I’ve been visiting the Washington Wizards official site and viewing the daily blog done by Dave Johnson… And although he’s a homer and literally everything is rosey, and EVERY player is playing fantastic – I have been able to piece together some interesting bits from the blog, the video interviews, and from Ivan’s Wizards Insider.

1. Dominic McGuire is the surprise of camp. He has apparently done a ton of work over the Summer and it’s paid off. His improved mid-range jumper is the talk of the camp.. Eddie Jordan has commented on it, Dave Johnson (of course) and Steve Buckhantz have also made numerous comments. Today on Dave’s daily Training Camp blog, he was asked who was the surprise of the camp…… and although he couldn’t give just one guy, his first answer was McGuire. (he also mentioned Dee Brown, and Blatche)

2. Dee Brown may actually make it out of Training Camp with a job, and looks to be the clear favorite to back up Daniels at the PG position; at least until Arenas returns. Again, Eddie Jordan commented that he brings something that the Wizards have not had before – a fast, quick guy that can really push the ball, and he “gets up” on defense. Nick Young called him “Speedy Gonzalez”. Apparently his jumper is much improved and he brings energy and intensity every day to every practice. He, along with Blatche have been mentioned EVERY DAY as one of the players that had a good practice.

3. Dermarr Johnson had a couple of good days at camp and is making it hard for the Wizards to make a decision on him. I think it’s getting close as to whether they keep Juan Dixon or Johnson. He’s a 6-year pro and he has started 136 games in his career. Eddie Jordan mentioned his experience as a plus. Dermarr also brings something the Wizards have not had in a few years…. a Shooting Guard with great size (some places list him at 6’9", others 6’10")…. but either way, the Wiz have not had a SG that big since Jeffries was here.. If you remember, Jared played at least some of the time at SG. He’s versatile and can play both SG and SF. He also plays “intense defense” according to Eddie Jordan.

4. Nick Young has apparently shaken the funk he was in during Summer League – hitting nearly every shot he has taken in Camp – and dazzling everyone with spectacular dunks (Including one over Andray Blatche that apparently stopped play in mid-scrimmage with his teammates whooping and hollering). More importantly, there’s an interview where he says he feels much more comfortable on the defensive end. Eddie Jordan even commented that Nick looks better defensively.

5. Gilbert Arenas as a team leader? He’s been bringing the young guys over early every day before practice to get in some shooting and other work. Working with Juan Dixon, Nick Young and Dee Brown. He said he just wants to help some of the younger guys because Training Camp moves so fast – and that’s where you lose some of the young guys. And although he says he doesn’t want to be the “public” leader, he thinks it’s important to help other players – like he was helped early in his career.

Some random thoughts….

Haywood said that McGee is one of the top 2 or 3 athletic Centers in the League, right now. Hmm….
Well here’s my top 10 list of athletic Centers:
Dwight Howard
Tyson Chandler
um……………….
A few years ago I might have included Camby and Ben Wallace…. but either way, it’s a pretty short list.

If it comes down to a tie between Juan Dixon and Dermarr Johnson as to who stays, Juan will stay. Eddie Jordan has always liked Juan. Gilbert Arenas campaigned to have him brought back. So I think Dermarr will have to clearly win the job -

Both Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison have talked about taking care of their bodies, and potentially playing fewer minutes. Jamison specifically said he wants Andray to be more consistent, so he can “rest the old fellows, like myself”….

Andray Blatche has had a very good Training Camp; bringing a more professional attitude. (I keep waiting for the bad news…..) It seems like everyone, and I mean everyone, has commented that Blatche has been doing everything right. He worked hard in the off-season. Came to Camp in great shape, with 10 more pounds of muscle from lifting weights in the Summer. Has shown consistency throughout Camp. Has done and said all the right things: "I can see that my teammates are starting to rely on me. The coaches are starting to rely on me. This is the year that I need to step up."
Let’s hope that this is the year that Andray finally starts to realize his potential.

This is probably the deepest team Eddie Jordan has ever had. If McGuire can really spell Caron Butler for 10-15 minutes a night….. and if Andray Blatche is consistent…. and if Dee Brown is really that much improved from his days in Utah – Jordan will have a 9-10 man rotation.
In Eddie Jordan’s terms:
Smalls : Daniels, Stevenson, Butler Backups: Dee Brown, Nick Young, Dominic McGuire
Bigs: Jamison, Haywood Backups: Blatche, Songaila

That’s 10 right there, and I didn’t even mention Etan Thomas or Juan Dixon/Dermarr Johnson

My assumption is that Pech and McGee will spend the majority of their time on the end of the bench; watching, practicing, learning.

This may not be a Championship team yet…. but from the top of the roster to the bottom, I think this is the most talented team the Wizards have had in some time.