First day of mini-camp

[Zen-like Todd]

http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/summersection_03.html

Audio Interviews with several players. Check out the Eddie Jordan interview, and listen to the bit about Blake.

[W. Unseld]

For the benefit of those of us who either don't have sound or would get busted at work listening to that, is EJ pro-Blake and if so how pro-Blake? I found the summer league roster to be interesting in that it had a few legit pg prospects and EJ has said that a pg is the 'Zards #1 priority in free agency.

[Zen-like Todd]

I would say VERY pro-blake... let me transcribe the pertinent bit for you...

EJ:
"Steve Blake looked great tonight, I mean this morning, I mean he looked really great, and we have big plans for him if he continues that, and you know, there's going to be some ups and downs, cause he's a young kid, but man he is a pure point, he's got a lot of confidence, he's tough, he can shoot the ball, he sees people, you know, he made some plays where I thought he could have just laid the ball in himself, but you know he defends, and he's a great prospect, to me."

BTW, the tone of voice was a combination of being impressed and a bit surprised, pleasantly so.... It sounded really good for Stevie.

[Funkyalligator]

Blake is a great defender and with a solid lifting program he can become a beast. He is a pure point and isn't greedy at all....he has great leadership ability too. I am very excited to see him drafted by our team.

[W. Unseld]

Thanks cranky, that's great news to hear. I'm glad we didn't burn the ten pick on a pg when it sounds like Blake is going to be pretty solid with the 38th pick.

[Buford]

I listened to all of them. Good stuff. EJ just sounds like he knows what he's doing.

Dixon and Kwame sound focused......Jar(vis) didn't say much. and Jarad talked about rehabing and having another Terp on the team...but said he like Steve....I think because he passes the ball so much.


I'm not going to lie to myself and say "playoffs" but there is some nice young talent here. Hopefully they gel together and become at least fun to watch while they grow.

[luckydevil]

Blake is going to get a lot of pt this year. I loved the pick( I must admit I'm a tad biased)

[Gamebreaker]

I really hope Blake pans out. It would be great to see a Wizards pick actually contribute immediately, instead of being a project for a while.

[The Wicked Wop]

Blake is going to get a lot of pt this year. I loved the pick( I must admit I'm a tad biased)

Feel the same way. The only point I have to add though is that Blake has been a winner wherever he's played......and has the needed skills of good ball handling, and vision to make in the pros. Granted he needs to work on his shot, and forcing things somethings......but these are correctable.....(and I may be biased also) but I would love to see Dixon and Blake on the floor at the same time again.

[Golgo-13]

I have my doubts with Blake, but I would LOVE to be proved wrong. I would gladly eat a crow pie in order to have the next John Stockton in Washington.

[nfchamp1]

I see what Eddie Jordan is trying to do. Everytime I read a quote of him or listen to him comment on his players, the more I am impressed. He is obviously trying to build the onfidence of his young players. People are inspired in different ways. Obviously, the constant criticism under collins did not work. i find that people who take pride in their character are more offended than inspired by insults. They want to be their best but don't really care about how a coach they don't respect feels.

[jbooma]

Originally posted by CrankyTodd
I would say VERY pro-blake... let me transcribe the pertinent bit for you...

The other reason is Blake reminds Jordan of himself when he used to play. When Jordan was in college his team went 31-0 to get to the final four, he was a point gaurd that passed before he even though about shooting. I would not be surprised if Blake turns out to be the starting, or play at least a lot of minutes at the point.