{flickr/Michael Holden}

ESPN’s Chris Sheridan has a report on TrueHoop indicating that the asking price for a spare 2nd round pick starts at $1.5 million.

Sheridan writes:

Teams with multiple picks at the middle-to-bottom of the second round include Minnesota (Nos. 45 and 56), Phoenix (46 and 60) and the Lakers (Nos. 43 and 58). Financial logic would also dictate that the Knicks might have a shot at buying the No. 55 pick from the Utah Jazz, who must pay a luxury tax bill of nearly $2 million for the 2009-10 season. The Lakers ($21.4 million) and Suns ($5.04 million) also are tax-paying teams and also probably wouldn’t mind dipping into Jim Dolan’s deep pockets to help pay their bills.

As you can see, the perception is that the Knicks are most willing to spend money, obviously.  But why not Ted Leonsis?

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According to a Tweet by Sole Collector, this was part of Reebok’s presentation to John Wall. Of course, we already know Wall won’t be No. 11, that’s reserved for Elvin Hayes.

When a first saw a picture of a Reebok’s Zag Slash (below), I was like ‘meh’ — the shoe has nice creativity in the sole and in the triangle design pattern, but I feel like the patent leather (or pleather) shine is getting played out and the huge ‘Reebok’ text is a little blaring.

On the other hand, they look damn good in Wizards colors — while they’re still around — and on John Wall’s feet.

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John Wall, heard of him?

Okay, good. David Falk recently made him the “official” number one overall draft pick of the Washington Wizards. Didn’t know Falk, as Evan Turner’s agent, still had that power.

All kidding aside, Wall has been the pick for a long time now. The hype surrounding the assumption he would be taken by the Wizards became so pressurized that even small considerations of taking Turner became unreasonable — potentially creating another situation akin to when the Timberwolves traded Brandon Roy for Randy Foye.

Not saying that the schism between Foye and Roy as players would be emulated by Turner and Wall, Turner could very well be better. But a selection of Turner over Wall would create a situation where you’d have one player being measured in comparison to the other before they ever step on the court (I know, with Roy and Foye it was a little bit different).

Sounds unfair, and perhaps an irrational buy into the hype. So, I guess it’s silly to play this ‘what-if’ game and Wizards fans should just continue with the assumption they’ve been making all along, that John Wall is coming to D.C., and not look back … even though Ted Leonsis says he’s not allowed to talk about Wall. Curious, since barely after the Los Angeles Clippers won the 2009 NBA Draft Lottery, Mike Dunleavy, who severed ties with the franchise in March 2010, said, “Clearly, we’re taking Blake Griffin.” The day after winning the lottery, the Clippers began a marketing campaign featuring Griffin.

Nonetheless, in the spirit of Wall assumptions, it’d be useful to ask some Kentucky fans to share their knowledge about Wall with Wizards fans. Guy Ramsey is the head UK writer for StraitPinkie.com, a site dedicated to Louisville and Kentucky sports. To start, I’ve asked Guy about Wall’s point guard leadership and the perception basketball-crazed Kentucky fans have of one-and-done guys like him. Read more »

At his press conference on Thursday, Ted Leonsis made no secret how important the sale of tickets, specifically full season tickets, is to him. Leonsis said:

“I want to lead every league that we participate in in the sale of full season tickets. Having sold out arenas, arenas that rock, really help the performance of the team. It really helps to bind and bring together the passion of the city, but also serves as a proxy and a metric in how we are doing as an organization delivering services to customers.

Full season ticket holders are the lifeblood of our company. And I will tell you that we need more full season ticket holders for the Washington Wizards. I will personally drive our full season ticket holders to games. I’ll mow lawns, I’ll wash cars. We are in this together. And while I can’t promise championships, I can sincerely and honestly tell you that what is in our control is making the game experience, the value and the way we treat our customers, the best in the plans.”

In an email also sent to fans yesterday, Leonsis reiterated the idea that sports teams are a public trust. Leonsis wrote:

“It will require a group effort. I consider a sports team a public trust, and we will only reach our goals with the cooperation of our fans, staff, corporate partners and players. We have no better partners than our season-ticket holders. I look forward to getting to know you personally and all of our fans, engaging with them and understanding their concerns. One of the first things we did with the Washington Capitals was to listen intently and then take earnest, meaningful steps to improve the fan experience at our games. With your feedback, we plan to do the same with the Wizards.”

He encouraged fans to follow his blog, Ted’s Take, as he will post communications regarding the team there often, and to email him with concerns to his Wizards email address at TheWashWiz@aol.com. Today, Leonsis hosted a Q&A session with current season ticket holders, you can read a brief recap of it by a user on Bullets Forever here.

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Yes, this is going to be hyped all over the internets. And yes, I couldn’t resist.

The NBA playoff drool of “Glen” Big Baby Davis is as epic as Stephen Strasburg’s debut … and it occurred in the NBA Finals.

Also check:

Dictionary Definition: The Step-Back Corner Three Point Jumper by Kobe Bryant

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While Ted Leonsis was getting all the attention today, and deservedly so, there’s also a team being built. Flip Saunders usually isn’t made available to the media before or after pre-draft workouts, so today’s press conference was a good chance to catch up with Saunders and get his thoughts on the process leading up to June 24th.

I asked Flip, with John Wall reportedly set to workout for the Wizards on June 17th, if they’ve scheduled Evan Turner or any other top prospect. So far, the Wizards have hosted more on-the-cusp players who might be available at 30 and 35 or go undrafted.

Saunders deferred to Milt Newton, vice president of player personnel, but later indicated that the Wizards have talked to Turner’s people. The coach also said the Wizards would probably have seven more days of pre-draft workouts with five or six guys each day.

On the process of trying to get players to come workout, Saunders said:

“Some of it’s not of our choosing. Players don’t have to come in if they don’t want to. Some players, either through word of mouth or their agent, don’t think they’re going to have an opportunity. And I’m not talking about the No. 1 pick, we’ve had guys who we’d like to look at, at maybe No. 30, that we can’t get in because they don’t think they’re going to be there.

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We have more understanding about Ted Leonsis’ take on Gilbert Arenas after the new Wizards owner spoke to the media, VIPs and dignitaries, and members of his newly formed Monumental Sports & Entertainment organization this afternoon. Via the DC Sports Bog:

“I think it’s very important that Gilbert be re-embraced as a person and as a player. So suffice to say that Gilbert knows that the most important thing for him to do is to get in shape, and to be a great teammate, and to be a pillar of our community, and that he will show atonement. But his major deliverable is to come back and be a great part of this next generation Wizards franchise and what we’re trying to accomplish.”

After Leonsis’ press conference, one during which he almost seemed like royalty perched atop his podium throne as other regal members of the D.C. sports scene, including Wes Unseld and John Thompson with his sons John the III and Ron, Ernie Grunfeld and Flip Saunders spoke with members of the media.

I specifically asked Grunfeld about his communication with Gilbert Arenas, since as recent as a March 27 press conference before the Wizards faced the Utah Jazz, Ernie said that he’d yet to personally speak with the embattled guard.

“Yes, I have,” Grunfeld said in regard to speaking with Arenas. “The relationship is good, we’ve spoken several times as a matter of fact. He was in the building for two, three weeks in a row working out. And he’s excited. He’s excited about what’s going on. Obviously Ted spoke with him, and what happened in the past, nobody’s happy about, but we’re trying to put that behind us, move forward. I think he’s very excited about the No. 1 pick and the possibilities that brings. And I think he’s excited with new ownership and having a clean slate.”

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A rundown of the best recent web links.

Ted’s Email for the Wiz

Ted Leonsis has personally responded to Washington Capitals fans writing to him at WashingtonCaps@aol.com for years. Now his job has at least doubled, his new email address for Wizards fans is TheWashWiz@aol.com. Leonsis writes on his blog:

If you want to offer up advice; share ideas; critique; ask questions; or offer up good wishes regarding the NBA and the Washington Wizards, simply email me at Thewashwiz@aol.com. I will do my best to read and respond within 24 hours.

Thanks again. Be nice. Be interactive.

John Wall & His $25 Million Reebok Deal

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Time for a dissenting opinion about the Wizards and John Wall. Carter Bryant, a freelance sports journalist from the Baton Rouge area who has contributed to TAI before, guest authors a post about why Wall won’t bring championship riches to D.C., unless …

But first, let’s check out some John Wall highlights real quick:

Is John Wall the Answer?

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Wall-Nuts over John Wall has led to a lot of positive attention toward the Wizards lately … distracting from fan curiosity over the return of Gilbert Arenas. But rest assured that people of the District-Maryland-Virginia area still care about the zeroed-out hero.

As the season’s games winded down, Truth About It.net media guy, Adam Douglas, took to the concourse and got the opinion of Wizards fans on Arenas’ punishment and if they want him to return to the team.

The interviews took place over two months ago, feelings about the Wizards have certainly shifted since then. But as far as I know, there’s no statute of limitations on interviews, and it’s interesting to look back on perception. I wonder how many of the interviewees would now think that Arenas and Wall can co-exist harmoniously.

In any case, enjoy.

Hi there. Welcome to this Washington Wizards blog. Now let’s talk baseball.

I went to Stephen Strasburg’s major league debut last night. And oh man, what a night it was. Jamie Mottram hit the nail on the head with his observations on Mr. Irrelevant.

I’ll add that Strasburg’s focus must be intense. The kid is not wired like anyone else on this earth.

ZERO walks and 14 strikeouts? Sure, the kid had a couple bad pitches, in particular the 2-run dinger given up to Delwyn Young with two outs in the top of the 4th. But don’t forget the broken bat double-play he got Pittsburgh’s 4-hole batter, Garrett Jones, to hit into with men on first and second right before Young’s homer. And definitely don’t forget that after giving up those two runs in the fourth, Strasburg struck out eight of the next nine batters he faced to close out his night — all went down swinging except for one, and the guy who didn’t strike out, Jason Jaramillo, had a measly ground out to first.

The best part of the evening was obviously seeing the game live. But the second best was much later when I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep. Something clicked inside as thoughts on Strasburg’s debut ran through my head, making me realize how amazing it was to see that 21-year old pitch; “special” doesn’t even begin to describe. Strasburg is going to revolutionize the pitching position. Chicks will no longer did the long ball that much, they’ll want to get with those Ks.

John Wall, the ball is now in your court … although, it will be highly unfair to expect you to dazzle as much as Strasburg in your debut. You’ll pretty much have to drop 40 points, 15 assists, 5 amazing dunks and win the game with a big shot in the waning minutes. I know, it’s a lot … and it still likely won’t be enough. Sorry kiddo. Read more »

It seems that D.C. can’t get enough good sports news these days. Weird.

Yesterday the Washington Nationals took Bryce Harper in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft with the first overall pick … I hear that guy’s supposed to be pretty awesome. Also, SB Nation had their official launch party for SB Nation DC, where I’ll be contributing as a weekly columnist on sports and the media. Big kudos to senior editor Mike Prada for the SB Nation DC launch by the way.

Speaking of … my first piece is up. Of course it’s about Stephen Strasburg, which brings us to Strasmas. I’ll be one of the lucky few going to Strasburg’s debut this evening. And I didn’t have to stand in line or pay scalper’s prices for tickets … just got hooked up by some cool bros who will undoubtedly be receiving some beverages of appreciation from me.

And that brings us to latest bit of good D.C. sports news … today the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the Wizards to Ted Leonsis. Sure, it was a mere formality, but Washington will take all the positive formalities it can get. So a big congrats goes to Mr. Leonsis for becoming officially official and congrats to Wizards fans as well.

Speaking of Leonsis, over a month ago on his blog, Ted’s Take, he wrote that it was time to remove the Washington Mystics “Attendance Champions” banners from the rafters of the Verizon Center.

“The only banners we should display revolve around winning a division or conference or league championship,” wrote Leonsis.

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Magnum Rolle worked out with the Washington Wizards on June 2, 2010 along with Jerome Dyson, Devin Ebanks and Devin Sweetney. Below is a narrative of Rolle’s basketball career, scouting report, and video footage of his workout with the Wizards and media interview.

Magnum Rolle grew up a skinny kid riding his bike around the beaches of the Bahamas. He didn’t pick up a basketball until age 15 and turned 17 in February of his first season playing at the high school level. He quickly became a sensation, gaining attention of college coaches from big time programs who flew down to catch a glimpse of the island mystery.

To prepare himself for college, basketball-wise and academically, Rolle moved to the United States to play at Laurinberg Prep in North Carolina, a former prep school powerhouse which has since fallen on hard times.

Laurinberg is a historically all-black prep school that’s steeped basketball tradition. Past players include Celtics great and NBA Hall of Famer Sam Jones, 10-year NBA vet Charlie Scott (70-71 ABA Rookie ROY, multi-time all-star), Earl “the Goat” Manigault (the famed NY-bred Rucker Park baller who Don Cheadle played in a movie), and Chris Washburn. More recent players include Antonio Anderson, Renaldo Balkman, Joey Dorsey, Robert Dozier and Shawne Williams. Famed trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie also attended Laurinberg on a music scholarship.

Last year, the NCAA, amongst attempts to crack down on institutions with questionable academic records, reviewed Laurinberg and declared the school’s athletes ineligible to compete at the NCAA level. In a must-read profile on DiverseEducation.com, Peter Galuszka touches on this and a number of other aspects surrounding the school.

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Daniel Wattenberg writes a very insightful piece, “The Persecution of Gilbert Arenas: How gun prohibitionists and an image-conscious NBA scapegoated a basketball star,” at Reason.com. He covers the entire gun saga and the surrounding implications, such as …

D.C. gun laws after the Heller decision:

Taken at face value, the Supreme Court’s ruling opened the door to a broad, though not unlimited, right to carry handguns in the District of Columbia, inside and outside the home. And why would Arenas have taken it any other way? Like many of us, he had probably heard or read something about the widely publicized Heller decision—and little or nothing about the inside-page story of the D.C. government’s response. Now there may be a broad public understanding of the District’s new gun rules. But if so, that’s largely thanks to Arenas’ own highly publicized arrest and prosecution.

Overzealous prosecutors:

In the prosecution’s theory of the case, Arenas was the Wizards’ alpha male, bent on preserving his supremacy against all rivals. Accordingly, his actions in the locker room were part of a dangerous, darkly motivated plan to intimidate an upstart benchwarmer. In stubbornly insisting the incident was no more than a “misguided prank,” the prosecutors claimed, Arenas was refusing to own up to the seriousness of his crime. Because the act was premeditated, they argued, it must not have been a prank—as if the two concepts are mutually exclusive.

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Yes, odd post title/combination of folks, but totally true.

I may have soured on Caron Butler as a basketball player as a result of the 2009-10 season (if you want to know why, here are some links), and that could ever so slightly reflect on perceptions of his personality.

But none of that skews from the fact that Butler is a good guy, a stand up person who’s never forgotten to represent where he’s from, whether it be his hometown of Racine, Wisconsin or his adopted hometown of Washington, DC. He concocted “DC, stand up!”, and just because he plays for a different team now, it doesn’t mean the phrase should be retired.

Caron was always glad to be apart of and give back to his community. In particular, he’s a big advocate of bicycle riding, including holding Bike Brigades in the Summer and giveaways at Christmas … and it’s all for the kids. He’s the Santa Claus of bikes.

But let’s not digress too far from the title of this post. Next Monday, June 7th, starting at 9:30 am, Caron will be back in the District of Columbia to promote cycling and bike advocacy by riding with the Crown Prince of Denmark (Frederick Andre Henrik) and a couple Members of Congress (Representative James Oberstar, D-MN and Representative Thomas Petri, R-WI).

The crew will ride from near the Capitol, to Freedom Plaza near the White House, around the National Mall, and back again. Still unclear why the Crown Prince of Denmark is involved, but it is what it is.

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