Appreciation for the minicamp

by Mike Prada on Jul 13, 2009 5:34 PM EDT in Coaching

So I'm officially in Vegas, but with the Wizards not playing until tomorrow, I'm taking today off and hanging out with an out-of-town friend, since it's my first time here after turning 21. All the updates will begin tomorrow and last the full week.

But even though I haven't seen anything yet, I'm really impressed to read about how seriously Flip Saunders and company seem to be taking Summer League. That's not to say the Eddie Jordan regime didn't take it seriously, but the Eddie Jordan regime never had a weekend minicamp, featuring player cuts. This is all coming in a year when the Wizards made no new draft picks, which makes the dedication all the more impressive.

This isn't how things used to work in the past. One of the major complaints from my end about our previous development of young players was that it was too much about sending messages instead of clinical development. Lessons were served through benchings and passive-aggressive quotes in the press more than they were served through individual work. It seemed that the coaching staff too often diagnosed the young players as lacking proper motivation, not proper skills or a combination of skills and motivation. Already, we've seen how much Flip Saunders and his staff are working with the young players on improving key skills, and this weekend's minicamp session is just another example of that. It's a way of coaches to show the players that they are dedicated to improving them rather than just using words or messages to make those points.

We'll see how much this sort of clinical work will pay off in the long run, but it's safe to say that my initial concerns about Flip Saunders' ability to develop young players has been averted.

Some links from the minicamp:

Wizards' Crittenton Aims to Find a Niche: Washington Post
McGee Attempts to Transform His Game: Washington Post
McGuire Aims to Be Flexible: Washington Post
Tom Knott: Wizards Size Problem is Shrinking Rapidly (I'm not with him here, for the record)
School's In for Wizards' Crittenton: Washington Times
Saunders Feels the Rush: Washington Times
Saunders' Goals for Summer League: Hoops Addict

Back for more tomorrow.

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Flip Development

I like the attention to detail as well.

At the same time, lets wait and see how he handles these young guys in NBA games before we get too far ahead of ourselves. He (any coach) is different when his record is on the line.

by Jheiser3 on Jul 13, 2009 6:06 PM EDT reply actions

nevertheless

this type of preparation is what’s usually cited when people ask, “How did [Team X] get so good?” I’d hate to think this type of action would be a detriment to the team.

by Pryme on Jul 13, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

One minor detail

The Wizards have had minicamps and summer league cuts in the past. I know this because Mason legend Will Thomas was cut before Summer League last year.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by Jake Whitacre on Jul 13, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions

Pecherov had 15 pts 10 rbs in a losing effort to the D League

Congrats Pech!!

by DaGribb on Jul 13, 2009 10:43 PM EDT reply actions

The other Vegas

Prada, some of the best NBA action in Vegas is off-the-court and in-the-club. Hitting the Bellagio’s late scene let We Rite Goode break the story of one VERY prominent NBA star’s imminent divorce…or would’ve, had WRG been around in 2006.

So when you hit the bars, tell SB Nation it’s a scouting trip – looking for the Wiz kid with the most diversified game.

by WRG on Jul 13, 2009 11:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

LMAO in Warsaw

Thanks for this one WRG.

[But seriously folks, I do sense a level of commitment and attention to detail that has previously been, ah, less evident… Let us see what unfolds in Vegas.]

by khrabb on Jul 14, 2009 7:14 AM EDT up reply actions