1st

Thanks for the info Ivan.

P.S. - You work too hard - It's Saturday for crying out loud, baby. Go to a cookout or something.

When I first heard bout the ref influencing games, i immediately thought Joey Crawford and the S.A. v dallas game

Thanks for the update Ivan! Does anyone know if EG has made an offer to Blatche...I saw somewhere that pat Riley had planned on meeting with JCN. isnt that tampering? JCN is not a FA

As a basketball fan, I consider the timing of this terrible. Basketball, fair or not, gets a ton of criticism about its players and the level of play. This really seemed to hurt the level of popularity of the game. And right when the other two big sports were recieving bad press for a cheater breaking the most high profile record in baseball and for one of the most high profile players in the NFL looking like a terrible person not just QB, this comes around and overshadows both those stories and brings the onus back on the NBA to what is wrong with it. Now everyone is looking back at every game and wondering what if (Indian against New York in 1999 playoffs, Portland against the Lakers in 2000 playoffs, Kings getting foul after foul called against them in the 2001 playoffs against the Lakers, Wiz-Cavs 2006 with LeBron taking 3 steps and landing before getting a game winning shot off) and this brings credence to everyone the cried conspiracy theory on the NBA picking whom they want to win.

I'm not worried about the cheating thing because we have the best mind in the sports business working like a madman to ensure that this can never happen again. And I'm talking about David Stern. The man loves the game and will find a way to protect it. I bet you the other professional sports follow his lead in reforming their own games (which will be called for in the wake of this scandal).

Ivan,
Thanks for the report. You didn't have to do this and only you would be able to tell us about the Wizards games he refereed and also recall the two nail-biters and circumstances involved in them.

Have a restful weekend and let us know when you hear anything about Navarro or Blatche, we are all on the edge of our seats waiting to find out what happens and what roster we will have to fight it out in this make-or-break season with Gil and Tawn at stake.

The first thing I did when I found out which ref was under investigation, was to check to see who was calling the Cavs/Wiz playoff game from 2006. The game where LeBron got away with the extra two steps to hit the game winner. Tim Donaghy's off the hook for that one.

Here's how to go on from here: Every NBA ref must take a polygraph examination before the season starts, during the season, and after it is over.

As a condition of employment, every ref will fully understand that he or she will be subject to frequent polygraph exams.

If this does not happen, the integrity of the game will always be in doubt.

By the way, this is a good idea for the NFL and MLB as well.

What a surprise, this doesn't surprise me at all. Explains a lot and even extends down into the college ranks too. How could someone be that bad and make calls that stupid unless there was some money flowing.

Crooked referees? Chintzy smalltimers. Who sez Barry Bonds ain't the greatest cheater them all?

Gotta say, anybody who's got where he or she is, on steroids or whatever, by cheating and lying and breaking the rules, gets the medal in today's America.

Who's he stand for? Well, America's meth freaks, junkies, dopesters, crackheads, steroid abusers, recreational users, dizzied-up right-wing talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh who rant along in an Oxycontin haze, dope smugglers, agents for Mexican drug cartels, and all the hardshell Christian preachermen like The Reverend Haggard who mask their sex and drug play among escort hookers with diatribes against gay sinners and fulsome calls for the sanctity of marriage.

Oyez! Cheaters all! And Barry B. leads the pack! All hail from venal, complicit media and the Daddy Warbucks of the ballgame scam, moneybagged plutocrats! Let's hear it for the perjurers and con men of all the world!

All hail, decrepit fatso slugger, you Da Man!

Who else can better represent whacked-up, addicted, addled America, the fifty percent of the nation who gaze stupified at their TVs, at reality shows and boring games and Fox News blather and dumbed-down flicks and who don't vote or vote GOP while the world goes to hell around them?

Who else but Bonds can stand symbolically for all the steroidal teenagers, perhaps much of our male high school youth, who wreck their health for a few more experimental muscles and a few moments of fleeting athletic glory?

Hey, it's only a game, right? Down with asterisks! Up with illicit, crooked performance! Enron and WorldCom and Kennyboy Lay and The Hammer DeLay and Gonzo Gonzales and Karl Rove and Scooter Libby and lobbyist Abramoff have gone before, into the Pantheon of deceit. The ends justify the means, right?

Take your creaky, juiced-up carcass up to the plate, slugger, and hit that ball for everything that makes America what it is!

All hail, Barry B.! Make us forget them crooked referees in the glory of a crook that is really somepin'.

Maybe the NBA should also look into the refs allowing the 'star players', without blowing the whistle, to:

* take an extra step (or two) on a dribble
* hold the opponent just a little tighter or longer
* move on the pick just a little bit too early
* stay in the lane for a second (or two or three) too long
* not be stationary when causing a charge
* etc., etc.

I don't see anywhere in the rules that says the 'star players' ALWAYS get the benefit of the call. I don't see anywhere in the rules that says ANYONE always gets the benefit of the call.

In other words, call the game the same for each player. Call the game as the rules say the game should be called.

So? Michael Vick allegedly was involved in pit bull fighting; perhaps a wager or two was placed and Pete Rose bet on baseball games. Why do things like this surprise us?

I began attending and watching NBA games on TV in the mid-1970's. By the end of the decade I stopped watching once I realized the NBA was simply ENTERTAINMENT in a basketball format.

The constant uproar in the papers, on TV and radio over NBA game "controversies" are all part of selling and marketing the product. Special treatment to the designated "stars?" A total lack of integrity and consistency in referees' calls? Nobody cared so long as the fans showed up, jerseys sold and broadcasters shilled.

In the recent past NBA refs were caught cheating on their taxes, but the NBA kept them on. Now an NBA ref apparently helped fix games for the Mob. Suddenly, Pro Wrestling is starting to look pretty good by comparison...

WOW, this is Serious stuff!

Seahawks vs. Steelers. Every conceivable call goes for the Steelers. Seahawks fans are upset for weeks, but are told to shut up, the refs were fair.

Can anyone now say, with certainty, that the refs were fair?

Things that make you go "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm."

Critter and PhonyNBA hit it right on the head. 'nuff said!

Another nod of the head to the comments of Critter and PhonyNBA.

The laughable moment for me that raised the issue of NBA league credibility -- at the topmost level in this instance, not necessarily in deciding the outcome of games -- was when the Wizards received the #1 pick in the 2001 draft, coincidentally timed with the impending return of Michael Jordan as a revenue-producing attraction on the court.

Well, I am hitting 55 this year. I can remember back a ways ago when the NBA was basketball first with entertainment value, not entertainment first with some basketball thrown in - the way it is now. I pretty much only watch the playoffs now and even there entertainment seems to take precedence. I hope this shocks the NBA back to its basketball roots - otherwise I fear it will almost be another pro wrestling in 10 years or so...

WHY IN THE WORLD DO PEOPLE WATCH THESE OVERPAID MORONS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
WHY ARE PEOPLE ASTOUNDED WHEN BIG MONEY AND
ARROGANCE BREED CORRUPTION?
GO WATCH A HIGH SCHOOL OR LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM PLAY IF YOU WANT TO CHEER FOR SOMEONE WHO CARES YOU CAME.

Uh, Bill...Unlock your CAPS key and step away from the keyboard. Take a chill pill and head back to your Vegetarians Against the NRA and PETA convention.

Bill, hit the b*ng once or twice, you will feel a lot better

The odds of Donaghy being the only with with skeletons in his closet seem remote, at best. This story is far from over.

We need some reporting on Navarro and Blatche

I hate this story on multiple levels. Least importantly, but most annoying level is the one where it wipes out most other NBA news.

Hasn't anyone broken the Professional Sports Code? If there's money involved, it's probably fixed.

Oh yeah, now we know how Les BouleS squeezed out those close games. It's too bad dude wasn't there to help them during the playoffs against Cleveland.

The good thing about this is that Stern can't ignore this problem anymore. NBA officiating is by far the worst of the major sports now, no question. And now is that time to do what MLB had to do a few years ago. Have a cleanout and fire nearly everybody. It worked for them, the officiating is better than its been in a long time and certain things like the strike zone are more uniform than before. The second part of that is to make the survivors of the purge and everyone you hire hew to the similar standards for fouls. That is how you get rid of star treatment and the other problems Critter and PhonyNBA have mentioned here.

Man, I knew DCMann88 would take this and somehow turn it into something negative against the Wizards. This person kills me. If you hate the Wizards that much, why even post here? This Les Boulez, I hate Gilbert, the Wizards are stupid, etc.,etc. stuff is getting a little old and tired.

Man, I knew DCMann88 would take this and somehow turn it into something negative against the Wizards. This person kills me. If you hate the Wizards that much, why even post here? You don't even know if the cheating was even in the Wiz's favor so why make that statement. It could have been the other way and cost us the game. You ever think about that. This Les Boulez, I hate Gilbert, the Wizards are stupid, etc.,etc. stuff is getting a little old and tired.

Man, I knew DCMann88 would take this and somehow turn it into something negative against the Wizards. This person kills me. If you hate the Wizards that much, why even post here? You don't even know if the cheating was even in the Wiz's favor so why make that statement. It could have been the other way and cost us the game. You ever think about that. This Les Boulez, I hate Gilbert, the Wizards are stupid, etc.,etc. stuff is getting a little old and tired.

Ivan,
How do you write this article which mentioned the three games the gambling ref officiated.... AND DO NOT MENTION THE POINT SPREADS? How are we supposed to understand if the Ref's calls affected the game?

Obviously not tired enough for you to comment on it. Don't likeee, don't read.

Off topic, but is there that much of a difference between a steroid abuser breaking the home run record than someone who was likely an amphetemine abuser breaking it thirty years earlier?

I bet (no pun intended) that Mark Cuban is privately snickering about this. He's arguably the most outspoken critic of NBA officiating and leader of the conspiracy theorists. No doubt he could be the first to say, "I told you so". Rasheed Wallace would not be far behind. All those techs he got suddenly don't seem to look all that bad.

Nobody expects game officials--refs, umps, whatever--to be perfect. We all know they make mistakes; BUT, the assumption HAS TO BE that they're trying their best to get it right--and be FAIR. Now, that crucial assumption of basic fairness will be questioned. And that's a killer. Will trust be like virginity--once lost, never regained? Will hoops adopt some form of 'instant reply' similar to the NFL? How will this impact college, high school, and hoops at other levels? I suppose the best to be hoped for is only one guy is involved and not some wider 'conspiracy' to influence the entire league. We shall stay tuned. David Stern is about to earn his paycheck.

I have long felt that in professional sports, the outcome of games has been influenced by corrupt officials since players proved themselves to be unreliably tight-lipped. This current example in the NBA only provides the first hard evidence of it.

Sometimes it seems obvious that the NFL controls the outcomes of games and that the on-field officials are the instruments of that control. This has less to do with gambling than with league revenue, but it only takes one strategically placed bad call, sometimes early in the game, to stop a big rally or give a team a needed boost that can result in a rout.

But then there are the more obvious examples, like the last game of the 1980 season when our Redskins faced the Cowboys and we got the ball to the Cowboy 33 with three seconds left. A 50-yarder was a chip shot for Mark Moseley that year, but with Theisman calling timeout right in the referee's face, the clock ticked off, three-two-one-bang and no timeout was called. Our playoff hopes died, and the season was over. THAT referee should have been arrested.

I will never forget the 2006 NBA playoffs when the Wizards faced Cleveland and we had a chance to pull even in the series when "The Golden Child" scored the game-winning basket on an OBVIOUS, truly blatant up-and-down travel right in front of the ref, who made no call. They wanted LeBron to enhance his marketing value, and we were the victims of it.

I have long felt that in professional sports, the outcome of games has been influenced by corrupt officials since players proved themselves to be unreliably tight-lipped. This current example in the NBA only provides the first hard evidence of it.

Sometimes it seems obvious that the NFL controls the outcomes of games and that the on-field officials are the instruments of that control. This has less to do with gambling than with league revenue, but it only takes one strategically placed bad call, sometimes early in the game, to stop a big rally or give a team a needed boost that can result in a rout.

But then there are the more obvious examples, like the last game of the 1980 season when our Redskins faced the Cowboys and we got the ball to the Cowboy 33 with three seconds left. A 50-yarder was a chip shot for Mark Moseley that year, but with Theisman calling timeout right in the referee's face, the clock ticked off, three-two-one-bang and no timeout was called. Our playoff hopes died, and the season was over. THAT referee should have been arrested.

I will never forget the 2006 NBA playoffs when the Wizards faced Cleveland and we had a chance to pull even in the series when "The Golden Child" scored the game-winning basket on an OBVIOUS, truly blatant up-and-down travel right in front of the ref, who made no call. They wanted LeBron to enhance his marketing value, and we were the victims of it.

Sit on the dge of your seat and wait for the news about Blatche, JCN, and another Wizards or two.

Don'torry something is coming.

Sit on the dge of your seat and wait for the news about Blatche, JCN, and another Wizards or two.

Don't worry something is coming.

"The real point here is that once a single NBA ref is proven to be dirty, EVERYTHING can be called into question."

I've been saying it for years Ivan, and several times on your blog last season. They make it really obvious sometimes.

It really wasn't a shocker for me to see that someone was busted for it...finally.

Sad to say but I think you're gonna find more refs are involved in the future. Like George said NBA officiating is horrible.

- Ray

"The real point here is that once a single NBA ref is proven to be dirty, EVERYTHING can be called into question."

I've been saying it for years Ivan, and several times on your blog last season. They make it really obvious sometimes.

It really wasn't a shocker for me to see that someone was busted for it...finally.

Sad to say but I think you're gonna find more refs are involved in the future. Like George said NBA officiating is horrible.

- Ray

You can count on more than one ref being involved; the latest report even mentions there may be some PLAYERS. There's always more than one bad egg in the bunch. So, who else d'ya think is involved? Hopefully no one on the Zards!! How about any ("cough, cough") ex-players with known gambling habits????

Rasheed has been vindicated!
Welcome back to DC Rasheed...we welcome you with open arms, if only the Pistons would take ET off our hands.

You all should read this if you haven't. It's good stuff. - Ray

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070722&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

JCN, Etan Thomas, and Blatche? What's the word?

That's the first good article Simmons has written since the NFL season ended.

There is no new Wiz news so I decided to crunch some numbers:
HoopsHype has the Wiz at $63,823,006 committed to 10 players. This includes DeShawns new deal. The Wiz have reportly offered McGuire $450,000 which would put them at $64,273006. The luxury tax is set at $67,865,000, which means the most the Wiz can offer Blatche next year is $3,591,994. With that as a starting salary and with Blatche falling under the "Early Bird" exception (aka "the Arenas exception), the Wiz can offer a max raise each year of 10.5%. This would amount to a 3 year $11,947,061 deal. But this would leave the Wiz with no room to sign any other players, which would mean that the Wiz couldn't fill out the full 15 man roster. Only 12 players can be active for a game anyways but this would leave the Wiz with no room for injuries throughout the season. (Anyone looking at hoopshype, don't be confused by Hayes qualifying offer which they list but don't include in the total.)

So with that in mind and tieing the other big Wiz issue of JCN, a deal with Memphis that would be beneficial to both teams would be JCN, Etan, and Daniels for Swift, Stoudamire and 2 2nd round picks. The Griz would be swapping back ups and getting JCN for nothing while taking back an extra year in contracts. The Wiz would be saving $2,020,000 next year, $2,210,000 in 08/09 (since Swift probably won't opt out since no other team will pay him more than $6,200,000, otherwise $8,410,000), and $13,950,000 in 09/10 when Stoudamire and Swift would both be off the books. Anyone thinking that's not enough for what the Wiz would get need to realize the reality of todays NBA and how big that wiggle room really is, especially if it means keeping our own players (Blatche this year, Jamison and Arenas next). More importantly this deal is actually REALISTIC, which some of you don't seem to understand when you throw out ideas (can't we get KG and 3 1sts for Haywood, Etan, Daniels, and a 2nd round pick? But it works in the trade machine and I want it to happen!). If you offered this to a Griz fan they would actually consider it.
It would also keep JCN OFF our biggest rival in our own division, which is huge. Would you rather have 2 1st round picks for JCN straight up from the Heat and watch him torch us 4 times a year and possibly more in the playoffs? This scenerio would also probably lead to the Wiz losing Blatche since they can't afford him.

Refs make a few thousand a game. Millions are bet on each game. It is logical that Refs take money in bribes to rig the results of games. Only an idiot would believe that Refs are honest. The only ethical value we hold true is in how much money you can acquire, by any means necessary, and everyone cheats in order to get more money. The only crime is in getting caught, and only 1 in 1,000 ever get caught. Cheating is how the world works.

In order to assure a higher quality of officiating I think the NBA should consider a system of relegation as is used in soccer and basketball leagues overseas. The worst performing refs (for example the worst 3-5), as decided by the players and coaches, would be "sent down" while the best from the NBADL or NCAA could replace them. This would occur shortly after the end of each season and would force the refs to either improve their performance or risk their position as one of a very few priveleged people - an NBA referee.

Want purity in a professional sport? Watch MLS! No cheating, no drugging, no felonies - they can't afford it. It's beautiful!!

"Man, I knew DCMann88 would take this and somehow turn it into something negative against the Wizards. This person kills me. If you hate the Wizards that much, why even post here? This Les Boulez, I hate Gilbert, the Wizards are stupid, etc.,etc. stuff is getting a little old and tired."

DCwoMan88 posts here because he gets no respect on the ESPN Wizards board, where he/she posts as "Clewiston88," aka "ClueLessOne." He was suspended from ESPN for a month, but now he's back. What a loser!

Refs make a few thousand a game. Millions are bet on each game. It is logical that Refs take money in bribes to rig the results of games. Only an idiot would believe that Refs are honest. The only ethical value we hold true is in how much money you can acquire, by any means necessary, and everyone cheats in order to get more money. The only crime is in getting caught, and only 1 in 1,000 ever get caught. Cheating is how the world works.

Posted by: L. Helmsley

I don't cheat. You are pathetic.

Has EG waited too long to make some moves?

According to atricles in the various "home" papers, Memphis has come out with "Wallace did say the player the team signs most likely won't come through a trade. The Grizzlies prefer to hang on to their current players and future draft picks". Miami is after Pietrus and "the Miami Heat have expressed interest in Rafer Alston, with forward Udonis Haslem and center Michael Doleac among the names discussed".

Both blurbs, if accurate, eliminate those teams from JCN or AD being traded to them. Certainly could be loads of posturing here but the Wiz could end up keeping JCN, whether they like it or not, and be in a cap problem for a this year. Not being a "capologist", I do not know what effect there'd be by buying out Thomas, whether it helps or makes no difference.

A solution, though not so attractive, would be to trade Jamison, Haywood (they'd never take the Thomas contract since they too have cap problems) and JCN to Denver for Camby. It changes the dynamics of the team, which may or nay not be a good thing, but it does eliminate the cap problem and provides a true presence in the 5 position. Or, Abe justs "antes up" and pays the cap tax this year.

Baseball,Golf,Soccer,Auto Racing, and now stories on crooked NBA ref's. Man do I hate this time of the year for sports, or the lack thereof. I cut on ESPN or Comcast Sportsnet and all I see is Baseball, Golf, Soccer, Auto Racing and even Poker.....???

None of the above mentioned "so called" sports peak the fan's interest like Football, Basketball, and UFC fighting.You do not even see anything on the Mistics. What is up with that??? Where is the XFL when you need them??????

I guess I will have to put my Redskins cap on and go over to the Redskins blog since training camp is now starting. I guess I have to get my "real sports" fix over there since it is very clear here there is nothing else to talk about over here.

As I posted before, EG has not done one single trade in about two years now. I don't know about you other Wiz fans out thre, but man would I like to see just a little something. Wouldn't you? Not just a trade to say you made a trade, but something serious.

Why is it so hard to make something happen on the JCN end? If we are not going to use him, trade him now before he gets fustrated and goes back to Europe for good and then we get nothing for him.

I guess I am getting tired of watching all the other teams in the East making moves and we have sat back and done nothing for two years now. Now McGuire, OPEC, Miles, and Young are great "moves", but what about the "5" position? We still need something done there.

Oh well, I guess I will be coming back to this blog when something good happens with a trade or it is October and training camp is getting started. Time for me to get my Redskins football mojo on anyway.

So let's get the Wiz to make a million trades like your Redskins have for the past decade so you can be happy 'Fever.

So let's get the Wiz to make a million trades like your Redskins have for the past decade so you can be happy 'Fever.

Posted by: | July 23, 2007 08:54 AM

Unknown Poster - Not in any kind of way am I saying what you said above. I said in my post we need a trade to address the 5 spot. I do not want to see the Haywood-Thomas two headed monster "drama for your mama" saga again between those two and Eddie.

I am not a huge Etan fan at the "5" spot. He should be playing his natural position which is at the "4". I think he would do better there, but Eddie will never play him there. That is not going to happen here in this system, so that is why I want him gone. Haywood is a legit "5" in size, at least????.....

I like everything EG has done so far with his moves on the other 4 positions other than the "5" spot, where he has yet to address. That is all I am saying in my post.

The Redskins are just plain stupid when it comes to making trades. They give up way to much (draft picks and contract values) and then they end up cutting the player after 3 to 4 years because his contract balloon's to some crazy figure that will not fit under the cap. That will be Mr. Portis at the end of this season, that is why they did not trade Betts.

To summarize, I just want to see a trade that involves Etan or Etan and Haywood that will bring back at least a average "5" who can rebound a little bit. I am not in favor of making trades just to make a trade. All 4 (1,2,3, &4) of the Wiz's spots are covered solid. EG needs to address that "5" spot with a trade now!!!!.......

Getting rid of etan and haywood and relying on camby is asking for trouble. he gets hurt more than 'out of service' pervis used to get hurt. thebest alternative for the Wiz is to pay the luxury tax for one year. since that is unlikely, we should convince Blatche to sign for 1 year and promise him unrestricted free agency after this year. He'd probably be ok with that since he knows that he gets paid next year whether with us or someone else. This way, it's fair to both parties. Now, we can have both Blatche and JCN and negotiate without pressure.

"On Dec. 18, 2006, the Washington Wizards opened as 2 1/2 -point favorites at Denver. The line increased to 3 1/2 points, largely because of suspensions for Carmelo Anthony and Nene. The undermanned Nuggets shot 44 free throws compared with Washington's 18 and won easily, 117-108."

Upset when the Wizards lost that game, now I know why.

http://www.theolympian.com/sports/story/169903.html

daydreamer, thats called negotiating. What led to Miami's interest in Alston? Francis choosing the Rockets over the Heat, which hurt their leverage with Ernie.

Of course they are going to contact other teams and speak loudly about it. Its so they can sit back and say to Ernie "don't think you're the only deal in town". But Alston answers their PG need, but not their shooting needs. They have to address both and aren't likely to do it with one player.

Not to downplay the severity or impact this will have for the NBA, but I don't believe this is reason for EVERYTHING to be called into question. I believe it is reason to call into question the games with which Donaghy was a part.

Hopefully, this will act as a impetus for the NBA to improve it's refereeing across the board. I agree with many here that the NBA is the worst of the major sports leagues with it's officiating. Though being inept does not equal crooked!

Anyone remember Gilbet getting fouled in the backcourt and then heaving the ball 3/4 down the court in a silly move to get a shooting foul...then the ref called it a shooting foul? I can't remember the game, but if anyone does, i'd like to know if the accused was working the game in our favor that night.

That was not Donaghy.

That was not Donaghy. I am pretty sure it was Violet Palmer. But, the idea there can be no shooting foul in that situation is wrong. I am not saying that call in particular was correct.

why couldn't it be Violet Palmer? That would explain a whole lot of her calls/non calls over the years. She's so horrible the Mob probably never returned her phone call. She'd probably wind up calling a better game if she WAS on the take. On another note, I read that the consensus is that Steve (He Hate Us) Javie is the best in the game. He's been making things personal against us since Wes was in diapers (70's short shorts). This week has been enough to make me cancel my DirecTV NBA package. What the heck is going on?

lol...yeah Violet Palmer is a pretty bad ref

Navarro? Blatche?

Navarro? Blatche?

Channel 7, local ABC sports 5:00 report said that this could endanger the "integrity" of the game. What integrity?

Ivan and Michael, quit covering pro and go to college. I think we have a little more of a chance of integrity in college sports.

Forget pro sports, now there is LIVE, FROM PUERTO RICO, cockfighting on the web. Might even see Mike Vick there since his other fighting gig was closed down.

Ivan/Michael,

You guys must be on vacation. Where is the reporting on Blatche and Navarro?

I can just see it now. At the beginning of games when Buck announces the officiating crew, he'll no longer identify their home towns. Now he'll just give their names and mob affiliations: "the lead official is [insert name], representing the interests of the cosa nostra. Then there's [ ], doing the work of the Russian mafia. Finally, representing the interests of the Chinese underworld, we have [ ]."
Should be loads of fun.

Daydreamer,

Even if you buy out one player's contract (or just waive him), his salary will still count against your salary cap, it does not make any difference in terms of cap space.

There was an one time exception allowed in 2005-2006, but if you didn't use it, you lost it.

Hey Ivan, any truth to the rumors of the Randy Ayers hiring?

wow, this party really died...

Now I know why the superstars get the calls - most of them can hit from the stripe. If you're an official trying to increase the points to clinch the over/under why would you waste your extra whistles on unproven or bad FT shooters?

When Donaghy sees Etan get hacked, he won't blow the whistle because Etan can't hit a FT. When he see's AD or Caron get a hair bristled - BLEEEP - send him to the stripe! (Same goes for Dwade)

A game with Shaq and Etan hacking each other has to be Donaghy's worst nightmare. I'll bet he tells the mob he can't influence those games. I suppose the Gambinos won't contact Shaq because he's in law enforcement...but maybe they can get to Etan. Perhaps the mob can motivate Etan to his his freaking FTs!

The Mob - all the more reason we in America need to work on our FT shooting!

Ivan,
Is the Wizards front office giving the public time to process the news about Tim Donaghy before making further personnel moves? Or are discussions still underway regarding Navarro and Blatche? As a fan, I'm still more interested in the Wizards than in the NBA referee scandal and am ready for a return to the normal rumor mill.

Just watched the Stern news conference. That was one uncomfortable looking man. I thought he needed to come across a little less cocky and a little more contrite and humble. I know he didn't break the law, but as the face of the league he needs to put a better face on that type of conference.

Ivan, your slacking on the JCN updates, were getting down to crunch time here. I read some article in some spanish paper that he is getting very nervous. Any updates?

According the TV-7, "The Washington Wizards have hired former Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach and Orlando Magic Assistant Coach Randy Ayers as an assistant coach on Eddie Jordan's staff.;"

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0707/441945.html

While I appreciate this blog immensely, and and the work of Michael and Ivan to make it possible, I think we should hear about this kind of stuff here first, or at least more regular updates on Wizards activities leading up to decisions like this.

"Hey Ivan, any truth to the rumors of the Randy Ayers hiring?"

Yes, they are slacking. Espn reported this BEFORE our beloved "beat reporters."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2947545

- Ray

I agree with DOC.

- Ray

Ray, in my view, who breaks this sort of third rate story is inconsequential. What is much more important are the implications. What I want to learn from Ivan is what the impact will be, what authority Ayers will have, etc.

I was very disappointed to read Jordan's quote about the hiring: "He will fit in nicely with our coaching staff." That's the last thing I wanted to hear. Real change does not occur when there's a seamless addition. The thing I liked about Thibodeau was that there was a chance that he would have rocked the boat, challenged a few people, etc.

So, what I would hope Ivan would ask Jordan and Ayers is what is going to be different on the defensive end this year? Who is going to call the shots? How is the philosophy going to change? Etc.

Plus, maybe Ivan didn't break this story because he is in Spain interviewing JCN. Ivan has been speaking to Navarro's agent a lot. I'd like to read an interview of the player himself, though.

Now...did Randy Ayers actually sign a legally binding contract? Or is he exercising the now-standard several day trial period to decide whether to: (a) stick around, or (b) abruptly quit with little explanation?

I doubt very much they are "slacking"...

I also doubt you would know if they were.
More likely we are slacking by hanging around all the time.

Bet you they are getting some nice info on the situation and will post a fair article before you know it.
-g

maybe we could get an update on the Dance squad or something just to know Ivan and Mike are still alive? I love having to scour the internet trying to fill my day with Wizards tidbits in greek, spanish and russian!!

"Having joined the Magic as an assistant coach on June 10, 2005, Ayers saw the Magic cut the opposition's scoring from 101.8 points per game in the season prior to his hire, to 96.0 ppg in his first season in Orlando and 94.0 ppg last year."

i'll take what i can get.

Jeez...what's with all the whining? I'm sure when something happens with Blatche or JCN of significance it'll be posted. Get a life will ya!

Nice post Stringer! I like that little defensive stats tidbit on Ayers.

Someone insinuated above that people should watch college and not pro ball while insinuating that college is less corrupt. Ha! If that were only true. College has plenty of corrupt money practices going on (e.g., recruiting) and their referee's are every bit as susceptible to gambling.

Ivan and Mike are off watching Baseball, Soccer, Auto Racing, Golf, and Poker. It is know wonder they are not writing anything because they are falling asleep watching that stuff. What a great time of the year for "fan" sports (blah, blah, blah), huh.......????

Redskins training camp starts this Friday (thank you!!), Wizards Training camp in October (double thank you!!) and this Blog (whenever there is something to write about). Fella's, looks like that's all we have right now. Enjoy if you can...................

PhonyNBA & Others, I do tend to agree with you. Its all for entertainment up front first. There is nothing stressed about the "sport" "game" fairness, integrity nor mental, physical aquity period.

I spent several hours speaking with a Wizards player(name to be withheld)
I inquired about Wiz upcoming year. He was clearly disinterested in: the year ahead, his team, rookies in Vegas summer camp, the coach, his disputes with teammates, etc. where they would go this year. What a waste. Stood hoping people would recognize him. As tho he cared.

He "talked" about black men changing the status quo but it was clear - he had no interest in changing any thing. His interest ended with he, his wife family and friends. The rest were press conferences to further "SELF"

I agree with William Rhoden - they're all $40 Millon Dollar Slaves.

Professional Sports have become a mere joke.

I wonder if Grunfeld gave Ayers the awkward two-year contract that Thibodeau got weirded out by. Keep in mind, the rest of EJ's coaching staff has only been given one-year extensions (anticipating a major shake-up of the coaching staff if the Wiz fail to perform up to expectations).
I also wonder if Ayers was an EJ pick, an EG pick, or a consensus pick.

"Ayers saw the Magic cut the opposition's scoring from 101.8 points per game in the season prior to his hire, to 96.0 ppg in his first season in Orlando and 94.0 ppg last year."

Maybe Dwight Howard and his long arms had something to do with that. My honest belief is that it takes commitment from the players and no coach in the world will be able to improve anything if the players don't try. Like Henry said, I'd rather have a guy who DOESN'T fit nicely in with the existing coaching staff. Maybe I'm just stubborn but I'm not with all of the experts who say the Suns style can't win the big one. I say let's try to score 175 per game and see if other teams can keep up. For the first time in a while, we're deep. Take advantage of it. Our matador D is ridiculous but one or 2 long armed defenders solves that. McGuire, Haywood, Blatche...we're good.

For crying out loud, what is Eddie Jordan supposed to say? "Ayers will not be a good fit"? Eddie is just talking the talk....his comments have no bearing on whether the team dynamics will be the same...or different with Ayers.

This is awful. Jason La Canfora puts something up once a day and tells you when he's going on vacation or won't post for a few days. How is wizards insider the last to report Ayers being hired?

Both Brian Hill and Larry Brown (who Ayers worked for in Philly) are known to have a more defensive mindset as head coaches than Jordan. I wouldn't read too much into whatever defensive improvements were made by teams on which Ayers was an assistant.

"I was very disappointed to read Jordan's quote about the hiring: "He will fit in nicely with our coaching staff." That's the last thing I wanted to hear."

Lol Henry, I agree. :)

We can always hope I guess. :)

- Ray

Antawn Jamison + Tony Kornheiser's hairpece for Pau Gasol

DC Area to Ivan/Michael:

What is going on with Navarro and Blatche?

Is the staff thinking that McGuire is a rotation player and Young is spot minutes only after all those Vegas turnovers?

calm down folks. does finding this info from espn before ivan posts about it really matter? is there a race for info that i'm not aware of?

let ivan and mike do their jobs. they'll post when they're ready. us acting like spoiled kids wanting up-to-the-minute blogs everytime we refresh isn't going to make them put out info any faster. i don't think they're even required to do this (from what i remember from JLC when he started the RI, it's not like they're getting paid extra for it... i think ;p)

but ivan, when you get a chance, please update us on the day to day activities of gheorge muresan and how eddie jordan's son is enjoying his summer vacation. thanks.

But we're BORRRRRRRRRED!!!

Entertaaaaaaaain uuuuuuuus!

Mav's just signed PF Brandon Bass, formerly of the Hornets to a 2 year deal. Let's hope this means they no longer have interest in Blatche.

Look, peeps. Let's say you are Blatche's agent. You know the Wizards are limited in what they can offer your client because of the luxury tax limit. You hear they are trying to move some contracts to get further under that limit, which would mean more available money for your client. You also know that the Wizards want to sign your client.

So, what do you do? You wait to see if the Wizards move some salary, because then you can get more money for your client. Right? So stop whining about not hearing anything about Blatche. The Navarro/trade situation is going to get resolved first.

Navarro? Blatche? (Crickets, crickets, silence...)

Looks like Heat are out of the running for Navarro:

The Heat is focusing on trades to find a point guard, and talks continue with Houston regarding Rafer Alston (due $14.7 million during the next three years). Though Miami would move Michael Doleac, the Rockets are exploring what other teams would offer. Talks with Sacramento about Mike Bibby have not materialized -- the Kings aren't eager to take back ex-King Jason Williams.

Meanwhile, Washington has shown little interest in accepting a Heat draft pick for FC Barcelona combo guard Juan Carlos Navarro.

http://www.miamiherald.com/588/story/181316.html

Unlike Tom Thibodeau, who is hired by Grunfeld; Ayers is interviewed by Jordan, and it is Jordan who releases the public statement.

"He will fit nicely with our coaching staff." Is this a reverse reference to Thibodeau?

Memphis signed Casey Jacobsen. Does this mean that one of their other forwards is expendable? Is it possible they're loading up because they know they're trading a forward to us for JCN and Etan? Let's hope so. Mike Miller, Stromile Swift?

Is this the only place where I can post my thnx for a good analysis of betting NBA ref. Great Wed AM Post story in which you broke down calls and questions over betting lines, with real insights fr gambling pros. It was a well-researched article that gave your readers new facts about the issue. Will you do an on-line Q/A on this subject soon?

Jacobsen is a 6-6 Guard/Forward best known for his outside shooting. If anything, I'd say his signing cuts against us dealing JCN to Memphis. Still hope it happens, but this is not a move to replace Stromile Swift. I haven't heard anything about Memphis moving Miller, seems like he is staying put.

Last post on the Wizards:
Friday July 20th 12:19 PM EST

Five days and counting

Sounds like having Miller and Jacobsen is redundant, though. Miller's salary for 2007 is $7,623,813. That sounds about right for a trade if we are trying to give them Etan. Just conjecture but a possibility ?

Careful Who's Counting....a few people on here will tell you to start getting a life and to shut up and wait.

Me, im with you. Its pretty funny to call yourself a "beat writer" and we don't even get an update about our own coaching staff additions on the "beat writer's" blog.

As for the guy saying to get a life, grow up, opinions are like.......and yours smells like......

yeah,dog, tell them rusty trombones to back the F off

um, well, you still need to get a life.
It's the middle of the summer, i don't remember where they promised to write you every day? Can you show me where that is?

Posts asking for posts are pointless, if you have something to say. fine, discuss away...

Posts claiming that the writers are slacking are dumb... That's my post.

In the mean time, I'm pretty happy with where this team is. It has good talent, looks to have improved depth, and some resources to make a move or two. Pretty exciting off season for the wiz, who are typically plugging more holes.

To me, the big question this season is going to be about health. I'm a bit concerned that GA's knee injury may not let him be 100% from the start of the season.

Who needs Ivan (no offense, but have not heard from you since Saturday) when you can go "surfing" yourself on the net. Here is the latest on the Navarro saga. I got this story from TrueHoops.com.......

According to this story below, it looks like we are about to come out with "nothing" and that is sad. We should have tried to sign Navarro first, then AB and then Stevenson.

The Clock is Ticking on Juan Carlos Navarro

July 25, 2007 1:22 PM

The Wizards are very fortunate that they hold the rights to Juan Carlos Navarro, who is said to be the best guard in Europe. They are even luckier that Navarro's European team, as a favor to their long-time star, has said they will reduce his garnantuan buyout so that he can join the NBA.

The problem is that he will not be playing in Washington. The Wizards are over the cap and only could have signed Navarro with money from their mid-level exception. Most of that money has now been given to DeShawn Stevenson, and the team still has to sign Andray Blatche.

One of Navarro's representatives, Alex Saratsis (he works with Henry Thomas at CSMG), tells me that despite the hope that something would be worked out, there is now no chance Navarro will play in Washington, owing to simple salary cap mathematics.

So, that means the Wizards are fielding offers for Navarro from interested teams like Miami and Memphis.

That process, however, is not going quickly enough for team officials in Barcelona.

Saratsis tells me that this morning, Barcelona officials declared they would only let Navarro out of his contract with a reasonable buyout if a trade is completed by August 3. As in, the end of next week.

Grunfeld has only a short time to accept a deal, or else, according to Saratsis, Barcelona officials will take Navarro back, and give him a new contract with a buyout so massive it will essentially guarantee that he will never play in the NBA. Saratsis says he is certain the Barcelona officials are not bluffing.

So, what kind of offers can Washington expect to hear? A late first-round pick perhaps. A contract that will come off the cap in time for Washington to re-sign Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison is another possibility. Saratsis won't name all the teams that are interested, but says there are more beyond Miami and Memphis.

Washington no doubt wants a lot -- Navarro not only can play, but will do so with a reasonable contract. But asking for too much is fighting the reality that no European player without NBA experience has ever been traded for much of value.

And now there's the reality that if Grunfeld's price is too high, the Wizards will end up with nothing.

Whatever happens, according to Saratsis, we'll know by the end of next week whether or not Juan Carlos Navarro will ever play in the NBA.

International Basketball, Free Agents and Trades, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Juan Carlos Navarro

Read comments or leave a comment

Junkies, here's a bone for you. Can't exactly call it good news but it's news.

http://myespn.go.com/nba/truehoop

Sounds like having Miller and Jacobsen is redundant, though. Miller's salary for 2007 is $7,623,813. That sounds about right for a trade if we are trying to give them Etan. Just conjecture but a possibility ?

Posted by: mark | July 25, 2007 01:05 PM

Jacobsen isn't a proven player by any means. He spent most of the past two years in Europe and has never started for an NBA team since being drafted in 2002. I think Jacobsen is more a depth signing than someone who will fight for starting minutes. He won't be replacing any of the forwards and Miller being moved. I can't see us trading for another shooting guard after signing DeShawn, especially one as high priced as Miller (he did look good for Team USA the other day).

Hey Mark. It looks like you saw the same article I just posted. This is bigger then a bone, this is a meal for someone like me who has been looking for some "inside stuff" from our Wizard Beat Writers.

Maybe they are on vacation. They deserve it. This is a slow time anyway in B'Ball. I just hope they will be there posting when training camp starts.

Looks like you beat me to it, Bullets Fever. Happens to me every year.
Anyway, the way I see it, we didn't really lose much since we never had anything and traditionally 2nd round picks are gambles. This was, however, a good opportunity to either get a veteran who can shoot or dump some salary. Personally, I'd hold out if I was EG. The loser in this is Memphis because Pau is not gonna like it much if JCN can't come over because Memphis is being too cheap. He may try to get out of Memphis.

Thanks for the posting about Navarro, above, but in my view it is inaccurate in a lot of ways and the quotes are just a lot of posturing. I've mentioned this before, but why would Navarro agree to never play in the NBA if the Wizards don't trade him by Friday? The guy wants to play in the NBA.

My view is that if all the Wizards can get for Navarro is a late first round pick, they should just keep him and try to sign him next summer. There is a 1 in 20 chance they would use a late first round pick and end up with someone as good as Navarro. There is a much better than 1 in 20 chance that the Wizards could sign Navarro next summer or thereafter.

Plus, Navarro's rights will always be an asset -- something the Wizards could throw into a bigger deal. So it is not true that if the Wizards don't sign him or trade him this summer, they will have nothing.

The more I look at this scenero, the more I see how much Gilbert's "opt out" for next season got Stevenson his deal. They could have still had Stevenson, at a cheaper price, if they signed Navarro and Blantche first.

Nobody was "knocking down" Stevenson's door trying to offer him a contract, which means they could have waited. I think EG "bidded against himself" to show Gilbert they were serious about bringing his boy back.

Don't get me wrong, Stevenson has a "nice" little game, but to not take advantage of Navarro and his lowered buyout price seems to not be to smart right now. They should just take it on the chin and pay the luxury tax to sign Navarro.

What is a rusty trombone?

I agree, Sean. There's no reason in the world we need to panic. We waited 5 or 6 years for this guy. If he wants to play in the NBA, now it's his turn to wait. He needs us more than we need him. Unless we get something of value for his rights, we should make him wait til next year. If he signs a long term deal with Spain, we lost nothing but a 5 year old 2nd round pick. Hold out for a good deal, Ernie.

google it

Ernie,
Pull it off. We do have the position of strength here. Memphis is trying to reconcile Gasol into being a franchise player. Navarro is key to that.
If we get nothing more than a draft pick for Navarro, then this off-season will have been unsuccessful. We should have dealt with Navarro and Blatche before re-signing Stevenson, the least valuable of those three assets. There was never a risk that we would not be able to re-sign Stevenson.
With Stevenson unsigned, the Wizards had three options: trade Navarro, sign him, or the tremendously unattractive option of doin nothing with him. Now there are only 2 options and other teams know that we do not want to let Navarro go back to Europe and get nothing.
Signing Stevenson has hurt our chances of retaining Blatche. If another team offers him the full mid-level exception, then we will have to go over the luxury tax to re-sign him, something Pollin is reluctant to do. It looks like no team is willing to offer Blatche the full mid-level, but it was still an unnecessary risk created by re-signing Stevenson first and for 15 mill over 4 yrs.

As someone said earlier, we made the playoffs without JCN and we anticipate doing so again this season if it comes to that. No news is good news fellas. I'm holding all the cards. Go relax.

I've mentioned this before, but why would Navarro agree to never play in the NBA if the Wizards don't trade him by Friday? The guy wants to play in the NBA.

From what I deciphered in reading the article, this has to do with the team that Navarro plays for, not him, right? They're the ones lowering his buyout, so I thought that that meant that this is almost completely out of his hands. I hope this is posturing like you said, Sean. But I don't think anything in the article mentioned that JCN was giving a deadline. At this point, I'd rather just lose JCN to Spain forever than give him to Miami. We can't miss what we never had, right? Miami is almost a dead team walking, and has been a thorn in our side for years, why give them a jolt just for the sake of doing it (By the way, the Miami Herald has an excerpt in an article today that says basically that EG ain't feelin' Miami's offer and that a deal with them is not likely)? EG, I'm sure, doesn't operate in terms of desperation. He's got the leverage in this, not anybody else. If FC Barcelona wants to pull that stunt, I'm sure EG is like, "OK cool, I'll just put my focus back on Blatche." If Memphis doesn't step up, or if any of these alleged other teams don't give up something to EG's liking, F'em.

RichBoy:
Think about it: Navarro asks Barcelona for a reduced buyout. Barcelona gives it to him because he has meant so much to the franchise. A couple months later, Barcelona changes its mind? Wait, Barcelona actually hasn't changed its mind, it just is saying that it will change its mind on Friday? And it is Navarro's agent who announces that Barcelona changed its mind?? That doesn't make any sense.
What makes sense is Navarro's agent wanting Washington to make a move, and so he goes to Barcelona and asks, "Would you mind if I indicated that you will not lower Juan's buyout if Washington doesn't deal him by Friday?" And Barcelona says, "Whatever will help Juan. And we're in Europe and its summer, so we're on vacation, so stop bothering us with these phone calls."

Sean:

I dunno, man. I mean that seems to be monumentally stupid from a negotiating standpoint. His agent is anxious to get JCN a deal, but to do so by fabricating idle threats seems to lessen the likelihood of it getting done. Maybe this will work the other way around, however I just wonder how much leverage the JCN camp has here. I hope that you're right, that this is just a desperate agent trying to force the hand of a grizzled, veteran GM. If you are right, this seems like the 16-year old kid that just got his license and is trying to go to the car dealership with $5 in his pocket trying to hustle the seasoned car salesman with the special parking space. This is a funny story.

Grunseld is on the clock:

Saratsis tells me that this morning, Barcelona officials declared they would only let Navarro out of his contract with a reasonable buyout if a trade is completed by August 3. As in, the end of next week. Grunfeld has only a short time to accept a deal, or else, according to Saratsis, Barcelona officials will take Navarro back, and give him a new contract with a buyout so massive it will essentially guarantee that he will never play in the NBA. Saratsis says he is certain the Barcelona officials are not bluffing. ESPN.com

One of Navarro's representatives, Alex Saratsis (he works with Henry Thomas at CSMG), tells me that despite the hope that something would be worked out, there is now no chance Navarro will play in Washington, owing to simple salary cap mathematics. ESPN.com

Saratsis won't name all the teams that are interested, but says there are more beyond Miami and Memphis. Washington no doubt wants a lot -- Navarro not only can play, but will do so with a reasonable contract. But asking for too much is fighting the reality that no European player without NBA experience has ever been traded for much of value. ESPN.com

Looks like his agent writes for True Hoop now.

They'll never let him out of his deal again, except maybe if he asks nicely over lunch like last time.

Washington isn't going to sign him. So if he goes back he isn't hurting Washington, he's hurting Memphis or Miami. You can't lose what you never had. So at the end of the day, this is an ultimatum for teams pursuing him to make a deal, not Washington.

I am a little surprised the Suns haven't inquired about Navarro. They need an heir apparent to Nash and Navarro could be the kind of guard who can run D'Antoni's system? To get either Marion or Stoudemire away from them Navarro would have to be one piece of a pretty large deal. What do you all think could work?

Les BouleS do hurt though. They have an asset now that many other teams covet. If this asset isn't bartered for something of more tangible value immediately, then this asset becomes a waste because it loses value with every tick of the clock. Grunfeld is not striking while the iron is hot.

The more Grunfeld sits on this, the less leverage he has in trading JCN to another team as the deadline nears. If Grunfeld is content with letting JCN return to the euro league for nothing, then shame on him.

I'm confused about whether the Etan-Navarro package deal is still alive. Are we now talking only about Navarro? And what player that we could get in exchange would help the Wizards? Swift, Haslem, Warrick? Any others?

IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN

HEAD'S UP::

Rumors suggest Gilbert will face Melo (plus others) on Sunday at the Goodman Summer League in Barry Farms.

Steinbog is out of town, toehrwise I'd say he HAD to cover it. Or if Mike Wise wanted to get material for a book, I'd send him.

But come on man, Ivey, you got to get us some coverage of this...

vid from last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7BKPLcCjPw

YOU GOT TO DO THIS MAN, GOT TO DO THIS.

We the wizfan public are counting on you.

Goodman league links:

http://thegoodmanleague.com/site/

IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN

HEAD'S UP::

Rumors suggest Gilbert will face Melo (plus others) on Sunday at the Goodman Summer League in Barry Farms.

Steinbog is out of town, toehrwise I'd say he HAD to cover it. Or if Mike Wise wanted to get material for a book, I'd send him.

But come on man, Ivey, you got to get us some coverage of this...

vid from last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7BKPLcCjPw

YOU GOT TO DO THIS MAN, GOT TO DO THIS.

We the wizfan public are counting on you.

summerleague links!

http://thegoodmanleague.com/site/

http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=B6818410F2ECCD900AD6C896469A7145?contentId=3852533&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN
IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN IVAN!!
!

Ivan? Dude?

Good point, Monte.

I say Ernie swallows the bullet and replace Etan with Brendan and get us something back. Anything back. We're on the verge of having a legit bench that can aid us in this weak ass conference and he's about to let it slip through our fingers. Typical Les Boulez

Keep this in mind when reading Navarro's agent's comments:

"There's a difference between the Chicago Bears team and the Chicago Bears organization," Lance Briggs said. "The Chicago Bears organization? I don't want to be there anymore. I won't play for them and I'll do everything in my power to keep from playing there."

Briggs was adamant about his future of playing for the Bears in 2007.

"Whatever options are available to me, I'll take advantage of them. But going back and playing for the Bears again, no, I don't see that as an option. Not one more day. Not at all.""

Briggs just signed a one year deal with Chicago.

Yup, Monte is right. We're at 45-55 wins with our present team (even without Blatche) if everyone stays healthy. No need to panic. before last month, I bet half the guys on this blog never heard of JCN. Why is everyone nutting ? Chill. If I was GM, it would be the deal I want or no deal. JCN can stay in Spain and it affects us none at all. It's win-win for the Wiz. We need to set some precedents here, as well. Wes is no longer in charge and we can't be suckered anymore. No more Otis Thorpe, Mitch Richmond deals. Come at us correctly or don't deal with us !

Speaking of Brendan, there was a blurb yesterday in the Washington Examiner stating that he was seen flying from Charlotte to DC on Tuesday - sitting in coach....although in the exit row.

From the Sun Sentinel beat writer for the Heat:

"Juan Carlos Navarro has become a backburner issue for both the Wizards and Heat." He also wrote that the Heat are offering just a draft pick(s) for JCN, with no interest in other contracts and that EG is holding out for more.

I repeat: EG may have waited too long and been too "tough" in trying to move a contract. That said, it seems that AB will end up a Wiz by default as the interested teams are filling roster spots with other players, so holding out longer to offer a contract seems to have worked in this case.

Still no true center and the BH/ET tandem cannot co-exist so something figures to get done eventually.

I think EG is doing the right thing by being patience. These other teams have nothing to offer so why should the Wiz except their trash. It's been written that Ernie has seen this guy personally and I'm sure he believes he can play in the NBA. JCN giving this ultimatum is a joke. I would let him go back to Spain rather than give him to the Heat for 3 beans and a cow.

I would not trade JCN to a Miami unless they give up something significant.

So what if I end up getting nothing for JCN? It is still better than giving your rival an asset.

i think we should trade the rights of JCN to the Utah Jazz for Kyrylo Fesenko ...he is regarded to be a hard worker on the boards and can get blocks but his offfense need a little work...

Full Name: Kyrylo Fesenko (KI-ree-low FEH-senk-o)
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 7-0 / 235
Birthdate: December 24, 1986 (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine)
High School:

Team: Cherkaski Mavpi
Country: Ukraine

Strengths: Aggressive rebounder and shot blocker who prefers to operate from the perimeter offensively.

An early entry candidate for the 2007 NBA Draft. Originally an early entry candidate for the 2006 NBA Draft before withdrawing his name from consideration.
Career Highlights: Has grown up and played professionally in his native Ukraine. Started his career in the Higher League playing for Azovmash Mariupol's Second Team before moving on to the First Team in the Ukranian SuperLeague for 2004-05 and the first half of the 2005-06 season. Played with SC Mariupol during the second half of the 2005-06 season and with Cherkasi Mavpi during the 2006-07 season. A member of the Ukranian National Team. Averaged 6.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots at the 2005 U20 European Championships in Moscow. Contributed 12.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots at the 2004 U18 European Championships in Zaragoza, Spain.

2006-07: Averaged 6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in 18.5 minutes a contest. Scored in double figures seven times, posting a season-high of 17 points. In six games at the FIBA EuroCup Challenge, averaged 7.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots in 18.7 minutes a contest.

2005-06: Started the season with Azovmash, averaging 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots in 11.8 minutes a contest in nine games in the Ukraninan league. Also appeared in two FIBA EuroCup games and scored two points. Moved on to SC Mariupol, averaging 15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in nine games.

2004-05: For Azovmash, averaged 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocked shots in six games in the Ukranian League. Appeared in five FIBA EuroCup contest (then called the FIBA Europe League), averaging 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds. Tallied 14 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots vs. Besiktas.

2006-07: Averaged 6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in 18.5 minutes a contest.

he averaged this in only 18.5 min imagin what he can do in 30 min

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/kyrylofesenko.html

Trade:

Washington Gets:

-Kyrylo Fesenko

Utah Gets:

-JCN
-maybe 2nd Round Draft Pick (if they dont accept the swap for only the players)

this would wor beacfuse niehter players are signed and i Fesenko would come at a much cheaper price about $600,00 a year

hey guys try the trade machine on ESPN they have put up a new thin its at the bottom now every team has trade assessts (unsigned draft picks, cash compensation)

While we all wait on what will happen with the Wizards let me throw out something I have been thinking with this ref scandal. Best case scenario for the league is that this is isolated incident, a rogue as Stern called him. The league officials will be watched like hawks next year. So what will be the impact? Will games be called tighter or more closely? will refs swallow the whistle more? will they seek consistency and stop letting stars, like our beloved Gilert, get all the phantom calls that he gets? Will post play become more physical becasue the refs don't want to influence the games as much? or will it get less physical because they want to be seen as consistent?

My gut tells me that there will be more whistles because the bigger issue is the perception of the league and Stern knows that less whistles could lead to a brawl like at the palace. Any thoughts?

This blog has had no update whatsoever for a week now. There has to be some news out there.

If he's losing value by the minute than we had better hurry and accept their crappy offer! Ernie ain't that stupid.

dcman, thats exactly what Navarro's people and the Heat want you to think. He's still one of if not the top guard in Europe. He's not coming here so the clock is ticking on them, not us. We know he's not coming to DC. He's never so much as put on a Wizards practice jersey. So if he goes back to Europe its his loss, and the Heat or Grizzlies' loss, not ours.

in fact, the only way Ernie and the team lose in this situation is if they let him go for pennies on the dollar to a playoff team in their division.

One is to trade him to a team like the Nuggets. They have some more money left under the MLE and a 2.95M trade exception from the Boykins deal last year. If we can't get the exception then get a pick and the rights to Slovenian/Croatian guard Sani Becirovic (6'5 shooter, younger than JCN) or Belgian forward Axel Hervelle (22). Parlay the chip we can't use now into one we'll need a year or so.

BmoreRev - You bring up an interesting topic for discussion... What WILL happen next year with the calls?

For years I watched as Michael, Larry, Magic (and now Lebron, Kobe, etc...) got call after call. They never get called for travelling, charges, OR blocking. Almost every drive to the hoop ending in a basket or a foul.

Now Gil has gotten to the point in his career where he is getting the "Superstar" calls.

I don't think the Refs will call more fouls; but I do think that the "Superstar" treatment may be a thing of the past.

What do the rest of you think?

Darnell, why are you suddenly posting under the name Fulvio? Either way, your man-crush on Fesenko needs to stop. Trade one of the best guards in Europe straight up for an extremely raw big man? Come on.

I loved Lisa's post: "Speaking of Brendan, there was a blurb yesterday in the Washington Examiner stating that he was seen flying from Charlotte to DC on Tuesday - sitting in coach....although in the exit row."

It's been written in the past that Haywood is incredibly cheap. And a 7 footer making $4+ million a year cramming his body in coach to save a couple hundred bucks is the definition of cheap.

Hey EG, you should hire fulvio as a scout. :) he seems really smart. lolz

fulvio likes Fesenko, we get it.

bmore, I think the way NBA officials are assessed needs to be completely overhauled. Its scary when MLB has a much better system than the NBA. They don't show officials plays that should have been called. They just tell them where their calls average out (top third, middle third, bottom third). So Stu Jackson tells a ref he isn't keeping up with the averages for 3 second violations. "Did I miss a call?" Stu won't say. So he has to work in more violations whether they exist or not so that he keeps his numbers up and is eligible to work in the playoffs. Thats a broken system.

Navarro and Mike Hall to the Lakers for the rights to Marc Gasol and Ronny Turiaf. Gasol stays in Europe marinating, Turiaf helps on the boards now.

i wish i could go a week without having to show up to work.

they've written stories on Ayers and Barcelona's demands in the last few days. Fact remains the news here is coming from Miami and Spain because those guys are eager to get it done and want to fabricate reasons to push Ernie.

In a few days, none of this will matter because training camp starts and I can get by on daily updates about LaRon Landry KO-ing some random receiver.
Wizards who ?

To all you anonymous posters complaining about the lack of info...it is the flippin' offseason. Probably there is NOTHING to report. And who says Ivan and Michael are not showing up to work simply because there is no new blog news. I don't believe (although I could be wrong) that keeping the blog afloat during the offseason is one of their required duties.

amen amen lisa

peeple is dumb

Lisa - I understand what you are saying, but it would have been nice if Ivan put in this last blog he was going on vacation and he would return to the blog next week or something.

Sorry, I guess I am a little spoiled on the way Jason runs his blogs over there with the Redskins. I guess everyone operates a little differently.

Nobody is mad at Ivan, especially me. He always gives good "inside stuff" when he reports, so I will wait for that time to come again.

Yeah, Ivan definitely gives good "inside stuff" but why doesn't Mike deliver a story when Ivan is off?

Bullets Fever, I'm an regular on the Redskins blog and can say for a fact there were long stretches of time with no blog news.....even to the point where we had over 600 entries! But Jason or Cindy do try and warn us at least.

'The Wizards never seriously considered signing Navarro'. Several options:

1) We wasted a drat pick that should be entering his prime right now.

2) We don't want to get anything out of the pick so we're content to let him waste his best years in europe.

3) We hate good shooters who can create for teammates; are unselfish and are winners.

4) We'd rather have deshawn stevenson for 4 YEARS!

We drafted a stevenson clone and then signed deshawn for 4 years. I will never forgive grunfeld for this shabingus.

well. at least that animal abusing prick, mike vick, is about to get the smackdown layed on his azz, starting today

Lay off Mike Vick (for now anyway).
He is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

"Any thoughts?"

Actually I have one Rev....

Looks like Mark Cuban was right and Stern can't duck him anymore.

I think games will most likely be called tighter at first, but as the season goes on it will be the same ole stuff.

- Ray

I assume everyone has read this, but in case you haven't, Ivan did a story about Barcelona's ultimatum for the Post today.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/25/AR2007072502087.html

Really just a re-hash of the articles linked above, but nice to hear Blatche negotiations are ongoing.

Bernard, take a deep breath. You aren't thinking clearly.

Just because the Wizards can't bring him in doesn't mean they want to give him away or "waste him". Why all the crying about "wasting" a 2002 second round draft pick? You know the odds of those picks turning out to be worth more than a single training camp? Its not like they picked him instead of Carlos Boozer. Even guys who are still in the NBA from that draft are with their second team (except Gadzuric) if not 3rd or 4th.

As for the Young being a Stevenson clone thing... I have to assume you've never seen either of them play.

what court of law is charging him with being an (alleged) piece of trash? His parents raised two quality young... hokies.

the court of public opinion is separate from a court of law. Athletes, politicians, entertainers etc making millions have to answer to both.

Michael Jordan's group drafted Navarro. Not me. 2nd round draft picks in the NBA are not like 2nd round picks in the NFL. If a 2nd round pick pans out in the NBA you've made a real find. A 2nd rounded in the NFL is a started by his second year. So for me to except a couple of 2nd rounders for this guy you all would have me drawn and quartered.

Ernie, you spelled 'accept' wrong. Have you been hanging out with Wes again?

Mark, believe me, if this blog had been around for the last 5 years, then every summer you would have had people asking about Navarro. You are wrong, most of the people on this blog have known who Navarro is since he was drafted. If they didn't know, they knew after the World Championships in Indianapolis.

If anyone knows how to use the second roud, it is EG. How about Michael Redd? And now McGuire? Who knows: even Veremeenko might end up being a player down the road? Things are very quiet now, but I am sure EG is working his cell phone to death, as he always does. He is the best GM that the franchise has had in years; let's be glad we have him as GM and not Wes. EG will find a way to re-sign Blatche, re-sign Booth to the biannual exception, and fill out the bench with Miles, Hall, etc., even if he has to persuade Abe to go over the luxury tax threshold for one year.

Why does Booth deserve the full BAE? He should get the veteran minimum.

Every time I hear he might get the BAE I have to wonder if the only source for that is his agent.

Heat to Sign Smush Parker -- I would think that ends their interest in Navarro. From the Miami Sun Sentinel:

"The Heat are close to signing Lakers point guard Smush Parker, according to a league source.

Parker, 26, has averaged 9.4 points per game over his career is expected to sign for between $4.5 million and $5 million over two seasons, splitting the mid-level exception.

He played the last two seasons as starting point guard for the Lakers, but was replaced by Jordan Farmar for the playoffs.

The deal is expected to be completed today."