Bring Back the Bullets

Ted Leonsis has signed the agreement to purchase the remaining 56 percent of the Washington Wizards franchise, and the Verizon Center, that he didn't already own, according to The Washington Post. It means he is set to take over within a month to six weeks, and dive into rebuilding the beleaguered franchise, which is coming off of a 19-win season and a 26-win season in the last two years.

Going off of the way he infused life into the Washington Capitals, Wizards fans are optimistic that the days of misery soon will come to an end, and that Leonsis' Wizards can finally rebound and join the ranks of the league's elite teams.

Last week in a piece for CSNWashington.com, I wrote that it will take a while for us to be able to tell exactly how Ted's Takeover will impact the franchise. Ernie Grunfeld is likely to remain as general manager, and the Wizards' goal is to further develop their young talent (Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee, Nick Young, Al Thornton) and welcome back Gilbert Arenas while adding more talent this offseason through the draft and free agency. How this differs from Leonsis' plan, I don't know. We'll have to hear from him. It's not likely to differ greatly, though.

In the last week, fans have made it pretty clear one of the initial changes they'd like to see, however, and that's to scrap the Wizards and bring back the Bullets. There had been speculation that Leonsis might make such a move soon after Abe Pollin died and it was clear that the former AOL official had intentions of taking over. Then came Gilbert Arenas' gun incident, and some people wondered if the return to the Bullets nickname was dead.

Last week I heard from a lot of people who still want the Bullets back. "This franchise is cursed! Wizards are bad luck. Bring back Bullets!" one fan wrote.

And hey, maybe he has a point. It'll take a while for this dreadful season to be forgotten, and maybe a return to the old-school name and colors would go a long way toward reversing "the curse" that is believed to hang over this franchise. New ownership, new look, new colors, new attitude. . . .

True, Abe Pollin scrapped Bullets because of the violent tone of the name, and gun violence in the locker room was the lowlight of this past season. But, the meaning behind the Bullets nickname was 'Faster than a speeding bullet." And I know many baby-boomer fans of the franchise that still forget and call them the Bullets anyway.

I say do it. It's not like Wizards has a terribly positive ring to it . . . especially given all the bad karma this franchise has experienced since Arenas blew out his knee in April of 2007. Right now around the NBA, Wizards = laughing stock. The days of the Wes Unseld-led Bullets remain the proudest moments of this franchise, so bring the name back.

And one thing's for sure, Ted & Co. will make a good chunk of change on jersey sales.

Mike James just hoping for a chance

The Wizards and point guard Mike James agreed to a buyout yesterday evening, meaning that the nine-year veteran will get a chance to pursue an opportunity with another team in this final month and a half of action left in the season.

He's definitely fresh considering he appeared in only four games this season for a total of 46 minutes. Mike James' situation this season was one of the many perplexing aspects of the Wizards' season.

He reported for training camp in great shape, saw a heavy workload during camp, often running one team while Gilbert Arenas ran the other. He talked about the excitement of the opportunity to chip in and do his part to help the Wizards gain elite status in the Eastern Conference and how hungry he as a 34-year-old was to show that "an old dog learn new tricks."

But the first preseason game came and James got a DNP. He was sitting there on the bench with the most confused look on his face. 'From running the second team to DNP?' he had to have been asking himself.

The season came and James watched, practiced, watched, watched and watched some more. With his team down to only one healthy guard, he got into the Nov. 6 game at Indiana, and the next day broke his finger in practice. In came Earl Boykins. James finally recovered and returned to practice, but continued to rack up DNP's. Whenever Flip Saunders was asked about James, he never gave much insight as to why the shorthanded Wizards weren't using him.

"Coach, what are you looking for from Mike James that you're not getting," I asked after one practice. "Nothing. Mike's a professional and we know he's always going to work hard and stay ready." Soooo, what then?

James always remarked that he didn't know why he wasn't used. He was frustrated, but kept working. Finally on Jan. 24, he got into a game and recorded 11 points, two assists, two steals, three rebounds and a turnover in 19 minutes.

"Ah, they're starting to showcase him for a potential trade," I thought. Wrong. James got in the game for a minute the next outing, and then came another string of DNPs. Weird. Don't get me wrong, Mike James' inactivity wasn't the reason for the Wizards' struggles. He may have helped them get a few more points here and there, and you never know, a couple more wins maybe, but the Wizards' problems were much deeper. Still, he at least deserved a shot. I mean, he was getting paid $6.5 million to do nothing.

James was mentioned in a few trade scenarios -- one of them was to Cleveland with Antawn Jamison. The night Jamison was moved, which was the eve of the trade deadline, James was expecting to be shipped out as well. Imagine the shock James must have experienced when seeing Jamison walked through the locker room with his belongings and said his good-byes while realizing that he was still stuck in D.C. The Wizards gave James leave of absence while agreeing to work on a buyout. That day came yesterday for a reported $150,000. The Wizards might as well have waived him for that small figure.

But anyway, James is now a free man, which is an obvious relief.

"For the last nine years Mike has been in the NBA, so not having his life dictated by practice, games and travel of a given team this early in the year has definitely been an adjustment for him," James' agent Bernie Lee said. "This year in Washington was such a challenge in so many well documented ways that the ups and downs of uncertainty definitely became a drain on Mike. [We're glad] to be able to gain closure and think about moving on is a way for Mike to focus new energy’s and begin to think about what's next."

The Miami Heat and Charlotte Bobcats have been mentioned as possible destinations for James, who over his career has averaged 10.5 points and 3.6 assists while bouncing between nine teams. But I'm told nothing is imminent.

Mike James this morning returned a voicemail I had left for him last night and talked about this strange season.

Jones: So, you've reached your buyout and are now a free man. Are you happy about your prospects of being able to pursue a new opportunity?
James: "Not really. I feel like it's unfortunate the way this season has went both on an individual and team level. It's been tough to prepare myself the way that I have and watch this team struggle and not get a shot to help."


Jones: That had to have been a surprise given all the action you got in training camp, and then it didn't carry over into the season. What happened?
James: "The first week of training camp, all the Wizards staff was commenting to me how good I looked, and how hard I was working, but then the first preseason game I get a DNP. And then from there, I just kept watching. I was never given a chance to even earn my keep here, and basically they wouldn't even give me a chance to get a [trade] with another team. They just wanted me to rot on the bench. No one ever answered my questions. I was first in the gym, and the last to leave, I prepared like I prepared like I was going to play every day, I didn't have any problems with any of the assistanst coaches, I did everything I was asked, I was great in the locker room, so I don't understand what went wrong. It just seemed like it was personal, but I don't understand why."


Jones: So, what's next for you?
James: "I'm just in the gym, working hard like I have been this whole daggone season. I'm still in training camp. All season I've been stuck in August. I'm doing dribbling and shooting drills, just staying ready, and when I get that shot, when a coach gives me a look, I'm gonna show him and his eyes are gonna pop out and he's going to say, 'You couldn't play on Washington Wizards team, but you can play still?' And that's the thing, I was on a bad team, and to be on a bad team and not have a chance to even play, what does that say about me as a person, it says I'm no good. But I know I've still got a lot to offer. It was basically disrespecting me and my eight previous years in the NBA, saying what I've accomplished is nothing. I don't know why, but hopefully now I can get a chance to show they were wrong. I don't care where I go, I just want to have a chance to play and to help somebody win. And I hope wherever I go that they're serious about winning."

The 7-Day-Dray Show rolls on

The revamped Our Time campaign proceeds and last night featured another career night for Andray Blatche, who torched Yi Jianlian and the New Jersey Nets for 36 points, 15 rebounds and four assists while leading his Washington Wizards to an 89-85 victory.

Since the All-Star break demolition of the Wizards, 7-Day-Dray is averaging 26.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 blocks a game. And during that stretch, Washington owns a 4-3 record. Believe it or not, it's only the second time this season the Wizards have played at such a rate. (They had a 5-3 stretch from Nov. 18 to Dec. 2).

Of course, the Wizards may not have pulled off the win had it not been for Randy Foye's clutch back-to-back 15-footers in the final 44 seconds of play. But Blatche definitely played the part of workhorse once again.

You keep wondering how long this will last, or when that off-day will hit, but for now, he continues to bring it. Up next are a home-and-home date with the Milwaukee Bucks, and you have to think Blatche is due for two more strong performances, and that the Wizards have a chance to at least split. The game that will be interesting to see is next Monday when 7-Day-Dray & Co. take on KG and the Celtics in Boston. How will Blatche do against his idol? Garnett isn't what he once was, but he's as tough a defender as Blatche will face until the Wizards head West later this month.

Since he took over as coach of the Wizards last spring, Flip Saunders has been asked to compare Blatche and Garnett, and he always quickly says it's not even close, a big reason being KG's constant high level of intensity. He was asked again last night, The Post's Michael Lee reported, and this time Saunders didn't quickly dismiss such talk.

"The thing he doesn't have that KG had was the defense, that's what he's got to keep working at," Saunders said, "but what happens, as he keeps playing major minutes the first time, he's probably getting in the best shape he's ever been in."

Indeed, Blatche needs to improve his defense. He's getting them boards, but actually D'ing up guys isn't exactly a strength. Last night he allowed Yi to post a line of 20 points and 19 rebounds, and it was only the fifth time all season Yi scored at least 20 points. But if Blatche keeps working as he is now, improvement in that area has to come as well.

As far as the rest of the Young Fella Watch goes, Al Thornton continues his strong play with 20 points and eight rebounds. But JaVale McGee and Nick Young didn't exactly impress. McGee mustered only four points and four rebounds while giving up 16 and 10 to fellow sophomore Brook Lopez. Lopez did shoot 8-for-20 from the field, so McGee made him work, but the Wizards' auditioning center of the future has got to grab more than four boards. And Young was scoreless in only six minutes of play and had a plus-minus of -6. When will his breakout come?

-- Photo credit: AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

It's a different world now, Big Time

When was the last time Antawn Jamison headed to the bench with a little more than nine minutes left in a game and his team holding a lead, and instead of having to catch a quick breather, he was able to pull on his warmups and play the role of cheerleader the rest of the way?

When was the last time that all Jamison had to do was chip in with a mini-scoring spree in the third quarter and still enjoy a 20-point victory?

That was our boy Twan last night. Laughing and clapping with his new pal Bron as the Cleveland Cavaliers put away the Boston Celtics.

We're not in Kansas any more, Toto!

Jamison, who often greets people with a 'What's going on, Big Time?' is now getting to see just how nice it is to be on a squad that's legitimately Big Time. After that 108-88 comeback win over Boston last night, he had to be asking himself similar type of questions before remarking in his head, 'So THIS is what they mean by Cleveland Rocks!' Or maybe his thought was, 'Note to self: Send Gil a thank-you note for ruining our championship pipe dreams and making it possible for me to really know what it feels like to play for an elite team. And while you're at it, send one to Ernie, too, for shipping me here."

The site of Jamison decked out in that wine, navy and gold of the Cleveland Cavaliers still is a bit harsh on the eyes. But you have to feel good for him. All that suffering the last two years, having to take the mic and apologize for a 19-63 season, having to go out there again to apologize for Gil and his guns... it's all over now. Now instead of knowing that an off night most certainly means a loss, Jamison -- who struggled all game until scoring six points during a 14-6 game-changing Cavalier run late in the third quarter -- still has hope thanks to a roster chocked full of talent and led by the league MVP.

Don't get it twisted, though. Jamison has to do more than show up. And the Cavaliers won't always be able to afford for him to miss his first three shots, manage only three first-half points and only nine points and three rebounds for the whole game. But the good thing is they have a bench that features Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson to help pick up the slack while Jamison adjusts to his new surroundings. Jamison in his first four games as a Cav has averaged 12 points and six boards. It's not what we're accustomed to seeing, and its not the production for which Cleveland acquired him. But the old Twan will soon return. As he said Shaq told him, "You're a big dog, so just play." If he can, which I expect he will, there will be a lot more fourth quarter chill sessions for Jamison.

So go ahead and cheer for him -- and his new team -- Wizards fans. Yeah, it's Cleveland. But that rivalry is dead and gone. Meanwhile, Jamison's title hopes are alive and well.

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

Questions for Washington's final 28 games

The New-look Wizards are 3-1 since the All-Star break trades went down, claiming Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, DeShawn Stevenson and Antawn Jamison. In the last three games, Wizards fans have seen something that has rarely been seen: youthful enthusiasm, hunger, high-energy play and great chemistry.

Suddenly Andray Blatche, who was a Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde sub -- putting up a strong near-double-double performance one night only to follow that up with a few listless showings in a row -- has morphed into a guy putting up All-Star-like numbers four games in a row.

James Singleton has come in and immediately taken up a leadership role, impressing upon his teammates the importance of doing whatever it takes to win. Guys are getting knocked down and a teammate quickly comes up, offers a hand and gets him off the floor (this is different from many times this season when many times the Wizards, even Antawn Jamison, stood in a spot while a teammate got up on his own).

I wrote more about the new look/new mindset of the Wizards while freelancing for CSNWashington.com yesterday. As I said in that story, there's no way to know how much lasting power this new infusion of life will have. The Wizards did upset the Nuggets last week, but how will they do on a tough stretch? How will they respond to a blowout defeat by an elite team (maybe Boston in two weeks)? It's definitely going to be interesting to see how the rest of this season plays out, not because the Wizards have a chance to do some damage in the postseason, but because what we see now could give an indication to what the Wizards' summer will play out.

Guys are hungry, and have that underdog mentality because for much of their careers, many of the current Wizards have been counted out and they see this as their time to shine. (Well, at least Saunders' "Our Time" slogan from training camp still applies).

Here are some questions (in no particular order) that will be answered -- either positively or negatively -- over the course of the next 28 games:

> Is this the real Andray Blatche? -- We've seen flashes from Blatche before. Remember the start of the season when he looked like a bonafied starter in this league, then when Jamison came back he appeared to have lost his way. This version of Blatche appears to have the fire lit underneath him, and he's saying and doing all the right things. What made for the change? He said some of it was the lesson he learned from his suspension a month ago, and a lot of it has to do with "just opportunity." Now that he knows he is needed more than ever, Blatche has found a way to up the level of his intensity and also improve his preparation habits. It appears to be a resurrection of 7-Day-Dray. Now he's averaging 25 points and 10.3 rebounds in the last four games. Can Blatche continue to bring it if the Wizards go on a four-game slide? Blatche has always been a guy who's play is largely impacted by his emotions. And when he feels like a coach has confidence in him, he plays better. We saw that briefly last season when Ed Tapscott took over, but then inconsistencies returned. With Flip Saunders running the same plays for Blatche that he did for Blatche's idol, KG back in Minnesota, Blatche definitely feels the love. If he continues to play like this, does this mean the light's finally gone on and he's the team's long-term solution at power forward? And then, say management likes what he's done, but this summer still has the opportunity to bring in a more proven power forward and Blatche goes back to backup. Can he continue to play at a high level, or is a return of the hot-and-cold Blatche. That's what will show us if he's finally become a true professional or not.

> Is Randy Foye Flip Saunders' point guard? -- Foye isn't quite a true point guard, but is the Wizards' best option with Gilbert Arenas suspended. If Arenas isn't on this team next year, which we could have a better idea of come March 26, do the Wizards retain Foye, who will be a restricted free agent and continue to groom him to run the team, or do the Wizards go after a young future star in the draft? Foye is averaging 13.7 points and 4.8 assists as a starter, but even now at times finds himself on the bench in the fourth quarter situations. Saunders still finds comfort with Earl Boykins, but he's going to be 34 this summer and isn't a franchise point guard.

> Can Nick Young, JaVale McGee get it? -- As with last year, these two are given another chance to show what they have to offer for the future. Young has been in and out of the starting lineup this season, but it appears that he's out of chances there for now. Josh Howard goes down and when asked if it opened up another opportunity for Young, who has played some 3, Saunders quickly said, "No. Al Thornton will start." Thornton has come right in and made an impact, averaging 16 points a game as a Wizard. He has run through only a handful of practices, but already has earned more trust from Saunders than Young. And with Mike Miller a much more well-rounded player at shooting guard, it looks like Nick will continue to be a spot player. What will it take for his light to go on? Another summer of work with Sam Cassell? Another team? And how about McGee? The Wizards drafted him hoping he could be the center of the future. Now is his chance. After playing in only 27 games this season prior to the trade, he is now the starting center and is averaging 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in four games. He obviously has lots of growing and learning to do, but there's no way Ernie Grunfeld will know if he has his franchise big man or not if McGee doesn't play.

> Who else is in Washington's future? -- The Wizards today will sign D-League All-Star Mike Harris to a 10-day contract to take Josh Howard's spot on the roster. Harris was the second-leading scorer in the D-League, putting up 26.3 points and 9.8 rebounds a game. This is a great opportunity for him. Wizards management, I'm told was briefly conflicted over who to bring in -- a veteran that was on the streets or recently waived, or a young up and coming player from the D-League. They settled on Harris, who has had two brief stints with Houston, and has been able to continue to develop his game in the D-League. I'm told by two league sources that the Wizards see this as a chance to evaluate Harris as part of their future. It continues the trend we've seen since the trade of going younger and rebuilding this franchise with talented potential rather than retreads. Can Harris fit right in with Blatche, McGee and Thornton as the young nucleus of the future? If that's the case, what type of free agents does Grunfeld & Co. go after in the summer? Stay tuned . . .

Andray Blatche Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Enough of the Tiger rubbernecking, already

I know that the majority of the time, this space is dedicated to news and commentary surrounding the Washington Wizards, but I can't help but let loose on a little rant over something that's been grating on me the last couple days.

It started on Thursday when in anticipation of Tiger Woods' public apology the media outlet talking heads began debating over what the World's Greatest Golfer-turned-Biggest--Baddest-Villain would and should say in his first public comments since it was learned that he had been running around on his wife nearly three months ago. It continued on Friday when after Woods addressed the world, the analyzation, dissection and criticism of the golfer's delivery and message dragged on and on and on. And now three days later, it hasn't died off. The morning TV talk shows have to weigh in, even interviewing friends of Tiger's to see if he was sincere or not, and if his pals were aware of the infidelity. Keep it real, people. What good buddy is going to say "Um, nah, he was faking it, and yeah we chase skirts all the time!"

But, anyway. You wanna know something?

IT.
DOESN'T.
MATTER.

Woods shouldn't have ever gotten up there. Yes, he subjected himself to criticism, but c'mon. Talk yourself blue in the face, rip Woods another new one, prance around on high horses and proclaim this and that. But seriously, it doesn't matter, at all. Tiger Woods didn't wrong anyone but his wife and kids, his mom and his wife's family. He owes absolutely no one else an apology. OK, God, but other than Him, nobody else. What he did didn't paint his sponsors in a negative light. You think people are returning their Buicks or TAG Heuer watches back because they're disgusted with a cheating golfer? You mean to tell me none of the presidents of any of the companies that dropped Woods have never broken one of the Ten Commandments?

We need to stop the hypocrisy, America. Quit rubbing your hands in glee over the misfortunes of a man who happens to be more athletic and a lot richer than most of us are. Many people in the last few days have said to me that they're glad to see Two-faced-Tiger take a blow because he isn't what his image portrayed. Well, don't we all try to put up the best front possible? And did he ever say in any of those ads, "I'm Tiger Woods, and I'm the greatest husband ever."? And if Tiger Woods let your kid down, then you need to double-check your parenting. You should be your kid's role model. Not some person who doesn't know they exist. Their teachers and other mentors should influence their lives. Yes, the dollars from Woods' foundation has impacted the lives of many children, but it's not like the check bounced and suddenly the programs they were enrolled in have now ceased operation.

This isn't the first professional athlete that has stepped out on their wife or husband, and it won't be the last. And this most definitely isn't the first time someone sinned. Adam took care of that aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages ago. "Nobody walkin' this earth's surface is." So keep stepping.

Friday while trying to no avail to find a radio show that wasn't discussing Woods, I was on what was supposed to be 495-North, but seemed a lot like a parking lot. Inch by inch I and all the other cars painfully moved forward. Finally after about 45 minutes elapsed and a mile traveled, we passed a car on the side of the road with its hood up, and boom, everything started flowing right after that. I shook my head and couldn't help but remark to myself, "All this Tiger talk is a lot like rubbernecking. Accomplishes absolutely nothing, just slows us all down." Isn't our economy still terrible? Aren't homeless still on the streets in our cities, and people still digging out from rubble in Haiti? Keep your eyes on the road and drive on. Because, it's not like the Tiger bandwagon won't be overflowing again after he wins another major or two.

The under-appreciated Captain rides off

Antawn Jamison carried a trash bag of his belongings with him and had a duffle bag slung over his shoulder as he walked from the parking garage elevator to his silver Bentley shortly after news broke that the Washington Wizards had just traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-team six-player deal Wednesday night.

Jamison -- chased by a mini-throng of tv camera men and reporters -- didn't stop to talk, but when asked if he had a message for his fans, he replied over his shoulder, "I love them more than they love me."

With that, Jamison went around to the back of his car, put his bag into the trunk, hugged equipment manager Jerry Walters and then got into the drivers seat -- Drew Gooden sitting in the passenger seat -- and drove off.

Thus ends the Antawn Jamison era in Washington, D.C. Depending on who you talk to, it's a sad day. Anyone within the organization or around the league that you talk will describe the 12th-year veteran as the consummate professional, a guy who brought it night in and night out regardless of how good or bad -- and over the last two years, mostly bad -- the Wizards' record was.

"There's disappointment," Flip Saunders said about the Jamison trade. "He's one of the most professional guys I've ever been around. It's unfortunate the way our season took a turn with injuries. We could never get any traction. Then the thing with Gil really tainted everything. If I hadn't been in the CBA for seven years, I would have gone crazy."

Jamison was the spokesman for the team, the guy management last season sent out in front of the fans to apologize for such a poor season, and had him go out in front of the fans again this season to apologize for the Gilbert Arenas gun mess. Jamison was the good soldier who went off at his teammates with a locker room tirade after they went through the motions up in Indiana earlier this season -- remember, the honeydew mellon game? He could've demanded a trade, but he kept on fighting. When asked if he thought he deserved to play somewhere with a chance, he said, yeah he had a right, but that he wanted it to still happen in DC and expressed gratitude for everything that Abe Pollin and his family had done for him, and because of that, he was going to keep battling for the Wizards.

But despite the fact that all Jamison did was average 20.6 points and 8.8 rebounds over the last six seasons, some Wizards fans called him "MeTwan" others called him soft. There will be some who are glad to see Jamison go. I never got all the hate. I'm not a Wizards fan, so maybe since I had no emotion invested, I just looked at the numbers and his performances rather than how what he did or didn't do hurt my feelings. But D.C. basketball fans lost not only a good player, but a good man tonight. No guns in this locker, no crapping in teammates' shoes. No off-court antics with this dude. And, he's a darn good player -- after Steve Nash, probably the best over-32-year-old in the league.

So it's good to see him get chance to compete for a championship, which was the right thing to do by him. The Wizards knew they were going nowhere, and to make him suffer through the rest of this season and a rebuilding year next year only to send him out with a mediocre year two years from now would be pointless. And now that his $28 million won't be on the books for the next two years, the Wizards have more flexibility to do more toward returning to respectability than they could with Jamison still under contract.

The Wizards get back a nice, young player in Al Thornton, who is a 6-8 swingman who also has the ability to play some power forward and is averaging 10.7 points and 3.8 rebounds. They also get a first-round pick from the Cavaliers, and the draft rights to Emir Preldzic, who was the 57th pick of the 2009 draft and is playing in the Turkish League. The Wizards also gained more flexibility financially by sending out $16.2 million in salaries and getting back roughly $13 million. Take that savings, the $2.6 million they saved from shipping out Butler, Haywood and Stevenson, and the $4 million break Washington gets from the suspensions of Arenas and Crittenton, and the Wizards are just under the luxury tax line.

So, taking that into account, this deal is a win for the Wizards, and saying good-bye to Jamison was the right thing to do for the greater good.

So, are the Wizards done? Do they try to make one more move, unloading a guy like Mike James? We'll soon see.