SB Nation User Blog: ledellforlife

In honor of one of my favorite BF posts of all time, I thought it would be nice if we all stated our biases (both present and past) towards the Wizards. The Mike Miller trade has brought out both the best and the worst (and the hilarious) in our community, and it might benefit us all if we knew what point of views different members have. Think of it like AA, only with a basketball bent. I'll start, and hopefully we will all now a bit more about our Bullets/Wizards history.

My name is ledellforlife

I wish Jamison would dunk more.

I probably overvalued Darius Songalia.

I definitely overvalued (but loved) AD.

I thought Etan was the answer at center (ugh)

so I still dislike Brendan (damn you stats!)

Secretly, I miss Michael Ruffin.

And I don't like #5 picks in weak drafts.

There, I feel better. I won't go into my feeling on Jahidi White, or my love of all things Chris Whitney or Tim Legler.

Chad Ford joins Hollinger in pro-Wizard trade analysis

ledellforlife — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:47:43 -0000

Chad Ford joins Hollinger in pro-Wizard trade analysis

Jason (Bmore) -

With the Wiz getting Foye and Miller in return, does that mean the end of Nick Young and DeShawn Stevenson getting any tick?

Chad Ford

I bet you'll hear their names a lot in trade rumors. Wizards could use one more big man. I have to say that I love what the Wizards did. I really like the addition of Miller and Foye. I'm not sure they're in the same leauge as the Cavs, Celtics and Magic ... but they'll be close"

- From ongoing Chad Ford chat

Antawn Jamison - 5th pick

ledellforlife — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:40:59 -0000

Antawn Jamison - 5th pick

5. Wizards/Antawn Jamison select ...
DeMar DeRozan, G/F, USC

"He reminds me of Vince Carter as a Tar Heel -- the body, build, and athleticism," says forward Antawn Jamison, who played with VC in Chapel HIll. "He could've been a top pick if we didn't have the age limit. But he'll benefit from the veterans, and in two or three years, he can be a household name."

Doug Says: "DeRozan has a chance to be special. Let's hope he can develop better habits than Gilbert Arenas."

via ESPN Insider

Congrats to Mike and company for being mentioned on the WWL

ledellforlife — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:07:38 -0000

From ESPN Draft Blog (must be an Insider)

"The reason there isn't one clear front-runner, it appears, is that the Wizards are hoping to package Gilbert Arenas or Antawn Jamison in the deal, but people are asking only about Caron Butler, who is untouchable. This comes from the blog Bullets Forever, in a summary of the variety of No. 5 pick rumors"

So you are now a reputable news source in your own right. Just don't let it go to you head when you're chatting up Avery Johnson in the booth.

Chad Ford thinks Rubio could slip past 5

ledellforlife — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:37:20 -0000

Chad Ford thinks Rubio could slip past 5

Here is the story from Chad Ford via ESPN Insider

"Speaking of Rubio, his situation looks a little more precarious Monday than it has seemed. I've assumed that Sacramento at No. 4 was his floor, and it still may be. But if he slips past Sacramento, things could get pretty interesting.

First, Rubio has been avoiding the Wizards. Apparently, his people don't think he's a good fit in the backcourt with Gilbert Arenas. If the Wizards pass on him because of that, I'm not sure where he'll land. Minnesota needs a point guard, but the Wolves seem to be leaning toward Curry and Tyreke Evans. The Warriors need Rubio badly, but they have a pretty rocky relationship with his agent, Dan Fegan.

Of course, both the Knicks and Rubio would love for a marriage to happen, but Rubio would be in a financial bind if he falls that far. He no longer would make the cash to afford a buyout in Spain unless the buyout is really reduced.

I still believe the most likely scenario is that a team will move up into the top two or three to grab him. But if that doesn't happen, things could get pretty crazy."

- via ESPN Insider

Kirk Hinrich to Minnesota?

ledellforlife — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:19:49 -0000

Kirk Hinrich to Minnesota?

"One rumor that’s been around is trading Kirk Hinrich to Minnesota for an expiring deal and the No. 6 pick. That should be high enough to grab a player like Henderson. And you’d be in better position in 2010 with Hinrich’s deal off the books with more salary cap space available to perhaps make offers to two top free agents, which is one strong option for the Bulls"

Mavs eye pick # 5

ledellforlife — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:11:41 -0000

Mavs eye pick # 5

The Mavs are looking at moving up to pick #5 to draft Jordan Hill. They are willing to sweeten the deal by including Josh Howard or Jason Terry. (Must be an ESPN Insider to view)

Why Not Steve Nash?

ledellforlife — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:45:55 -0000

Going under the assumption that:

1.We are not committed to the young guys

2. We need more veterans

3. We want to win right now

Why not make a run at Steve Nash? Trade the two expirings, the rights to someone like Rubio and another first rounder.Rubio allows them to get a Nash like player 10 years younger and helps their terminally cheap owner shed more payroll. It also allows them to build around Amare. Nash would make us instantly competitive for two years, it would be fun to watch, and Gil might actually move to SG and defer to someone he would more or less consider his equal. Crazy enough to work, or just crazy?

A Great Collection of "Stuff"

ledellforlife — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:20:45 -0000

I have been racking my brain all year to try and figure out why the Wiz are such an abomination as compared to last year where they were a scrappy competive team every night. Now, I leave the number crunching to Prada and Rook and others who know better than I, but the reason I propose is that while we had defined roles last year (even considering EJ's crazy rotations), this year we have a nice collection of "stuff."

I'll call it my "Roger Mason" Theory

For example 2007-08 Wiz

PG - Antonio Daniels (True PG - low TO, high assist), Roger Mason (3PT specialist)

SG - Stevenson (Supposedly lockdown D, open 3PT) Young (instant offense, developing)

SF - Butler (Scorer, Leader) Songalia (Hustle, Open 10 footers)

PF - Jamison (Scorer, REB) Blatche (high energy, developing)

C - Haywood (Defensive anchor, High PCT FG)

This leaves out McGuire who is/was an energy guy and Pech who is comedy relief.

This year there don't seem to be any set roles

PG - James (Hybrid Guard, shoots too much)

SG - Stevenson (defense down, shoots too much)

SF - Butler (disappears too much)

PF - Jamison (trying to do to much)

C - JaVale McGee (too too raw), Blatche (doesn't play typical center)

Last year, everyone had a role. I don't think Gil's absence was felt as much because everyone knew what they were supposed to do. Young was a rookie, and they played to his strengths and let him just shoot when him came in. Blatche (thought yanked around too often) was asked to board and draw other C's and PF's away from the rim. Stevenson I guess did what Stevenson did....

To illustrate further, the Wiz made the playoffs the year before with Jarvis and Ruffin. As much as these players are maligned on this board, could the success of that team be due in large part to defined roles assigned by the coach?

Or is Roger Mason just that good?