All Wizards Talk

@WonzoTV Great point on Felix, it’s awesome when he recovers on an individual assignment to smack a shot off glass but that’s the kind of risky gamble that any pg/diving dumpoff big can beat, let alone anyone w numbers in the paint. Juju’s stock is low but he knows how to be a board horse

Don't got the heart for a whole space for this game but I do have thoughts. Wizards SL Game 3 Notes: - For one, losing sucks thought we had a legit chance to win SL, obv without AJ/Tre/Will it was a longshot anyways but woulda been cool - Felix: Box score doesn't look awful, 12 points, 4 boards but eyes tell a different story. 10 out of those 12 points where all force fed which isn't inherently negative but he was 1/4 on non-dunks. He's just bad on the glass, defensively trys way harder to get volleyball blocks and it puts him out of position on rebounds. Awaka had 5 OREBs on his head and 14/10 in general. Offensively, Felix goes for tip outs rather than actual oboards and it doesn't really amount to anything. I'm just really struggling to see it in summer league so far - Kadary Richmond: Thought he did a good job operating out the PnR, had by my count like 10~ potential assists, was good on the glass as well. He just can't score, I haven't really got eyes on him in the G League but its pretty noticeable the lack of athleticism, very stiff out there. Hurts his finishing and hasn't ever been much of a shooter. I still think he deserves a TW but its far more mid than was previously thought. - Juju Reese: I've said my peace on this but just wildly unskilled in about every way outside of fighting for boards. I'd be pretty disappointed if he kept his TW after this summer league. Can't finish, doesn't catch lobs, poor decision maker, bad positioning and more unfort - Chris Livingston: Had team high 21 points today and I do kinda rate the scoring ability but I just don't see an NBA guy. Last 3 Yrs on NBA teams and hasn't stuck for a reason sometimes guys are just the 500th best in a league of 450 - Seth Trimble: Rate the dirty work stuff he did today and in college. Think he'll fit in as a leader for the Go-Go - Reece Beekman: Talked about this last game but would be very desevering of a TW. 5 Stocks today and had some good moments passing the ball. Similarly to Kadary, he just can't really score but I think TWs are best when someone has an elite skill, like Beekman/Kadary than all around okay guy ike a Livingston - John Camden: Allegedly a shooter, was 0/4 from three, so not great - Tre Carroll: Was good in garbage time and I rate what he did for Xavier this past season, could be a good ball player for the Go-Go Turned the ball over way to much to end the game. For Chicago, Jaylin Sellers, out of Providence, has really impressed me not only this game but entirety of Summer League. Really gets downhill, physical guard defender and can shoot it

The Wizards are shutting down AJ Dybantsa and Will Riley to join Tre Johnson on Washington’s shelf, as @JoshuaBRobbins broke. This was a move that seemed pretty telegraphed based on years past and their individual dominance, but there are still others to watch from here on out👇:

Always appreciate the fellas having me on! Some of my in-person thoughts on AJ as an all-around prospect, his year-one upside and that famous willingness to continue developing with the Locked On Wizards boys:

Main Summer League takeaway through two games: BK has his work cut out for him in forming a rotation, bc he’s got a dozen+ playable pieces. Trae-AJ-Kyshawn-AD-Sarr as likeliest starters with Tre, Ayton, Bilal, Riley, JC, Bub and Middleton off bench and Jamir/Felix (?) as two-ways

And this one is for the Kadary Richmond believers out there. I asked Wizards’ Summer League HC TJ Sorrentine about how the physical forward has impressed over his first pair of appearances, as well as where the coach wants to see Richmond stretch his wings.

Will Riley has taken on plenty of on-ball responsibility through two Summer League appearances, especially impressive considering the supplementary role he took on last year. On how he’s answered the bell following the team-wide call for improved physicality:

@AllWizardsTalk date night at Buca Di Beppo

Will Dawkins spoke on the Wizards’ offseason of veteran-acquiring, using words like “intentionality” and “investment” in explaining the squad’s focus. Trae Young certainly doesn’t seem to mind the already-big Wizards gaining some extra experience in his committment to D.C.

After AJ’s dunk, Paul Pierce who is sitting in front of me at the game said “I can go now. That’s all I came to see.”

Bub deadass the funniest in the NBA 🤣 Will Dawkins: “Cut his mic off please” 💀 (via @MonSportsNet, h/t @WizardsMuse1)

Darryn Peterson’s statline with Jamir Watkins as the primary defender: 4-11 FG 1-5 3PT 6 turnovers 🔒🔒🔒

LOCK IN AJ’S PLAYING @BrysonAkinsNBA

FOREHEADS SIGHTING @BrysonAkinsNBA

AJ Dybantsa doubled down on his self-imposed T-Mac comparison, and he lumped Darryn Peterson into his 2000s role play in likening him to Kobe. He’s pretty openly embracing the clear rivalry, already several steps into the making before either plays an actual NBA game

Halfway stuffed in the scrum’s corner, I got to ask AJ Dybantsa about the advantages that come with playing alongside a lineup of versatile point-forwards, and he gave me some insight on the luxury.

Ignore the 9 (nine) fouls😭😭

This has to be a record for quickest that any free throw merchant claims have hit a star nba player, T-minus three months out from his reg season debut

You know when you watch summer league and a player immediately stands out, "He is too good for this." Thats Tre Johnson.

Watkins won’t always start Wizards games like he is here at Summer League, but expect this kind of defense to feature as a handy weapon for the full roster to throw at Darryn Peterson for future matchups. Grown man strength and the motor to run around endless picks