Hoyas in the NBA: 2018-19 Outlook

NBA Hoyas are in the preseason kitchen cooking up some news ahead of opening day on Oct. 16th:

11 years after leaving Georgetown, Jeff Green comes to the Wizards as a veteran with a voice | Washington Post

“I don’t know what’s been the culture around here the last couple of years. I don’t know what’s been missing, but my job is to just be myself and speak up when need be,” Green continued. “I’m not a big talker, but when I say something I mean it and hopefully people listen. They didn’t necessarily say they needed me to be vocal and to be, like, the ‘voice of reason.’ My job was to go out there, lead by example, take what I’ve learned over the last year and how we got to the championship and what I’ve learned from some of the best that I had [played with] and bring that.”

Wizards 2018-19 roster outlook: Jeff Green to be key member of bench after returning home | NBCSports

“Green was brought in to replace Mike Scott, who had departed to join the L.A. Clippers. On paper, it appears ... [t]hose savings allowed Washington to make other moves in an offseason with few resources at their disposal within the NBA’s salary cap...

Green should be an important piece for the Wizards this season. He is the No. 2 power forward behind Markieff Morris and could get extra burn in small-ball lineups. He brings versatility on both ends of the floor and fits well into head coach Scott Brooks’ stated goal of playing more positionless basketball... The biggest appeal for Wizards fans when it comes to Green, and vice versa, is the fact he is returning home. He made a name for himself by leading the Hoyas to the Final Four in 2007. Now he is back playing home games in the same arena.”

Wizards’ Otto Porter: Sits out practice | CBSSports (Oct 2)

“Porter sustained an ankle injury during Monday’s preseason matchup with the Knicks, but coach Scott Brooks indicated the forward’s absence from practice is only precautionary. The Wizards are off until Friday, but until further notice Porter should be considered questionable.”

Wizards 2018-19 roster outlook: Otto Porter, Jr. will need to assert himself more than ever for Wizards | NBCSports

“Porter’s ability to shoot for a high percentage from pretty much everywhere on the floor begs the question of what he would be capable of with a larger role. In order for him to command more shots, he will need to open up his offensive game, beyond simply being a bit more selfish.

Porter gets most of his looks as a product of the Wizards’ offense. He is adept at finding daylight off screens and usually has his best nights when he runs the floor to eat up open looks in transition. In order to create more opportunities for himself, he will need to reach another level as a ball-handler.”

Otto Porter playing center? Wizards Coach Scott Brooks says that’s possible. | Washington Post

“Over his first five years in the league, Porter has not logged a single minute at the center spot, according to the website Basketball-reference.com. Also, Porter’s so lean that, at the end of last season, former teammate Marcin Gortat proposed to ‘lock him in the weight room for a good four months.’ Porter’s 6-foot-8, 205-pound body has been a natural fit on the wing, not for the antiquated view of what a center should be.

However, in the Wizards’ quest to speed up the action, launch more three-point attempts and carry more versatile lineups into every game plan, Porter could become an option at the five while still operating as normal: cutting, running the floor and hitting spot-up jumpers. Even if Porter plays just a handful of minutes in Washington’s micro lineup, Brooks likes the added flexibility in having more than just Markieff Morris as a small-ball center.”

Monroe refusing to accept NBA is done with traditional centres | Toronto Sun

“A lot of people think I can’t play anymore for some reason,” Monroe said following a practice...

“We all know what everybody is reacting to and it is what it is,” Monroe said of the recent three’s-over-everything push. “If a team dethrones the Warriors with a big everyone is going to go out and get a big. I mean you saw what they (the Warriors) did this summer (signing DeMarcus Cousins). They added a centre. You need bigs. JaVale (McGee) was still playing in Golden State (Zaza Pachulia too). You still have great centres in this league – Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond, Marc Gasol. You still have guys who are productive that play so I’m not worried about it. The only thing I can control is what happens inside the lines and that is what I am focusing on...

“It’s basketball. The one sport where being tall is cool and they are trying to wash it out,” Monroe said. “ It will come back around. Guys are adapting...

“This year I am just looking for a chance. It’s like I just want a chance to play again. I know I can.”

Warriors’ Marcus Derrickson: Scores 10 points off the bench | CBSSports

“The 6-7 Georgetown product had an encouraging summer in Las Vegas and signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Warriors in the offseason. While it’s possible we will see more of him in the preseason, it’s likely that he’ll join the G-League once the season begins.”

Warriors Season Preview: How will the small forward rotation shake out?| Golden State of Mind

“If Patrick McCaw [re-signs with the Warriors], he’ll spend time at the three as well, where he excelled in the 2016-2017 season. As mentioned in the shooting guard rotation preview, the Warriors have some wings on their training camp roster: [recent training camp signee] Alfonzo McKinnie, Danuel House Jr., Damion Lee, and Marcus Derrickson could all play the 2 or 3 in Kerr’s system. If McCaw does not end up in a Warriors’ uniform this year, expect one of them to make the final roster.”

Former New York Knicks great Patrick Ewing gives talk to current team | NorthJersey.com

“Unbelievable. Patrick came in and talked to the guys about the special moment they’re in to wear that jersey,” Fizdale said. “It was just an honor. He really spoke to him on a level like a college coach. He didn’t make it about himself, he made it all about them and what it means to be a Knick.”

Fizdale said he’s been friends with Ewing for more than 10 years and wants the current Georgetown men’s basketball coach to be “actively engaged in what we’re doing.”

”Think about a kid like Mitchell Robinson,” Fizdale said. “I mean, come on. If Mitchell Robinson gets to spend any time with Patrick Ewing that’s a plus for us.” ...

“Obviously I can’t say enough of the guy,” [Center] Enes Kanter said. ”He’s like the greatest Knick ever and one of the best players to play the game. I think we can learn a lot from him.”