Hump day links:
- Mike took note of John Wall's absence from Tom Ziller's prospective look what Team USA's roster might look like in 2016, and offers his prescription for how Wall could work his way onto the squad. [Us]
- Chris Mannix's projected 2016 roster is also sans Wall, but he also points out that the Wizards star could push for a spot if his jumper improves. [SI]
- Across SB Nation, each NBA team site will be publishing a post on an unheralded player regarded by fans as a "cult classic." Here at BF, Thomas penned a personal devotion to the tragically face-numb DeShawn Stevenson. Don't forget to weigh in on your favorite cult Wizard, either in the accompanying poll or tweeting the hashtag #NBACultClassics.
- The Mikes (our own Mike Prada and the Washington Post's Michael Lee) joined Matt Moore of CBS Sports on his podcast to talk some Wizards. [CBS Sports]
- It seems crazy that the start of the NBA season isn't even two months away. Frank Hanrahan is pretty sure the Wizards will be better in 2012-13, but how much better? [CSN Washington]
- In the wake of the Dwight Howard trade, could the Wizards lay claim to the best front court in the Southeast Division? [Wizards.com]
- Even if the Wizards can't swing their expiring contracts for a star player during the 2013-2014 season, BNIE thinks the team can look to the Nuggets for an example of how to turn assets into something of value.
- After stating the Wizards were among the teams that expressed interest in signing him, Jodie Meeks has decided to join the Lakers on a two-year, $3 million deal. Meeks would have given the Wiz another good three-point shooter, but he wouldn't have gotten many minutes playing behind Bradley Beal and Jordan Crawford. [CSN Washington]
- Is Bradley Beal's new bookbag actually a purse? I think it looks like a bookbag, but a very pretty bookbag... [Hip Hops]
- Shelvin Mack is a fan of Ray Lewis, but when push comes to shove, he's gotta root for the (more) local football team. [CSN Washington]
- Etan Thomas joined a pack of D.C. United players to watch the Redskins last open practice yesterday. [Washington Examiner]
- Anrew Bynum is flying to Germany to get the same experimental procedure done on his knee that Kobe Bryant got last offseason. [Washington Post | ESPN]
- Shabazz Muhammad, universally regarded as the No. 1 college recruit in the country, has been declared ineligible as an NCAA investigation into whether he received improper benefits while still in high school continues. [SB Nation]
- For Ziller, Muhammad's case is another example of why the NBA's age minimum should come to an end. [SB Nation]
- Chad Ford has updated his offseason grades for each NBA team. [ESPN Insider]
- Zach Lowe evaluates the offseasons of four Western Conference teams that didn't do much of anything. [The Point Forward]
- There don't seem to be many takers for Greg Oden's services. [FOX Sports Ohio]
- Andrew Sharp is glad to have the fun version of Team USA back. [SB Nation]
- Mike is stoked about the idea of a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the 2016 Rio Games. [SB Nation]
- Oh Jim Boeheim, you done stepped in it now. [USA Today]
- C'mon Kevin, don't be that white guy. [SB Nation]