The Dude Ted: Shit! Walter Ernie, you fuck... you fucked it up! You fucked it up! Her life Our rebuild was in your hands, man!
Walter Shobchak Enrie: Nothing is fucked here, Dude Teddy. Come on, you're being very un-Dude un-Ted. They'll call back.

Ernie has made a bold move yesterday, trading Javale and Nick for Nene Hilario, Brian Cook and a future second rounder (or two?)

I still don’t know how I feel about this but at the end of the day Ernie got rid of two out three exponents of the ‘old’ culture and I am happy we are not going to pay Javale $10+ million and hope for the best, while Nick was gone anyway.

In no way does this get Ernie of the hook, however. He essentially created his own problems by not getting rid of them when he should have in the first place (2009 fire sale/during the 2010 draft/offseason or last season) and his biggest mistake, Andray Blatche and his massive contract, are still here. You can’t earn your next contract by (partially) getting us out of the mess you created yourself Ernie!

Goodbye, sir.

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Here is a kid with a few exceptional strengths and many weaknesses. A dude that needs to adjust to a different style of play, in a new country, a new culture. We bring in a shooting coach for 3 days, who completely alters Jan's shooting motion, adding more confusion to his already tough situation. Next, the team proceeds to make things hard on him by putting him at the 4, a position he is not used to playing. As a result he, he looks lost out there. He seems to have no confidence whatsoever in his offensive game and clearly has nobody to lean on. I, like many others (Rook and DCrez I remember most vividly) was against drafting this kid for many reasons. But the dude is twice the player he has shown us so far. In many ways, the failure of Jan Vesely is the Washington Wizards franchise in a nutshell.

Same thing with John Wall. We luck into the #1 overall, roll out the red carpet and ask a 20yr old kid to show us the way. Giving him no guidance and a roster full of clueless misfits. The only reason he is somewhat swimming is that he is an otherworldly talent. It's so hard to swim on his own though, that he can't keep the rest of the boat afloat. He seems to be a tripple double threat on any given night, grabbing rebounds to trigger the fastbreak, exploding to the rim at will or kicking it out to an open teammate for the jumper. He really is breathtaking sometimes. Just imagine what he could have been already, if drafted by a competent organization.

There is talent on this roster, there really is.

However, Ernie has managed to find ZERO serviceable veterans that can contribute. The coaching staff seems to have no clue how to develop talent whatsoever and lacks a leader who carve's out clearly defined tasks and responsibilities for everyone. On top of that the FO doesn't hire much needed player personell to help these kids adjust to a new life as a millionaire in a new city. The basketball operation has made a very ugly piece of art out of otherwise fine, but raw materials.

This franchise is dysfunctional to it's core and I put the blame on Ted. He didn't change anything when he took over, which means he initially didn't see what was wrong internally. Therefore, he probably doesn't know how fix this either. His approach of 'smiley-face positivism' and focus on loyalty has proven to be great in other situations, but apparently he doesn't seem to recognize a different approach is needed in this situation. Now it's gonna cost him tons of extra money to turn things around. Money he is not eager to spend (I would think) and a process he is not capable to lead (apparently).

We are arguing with each other about players like Andray Blatche, Javale McGee and Nick Young, the holdover talents from the 'big 3 era'. Sure, there is a lot to say about their own efforts, their goofyness and so on, but after so many years the question should be asked whether the organization is either unable to turn good talents into good players, or unable to asses whether or not a player is worth the time and resources and then take actions accordingly. Either way, that's not good.

The jury is still out on most of the younger players acquired in 2010 and 2011 and like I said, there really is some talent there. Like the holdover talents, however, they have many weaknesses as well. A raw group that really needs some development and guidance. That's exactly why I am afraid that this franchise will mess up the entire rebuild.

Some players will make it on their own, here or elsewhere because they are just that good. Most players though, need a little help from the basketball Gods to land in the right situation at the right time (Jeremy Lin, anyone?) and I am feeling sorry for a player like Jan, for getting drafted by the Wizards.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire.

The trade deadline and March Madness give us new hope, but as long as this franchise keeps fielding the same incompetent personnel, is it really going to matter who we get on this team? A wise man once said "Keep doing the same thing over and over, while expecting a different result, is the definition of insanity".

The loss yesterday wasn't surprising or upsetting to me. I am fine with losing the majority of our games, but the play of the team is just terrible. Unacceptable. They are flat-out clueless and we have seen this going on for so long with very little noticable progress. It is symptomatic and Vesely is just another glaring red flag on this ship.

Hi Bucks fans,

I'm a Wizards fan and like you, I have seen the Bogut to the Wiz rumor. It got me thinking about a realistic trade for both teams.

You guys need a scoring 2 guard and solid 5 both with the potential to grow with Jennings, Illyasova and Luc and get you places in future playoff berths. We need more solid veteran players period, since we have 3 rookies and 5 sophomores to go with Nick Young, Javale McGee and Andray Blatche.

However, Jax ($10m next year) plus Bogut ($13million next year) for Lewis ($13million guaranteed next year if you decline the team option, $24million if you'd pick it up) is merely a salary dump that doesn't get your team anywhere.

It got me playing around with the trade machine a little and I came up with this deal

Javale McGee, Rashard Lewis, Jordan Crawford and Kevin Seraphin

for

Jax, Bogut, Livingston and your 2012 first round pick

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Earlier today, as I was traveling to work, I was listening to the B.S. report 2/17 episode in which Bill Simmons was talking with Chuck Klosterman about the similarities and differences between Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow.

They talked about how both of them were such unlikely stories, statistical anomalies really, and how the 'underdog against all odds' dynamic made them the huge headlines they have become. Simmons and Klosterman also talked about the American-Asian dimension to the Lin story. There have been Asian athletes like Nat's pitcher Ching Ming Wang, golfer Yang Yong-eun and of course giant bigman Yao Ming, but there has never been an American of Asian descent who became such a success and who's such a regular dude's, dude like the average sized and average lookin Jeremy Lin. This guy speaks to all Asians everywhere and even non Asians who just like the unlikely story.

And that's where it dawned on me. Jeremy Lin speaks to the billions of Asian people all over the world and really all basketball fans who like an underdog story. That means he will be a lock as an All Star starter for years to come... Remember how Yao Ming was an automatic lock for the All Star game every year since he was drafted? He didn't deserve them half of the time and even got voted in the 2011 All Star game, despite being sidelined for pretty much the entire season for crying out loud!

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Like many of us I was shocked, frustrated, mad, sad and disappointed. I think everybody felt Wall was disrespected. Part of it, I think, is Wizards bias as ilustrated by the 'Washington Generals' remark by Kenny. Another part of it is that Shaq and Chuck had to draft a team, not just go by BPA. Whatever the case, 4 Point Guards were taken over Wall last night. In order: Irving, Lin, Rubio, Walker and Wall. I decided to take a closer look at all of them to see how Wall stacks up.

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With Rose and Wade being voted in as starters by the fans, there are 6 reserves to be chosen by the coaches: 2 guards, 2 forwards, 1 center and 2 wildcards. Unfortunately, there is no Wizard deserving of a selection this year but as I was thinking about who would be deserving reserves, I came to the conclussion that Kyrie Irving is a very serious candidate for the guard slots and it shocked me a litlle.

As a rookie Irving is averaging 21.8ppg, 6.1apg en 4.2rpg per 36minutes. What’s even more impressive is that he shoots 49% from the field, 83% from the line at 57.7% TS. He has a PER of 21.6 which is 4rd for eastern conference guards behind Rose, Wade and Lou Williams according to hoop data (15 is league average, anything above 20 is borderline all star) His assist rate is pretty good at 34.9% and his win-share is flat-out ridiculous for a rookie: 2.2. (rookies normally have a negative win share). He does turn the ball over 3 times a game but his team is 10th in the east, only 1 game out and he is playing on a team that everybody before the season started thought was pis poor, since they just started their rebuild

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Hear me out on this one…..

Offer:
Jan Vesely + Jordan Crawford + Chris Singleton + Trevor Booker + Kevin Seraphin + Javale McGee + Rashard Lewis + 2 unprotected firstround picks

For

Dwight Howard, Hedu Turgolu, Brandon Bass and J.J. Reddick

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Lawyers are trying to end the lockout before Christmas, but what if the NBA won't re-open it’s gates untill the summer of 2012?

A whole season would be lost obviously and as long as the lawsuits are settled, meaning a deal is reached at some point early next year, existing contracts will not be voided.  

It also means the 2011 FA class will flow over into the 2012 FA class. Now that superstar point guards Chris Paul, Deron Williams and elite center Dwight Howard won’t have a chance to get traded during the season, the 2012 Free Agent class rivals the 2010 "Summer of LeBron" with them hitting the open market. In fact, half the league will hit the market. A total of 253 Players will become free agents by next summer, 81 of which restricted.

Wow!

Do you realize what fun that FA class would be? Do you realize that the league as we know it could radically, drastically change?

If the owners get their way in the ongoing CBA negotiations, free agency won't be quite the same as it has been in recent years. Some sort of punitive tax will make it harder for teams to sign players and who know’s what will happen to the various exceptions. That wouldn't affect guys like Howard and Paul, imho, they will still pull top salaries, but it could severly change the overall conditions under which this super entertaining summer of free agency will unfold.

Hardcap, Flexcap, no cap, I don’t know. What I do know is that half the league will be out of a job by next summer and teams will subsequently have oodles cash to burn!

Will Ted go all-in and give Ernie a blanco check to go out and get the supporting cast John Wall deserves? Will the Celtics sign and trade for CP3 sending Rondo and Green + picks to New Orleans and then sign DHoward for the max as well as Allen and Garnett on a vet minimum? Or will the Clippers get both of them sending Bledsoe, Gordon and Aminu + picks? And what about the Wizards chasing DHoward? The possibilities are endless….

If a true hard cap is installed, every team has the same chance to sign these guys while teams with higher payrolls (Lakers, Heat, NY) will have a disadvantage. 

This could be so much fun I’m almost starting to hope this season is lost in it’s entirety.

Below I included a list of FA’s per position

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Via Michael Lee from the Washington Post. 

The agents essentially advise the players to not accept anything else than the old CBA staying completely intact.....

That's right. They are unreasonable and crazy and ruining our season. 

I'm pissed. Letter below below the jump. 

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The other day I tried to rebuild the Raptors (of all teams, I know) in the NBA 2K11 franchise mode. I tried to do it as realistically as possible and failed misserably. It got me thinking about the state of the league and the current lock out. I decided to make a fanpost out of it, so here it is.  

To me, the league has two major problems right now:

1. Teams are losing money

Several (small market) teams are losing money despite revenue being at an alltime high. The league wants to cut costs by lowering player salaries and while the players are willing to cooperate they are not willing to agree with the owners' current proposal. At this point, as we all know, it looks like the parties are not very close to a deal to say the least. 

1. Competative Balance

Only a few teams are considered to be legitimate contenders. We have seen players taking matters in their own hands through free agency by forming a super team in Miami. Sure, Boston did it in 2007, but that was through trades and sure Shaq has changed teams as did Rodman back in the mid 90’s to team up with MJ and Pippen but never before have three of the most coveted free agents teamed up to form a super team together. The fact that Melo then forced a trade to his team of choice ánd got it makes people scared of what DHoward and CP3 will do in the near future. And don’t you think that our own John Wall and his former teammate Demarcus Cousins havent talked about teaming up when their rookie deals are up? Players want to play on competative teams and have a shot at winning a ring.

Meanwhile frontoffices are fighting the same problem. Though one could say that it’s the GM’s own fault to give a player a huge deal that doesn’t pay off, I for one think in most cases they have no choice if they want to win. Look at the Hawks last summer. Should they not have payed Joe Johnson? If they didn’t, some other team would have and then what? Suck for a years, loose their best players (Josh Smith and Jamal Crawford) through free agency  and hope someone like Al Hoford wouldn’t demand a trade? Hope that fans would still come out and buy a ticket in a market that is already labeled to be a quistionable one? Yeah right. They had no choice. Now, if such a deal doesn't work out you're stuck with it for ever.. We as Bullets fans have seen first hand how hard it is to erase mistakes and how hard it is to suck for several years while knowing its gonna take some more sucking until we get good again. Its to damn hard to rebuild and become competative again.     

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I'm not going to be negative anymore about Vesely. He is a Wizard now, he can do some stuff and can't do a bunch of other stuff and his girlfriend is hot.

 I do have some question's and I'm wondering what you guys think

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Enes Kanter is NOT a bad defender. I see people echo each other and its annoying cause most of you haven't seen this kid play. Ever.

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