Summer League!

by Mike Prada on Jul 5, 2007 1:00 PM EDT

The Wizards announced their summer league roster today. Here it is.

Shagari Alleyne
Brian Chase
Mike Hall
Jared Homan
Lee Humphrey
Dominic McGuire
Aaron Miles
Oleksiy Pecherov
Kevinn Pinkney
J.R. Pinnock
Leon Rodgers
Kyle Visser
Jameel Watkins
Nick Young
Derrick Zimmerman

Interesting that Andray Blatche isn't there, but I wouldn't read too much into it. He needs weight training more than summer league anyway. He'd just dominate this league and possibly develop bad habits.

The other interesting thing is that Eddie himself is coaching. That's probably just because of all the assistant coaching instability, but it's still pretty random.

One of my colleagues, Dave at Blazers Edge, is actually going to be attending the Summer League games in Vegas, and plans on talking to different NBA personnel. He's offered to ask them any burning questions we had about our Summer League participants. Therefore, I open the floor to you guys. Any particular burning questions you want to see answered? Put them in the comments section if you do, and I'll relay them to Dave.

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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My observations

Blatche is established as an NBA player and recognizes that he's getting paid this summer. He dominated the summer league last year, so he doesn't need to bother this summer, even though his game obviously needs work. I hope this speaks to his realistic understanding of how the league works rather than a sentiment that he doesn't need to work hard anymore because he's getting paid.

Whatever the circumstances, it seems like a plus to have Eddie running the summer squad (although maybe it pisses him off, in which case I feel bad for him).

I have been impressed with how well the bloggers here keep on top of things going on with the team and in the league in general, and I'm even more impressed with the Blazers dude actually covering the summer league in person. Kudos.

by Vanilla Gorilla on Jul 5, 2007 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Blatche

I'd think the most important factor in Blatche not playing is the fact that as of now he is not under contract. He has a tender from the team which was not signed and can be retracted.

I'd rather have him in the weight room as well. That, and taking part in basketball without borders programs. As a young man he needs to take his opportunities to see the world and broaden his world view. Its an important factor that many high school to NBA players don't get at first.

by Jheiser3 on Jul 5, 2007 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

PS

if there's a guy to watch outside of Visser, its Aaron Miles from Kansas. He played very well last year in France and could be the 3rd PG for a lot of NBA teams.

by Jheiser3 on Jul 5, 2007 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

3rd year

I thought summer league was for undrafteds, rookies, and players entering their second year. Are many players from his draft class taking part?

by sierradave on Jul 5, 2007 4:24 PM EDT reply actions

Blatche

I honestly wouldn't mind seeing him play. I understand he dominated last year, but young players need experience playing. While several months in the weight room would help, why not give him 25-30 minutes a game for game experience. He averaged 12 minutes a game last season. He needs to play to develop that 12-15 footer that we want and to become the top notch defensive presence that we all would love to see, especially if we give him big money this summer. A summer in the weight room is not going to make that happen (will help a little with D but still wont improve instincts and positioning).

by finkad01 on Jul 5, 2007 9:14 PM EDT reply actions