Washington
You can pore over the different box scores between the exhibition game and the preliminary game that the U.S. and Puerto Rico played and apart from the staggeringly low three-point percentage of the U.S. team, eventually one other difference will dawn on you: Peter John Ramos did not play in the exhibition game but he did log an impressive nine minutes in the preliminary. Is he the world's tallest sparkplug? Could he be the Wizards' new lucky charm?
He towered over Tim Duncan and showed an impressive little hook shot in the lane as he scored his only two points of his nine minute outing. He committed two quick fouls but also grabbed two boards and his 100% field goal percentage is nothing more than a fantasy for the U.S. team.
There are some players who help their team even when they don't play major minutes. Sometimes they bring energy off the bench and inspire their teammates to new heights. Sometimes their mere participation enshrouds their teammates in a cloud of luck. If Peter John Ramos is that guy, then the Washington Wizards have themselves a lucky season to look forward to.
Even if he's not, they've still got a young 19-year-old 7-3 center who's not afraid of NBA superstars. That's gotta be a good thing.
TEAM NOTES
The Washington Wizards have released their complete 2004-2005 regular season schedule.
You can shop at the Wizards team storewhere you can personalized jerseys with your name and number.
Sean O'Rourke ofThe Middletown Presswrites: Taliek Brown has been invited to Washington Wizards camp in October.The Huskies’ career assists leader also has received offers overseas, including Italy and France, but first will attempt to make the Wizards.
Blaine Newnham ofThe Seattle Timeswrites: Besides Arroyo, 7-foot Daniel Santiago plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. Ortiz was the Pac-10 player of the year in the late 1980s when Reggie Miller was in the league. The Washington Wizards have drafted 19-year-old Peter John Ramos, a tree-like 7-3 center.The NBA has known about the other guard, Elias Ayuso. After last night, it knows about the whole team.