The Washington Mystics have been practicing for nearly a full week. It's also our first week with the Wizards completely out of commission. But we still have some stories for this week we'd like to share:
1. Mystics start training camp, play a preseason game against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday in Louisville
Saturday's game will be part of a multi-team event held at the Yum! Center and it will give the team a taste of some competition. It is pretty hard to figure out how good they really are.
For more reading, I have a season preview here. In addition, Monumental Network's Jeremy Hyman also wrote a preview piece of his own which you can read here.
2. John Wall named to the All-Defense 2nd team but was left out of the All-NBA team
With the Wizards having a Top-10 defense in each of the last three seasons, it's inevitable that someone HAD to be named to the All-Defense Team. John Wall received his well-deserved first All-Defense Second Team honor earlier this week. That wasn't enough to get him on the All-NBA team.
3. Wizards hold exit interviews
Among the players, Wall is getting his wrist examined at the Cleveland Clinic and he won't be watching the Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, Nene and Kris Humphries are open to altering their roles next season.
4. Verizon Center's naming rights expire in 2018
Reports earlier this week indicated that the telecom giant wouldn't be renewing their rights when they expire in just three years, but Verizon responded saying that they haven't even begun evaluating their options yet.
5. Mock drafts point to the Wizards picking a stretch post in the NBA Draft
Washington has the 19th pick in this year's draft and the consensus is that Washington will pick a stretch post at that spot.
We haven't gone in depth about the posts who the Wizards may select with the pick yet. But Umair has a profile on Notre Dame guard Jerian Grant, and the Wizards can use more depth at that position anyway. The topic of the need for a stretch post was also addressed in the FanPosts where Mike Knapp has another take on it.
Enjoy your Memorial Day weekends everyone.