humble. People still seem to love him.

As for its not going to happen here? He doesn't know that. Just more of the glass half full I know what I'm talking about crowd. Gil does need to adjust but Im open to giving him time and giving Wall time to rub off on him and maybe get through to him.

As for some of the challenges he brought up. Those are challenges. Hell, I remember listing most of what he said several months ago and even suggesting it would be easier for Gil if moved..

Moving Gil at the trade deadline is on the plate. But first things first, give the guy a moment to get from there to here. We have at least until Dec to figure out how this is working and how Gil is acting and performing. No reason at all to close any doors right now.

Plus, as long as he is performing well and we are winning and he isn't actually causing problems, this isn't about what is best for Gil. It about what best for the team. He got paid a near max contract and most of what happen to him was his doing, even the near max contract he now has to try to live up to. He opted out. He went to China while he had us all waiting. He did the locker room thing. He did the predicting 50 in a playoff game as our PG. Plus, he lived by the media. Well those who live by the media, die by the media. Even happened to MJ. Look at Tiger. Kobe was in, then out and now he is back in. But Kobe worked hard to get there.

So how long he stays is a team decision based on value and production and need. Its not a what is best for Gil thing. Now if we can get a win win and its best for both, that would be perfect. But a lot of this is on Gil. There is a saying. No matter where you go, there you are. Moving may give him a cleaner slate but it wont give him a clean slate. And whatever he did to create this situation, if he doesn't change, he will create it again in some form. Even Artest seems to be restoring him image. But some never do. Look at Randy Moss and TO. Talented drama queens. Sadly, our Gil falls into that category more that he doesn't. He seems to be a decent dude but he has been a drama queen. Hopefully he can grow out of that wherever he is.

[hands11]

Hollinger gas something as his official forecast, but it's insider....

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/training ... recast1011

The header is: There Is Hope For The Wizards

So, I guess he doesn't think our guys are vying for placement amongst the worst teams of all time like that much ballyhooed blog projection.

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
Friday, Sept. 24

http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings

After one of the most depressing seasons turned in by any team in history, Washington has me way more excited than I should be admitting out loud about its exhibition opener in Dallas on Oct. 5. The John Wall effect!


So if we get off to a fast start, I have little doubt we will get a lot of good faith press. It will likely be focused on the Wall Effect but if we are winning it is going to have to do with more than that. It will be because of Kirk, Dray, Gil, Yi and McGee

[verbal8]

Michael Wilson suggesting that the Wiz owe it to Gil to move him as soon as possible.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 06693.html

Wilbon can go shove a grapefruit up his ying yang.

yea I'm growing tired of Wilbon, he tries to act like he supports teams in DC but all of his allegiance is to the Bulls

I am fine with Wilbon not being a fan of local teams. However I expect him to have more insight into the local teams than you average sports reporter. However I haven't really seen much evidence of it, and often his worst columns are on local teams.

[hands11]

Wow, according to Michael Lee, Josh Howard is progressing much better than anyone thought.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... ss-wi.html

excellent. I keep seeing him on the bike

"A couple of weeks"? Does that mean it's a distinct possibility he could be back for the regular season opener?

Last I read about it they projected him to be ready by season opener with people saying it would be December before he was back to form.

So I imagine they will play things safe. No reason to rush him back right now with so many other pieces that need looked at in preseason. I would guess he gets a few minutes before camp breaks just to get back on the floor in a realish game since it has been so long. Let him get that mental part back. But even as is, he adds a lot of hope to this team knowing they have a vet SF in the wings since that is a question mark on this team. But till he is ready, Wall, Gil and Kirk is a nice line.

Then during the regular season, they will bring him off the bench to start. Get him some minutes here and there just to get him out there. Let him take some jump shots and run so he can find his rhythm. I would guess the plan is to bring him along slow so he is ready for the playoffs. If the knee responds well, they will likely get that rhythm on no back to backs. Over two months they can work him back in.

What is interesting is that while we are a young young team, we don't lack some experience and some vets.

We do have Gil, Howard and Kirk. Two were all stars at one point. Kirk was a team caption for 4 years and is a known solid pro level basketball player.

Then we have that Dray, Yi layer. They have experience, talent and youth. Hopefully Dray picks up where he left off and Yi seems to be showing well so far. Dray is coming into his 6th year. That isn't a rookie at all. Yi is coming into his 4th year.

Then, while a rookie, we have Wall who look to be someone who will contribute right away. That is six players right there that can be good to very good or even great. 3 vets with 2 of then All Stars, 2 emerging vetish players and a rookie star. Not a bad core of six when mostly people say a team is
7-8 players as the core. AT is also coming into his 4th year. Plus, McGee is going to give you something. Plus we have above average coaching in Flip and Sam.

I would guess that is your core with X factors/deeper bench of Nick, Seraphin, Booker, Armstrong
Only question is does Nick make it though camp or is it time to move on and add Martin or Hudson.

Independent of looking at other teams, if all I know was what we had, I would call that a solid playoff team. And to win in the playoffs, you need those vets. Gil, Howard, Kirk, and Dray provides that. Yi can probably be included there with his international experience. Wall will be learning but he seem to learn quickly.

Getting back to the playoffs and winning a game or four would be a successful season to build on.

[willbcocks]

If Howard's good to go to start the season, I might have to revise my win total. If healthy and motivated, he could make up for a lot of our weaknesses next year.

[Mr. Grundle]

Hollinger gas something as his official forecast, but it's insider....

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/training ... recast1011

The header is: There Is Hope For The Wizards

So, I guess he doesn't think our guys are vying for placement amongst the worst teams of all time like that much ballyhooed blog projection.

Biggest Weakness: Basketball IQ

I don't know how to put this gently, but the Wizards lead the league in guys with no idea how to play basketball. Thornton, Yi and McGee are incredibly talented, but each gets about 50 cents on the dollar from their abilities. Young is getting about a dime. Even the veterans have their faults. Blatche would have made this list a season ago and will be back on it if he regresses; Howard's behavior puzzled everyone in his last few seasons in Dallas; and Arenas baffled with his shot selection last season prior to his suspension.

In fact, I'm not sure there's one guy on the roster whom you'd really call a heady player. Hinrich, for as long he sticks around, is probably the closest thing. One hopes Wall makes a strong showing in this department, but that's asking a lot from a 20-year-old rookie.

All this puts a tremendous burden on Saunders to motivate his players to make the most of their abilities. He simplified a lot of the offensive schemes last season, particularly for Thornton, but doing so also makes life easier on the defense. Inevitably, he'll have to raise the team's basketball IQ from its current floor to something closer to the league norm.

Prediction: 30-52, T-4th in Southeast Division, 11th in Eastern Conference

[no D in Hibachi]

Thanks Mr. G for the post.

It's pretty easy to look like you have know idea what you're doing when you've had poor PG play the last few seasons. Over the course of the last few years the Wiz have had a broken down AD, Mike James, Earl Boykins, Javaris Crittenton, Mike Wilks, Shaun Livingston, and a rusty Arenas run the show. No player can look like they know whats up with that cast of circus leaders. This year the Wiz have Wall, Hinrich, and Arenas to run the show. All of them seem very heady and in control to make sure eveyrone is in their right spot. I think this will make the Wizards percieved weakness not so bad.

[cdouglas]

The Wiz lost their focus and I look for them to come out with a vegance on Tuesday. As a matter of fact, the Bulls won't win another game like this against the Wiz. This team tonight wasn't the same team that playe the Mavs. Tonight they didn't have the passion that made them exciting to watch. I believe the next time the Wiz play the Bulls, we're going to see a totally different team. I don't expect them to win every game but I like to see them play with passion.

[Hoopalotta]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... -loss.html

Armstrong sat for the second consecutive game with a sore right shoulder. He explained before the game that he didn't get injured during a game or practice, but developed some discomfort after sleeping awkwardly on his right arm this week.

Who's gonna dare come down the lane against us?

[Dat2U]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/10/wizards-get-outworked-in-loss.html

Armstrong sat for the second consecutive game with a sore right shoulder. He explained before the game that he didn't get injured during a game or practice, but developed some discomfort after sleeping awkwardly on his right arm this week.

Who's gonna dare come down the lane against us?

Wow, can we just cut this dude? I'm sure there's a number of healthy stiffs who could offer at least some resistance in the post. Where's the Darnell Jackson's of the world when you need 'em?

[hands11]

It will be very interesting to see if they let Gil play on a back to back but its Preseason so they may just sit guys anyways. I think they will want to see Wall vs Rose, McGee vs Noah, and Kirk against his former team moreso than anything else

Gil looks fully recovered. I keep hearing the radio dude talking about how good his legs look. Keep saying Gils legs look strong. I know it will take a little while for folks to get more comfortable with the idea, but it looks like Gil is healthy.

He played well last night except for his FTs. 0-3. He was efficient.

24 minutes 6-12. 4-8 from 3. 0-3 FT 4 assists. 3 rebounds. 1 turnover 16 pts.

If this was the regular season he would have played closer to 30 minutes and probably had min.

30 minutes 7-14. 4-8 from 3. 2-5 4 assists. 4 rebounds. 1 turnover 22 pts.

That's a very effective line. I will take that any day and all year as the standard with games he plays more and gets 30pts when we need that from him. Effective and not burned out for the playoffs is the way to go with Gil during the regular season. We don't need no EFJ 42-45 minutes a game with Gil scoring a lot but no team offense and no growth in other areas and players.

For the pre-season review. I think we can check off at least one concern. Gil looks healthy and productive.

[hands11]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/10/wizards-get-outworked-in-loss.html

Armstrong sat for the second consecutive game with a sore right shoulder. He explained before the game that he didn't get injured during a game or practice, but developed some discomfort after sleeping awkwardly on his right arm this week.

Who's gonna dare come down the lane against us?

wow. That's some funny **** right there. Thanks for the Saturday laugh.

[hands11]

3 in 4 nights plus pre-season plus Dray returning from a summer not playing because of his foot plus only 4 returning players and facing the Bulls and Rose who are arguably one of the better teams....

This was Walls toughest match up so far.

That probably explains a lot. Steady as she goes. Don't get to high or to low just yet.

They get 4 days off. Flip and Sam will work with them. 4 more pre-season games to go. All have a min of one day of rest between them.

[montestewart]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/10/wizards-get-outworked-in-loss.html

Armstrong sat for the second consecutive game with a sore right shoulder. He explained before the game that he didn't get injured during a game or practice, but developed some discomfort after sleeping awkwardly on his right arm this week.

Who's gonna dare come down the lane against us?

Wes Unseld is making advance plans to spin in his grave over this.

[verbal8]

For the pre-season review. I think we can check off at least one concern. Gil looks healthy and productive.

I think Arenas has been the most consistent player for the Wizards in the preseason.

[dlts20]

Thats my boy. He starts playing a little more assertive and the fun is coming back. You still want him to be serious and a leader but you always have to be yourself or you will never ever play up to the best of your abilities. Usually I could care less about a beard or how a guy expresses himself but you could tell this one was more of a "Im going to play the depressed sad guy role" type beard and that is not him. He's going to be more jovial and he's going to be ready for the season big time.

----------------------------------------

Nick Young predicted it, Brendan Haywood requested it, and Gilbert Arenas finally confirmed it: The beard is on its way out. That scraggly, unkempt facial hair, which has been the subject of much discussion, will soon be a thing of the past.

Arenas walked up the stairs after practice on Monday and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis was waiting to greet him with a hug and a smile. Leonsis made a comment about Arenas's beard. Arenas grinned and said, "I'm cutting it. I'm cutting it."

Leonsis, who sports a goatee, then rubbed his chin and asked Arenas if he would at least keep the goatee. "Like me?" Leonsis said, then lowered his head and raised his right fist in the air as if he was staging some protest. "You know, for solidarity."

Arenas laughed as he traded some shaving advice with Leonsis, then rubbed his beard some more and said, "I'm cutting it. This was a preseason look."
Arenas walked away, without saying when the beard would meet the shears. But Young was probably right when he said, "I don't think he's going to get used to walking around looking like that."

[Ed Wood]

Thats my boy. He starts playing a little more assertive and the fun is coming back. You still want him to be serious and a leader but you always have to be yourself or you will never ever play up to the best of your abilities. Usually I could care less about a beard or how a guy expresses himself but you could tell this one was more of a "Im going to play the depressed sad guy role" type beard and that is not him. He's going to be more jovial and he's going to be ready for the season big time.

----------------------------------------

Nick Young predicted it, Brendan Haywood requested it, and Gilbert Arenas finally confirmed it: The beard is on its way out. That scraggly, unkempt facial hair, which has been the subject of much discussion, will soon be a thing of the past.

Arenas walked up the stairs after practice on Monday and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis was waiting to greet him with a hug and a smile. Leonsis made a comment about Arenas's beard. Arenas grinned and said, "I'm cutting it. I'm cutting it."

Leonsis, who sports a goatee, then rubbed his chin and asked Arenas if he would at least keep the goatee. "Like me?" Leonsis said, then lowered his head and raised his right fist in the air as if he was staging some protest. "You know, for solidarity."

Arenas laughed as he traded some shaving advice with Leonsis, then rubbed his beard some more and said, "I'm cutting it. This was a preseason look."
Arenas walked away, without saying when the beard would meet the shears. But Young was probably right when he said, "I don't think he's going to get used to walking around looking like that."

You are throwing away so much more than you know Gilbert, that beard could have been something magical, there were some really special nicknames that will never see the light of day for its loss.

"Basketball Healing"
"How Sweet it Is (Jump Shots by You)"
We coulda' had a starting backcourt of Abraham [Lincoln Beard], [Cartier] Martin and John [Wall].

That could have been great Gil, but you gotta give it up.

[Wizardspride]

http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/alumni_101005.html

Wizards Launch Alumni Association

In an effort to honor the proud past of the Washington Bullets and Wizards, Executive Vice President Greg Bibb announced that the organization has created a Washington Bullets/Wizards Alumni Association. The goal of the association will be to reconnect former players with one another while honoring them for their contribution. The Bullets/Wizards association will be led by former Bullets forward Bob Dandridge.

“The formal establishment of a Washington Bullets/Wizards Alumni Association is a vital step in our on-going efforts to re-connect with the proud history of our organization while making sure to take the time to honor the men who helped forge our past,” Bibb stated. “We are honored and pleased to have Bob Dandridge lead this initiative for us and I’m eager to work with him to develop programs that shed light on these great memories while paying tribute to those who helped create them.”

A 13-year NBA veteran, Dandridge was a member of the Bullets team that captured the 1978 NBA championship.

“It’s a welcome feeling for former players to feel that they are still part of the organization even though they are no longer active,” said Dandridge. “They have always remained Bullets or Wizards at heart and it’s wonderful to see that their contributions were appreciated.”

[Wizardspride]

Personally, I thought Flip should have given Gil the responsibility of being a team captain.

I think it would go a long way towards making him feel included.

Its one thing to make Wall a captain (being the designated face of the franchise) but to make Kirk a captain is a slap in the face.

At least thats how I see it.



http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... .html#more

Coach Flip Saunders has named John Wall and Kirk Hinrich as team captains based on the leadership that they have provided since training camp, he said. Given how he has praised those two players the past two weeks, that isn't a surprise.

But Arenas, one of three captains last season, is not included in that list. When asked if he considered Arenas to be a captain this season, Saunders focused on Wall and Hinrich. "We haven't really talked," he said. "I just thought those two guys have been our two most vocal guys and guys that have shown leadership. That's why, through the first three games, I've had those two guys be our team captains."