A D.C. pic and links …
I came across this big banner hanging on a building at the northeast corner of 13th and L Streets NW, about nine blocks or so from the Verizon Center. It features “Monumental Action” and the Verizon Center website URL followed by Alex Ovechkin, Andray Blatche, Crystal Langhorne, Beyoncé Knowles (I believe), and who appears to be Chris Wright of the Georgetown Hoyas. The logo of the Ted Leonsis-led group, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, is featured in the lower right-hand corner. I’m not sure what other monumental banners are around the city (or DMV area), or how long this has been up (the Monumental logo was released on July 16), but I am curious to see if Blatche will allow himself to be the Wizards representative of Monumental Sports in the future.
Preparation “H”
Michael Lee reports that it’s unlikely the Wizards will sign 2010 second round draft pick (56th overall) Hamady N’diaye, rather likely opting to let him develop in Europe.
[Wizards Insider]
I had a feeling something like this was coming, as N’diaye remained unsigned, and it was previously reported that an Italian team had interest in him. The Wizards will still hold N’diaye’s rights for the future, but now, since it looks like Kevin Seraphin will need a fair bit of time to develop (and he isn’t going to the D-League — link below), it makes sense for Hamady to get more experience overseas.
Plus, if you count the qualifying offer the Wizards currently have extended to Cartier Martin (via Sham Sports), there are 13 players on the roster. Ernie Grunfeld, known for liking flexibility, probably considers the last two spots too valuable to be used up on developing N’diaye in the D-League (remember, if you sign a player and send him to the D-League, he still counts against the max NBA roster size of 15).
However, with a young JaVale McGee, the developing Seraphin, rookie Trevor Booker, a 24-year old Andray Blatche, an unproven Yi Jianlian, and a never-was Hilton Armstrong as the only big men on the roster, it’s not beyond consideration that the Wizards are still on the hunt for more depth down low. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a veteran for a season’s rental (it seems to be Grunfeld’s M.O.), which, considering the whole situation, wouldn’t exactly be a ringing endorsement for the D-League from the Wizards’ brass. But it’s only the end of August, there’s a lot more time for the franchise to show increased interest in, and usage of, the NBA’s developmental league.
LINKS>
A good run-down on Kevin Seraphin via a French journalist who has covered him.
[Bullets Forever]
Ted Leonsis gives props to Yi Jianlian for his strong opening performance at the FIBA Worlds, and then wonders why the blogosphere hasn’t commented on it yet. Sometimes blogs work at their own pace, I know this specific blog will have more coverage of Yi soon.
[Ted’s Take]
Michael Lee reports that the Wizards made a courtesy call about Carmelo Anthony, as did 29 other teams.
[Wizards Insider]
But now that Carmelo is doing Carmelo things, like publicly putting out a bounty on Kat Stacks (really, Melo, really?), I’d say there’s a better chance of Gilbert Arenas being elected a 2011 NBA All-Star starter than there is of Melo coming in D.C.
[Pro Basketball Talk]
Nevertheless, here’s some Anthony-to-the-Wizards trade scenarios for the heck of it.
[Wiz of Awes]
Looks like Etan Thomas is close to signing with the Atlanta Hawks, a divisional foe.
[Hoops Hype; h/t AJC.com]
Austin Rivers talks about crossing up John Wall … he comes off humble, says the right things.
[SCACCHoops.com]
You might want to check out this Tumblr.
[F*#% Yeah Kirk Hinrich!]
Wale featured in the Jordan Brand Holiday 2010 Lookbook.
[Nice Kicks]
Travis Outlaw learns about getting older.
[Portland Roundball Society]
A REBUILDING BUILDING
In Mt. Pleasant, Washington, D.C.
[K. Weidie]