Bullets Forever - Brian Cook invited to Wizards' training camp, Nene to be limited"Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2012-09-25T15:03:43-04:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/31579882012-09-25T15:03:43-04:002012-09-25T15:03:43-04:00Wizards will be cautious with Nene
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<figcaption>David Richard-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Washington Wizards' general manager Ernie Grunfeld said Tuesday that the team plans to bring along Nene slowly as he recovers from plantar fasciitis. The Wizards begin two-a-days on Oct. 5, but Nene probably will not participate. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> plan to be cautious with forward Nene when training camp starts Oct. 5, general manager Ernie Grunfeld <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/250643040245534720">told the media Tuesday</a>. Grunfeld said the Wizards don't expect Nene to be ready for two-a-days when training camp opens, and the plan is to slowly work the Brazil native back as he recovers from plantar fasciitis that he aggravated during the 2012 Olympics.</p>
<p>The 6'11, 250-pound forward is expected to be ready before the regular season, but because of his history with the injury, Washington is willing to be wait until he's completely healed.</p>
<p>In March, the Wizards acquired Nene in a three-way trade involving the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>. In just 11 regular-season games with Washington, Nene started six of them, averaging 14.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.</p>
<p>Entering the 2012-13 season, Nene is expected to be one of the top two players on the Wizards' roster.</p>
<p><i>This story was originally published on <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-wizards/2012/9/25/3406392/wizards-nene-injury-plantar-fasciitis-olympics-2012/in/3119303">SB Nation D.C.</a></i></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/9/25/3406916/nene-washington-wizards-ernie-grunfeldSB Nation NBA News2012-09-18T20:38:33-04:002012-09-18T20:38:33-04:00Cook signs non-guaranteed deal with Wizards
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<figcaption>Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Brian Cook has signed a non-guaranteed contract to attend the Washington Wizards' training camp, according to a report.</p> <p>We will get to see at least a little more of <span>Brian Cook</span> this season. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a>' big man has been invited to training camp on a non-guaranteed contract, <a href="https://twitter.com/MrMichaelLee/status/248215100614406144">agent Mark Bartelstein told Michael Lee of the Washington Post</a>. The news is not surprising because there was talk this could happen <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/9/14/3333110/brian-cook-washington-wizards-training-camp">as recently as a week ago</a>.</p>
<p>Cook is the 18th player the Wizards have invited to training camp. They have 14 players under contract, plus Steven Gray, <span>Shavlik Randolph</span>, <span>Earl Barron</span> and now Cook.</p>
<p>I would be surprised if Cook ultimately earned a spot on the roster. His skills are declining and the Wizards, like many teams, probably want to leave the final spot on the 15-man roster open in case of injuries or a trade. A non-guaranteed contract means they have absolutely no reason to keep him around if he doesn't cut it. My guess is that he's a training camp body that can help the rest of the team pick up <span>Randy Wittman's</span> offensive and defensive concepts.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/9/18/3355162/brian-cook-signs-washington-wizardsMike Prada2012-09-14T14:19:04-04:002012-09-14T14:19:04-04:00Cook invited to training camp, report says
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<figcaption>Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>The Washington Wizards have invited Brian Cook to attend training camp, according to a report.</p> <p>Most of us figured that <span>Brian Cook's</span> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> career would end unceremoniously at the end of last year's dreary season. However, it looks like the Wizards will at least be extending a training camp invitation to Cook, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/post/brian-cook-maurice-evans-still-looking-for-work/2012/09/14/f859f1c0-fe91-11e1-8adc-499661afe377_blog.html">according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post</a>.</p>
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<p>Cook, who was acquired from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> in the trade deadline deal involving <span>Nick Young</span>, has even been extended an invitation to training camp, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.</p>
<p>The Wizards hope to hear back from Cook by next week, with training camp set to begin at George Mason on Oct. 2, and a source close to Cook said an agreement on a non-guaranteed deal could be reached by later this afternoon.</p>
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<p>A month ago, <a href="http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x866124321/Supinie-Cook-sees-a-future-through-twilight">Cook told the Peoria Journal-Star</a> that he still hoped to play this season.</p>
<p>He's clearly a limited player at this stage of his career, and he's no longer even really that good at his one skill (shooting). But he at least seems to know what he's doing on the court, and given <span>Randy Wittman's</span> need to use training camp to install his sets, having a guy like Cook around can't hurt. A non-guaranteed contract provides no real risk for the Wizards.</p>
<p>I would be surprised if he made the team, though. The Wizards have 14 roster spots, and many teams like to leave one open during the season in case injuries strike or an unbalanced trade needs to be made. Giving that 15th spot to Cook limits that flexibility.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/9/14/3333110/brian-cook-washington-wizards-training-campMike Prada2012-09-13T08:01:21-04:002012-09-13T08:01:21-04:00Randolph vs. Barron: There can only be one
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Earl Barron and Shavlik Randolph will be battling for a spot on the Washington Wizards roster. Who has a better chance at impressing the coaches and earning a roster spot? Video breakdown of the two veteran big men.</p> <p>Earlier this week, news surfaced that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/9/11/3317466/earl-barron-washington-wizards-training-camp">invited </a><span>Earl Barron</span> and <span>Shavlik Randolph</span> to training camp. In what is sure to be an offensively challenged competition, the two veteran big men will be vying for a spot (along with Steven Gray) on the final roster. With the help of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mysynergysports.com/">MySynergy Sports</a>, let's take a look at what these two journeymen bring to the table and who has a better chance of impressing the coaches.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> Earl Barron</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Earl Barron’s best trait is his offensive rebounding ability. During his career he’s been an above average offensive rebounder for a power forward, and in limited time over the past three seasons, Barron’s offensive rebounding rate of 13.3 would put him among the top ten at his position.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, when you take a deeper look at those rebounds, a large percentage of them are attempted tip-ins. His Moses Malone impression wouldn’t be so bad if he could actually make these tip-ins, but he almost never does. Barron has averaged a dismal 0.65 points per put-back possession over the past three seasons. It’s usually hard to find a big man that bad on offensive rebound possessions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l8dr7jnI0HA"></iframe></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Barron’s teams would be much better served if he simply tipped the ball backwards when he can’t secure the rebound. Despite this, one could imagine that if he gets on a roll and finally knocks in a tip-in or two in camp, coaches could be impressed by his energy level and willingness to mix it up on the boards.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Defensively, Barron really struggled in isolation, allowing 1.15 points per isolation possession over the past three seasons. Barron’s lack of footspeed was showcased when he got switched onto wing players in isolation situations. As you can see, these players had an easy time scoring against him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jhauDy2d2zo"></iframe></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that lack of quickness also came into play when big men took him out on the perimeter. Barron gave players a little too much room to shoot because he feared the drive.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1flRer03Hrk"></iframe></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Shavlik Randolph</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On offense, Shavlik Randolph has rarely shot from outside, with a Vesely-like eight perimeter jumpers over five NBA seasons. It’s good that he isn’t taking inefficient shots, but he has a real problem finishing the efficient ones. During his limited time on the court in Miami, Randolph was blocked at the rim numerous times. On offense, it looks like he’s out of his league when he gets the ball underneath.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DXzjLqd_rcA"></iframe></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It should be noted that although Randolph isn’t much of a threat with the ball, his offensive rebounding rate is even higher than Barron’s.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Defensively, Randolph has shown willingness to get out to the perimeter and move his feet against a pick-and-roll ball handler. That willingness, successful or not, could be a key to getting a spot on the roster.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-12y4aVjry8"></iframe></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a former Duke Blue Devil, Randolph is also adept at taking charges (big surprise). <span> </span>When he’s received extended minutes, Randolph has taken charges at a much higher rate than your average power forward.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zT_XtLtubJo"></iframe></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Despite his fondness for taking charges, Randolph has also blocked shots at a higher rate than Barron over his career. This speaks more as a negative towards Barron than a positive towards Randolph. While both players don’t block many shots, at least Randolph protects the rim from underneath the basket.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Based on his defensive abilities and end-of-the-bench hustleyness, Shavlik Randolph seems likely to beat out Earl Barron for a spot on the roster. At seven feet tall, coaches may be swayed by Barron's size advantage, but we are way past the point of "seven-footer with potential" stage of Barron's career. Of course this could all be moot because the Wizards' front court is almost overstocked and Steven Gray brings the shooting ability that everyone has been clamoring for.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Who do you think the Wizards should add to the roster? Do they need anther replacement level big man or should they take a chance on the shooter, Steven Gray? Can anyone give Earl Barron some pointers on making tip-ins?</b></p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/9/13/3324622/washington-wizards-training-camp-battle-earl-barron-versus-shavlikjkahn152012-09-11T17:20:04-04:002012-09-11T17:20:04-04:00Wizards sign Earl Barron for training camp
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Washington Wizards have signed Earl Barron to a non-guaranteed contract to come to training camp.</p> <p>According to man-in-the-know Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo!, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> have agreed to a non-guaranteed deal with journeyman center <span>Earl Barron</span>.</p>
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<p>Free agent center Earl Barron has agreed to a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Washington Wizards, league sources told Y! Sports.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a data-datetime="2012-09-11T20:18:43+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/245617389499211776">September 11, 2012</a>
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<p>With a front court rotation of <span>Kevin Seraphin</span>, <span>Emeka Okafor</span>, Nene, <span>Jan Vesely</span>, and <span>Trevor Booker</span>, Barron's role would not necessarily be large. However,Washington is no stranger to roster volatility, so it's always nice to have a reliable veteran on board if necessary.</p>
<p>However, the Wizards <strike>currently have 15 full slots on the roster</strike>. If front court depth and large lineups, not to mention roster flexibility, are important enough to team going forward, one player would have to be cut in the event that Barron's training camp invite turned into a contract. <span>Shelvin Mack</span> has a partially-guaranteed contract, so he might be the one to draw the short straw in that scenario.</p>
<p>Barron has an average of 5.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in his career.</p>
<p>On another note, the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/9/11/3294687/countdown-to-tip-off-49-days">season tips off in just 49 days</a>.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE: </b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/post/wizards-invite-earl-barron-shavlik-randolph-steven-gray-to-training-camp/2012/09/11/05fbe652-fc63-11e1-8adc-499661afe377_blog.html">Michael Lee reports</a> the Wizards also will bring in Shavlik Randolph and Steven Gray to camp, along with Barron. The Wizards have 14 players under contract, so if they keep the maximum number of 15, the 15th man will come from that group.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/9/11/3317466/earl-barron-washington-wizards-training-campAmin Vafa