Washington Wizards Wiretap

Jordan, Haywood Try Again

In Washington, the relationship between Brendan Haywood and Eddie Jordan appeared to be shattered beyond repair following the Wizards' season-ending loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season.

After failing to get off the bench, Haywood stalked to the locker room, ripped off the nameplate above his locker and left Verizon Center without comment.

Later, according to multiple league sources, Haywood considered demanding a trade. However, such a deal never materialized as team president Ernie Grunfeld concentrated on re-signing free agents DeShawn Stevenson and Andray Blatche rather than making a drastic change to his team's roster.

Gilbert Arenas, who is one of Haywood's best friends on the team, said Haywood recently joined teammates in Washington for informal workouts following a clear-the-air meeting with Jordan and new assistant coach Randy Ayers. The meeting took place near Haywood's offseason home in North Carolina earlier this month.

"Eddie went down there to talk to Brendan because at first, Brendan was like, 'I'm not coming to' " Washington for pre-camp workouts, Arenas said. "But they talked and Brendan's been here for the last two weeks. Whatever they talked about, it brought Brendan back."

Via Washington Post


Arenas Wants To Buy Bonds' Ball To Prevent Asterisk

If Gilbert Arenas has his way, the baseball Barry Bonds hit for his record-breaking 756th career homer will never be branded with an asterisk.

Arenas' solution? He wants to buy the ball. Fashion designer Marc Ecko bought the ball in an online auction, then set up a Web site so people could vote to determine its fate. Ecko announced the winning choice this week: branding the ball with an asterisk before it's sent to the Hall of Fame.

"I don't think he should mess up history like that," Arenas said Friday.

Via AP


Wizards Re-Sign Roger Mason

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed guard Roger Mason. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Roger is a versatile player who has worked hard on his overall game this past summer,” said Grunfeld. “He played with us last season and is familiar with our system. We are glad to have him back as a member of our team.” Last season, Mason (6-5, 212) averaged 2.7 points per game in 62 games. He tied his career-high with 18 points and connected on a career-best four three-point field goals at New Jersey on February 27, 2007. Mason appeared in four playoff games with the Wizards last season and averaged 6.0 points in 14 minutes per game, including a career postseason-high 10 points at Cleveland on April 25, 2007.

Via RealGM Staff Report


Wizards Sep 2007 Archive

  • Arenas Thinks Wizards Can Win The East

    Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas is not among those anointing the rebuilt Boston Celtics as the team to beat in the East.

  • Lithuania Holds Off Parker, France 88-73

    Lithuania limited Tony Parker to 11 points and defeated three-time champion France 88-73 on Monday to remain one of two unbeaten teams at the European Basketball Championship.

  • Blatche To Attend 'John School'

    Washington Wizards forward Andray Blatche, who was arrested Aug.