Jan Vesely Fading Away From My Excitement

Wizards Training Camp Day 4

On Monday, the Wizards held training camp at the Verizon Center for the 4th straight day, again without Nick Young.  Wizards Insider had an article about how Roger Mason Jr. was playing good as well as taking a leadership role.  That is something that Flip Saunders will like better than Nick Young as well.  NY better come back scoring to get on the floor as he is more and more behind each day.

“No matter who you are, you can’t be in a situation where you’ve missed four practices, four days or whatever, come in and you haven’t played organized basketball in 10 months, and you’re going to step in and be able to compete at the level that these guys are. --Flip Saunders quote from Wizards Insider

I hated the Jan Vesely pick on day 1 and I still hate it today.  A big European player that shoots fade aways instead of dunking makes me sick.  Dirk is the ONLY exception to that rule, and Dirk has mad post moves as well as a long range shot.  Bullets Forever has a little artice on Vesely, and although he says I shouldn't feak out, I'M FREAKING OUT! 

I know we have a PG, but I really think JW should be more of a SG like Iverson.  Guards the Wizards passed on to get Janet include Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker, and...JIMMER! Remember him!  He is the Tim Tebow of basketball!

Jimmer & John Wall!  What could have been...

Oh and new Wizard Ronny Turiaf got the hard hat...

• Bullets Forever TC Day 4
• Truth About It TC Day 4

Training Camp 2011: Where Is Nick Young?

Wizards Training Camp Day 3

On Sunday, the Wizards went through day 3 of training camp at the Verizon Center.  Still no Nick Young who is missing some key practice time with his team (probably his team).  While the other guys on the team are "working hard", Nicky is posted up in Cali enjoying the weather and hoping for money.

Of all the guys on the team, Nick Young seems like he would be the one that needs the most practice time.  Will someone freaking offer NY some cash so the Wiz can match it and he can get on the court, like ASAP.  He is going to lose the starting job to Jordan Crawford and the ball is going to disappear into a black hole.

Andray Blatche got the Hard Hat for the day.

"Blatche didn’t even attempt to wear it. Instead, Blatche quickly said: “I’m sorry. I gotta give this to JaVale” McGee. He then placed it upon McGee’s head." -- Wizards Insider


This is what I thought John Wall would do on the first day of camp and not Andray.  Maybe the 20 pages of the leadership book that Dray read from Flip Saunders is paying off.  Hopefully "don't dribble behind your back" is on page 21.

John Wall Decides He Was The Hardest Worker At Practice

On the first day of training camp the Wizards had what was described by the Washington Post as an "exhausting 2.5 hour practice".  When practice was over, Flip Saunders pulled out a Wizards themed construction worker hat and gave it to John Wall because he worked hard in practice.

"Saunders gave Wall the option of giving the hard hat to another teammate. Wall grinned, adjusted it and kept it on." Washington Post

Saunders could have been giving his young star an opportunity to show some leadership and pass on this "award" to another teammate that worked hard.  Saunders knew that JW worked the hardest, but if Wall in turn gave it to the 2nd hardest working person, it would show the other teammates that Wall appreciates their hard work too.  Instead Wall kept the hat for himself.

"I thought about it, but I think I played hard today, so I just kept it," Wall said -- Bullets Forever


It was only the first day of practice and the whole thing is probably just an insignificant moment that nobody will remember in a week's time.  Most likely when the players saw the hat they were all laughing and joking around, not really being serious.  In that case if Wall gave it to someone else it wouldn't have meant anything.


The key to the Wizards this season is going to be hard work and hustle.  They don't have very much talent, and the talent they have isn't known for working hard and hustling (Blatche, Young, McGee).  John Wall should do everything he can this season to not only lead by example, but to get his other teammates to raise their work ethic and playing level.  That is the only way fans aren't going to be abandoning the team after 20 games into the season.

Wizards Training Camp Pictures & Recap

My camera sucks, My camera skills suck, These pictures suckLadies & Gentlemen...this...is a Sharpie...

Clownin

Not really a full house

Dom Mac G

Some homeless guy...oh wait its Gilbert...thanks for hanging out!

In the Ukraine we play basketball with paper? XXXXXX

Some Notes from the Scrimmage

• I drove 2 hours for this?
• Andray Blatche apparantly has been told that every time he is 15-17 feet from the basket he should face up and shoot. Not a big fan.
• Pecherov has an ugly shot...he missed tons
• Songalia & Pecherov are the same person
• As Gilbert walked away before the end of the game I screamed "Where are you going". He looked but i hid.
• Donell Taylor is still my favorite player
• J Dean = Cut
• I wish they sold beer
• G Wiz did the Soulja Boy and then took off his clothes. He was wearing a thong. I was too slow on the draw to get a picture.

Training Camp Checklist

Dear Wizard Parents,

Tomorrow is the first day of Training Camp for the Wizards. They will be away from home for an entire week. For some of the players, this is the first time they will be away from home and there is a chance that some will get home sick. Be sure to provide a way for them to contact you. As long as each player brings the necessary items on this checklist, camp should be fun and exciting, while professional coach Eddie Jordan and his staff teach your son the ins and outs of championship basketball. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Training Camp Checklist

• 2 Pairs Basketball Shoes
• 10 Pairs of Thick Basketball Socks
• 5 Jocks
• 5 Pairs of Shorts
• 5 T-Shirts
• 1 Sweatsuit for down time
• Official Team Wizards Practice Jersey will be provided
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Shower Shoes
• 2 Towels
• Quarters/Phone Card To Call Home
• Hard Work Ethic

All meals will be provided so there is no need to bring extra food or drink. The dining hall serves food from all of the food groups. During down time the dorm has a lounge with a tv and some games. Any horseplay or illegal activities will result in immediate dismissal of your son from camp. As long as we all have fun and play ball, camp should be a rewarding experience.

PS: Parents are invited to witness the final championship scrimmage of camp on Saturday afternoon. Watch what your son has learned before you take him home.

Sincerely,

Eddie Jordan

Soft Knocks: Training Camp With The Washington Wizards

The Wizards announced their 2007 Training Camp schedule at VCU. It will be Tuesday, October 2nd through Saturday October 6th, culminating with a free open scrimmage that Saturday at 5pm.

So NBA "training camp" is only 5 days long. I never realized that before. That's the same length as the UVA basketball camp I attended when I was like 12 years old. NFL training camp lasts like 5 weeks. True there are many less players & decisions to make in the NBA, but maybe just call it "overnight camp" which is what we called it at UVA. If it is anything like my experience, there will be alot of Wizards eating nothing but desserts at the dining hall.

And once again, the video from Hard Knocks of the Chief's dancing has nothing on this video.

Hopefully I can get down to the scrimmage, but knowing me, I'll probably just sleep all day...