OT: And The Butler Plot Thickens ...

[Boise Blazer]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/24/wizards-frustrations-bubble-over-in-locker-room-sq/

Hmmmm ... very interesting ...

 

[Kaydow]

How many more times do we have to hear Arenas say he'll sacrifice putting up All Star numbers for the sake of the team? Give me a break, he's averaging 20 shots/game. Besides, if that's what you want to do, then just do it . . . don't talk about it in the Media every time somebody puts a mic in front of you. "I will sacrifice . . . " It's getting real old.

 

[drexlersdad]

instead of sacrificing, maybe he should try winning.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Miller and Webster for Butler ... make it happen.

Add: Arenas saying "it's all about sacrifice" is pretty much telling me that "It's all about Arenas." Same old Agent Zero

 

[Sedatedfork]

Miller and Webster for Butler ... make it happen.

Add: Arenas saying "it's all about sacrifice" is pretty much telling me that "It's all about Arenas." Same old Agent Zbo

Fixed.

 

[Shapecity]

Fixed.

LOL

The Wizards have had some good wins this season, but their focus has been inconsistent. The team has always had a divided locker room. Should be entertaining to see how this plays out for the Wizards and Arenas.

 

[Sedatedfork]

LOL

The Wizards have had some good wins this season, but their focus has been inconsistent. The team has always had a divided locker room. Should be entertaining to see how this plays out for the Wizards and Arenas.

Don't the other Wizards players remember that Agent Zero turned down more money so that the Wizards could field a good team...

 

[Idog1976]

Miller and Webster for Butler ... make it happen.

Add: Arenas saying "it's all about sacrifice" is pretty much telling me that "It's all about Arenas." Same old Agent Zero

How about Blake, Outlaw and Webster for Butler? Not sure we should trade Miller when he is getting the big guy going like he is.

Oden said Miller got him going.

 

[oldguy]

What a surprise that Agent Zero is a blow hard and a crappy teammate.

 

[hasoos]

That is hilarious. Arenas is sacrificing for the team, but from all I have read, the problem is he has came back as more of a ballhog than ever. Now that being said folks, remember that Butler has not worked out everywhere he went. When he was traded to LA he was there for a year and then hit the road because he was not a good fit.

 

[Shapecity]

That is hilarious. Arenas is sacrificing for the team, but from all I have read, the problem is he has came back as more of a ballhog than ever. Now that being said folks, remember that Butler has not worked out everywhere he went. When he was traded to LA he was there for a year and then hit the road because he was not a good fit.

He was a good fit in LA and was actually learning how to play the point guard position. However, they didn't want to commit to the money he was seeking.

 

[handiman]

Does no one else see the parallel between Arenas and Roy's comments?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Does no one else see the parallel between Arenas and Roy's comments?

Parallel? I see them as opposite.

• Arenas claims he's sacrificing, basically says his teammate needs to play better, and the team continues losing.
• Roy questions why he should have to adjust, puts most of the focus on himself needing to play better, and the team continues to win.

 

[MIXUM]

webster/outlaw for butler....

they would do it in a heartbeat. expiring contract and solid backup sg/sf.

 

[noknobs]

Does no one else see the parallel between Arenas and Roy's comments?

No, I haven't seen Roy rip his teammates for having "hidden agendas."

When asked whose responsibility it was to cure the in-house feuding, Arenas said, "Me and Antawn [Jamison]. That's our jobs [as captains]."

Arenas was reminded that Butler also is a captain and was asked whether he too was responsible for resolving the problems.

"Come again?" Arenas said with a smile. The question was repeated, and the guard smiled again and said, "Yeah."

Haven't seen him do that either.

 

[Minstrel]

webster/outlaw for butler....

they would do it in a heartbeat.

I doubt they would. Butler is one of their few extremely tradeable assets...not a bad contract, in his prime, generally very productive. They're very unlikely to dump him for nothing more than an expiring contract and a significantly worse player at the same position.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think this team needs another All-Star. I think we potentially have three All-Star players on this team. If we added Butler, I think that would be one too many mouths to feed.

 

[MikeDC]

If the Wizards actually trade Butler over this, they're insane.

 

[MikeDC]

I don't think this team needs another All-Star. I think we potentially have three All-Star players on this team. If we added Butler, I think that would be one too many mouths to feed.

You guys seem like the obvious team to acquire Luol Deng to me

 

[Natebishop3]

Washington never should have given Arenas that ridiculous contract.

 

[Minstrel]

I don't think this team needs another All-Star. I think we potentially have three All-Star players on this team. If we added Butler, I think that would be one too many mouths to feed.

It depends on what Butler is looking for. He's never struck me as a "gotta feed me" type of player. He's struck me as content to play an all-around game, score when the team needs it and play solid defense. If that is his mentality, then he'd be a great fit. If he wants a primary offensive role, then it may not be a fit.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Not to sounds harsh but doesnt anyone know if since the Wiz owner passed away today if that will impact what happens with the team as far as trades or selling the team?

 

[Minstrel]

You guys seem like the obvious team to acquire Luol Deng to me

I'd love for Portland to get Deng. I've wanted Portland to try and get him at the bottom of his market for the past year or two. Now, I assume the price has gone up, since he's shown evidence of getting back to past form. I wonder what the Bulls would ask for. I wouldn't trade any of Roy, Aldridge or Oden, but if there were other pieces the Blazers have that the Bulls would be interested in, I hope Pritchard checks it out.

 

[Natebishop3]

It depends on what Butler is looking for. He's never struck me as a "gotta feed me" type of player. He's struck me as content to play an all-around game, score when the team needs it and play solid defense. If that is his mentality, then he'd be a great fit. If he wants a primary offensive role, then it may not be a fit.

I think we should we targeting Battier. Houston isn't likely to make the playoffs this season, and I think they could use a couple young guys. Either that, or do a Miller for Battier straight across trade. I think Rocketeer was bitching about how Brooks couldn't feed Yao. Miller would be great for that.

I think Battier is the perfect fit for this team. He's a three point shooter, high basketball IQ, and an amazing defender.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Not to sounds harsh but doesnt anyone know if since the Wiz owner passed away today if that will impact what happens with the team as far as trades or selling the team?

Wow, I didn't even realize Pollin had passed. The AP had this in their report:

With his death, a group led by longtime AOL executive Ted Leonsis is poised to take ownership of a Washington-area sports empire that began when Pollin purchased the Baltimore Bullets in 1964.

What impact that may have on their willingness to trade Butler, I have no idea.

 

[Idog1976]

I think we should we targeting Battier. Houston isn't likely to make the playoffs this season, and I think they could use a couple young guys. Either that, or do a Miller for Battier straight across trade. I think Rocketeer was bitching about how Brooks couldn't feed Yao. Miller would be great for that.

I think Battier is the perfect fit for this team. He's a three point shooter, high basketball IQ, and an amazing defender.

Couldn't agree more. Battier seems like a perfect fit, and Houston seems like an ideal trade partner since they have some back up PF's as well. With DC's performance last night, backup PF may not be as important as it was.

I wonder if Houston would trade for Blake and/or Outlaw and one of Webster/Rudy. Obviously I would rather not include Rudy. Blake and Outlaw would be ideal as it would solve several problems all at once.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Obviously I would rather not include Rudy. Blake and Outlaw would be ideal as it would solve several problems all at once.

If only it was that easy.

 

[Idog1976]

If only it was that easy.

I know right? The players I want to keep are the big 3 plus Rudy, Bayless and Batum. I'd also like to keep Joel, but I'm not sure we will be able to once his contract runs out. Cunningham is intriguing but isn't in my untouchable camp yet. Even Bayless could be had for the right price. I'd be loathe to trade Rudy, but would do it for certain players. Batum to me is nearly as key as Roy, LMA and Oden. Just my evaluations FWIW.

 

[shamelessblazer]

Blake/Outlaw would be perfect and balance our team out a ton!

With vets like Battier out on the court you can risk playing Jerryd more at point guard too.

Miller/Bayless
Roy/Fernandez
Battier/Webster
Aldridge/Cunningham
Oden/Pryzbilla

and Battier doesn't have many years left either right? Batum can step right into his place next year.

Does houston have any semi-obnoxious contracts we could take back to make it work? Could we give up a draft pick?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Anybody that thinks teams are going to give up more than a mediocre player for Outlaw and Blake in some kind of trade are seriously deluding themselves. These teams have scouts you know (well except for the Grizz) and it's a poorly kept secret that while both have had turns at being productive players, they both have some pretty serious holes in their game.

For instance, Battier is well regarded as one of the true lockdown wing defenders in the league, he may be on the tail end of his career and not nearly as productive as he's been in the past but Blake+Outlaw =/= Battier in my opinion. I just don't see how GMs like Ernie Grunfeld or Daryl Morey are giving up guys like Butler or Battier without at least getting a good young prospect in the deal.

Start using names like Nicolas, Rudy, Bayless, and/or Miller in some combination with either Blake or Outlaw and I think you start to maybe catch somebody's interest; even though Blake and Outlaw are expiring deals pairing those two together in a trade package is highly unlikely to blow anyone's skirt up..