The Official Washington Basketball Thread: Wizards, Mystics etc

[No Excuses]

My hope is that some of Young's predraft weaknesses that still seem to be hovering around his reputation drive drown his price.

The general consensus among the NBA writers circle seems to be that Young is a shot jacking, low IQ, selfish player who doesn't play any defense. Although at this point in his career, he's an efficient shooter, with good defense who can play excellent off ball to a dominant PG.

[Spartacus87]

I only sort of follow the NBA (and of course, I follow the Bullets, who, despite living in Miami and being constantly surrounded by bandwagon Heat fans, I will never abandon as my team of choice), but I'm far from an expert of any kind, so I won't pretend to be a die-hard like GACOLB, Vishal, BRAVEONAWARPATH, StillUnknown, stevemcqueen, and the rest of the guys who frequently post in this thread.

But I can't say how happy I am that Singleton ended up coming to Washington in the draft.

I was (obviously) a big fan of his in college, and I'm sure that he'll help us a lot defensively. Offensively, he's still fairly raw, but he's athletic and quick as hell and I know he'll put in the work to at least become respectable with that part of his game. I didn't know him personally at FSU, but did meet him and hang out with him a few times on random occasions, and besides my own experiences around him and from knowing his general reputation at FSU, he's a good, down to Earth guy who'll be a solid character to have in the Washington locker room.

[Gator Bait]

I only sort of follow the NBA (and of course, I follow the Bullets, who, despite living in Miami and being constantly surrounded by bandwagon Heat fans, I will never abandon as my team of choice), but I'm far from an expert of any kind, so I won't pretend to be a die-hard like GACOLB, Vishal, BRAVEONAWARPATH, StillUnknown, stevemcqueen, and the rest of the guys who frequently post in this thread.

But I can't say how happy I am that Singleton ended up coming to Washington in the draft.

I was (obviously) a big fan of his in college, and I'm sure that he'll help us a lot defensively. Offensively, he's still fairly raw, but he's athletic and quick as hell and I know he'll put in the work to at least become respectable with that part of his game. I didn't know him personally at FSU, but did meet him and hang out with him a few times on random occasions, and besides my own experiences around him and from knowing his general reputation at FSU, he's a good, down to Earth guy who'll be a solid character to have in the Washington locker room.

I don't think you'll find a single Wizards fan that isn't psyched to have Singleton on the team. He will likely immediately be the best defender on the team and will likely be a top notch role player for years to come. If he develops his offensive game, he could also be a starter in this league one day.

[Going Commando]

I'm very excited about Singleton. I got to watch him play against Tech and was very impressed with him then, it was acknowledged he was the best player on the court.

I love this Wizards team. Their energy and charisma is absolutely infectious and you feel like the sky is the limit for them. I honestly don't know which team I love more between them and the Nationals but I know they're my top two now by far. When its all said and done, the baby Wizards and baby Nationals might be my favorite teams I've ever followed. I was an Indians fan in the 90's and lived and died with them. My love for the Nationals already easily supplants that.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Ernie Grunfeld, Wizards finally land Jan Vesely

After watching Jan Vesely in the Euroleague Final Four in Paris in May of last year, Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said that he returned to Washington and leaned heavily toward taking Jan Vesely with their lottery pick. At the time, the Wizards had the fifth-best odds to win the lottery and they were immediately enamored with the slight, speedy wing who played with unrestrained energy.

“He was one of the best players in that tournament. We thought he was going to come out and we were looking at him,” Grunfeld said. “He was one of the guys who was in our wheelhouse. Especially before we won the lottery. We won the lottery, things changed a little bit.”

The Wizards lucked into John Wall, but they also experienced some more good fortune last year, when Vesely decided not to enter the draft.

“Three games, I saw him play in. He’s been on people’s radars. He’s been on our radar. A lot of teams would’ve looked at him last year,”said Grunfeld, who theorized that Vesely simply wasn’t ready to leave. “He had a very good relationshp with coach [Vladimir Jovanovic]. He was comfortable with his situation and maybe emotionally, he didn’t want to change so drastically. It’s still closer to home.”

The decision to stay in Serbia helped Vesely expand his game, get a little stronger and move up some in the draft lottery, though last year he thought he would’ve gone somewhere between 10th and 14th.

“The most important thing was to play one more year, to get more minutes and to grow up on basketball side and in my personal life,” Vesely said. “I stayed a bit more and had a bigger role on the team.”

The Wizards have been scouting Vesely as one of the top players in his age group for the past three years -- he edged Ricky Rubio out as FIBA Young Men’s Player of the Year for 2010. Coach Flip Saunders remembers the first conversation he had about Vesely two years ago with Milt Newton, the vice president of player personnel.

“He said to me, ‘You’re gonna love him, he reminds me a lot of [former league MVP Kevin] Garnett, from a standpoint of his energy and his motor,’ ” Saunders said. “And a guy that plays like that, as a coach, it becomes very difficult for you not to find somehow to play him I think he’s going to fit right in. he’s got to work a little bit on his shot. He’s got good mechanics. I think all that will all come.”

Wizards vice president of basketball administration Tommy Sheppard went to watch Vesely in the Serbian championship game last month and several members of the basketball operations staff were in New Jersey two weeks ago when Vesely held an individual workout for Washington, Sacramento and Toronto. Saunders admitted that Vesely didn’t shoot the ball very well during the workout, but “no matter what he did, he did everything in an explosive manner.”

Because of his slender frame, Saunders expects to use Vesely in similar fashion to Garnett in his early years. “He was a three-man because wasn’t physically big, but what happened is he got to shoot over guys and when he became a four, he was able to put the ball on the floor,” said Saunders, adding that he will help Vesely make the necessary adjustments with his jump shot. “He’s got some things he does that are minor adjustments. He backs away when he shoots it. He’ll see good improvement. He’s going to be able to do a little bit of everything.”

Vesely desperately wanted to play for Washington, as he told his agent, Arn Tellem, that the Wizards were his top team because it played an uptempo style and had some solid young pieces in Wall and JaVale McGee. “It was my motivation to be in Washington and play with those great young players,” Vesely said. “We have a lot of work to do. I think we can work hard.”

Grunfeld said that both sides were pleased with how everything turned out. “It worked out well for us, and it worked well for Jan too, because he comes to a team that has a player like a John that can make the game easier for him...He comes from a good system. Partizan is a very good team. His game is very well suited for the NBA game.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/post/wizards-finally-get-their-man/2011/06/27/AGgdKrnH_blog.html

[Destino]

Vesely is saying the right things and it didn't take long for Ted Leonsis to make this team go from despair to Young and exciting. I hope the NBA has a season next year because even though this team is too young to win they as a fan, there is hope that this team has high potential.

[Chachie]

Vesely is saying the right things and it didn't take long for Ted Leonsis to make this team go from despair to Young and exciting. I hope the NBA has a season next year because even though this team is too young to win they as a fan, there is hope that this team has high potential.

I think we'll have an exciting product and will hopefully be watching a steady growth, like what has happened with the Caps. We have a shot at being a unique kind of team. Long and fast. Add some defense to this and we could be trouble.

[RonArtest15]

This may sound totally insane, but I've got a feeling that Chris Singleton will be our starter at the 3 to start the season. And Vesely will be the primary back-up at the 3 (and push for some minutes at the 4 over Booker) before Feb....

McGee/............/Seraphin

Blatche/Booker/Vesely/Owens

Singleton/Lewis/Vesely

Young/Crawford/Jeffers/Mack

Wall/Crawford/Mack

Edited June 28, 2011 by RonArtest15

[No Excuses]

They are fun to watch as well. We didn't win a whole lot last year, but I enjoyed watching all of them besides #7.

I don't care about a football lockout. But an NBA lockout is going to suck really really bad.

[Destino]

This may sound totally insane, but I've got a feeling that Chris Singleton will be our starter at the 3 to start the season. And Vesely will be the primary back-up at the 3 (and push for some minutes at the 4 over Booker) before Feb....

McGee/............/Seraphin

Blatche/Booker/Vesely/Owens

Singleton/Lewis/Vesely

Young/Crawford/Jeffers/Mack

Wall/Crawford/Mack

I don't see that happening. I think Booker and Singleton look too much like the same player to me on paper in terms of the role they are going to be playing on the team. Booker is going to have to impress the coach in order to be included in the standard rotation:

starters:

McGee

Blatche

Lewis

Young

Wall

bench:

Vesely - Forward

Crawford - Combo Guard

Seraphin - Center

Singleton/Booker - Forward

I don't see a 10 man rotation with three forwards all favoring the 3 and you still have Evans to account for at that position. Depending on who Flip likes as the backup PF between Singleton and Booker I think that player gets most minutes. Once Lewis get injured I'm sure there will be more playing time to go around.

[RonArtest15]

I don't see that happening. I think Booker and Singleton look too much like the same player to me on paper in terms of the role they are going to be playing on the team. Booker is going to have to impress the coach in order to be included in the standard rotation:

starters:

McGee

Blatche

Lewis

Young

Wall

bench:

Vesely - Forward

Crawford - Combo Guard

Seraphin - Center

Singleton/Booker - Forward

I don't see a 10 man rotation with three forwards all favoring the 3 and you still have Evans to account for at that position. Depending on who Flip likes as the backup PF between Singleton and Booker I think that player gets most minutes. Once Lewis get injured I'm sure there will be more playing time to go around.

I didn't factor in Evans because I don't think he'll be back. IMO, Singleton is the far superior defensive player (between him and Booker). I think this is where he has an edge. No matter Booker's year experience in being a pro. Singleton is a more versatile defender as well.

Let me ask you...even though he's undersized, is there any situation where Booker can get a few minutes at the 5?

[Destino]

They are fun to watch as well. We didn't win a whole lot last year, but I enjoyed watching all of them besides #7.

I don't care about a football lockout. But an NBA lockout is going to suck really really bad.

I wouldn't say I don't care about the NFL lock out but the NBA season that just finished is one are really enjoyed. I'll be honest the entire Snyder debacle has gotten old to me and while I'll always be a Redskins fan it's become easier and more enjoyable for me to watch the Caps and Wizards. Now that I've ended up playing pick up basketball with a DC United player a few times I'm sure I'll be watching them more closely too.

Edited June 28, 2011 by Destino

[Going Commando]

Booker is a good defender. He's not as fast or long as Singleton but the difference there is pretty marginal. If he devotes himself to it, he can defend multiple positions well. He'll have a leg up on Singleton going into the year plus he's got the advantage that he can score.

Vesely will get far more minutes at the 4 than Booker will if he comes over next year. Vesely will be getting all of Yi's minutes I bet. I'd expect him to get at least 18-20 minutes a game.

That said, the FO could decide to keep him in Europe for the year so he can get more PT and have another year to develop his body. This makes sense if a solid portion of the NBA season is wiped out.

[No Excuses]

I wouldn't say I don't care about the NFL lock out but the NBA season that just finished is one are really enjoyed. I'll be honest the entire Snyder debacle has gotten old to me and while I'll always be a Redskins fan it's become easier and more enjoyable for me to watch the Caps and Wizards. Now that I've ended up playing pick up basketball with a DC United player a few times I'm sure I'll be watching them more closely too.

I don't know, I find no enjoyment in watching the Redskins play. I think we could all use a break from Redskins football.

Plus I love that almost any day, I can turn on ESPN, TNT, or CSN and find an NBA game to watch.

[Destino]

I didn't factor in Evans because I don't think he'll be back. IMO, Singleton is the far superior defensive player (between him and Booker). I think this is where he has an edge. No matter Booker's year experience in being a pro. Singleton is a more versatile defender as well.

Let me ask you...even though he's undersized, is there any situation where Booker can get a few minutes at the 5?

I tend to agree with you but he's going to have to show some sort of an NBA applicable offensive game. The team doesn't have enough scoring to have two defensive specialists (read: can't score) in the rotation. If he does I think he will edge out Booker.

---------- Post added June-28th-2011 at 02:41 PM ----------

I don't know, I find no enjoyment in watching the Redskins play. I think we could all use a break from Redskins football.

Plus I love that almost any day, I can turn on ESPN, TNT, or CSN and find an NBA game to watch.

I do love the fact that I can watch quality basketball constantly and I can go to a game for cheap. Even my wife and her friends love it because we can usually do a happy hour and then go to the game and have a good time. It's just a great all around experience that doesn't consume your entire day.

I, unlike you, do find enjoyment in watching the skins play. What I can't stand is the drama that surrounds this team. There is always some cop out excuse as to why that is and frankly I just don't buy it anymore. When things are consistently bad for so long it's fairly easy to figure out who holds the lion's share of the blame. As such I can't spend money on my favorite team and feel good about it. I can however watch them in HD and lie to myself about our chances of making the playoffs.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I can do the Skins because it's once a week. But I don't have the same passion for it I once had. Zorn's last year was the first time in my life I voluntarily skipped games. And then last season, even with a new coach, I did the same a few times. It's just whatever. I'm tired of it.

[ACW]

I got NFL RedZone

[Chachie]

I can do the Skins because it's once a week. But I don't have the same passion for it I once had. Zorn's last year was the first time in my life I voluntarily skipped games. And then last season, even with a new coach, I did the same a few times. It's just whatever. I'm tired of it.

I actually fell into this frame of mind about the Wizards over the last 2 seasons. By the time last season started I couldn't get on the program. John Wall has been exciting but when he started getting hurt a lot I stopped watching the games altogether. This draft has given me a new spark but I wonder if we'll even have a season to watch... be it basketball or football.

[Going Commando]

The Wizards are fascinating and exciting even in defeat. The difference between them and the Redskins is that there is actually hope for the Wizards.

I'm with GACOLB. I don't live and die with the Redskins any more. My interest in professional football is waning once again. My interest in college football and the draft was keeping me bound to the Redskins despite their ineptitude during the season but even that's starting to wear off as I think Bruce Allen is an awful drafter and his decisions consistently befuddle me.

I used to watch almost every game religiously but I missed about a third of the games last year to do other things and didn't even really care. Sundays used to be the highlight of my week and I got up each morning totally excited for the game that day. That's done with. Now I'm at the point where I'll watch the game if there is nothing better to do. I've got my Sundays back. I hang out with friends, drive back from weekend trips, do errands and so forth, all better uses for my time.

Zorn, Cerrato, Sherm Lewis, Blache, Snyder, Shanahan, Allen, McNabb, Haynesworth, Dockery, Jammal Brown, Grossman, Beck, etc.

I also like the NBA and MLB seasons much better because games are a nightly thing and I can watch about half the games on TV each week and still keep up with the team. I can still go out some nights and know I'll be able to catch a game the next day or the day after. It's a good pace for me.

Edited June 28, 2011 by stevemcqueen1

[Skin'emAlive]

The Wizards are fascinating and exciting even in defeat.

Whoa Whoa Whoa. Lets not get crazy here. The last 3 years have been the exact opposite of exciting.

[RonArtest15]

Whoa Whoa Whoa. Lets not get crazy here. The last 3 years have been the exact opposite of exciting.

The first time I was REALLY proud of them was in the late season loss to Miami. I think that's the type of effort Flip wants, the fans want, and the players should give on a nightly basis. It's only a matter of time before everything clicks...

[Thinking Skins]

I can do the Skins because it's once a week. But I don't have the same passion for it I once had. Zorn's last year was the first time in my life I voluntarily skipped games. And then last season, even with a new coach, I did the same a few times. It's just whatever. I'm tired of it.

I'm kinda with you on this. I've been into the Wizards, Nats and Caps a lot more lately just because I'm so annoyed with the Skins. I'm tired of getting annoyed by every offseason move, only to still get my hopes up, only to have my initial thoughts confirmed when we suck. Its easier with the Wizards and Nats (and to a lesser extent the Caps) because we're building a team and I can actually see the vision of what they're trying to do, and it makes it fun to watch.

[Going Commando]

I'm amazed that so many fans feel the same way as me about the Redskins. I thought I was just a malcontent and there is a lot of mindless rah rah still in the stadium and on sources like hogs haven.

The Redskins have a serious problem on their hands. Fans aren't revolting now. They're just becoming indifferent. Two decades of being bad is exhausting. A decade of making the same sorts of mistakes over and over again has set the fan base adrift.

[Chachie]

The Redskins have a serious problem on their hands. Fans aren't revolting now. They're just becoming indifferent.

So true and yes- that's worse than a furious fan base.

[pjfootballer]

All the Washington teams have been either disappointing or a disaster. LOL at everyone looking at the Wizards for excitement. All the teams have been terrible. At least the Redskins have won a SB in the last 30+ years. Look at my sig. Puhlease! Football trumps all no matter how bad the Redskins are. I mean what exactly have the Wizards given you in the last 20 years that the Redskins haven't since their last SB win? 1st and 2nd round exits. Bad draft picks. underperforming players and coaches. Bad management. See, the Wizards and Redskins have been interchangeable. The only team with a prayer to win anything is the Caps, but they can't stop choking despite being a top 5 team in the NHL.

Edited June 28, 2011 by pjfootballer