Goodbye, Donnell!

on the bench this year that isn't potentially exciting?  We've got two vets who run the pick & roll beautifullly together, a sharpshooter in Roger Mason, a developing big man ready for a potential breakout year, and three rookies who might have serious upside.

I mean sure, I'd still like to have Tyson Chandler or Marcus Camby at the 5, but there are basically no players taking up space on the bench.  This is after years of Michael Ruffin, Awvee Storey, Donnell Taylor, etc.  The Wizards have been a 7- or 8-man crew since the Steve Blake/Juan Dixon bench broke up, and that's counting Arvis regardless of how his jumper was falling.  The deep bench is actually going to be something to get excited about this year!

Seriously, who are we gonna complain about this year?

...the bench is actually deep and deep w/ potential.  Man I am stoked about Taser+Blatche.  I know it's early but I can't think of any stiffs (Peter Ramos anyone?).    

The 2-to-5 assist-to-turnover ratio this preseason is all you really need to know about about why Taylor is now job-hunting. The sub-40-percent shooting is acceptable, IMO. There are plenty of backup PGs who can't shoot, but you HAVE to take care of the ball. I wish we could have made more effort to keep Aaron Miles on after the Summer League, but if we're only $300K under the luxury tax, it seems unlikely there were ever any serious plans to keep DT or Massenburg on this season. Prorating the minimum, I guess we could sign someone in February or so and stay under the tax threshold.

Dave and Bernard have it exactly right. This is the most dynamic bench in recent Wiz memory, perhaps even better than the famous Rod & Ledell & Calbert & Darvin & God squad. With Taylor's departure, there's  no one on the bench who causes you to cringe when Eddie sends him in the game. There is one comparison to a guy Dave mentioned, albeit an unlikely one. I wasn't sorry to see Awvee Storey leave the Wiz, but Shaggy seems to share his philosophy about shooting -- jack that rock up there any time you have a hint of daylight. Fortunately, Shaggy is also 7-feet and can potentially contribute in other areas.

Finally, I am tickled that Taser seems to be catching on as a nickname. Now, every time McGuire sends some weak shot into the hands of a Wizards fastbreak (or every time some lawman sends 50,000 volts into the prone body of a defenseless college student), I'll be gleefully yelling "Don't Tase me, bro!"