Posts in month: January, 2009

One Day We’ll Look Back and Laugh:
Wizards Game 46 Blog at Philadelphia

Previously on Deep Thoughts:

From: Gilbert Arenas Quote Trinkets

Q1

You’d think that it’d get to the point where when Phil Chenier discusses ‘Keys to the Game’, he’d just say, “don’t lose” — but I guess that’d be lazy.
Tonight’s key: Mike James…yes, an NBA vagabond is our freaking key to the game.

8:43: Caron turnover trying to pass to Jamison….that was just a horrible angle…..basketball instinct diminishing.

7:32: I don’t understand how the Wizards can appear to be pointing and communicating, yet completely turn their back on Igoudala who gets a lob from Miller and dunks. 10-7 Sixers.

7:05: Again…basic defensive principles. Mike James shoots, his man, Miller, runs…Butler, being the other guard, needs to take responsibility in getting back on D…against A RUN–NING TEAM. But he doesn’t…..enough of this “I’m not used to playing shooting guard” B.S. — pay attention (I know, he just doesn’t care to).

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While it’s far from a feel good story, Mike Wise’s recent piece about DeShawn Stevenson had many thinking twice about the Wizard, now realizing a part of Stevenson’s past that was previously unknown to most.

The gist of the matter is that DeShawn grew up never knowing his father, not an uncommon story (Jalen Rose anyone?). But the tragedy is that the only time he saw his father was via television mug shot as the man was plagued with violence, drug use, and mental disorders, all which ultimately led to him murdering his own mother, DeShawn’s grandmother, over money.

DeShawn was kept in the dark in regard to the incident, and only came to find out from another kid on the playground.

But that’s not what doesn’t add up. There so much information available on the internet, most not trustworthy of course, but what is out there doesn’t exactly jive with some aspects of Stevenson’s 2001 statutory rape case covered in Wise’s story (from which the bolded excepts came).

#1 – Stevenson did not dispute the consensual sex but contends that the girls brought their own alcohol.
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The party has been effing ruined. I missed the Wizards game last night and have yet to decide if I’ll watch it on DVR….although, it will be damn hard to resist reliving an 22 point “thriller.” I guess I could always look for more Andray Blatche crop dusting incidents. But now that he’s in street clothes, he might get all fancy on us.

Best in Show:

[Wizards Insider]
How bad was it? Consider that the Wiz reserves were outscored 50-14 by the Heat reserves. Bottom line: this Wizards team looks a lot like the Miami team that won only 15 games last season. Some of these young guys have potential but the gap in confidence and NBA ability we’re witnessing on a nightly basis is scary.

[Wizards Outlet]
There’s no other way to put it other than this is a bad Wizards team. Only 14 assists opposed to 18 turnovers that went for 26 Miami points? The Heat didn’t shoot well at all — just 39 percent — but they made 10 3-pointers and 19 of 22 free throws. That made the difference right there.

[Washington Post]
“It’s the same thing we’ve seen so many times this season,” said Butler, who also had six turnovers as he and Jamison were again swarmed by an opposing defense. “Play well for a half or three quarters but then have problems in the fourth and lose. That’s just been our season.”

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“Every day I feel like I’m being punked and I’m waiting for Aston Kutcher, because I just can’t believe we went from that to this. I mean, I’m like ‘Brendan, is your hand really hurt, for real? Gil, are you really still not right?’”
-Caron Butler via Wizards Outlet, Washington Times

There have been Kiss Cam zingers and incidents that have gotten carried away. But the Kiss Cam is usually like buying a hooker in Vegas……what happens in the Verizon Center stays in the Verizon Center.

Getting caught in an awkward moment, say…cheating with a coworker, is bad enough in an arena filled with 18,000 (well this year in DC, 10,000 or less) — no need to broadcast to a much wider audience on TV.

But the game changes when the Big Aristotle comes to town. Late in the first quarter, Shaq tied up Caron Butler for a jump ball and the cameras were there.

It could have been a tension filled moment between the two players who were once traded for each other. But the Big Diffuser stepped in to give Butler a smooch on his head, letting him know that all was copacetic.

Just look at that elation on Butler’s face. Tell me he’s not enjoying what’s going down. Read more »

via this site – h/t both teams played hard

• Against the Trailblazers on Saturday, the Wizards turned the ball over 26 times. That’s right, 26 freaking times.You know the last time the Wizards turned the ball over 26 times? Let’s go back 699 games to the year 2000. On opening night, All Hallows Eve, Juwan Howard and Mitch Richmond tied to lead the team with five each as the Wizards lost to the Magic. [Wizards Acting Like They Don't Care - NBCWashington.com]

• At 9-34, I’d argure that the fabric of the team is already irrevocably torn so there’s no real point in worrying about tearing that fabric anymore than it’s already been torn. [It doesn't look like McGee will be getting any more minutes anytime soon - Bullets Forever]

• “On a lot of those shots, I always used to ask him if his eyes were open,” interim coach Ed Tapscott said about Jamison, who is averaging team highs of 20.8 points and 8.8 rebounds this season. “And he insists they always were, so OK. Antawn Jamison is a very unique player, and I doubt anyone will come along that’s quite like him for some time.” [An off-balancing act: Jamison's game on offensive end is full of tricks and surprises - Washington Times]

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Well, who was I kidding with this? Watched the game this morning despite my protests….newsflash: we’re terrible. Keep reading.

Q1

Caron starts by shooting a three….miss…no surprise.

McGuire is all over on D…..deflections, etc.

Wiz look sluggish in every aspect.

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Last night against the Portland Trailblazers, the Wizards committed a season high 26 turnovers. Here are Ed Tapscott’s range of emotions reacting to one of them.

Eyebrow raised, slight surprise:
“Is that another fucking turnover?”

“Un-fucking-believable.”

“Ok Ed, look away, goddammit just look away.”

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Went out last night, of course, instead of watching the Wizards-Blazers game. What? Am I supposed to sacrifice my social life for this team? Naw.

But my intentions are good…..DVR the game, stay away from scores (which I did) and watch it the next day.

Getting up in the morning, the first thought is, “Do I really want to watch this team?” I mean, what are their chances of beating the Blazers in Portland? 10%…..at best?…..maybe 7%?

I have no hope.

It’s easy for a fan to lose hope. I still root for the team. I still want them to win. I still get wrapped up in the emotion of games…whether the Wiz are getting blown out or blowing up.

But for some dude like me, losing hope seems natural.

Does the team have any hope? Do they care? Sure they do. This is their job, their lifeline. They are competitors. Then again, they’re getting a fat paycheck win or lose.

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Bust A Bucket is a Portland Trail Blazers blog (seems like the Blaze have a ton of blogs – guess that’s what you get when you combine more passionate fans, a better history in the past 2+ decades, and no other major professional sports teams)….oh well. Check ‘em out, pretty cool looking site.

Matt of BaB and I exchanged a Q&A session in anticipation of tonight’s game between our two teams. Check out his answers to my questions below. Head over to Bust a Bucket for my return answers.

Portland Skyline [flickr/Jeff.Jones]

1) The Blazers currently sit right in the midst of the Western Conference playoff fray. Do you see how the current team plays out the year and perhaps make a move in the summer?……..Or try to find a taker for someone now? (I’m assuming that Frye, Outlaw and Rodriguez are the most expendable, correct?)

It’s tough to gauge what the organization will do. Lately, inconsistency has been a big problem and we just don’t know how certain guys are going to contribute going forward. There is also news that Martell Webster won’t be back before March. So, with an injury like that, we probably don’t want to make a move involving Outlaw. The Blazers should be able to make the playoffs this year with the current roster, but a move to bring in a solid contributor for a few guys who don’t get time, would really make us strong.

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The Wizards are hemorrhaging and the sharks are in the water. When a team is in the crapper, opposing trade ideas get delusional.

The Wiz are in a unique situation of futility. They are dealing with crucial injuries that would be a critical blow to any other team. (Do I appreciate the job that Eddie Jordan & Co. did last year even more? Yes I do.)

That being said, it’s evident that even if 100% healthy, the Wizards are pieces short of being a championship contender.

Does all this mean that Ernie Grunfeld, on whom the heat has been increasing lately, should push the panic button and just start making trades? Maybe and maybe not.

In either case, Grunfeld is the patient type of GM who bides his time, ignoring irrationality…..I can’t say the same for opposing fans.

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Well….did we expect anything else? Thought so.

via Mr. Irrelevant (and then Stet Sports)

Q1

1st Laker Possession: McGuire is guarding Kobe (Reggie Miller calls D-Mac a defensive “Guru” whoa…easy there buddy…let the kid develop first)….he held his ground for the most part…..but still let Kobe get deep and he just missed the shot.

1st Wiz Possession: D-Mac up top as distributor says Fratello….but Kobe is a rover and Dom misses an open mid-range J (had that hitch in his shot there)

D-Mac looks a little intimidated on D…flinching at every Kobe move.

Habit: Wiz miss their first five, all jumpers. Lakers up 7-0.

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Q1

8:08: Dom McGuire has gotten good at the corner jumper…..as long as he omits that hitch he has in his shot at times. 9-4 Wiz.

D-Mac, of course, can potentially be a great defender, but really must work on his lateral movement.

7:37: Blatche spin and gets in air, but the Wiz (Mike James in this instance) are making better cuts, and it’s an easy pass for a layup. 11-6 Wiz.

Wiz start 1-5 on FGs, but go 5-5 since…thanks to the fact that Brad Miller cannot guard Andray…who has 9 points on 3-4 shooting.

5:46: Butler is having his own issues with Salmons, who just drove by him for a dunk. 17-13 Wiz.

Did the Kings just not account for Blatche in their game plan at all? Is Brad Miller that bad of a defender? Is he being left on an island? Don’t know, but Andray has 8 points already.

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Once again the presidential inauguration doesn’t have much to do with the Washington Wizards, except for the fact that everyone on the team, from players to coaches, wished they were in DC experiencing history.

I was there for you guys.

But…..if the Wizards were in DC, I’m pretty sure they’d be schmoozing it up close with clowns like P-Diddy, or even this interesting looking feller right here.

I, on the other hand, walked with the masses around the Washington Monument and the WWII Memorial…..it was cool (and pretty freakin’ cold too).

Pictures: A Google Reader ShareBro put me on a post from Gizmodo featuring the absurd shot below from the inaugural youth ball.

From the Gizmodo post: “…..people are more interested in taking photos of something they’re witnessing than actually, you know, witnessing it.”

Ironic……just the previous night, I’d gotten into a conversation with a cousin, who I’d previously only met once in my life some 20 years ago…..really cool dude by the way…..about the future of photography, open source, the ease of digital photography for everyone, and, of course, people being consumed with capturing an event rather than being apart of it.

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