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I've wrote about the outdoor experience at the Goodman League at Barry Farms in South East.  But this time, I'm going to show you the world inside the gym as the Goodman League takes it indoors during the weekend.  If you have no idea, the best talent around the DMV all converge and play in this league.  This is a Pro AM league.  What does that mean? Basically, it's NCAA sanctioned and players in college can ask their coaches (and get their signatures) and are allowed to play in this league. 

The type of players you see here are players in Division I and II or even players that never made it but had the talent too.  I had the honor to watching one of the best DC street legends in Lawrence Morton.  Who is #1 in scoring history in the Big East.  Moten, who played for the Wizards in the 97-98 season, was drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1995 draft in the 2nd round.  His nickname in the streets is "poetry in motion."  Watching him, I could see why he carries that name.  Moten has a smooth jumper and has a smooth game in general.

Coach Trudi Lacey said it best during the post-game conference: “It’s becoming a repeated pattern”.

She was referring to the recent trend evolving around her Washington Mystics: failing to open and close ball games. For the second game in a row the Mystics found themselves trailing big early, cutting the deficit late, and finally falling short at the end, and this time it was at the hands of the visiting Connecticut Sun, 79-71.

It took over 3 minutes into the first quarter before fans could take their seats at the Verizon Center. It’s a common home team ritual amongst many NBA and WNBA teams where fans remain standing until their team scores its first points of the game. I was getting uncomfortable just observing the patches of 12 year old Mystics fans around the arena restlessly waiting for any kind of shot to drop. Finally, with just under 7 minutes remaining in the quarter, it was guard Matee Ajavon who settled them down with the first bucket for the Mystics. Unfortunately, Ajavon’s points weren’t enough to spark any kind of offense for the Wizards female counterparts as they carried on their dreadful opening quarter, shooting 30% from the field. It was a complete horror show featuring bricked lay ups, errant passes and terrible defense. Not to mention that God forsaken panda mascot that seems to do nothing but aimlessly run up and down the arena steps and into little kids.

With the NBA draft less than a week away, rumors of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards swapping their second and sixth respective picks have been ratcheted up a notch.

Minnesota has little to no interest in remaining at the second overall draft position, as they feel that anybody picked would be overvalued.  Instead, they are looking to move down while acquiring both a pick and a player.

With both Kevin Love and Michael Beasley cemented in the starting lineup, Minnesota has no need for Arizona power forward, Derrick Williams.

The Wizards, on the other hand, have a great deal of interest in moving up to select Williams – a player many consider to be the best player in the draft.

So what’s the catch? 

Minnesota wants Washington’s sixth pick as well as 23 year-old center, Javale McGee.  That’s where the Wizards take pause – even though they shouldn’t, and there are several reasons why.

Under-manned, outhustled, and trailing by double digits in the first half, the Mystics showed great resiliancy down the stretch against the visiting Chicago Sky. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as the depleted Lady Wizards fell short 84-77 in their home opener. Coming off a nail-biting overtime win against the Atlanta Dream Friday night, the Mystics were involved in another close one as they cut an 18 point first half deficit down to 3 in the closing minutes of the game. But it was too, little too late as the Sky started the game hot from the field, shooting over 70% in the first quarter and taking a 12 point lead. The Mystics were the complete opposite, ending the first quarter shooting a dismal 30%. The Sky continued their dominance in the 2nd quarter, lead by a sizzling Cathrine Kraayeveld, who nailed all three of her 3 pointers as they pulled away with a 51-33 halftime lead.

The second half got a little bit better. Lead by a powerful offensive surge by Matee Ajavon, the Mystics trimmed the lead to single digits. Ajavon's scored 10 of her 24 points in the third. Marissa Coleman, who was nailing almost every shot she took during pregame warmups also came alive in the 3rd, scoring 7 points after being scoreless in the first half. The Mystics continued their surge in the 4th, cutting the deficit to 3 points, which also lead to the possible ear infection I may be diagnosed with thanks to the screeching of elementary school girls sitting behind the media table. In the end, key turnovers on key plays allowed the Sky to weather the Mystic storm and seal the victory.

Attending my first WNBA game as a fan and a writer, I must say I was very pleasantly surprised at the fan turnout for the home opener. With very few seats empty, fans (which included 2-time NBA scoring champ Kevin Durant) began their pregame hype and cheering early, almost reminding me of the game 3 "White Out" playoff game between the Wizards and Cavs. However, the joy and happiness quickly simmered away as Chicago ran away in the first quarter.

So looky looky here, LeBron James chokes YET again.  If anybody knows anything about me, I hate LeBron James.  Not as a human being (well kinda) after meeting him/interviewing him, I have this sour taste in my mouth for him.  With that said, you are probably wondering why I am bringing up his name on a Wizards blog/fan site? Well, simple, apparently to stop LeBron, just sleep with his girlfriend or mom! (Just kidding)

Now I am not TMZ or here to endorse "rumors" or "controversey" of this nature but apparently Rashard Lewis was messing with LeBron James's girlfriend.  I think that is hilarious because it's a Wizard player you would atleast expect, Rashard Lewis. LeBron probably hates Washington and the Wizards as a team with passion if this were true.  It doesn't help when former Washington Wizard, DeShawn Stevenson is getting into his head with his talk and play (wow, he does play well on LeBron, who would have thought). 

With that said, check out the article about the situation dealing with LeBron:

http://www.totalprosports.com/2011/06/09/did-rashard-lewis-sleep-with-lebron-james-girlfriend-savannah-brinson/

It does not look like the most reliable blog/post out there but if you see the point made about ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and how he said that LeBron was going through some personal issues with his girlfriend, Savannah Brinson. 

Hmm, if you put two and two together, that may make sense, but where does Rashard Lewis come into the picture?  It says something about "sources."  Now anybody and anything can be sources so I'm hesitant to even call this story 100% true (keep reading, it gets interesting). 

As I expected and I was right, Rashard Lewis actually said that these rumors are false! Rashard has too much class and has a great head on his shoulders.  I know the guy pretty well from this year and he has been nothing but spectacular for the Wizards franchise. 

The three names that Washington knows very well, Leonard Hamilton and Jordan. No not Leonard Hamilton the coach that used to coach us for one year in 2000-2001.  Hamilton actually lead us to a 19-63 record which is why he was only coaching us for a year, well that and he got a better job coaching a college team (ouch).  And what about Rip Hamilton?

And what about Jordan? Well the Wizards and the world does not need an introduction to this guy. We are talking about the greatest player of all time.  Eddie JORDAN anyone? He did take the Wizards to three straight playoff appearances so that's not so bad. 

Anyways, back to the current Leonard, Hamilton, Jordan combo that were here in Washington not named Michael, Eddie, or any other names that has a bad taste in our mouth in Washington.  

If you have never been to a Goodman League game this year.  Well I don't know what you are waiting for.  I haven't had this much fun since a Wizards win.  The experience you get at a Barry Farms game is an experience on it's own.  I recommend it to everyone and anybody.  The MC of the event, Miles Rawls, who runs it, is probably the most wittiest individual I've encountered who is not a comedian.  

He started the event to give us a shout out (myself, Joe G, and Matt Naqvi) and called us 'The Soppranos' and on top of that, called me Grease.  I couldn't stop laughing and loving the fact that the area showed us nothing but love.  Any misconception you have of Southeast DC or Barry Farms in general should be wiped off in your head.  

On to the games.

Tonight is the opening night of Goodman League out in Southeast DC (Barry Farms).  Other reports are surfacing about it so far but guess who will be there to cover it? Yes, your friends at WizardExtreme.com myself and Joe G.  

Oklahoma Thunder and Washingtonian Kevin Durant will be there tonight starting at 7pm.  Also along with him will be Minnesota Timberwolves and local guy, Michael Beasley.  



Last year, WizardsExtreme and Comcast were the only ones to bring you exclusive coverage.  This year, it won't be any different.  

If anybody questioned John Wall's attitude towards winning, well they shouldn't.  He is on the prowl and motivated to become the best there is out there.  If there was any proof, then check out the video the Washington Wizards put up on their site.

As I walked into the practice court at the Verizon Center, I came across someone who was watching along with the Wizards front office and scouts, John Wall.    

It's pretty cool to see him being here in DC in the off season, I'm pretty sure he's working out and conditioning with coaches and him being here also shows he cares about what the team decides to do with the draft picks that the Wizards have (#6 and #18)

I watched the likes of Alec Burks, who is regarded to be a first round pick (maybe even lottery), who is even a top 3 point guard in this NBA Draft.  He looked lanky and pretty tall for a point guard but I don't know how he would fit in with Washington.  I mean, John Wall is 6`4 and we have plenty of shooting guards unless they get rid of Nick Young.  Burks has the tools to make it but not sure if he would fit the Wizards plans. We'll just have to see how this shapes up. 

JaJuan Johnson, the F/C from Purdue, has nice length but is only 220 lbs for his size.  He needs to add bulk and weight to his frame.  He is raw offensively as he showed it during the drills.  He went for this hook shot and it was pretty much a Shaq type free throw, wasn't going in at all.