NBA Playoffs 2012 Open Thread: Wednesday
Forgot to do this earlier. Here's the thread for tonight.
Evaluating Washington Wizards' Coaching Options: Stan Van Gundy
The Wizards find themselves entering this off season without a head coach under contract. After firing Coach Flip Saunders, the Wizards finished the regular season under the tenure of coach Randy Wittman. While Wittman's achievements with the team can be viewed in a mostly positive light, this off season represents a chance for the Wizards to make an aggressive move to hire a a coach with a new voice. Whether the Wizards take that opportunity or stick with Wittman remains to be seen, but in the meantime, we'll evaluate several other coaching possibilities. First up: Stan Van Gundy
Better Know A 2012 NBA Draft Pick: Anthony Davis
Editor's Note: The 2012 NBA Draft is just around the corner, and that means it's time to start looking at this year's prospects. We've enlisted the help of a couple of our community's top draftnicks to break down as many prospects as possible from this year's class, whether they're high-lottery picks, potential first-round sliders or sleepers that could make an impact on a team from the second round. Today: Kentucky center Anthony Davis, by qthaballa.
PREVIOUSLY: Bradley Beal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson, Harrison Barnes, Andre Drummond.
#QUOTESANITY: 3. American Jan Vesely vs. 8. Willing To Die For This
For the next few weeks, we're voting on the top Wizards quote of the year, bracket-style, in a little something we like to call #QUOTESANITY. In this installment, we select a champion for the Humblebrag Regional. American Jan Vesely got here by beating the Morris Almond Era with 63 percent of the vote, while Willing To Die For This continued its Cinderella run with 57 percent of the vote over Nick Young's Complete Player quote.
3. American Jan Vesely
I don't know, I think Blake Griffin is the American Jan Vesely. -Jan Vesely when asked on draft night about being called the "European Blake Griffin".
8. Willing To Die For This
I told my teammates: I'm willing to give y'all 100-percent out of me every game. I'm willing to die for this. -Andray Blatche at Media Day
Each quote had a unique and important role in shaping the 2011-12 Wizards, but only one can advance for the chance to have the final word on this season. It's time to vote.
Better Know A Free Agent: Marco Belinelli
Depending on what the Washington Wizards do with Andray Blatche and Rashard Lewis, they could have around $12 million of salary-cap space to spend this summer. It remains to be seen if the Wizards actually use it or bank it towards the 2013 class, but in any event, there are a number of free agents that could help the team's push into playoff contention. We'll take a look at several of those options in this running series. Next up: Marco Belinelli.
PREVIOUSLY: Eric Gordon, Nicolas Batum, O.J. Mayo, Ryan Anderson, Courtney Lee, Gerald Wallace, Ersan Ilyasova, Carlos Delfino, Lou Williams, Danny Green, George Hill.
SBNation.com's Jon Bois includes the Wizards' 2010-11 "Back To Basics" slogan as one of his most ridiculous NBA marketing campaigns of all time. The whole piece is hilarious and worth a look.
Links: Which NBA assistants most deserve a head coaching gig?
Today's links:
- Could any of these career NBA assistants be the next Wizards coach? [SB Nation]
- BNIE starts our "Draft Lottery Countdown" by qualifying Ted's season-ending 'We plan to be GOOD' proclamation.
- Randy Wittman's comparison of bad basketball to chain smoking was a favorite among those who covered the team. References to the quote repeatedly found their way into coverage as the season rolled along, earning Wittman's analogy a two-seed in our #QUOTESANITY bracket. Well, you all were evidently less impressed with Wittman's paralleland have slated it for early defeat to another metaphor: JaVale McGee and Nick Young joking that playing for the Wizards is akin to doing time. Meanwhile, Jan Vesely telling a Czech website that he heard Flip Saunders "likes white players" is winning because, well, how can't it?
- In his latest "Better Know a Free Agent," Mike makes it clear that he is a fan of Pacers guard George Hill, The Fightin' Hill! But is he worth what Indiana might be willing to pay him?
- pantlessyoda breaks down UConn center Andre Drummond for our latest "Better Know a Draft Pick." No, thank you.
#QUOTESANITY: 1. Can't Say I Do vs. 3. Apparently Not
For the next few weeks, we're voting on the top Wizards quote of the year, bracket-style, in a little something we like to call #QUOTESANITY. In this installment, we begin quarterfinal action with the McGee Regional Final. Can't Say I Do got here after squeaking out of Round 2 with 55 percent of the vote over 1 Percent Full. Apparently Not upset Future of the NBA with 65 percent of the vote to make it here today.
1. Can't Say I Do
I can't say I do, but I'm sure I'll figure it out sooner or later. - JaVale McGee, when asked if he understood the message Randy Wittman was trying to send by benching him.
3. Apparently Not
Apparently, if you get a fast break and throw it off the backboard in the third quarter, and you're 1-11, you're not supposed to do stuff like that. - JaVale McGee after being benched for doing just that.
JaVale McGee had a season to remember in Washington, but only one of his illustrious quotes can advance to the final four. I get the feeling your choice may be swayed by how you feel about riding dogs like small horses.







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