202SportsBlog

I admit that when I first read the story on CBSSports.com that Chris Kaman received German citizenship, so he now has dual citizenship – USA and German, my original reaction was to question why he would do such a thing. The article points out that he is not an immigrant, but rather his great-grandparents were German. I was a little bothered by the idea that an athlete would seek citizenship in another country to primarily compete in the Olympics.

I then did a little research. It appears that this phenomenon is more common than one would think – particularly if you primarily follow only the major US sports. The New York Times in its article entitled, Swapping passports in pursuit of Olympic medals, illustrated a number of former foreign Olympic athletes that became US citizens and continued to compete, this time for the USA.

A particularly controversial example, again depending on your perspective, was Kenya-born Olympic medal winner Bernard Lagat. Lagat, who was a distance running star in Kenya, received US citizenship in 2004, just months prior to medaling in the 2004 Athens games. Kenya, as the article points out, prohibits dual citizenship, but Legat did not disclose his changed citizenship due to the knowledge that he would not be able to compete in the 2004 Olympics. However, the Kenyan Olympic committee is not happy that he is currently competing as an American athlete – even though he has been a citizen for just over 4 years.

The point is this phenomenon is not new. It has been going on for a number of years, but mostly in sports that the majority of Americans do not care much about – except for a few weeks every 4 years. The difference in the Kaman story is that he is an (1) American who elected to gain citizenship and compete for another country; and most importantly (2) he plays a sport that is much more important to the majority of American citizens. If he was playing shuffle board, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis, race walking (the list goes on and on), no one – except for the athletes they compete against and/or the relatively small groups of people who are passionate about those sports – would have even noticed. MAYBE during the actual coverage, assuming one of the previously mentioned sports even gets a few minutes of coverage, would there have been a passing mention, but that’s it.

So in the grand scheme of things, so what. While there doesn’t appear to be very accurate statistics on dual citizenship, the estimates range from 494,000 to 5.7 million US citizens hold dual citizenship. So, Chris Kaman is just one more. Now, what would be truly interesting is… since he is now also a German citizen… if the German government sent him a tax bill on his NBA salary.

Ivan Carter reported on the Wizards Insider that Gil has agreed to accept in the neighborhood of $111 M over 6 years, which is approximately $16 M less than what the Wizards had offered. Assuming this plays out as reported, this is a great move for Gil Arenas and the team. The Wizards were able to lock up Gilbert for six years at a reasonable figure, and create some space for them to sign a player or two, now. I have to admit that I am a fan of Roger Mason, Jr. and would like to see him re-sign with the Wizards, but the team’s most pressing needs are for a back up big man, and a veteran small forward who can take some load off of Caron Butler. After his play in the playoffs, James Posey appears to be a perfect player to target, but half the league is also currently targeting Posey.

In a previous post, I pointed out some potential inexpensive big men. Hopefully, by Gil accepting less it will allow the Wizards to sign a bargain center and possibly spend at or around the mid-level exception on a small forward. Once the dust settles on this agreement, we will be able to see exactly how much money the Wiz can spend on free agents, and which direction they go.

P.S. I wonder if Gil feels even better that he did not have to pay an agent 10% to negotiate his deal with the Wizards? In hindsight, given what he said about staying with the team, it doesn’t seem like he would have needed an agent for this transaction. I am sure he paid some legal fees for his attorney to review the language, but it would appear that his decision saved him approximately $11 M.

Ivan Carter reported on the Wizard’s Insider that the Wizards and Antawn Jamison have agreed on a new contract. I am thrilled that Antawn has gotten resigned. Prior to Jamison joining the Wiz, the team was a wreck. Jamison and Gil, and now Caron, have lead this team back to respectability and a genuine team guy like Jamison should be rewarded for his hard work. When I have read people’s comments online and/or listened to them on local sports radio – I am struck by how quickly people forget the Wizards recent past. A little over 4 years ago, this team was a laughing stock. And while they need to improve to move beyond the first or second round, they have a team, when healthy, that should be able to do this. And while there are fans that would like to see some combination of players get traded for a stud in the middle, which is not going to happen without parting ways with major portions of the team.

Jamison is a consistent 20-10 guy, when there aren’t that many that do it on a consistent basis. He is part of a trio, when healthy, which averages 20+ points per night – the highest scoring trio in the league. In an environment that does not have dominant big men falling from the sky, the Wiz are best served finding another experienced big man who will grab rebounds, block a few shots, and can score a few points when t he ball is passed to him. Given that there isn’t someone like the Timberwolves (or Memphis) that is looking to give their franchise player away for a bunch of scraps, the best the Wiz can do is pick up a veteran that will bang and grab rebounds. There appears to be a few of these players available. While not the sexy choices, these type of role players could be exactly what the Wiz need.

We are just a few hours before NBA free agency gets started, and it is that time of year when sports talk typically turns to the changes that Ernie Grunfeld should make to Wizards. Well as many know, the Wizards have their own free agents to worry about – Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Roger Mason, Jr. After signing Gil and Antawn (and most likely losing Roger), the Wiz will not have a significant amount of money to spend on free agents, nor will they have a lot of roster space. They currently have 10 players under contract, not including Gilbert, Antawn, Roger and

The Wiz need someone in the paint who can rebound, block shots and occasionally score. And while Brendon Haywood had his best season last year and the Wiz just drafted JaVale McGee, it is important to look for help here – particularly since no one knows yet how Etan Thomas will play if/when he fully recovers. And because of the limited amount of money that the team is expected to have available, it is important to look at potential players that will not break the bank. Below is a list of potential free agents that appear to best fit this criteria.

es*Career averages

• Primoz Brezec, who is 28 years old and 7-1 and 252 lbs, could have the best long term potential. He is not much of a shot blocker, but he has showed the ability (in the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 seasons), to score in the double-digits and pull down around 6 rebounds a game.
• P.J. Brown has been a solid player for a number of years and at 6-11 and 239 lbs, he is not afraid to bang with anyone. However, at 38 years old, you may only get 1 more season out of him.
• Theo Ratliff, at 35 years old and 6-10 and 235 lbs, is intriguing. Ratliff has been the best shot blocker on the list. If he is currently healthy, he could provide the Wiz with an excellent, defensive-oriented backup center for a season or two allowing McGee some time to develop.
• Adonal Foyle (6-10 and 270 lbs) fits into the same category as Theo Ratliff, while not as proficient in blocking shots. And while he is two years younger (33 years old) and more expensive, I would tend to lean towards Theo Ratliff instead.
• DeSagana Diop (7-0 and 280 lbs), much like Primoz Brezec, is an interesting choice because of his age (26 years old). He played on a team that runs (Dallas) and one that runs a similar offense (New Jersey), so you would think that he would have an easier time fitting in with the Wizards. And since he is still young, you have a player who can continue to develop and legitimately challenge for the starting position. Diop, like Brezec, are at the high-end of the pay scale for this list of players, but still in the range of bargain shopping.
• Jamaal Magloire (6-11 and 265 lbs) at 30 years old still has a number of good years in him, but is also a former all-star performer at the center position. However, the style of play that best suits him is not the style that the Wizards play.

Considering this list, the two players that most interest me are Theo Ratliff and DeSagana Diop – for largely two completely different reasons. Theo was a very good shot-blocking center, but may be well past his prime. If he can be effective in limited minutes, Ratliff could be an effective defensive presence off the bench. He would be a short-term solution, buying the Wiz a year or two for some of the younger guys to develop. Diop, on the other hand, is better suited to compete with Haywood for the starting position – which could have a negative effect on Haywood. He is also young enough that he could be a potential fit for a few years to come. Given that the Wizards just drafted JaVale McGee, I don’t think picking up a young guy like Diop is the best move. However, the relatively low salaries of Diop, Ratliff and the other players mentioned above means that there are some potential bargains available to the Wiz if they are looking for a backup center to grab rebounds, block a couple of shots and score a few points in the paint.

Last summer I wrote, Boston Celtics: Monopoly Money, which was primarily about the amount of money that the Celtics had tied up in 10 players. Well less than one season later, the Celtics finished off the Lakers in the most lopsided game to clinch an NBA finals. So it would appear that the Celtics were able to get a favorable return on their investment.

In that earlier post, I was questioning whether or not the Celtics had enough talent (4 - 14) to go deep in the playoffs. Well it is safe to say, that they proved me and many other people wrong. Ultimately, you know what you will get from their best player - Paul Pierce - and KG. Ray Allen is not the same player, but on some nights he will give you 20+, but you still have to respect his jumper. However, the role players are what ultimately did the Lakers in. It appeared that the Celtics’ role players had more desire, toughness and heart than anyone on the Lakers save Kobe Bryant.

In a draft that did not have a clear cut franchise big man, it was still nice to see the Wiz select a big man. By most accounts JaVale McGee is an incredible physical specimen but still very raw and with a tremendous amount of potential. And while Haywood clearly had his best season, the Wizards have long needed help in the middle – particularly rebounding, defense and a modest amount of scoring. Last season, due to Etan Thomas’ surgery, the Wiz largely played with one true center virtually all season. If McGee can manage to rebound and play defense on the NBA level, he could see some minutes this season, especially if Etan Thomas does not fully recover. On the surface, McGee appears to be a perfect fit for this team – a Center who is long, athletic, rebounds, blocks shots, scores in the paint… but can also shoot a jumper. Hopefully, he will meet and exceed his potential. Let’s hope he has the determination and drive to be the best.

While the Wizards work to sign Gil, Antawn, and it would be very nice to get Roger Mason back, the difference in the 08-09 season could be the continued improvement of Blatche, Pecherov and McGuire. In order to get past the Cavs in the playoffs, the Wiz need those three to develop to give them much more punch off the bench. Of course, I am assuming that Nick Young will also improve as well – but he clearly showed that he has the talent to be a special player. And while it is critical for the Wiz to have a healthy Gil and Caron, more consistent play from Blatche and stronger minutes from Pech and McGuire is what is needed most.

The Wizard’s season is nearly over and I am disappointed that I have not been able to write about it. Work, school, life and more life have prevented me from commenting this season. But, enough about my troubles.

I was in Las Vegas this week on business, but I was able to catch the end of the Wizards – Celtics game. It was a pleasure to watch the Wiz beat the NBA’s “best” team for the third time. Some could argue that the Celtics, who wrapped up first place in the East, did not have anything to play for. I would suggest that argument is hollow. Kevin Garnett and the Celtics have pride, they had lost the previous two games to the Wizards – back-to-back I might add – and they did not want to lose three straight. In fact, Doc Rivers suggested that his starters would not play as much in this game, but yet late in the fourth quarter there they were. This was definitely not a game the Celtics were content to lose, the Wizards won this game.

Games like this for the Wizards are encouraging, they show that they can, when focused and healthy, play with any team in the NBA. However, they have games like this every season, at least over the last four seasons. But, they don’t seem to capitalize off of these experiences. They often follow them up by playing distractedly, or at least with what appears to be less effort. It would be nice, if they could finally take an experience like this and use it to finally push their game to that next level. As players, they don’t seem to want to do the things that they need to do on a nightly basis. This team, in the Eastern conference, has the ability to be as good as any. Injuries aside, they have not stepped up to become one of those teams.

And while they have been troubled with injuries throughout this season, it appears that they will now have the opportunity to exercise their Cleveland Cavalier demons. If the Wizards are going to take that next step, what better team to do that to then Cleveland – a team that has had their number in the past two playoffs.

Picture yourself on business travel, sitting in a restaurant having breakfast. You open up the USA Today that was left outside your hotel room door. Flip open to the sports section and begin reading the story about Gil talking about the Wiz’s chances this season and BOOM!!! The first shot is fired across the bow:

“No matter if Etan is the starter or the backup, he’s going to give you the same kind of energy and the same kind of play,” Arenas explained. “Brendan will give you three-four (strong) games (off the bench) because he’s mad, then he’s going to tank it.”

While the content of the quote does not surprise me, the timing does. Maybe this was a way for Gil to remind Wiz management to do everything in their power to get rid of him. And if they are unsuccessful, it could serve as a verbal kick to Brendan’s pants. What also surprised me was that the quote was buried deep in the story, I would have thought that the writer would have lead with the quote. I am also a bit surprised that it has not gotten much play in the local media as well.

Maybe the issue is that Gil only said what we all knew. We can see Brendan quit on his team nearly every year. For someone who is as consistently inconsistent as him, he - like a number of athletes - feels as if he is owed some respect, for under performing. I do give Gilbert credit for saying publicly what we all see. Often it is rare for an athlete to call out another athlete. But, there comes a time when you have tried all other methods that you are left with “spanking that ass” publicly. If the Wiz cannot successfully move Haywood, maybe Gil’s comments will serve to light a fire inside Brendan that lasts beyond December 31. Oh, never mind I am talking about Brendan Haywood. Sorry, I forgot.

During this year’s draft, I was a bit puzzled when the Steelers selected Matt Spaeth in the third round of the draft.  They all ready had a very good starter in Heath Miller, who doesn’t get much respect in the league, but has made a number of big plays in his young career.  It made more sense once it was known that Aryans, the Steelers offensive coordinator, planned on using a lot of two tight end sets.  Historically, the tight end in Pittsburgh has been a glorified tackle, used more as a blocker then as a pass catcher.  But with the change in offensive philosophy, beginning two years ago and evolving further with Aryans, the tight end is becoming an important position.  After two games, it is crystal clear why they drafted Spaeth.  He makes for a big target at 6’7”, has great hands and has a knack for getting open in the endzone.  Currently the Steelers have two former Mackey winners – an award given to the best tight end in college football - and as these two continue to develop, they could become the best tight end tandem in the NFL.  And combining them with Hines Ward and the Steelers young receiving corps, it gives Big Ben plenty of passing options.

During the ESPN broadcast of the Redskins game, I was reminded of something that has frustrated me during Wizards games on Comcast Sportsnet. Directors stay on camera angles that have nothing to do with the action on the field, much too long. I was reminded of this frustration during the Skins game, when the Director decided to stay on Andy Reid for what felt like an eternity, all because the game crew was discussing the issues with his sons. How about you show him for a second or two, just long enough to put a face with a name - for those who don’t know what he looks like - and then get back to the action on the field? I would rather look at the players in the huddle then Andy Reid (or any coach for that matter) for an extended period of time.

This problem happens much too often during the Wizards games – whether it is a close-up of someone in the stands, Eddie Jordan, a player on the bench, the Polian’s in the owners box., etc, etc, etc. What is most frustrating is that I have lost count of the times that the television audience has not been shown live game action due to one of these occurrences, from foul shots, to steals, to dunks the list is endless. I remember a number of occasions in which they had to show the audience a replay of on-court action to make up for the fact that they did not show it lives. And let’s not forget the advertisements that they display during the game. They are not commercials mind you, but the advertiser’s logo and a brief amount of copy that Buck is obligated to read. These have also caused a fair amount of game action to be missed over the years. It would be nice if their production crew could make those advertisements transparent or at least minimize the screen so that the game can actually be seen.

The folks at the Neilson Ratings should develop a device that allowed people to administer an electric shock – nothing lethal mind you – to either the Director or Technical Director of a sporting event every time they stayed too long on a meaningless camera angle. (Or maybe even the on-air crew when they spend an eternity discussing whether or not Donovan McNabb is being under appreciated in Philly.)

Am I the only person who is bothered by this?