SB Nation DC: All Posts by Michael Katz

NBA Draft 2012: Wizards Done With Lottery?

2012-06-29T12:00:51Z

Tired of sweating out the NBA Draft lottery and obessing over morning-after NBA Draft grades? So is Ted Leonsis.

"I don't want to be in the lottery anymore," Leonsis said Thursday at the Wizards 2012 NBA Draft party. "I would find that unacceptable."

Unacceptable. That's a strong word, Mr. Leonsis.

Washington has missed the playoffs four consecutive seasons. But the Wizards owner was positive about the direction of the franchise when he met with reporters before the 2012 NBA Draft.

Look at this smile:

There's reason for optimism in D.C. The Wizards were a dramatically different team in the second half of last season. Washington went 7-4 with Nene on the floor after the trade deadline and finished the season with six straight wins.

Add Bradley Beal, Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor the mix, and that has the makings of an actual basketball team.

So, we ask: Do you agree with Ted Leonsis' expectations for the Wizards? Tell us what you think we'll see from Washington in the comments.

Catch up on the Wizards draft with our 2012 NBA Draft Results StoryStream and get more great fan perspective on our Wizards blog, Bullets Forever.

NBA Draft 2012: Wizards Get It Right With Bradley Beal

2012-06-29T11:21:04Z

You're going to love Bradley Beal. That's what I want to tell you the most, reader. But you probably already know that because the loudest cheer of the night at the Wizards NBA Draft party was for the Bobcats, who selected Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with the No. 2 pick, one ahead of Washington.

Everyone thought the same thing: "We got him. Bradley Beal is coming to Washington."

Going into the 2012 NBA Draft, there were two possibilities for the Wizards: A) Draft Bradley Beal B) No Beal, and one of 756 different things happens and all our heads explode. In the end, the Wizards got the prospect they've coveted all along without having to move up. The Wizards got it right.

Look, if you're a Wizards fan, this has to be friggin' exciting:

Yessir bro RT @RealDealBeal23: Washington Wizards !!!!!!
— John Wall (@John_Wall) June 29, 2012

What Wall didn't tweet is his plans to "put a lot of popcorn" in Beal's car when he gets here. (Told of Wall's antics, Beal said he plans to walk to practice when he gets to D.C.)*

*Old Wizards: Poop in shoes // New Wizards: Popcorn ... That's some sort of progress!

Back to the Draft, look at these happy Wizards fans!

So where does this leave the Wizards?

Well, a strange thing happens you look at the roster overhaul since Washington made a deal for Nene at the trade deadline last season. The Wizards are starting to resemble an actual basketball team. This is good (and I don't need to tell you this, but I will) because they play in the NBA, a basketball league.

So spend all of Friday scouring the web for NBA Draft Grades — and sure, be salty about leaving Jae Crowder and Quincy Miller in the 2nd round, if you're a real grump — but here's a good way to judge the Wizards 2012 NBA Draft: Are you happier now than you were a year ago?

You have to be. The Wizards have a plan in place that doesn't begin or end with "Well, if Andray, Nick and JaVale ..." That's a good thing. Stay tuned. They could be on to something here.

Catch up on everything you need to know about the Wizards draft, scan our NBA Draft 2012 StoryStream. For more fan reaction, visit our Wizards blog, Bullets Forever.

VIDEO: Red Sox Fans Give Kevin Youkilis An Ovation At Fenway Park

2012-06-24T21:18:57Z

When Kevin Youkilis was lifted for a pinch runner in the seventh inning on Sunday, it became clear that Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine was giving the Boston fans one last chance to salute their long-time third baseman.

Yup, according to a report, the Red Sox have agreed to trade Kevin Youkalis to the White Sox.

Here's a look at Youkilis's last moment on the field at Fenway Park in a Red Sox uniform. The fans call "Yoooooooouk" to get him out of the dugout for a curtain call. As one fan says at the end, "I'm gonna cry."

One Red Sox fan, ncblake, uploaded the picture below to Instagram with the caption "Tribute."

For more fan perspective, head to our Red Sox Blog, Over the Monster and SB Nation Boston.

Red Sox Trade Kevin Youkilis To White Sox, According To Reports

2012-06-24T20:56:24Z

The Kevin Youkilis trade writing has been on the Red Sox clubhouse wall for several weeks now. On Sunday, Youkilis played in what appears to be his final game in a Boston uniform at Fenway Park. The Red Sox have reportedly dealt the third baseman to the Chicago White Sox.

Clubhouse source says Youkilis traded to White Sox. Nameplate is gone
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) June 24, 2012

In a bizarre and touching moment, Youkilis ended his Red Sox career with an RBI triple in the seventh inning. When he stood up, he was pulled for a pinch runner and walked off to applauding fans, who had to know what was going on. The Providence Journal's Brian MacPherson has great detail in this on-the-scene report:

Youkilis ripped off his helmet and pointed his fingers into the air, even blowing a kiss. It was a tribute to the fans who have showered him with cheers -- and "Yoooooooooouks" -- since he made his major-league debut in in 2004. He embraced Punto in the middle of the infield and then embraced a Dustin Pedroia-led horde of teammates at the top step of the dugout. After he'd disappeared into the dugout, Valentine was among those who motioned Youkilis back out onto the field. Home-plate umpire Al Porter obliged by calling for time, and Youkilis popped back out onto the field to a massive roar from the 37,000-plus in attendance. The Red Sox then played a short Youkilis highlight reel on the video board in center field after the inning ended.

For more fan perspective, head to our Red Sox Blog, Over the Monster and SB Nation Boston.

Danny Ferry Offered Hawks' GM Job, According To Report

2012-06-24T20:23:36Z

The Hawks have targeted Danny Ferry for their general manager job, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

Atlanta has reportedly offered Ferry the position and is working to get a deal in place.

Here are the details from Woj:

No deal was complete on Sunday afternoon, but there was progress toward an eventual agreement, sources said.

A front-office executive with the San Antonio Spurs, Ferry has also had extensive talks with the Philadelphia 76ers on their GM position, but his focus has strongly swung to the Atlanta job. Ferry traveled to Philadelphia to meet with Sixers ownership two weeks ago and continued talks with the organization.

Ferry would replace Hawks GM Rick Sund, who had been leaning toward retirement or taking on an advisory role with his contract expiring after Thursday's NBA draft.

Ferry held the general manager position in Cleveland from 2005-2010, where he was the architect of the Cavaliers team that made the NBA Finals in 2007. But he ultimately failed to build a foundation that could keep LeBron James in Cleveland.

In Atlanta, Ferry would be tasked with figuring out how to push the Hawks past being a perennial first- or second-round playoff exit.

James Harden Could Give Thunder Hometown Discount In Free Agency

2012-06-24T19:22:39Z

James Harden hinted that he could be willing to take less money to stay in Oklahoma City. "I love it here," he told reporters at his exit interview on Saturday.

Keep Harden for less than a max contract would be a huge boon for the Thunder, which must solve a financial jigsaw puzzle starting July 1 when Harden, Serge Ibaka and Eric Maynor are all eligible for extensions on their rookie contracts.

More from The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry:

Harden is widely considered to be a top five shooting guard and potentially a third maximum-allowable contract level player. But he said Saturday that team success is more important to him than money and potentially making more elsewhere.

"This is something special here," Harden said. "A dynasty is being built here. So we’re winning, we’re having fun and we’re brothers. The other stuff, you can’t buy it."

The debate has been on as to whether the Thunder would be better off with Harden or Ibaka as their third max player. What a coup it would be if they can keep both in OKC and happy.

Now for the bucket of cold water: When is the last time an NBA star (or, like, your neighborhood cooper, etc.) turned down a considerable amount of money for friendship? Business is business. We'll see, OKC.

For the latest news and rumbling from around the league, keep up with our NBA Free Agency Rumors 2012 StoryStream. For Thunder news and notes, visit Welcome To Loud City

Jerry Sandusky Trial: Juror Said Credibility Of Accusers Sealed Guilty Verdict

2012-06-24T18:06:14Z

A juror in the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse trial said that a guilty verdict was reached in part because of "very convincing" testimony from the accusers who took the stand. Sandusky, the former Penn State football coach, was convicted on 45 counts of child sex abuse -- nearly every charge.

Chase Utley Could Return Wednesday From DL

2012-06-24T17:56:00Z

Chase Utley could soon return from rehabbing his injury-prone knees and be back in the Phillies lineup as early as Wednesday.

Utley has not hit particularly well in his 20-day stint in the minor leagues. His rehab assignment ends July 1, and it appears Phillies manager Charlie Manuel wants Utley back with the club as soon as possible.

Jim Salisbury has more at CSNPhilly.com:

Utley played eight innings at second base for Single A Clearwater on Saturday night. It marked the first time he had played defense in consecutive games on his chronically sore knees since October. Playing defense on back-to-back days was considered an important step in Utley’s return to the active roster.

Utley is now expected to travel to Philadelphia for the final stage of his rehab assignment. That is likely to include his playing in one more minor-league game, probably Tuesday at Triple A Lehigh Valley, before being activated for Wednesday’s game against Pittsburgh – provided there are no setbacks.

In nine games with Single A Clearwater, Utley has batted .156 with a homer and five RBIs in 32 at bats.

Get the latest updates on our Chase Utley Injury StoryStream. For more on the Phillies, please visit The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly.