So, about last season...it kinda sucked. I mean, we finally had to end a decade-long relationship with Paul Cassel. There really was no way we could've put a legitimate team around him to compete before he became a player you can't build around. As is usual, it was way harder to move him - so hard, in fact, that we had to give up a pick to get him. I've got my eye on you, Northrup. Oh, and get this: We still made the playoffs! Sure, it was another first-round flameout, and yeah, we had a losing record for the first time in over 20 years, but hey! The playoff streak's still alive! What a completely tactical use of my points, bringing in middling bench depth just for that!
The draft came and went, though we did manage to pick up a second-round gem in Tyson Farrar. He pass and he shoot, that's generally been quite a valuable asset to have. Free Agency was a bit of a mess...only offer the max to those who you actually stand a chance of signing, kids. But wait! A wild 3-team trade appears! All right! HASSAN HODGES was caught! Well that's one mistake rectified. We also brought in Elliot Thorpe, Francis Fontaine, and PBSL legend/champion Delmar Lopez. Oh, and we got roped into another 3-team deal that brought us Albert Hunter. Moving on to training camp, nothing bad happened! Like, at all. Everyone who we hoped would progress did, and some made out even better than we expected.
It was then that I took a good look at my roster, and I realized...I had a plan. A direction. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this roster, and where I wanted to take this franchise. I've gotta be honest, I've been out of it for the past few seasons. The BBJ/Reynolds disaster nearly killed my interest completely, and nothing that's happened since improved my general attitude towards the game. This was the closest I've been to quitting in a long, long time. Yet somehow, someway, something's come together in DC that has me excited again. As usual, it may not give us another title, but we should be a legitimately competitive team for years to come, as a Wizards team should be. So, any questions for me?
Sham Smith, Bulls.com: 37 year old Delmar Lopez was (one of) your leading scorer(s) in preseason. Is he going to be a focal point of your offense this year, or do you have game plan changes in mind for the regular season?
Henry Hearthrob, Sports Illustrated: Your team basically turned itself into a guaranteed playoff contender overnight with Vaughn Millsapp leading the way as one of the best-dressed players in the league. Do you think his style and charisma will motivate other players on the team to step up their game?
"ass to ass!" —that old guy from Requiem For A Dream
garbageman wrote: Thu Jul 14, 2022 1:43 pmSham Smith, Bulls.com: 37 year old Delmar Lopez was (one of) your leading scorer(s) in preseason. Is he going to be a focal point of your offense this year, or do you have game plan changes in mind for the regular season?
At the moment, we don't intend to make Delmar a key part of our offense. It's not that we don't think he still has it in him, it's just that we don't want to ask that of him at this point in his career. We're going to continue to let Bojo grow into his role as leader of the offense, and give some other players a chance to find themselves before breaking the "In case of putrid offense, use Delmar" glass.
Eazy P wrote: Thu Jul 14, 2022 2:34 pm
Charles Bojorquez is a really athletic big, do you see him having a breakout season?
We're definitely planning to put him in position to have one, though last season was probably his breakout year in terms of proving that he can be a legitimate scorer in this league.
digiskunk wrote: Thu Jul 14, 2022 3:30 pmHenry Hearthrob, Sports Illustrated: Your team basically turned itself into a guaranteed playoff contender overnight with Vaughn Millsapp leading the way as one of the best-dressed players in the league. Do you think his style and charisma will motivate other players on the team to step up their game?
Hey, if Moreno's collection of exclusive lapel pins from Barcelona hasn't inspired these bums yet, nothing will.
AngryBanana wrote: Fri Jul 15, 2022 9:02 am
Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Was there an attempt to tank last season for a good pick?
No, there wasn't. I did think about it early on, but came to the conclusion that even if I did try, the rest of the Omega was so terrible that I would still find myself in the playoffs. I'd have to blatantly, and I mean BLATANTLY tank to get into the lotto. Ultimately I traded my pick, so any thoughts of tanking went completely out the door after that.
How’s Delmar doing these days? Does he ever mention his early years in LA? Can you tell him I said hi? Felt like he didn’t even look at our offer sheet, but we want him to know LA still loves him
greepleairport wrote: Fri Jul 15, 2022 10:27 am
How’s Delmar doing these days? Does he ever mention his early years in LA? Can you tell him I said hi? Felt like he didn’t even look at our offer sheet, but we want him to know LA still loves him
Delmar talks about LA so much that I'm kinda worried that he's a sleeper agent sent to lure some of my dudes out west.