Bullet Points: Rashard Lewis Reflects On A Year In D.C.

by Mike Prada on Dec 18, 2011 11:52 AM EST in Links

Today's links:

With this being the one-year anniversary of the Gilbert Arenas trade, Rashard Lewis reflects on his transition. He admitted he wasn't fully engaged last year because of all the instability and the knee injury, but he feels better now. [Michael Lee, Washington Post]
Fanfest was last night, featuring a Wale performance and a pretty low-key Wizards scrimmage. I was there for some of it. For those who went, what did you all think of the event? I think it needs some fine-tuning, but definitely a good idea. [Highlights | Wale video | Photos]
Prior to the scrimmage, the Wizards held a film session, and it was ugly. [CSN Washington | Washington Post | Truth About It]
Jan Vesely apparently suffered a minor hip injury, which is why he didn't play in the scrimmage. [Gene Wang, Washington Post]
Nick Young has to be feeling pretty good about his value after seeing the way the Wizards played on Friday [Frank Hanrahan, CSN Washington]
... And the man who he was supposed to start over at shooting guard remains confident. [Craig Stouffer, Washington Examiner]
Gilbert Arenas has a free-agent wish list that includes the Knicks, Lakers, Heat and whoever trades for Dwight Howard. Wait, Gilbert Arenas has a wish list? [Marc Stein]
Must-read on the vetoed Chris Paul trade and David Stern apparently lying about the details. Shocker. [Houston Chronicle]

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Arenas is a good pickup for the right price.

Could provide some quality depth to championship contenders like the Lakers and Heat.

by Dlewis on Dec 18, 2011 12:50 PM EST reply actions

Lewis wasn't engaged

Lewis is a waste. he doesn’t fit with this team.

Sorry to hear Vesely got a hurt hip gotta stay healthy Rook.

LOL Gilbert and his wish list.

by jazzy1 on Dec 18, 2011 1:17 PM EST reply actions

Re: Houston Chronicle article — actually I don’t think Stern is portrayed that badly, if you get past the negativity of the unhappy parties. First, there is a difference between being aware of the negotiations and “signing off” on the deal. Stern claims he never consented in writing to the deal, and no one disputes that. I also don’t think Stern would say he was completely unaware of what was going on. It’s just that the terms of the first round of negotiations sucked for the Hornets, and he vetoed it. So what?

Also, it looks like the deal could have worked out if the Rocks threw in a Lowry or a Budinger (an extra pick would have been too much), and left unsaid is what the Lakers could have added. They were getting Paul too cheaply anyway. The point being that no one seems to have given a second round of negotiations a chance. My interpretation is that someone from either L.A. or the Rocks, or both, got pissed and ended it out of frustration rather than some kind of declared impasse.

by Tbonebullets on Dec 18, 2011 1:48 PM EST reply actions

I respectfully disagree

I think the article shows he lied, and could possibly reinforce the notion he caved to Dan Gilbert and those guys.

I’ve been in the minority when talking about this with my friends. I’ve been saying yeah I know Stern is an egomaniac and all, but in the end he got a better deal. It’s not the first time someone involved in trade discussions used questionable tactics and won’t be the last. But I can’t defend him after reading this. If the sources are telling the truth, it looks like he did an about face after the deal was announced (maybe those Gilbert emails had an effect) and then flat out lied about his knowledge. That is crossing the line in my opinion, and its a slap in the face to the franchises whose futures very much were affected by his decision.

by ReboundingLs on Dec 18, 2011 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

slap in the face to the franchises whose futures very much were affected by his decision

Especially Houston – who got royally screwed by Stern’s dictatorial handling of that trade…

Not only that, but people are saying that New Orleans got a better deal? How? Sure perhaps they got younger players, but they didn’t get BETTER players. The original package would have landed New Orleans 3 new starters – and GOOD starters. They most certainly could have made the playoffs this year. That was the deal Demps wanted – he wanted to keep New Orleans relevant and in the Playoff hunt…and the associated sell outs and excitement that generates… Who (besides Ted Leonsis) would want to buy a rebuilding team, with declining attendance, declining revenues – and looking at several years of the same coming down the pike….?

I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.

by Rook6980 on Dec 18, 2011 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

I think I like the deal NO got out of it better than the original

I think Martin and Scola would’ve gotten them mediocrity, much like the Rockets were getting out of them. I think with Eric Gordon, and most likely two top 5 or at least top 10 picks out of this draft, they could have 3 better players than they would’ve gotten out of that original deal.

by gray16 on Dec 18, 2011 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

In time... MAYBE

But draft picks can be busts….. Eric Gordon can pull a Chris Paul next year….
Even if everything works out perfectly, and the Hornets get two All-Star type players out of the draft – it will STILL be several years before Gordon and the two new studs would be ready to compete…. Given the Hornets shaky situation as it stands now… and given that the team will probably not win many games for the next several years…

Even with Chris Paul, the Hornets were still 26th in the League in attendance last year. They only drew 14,700 fans per home contest. How long before they’re sucking so bad that they’re the WORST in home attendance?

Think that will entice a billionaire to buy the team? Sucky team. Worse attendance. Little to NO vibe…

At least with Scola, Martin and their existing core – they could have been Playoff contenders… and perhaps even caught the eye of one of those rich, billionaires wanting a new toy……

I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.

by Rook6980 on Dec 18, 2011 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

Lets trade for Gordon!

Who won? Who lost? Who cares?! The NBA is Back! - David Aldridge

What seems to be the officer, problem? - Randy Marsh

by Dutch Hoopfan on Dec 18, 2011 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

No, Gordon is only 6'4". He wouldn't be able to start at SG on this team.

"Blake Griffin is the American Jan Vesely" - Jan Vesely

by PhenomenalSwag on Dec 18, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

Sure he could. How do you figure he's too short. Dwayne Wade is listed at 6'4" (probably really 6'2") and he starts at SG

There are plenty of other SGs who are the same height who play very well too.

by tonedru on Dec 18, 2011 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

Haha I was kidding.

Rook and some others always say that about Jordan Crawford who is listed at 6’4". I think Gordon would thrive here to be honest.

"Blake Griffin is the American Jan Vesely" - Jan Vesely

by PhenomenalSwag on Dec 18, 2011 9:32 PM EST up reply actions

Please

Yes – I don’t like undersized Shooting Guards…. like Jordan Crawford and Randy Foye….

However, I would make exceptions for star quality players – For instance, if the Wizards had the chance to get a Super Star Shooting Guard like Dwyane Wade – I certainly wouldn’t be against it… Nor would I be against obtaining a near Super Star talent like Eric Gordon. Both those guys are 6’4"….

HOWEVER – Jordan Crawford should not even be in the same conversation with those guys.

I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.

by Rook6980 on Dec 18, 2011 10:13 PM EST up reply actions

I like the Clippers trade

I still see NO struggling w/ Martin and Scola w/out CP. Eric Gordon, Al-farouq and two top 10 (possibly top 5) picks in next years strong draft? They get younger and and in time they are definitely better. Instead of fighting for a playoff spot out west…

by koop1122 on Dec 18, 2011 7:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs