Links: Rashard Lewis Returns To Orlando, Gilbert Arenas Remnants Remain

by Mike Prada on Jan 4, 2012 12:42 PM EST in Links

Today's links:

As a reminder, be sure to check out Orlando Pinstriped Post before this matchup.
Hey, remember that guy on the left? [@MrMichaelLee, photo above]
Rashard Lewis is coming back to Orlando, which means it's time to milk that storyline for all it's worth. [Washington Post | Washington Times | Orlando Sentinel]
Jan Vesely could return Friday if all breaks right. All rarely seems to break right. [Wizards Insider]
Fixating on one quote Vesely gave in that piece that was amusing. [@MrMichaelLee]
Colin Cowherd said dumb things about John Wall again. [DC Sports Bog]
On JaVale McGee and if he can keep up this pace. I imagine some of you will raise your eyebrows at his quote on Randy Wittman. [Washington Examiner]
The players say Flip Saunders' ejection on Monday fired them up. [Wizards Insider]
The Wizards' history against Orlando is not good. [CSN Washington]
Check out the zany, intriguing four-way Dwight Howard trade proposal in this. [Truth About It]
Ethan Sherwood Strauss believes the Wizards are in last place at executing the Oklahoma City model, even behind Detroit. [HoopSpeak]
Don't worry, you guys: Ashley Judd still loves John Wall. [CSN Washington | SB Nation D.C.]
An argument that the point guard Wall should model most is Rajon Rondo, not anyone else. [Ben Standig, CSN Washington]
Is it time to start talking about a hot seat? [Frank Hanrahan, CSN Washington]
Trevor Booker sees Kevin Garnett as an idol. [CSN New England]
Wall, McGee, Andray Blatche and Nick Young are on the All-Star ballot. Yes, we're already doing this. [Press Release]
I wouldn't wish this injury on anyone. [SB Nation]
Want to laugh uncontrollably for 30 minutes? Read our Animated GIFs of 2011. [SB Nation]

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awesome...more gifs....I salute SB Nation

by DavidDunn on Jan 4, 2012 12:51 PM EST reply actions

My faaaaaaaavorite of all time

Bullets Forever | Twitter

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Jan 4, 2012 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

Oh and Mike....and you own me my 30 minutes back...

and all of the oxygen I lost not being able to breath…

Gifs were awesome

by DavidDunn on Jan 4, 2012 1:03 PM EST reply actions

John Wall spitting that twitter game!

by Alpha_Snail on Jan 4, 2012 1:15 PM EST reply actions

I love this quote from JVM

“I’m just trying to stay prepared, watch film, stay healthy,” McGee said. “Make sure that I hydrate and that we get these wins. I’m the defensive anchor back there.”

by les boulez bomber on Jan 4, 2012 1:22 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Classic

One moment, the guy in the blue shirt and khakis was mingling. The next, he was reclined over the front seat of a utility cart. “Pfffft y’all trippin’, I gotta bounce. AUTOCART GO!”

Click the gif link…now…

by DavidDunn on Jan 4, 2012 1:26 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

that's one of the funniest things i've ever seen!

the way dude looks “uh, it’s careening out of control, got to get off….” and the other guy just jogs up and presses the brake ha!

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

lol the guy that jumps in and stops it is a legend

by Wizards Khalifa on Jan 4, 2012 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

I was starting to agree with Cowherd justtttt a bit

but then he said “Who did Stockton have? It’s not like he had HOF’s?”

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

by PhenomenalSwag on Jan 4, 2012 1:45 PM EST reply actions

sup, y'all?

just thought i’d drop in and hang out

by FTT on Jan 4, 2012 1:57 PM EST reply actions

Wiz fans are going to be crying to trade Vesely two weeks after his first game. Like we’ve already said, the NBA game is going to take some acclimating for him. And not only that, he is not going to be in game shape at all at first. Hasnt been playing plus he’s coming off the flu…. I hope you folks can be patient.

I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
Follow @Dylan___V

by returnofswagger on Jan 4, 2012 2:16 PM EST via Android app reply actions

considering Markieff has a 22PER....

Markieff Morris has played at least 16 minutes in four of Phoenix’s first five games, averaging 20 minutes per game and averaging 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds.He played a season-high 32 minutes Monday in a 102-91 win over Golden State, getting a season-high 16 points and matching his season-best with nine rebounds.

and the fact I said all along he would be better than Vesley….no, I’m not going to be patient….with Ernie! Markieef defends, rebounds and is shooting 58%, there’s the guy who would have pushed Dray.

Good luck to Jan though, as you say it’s gonna be tough. He must be in crap shape by now, probably unable to exercise at all since it’s a hip problem and with the team 0-4 some fans may be looking for a spark he’s not ready to bring yet.

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

Even if Vesly works out,

he was a reach at #6. He can’t shoot, can’t rebound and played a limited role dunking the basketball on a team playing against suspect competition.

I would have grabbed Biyombo at 6 but understand the call for Morris who was my #2 choice

ALL IF WE COULD NOT WORK OUT A TRADE FOR williams, jonas or kanter

by les boulez bomber on Jan 4, 2012 3:03 PM EST up reply actions

If Ves does bust...

Morris is the one we’ll probably regret. It would have been hard to take him with Blatche on the roster though(which, I know is Ernie’s fault to begin with). Such similar skill sets.

I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
Follow @Dylan___V

by returnofswagger on Jan 4, 2012 3:11 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

someone has been saying EG refuses to address interior defense and rebounding

passing on Markieff for Ves would seem to be another example of that….and Markieff can shoot too! Ugh.

Oh well, hopefully Ves blows up and i’ll eat crow

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

Is everyone forgetting Marcus Morris was supposed to go higher than his twin?

And no one had them breaking into the Top 10? It’s not like we drafted Jonny Flynn and traded away Ty Lawson…

Bullets Forever | Twitter

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Jan 4, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Vesely has a lot more upside

In the long run I think Vesely will be a more dominant player than Markieff. His wing span was 7’6" I believe and he is very active. Primarily, he needs to bulk up. He is a capable shot blocker.He goes for boards but just doesn’t have the muscle yet. Another one of the Wiz “see ya in 3 seasons” players.

by hambonejackson on Jan 4, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

and Pech was the next Dirk.

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

You have to take in to account

that Vesely is athletic and has a good bball iq. He will be a good player if the pre-season can account for anything. His first step is acceptable. That was something I wanted to see against NBA players.

by hambonejackson on Jan 4, 2012 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

and Seraphin is the next Nene.

I’m just saying Ernie’s entire “can’t possibly judge this guy for 3yrs” draft strategy gets on my nerves. Honestly I question how much due diligence he has done with these players. Let’s hope he gets at least 1 of 3 right.

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

Is there a big man taken after Seraphin that the Wizards missed?

I seem to recall that you preferred Gani Lawal at the time.

by djnnnou on Jan 4, 2012 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

low blow! he tore his acl, and that was with our original pick anyway not 17th

i will cop to larry sanders though, being a sucker for CAA ball. And now that you mention it, I recall the cost of the 11th pick or so having been like $3mill from broke ass NO? That could have opened up several more possibilities, easy move to make

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

Revisionist

DX says the Hornets traded #11 +Morris Peterson for OKC’s #21 + #26. The Wizards couldn’t offer a better deal than that.

by djnnnou on Jan 4, 2012 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

The problem is he already has a hot girlfriend

That description sounds like he needs more than three seasons though. Especially since he does not like to practice.

by les boulez bomber on Jan 4, 2012 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

then consider me tooting my horn

but honestly, what does it matter that “no one” had them higher than a certain spot? Arent GMs paid millions of dollars to not care what nbadraftnet.com says?

by the way, Marcus is struggling while Markieff is playing really well….apparently the Suns GM didnt care “no one” had him passing on marcus

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

Unfortunately, scouting process isn't widely advertised

but from corporate experience, I’d say that while GMs are paid lots of money to not copy blogger lists onto their respective draft boards, they are working quite a bit from the same information pool and thus reach the same conclusions. Far less true with the NFL.

Along with a lot of Suns faithful, I was happy to see Phoenix emphasize the defense/rebounding aspect in their draft choice. Perhaps the Suns believed he really was the better shooter, maybe not. In any case, the choice has panned out.

And of course while ‘no one had them breaking into the top 10’, finding a later draft pick and offering it as conclusive proof of failure is blatant cherry picking

Bullets Forever | Twitter

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Jan 6, 2012 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

No one? I remember people saying Marcus would be the better rebounder and Markief the better shooter. And I remember them listed “in the mix” of #6-#13 with Klay Thompson, Aaron Brooks, etc

by les boulez bomber on Jan 4, 2012 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

I think it would have been a prudent move bec JVM is a free agent and there is no guarantee we would sign him. And we already knew at draft time that AB has a short leash.

by les boulez bomber on Jan 4, 2012 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

While I do have pretty high hopes for Vesely,

I think it will take about 3 years to know whether or not he is a bust. If anyone is calling him that two weeks after his first NBA game, they should have their head examined.

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

by PhenomenalSwag on Jan 4, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

gotta love this quote though, seriously

"It’s tough to sit on the bench and see the players, they are playing and they are playing bad," Vesely said.

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

His quotes

And apparent mentality, are what do give me some hope.

I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
Follow @Dylan___V

by returnofswagger on Jan 4, 2012 3:13 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Like when he said, Griffen was the Jan Vesley of the Polish Polka Club (not his real team I know!)

by les boulez bomber on Jan 4, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

hope he doesnt get Mosgov'd for that, you know Blake will be lookin for it.

and ESPN will make it their permanent top play

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

all star game

I can’t even bring myself to vote for blatche. But I’m on a mission to get vale and john on there.

by no more kwame's in dc on Jan 4, 2012 2:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Vexing

At least in principle…Hornets acquire Xavier Henry for future second-rounder in three team deal

Bullets Forever | Twitter

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Jan 4, 2012 3:05 PM EST reply actions

Damn

I like Xavier Henry…. I think he could be a good, solid starting Shooting Guard on a playoff team…. Not sure why he shot so poorly in Memphis, because coming out of Kansas he was considered one of the best shooters in the 2010 draft….

I projected him to be a good defender, help on the boards, and be a very good 3-point shooter in the NBA. Too bad the Wizards didn’t try to get him… I think he’ll do well in New Orleans.

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

by Rook6980 on Jan 4, 2012 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

Didn't he miss his first camp with a contract dispute?

And now he’s injured, again. I’m not sure what there is to be vexed about.

by djnnnou on Jan 4, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

I dont know abou the injury but the holdout was legit. They lowballed him excluding a common bonus.

by les boulez bomber on Jan 4, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

Heisley’s cheap attitude’s last gasp

Bullets Forever | Twitter

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Jan 4, 2012 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

Hey Mike, or whoever...

Where can I take suggestions/problems with the Android SBN App?

I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
Follow @Dylan___V

by returnofswagger on Jan 4, 2012 3:15 PM EST via Android app reply actions

support AT sbnation DOT com

Or tweet @SBNProductTeam

SB Nation DC | Bullets Forever | SBNation.com | Twitter.

by Mike Prada on Jan 4, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

Grácias

I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
Follow @Dylan___V

by returnofswagger on Jan 4, 2012 4:22 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I used to hear Cowturd semi-regularly

a couple of years ago when I had satellite radio in my truck. But I don’t have that anymore. I think he deserves to be stuck hosting that silly Sportsnation show for the rest of his career.

As far as his assessment of John goes, I am confident that he will end up being wrong. By a lot.

"I'm not present I'm a drug that makes you dream I'm an aerostar I'm a cutlass supreme In the wrong lane Trying to turn against the flow I'm the ocean I'm the giant undertow I'm the ocean..." - N. Young

by HSLex on Jan 4, 2012 4:26 PM EST reply actions

i hate him so much

the things he said about John’s father cross so many lines that I don’t understand how he is still on tv

by Wizards Khalifa on Jan 4, 2012 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

With it being such a basic part of human nature

to take pleasure in tearing others down, there will always be an accepting audience (and economic reward) for that kind of content. Obviously.

But I still don’t get the guy in this instance. Why exactly is he going so hard at John? At some point each of us has to look in the mirror and say, “Am I a grown-ass man that is cashing my life’s checks based on being a complete a-hole to other people? Some of them not many years removed from being teenagers?”

I guess he just has a pretty high “I am willing to be an a-hole” threshold. Bully for him.

by HSLex on Jan 4, 2012 6:38 PM EST up reply actions