DC Weekly - And They're Off! Wizards Start CSL Season

[NanashiWake]

The Washington Wizards are treading is very unfamiliar water so far this season. The franchise that made huge waves this off-season by entirely shaking up the roster has been out of the spotlight as the season gets underway. On the court however has been a refreshingly vitalized roster of youth and some veterans. We kick it over to DC Weekly reporter Trace Fallows as he met with some Wizards at their practice facility this morning.

Trace caught up with G John Wall this morning who was the last to arrive to practice, however also the last one the leave the facility, a full 6-hours later!

Trace Fallows (TF): You've had an amazing start to this season and we now see this squad with a 5-3 record in what was expected to be a rebuilding season, what can we attribute this to?

John Wall: I mean...the short answer is hard work, but I just feel that these guys really want to show what they can do at this level. Myself included. I always go out there every night and try to break scoring record that Wilt set back with the Warriors. (everyone laughs) Nah I'm serious! So far I've came up short but Imma' stick with that philosophy until I retire.

Trace was also able to catch up with rookie F Montrezl Harrell who has been assigned the 6th man role this season thus far and praised G John Wall's leadership of this team.

TF: What are your thoughts on your first few weeks as a CSL player?

Montrezl Harrell: It's been great. I feel like I've been playing alright, still got a long ways to go though. I just want my teammates to trust that this 2nd unit can go out there and secure these games night in and night out.

I've been amazed with how great of a leader John (Wall) actually is. I mean this guy reminds me of the determination I saw in a young Kobe Bryant or Paul Pierce when I was growing up. We gonna' have to start calling him Mini Mamba. (laughs) He may make me carry their bags, but as long as he carries the team...I'm fine with it.

John Wall (31.6 PPG, 7.1 APG, 2.3 SPG) is posting All-CSL type numbers thus far this season, however Tristan Thompson (15 PPG, 6.8 RPG) and Spencer Hawes (16.9 PPG, 9 RPG, 2.1 BPG) have also been contributing with the later being a bit of a surprise around the league.

Now rumors are swirling along the pipeline that Washington has contact several teams about filling a gap they believe still resides on their wing. With youth being so highly valued around the league, the Wizards believe they have the right components to have an opportunity arise that they can't skip out on. As the season grows, so do the Wizards and now they only need their time to shine.

[Dennis]

Wall is just the best PG in the league. No fan of Hawes and TT though. They are just inefficient for big men.

[Sun Scorched]

I've never understood the hate for Hawes - I actually think he is a very serviceable player. While we signed Jordan to a contract this offseason, I would have considered approaching Hawes, were he not already under contract.

I forget who, CLE? He was signed for last off-season when they were GM-less, but I thought he and Udoh (CLE too, right?) were good signings (though not earth-shattering) for a relatively complete/deep team.

[Rizzo]

I've never understood the hate for Hawes - I actually think he is a very serviceable player. While we signed Jordan to a contract this offseason, I would have considered approaching Hawes, were he not already under contract.

I forget who, CLE? He was signed for last off-season when they were GM-less, but I thought he and Udoh (CLE too, right?) were good signings (though not earth-shattering) for a relatively complete/deep team.

By the end of the season, and especially in the first round against Miami, Spencer Hawes was playing some good ball. I hated trading him in the mega-deal and was close to making it Gallinari instead but the salaries would have gotten all messed up if we made that swap. I've actually given thought to bringing him back again haha.

Ekpe Udoh, on the other hand...

[NanashiWake]

I've never understood the hate for Hawes - I actually think he is a very serviceable player. While we signed Jordan to a contract this offseason, I would have considered approaching Hawes, were he not already under contract.

I forget who, CLE? He was signed for last off-season when they were GM-less, but I thought he and Udoh (CLE too, right?) were good signings (though not earth-shattering) for a relatively complete/deep team.

I agree a bit. I really like his ratings as a 6th-8th option, it's just every league I've every been in, he seems like such an inconsistent player.

[WillyJakkz]

Playing better than I thought you would as the trades looked like tank commander moves to initially keep up with the other tanks but the Wiz are playing really hard so kudos.

[Marcos_Beck]

Good to see that you are having a good start of the season!
Still heavy work to do, first by trading some of those young bigs like Sully and Seraphin that have no place in your rotation for perimeter help, but I like that you are giving your best shot at playoffs!

[NanashiWake]

Yeah for sure, although in all honesty I would prefer to keep losing right now. I've never been a fan of complete tanking since I feel it doesn't show an accurate assessment of what your current level is, and also you're not guaranteed the pick you want because of the lottery. So with that said, I'm excited to see how we do this season. Looks like 7-5 so far. Lol

[andrei]

Good read

Whats going to happen to Nene when he is back?

[NanashiWake]

Good read

Whats going to happen to Nene when he is back?

Good question! Lol. The plan right now is to throw him right into the mix. Not sure if he is slated as a starter yet since the big-man positions are heavily contested right now. I do see him contributing and possibly being a starter though.

[Rizzo]

John Wall just put up the line of the season against my Cavaliers this sim. With the way he's been playing if you get any more help around him this team has a chance to make some noise.

[blackice]

Yeah for sure, although in all honesty I would prefer to keep losing right now. I've never been a fan of complete tanking since I feel it doesn't show an accurate assessment of what your current level is, and also you're not guaranteed the pick you want because of the lottery. So with that said, I'm excited to see how we do this season. Looks like 7-5 so far. Lol

It's going to be hard to tank with Wall playing the way he is anyway. When Nene comes back I expect big things from this young WAS team.

[NanashiWake]

Yeah for sure, although in all honesty I would prefer to keep losing right now. I've never been a fan of complete tanking since I feel it doesn't show an accurate assessment of what your current level is, and also you're not guaranteed the pick you want because of the lottery. So with that said, I'm excited to see how we do this season. Looks like 7-5 so far. Lol

It's going to be hard to tank with Wall playing the way he is anyway. When Nene comes back I expect big things from this young WAS team.

Yeah that's a good point too! lol And yeah I'm not exactly sure where Nene fits in but he does fit somewhere. Lol