Well, we don't have to worry about passing on Stuckey and possibly thinking "what if," a la Gasol, Chandler, and the other scrubs in the '01 draft...

I think Stuckey and Young will be good pro's, and still think Young has more upside than Stuckey. I wouldn't swap the 2 if we could.

Anybody ever been to the summer league in Vegas? I'm series about trying to go this summer, and would love to hear someone's account of their experience. I've only heard good things.

Also, anybody heard anything on Nick Young's documentary? Is it ever going to be released on DVD or some format that I can purchase?

I'd move up on him in the shower stall

The difference between Stuckey and Young is Eddie Jordan doesn't like rookies. The only reason Nick played was because he had to due to all the injuries. I wouldn't be surprised if his minutes decrease next season with a healthy Gilbert returning. Even though he's probably our most talented player not name Gilbert. No disrespect to Caron and Jamison but, neither one of them can create their own shot and thats what seperates superstars from all stars

roger mason won't be back and young with take his minutes. young will play more next season

Being able to create a shot is a valuable skill, but it's not a sure road to stardom. Lots of guys can create their own shots, but then undermine the ability by taking bad ones, or by displaying no sense of when to shoot and when to pass. Skill is only part of the equation. Basketball IQ, decision making, and on-the-floor focus all factor in, and Young (unlike Stuckey) frequently failed to display those traits.

I nominate C.Bell for most accurate post this go round.

It's Khimki. You can't write a "y" sound after a k in Russian, it's a spelling rule, it has to be the "i" sound. You can maybe in Ukrainian, but Khimki is in Russia.

hard hitting analysis at 2:34 PM.

wow.
gee.

i never figured with one guard leaving another one would get...

*gasp*

MORE....

MINUTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoa! Wow, just wow.

I'm not interested in comparing Young to someone taken before us that we had no chance it. Who taken after Young is better?

Can we get a mulligan on the Rip Hamilton for Jerry Stackhouse trade?

Oh, never mind...

"At least LeBron managed to get dunked on without falling on the ground holding his lip" - Ivan Carter.

OMG, that was the funniest thing I've heard all week.!!

Funniest thing I've heard all week:

anything Wizards.

they suck.

Packer indeed.

As most of you bloggers know or don't know I am EJ's biggest supporter,but i could not understand his thought process concerning Nick and Dominic's playing time during the playoffs what did they have to lose especially game six when it was obvious that veterans were out of it after the first half. I know its early but the "clock is ticking" on EJ.

Lunch money: perhaps you didn't read the previous post by c.bell who said " I wouldn't be surprised if his minutes decrease next season with a healthy Gilbert returning."
So when anon at 2:34PM said that Young will get minutes because Mason is leaving, he was providing an opposite view. Why is that so bad, is it an invalid observation? Or an unwelcome opinion?

Stuckey has a good coach that beleaves in him and is devoloping his confedince with playing time .....

i think we are not too far off of being a contender like the piston soo maybe

We need a offseason shakeup not breakup

I think we should resign Arenas & Jamison , trade and draft some defensive roll players... i got three trades that i think could help the Wizards & draft picks

1)Wizards trade Etan Thomas, DeShawn Stevenson maybe 09 2nd pick to the Bulls for Larry Hughes (Larry can create his own shot plus he play good defense and next to Gilbert again maybe he can return to his old form)

2)Wizards trade Darius Songaila, Roger Mason (s&t) to the Knicks for Jared Jeffries ( Jared is 6'11 sg/sf/pf a very versitle defensive player that we miss, plus i remember the good defense he played on Labron James in the 06 playoffs

3)Wizards trade Antonio Daniels, Oleksiy Pecherov, Memphis 1st to Memphis for Kyle Lowry, Brian Cardinal ( 22 old Lowry is a strong fast true pg, he really hustles on defense and has alot of passion for the game, he can provide a ben gordan type of spark off the bench )

DRAFT Roy Hibbirt (7'2 280, 4 years of college, he is nba ready smart big man) he is a solid backup C, very safe pick or if Marreese Speights, Joe Alexander, Darrell Arthur or Donte Greene are there then then that would be a better pick too
With the 2nd pick someone like James Gist, Othello Hunter or Joey Dorsey might be there too (those PF's are strong athleticly gifted guys, they can pound and slam the ball in the post, come up with hard rebounds, basicly out hustle most other players in the post, lots of energy) hopefully one can provide a Jason Maxiell type of game for us

WIZARD 08/09 season roster

1ST TEAM - 2ND TEAM - 3RD TEAM
PG- Gilbert Arenas - Kyle Lowry - FA
SG- Larry Hughes - Nick Young - FA combo guard
SF- Caron Butler - Jared Jeffries - Dominic McGuire
PF- Antawn Jamison - Andray Blatche - Brian Cardinal
C - Brendan Haywood - Roy Hibbirt (18th pick) 2nd round PF

We would have 4 guys that could drop 20 points a night, i think we would be the highest scoring team in the nba .... and still have a good group of defensive guys to put in the mix ... also a very deep bench that could provide alot of high energy [clap] [clap] [clap] it would be a good shake up for the team, that would not mess up the chemestry Hughes and Jeffries know the system very well

Hughes, Cardinal & Lowry have 2 years left
Jeffries has 3 years left

Etan & Daniels have 2 years left
Songaila, Deshawn & Pecherov have 3 years

we would have shorter contracts and would save like 5 million in 2010 off season

let me know what u guys think [Wink]

Hey That's a nice dream team, but it wont happen. In order to make trades the guys you are dealing there figures have to be close.

they work i checked them in realgm trade checker money matches up

I don't know if that would work, but I give you credit for putting in the work to propose something like that.

I THINK THIS TRADE WILL BE GOOD FOR BOTH TEAMS Wizards trade Antonio Daniels, Oleksiy Pecherov, Memphis 1st to Memphis for Kyle Lowry, Brian Cardinal.

Except for the part about Stuckey having a good coach (because Flip Saunders is certainly not a good coach), that was an interesting post. Those are some tough contracts to take on, I think EJ and Larry reunion would work, not sure about an EJ and Jeffries reunion. Didn't Jeffries pratically beg Grunfeld not to match the contract to get out of here.

Stuckey is better than Nick Young by a mile. For the person who said they wouldnt trade Young for Stuckey, you must be out of your mind.

I have seen Stuckey play a lot this year. The kid is extremely poised, confident, and tough. Nick Young is none of that. Young doesnt take the right approach isnt focused, and kind of floats on the court. He doesnt have that serious mindset.

Stuckey's basketball IQ is off the charts for a rookie, has a leadership role already, gets others involved, and is a damn good defensive player for a rookie. Once again, Nick Young has none of that. If would of been a gift from above is Stuckey fell to the Wizards, but oh well. Dumars is the best GM for a reason. That man is damn smart.

There is no meaningful physical difference between Stuckey and Young. The difference will turn on who makes a commitment to improvement, who is more confident and who can deliver consistently.

Dumars and Saunders are on the same page with Stuckey. EJ and EG aren't on the same page with Young (but that goes for more than one thing).

If EJ's signature is to overuse his stars so that neither they nor their substitutes are ready for the playoffs.

.500 and 1 and out next year with EJ in the coach's box. That's something EG apparently likes.

Yes, I've been to Vegas Summer League a couple of times. Small arena, bleacher seats, ideal for watching the new guys. Super-informal, none of the NBA jazz. Better know your guys though, the promoters will give you no help at all.

All in all a pure roundball experience, close up and all ball. For real fans and experienced folks. If you've been raised in the NBA only, or bigtime college hoops, you may not like it! No glitz, all game. Do it.

I think most people on this blog are tired of hearing about euro projects.

First you have the JCN drama that dragged out. He ended up not helping the Wiz's season one bit as JCN never played a second for the Wiz, and the contingent pick we got in return form Memphis probably isn't worth anything either.

Then, you have the overhyped OPech and his much ballyhooed "legendary" gym rat tendencies who turned into a total bust/noncontributer this season.

VV? Who dat? Who cares?

No physical difference between Stuckey and Young, Izman??? Are you crazy? Stuckey is huge for a PG at 6'5, and is built like a rock. He is stronger and more explosive than most PG's already, and he is only a rookie. He absued Rondo, House, and Tony Allen last night. Young on the other hand isn't strong. He gets pushed around way too much, and doesnt have the strength to be legit yet. He will take time to develop, Stuckey is way ahead of the learning curve.

My question is, how much longer is Ernie going to stick around with Abe's hands firmly sewn inside his pants pockets. Can the Wiz at least have a full roster in 2008-09?
How many other teams played with essentially 3 players short all season and made a decent run into the playoffs?

as far as young and stuckey...young has a much better jumper than stuckey...stuckey is a much better finisher around the basket...and has a great first step which he uses to drive on nearly anyone...young isnt very good at finishing around the basket right now...but he has all the skills to develop into one...he also possesses a great first step and great hops...a reported 44 incher...so he can develop into a solid finisher...just like stuckey could develop into a solid jump shooter with time..then again he could be like AD...i think where stuckey has the edge on young is his attitude...young tends to get infactuated with shooting jumpers...and not using his athleticism to drive...kinda like a young vince carter...stuckey is relentless...also young seems to get down very easily...gilbert even mentioned this in his blog...stuckey meanwhile does not seem to get rattled as easily...good news is...young isnt like blatche...and has a good work ethic...not saying he's gilbert...but he's not a fool...so i think he can develop into a legit starting shooting guard...i think it will come down to if he decides to commit on the defensive end....he has a 7 foot wingspan...so i believe he could be a good defender if he put his mind to it...

Stuckey is better than Nick Young by a mile. For the person who said they wouldnt trade Young for Stuckey, you must be out of your mind.

I have seen Stuckey play a lot this year. The kid is extremely poised, confident, and tough. Nick Young is none of that. Young doesnt take the right approach isnt focused, and kind of floats on the court. He doesnt have that serious mindset.

Stuckey's basketball IQ is off the charts for a rookie, has a leadership role already, gets others involved, and is a damn good defensive player for a rookie. Once again, Nick Young has none of that. If would of been a gift from above is Stuckey fell to the Wizards, but oh well. Dumars is the best GM for a reason. That man is damn smart.

Posted by: Roman | May 23, 2008 9:34 PM

Stuckey is better than Young by a mile? No way. Does he have an edge on Young in the areas you mention right now? Yes, but poise and basketball knowledge can be taught or acquired through experience. Physical ability can't, and Young has considerably more of that than Stuckey. He's quicker, is a more explosive leaper, and, from what I've seen, is a better outside shooter. Stuckey may be somewhat better now, but if Young maintains a solid work ethic, I think he will end up being the better player.

Stuckey is better than Young by a mile? No way. Does he have an edge on Young in the areas you mention right now? Yes, but poise and basketball knowledge can be taught or acquired through experience.

Posted by: rbpalmer | May 24, 2008 11:15 AM

"acquired through experience" is the key phrase.

Aside from his physical gifts: superior athleticism, size (6'7", with a 7' wingspan), quickness... Young's experience is lacking. Young spent considerably more time on the bench than Stuckey.

Flip Saunders made a concerted effort to get Stuckey minutes. Especially late in the season (March and April), Flip played Stuckey consistently 15-25 minutes a night (whether he was having a good night or not).

Eddie Jordan didn't put that much trust in Young. In March and April, there were still games where Young got only 6 or 8 minutes... And the difference is STAGGERING in the Playoffs; where Stuckey has averaged 22 minutes per game and Young got only 4 mpg.

Perhaps with Mason gone, we'll see more minutes for Young in 2009; and we can make a fair comparison.

Another quick note on Season Averages for both players:

Young = 7.9 ppg (44% shooting, 40% 3-pt), almost 1 assist, and 1.25 TO's
IN 15 MINUTES PER GAME

Stuckey = 7.8 ppg (40% shooting, 19% 3-pt), almost 3 assists, and 1.4 TO's
IN 19 MPG

It would be hard for me to say that Stuckey is a better player right now than Young... More consistent? Yes. More trust from his Coach? Yes. But a better player? Not enough information yet to make that determination.

For the person who said they wouldnt trade Young for Stuckey, you must be out of your mind.
Dumars is the best GM for a reason. That man is damn smart.

Posted by: Roman | May 23, 2008 9:34 PM

Rodman - you're obviously a Detroit fan... but one who apparently does NOT follow the pre-draft discussions around your own team.

Dumars was torn between Stuckey and Young. It was virtually a toss-up... but Stuckey could be projected as a Point Guard, whereas Young is nothing but a Shooting Guard. Detroit needed a backup PG, so Dumars chose Stuckey.

Had Detroit needed a Shooting Guard, you can bet Dumars would have chosen Nick Young - because, as you said, he's "damn smart".

Can we get a mulligan on the Rip Hamilton for Jerry Stackhouse trade?

Oh, never mind...

Posted by: khrabb | May 23, 2008 3:08 PM

It was a terrible, mind-boggling trade...no doubt. Jordan (MJ that is) knew this was his last go around and made the move thinking Stack gave him the best chance at another playoff run (keep in mind Stack was 2nd in the NBA in scoring a year earlier). Anyhow, the one saving grace from this trade is that it eventually helped land Jamison in DC, thanks to Dallas taking our 2 worst locker room guys (Laettner being the other) plus the rights to Devin Harris in exchange for Mr. Consistency.

Barno, you are right that we did net AJ out of the Hamilton for Stackhouse deal, but when you watch what Hamilton does day in and day out and realize he is still in his 20s... and look at what we have now at the 2-guard slot... ah well.

Gotta move on lol.

MJ wasn't trying to win now, he traded Rip Hamilton because Hamilton dared say he should've gotten the ball more. And he thought because Stack was part of the Carolina mafia, that he would acquiesce to Jordan's whims like everyone else did on the team. It was pure MJ arrogance/selfishness plain and simple. And yes khrabb, I would love to have that mulligan!

MJ wasn't trying to win now, he traded Rip Hamilton because Hamilton dared say he should've gotten the ball more. And he thought because Stack was part of the Carolina mafia, that he would acquiesce to Jordan's whims like everyone else did on the team. It was pure MJ arrogance/selfishness plain and simple. And yes khrabb, I would love to have that mulligan!

Posted by: George Templeton | May 24, 2008 7:33 PM

I'd love to have a mulligan back on that one, fo sho. Imagine the team we might have going into next season (assuming Grunfeld kept everyone in tact and Pollin shelled out the cash--not a guarantee).

PG Arenas backup Devin Harris!
SG Hamilton! backup Deshawn Stevenson
SF Butler backup Nick Young
PF Blatche? backup Darius Songalia
C Haywood backup Etan/Pech

Thanks again MJ

Thanks again MJ

Posted by: Barno | May 24, 2008 7:57 PM

I am, however, still grateful to MJ for dumping the Juwan Howard contract on Dallas.

I LOVE NICK YOUNG HE GOT IT AND YOUNG LOVE TO SHOOT IT

I LOVE NICK YOUNG HE GOT IT AND YOUNG LOVE TO SHOOT IT

The difference between Stuckey and Young is Eddie Jordan doesn't like rookies. The only reason Nick played was because he had to due to all the injuries. I wouldn't be surprised if his minutes decrease next season with a healthy Gilbert returning

Posted by: C.Bell | May 23, 2008 2:20 PM

Gee....ya think??

I see at least one post that says OPECH is a bust. I think's its too early to tell. He has adapt to the american style of play. He is the commitment to do that. Give him two years before you call him a bust.

forget about what position the Wizards need to fill what the wizards need to do is no matter what the position on both picks they need to find players that not only can play defense but at the same time can hold the rest of their teammates accountable this is their main flaw at this point and unless this get addressed no matter who the coach is or how many defensive coaches they have it's not gonna make any difference.

To me the issue isn't whether he's a bust. I agree that he still has time to become a productive NBA player. The question to me is whether he'll ever be good enough to justify using a mid-first round pick on him when there were guys taken after him who've been immediately productive. I just don't see much chance of that.

If the Wiz hadn't taken him at 18, I really doubt he'd have been taken in the first round at all.

I have read Pat Riley wants to package the #2 pick and though I love the intangibles he has brought to Washington, Gilby is a gamble right now. He will have us locked into immovable capspace if he can not return to form and he was the only bust this season as so many hopes were placed on his return. None of this is the fault of a great player and self marketing genius, but he did not give value for money and wants to lock in big dollars for a long time without proving himself post surgeries. Let Miami take that chance. We would probably need to bring back Marion who seems unhappy there to make money match.

vicar, just to be clear: do you want to sign Arenas to however much he wants, and then trade for the #2 pick? I think the draft is in June, while Arenas' contract is up in July? or you mean trade Arenas for the #2 pick now - which means Miami could lose him immediately if Arenas opts out of his contract and does not want to play in Miami or does not like the deal they offer? Sure why not, but Riley would be a fool to take that deal :)

The Heat have no interest in Arenas. They already have a high-scoring All-Star 6' 4" guard who's better than Arenas.

The Heat have no interest in Arenas. They already have a high-scoring All-Star 6' 4" guard who's better than Arenas.

Posted by: kalorama | May 25, 2008 12:32 PM

Wow, kalorama,.... Great inside information.

Since you're in such close touch with General Manager Randy Pfund and the Miami Heat front office - perhaps you could ask them to let us know who they intend on drafting.

"The Heat have no interest in Arenas. They already have a high-scoring All-Star 6' 4" guard who's better than Arenas.

Posted by: kalorama | May 25, 2008 12:32 PM "

Yes, and former MVP of the finals too.

CBell,
I'm pretty sure almost everyone on either all-star lineup can create their own shot, Jamison and Butler included. To award Nick Young even future superstar status at this point is a little premature.

One man's "inside information" is another man's "common f***ing sense."

to-MAY-to/to-MAH-to.

The Heat have no interest in Arenas. They already have a high-scoring All-Star 6' 4" guard who's better than Arenas.

Posted by: kalorama | May 25, 2008 12:32 PM

1. Following your logic, the Pistons would not have been interested in having both Hamilton and Billups at the same time since they are both guards.
2. Jason Williams is Miami's PG, not Dwayne Wade.

Billups handles the ball. Hamilton plays mostly off the ball. Thus they fit well together. See how that works?

Wade plays both SG and PG for the Heat. And regardless of which arbitrary label you put on him, he is their primary ballhandler and playmaker (as evidenced by the fact that he's led the team in assists every year he's played for the Heat). And, given the fact that his career APG average is actually higher than Arenas', he's at least as much of a PG as Arenas.

Again, it doesn't take a deep analysis to see that trading for a player looking for a max extension when you already have a better player at the same position who'll be looking for a max extension in another year is not a great deal.

1. Draft Hibbert at 18
2. Sign unrestricted FA pg Carlos Arroyo
3. Trade Stevenson, Etan, 2nd round pick to Chicago for Hughes.

Stuckey will give Detroit a strong 3-guard rotation for the next few years until Billups career is on the downside or his contract ends. He's light years ahead of Young in maturity, poise, and basketball sense. Young is purely a scorer who has a lot of holes in his game and needs to get much stronger.

Wiz should hope that Mario Chalmers slips to No. 18 because he is the type of quick, tough PG we need on the team. If we draft him, there's no need to trade for Kyle Lowry. Chalmers is also a winner and is a strong defensive player.

Wizards Offseason
.Resign Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison
.Trade #18 pick and#47 and Antonio Daniels to Kings for #42 and #43 pick and SF. John Salmons and PG.Quincy Douby
we draft at #42 C.DeVon Hardin #43 PG.Goran Dragic(goes overseas)
.Sign Pg.Carlos Arroyo
Depth Chart
PG.Arenas/Arroyo
SG.Stevenson/Young/Douby
SF.Butler/Salmons/McGuire
PF.Jamison//Songaila/Pecherov
C.Haywood/Blatche/Thomas