Absolute Value of Zero: Expanded

Before I begin, a little feedback on me and some on my creative process in these posts. First, about me: even though none of my local sports area teams are my "favorites," I always would rather have them doing well than poorly. I also take pride in those players from the area that excel in sports since they arise from such an underrated sports talent pool. Second, about my creative process: Most of my posts are written sorta superficially in the sense that they're not as expanded as I could or would like to do. The reason is that I don't want to overload you readers with info, and I want to leave a little inquiry in your minds so that questions/comments may flood the comment section. So, in theory, there could be sequels to pretty much all of my posts.

The reason why I chose to expand on the Arenas theory is that I thought about a correlation between he and the FBP. In the initial post, I alluded to the fact that D.C. has a tough time gaining credibility, respect, or whatever you wanna call it, as a city. I cited the example of go-go music as a microcosm of Chocolate City's plight. D.C. is a city that is home to the most powerful man in the world and is a solid tourist spot, but isn't thought of as one of the U.S.'s elite cities.

The same is true for Agent Zero. He is easily one of Basketball's deadliest offensive weapons, and you're kidding yourself if you refuse to believe that. He doesn't have the technical precision of Kobe, the effortlessness of Wade, or the God Hammer of Lebron; but his unpredictability is his source of strength and is just as effective as the anything in the respective arsenals of the new Big Triumvirate. Yet, Arenas doesn't seemed to be given the credit he deserves. I'm not saying he is top 5 in the Association right now, but top 15 or 20 is easily attainable when he's healthy.

Sure, part of it is due to his recent injuries. And part of it can be attributed to the fact that he hasn't led the Wizards to much postseason success, while Kobe, Lebron, and Wade have each been to the Finals as the unquestioned head of their respective franchises. However, there is more negativity towards Gil than necessary. For example, Wade's current season of 30-5-7 with over 2 steals is garnering him praise of being the definition of, "carrying a team on his shoulders." Arenas had that same statistical season three years ago, and simultaneously brought hope to a sports town whose hoops team once looked to Ike Austin and God Shammgod for production (*shudder*). Yet it's Gilbert that gets tagged with the selfish label. Sure, his quirkiness can be harnessed a bit, but no one can question that he has successfully coexisted with two other proven all-stars and he has the genuine respect and loyalty of his teammates that even eludes Kobe.

This third chapter of Arenas' career will be his most important to date. He is a man founded on proving doubters wrong and defying sizable odds. First, he proved he could play the point his way in Golden State. Then, he showed he can summon enough of his energy and flirt with Basketball deity—even if he isn't among the Anointed. Now, he must prove that he is more than a sideshow. He must reestablish that he can shake the very foundation of Basketball structure; but this time, he must do that and lead his Capital City army from The Verizon Center to the Larry O'Brien Trophy. For a man that called himself the FBP before Obama made it a reality, he certainly knows the nearly impossible when he sees it. If his heart is like the heart shown by the inhabitants of the DC Metro area, I like his chances. The absolute value of Agent Zero is New Math, and we're waiting to see if he can finish the equation.

Peace.

Things For A Washington Wizards Fan To Be Excited About

*Whew* The Washington Wizards have had a ROUGH season. I mean, they have been taking Colonel H. Stinkmeaner beatings, with no “Ass Whipping Insurance”. Even through all of the dubs, and only 14 victories, the worst part of this entire ordeal is; no one saw it coming.

OK, so the signing of Gilbert Arenas to a $111 Million contract might have been maybe, $20 million over the top I’ll say, but Abe Pollin and Ernie Grunfield are well aware of (as well as all Washington Sports Enthusiasts) what I like to call the “Washington Potenital/Talent Transference Theory” © .

The Washington Potential/Talent Transference Theory states that once a player leaves a Washington sports team, he (or she, not that there are any in remembrance) moves to another team and has unheralded success. There are numerous examples, but are mostly restricted to my two most beloved teams, the Redskins and the Wizards. For the Redskins, see Brad Johnson (Super Bowl champion), Trent Green (Led Kansas City and had 4,000 yard seasons with the Chiefs), and even David Akers (successful Eagles kicker). But this theory has most assuredly hurt the Washington Wizards more than anyone. See Richard Hamilton, Chris Webber, Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Sloan, Muggsy Bouges, Ben Wallace, and most recently, Roger Mason Jr. Now while that might not be the most impressive lineup of players, most of the players on that list have either won an NBA Championship, or has had post season success away from the Most Powerful City in the World. There are always the ones who prove that theory false, i.e. Kwame Brown, LaVar Arrington, and others. But for the most port, the theory holds true.

Anywho, Gilbert announcing that he was going to have surgery on his knee again, right AFTER her signed that contract, was not a surprise to me, and actually very business savvy. But with Gillie the Kid playing about 20 games last season, the Wizards still managed to win games; and were the 5th seed in the paltry Eastern Conference Division. After getting blown out in game 6 against Lebron and the Lebrons, every Wizard fan said “Wait till next year!” But with Brendan Haywood going down in training camp, I still believed we would at least be competitive in the East. In the great words of Charlie Murphy, “Wrong…WRONG!” We went 1-10, and fired Eddie Jo. (Stupid choice) Next thing I know, we’re 13-35, and hoping for the most number of ping-pong balls in the NBA Draft. But fear not, Wiz Kid faithful. There are some things for us to look forward to.

1. The Wizards are a virtual lock for either the first or second pick in the NBA Draft.
The last time we had the first pick in the NBA Draft, we wasted it. No, Jordan wasted it, picking Kwame Brown over Tyson Chandler, and Pau Gasol, As I anticipate the NBA Playoffs and Finals, I also am waiting to see if we can steal the number one pick away from Sacramento in the NBA Draft Lottery. Chad Ford’s Mock Draft has the Kings at no. 1, Wizards at No. 2, and Clippers as No.3. Though I don’t believe we need big men, but as my good friend Johnathan Tillman so eloquently put it, “Everybody needs Blake Griffin.” If we do sneak in to get the No. 1 pick, we should take Blake and not gift him to the Kings or Clippers. Ford has us picking Georgetown standout Greg Monroe. But on the other hand, I hope we don’t get the first pick but rather the 2nd or 3rd and draft Spanish PG Ricky Rubio. Yes, I know most of you have never heard of him, but this guy is the truth. He was part of a Spain team that in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Gold Medal game gave the US Team work, and I stayed up to watch it even at 5 AM. For those of you who don’t agree, check my rhetoric. We signed Gilbert, and hope he can play to his level as he did in years before. In that second group that comes off the bench we do not have that point guard who can run the show. Mike James is not going to cut it. We dealt away Antonio Daniels (another stupid decision), so I can see Rubio coming in giving good minutes with Nick Young, Dominick McGuire, and hopefully a developing Olesky Pecherov and Javale McGee. Don’t sleep on Spaniards. I’m a slightly superstitious guy, and when we had the first pick and passed on Spaniard Pau Gasol, hope we take him 2nd and get some help while Gil is on the bench.

2. Brendan Haywood Will Be Back
Before I hear all the hems and haws about Brendan, consider this. He was a definitely a candidate for Most Improved Player in 2007-2008, raising his scoring and rebounding numbers, and especially his free throw percentage. As much as I love Etan Thomas, he should have never beat out Haywood for the center job. Haywood gives us a consistent scorer inside, a solid rebounder, and help—not a stopper, but help—against big guys like Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, and others who have been abusing us all season.

3. The Maturation of Oleksiy Pecherov
I mentioned him before, but Pech is a 7’0 center we drafted in 2006, but didn’t sign until 2007. This can play, even though his defense is more than shady. He can post up, has a decent mid-range game, and can step behind the arc and drain 3’s. Pech is the truth, ask David Zenon (my boy whom I used Pech to drop 45 on him in Live 09).

4. The Cutting of Deshawn Stevenson, and Unleashing of Nick Young

If Nick Young can learn to play defense, and score more consistently, I want him to take D-Steve’s job and never give it back. I want us to cut Deshawn, no hard feelings, but back surgery and schooling by Lebron James, and diss songs from Jay-Z, he just hasn’t been the same. He’s done for the season, and I cant help but to think (hope) that he is done with the Wizards for good.

All in all, if the Wizards do as I hope they will do, they will once again be 4-5-6 in the conference, if not better. Its not a hard fix, it will just take the patience of management, players, and fans in the Nation's Capitol.
Peace.

Better Know an NBA Franchise: Washington Wizards

It's been awhile since my last post, but I have returned with a brand-spanking new series I'll be starting. I'm going to shine some insight on each of the 30 NBA teams. I plan to finish it, but don't hold me to it. You can't really blame me if I don't really feel like writing at length about the Bobcats. If David Stern doesn't care about them, then why should I...right? I thought about going in alphabetical order; but Fundamentally UnSound is all about the randomness. Gut feeling would tell me to start with the Knicks; but it pains me to even watch anything they do at this present time. Anyway, to the first team...

I figured I'd start with my hometown team, the Washington Wizards. For going on five years now, they have been an "up-and-coming team" that was supposed to rise to the top of the Eastern Conference's elite. Apparently, Lebron James didn't get that memo, as he's been judge, jury, and executioner for the inhabitants of the Phone Booth for the past three postseasons. It's not a rivalry if one team does all the winning. That "sleeper team" role only passes for so long. (See: 2000-2004 Sacramento Kings)

Players: The Wizards have an abundance of team chemistry. Despite Agent Zero's scorer's mentality, the rest of the team seems to enjoy him. And while he's still the best player of the team, the most valuable is unquestionably Caron Butler. He and Antawn Jamison are the heart and grit of the Wiz. Nick Young should see more time this year, since he has a natural knack to score. With that said, as stacked as they are offensively, they lack that interior presence needed to command games on the defensive end. Brendan Haywood, Andray Blatche, and new draft pick Javale McGee are not the answers. If they don't find someone to own the paint on both ends, they keep wearing "Round 2" T-Shirts and caps in the playoffs...


Coaching/Front Office: Eddie Jordan may be one of the better coaches in the Association. He successfully incorporated the Princeton-style offense; and, when executed correctly, (read: when Gilbert doesn't decide to do his own thing) is amazing to watch. For some reason, he can't translate his defensive-minded mentality over to his whole team. Caron and DeShawn "I Can't Feel My Face" Stevenson seem to be the only ones fully committed to it. As far as the front office goes, Abe Polland believes in his "Big 3" because he locked up both Arenas and Jamison to huge multi-year deals. Gilbert even took less money than the team offered him, hopefully so they could bring that missing championship piece into the franchise.


Bonus Info: It's becoming more and more known that the Wizards are a playful bunch. From DeShawn Stevenson making the rest of the team sign contracts to talk to him, to he and Gilbert's three-point shooting challenge, they like to have fun while working. They like to play practical jokes on each other. Of course, Gilbert is the ring leader and main culprit, and his main prey are Nick Young and Dominic McGuire. Paintball fights, fake boxing matches, and games of H-O-R-S-E are all a part of those two rookies-turned-sophomores daily routine. This is also further proof that basketball players have so much free time on their hands.

Projection: The Wizards are a top eight team in the East, but need interior toughness. That act they tried to pull on the Lebrons last year wasn't them. Now with Toronto, Milwaukee and Indiana getting better in this offseason, their window isn't going to stay open for long. Either defensive intensity needs to be magically instilled in the current roster, or they'll continue to be one-and-done in April.



Peace.