SB Nation User Blog: Truth About It

The Wizards Remember Abe Pollin I had so much footage of people talking about the passing of Mr....

Truth About It — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:24:28 -0000

The Wizards Remember Abe Pollin

I had so much footage of people talking about the passing of Mr. Pollin that I ended up with two videos. This is part two, featuring comments from Randy Foye, Nick Young, Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Wes Unseld. Part one is posted at Truth About It.net.

Hawks Down Wiz 100-89: The Post Game Thread

Truth About It — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:06:54 -0000

More photos » by Gregory Smith - AP

Mo Evans gives Haywood a Dirty Bird Chop (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

Browse more photos »

Ok ... that wasn't good. It all somehow started at the end of the 1st quarter when the offense became sloppy. And later, when the offense was a little bit better ... the Wizards just couldn't get stops.

It's the second game of the year ... the Hawks are good ... it was a road game ... the Wiz were without Antawn Jamison, and for much of the game, Caron Butler due to a bruised knee (OMG/WTF) -- no need to panic folks.

No, really. (Well, aside from being a worried Marge Simpson-esque mother at Butler's knee thing).

The only two guys with a positive plus/minus were Miller (+7) and Oberto (+7) ... those two also saw bench action with foul trouble. Go figure.

So what do you want to blame and where do you want to vent?

The answer to the latter is easy ... here at Bullets Forever. The answer to the former? Not so easy.

Sure, there were a lot of factors. But personally, the most frustrating was probably the point guard play. Arenas racked up seven turnovers and Randy Foye still has trouble running the offense.

Take it away folks.

We're not as far along as we'd like to be, and we're probably right between where we might be and...

Truth About It — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:44:33 -0000

We're not as far along as we'd like to be, and we're probably right between where we might be and where we thought we might be.

Flip Saunders via Wizards Insider

Nothing like starting out the season with a "Huh?" and a "Gaa?" ... I mean, this kinda makes sense, but it's sorta like saying, "It is what it is because at the end of the day, we could be better and we could be worse."

Well great, that doesn't make me sleep better or worse tonight.

Coach Saunders also elected not to name a starting shooting guard for opening night.

What do you guys think?

Should he get it over with and name one so everyone can get used to their role?

Should he say something to the effect of "It's going to be a platoon situation and I'll go with whomever is playing well"?

Or should Flip play it like he's playing it?

Honestly, those first two weeks without The Dew was the roughest two weeks of my life. I'm talking...

Truth About It — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:38:29 -0000

Honestly, those first two weeks without The Dew was the roughest two weeks of my life. I'm talking headaches, sweats and everything. Before that I drank at least six 12 ounce Mountain Dews a day.

It was so bad at one point that I had to have a cold one right there at the night stand before I went to bed. I had to get the coasters and let it drip a lil' bit and just have it waiting on me. Come 2 a.m.., I'd wake up out of my sleep, I'd pop one open and hear the fizz sound...and just down it! Then I always had to have another one in the morning when I woke up. Before practice I had one too and before games I would knock back two.

Via Caron Butler's 'New' blog on NBA.com.

If you recall, Caron previously made an initial blog post on HoopsHype. Is he now a double blogger?

And damn, I never knew his obsession with Mountain Dew was that bad. Downing them at 2 am?! I'm surprised the dude doesn't have bad stomach ulcers.

In NBA circles Idan Ravin [aka The Hoops Whisperer] inspires a wide range of reactions. Some...

Truth About It — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:55:53 -0000

In NBA circles Idan Ravin [aka The Hoops Whisperer] inspires a wide range of reactions. Some coaches, such as the 76ers' Eddie Jordan, see him as a resource. A few years ago, when Jordan was coaching the Wizards, he had a hard time talking with Brendan Haywood, the center who was then sharing minutes with Etan Thomas and was none too happy about it. "Brendan loved working out with [Ravin]," Jordan remembers, "so I went to Idan and asked, 'How do you keep a positive relationship with Brendan?' "

Ravin explained that Haywood merely wanted to be involved, to be part of the process. "You think he's challenging you, but all you have to do is ask his opinion," Ravin said. "Brendan's a cerebral guy. Empower him."

Jordan took the advice to heart. "I carried it over to my daily regimen, the idea that this is what I have to do with Brendan," he says, "and by the end we had a great relationship."

via 'The Hoops Whisperer' by Chris Ballard, Sports Illustrated

Gilbert Arenas Speaks, 'Really' Does NOT Like The Media

Truth About It — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:51:44 -0000

Gilbert Arenas Speaks, 'Really' Does NOT Like The Media

I have a quick post (and video) about Arenas speaking at today's practice, making blanket statements about the media being "lazy", at Truth About It.

Michael Lee and Mike Jones also have posts up at Wizards Insider and Wizards Outlet respectively.

Looking back, I wish I'd asked Arenas a couple of questions ... but figured that he would just be giving 'ho-hum' answers, and overall, just didn't really care to "bother" him ... opting to let the two Mike's do all the talking instead.

Oh well ... that Gilbert Arenas fellow, he's an interesting/funny dude.

Oberto still likely will be the first option at center off the bench with JaVale McGee the third...

Truth About It — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:16:43 -0000

Oberto still likely will be the first option at center off the bench with JaVale McGee the third option and used here in various situations. McGee has been struggling with some fatigue late in practices, which has caused him to lose some mental focus late, Saunders said.

"That's his biggest thing, you know, being able to fight through getting tired," Saunders said of McGee. "As a young player, I'm sure he's being overwhelmed a little bit. He's had three coaches, he's learning a new system. So what he learned last year, he's learning all new things. Older players have seen it, from being on other teams or from being in the league, but younger players have to learn it."

McGee still will be called upon because the Wizards want to save Oberto some for the postseason, Saunders said.

"You have the idea that he was going to be the guy that's going to help us playoff time, so you don't want to try to wear out a guy like that if you can avoid it."

But McGee still has some learning to do, which Saunders expects him to do both by watching and playing. There's no chance the Wizards send him down to the D-League, however, because they believe he can still help them right now in certain situations.

Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times

"That’s the thing about it. When you read papers and things like that, I’m the one who’s getting su...

Truth About It — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:53:42 -0000

"That’s the thing about it. When you read papers and things like that, I’m the one who’s getting surgeries, I’m the one who’s going thru pain and I’m the one that’s going through the rehab. As much as you guys are mad, I’m sitting here mad too about the whole situation. At the end of the day, it happens. That’s where I got my mind to. It happens to people. Some people get hurt and some people get back their careers. My favorite player Penny (Hardaway) never gained his career back, but players like Grant Hill got to play again so hopefully I can keep moving too."

Gilbert Arenas
via SportsRadioInterviews.com, via Mike Wise Show - 106.7 The Fan [mp3 download]

Friday Poll: Minutes for Epic Vale and Bean Burrito

Truth About It — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:04:43 -0000

Nick Young & JaVale McGee of Washington Wizards Holdin' It Down @ Drew League (via Ballislifedotcom)

Last season, Nick Young (Bean Burrito) averaged 22.4 minutes per game, JaVale McGee (Epic Vale) 15.2. This season, things will be very, very different. The availability of time just won't be there, and hopefully the team will be much better for it.

Still, there 'should' be plenty of chances for these two kids to earn minutes. As you watch the video above from their work in the Drew Summer League in LA (which also tickled Bethlehem Shoals' fancy), contemplate how many minutes you think these two should "get as a couple" and respond accordingly below.

Is this a pointless poll? Why, pretty much yes.

Is it Friday? HECK YEA!!! Have a great weekend everyone.

Poll

JaVale McGee and Nick Young's cumulative minutes per game next season will/should be:

Over 30 minutes

44 votes

21-29 minutes

79 votes

14-20 minutes

54 votes

13 minutes or less

7 votes

184 votes | Poll has closed

Wages of Wins: Are the Wizards one of the ten best teams in the NBA?

Truth About It — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:26:22 -0000

Wages of Wins: Are the Wizards one of the ten best teams in the NBA?

WoW getting the back of SI's Chris Mannix ...