[Editor's note: Jan Vesely recently gave his most candid interview to date in a Czech Basketmag piece titled, "Sweating Blood." You certainly won't see Vesely this open with American media, and for the most part, not in interviews with other Czech media, either. Below, TAI's Czech correspondent, Lukas Kuba (@Luke_Mellow), provides the second of a two-part translation of that interview; click here to read part one. —Kyle W.]

The Airwolf: “After workout I need to get some healthy products into my body. #greenways #jecmen #barley” (via Jan Vesely’s instagram)

 *SWEATING BLOOD (Part 2)*

Coach Randy Wittman stressed that at least one of the Wizards’ young big men—[Trevor] Booker, [Chris] Singleton, [Kevin] Seraphin, and you—has to get significantly better, because the organization wants to know who’s the best long-term investment. So will this be the most crucial summer of your career? Read more »

[Editor's note: Jan Vesely recently gave his most candid interview to date in a Czech Basketmag piece titled, "Sweating Blood." You certainly won't see Vesely this open with American media, and for the most part, not in interviews with other Czech media, either. Below, TAI's Czech correspondent, Lukas Kuba (@Luke_Mellow), provides the first of a two-part translation of that interview; click here to read part two. —Kyle W.]

[Jan Vesely interview - May 2013 issue of Czech Basketmag]

*SWEATING BLOOD (Part 1)*

Honza, when was the first time during the season that you had thoughts about saying goodbye to the NBA?

In November, in December… we finished the training camp, the season began, and I didn’t play. Whereas at the end of my rookie season I played a solid amount of minutes, so there was some frustration. But just being there [in the NBA] is a huge accomplishment, and staying there—it’s a great thing.

The media and basketball experts criticized you quite a bit. They were saying the sophomore season is crucial for the future of a player. How difficult was it to cut off the harsh criticism?

It was difficult. I tried not to read it, just ignore it and continue to work  hard. But in a time of social media, it pops up somewhere all the time, and it’s difficult to protect yourself from it.

Read more »

[Editor's Note:

Another translated Jan Vesely interview, eh?  Vesely is already ingrained into Wizards lore, for better or worse. Sixth overall pick, from the Czech Republic—it's an interesting case study of how the wholesome kid who quaintly kissed his girlfriend on draft night, who's known for pandering to American pixel sensibilities with the dunk, has already gone in an irreversible direction in the eyes of many.

The "Dunking Ninja" they called him—yea, well I wouldn't trust him playing "Fruit Ninja." The "Air Wolf" some have dubbed Vesely—yea, well he still seems to be sucking on the teet of the mother wolf.

With barely two years of experience, one of them being drastically reduced because of the lockout, Vesely isn't on an even plane looking to improve, he's trying to climb out of a hole. And he's got the weight of Ernie Grunfeld's head on his shoulders.

Vesely lacks confidence, partially (perhaps mostly) because he lacks strength. But at this point, simply getting stronger won't get him a whole-hearted look from Randy Wittman. Only a jump shot can save him. Maybe free throws, too. Because those are the most egregious examples of where Jan-boy needs to grow a pair.

Below, TAI's Lukas Kuba provides the latest translation of a Jan Vesely interview with the Czech media outlet 5 Plus 2.

—Kyle W.]

["Baby dunk" - via instagram/24janvesely]

>>>

Basketballer Jan Vesely Ready For Fight

June 8, 2013 – via www.5plus2.cz

translated by Lukas Kuba (@Luke_Mellow)

Read more »

[ShareBullets -- Wizards-related links from 'round the web.]

Bradley Beal enjoys the Santa Monica beach sand with his girlfriend. Oh, young love. [via Instagram]

Links.

The NBA Draft rumor machine is fired up and ready to go with speculation swirling over Washington’s third pick. Ex-Wizards head coach Flip Saunders is now running the Minnesota Timberwolves, and reports have them looking to move up from their ninth position in the draft, dangling 2011 second overall pick Derrick Williams as bait. Ben Standig breaks down this potential deal.

[CSN Washington]

TAI’s Kyle Weidie digs into the latest scuttlebut of the Wizards possibly packaging their third overall draft pick for Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova, aka, “Ghostface Ilya.” Bucks blogger KL Choulnard provides evidence of Ilyasova’s defensive struggles.

[Behind the Buck Pass]

Set your Google Calendar alerts for Friday, June 14th. This is date that Georgetown’s Otto Porter will reportedly be working out for the Wizards at the Verizon Center.

[Washington Post]

Read more »

Editor’s Note: It depends on how the summer shapes out from a variety of directions—the draft, potential pre-draft trades, and the free agency of Martell Webster (among others, such as A.J. Price)—but 2012 second round pick Tomas Satoranksy could become a legitimate option for the Wizards. Washington currently has just three guards/wings under contract next season—John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Trevor Ariza. Even if Ernie Grunfeld were to re-sign both Webster and Price at affordable market rates, the Wizards’ backcourt off the bench would be extremely limited. Plus, the team might have a greater need of adding a defensive “stretch 4″ per the request of Wall, the franchise point guard.

Filling an end-of-the-bench backcourt spot with Satoransky could be akin to filling it with any other second round pick in 2013—something the Wizards seem hesitant to do—even with considering the improvements Tomas made last season playing for his Spanish club, Cajasol. Then again, if the other option is Ernie Grunfeld pulling the next Earl Boykins or Jannero Pargo out from under his chair… No thanks. Satoransky could use another year of seasoning in Spain, but he could also be a cheap option for Washington, bringing future value worth integrating into the team sooner rather than later. Satoransky is just the type of third-string player who can handle a number of guard duties with decent results while still being young enough to have promise (he turns 22 in October).

The Spanish outlet, laopiniondemalaga.es, reported last week that Spanish club Unicaja Málaga was considering going after Satoransky but balked at his 500,000 Euro buy-out from the last season of a four-year contract with Cajasol. Another Spanish club, Saski Baskonia, has also apparently showed interest in acquiring his services. Cajasol, after a disappointing season, is evidently looking to cut salary, and getting a team to pay Satoransky’s buyout could provide a reprieve from financial strain, even if he was one of their best players last season. Under the previous NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Wizards could contribute up to $500,000 USD to the buyout of an overseas player, which does not count toward the team’s salary cap. Under the new CBA, that amount increases by $25,000 each season and would be $575,000 in 2013-14 (still above Cajasol’s current asking price, which is also certainly negotiable). Washington, looking to save money in a number of creative ways under Ted Leonsis, would investigate asking Satoransky to pay for his own buyout.

Read more »

[Brandon Jennings and Nick Young]

This past Saturday LA’s Toxic Day Party, seemingly the place to be every Saturday in LA, was more turnt than ever. From Draya and her “Fine Ass Girls” crew to Fabolous, Hit Boy, The Game and NBA ballers James Harden, Nick Young and Brandon Jennings, Toxic Day Party at Lure Patio was Hollywood’s hottest summer hang out this past week.

DJ Drama had the crowd going wild as he had LA native Problem perform his smash hit, “Like What,” while Nick Young popped endless bottles of Ace of Spades Rose’ to celebrate his birthday. On any given Saturday you can find Karrueche and Christina Milian sitting pretty, as Teyana Taylor dances and toasts with friends. NFL player DeSean Jackson, Justin Combs, Too Short, Eva Marcelle, and Kevin McCall were also amongst the celebs who joined in on the fun.

Kenyon Martin and Dorrell Wright also partied it up with Swaggy P. Photographer Cassy Athena documented the good times with money shots.

Read more »

You never know whether Ernie Grunfeld is tactfully maneuvering a press conference or if he’s on autopilot … much like the way he captains his ship.

The Wizards team president said a lot during his season-ending media-speak session on Tuesday afternoon, and below are some various quotes, presented with little context, but in the total spirit of Grunfeldisms.

—————>

Read more »

Garrett Temple cleaned out his locker at the Verizon Center on Thursday and departed with its contents in a large, black trash bag. John Wall cleaned out his locker and left with a large, rolling suitcase.

Bags were packed, ready to go. Wall wore an adidas shirt and Zubaz-esque shorts. CSN’s Chris Miller had jokes. “Summertime fine,” snapped-back Wall. And the DC Sports Bog had a whole pixel post about the garb.

So with that, it’s summertime, John Wall, and Wizards fans.

Read more »

“Watergate” – First it was a fancy Washington, D.C. hotel/apartment complex built in the late-1960s (well, maybe not first; there are other “Watergates” in existence, aside from the literal meaning of the word). Then it was a Presidential scandal in the early-1970s, which took place at said complex. Now, in the early-2010s, it is apparently a basketball expression, one that you’ve likely already seen in pixel form on this very website.

What “Watergate” means in basketball is easy enough to understand. Jumpers have long been “wet,” and the description of a ball going “splash” through the net probably came prior. So, when you’re talking “Watergate,” you’re talking about made jumpers. The term popularized itself around the Wizards locker room this season, but where did it come from?

Garrett Temple and A.J. Price explain…

Read more »

OK, so it wasn’t ‘all’ about Nick. It was all about a poor showing from two teams that couldn’t care less. What had happened (at least according to Twitter)? Let’s check to story of Washington’s home finale loss to Philadelphia.