Wizards star Bradley Beal was “ecstatic” to learn that general manager Tommy Sheppard received a promotion and contract extension with the franchise, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington writes.
Sheppard, who was elevated to team president, has overhauled Washington’s roster to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards have opened the season with an impressive 11-5 record, which is vital toward keeping Beal happy and persuading him to reject any rival trade interest.
“I see Shep in here every single day,” Beal said. “He’s very in tune, he cares. He’s an awesome person and he loves the game. He just wants his team to do well, he wants his team to get better and he holds us to a certain standard. I respect it and I love it. I’m definitely happy for him.
“He’s just constantly working, he’s constantly checking on me, checking on everybody. He’s a great GM, I’m happy for him and his promotion and his next few years here.”
Here are some other notes from the East tonight:
- Nets forward James Johnson has provided some defensive grit for the team, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. Johnson, who signed with Brooklyn in the offseason, has seen increased playing time with Nicolas Claxton (illness) and Paul Millsap (personal) missing multiple games. “The biggest part about this team is just trying to find the identity and sticking to that,” Johnson said. “We have to have some kind of identity that when we’re going into a gym it’s not the Brooklyn Nets that’s on paper, it’s that hard-fighting, physical, tough win-it-out gang.”
- Knicks president Leon Rose will deserve significant blame if the team can’t turn around a slow start to the season, Ian O’Connor of the New York Post writes. The Knicks hold a 9-7 record, but the club is just 4-5 at home. The vast majority of the roster is back from last season’s playoff group.
- Hornets forward P.J. Washington (left elbow hyperextension) has been upgraded to doubtful for Monday’s game against the Wizards, the team announced on social media. Washington has missed nine straight games due to the injury. He returned to practice last Tuesday.
Are people in New York really ALREADY trying to blame Leon Rose for their slow start!?!
In all likelihood, if it wasn’t for L.Rose the Knicks would have never even sniffed the playoffs last season, and they certainly wouldn’t even be expecting as high as a #4/#5 seed this year.
You can knock the Fournier and Kemba moves, but it isn’t like the Knicks had alot of options better then those two. First, the Knicks DESPERATELY needed a starting caliber PG, and at the time, it was slim pickings. Lowry nor Ball wanted to come to the Knicks, and I personally don’t blame Rose for not going after Dennis Schroeder. Also, the Knicks needed more shooting, and a player that’s capable of getting his own shot, and that’s exactly what Fournier gives this team.
You cannot blame Leon Rose that their all-star from last season has been a little inconsistent to start the year. Knicks reporters and bloggers ought to be kissing the ground that man walks on, because LEON ROSE is one of the primary reasons they are even a playoff contending team!!
My how fast some people get greedy, and so quickly forget what a sh*t-show this team was on akd off the court just a couple seasons ago..
Knicks fans should be grateful just for their team to make the playoffs.
Oh what’s up Leon rose
Not a Knicks fan but I’m pretty sure they started out 6-0 so I’m not sure what you’re talking about with the “slow start” stuff
They overperformed last year and the east got way better. They will probably end up in the play-in.
Knicks Nets Lakers have re-shaped their starting 5, so like JJ Saïd it takes Time to figure it out … Only Bulls are doing good but had nothing except LaVine and Vuc from last year team and it did not clicked instantanly
The NY sports media doesn’t like guys like Leon Rose. He doesn’t play their game. He’s not looking to make a splash, and doesn’t care how he’s portrayed. He doesn’t hold PC’s. His FO gives them nothing. They don’t even look to deny the made up stories they float in lieu of actual information. They just let them wither on the vine. Worst of all, he shows them no distain (which they’d take as a sign of respect), just treats them as irrelevancies.