Here’s a nice story by NBC TV-4 as the Wizards’ Kevin Seraphin spent some time with the D.C. Fire Training Academy. Watch it here.
Category Archives: Basketball
It Always Amazes Me
It always amazes me the conviction that some people can speak with about a young player and his performance to date and development.
In early March – I received an email from a self professed expert who said that “Both Seraphin and Vesely are busts and will never get productive minutes in the NBA”. I engaged in a conversation with this person, and asked if they had ever seen the two players play in the European leagues or in a Wizards practice – the answer was of course no. Although he had read about them.
I then asked if they believed that if the players got their minutes – and became more of a focal point on the offensive end – did he think they could develop and become a part of the rotation. His answer was of course – “Hell no – they both are busts – bad picks”.
Sigh. I think we need to scout far and wide – International players are making a big impact in the NBA – we now have 3 on the team in Nene, Seraphin and Vesely. All are fundamentally quite sound. And all are contributing to the team and will do so next season with even more impact. All three players are positive forces in the locker room and are very competitive. We promised to look all over the world for talent when we first bought the team two years ago.
I think we have seen Kevin Seraphin develop; I think he is one of the most improved players in the NBA – he is big – mobile – shoots with either hand – plays strong D and rebounds well. He has upside. He is 22 years old. This is his second year in the NBA. He is tough to stop down low; and he is tough. He is being mentored by Nene.
And Jan Vesely does so many little things well; boxing out; tipping the ball to players; rebounding; setting screens – running the floor – hitting the floor for loose balls. He is very athletic and he has high basketball IQ. That is a great combination. He can jump and run and is now gaining confidence in his game and surroundings; he is a unique player and he will spend his off season working on his strength and on his offensive game and mid-range shot. He too is 22 years old. And is a rookie.
Read this article to read about his last game. Well done Jan.
I am patient; I believe in these players; I think they made great strides this season. I believe adding players with global competitive experience is a good development for our franchise. I believe in young players – and if developed correctly – will provide many years of lift to our won -loss record and help change the culture of the franchise.
Seraphin and Vesely are both terrific draft picks; terrific people and I am glad they will be with our team to help us in our rebuild.
Good vibes all around
Nene has made a big difference for this team.
He is a vet; with presence on the court and in the locker room.
He has embraced his role as a mentor and as a leader. He does so many things in a professional grade manner – being vocal on the court – boxing out – setting hard and true picks. Making his shots off of pick and roll plays.
The Wizards have improved dramatically in several areas – and in small detail areas such as defensive rebounding.
The team plays hard – the team rebounds well now; the players like each other – we have upside.
We look forward to a productive off season; and the team can’t wait to get back at it come next season.
The chemistry between John Wall and Nene is very solid and developing nicely; the mentoring of Kevin Seraphin and Jan Vesely by Nene is clear to see.
The young players are developing chemistry forged through hard times. There is no easy way to build a team; and change a culture – we are making progress. Read this one, too.
Ernie to continue rebuild
I’m pleased to announce that Ernie Grunfeld will remain as our GM and continue to lead our rebuilding efforts in partnership with me. Like all of the employees at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Ernie’s performance is evaluated based on the strategy we jointly establish and his ability to execute that strategy.
When we purchased the Wizards, I felt it was necessary to revamp and change the direction of the team; Ernie has led that charge and embraced our new philosophy. We have accumulated talented, young players and worked at developing them. We have acquired veteran players who can help guide the younger players and just as importantly, help us win games. We have a roster right now that features six first-round picks from the last two drafts. Under Ernie’s leadership we have almost completely turned over the Wizards roster. We are not only going to be in a position to add a lottery-pick player through the draft, but also because of the exceptional salary cap flexibility that Ernie has created, we will be able to be active in the free-agent market, if we so choose.
When I bought the Wizards I told you that we would be rebuilding and that was a process that would take time. I believe we have completed the first segment of that process and are poised to be a competitive team going forward. We have a strong nucleus of young players led by John Wall and veteran leadership from Nene.
In addition, Ernie and his staff have created one of the most technologically advanced basketball operations departments in the NBA. We now are able to evaluate talent with a unique use of high-speed cameras and an innovative approach to statistics.
I give credit to Ernie for putting us in this position so quickly, but, like you, I now expect the Wizards to transition from a work-in-progress to a team that competes for a playoff spot.
Our fan appreciation night is coming up Thursday, and I want to share how much I have enjoyed the excitement and support our season-ticket holders have displayed – and it’s rubbing off. While we are actively renewing accounts, we also are securing new plan holders who have sampled our game and the Verizon Center experience. Thanks to our season-ticket holders for being such great ambassadors.
We continue to be in this together.
Wizards at Caps Playoff Game 6
I am pleased that so many of the Washington Wizards attended last night’s playoff game. I counted 6 players in attendance and we wanted them to share in how great the DC community is and how passionate fans can be during the playoffs. The players all enjoyed their experience at the game.
They saw a building with every seat sold. All rocking the red.
DC is a basketball town. Our fans can and will embrace a young team with upside – and one that can qualify for the playoffs year after year. I hope our Wizard’s players take extra motivation from last night’s game.
We – together – have built one of the biggest and most passionate fan bases in the NHL.We intend to do so with the Washington Wizards as well.
We want to build three teams that can qualify – year after year for the playoffs – and have sell outs every night. In the NHL, the NBA and the WNBA.
We want to make our fan bases proud. I would also like to thank David Gregory of NBC News – and Meet the Press for Rocking the Red and being so supportive of us on air and attending so many games as a season ticket holder. And thanks to my friend Boyd Tinsley - of the Dave Mathews Band for attending his first hockey game last night – he is such a great talent and such a class act.
4 of 6
The Wizards have now won 4 of their last 6 games – while being very shorthanded. It was nice to Nene back on the floor and to see Roger Mason on the bench – even in street clothes – post his surgery to repair a finger on his shooting hand. With Nene in the lineup – we seem to be a more complete team.
I am pleased to see the team responding so well to our fans and to the coaching staff. The team plays hard and rebounds and plays defense well. We are seeing our young players develop – and we see the upside in the team and what we need to add to make the team more and more competitive and eventually a playoff contender and then playoff caliber team.
Our fans are enjoying watching this team develop and I am very pleased to report that our season ticket renewals are on a very brisk pace – way ahead of last season’s mark at this same time. I am grateful to you all for your belief in what we are doing together.
Keep the faith. Enjoy this team as it develops and works hard for you every night.
Meanwhile in Chicago
The Wizards beat the NBA’s best Chicago Bulls last night.
As I left the arena after the Caps game – I turned on the Wizards game on the radio and literally caught the last 30 seconds of the game. It was a thrilling conclusion to a hard fought game where the Wizards clawed back from frequent deficits.
I am proud that our team is fighting and playing hard for one another. Til the end.
We are playing without Rashard Lewis, Andray Blatche, Nene,Trevor Booker and Roger Mason Jr. We literally are playing with a team that has about a $ 15 million payroll as 3 of our injured players are our most highly compensated players.
We have several D league players on the squad and we are playing mostly first and second year players.
In a rarity this season – we have beaten OKC – the Sixers, the Lakers and now the Bulls. This is a great learning experience for our young players.
Last night – we had less turn overs than Chicago – and we were pretty even – finally – at the free throw line; and wouldn’t you know it – we get a win.
Mystics Add Talent Through Draft
In continuing a busy off-season, the Mystics selected four players during today’s WNBA Draft. Natalie Novosel (8th overall) from the University of Notre Dame and LaSondra Barrett (10th overall) from Louisiana State University were selected in the first round by our GM/Head Coach Trudi Lacey. They were joined on the Mystics draft board in the third round by University of Maryland guard Anjale Barrett (26th overall) and guard Briana Gilbreath (35th overall) from the University of Southern California.
Natalie, also a guard, played in back-to-back National Championship Games for the Fighting Irish while leading the Big East in both 3-point and free throw percentage. LaSondra, a forward, was an all-conference player for LSU and comes to DC with the ability to play five different positions.
Anjale joins a long list of former Terrapins who have played for the Mystics and will be welcomed to the team by current WNBA all-star and Maryland alum Crystal Langhorne. Briana comes to Washington as a four-year starter for the Trojans and a four-time All-Pac-12 pick.
Training camp for the Mystics opens on April 29 and I’m excited to see all of the new faces take the court. With just 11 roster spots up for grabs, and the addition of several veteran free agents joining this draft class, camp promises to be competitive. Trudi has made many changes to improve our team from a year ago and I think you will like our 2012 roster. You can read more about yesterday’s activity here.
Wishing a speedy recovery to Roger Mason Jr.
Roger is a very good player and a good locker room leader; mature, experienced and a terrific spot up shooter.
He will be missed. I truly appreciated his time here this season; he was a steadying and positive influence on our young players; we are playing all rookies and second year players and Roger Mason was a “rock” in terms of providing counsel and leadership.
We are in the last two weeks of the season; we are already shorthanded and we needed to add another 10 day contract to have some players on the floor – we will miss Roger Mason and I thank him very much for all his contributions to our team and all of the positive qualities he brought to us night after night. He is a pro’s pro and a very good man. Get well soon, Roger!
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