Ted's Take

It is only the Summer League. I wouldn’t get too excited but these games do offer our fans a glimpse of the hope and promise of young talented players and what they can bring to our franchise.

I would rather play well in these games than not well. I would rather our best prospects shine than not shine. The games are competitive. The players are all working hard to impress their coaches and GMs across the league.

In hockey, I liked our team as it crafted an up tempo exciting style of play all built around a young core with vets around it; playing a system; bonding as friends in the locker room; being coachable; believing in the system and adhering to a culture that is built collectively.

I believe that is what we can and must do with the Wizards.

(more…)

Thank you John and your associates for having great instincts about priorities, and what is important.

This was a refreshing and positive story to read. We all thank you and think this is such great news.

I wasn’t in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. I was at home. It was Sunday and Monday when I was in Las Vegas and I attended the game mentioned on Monday night… Other than that, we are good. Check this out. Whoops.

I am at Kettler Capitals Iceplex this week to watch Caps Development Camp — and hold a series of meetings regarding the Verizon Center, our new organizational structure to provide higher levels of service to our customers, and to review a bunch of customer generated issues and how to solve them.

I enjoyed my Vegas trip. I met with the NBA owners as noted within — “with respect” and also attended summer league games.

My favorite part of my trip was thus: as I was on the people-mover at Dulles last night, I saw a young man on the shuttle. He was wearing a Hershey Bears T shirt. We waved to each other. He then reached into his bag and pulled out an old school Rod Langway jersey and put it on.

His name is Chris Li and he, too, was returning from Vegas where he participated in a video game tournament wearing a John Carlson jersey. How cool is that? How cool is he? Thank you Chris! Go Caps. Go Wizards. Go Mystics.

I am leaving Las Vegas.

It was 105 degrees yesterday night at the game. I wore a suit as I came directly to the game from my first NBA owners meeting. I was hot but the heat is dry. No perspiration, but if you don’t drink lots of water you begin to hallucinate. The NBA summer league is a tough, workman-like environment. The crowd was loud and raucous.

Many NBA owners, scouts, general managers, and coaches are in attendance. As are folks from the D league and the International leagues. The players play hard. The games are fun, but they are played in an intense manner.

John Wall played well once again.

I thought our team played well, too.

We are seeing glimpses of a young star in training. We are seeing John’s confidence build possession by possession. Our Mr. Booker looks like a player as well — very confident, very physical, and very fast with the ball.

I am glad I came to see firsthand the NBA Summer League and meet some of our young players.

I was honored to attend my first owners meeting as well. I mostly listened in the meeting. I have a lot to learn.

A nice win. A good intro to NBA life for John Wall.

Summer league. Don’t get too excited. Don’t let the mistakes get you down either.

John is certainly fast with the ball in his hands. He is a blur. He plays D, and he wants to make his teammates better. He will pass at the right moment. An assist to him is as important as scoring a basket. That is a great instinct to have as a point guard.

It also means his teammates will run the floor, as they know if they get open, they will get the ball delivered in their comfort zone.

A good start. Don’t get too high with the highs and too low with the lows.

I am on my way to Vegas to attend my first NBA Owners meeting on Monday and then follow that up by attending a summer league game later that night.

I look forward to seeing the kids play and to see our first round picks including John Wall in action.

I am also hoping that our Mr. McGee continues on his growth spurt. He is very athletic and he is developing a NBA body now. That is great news for our franchise. See article within.

Let the kids play.

And why not? I am surprised we are even playing 82 games next year. I thought the championship trophy was already awarded to a South East division foe. Have you ever seen such anticipation, excitement and hype?