Vet Big Man Added to Wizards Lineup

I am very happy with this trade. We add Ronny Turiaf to our team. He is a positive presence, a vet with good leadership abilities, plays hard and is a good defender. He is tough, physically and mentally. He has overcome a lot in his career and we look forward to welcoming him to Washington, DC.

He has played with Kevin Seraphin before overseas. Our coaching staff had identified to us that we needed a vet big man to add to our lineup. This trade fits the bill plus we keep our cap flexibility in the out years. And we added some draft picks and we also received some cash considerations from the New York Knicks.

I went to our first practice session. Our team looks great in the new work out colors and outfits. The new practice court floor looks fantastic and the team looks “long, tall, athletic” and in shape. We are young. We are big and camp will be quite competitive.

The young players look like they have matured with Roger Mason and Ronny Turiaf added to the roster. I think we have also added two high quality, high character players to our roster.

Onward. Thank you. See you next Friday at the first pre-season game.

Grateful for a Home Win

Thank you. We needed a win last night at home.

We are now in the 8th spot in the East.

For the moment.

We are now 5-5 over the last 10 games so some progress.

We are now 9-4 at home. That is a good record.

We have lots of work to do on the road.

We scored many times on our power play last night. We needed that too. Score on special teams. We usually get some points or a win.

Dale Hunter now has an additional red tie I am pleased to report.

The tie I was wearing, I took it off and gave it to him after the game. Why?

A friend noticed that the tie has a design with a “warrior” on it. Who better to wear a red tie with a warrior on it than Dale Hunter?

Thank you. Go Caps!

Grado Labs Headphones

The best out there – hand crafted – beautiful; perfect crystal clear sound. The music never sounded better.

The Grado family started and have owned this company for 60 years – and their CEO – John Grado – and I grew up together in Brooklyn NY.

John’s brother Frank was my class mate for 7 straight years. I use the RS1i – click here. These are so nice to behold.

These make great holiday gifts for music fans. Check them out.

Big Caps Game Tonight

Against a very good team from Toronto.

We are starting to play better – with more enthusiasm; and character and grit – we are in most games now – and we are starting to see our skill players gain some traction and confidence.

Slow steps to adaptation to a new system. More aggression and more focus on defensive schemes.

We are starting to heal up and I am hopeful we will get back into the lineup soon some of our injured players – that could provide us with a nice boost. Stay tuned.

It is quite ironic though – it really doesn’t matter what system we play – if we get good to great goal tending; and we have good to great special teams play – we are well served and one of the best teams in the league.

We are focused on playing a new system; gaining in productivity and winning some hockey games.

We need the points. Every shift is important now to us – every period – every game.

Come on out and Rock the Red this evening; see you then and there. Go Caps and thank you.

NBA is back; Thank You

I am back from the NBA Board of Governors meeting. I voted yes on the motion to ratify the new CBA – we want to play basketball; we want to re-embrace our great fan base – we want to get on with rebuilding our team and have some fun!

There is no need to look backwards- to address issues raised during the lockout. There was a lot said – a lot written – a lot speculated. Some of it seemed quite emotional – some if it hurtful; some of it factually incorrect. But we move forward now – we take the high road – as the quiet period is over – we talk of a new day and a go forward plan, only! My main focus during all of the negotiations and discussions was that we all have the opportunity to craft a team that can be competitive – that can be kept together and that can compete for championships.

We open camp today. I am confident in our fan base – in our community – in our collective wisdom and talents and our desire to build something great, together.

We are a young team; we have some cap space. We have “optionality”. This shortened season – 66 games – a compressed schedule will create a dynamic and fun sprint of a season; all starting for us the day after Christmas.

We have enthusiasm and young legs.

We have patience. We have a plan.

We look forward.

Not back.

Come along for a fun ride; see you on Fun Street soon. New colors. New season. New team. Thank you.