Score

Washington Wizards 81 vs Los Angeles Clippers 107 [box score]

Stat of The Game w/ John Converse Townsend

1. For the first time this season, Washington scored fewer than 20 points in each of the first three quarters (17, 17, 19).

2. Nick Young’s total shot attempts at the rim. (He’s averaging 1.8 attempts at the rim per game.) Both came in the first eight minutes of the game.

3. Three Wizards — Trevor Booker, John Wall and Head Coach Randy Wittman — were charged with technical fouls.

4. Chauncey Billups made a game-high four 3-point attempts vs. Washington.

5. The number field goals Nick Young made from the field. He attempted 16.

6. The number of free throws the Clippers made in the game. They attempted 17 free throws and won by 26 points.

7. The Clippers (23) scored seven more points than the Wizards (16) on second-chance opportunities. The key: rebounding. The Clippers were plus-21 on the glass (plus-4 OREB).

8. Blake Griffin’s game-high assist total (to go with 21 points and 11 rebounds) despite not playing a minute in the fourth quarter.

9. … um, the Clippers scored more than half of their points in the paint (56) in front of the 19,419 in attendance, the Wizards largest crowd of the season.

0. The number of times the Wizards had a lead over the Clippers.

Scene of the Game

Ke-viiiiiiiiiiiiiiin (and Blake).

Yes, people, Kevin Seraphin still looks very raw. But he’s a big body, sets a helluva screen (Kirk Hinrich was impressed during his time in D.C.), and the Wizards need things like this. Give him some more time. And, although he lost the ball going to the basket with much less authority than needed before he and Blake Griffin got tied up, give Seraphin credit for fighting some. Of course, Griffin did give Kevin a ‘You realize I’m winning this jump ball, right?… This is essentially a steal.’ look.

D.C. Flag 3-Star Ratings w/ Adam McGinnis, John Converse Townsend, and Kyle Weidie

<***> Rating the Starting 5, Bench & Coach out of 3 stars.

John Wall
	KYLE WEIDIE: 2 points, 1-9 FGs, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 28 minutes versus 14 points, 4-8 FGs, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 29 minutes. Which one was Chris Paul and which one was John Wall? Wall is the latter, Paul the former, ‘Can’t throw a rock in the ocean,’ I believe were Paul’s words after the game. Wall had the stronger stats, but you can’t say he had the stronger game since CP3′s Clippers won. Still, I can’t fault Wall’s night too much, I saw many more positives than negatives. This was a “surroundings” game… although, not saying that Wall doesn’t have a long, long way to grow before he can leave an imprint on a big game like Paul. 1.5 Stars (out of 3)
	MCGINNIS: Game Changer’s had a nice scoring outburst in second quarter and held Chris Paul to two points. He continues to gut it out in this disastrous season. 1.5 Stars
	TOWNSEND: Wall’s most memorable play came with about six and a half minutes left to play in the fourth quarter — you might remember it. The Wizards were in a half court set, and Wall’s answers to the Clippers defensive questions had grown tired. So he dribbled headfirst into a wall of Blake Griffin and Chauncey Billups, collapsing in a heap to the sounds of the referee’s whistle (timeout Washington) and boos from the Verizon Center crowd. 1.25 Stars
	TOTAL: 4.25 out of 9 stars

Nick Young
	ADAM MCGINNIS: Swaggy P was hot early and it was good to see him attacking the hoop on a few drives. He cooled off in second half and was unable to contribute in any other facet. Young still gives effort when the franchise likely does not have him in their future plans. We’ll see what 14 points on 5-16 FGs with fetches on the open market. 1 Star (out of 3)
	TOWNSEND: Nick Young played one of his better games, but you wouldn’t know it from the box score. 14 points on 16 shots with 2 rebounds and 1 assist is par for the course. 1.25 Stars
	WEIDIE: Word is, Nick Young rented three rooms for Chauncey Billups at whatever hotel the Clippers stayed at… what can I say? He just wanted the guy to have plenty of space. Kidding aside via Billups’ 4-4 from long distance thanks to Young, there was also that play 12 seconds into the third quarter where, after gathering a turnover, Young called timeout falling out of bounds while no one except his teammate JaVale McGee was right in front of him waiting to receive the ball. Not the worst thing in the world to do, but a very Wizards thing nonetheless. 1 Stars
	TOTAL: 3.25 out of 9 stars

Rashard Lewis
	JOHN CONVERSE TOWNSEND: What we’ve learned: Rashard Lewis is a liability in transition. Earlier this season, Lewis was missing easy buckets, at times even stealing passes from teammates on the break. Last night, Lewissinglehandedly destroyed both a two-on-one and a three-on-one fast break, turning the ball over on both occasions. His three turnovers on the night were more than his totals for points, field goals made, free throws attempted, rebounds, assists, and steals. He played 22 minutes. It should be illegal to spell Rashard Lewis without b-u-y-o-u-t. 0 Stars (out of 3)
	MCGINNIS: I am starting to feel bad for Lewis because he does not belong on a NBA court anymore, and it is painful to watch him struggle with easy plays like failing to execute a 3-on-1 fast break. 0 Stars
	WEIDIE: I still don’t know if Randy Wittman was talking about benching Lewis or starting another veteran with Lewis. He’s not making bad basketball decisions, per se, but he’s performing horrible basketball actions. A possible unwillingness to be in Washington could be playing into Lewis’ executable demeanor. Also, Caron Butler pulled out all the moves on him. “DC, Stand UP!!!” 0.25 Star
	TOTAL: 0.25 out of 9 stars

Trevor Booker
	KYLE WEIDIE: Cook Book’s stats look like having to make a salad out of the lettuce and mayonnaise spillings from a Burger King burger — 4 points, 2-5 FGs, 4 rebounds, 3 turnovers, 2 blocks and 1 steal in 26 minutes. OK, not that bad… Booker did come out aggressive like his coach wanted, and Wittman gave him credit for doing so after the game. Still, when all was said and done, Trevor got caught up in the wave of the Clippers and couldn’t do much to establish himself, as he does have his personal limitations as well as those established by his team. Not too worried, the recipes will get more consistent, and right now, starting Booker is still the right book to cook from. As far as the Burger King? Don’t worry, he told me his pregame meal was a Cobb salad. 0.75 Stars (out of 3)
	McGINNIS: Cook Book got in early foul trouble and never found his groove. Trevor is going to need hours of slow jams. 0.5 Star
	TOWNSEND: Despite getting the start, and playing for more than 26 minutes, Trevor Booker was nearly outplayed by the Clippers’ Brian Cook, who saw around 6 minutes of game action in the fourth quarter. What more do you need to know? 0.5 Star
	TOTAL: 1.75 out of 9 stars

JaVale McGee
	ADAM MCGINNIS: When discussing McGee’s contract situation, pundits point to DeAndre Jordan’s 4-year, $42.7 million contract as the market for JaVale. Jordan absolutely destroyed the Wizards bigs and McGee offered little resistance. JaVale’s hook shots are becoming more of an adventure than any success. McGee might still get his big pay day, but his reps better destroy this game tape before their negotiations. Jordan even supposedly stared down Mama McGee after one of his dunks. BURN! 0 Stars (out of 3)
	TOWNSEND: This game featured two centers from the 2008 NBA Draft. On the one hand you had $43 million defensive showstopper, and second rounder, DeAndre Jordan. On the other, you had Pam McGee’s coddled son, an 18th pick. While McGee was begging for bailout foul calls from the officials, Jordan was playing ball. McGee finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds. 0.75 Star
	WEIDIE: There are only so many ways to say that JaVale McGee is getting better, but not as much as he’s not getting better. If that’s confusing I am too. It’s hard to tell if McGee is going to change eventually or just become more like him. At least a Wizard will likely be in the dunk contest. 0.5 Stars
	TOTAL: 1.25 out of 9 stars

The Bench
	JOHN CONVERSE TOWNSEND: All things considered, the bench played well. They scored 51 of the Wizards’ 81 points (18 from behind the arc), outrebounded the starters and even turned the ball over less frequently. Shout-out to Mean Kevin Seraphin, who had a team-high 8 rebounds, his best mark of the season. 1 Star (out of 3)
	Sub Man of the Game: Kevin Seraphin
	MCGINNIS: There was no spark whatsoever, and the whole unit looked nervous when entering game; the Clippers just toyed with them. They kept playing hard, however, and had a decent final quarter, which prevented the loss reaching 50 points. In youth basketball, there are always a few kids who freak out when they get a pass on offense and can’t wait to dish it away. This is how to describe Jan Vesely on offense. Kevin Seraphin mistimes his jumps and consistently refuses to use his big body on box outs. Jordan Crawford knocked down a few threes, and Chris Singleton finally busted out of his slump with some solid burn. Hamady N’diaye getting some late garbage time produced my only smile of this Lob City massacre. 1 Star
	Sub Man of the Game: Chris Singleton
	WEIDIE: The ghastly domination worthy of movie comparison to a scary guy with a bunch of nails and pins in his head distracted from a 4th quarter that the Wizards won 28-20… Holy Smokes! Roger Mason Jr. plus-6, Hamady N’diaye plus-4!! 1 Star
	Sub Man of the Game: Jan Vesely (yea, Jan’s had a tough go of it lately, but I’m not going to sleep on the mostly decent job he did of guarding Blake Griffin)
	BENCH TOTAL: 3 out of 9 stars

The Coach: Randy Wittman
	ADAM MCGINNIS: Wittmania was fun while it lasted, it could be officially done with these weekend drubbings (Although Toronto at home on Monday provides a ripe opportunity to rebound). Wittman left the second unit in way too long to begin second quarter when the rout was getting worse, but that is just nitpicking since it likely did not matter. The Wizards have no reliable low post bigs, just part of the flawed roster, and run a bizarre offense focused on shooting inefficient long twos. The have also been creamed on boards in repeated games (69 total to Toronto and Los Angeles). On nights list this, Wittman might be wishing that he walked out the door with Flip. 0.5 Star (out of 3)
	TOWNSEND: “We were back on the cigarettes, and I told them I’m pulling that cigarette out tonight,” Randy Wittman said before the game, talking about how his team had fallen off the wagon after a loss to the Raptors. Cigarettes were not so much the issue; the Wizards are fighting for their lives after a near fatal of nicotine poisoning. 0.5 Star
	WEIDIE: Cigarettes are a nasty habit. My dad knows. He’s even tried hypnosis during his tenured career, to no avail. Here’s Wittman’s problem: some if his players are going to smoke anyway. So when his whole team gets drunk on the game, and a couple of the habitual guys start lighting up, teammates with a buzz are going to start bumming cigarettes off the smokers and lighting up too. Doesn’t take long for the whole crew to start puffing cigs on the regular for the rest of the night. Some non-smokers might even start buying their own packs. 0.5 Stars
	COACH TOTAL: 1.5 out of 9 stars

Seen on the Scene w/ Kyle Weidie

There was a very ‘on to the next one’ feel after the game, as in there’s nothing to look forward to for the duration of this season. Pretty tough for the team, but probably good for the Wizards’ lottery chances. Now, this is not to say that some guys aren’t playing hard and won’t continue to do so. Many of them are and will; you have to love basketball to some degree to get to this level, and those who came from good college experiences like John Wall (Kentucky), Shelvin Mack (Butler), Trevor Booker (Clemson), Chris Singleton (Florida State) know the most about what it takes to be a team — also include Jan Vesely and Kevin Seraphin because of their structured international experience. Some of the Wizards will make it to the other side of this mess, some won’t.

Also Seen…

Caron Butler drilling a three over Rashard Lewis at the first half buzzer certainly stands out, which means one day Rashard Lewis could be doing the same for another team against the Wizards.

Of course, it took until later for me to realize that DeAndre Jordan gave JaVale McGee the ol’ salute after a dunk.

Finally, before the game in the locker room, John Wall told Nick Young that he could name the colleges of each player on the Clippers roster. He got all right except two: Brian Cook (Illinois) and Reggie Evans (Iowa).

Top Tweets

@dmbosstone: Wow. The #wizards fan couldn’t find G-Wiz in the shuffle game. That pretty much sums up the night for DC.

@malikshareef: The “mercy” rule should have been in the new NBA CBA. I don’t wanna watch this Wiz-Clips game anymore.

@gheorghetheblog: Wizards getting shot clock violations down 30. #NewTraditions

@WorldWiEdWard: If I’m Randy Wittman, right about now I’d pull a Bob Knight and throw a chair on the floor #Wizards

@ldrabick: Flip Saunders must have that feeling you have when you find out your ex is dating someone not as cute as you.

End Scene

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT (Do distressed bench shots get old? Don’t worry, we’re weary of this. The answer is not yet.):

“I think once that game started and they saw how hard they came at us, it was a ‘holy smoke’… I don’t know, I’m searching too.”
-Randy Wittman

[via @Jose3030]

Other reads from Truth About It:

• February 4, 2012 -- 3-on-3: Wizards vs Clippers: Randy Wittman Attempts To Pull Cigarettes Out Mouths of Wizards
• February 4, 2012 -- DC Council Game 23: Wizards 89 at Raptors 106: Wizards Head South, North of The Border
• March 4, 2011 -- Losing With Flying Colors: Wizards Splattered Like A Jackson Pollock

The Washington Wizards are a mess. They can team worse than they are, but the only one is the Charlotte Bobcats. They’ve, in brief times, competed against good teams, but always lose. They’ve given the Oklahoma City Thunder an anomaly to everyone’s surprise. They’ve gotten demoralized by teams very good, good, and mediocre, the LA Clippers working to migrate from good to very good status in their 107-81 blowout win over Randy Wittman’s team on Saturday night.

Washington has youth making lesson-learning mistakes, but they also have youngish mid-range veterans who continue to not “get it.” JaVale McGee, for instance, has more minutes of on-court development over his career than the likes of Ryan Anderson, Serge Ibaka and DeAndre Jordan. Yet those players, picked after McGee’s 18th position in the 2008 draft (21, 24 and 35 respectively), have developed into more indexed team intelligence for their franchises.

Jordan Crawford, age 23, is in the second year of a career that could go in a number of directions. Right now on a team like the Wizards, most of those don’t show a ton of promise, but there are glimmers. Nick Young, age 26, continues to show why he’s just another in a long line of capable NBA scorers who can’t do much else. In his fifth NBA season, he helps his team embody this quote said by Wittman after the loss to the Clippers:

“You have to read the situation and what they’re doing and not just play the play that’s supposed to be… they take this away, we’ve gotta do that. I don’t think we did the second part of it. They took this away and we just went ahead and tried to do it anyway.”

Sounds like mumbo-jumbo, but its essence conveys that the Wizards are still a first offensive option, me-first team; they have those kind of players. These efforts are led by the no longer fresh-faced players brought in by Ernie Grunfeld who were supposed to help establish new traditions — the McGees, Youngs and Andray Blatches of the scene – long before it became a catch-phrase motto for this season under Ted Leonsis.

Then there are the so-called veterans. Who, exactly, we don’t know. Rashard Lewis, Roger Mason, Mo Evans and Ronny Turiaf are on the roster, we know this. The first is a shell of his former self; the second is not a popcorn shooter who can’t play a lick of defense; the third was hastily signed into camp, out of shape due to his lockout involvement and a bad knee; and the last is ironically the veteran who could help the Wizards the most, but has been out since January 2 with, you guessed it, an injury.

Then there’s this other post-game quote from Wittman:

“Maybe I have to play another veteran guy, other than Rashard. It’s one thing to put the young guys out there, but they also have to learn to compete at this level of competition. And to me, I didn’t think we were ready for that. Maybe I got to sprinkle another veteran in there that knows what that game is all about before it starts. I think once that game started and they saw how hard they came at us, it was a ‘holy smoke’… I don’t know, I’m searching too.”

A veteran in addition to Rashard Lewis (even though Wittman said ‘other than’)? A veteran aside from Lewis (because he does bring needed veteran traits, aside from playing so poorly)? There are no other veteran options. Searching for… no one really knows. Leonsis and Grunfeld have a stated plan, but neither knows where that really leads the franchise, aside from proving dedication to staying a course. What does the plan say about future tough decisions? Amnesty Andray Blatche? Buy-out Rashard Lewis? Let Nick Young walk? Think long and hard about matching another team’s offer for JaVale McGee, if there are any?

Determining the fate of under-developed dead weight versus who needs more time, it won’t be easy. But then where will the Wizards be? With some damn fine career role players such as Trevor Booker, Shelvin Mack, Jan Vesely, maybe Kevin Seraphin… alongside John Wall, a pronounced as a game changer who clearly doesn’t have the answers. A player who is clearly more of a point guard to complement a star or two who just happened to be the best option in a weak 2010 draft.

The Wizards said WHAT? Well, I think everyone is still trying to figure that out. But they are going somewhere, even if that somewhere is still very far away. Because if you can’t improve past the 27 wins and 79 losses thus far in the Wall era, then you might have to adjust the plan.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• April 9, 2011 -- Ballsiest Wizards Offense Searching For A Defense
• January 30, 2012 -- DC Council Game 20: Wizards 102 at Bobcats 99: ‘W’ is for Wittman
• January 28, 2012 -- DC Council Game 19: Wizards 76 at Rockets 103: Remember Us? We Didn’t Get Fired.

Lob City comes to the District tonight… the highest highs and the lowest lows of the Wizards multiplied by the Los Angeles Clippers and divided by a 4-19 record against a 13-7 one. “I told them I’m pulling that cigarette out tonight,” said Wizards coach Randy Wittman before the game, referring to the very poor effort the Wizards gave in a loss to Toronto last night and how his team “fell off the wagon” back to poor habits. The coach is also going with Trevor Booker over Jan Vesely in the Wizards starting lineup. Talking to the Cook Book before the game, his focus will be keeping Blake Griffin away from the basket and on how the Wizards guard pick and rolls (Chris Paul runs a lot of them, Wittman admitted). What’s the key to stopping Paul on the P&Rs? “We got to make sure we stop the ball, make sure he can’t get in the lane. The more he’s in the lane, the more have to collapse, and the more the bigs are going to be open to throw the lob to,” said Booker. For tonight’s 3-on-3 drill we have Kevin Arnovitz (@kevinarnovitz) of ESPN TrueHoop/ClipperBlog, along with TAI’s Rashad Mobley (@Rashad20) and Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It). Three questions, three answers starts now…

1) What’s the No. 1 thing Chris Paul has that John Wall doesn’t, but really needs to get?

ARNOVITZ: Vision. When Paul has the ball in the half court, he’s thinking about one thing — where he is relationally to the other shotmakers on the court and those on the defense who can alter those shots. Wall is speedy, but like most people in their early 20s – apologies to Louis CK – he has no idea how to do the job yet. That will change.

MOBLEY: Since this is the Super Bowl weekend, I’ll start with a football analogy. Rookie running backs tend ignore their offensive line and to try to use their God-given athleticism to make a big play.  Seasoned running backs patiently wait for the offensive line to open a hole (they may even rest their hands on the backs of the O-line while the play is unfolding) then they run right through. There’s an impatience to Wall’s game right now that manifests itself via the one-man fast breaks, the rushed jumpers, and the exasperation with his teammates. Chris Paul, with talented teammates in Los Angeles and less talented teammates in New Orleans, is a patient point guard. He lets the game come to him, he sets up teammates, and if he’s needed to do more, he does that too.

WEIDIE: Pace. Watch Chris Paul stop and go, use a screen how he sees fit, get a defender on his back. Paul has developed a killer jumper over his NBA career, but he started as a player who could control a game’s pace, use his quicks deceptively when he needs to, and create passing lanes with the measured ability to see a play unfold. In other words, chill sometimes John Wall.

2) Do we really believe that Blake Griffin isn’t into dunk contests and that he won’t participate this year? And if so, does that make JaVale McGee the favorite?

ARNOVITZ: I sense Griffin’s feeling at this point is, “I got a dunk contest for you — it’s called the NBA regular season and playoff schedule.” Is there anything he could do inside the collegial, choreographed boundaries of a dunk contest that will top the spontaneous combustion that comes with a real-life in-game dunk? His exclusion should make McGee, who had a good case for the crown last February, the favorite.

MOBLEY: Blake Griffin, like Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant before him, produced one legendary dunk contest victory, and then gracefully bowed out, and frankly I respect that.  To his credit though, he probably realizes that this year’s Clippers team has expectations and needs him, as opposed to last year’s team that was young and carefree.  JaVale McGee should be this year’s favorite, but in both his and the eyes of many observers (including yours truly, who was sitting courtside) he won last year’s contest. It is possible that he may not be quite as motivated this year if he can’t avenge his loss to Blake. Or perhaps I’m underestimating the persuasive motivation techniques of Pam McGee.

WEIDIE: We would only wish his highness LeBron would grace us with a kingly presence in the dunk contest… and then Blake Griffin would have to defend his honor against the best… and then who knows who else would come out the woodwork for a show in Orlando. But none of that will happen, and it will probably be JaVale McGee’s to win as long as he comes up with a gimmick that no one else’s length can accomplish.

3) The Clippers come off a spanking at home against the Nuggets and are looking to kick off a six-game road trip right in D.C. (with stops in Orlando, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Charlotte and Dallas up next)… The Wizards are playing with much more beat in their chest under new coach Randy Wittman, but Friday night’s 106-89 loss in Toronto was particularly disheartening. Danny Sheridan is favoring the Clips on the road by 9. What’s the final score and the main reason behind it?

ARNOVITZ: Clippers 108, Wizards 100. The Clippers’ lack of defensive speed on the perimeter was exposed on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Wizards’ lack of defensive wherewithal is an ongoing exhibition in exposure, really.

MOBLEY: The final score will be 111-100 Los Angeles, and the experienced backcourt of Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups will be the difference. Coming off of that bad loss in Denver, the Clippers will look to their veterans to set the tone early.  The Wizards will keep it close and be equally motivated after last night’s waste-of-an-effort in Toronto — plus they have just as much talent as the Clippers. Unfortunately, they lack the experienced players to lead them in these types of big games.

WEIDIE: Trevor Booker is starting for Jan Vesely, so the Wizards are giving themselves a better chance off the bat, but I’m thinking the Clippers take it 110-89. Too much Paul, too much Griffin, too much DeAndre Jordan, too much Caron Butler “D.C. Stand Up!” nailing the jumpers he missed so many times toward the end of his tenure with the Wizards. Randy Foye will, however, do nothing in a return visit to Washington.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• February 6, 2012 -- DC Council Game 24: Wizards 81 vs Clippers 107: ‘Holy Smoke’ Wizards Puff Puff, But Don’t Pass
• February 4, 2012 -- DC Council Game 23: Wizards 89 at Raptors 106: Wizards Head South, North of The Border
• January 31, 2012 -- DC Council Game 21: Wizards 88 vs Bulls 98: ‘Talking To Your Mom?’

Blake Griffin is not perfect, you know. He has the makings of just about every other great, but young player. After he does something, anything on offense (because he can often be seen lazily swiping at the ball from behind or watching the action on defense), Griffin trots down the court with a look on his face somewhere between a smirk and stoic, but more subtle.

Other times he glares at opponents (evident by the above picture of him staring down Yi Jianlian after the Wizard tried to take a charge against one of Griffin’s teammates, followed by Blake verbally encouraging Yi to, “Get the f*ck up”).

Griffin often hangs his mouthpiece from his lips and chews on it as he runs the floor or during a stoppage in play, the gnawing and teeth aiding the menacing conveyance Griffin seems to go for in order to counter his over-grown schoolboy looks. In a sense, Blake Griffin is kind of a dick.

But this is nothing out of the normal, superstars being dickish. Kobe will tell you. Jordan will tell you. Kareem will tell you. The persona on the court comes with the territory, and there should be no qualms with calling a spade a spade, nor calling Griffin a star in this just his second season in the NBA, first actually playing.

Griffin is a physical player. When he doles out punishment, it’s part of his game and others should simply steer clear of this thick legs and barrel chest, or so he acts. But when defenders violate him with similar level of physicality, and sometimes more, Griffin creates a look on his face like the bully who just got caught.

And with that physicality comes arrogance. Griffin knows he’s more powerful than most others on the court. But wait, the KIA-rigged NBA slam dunk contest winner has recently taken time to complain about rough play from defenders (i.e., “Hey referees…. MESSAGE!).

Doesn’t mean he’s not getting favorable calls now, it just further engulfs him in that star mold. Sense of entitlement for calls? Check. Raising issue because the rest of the league goes at you hard? Check.

Superstar big men, most notably Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard, have taken to complaining (whining) during their careers at the high nature of aggressiveness in which fouls are committed against them. But when you think about it, they’re poetically in contrast to the punishment such mammoths dish out (intentionally or not). Also worth noting that if NBA bigs don’t want to get fouled hard, or are unwilling to dole out extra punishment in anticipation of getting fouled, then make your free-throws.

Griffin falls under the same condition (he shoots 64-percent from line). He’s more than willing to throw his body around, but a bit sensitive when opponents do the same. NBA referees have a history of admiring the sensitive tendencies of NBA superstars. But Griffin is a rookie? Doesn’t matter. Marketing dollars speak louder these days.

When Griffin was in town to face the Wizards on March 12, he made some tough post moves, sank some crazy shots, absorbed a couple hard fouls, got some favorable calls, and doled out punishment to fit with his on-court swagger. He even commended the Wizards for their defense … go figure (some thanks goes to Trevor Booker and Kevin Seraphin for that).

Blake Griffin isn’t perfect, but he’s damn good.

The below video breaks down the Blake Griffin experience in his first contest versus the young Washington Wizards, a game that saw the Clippers dominate 122-101. Griffin scored all of his 26 points on the night in just 19 minutes first half minutes. (He played 30 total minutes and didn’t see action in the fourth quarter, didn’t need to in a blowout.) He shot 10-11 from the free-throw line and earned nine of those attempts in the first quarter alone.

JaVale McGee dunks on Blake Griffin…

Blake Griffin fouls John Wall
(but the ref chose not to blow his whistle)…

Other reads from Truth About It:

• February 6, 2012 -- DC Council Game 24: Wizards 81 vs Clippers 107: ‘Holy Smoke’ Wizards Puff Puff, But Don’t Pass
• October 2, 2011 -- ShareBullets: Do We Even Know John Wall?
• March 28, 2011 -- Wizards Nuggets of Losing From Denver

What is JaVale McGee doing here?

The video below will answer that question and more…

Other reads from Truth About It:

• March 18, 2011 -- Blake Griffin Isn’t Perfect
• January 24, 2011 -- MIP or Dunk Contest? Nick Young Answers
• January 15, 2012 -- The Wizards Said WHAT? Nick Young: ‘Ain’t nobody going to take it easy on us if we’re pouting’

{Eric Bledsoe streaks past the giving up JaVale McGee}

{ ...for a dunk.}

Eric Bledsoe, Los Angeles Clippers rookie guard and college teammate of John Wall, went through his normal pre-game routine before facing Wall’s Wizards on Saturday night. He went through shooting and dribbling drills with assistant coaches Howard Eisley and Robert Pack, he did a bit of on-court stretching, and he took time to joke around with teammate Ryan Gomes.  And when I stopped and chatted with him about John Wall as he walked from the court to the locker room, Bledsoe gave me the normal clichés that players love to give — for the most part.

“I know John and I are boys from Kentucky and all that, but we are still on struggling teams, and we both need to go out and play hard and focus on winning,” he said.

But then he came clean.

“Ok, we may go hard at each other a little bit.”

After our conversation back in the locker room, Bledsoe sat in his space and studied video of the Wizards-Pistons game that was showing on a big screen television.  Just as he was starting to get comfortable, Clippers head coach Vinnie Del Negro came over to his locker and summoned Bledsoe to his office.  Unfortunately for me, it was 6:15 and the locker room doors were closing to the media, thus I did not get the chance to ask Bledsoe what was discussed.

Whatever it was, Bledsoe went out and scored a career-high 23 points to go along with six assists and eight rebounds in just 22 minutes of play. He did most of his damage in the fourth quarter when he scored 17 of 31 Clippers points, and all but six coming at the expense of Wall, who guarded Blesoe until the 2:50 mark of the period.  Wall was scoreless during the same span.

There were times when Bledsoe’s ability to score points on the break resembled his former Kentucky backcourt mate. With 2:17 left in the third quarter, after Wizards forward Maurice Evans hit a three-point basket, Bledsoe took the ball the full length of the court in just four seconds and scored on a layup. Then, with 3:11 in the fourth quarter, he got the rebound off of a missed Trevor Booker shot, drove the length of the court and dunked the ball — just as Wall had done earlier in the game.

After the game, I asked Bledsoe what Del Negro said to him in his office prior to the game, and whether that had any effect on how he played:

“Coach told me he had talked to Coach Cal [Kentucky coach John Calipari] and Coach Cal said that he had noticed that whenever I did something wrong or made a turnover, I got real down on myself, instead of just going out there and playing aggressive ball.  So Coach Del Negro told me to just keep that in mind, be aggressive and not get in my own head all the time, so that’s what I tried to do.”

Del Negro also briefly talked about his pregame chat with Bledsoe:

“I liked his aggressiveness, but I also like his control while he was out there.  I talked to him and I thought his effort was much better, his intensity. And obviously John and him played together at Kentucky and things, but more so than that, he just has great athleticism and it was great to see him under control and going to the basket. More importantly, on the break, he made some really nice passes and didn’t force things. He really ran the team well, and that’s a good sign for him. Hoping going forward and having Mo [Williams] as a mentor will be really positive for him.”

Mo Williams, who along with Jamario Moon was traded to the Clippers from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Baron Davis, has been cutting into Bledsoe’s minutes since he arrived.  Bledsoe averaged 24 minutes a game before Williams arrived, and that number has gone down to 17 minutes per in the seven games Williams has played as a Clipper.  Still, Williams has made it his business to take Bledsoe under his wing, and against the Wizards he noticed a difference.

“Man, I don’t know what coach said to Eric  before the game, but his approach today was on point.  He was focused, locked in, aggressive an he made plays for himself and others.  He’s a young player and I know me being here may get him down a bit, but he has to continue to play hard and make it hard for coach to keep him on the bench, so I’ve been staying on him.”

Just then, former Wizard Randy Foye chimed in with his unprovoked views on Bledsoe’s game:

“Bledsoe played his ass off tonight, he pushed the ball, got easy baskets, he got that confidence going early, he shot the ball well, and was hyped up to play his boy from Kentucky — he won’t admit that though.”

[photos: Kyle Weidie, Truth About It.net]

[The author of this post: Rashad Mobley is from the Washington, D.C. area and has been covering the Washington Wizards with credentials for three years.  To learn more about him click here. To follow him on Twitter: @Rashad20.]

Other reads from Truth About It:

• July 15, 2010 -- Wizards Summer League Game 2: A Photo Review
• March 18, 2011 -- Blake Griffin Isn’t Perfect
• June 4, 2009 -- The Epic Tale of Eddie Jordan: Connections, Relationships, and the Basketball Community

Nothing has come easy for former, brief Washington Wizard Randy Foye since he joined the NBA in 2006. But the reversed-organed kid (Situs inversus for you doctors) from a rough neighborhood in cold New Jersey has always had cloudy obstacles to overcome.

A Kevin McHale draft day deal sent Foye as the No. 7 pick (via the Boston Celtics) from the Portland Trailblazers to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the No. 6 pick, Brandon Roy. While Foye averaged a respectable 10.1 points per game and a December 2006 Western Conference Rookie of the Month award during his inaugural pro campaign in Minnesota, Roy enjoyed Rookie of the Year honors for the Trail Blazers.

As Foye steadily increased his scoring output in the coming years, Roy shot up the charts as a top player in the league’s top conference, making the Western Conference All-Star team as a reserve in 2008, 2009 and 2010. During those three years Foye’s T-Wolves shuffled through three coaches, never winning more than 24 games in a season. In Portland, Roy enjoyed team success under coach Nate McMillan, winning 30 more games than Foye in 2009 and leading the Blazers back to the playoffs after a five-year drought.

It’s like being compared by your mother to the brother who gets straight A’s — you can’t hide from it. And just as things were potentially looking up for Foye, being packaged nicely with a pony-tailed Mike Miller to help the Wizards get over the playoff hump, reality eventually came crashing down for the team, and for him.

After high hopes, a career in Washington quickly fizzled, leaving Wizards fans wondering about the ‘what ifs’. What if Foye and Miller hadn’t come to D.C.> What if Ernie Grunfeld had kept the fifth pick in the 2009 draft and gotten a young sharp-shooter in Stephen Curry? But that’s all speculation and this is what we know about Foye’s time in the nation’s capital:

He backed up Gilbert Arenas. He started alongside Arenas. He fell out of the rotation. He replaced Arenas in the starting lineup after his suspension. He backed up Shaun Livingston. He tore a ligament in his left thumb. He was out injured for the rest of the season.

After the Wizards decided not to make Foye a restricted free-agent, he moved on to better things in Los Angeles by signing with the Clippers last July.

“We have a lot of potential. We have a lot of young guys, exciting guys that’s willing to work hard,” Foye told Truth About It’s Rashad Mobley before Saturday’s game. “That’s big for us and we just have to continue to grow and learn every day.”

No, he isn’t having a breakout year. His numbers on a per 36-minute basis are actually down from his time in Washington. But he’s getting a real chance to help shoulder the load with Mo Williams in the Clippers’ backcourt. And he’s making the most of it.

Since starting guard Eric Gordon’s injury on January 24, Foye has doubled his minutes and scored in double figures in 19 of those 24 games going into Saturday’s contest at the Verizon Center. He’s shaken off a hamstring injury from earlier in the season and is making good use of his newfound minutes. There’s only been one game in the past 22 where he’s played less than 30 minutes, and he’s averaging just over 16 points per game with all those minutes – something he struggled to do in a Wizards uniform.

Even though his team is again on the outside of a playoff race, Foye is in a sunny place where Katy Perry and other California “gurls” wear daisy dukes with bikinis on top. With Blake Griffin leading the way, the forecast is better than it’s ever been. Around this time last year, Foye’s Wizards were in the seventh game of a 16-game losing streak that didn’t end until the last day of March — a game that was Foye’s third straight missed due to a wrist injury that eventually became season-ending.

On March 7, 2010, Foye was a Wizard playing the Celtics. He totaled more than 35 minutes, scored nine points and handed out eight assists in a three-point loss. A year and two days later on March 9, 2011, Foye again played the C’s, but with a different outcome. He played close to 37 minutes, scored nine points and dished out 12 assists in a five-point Clippers win.

Being healthy has also aided Foye’s new environment.

“This year’s been great for me because last year I came off two surgeries, a major wrist injury,” Foye told Mobley, “and this year’s just been great for me. I’m stronger than ever and happy to play the game I love.”

As mentioned, the Wizards were 1-16 in March 2010, losing their first 16 games of the month. After blowing out Washington 122-101 on Saturday night, the Clippers have won five of their first six March games with Foye helping out the starting backcourt in the last four. Though they’re still looking at their sixth straight NBA Draft lottery appearance (and 14 out of the last 15 seasons), but the 26-41 Clippers are a young squad with a better outlook than the days when Lamar Odom, Elton Brand and Darius Miles were the future of the organization.

This time, hopefully, Foye can help the current Clips become something longer-term and more reminiscent of the current Oklahoma City Thunder — young, energetic and on the cusp of bigger and better things. That would be some nice California sun warming Foye’s skin at this point in his career.

[Ryan Gracia is majoring in sports communication and journalism at George Mason University; follow him on Twitter @rgracia2378]

[all photos: Kyle Weidie, Truth About It.net]

Other reads from Truth About It:

• July 2, 2010 -- CHECK MY STATS: Kirk Hinrich, Sioux City Shooter
• July 27, 2009 -- Reflecting Back On Summer League Games 3 & 4
• July 20, 2009 -- Wizards Vegas Summer League Media Dump

Things in Wizards Nation aren’t that bad. At least in a “can’t get any worse” type of way as releasing Antawn Jamison to go win a championship with LeBron was probably the worst rock-bottom imaginable back in September. It can only go up from here, no guarantees though.

Time for fans to move forward the best they can. One way to do that would be to find positives among the new pieces, even if they are just temporary. The events which unfolded during and after Washington’s 108-99 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday night (but not before, I’ll cover the Jamison trade to Cleveland later), showed that Josh Howard and James Singleton could be spots of light cutting through dark skies. Latest acquisition Al Thornton, however, does not come with a ringing endorsement from the LA Clipper fan base. One can only hope he gets off on the right foot like Singleton and Howard have. Here are each of their stories …

{Starting Fresh Like The Farmer’s Market}

Josh Howard seems like a humbled man ready to do his best. If he somehow gets a bad mark on his record over the remainder of the schedule, we’ll know an even darker cloud than originally thought hangs over the franchise. In other words, expect him to be on his very best behavior.

Howard is frank and matter of fact, but with a twist of character. When asked about the win, a big smile crept across his face as he said, “Oh it meant a lot. C’mon now, it meant a whole lot. Just to come into a new organization and show them I want to be here, plus … uhh, stick it back to the Mavs.”

You may hear this and say, “Why, that Josh Howard is not humble at all.” Chill out. If he can prove himself to be a hard worker, then he’s allowed a little flair. Fresh starts mean cleansing the mind and allowing for a judgment period.

{Replacing The Irreplaceable}

“So now what has to happen is all the other players have to mature. Not one guy can replace ‘Twan from the standpoint on the court or from the standpoint of his leadership in the locker room. It has to be from a number of guys.”

-Flip Saunders

By all indications, James Singleton is one of the potential number of guys who help can form a leadership core for the rest of this season, or at least serve as an example of how the game is played with energy. I could wax poetic about how I came away impressed by Singleton, but you should just see for yourself, video below …

Singleton will turn 29 later this year. James, your audition for the perfect NBA role player starts in … 3 … 2 … 1 …

{Will Travel To The District For Hope}

For the dirt on Al Thornton, it’s best to turn to one of the definitive technical sources on all things LA Clippers, Kevin Arnovitz of ClipperBlog and the ESPN TrueHoop Network. Kevin has a longer profile of Thornton from January 2009 that’s a must-read, but here are the most telling, or perhaps damning, quotes:

Initially, I wasn’t one who believed that Thornton’s advanced age as a rookie meant that he’d be less likely to grow as an NBA player.  But as we look at the first 113 games of Al’s career, I’m afraid that’s exactly where we are.

[...]

It seems to me that if a starting wing player is not one of the two most efficient scorers on the floor, then you need him to create opportunities for others, or deny the opponent’s most potent perimeter threat similar opportunities.  Al Thornton has little capacity or inclination to do either of these things.

[...]

In short, Al Thornton is Corey Maggette without the efficiency, and there’s nothing in his body of work on a nightly basis that offers much hope that he’ll cultivate the skills or instincts to become much more than that.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• June 24, 2010 -- Grunfeld, Gilbert, and the Galácticos
• February 22, 2010 -- Meet Your New Wizards In Portraits & Pictures; And An Oleksiy Pecherov Homecoming
• February 20, 2010 -- A Team Worth Watching, Wizards Mine A Win Over Nuggets 107-97

In the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, the Washington Wizards tallied just 10 points on 3-16 shooting. They turned the ball over six times, allowed six offensive rebounds and only managed two assists, which is pretty good in respect to three made field-goals. The Wizards lost to LA 92-78, their 29th defeat in 43 games.

It would be simple to cite constant themes of lacking energy and settling for jumpers and conclude that this team has quit on their coach, themselves, the franchise, and the fans. But these issues have plagued them since the beginning of the season. So, and pardon me if I’ve said this before, you technically can’t quit if you never start playing.

Early season issues arose from the players’ unfamiliarity with a new offensive system. That quickly beget reoccurring situations where they should have known the system, but didn’t trust it. The most recently evolution involves one of the team’s captains ignoring the coach and running his own play with the game on the line.

What’s next? Will Flip Saunders start sending ‘read between the lines’ messages about not having adequate personnel for his system? The scenario seems unlikely, but at this point just about anything can happen. The coach, in just his first season with the franchise, has made his mounting frustration more visible as of late. Drastic change could be right around the corner, and not much can be done when a team is playing poisoned. In the meantime, abruptly ending pre- and post-game press conferences and slamming doors to the coaching quarters might have to suffice as a release valve for Saunders.

Rashad Mobley has a good piece about Flip’s mounting frustration on Hoops Addict.

And here we’ve come to the intersection of patience and common sense. I wouldn’t call the locker room wrought with cancer, but there are a couple benign tumors hanging around. One almost hopes Ernie Grunfeld cleans house as soon as possible, rip the band-aid off quickly for the sake for the players, the fans, and Flip Saunders. Then again, the decision makers should be patient, seek maximized value in return. That value could be cap room, could be a player, could be future draft picks, could be any combination of the three.

Grunfeld must be careful about who he keeps and who he moves. As Mike Prada mentioned on Bullets Forever, the building blocks are not strong, but there is a way to maneuver this team to be somewhat competitive while still remaining flexible for the future. It would be foolhardy to completely blow it up and start from scratch. Grunfeld may have made some questionable decisions, but has not proven himself to be a fool.

But until moves are made and as losses mount, everyone will be on pins and needles, from those on the court to those in the front office whose careers might be in peril because of an ownership transition. A change that could mean the end of those with complacent tenure who attained their positions because of loyalty to a former regime.

The losses to Miami and Los Angeles were two of the worst showings in a season filled with poor effort being a consistency not a rarity. Change can’t come soon enough. But the constantly moving parts on the court and off, such as today’s development with Javaris Crittenton’s gun charge, make it a deliberate process. The fact that David Stern is supposed to decide Gilbert Arenas’ NBA fate this week will help.

If one thing arises from the festering frustration surrounding the hornet’s nest that is the Washington franchise is the reassurance that not only is rebuilding the right thing to do, but it almost becomes something to look forward to. Imagine that. Hoping to be in a situation like the Sacramento Kings with a pair of young, exciting guards.

Wizards fans are reduced to the hope they can create in their imaginations, like John Wall being Washington, DC’s ‘Chosen One’. As unrealistic as those dreams may be, they are still probably more reliable and much more entertaining than what’s on the court.

{post-game wizards and clippers: the remix}

Random Posts

• June 16, 2010 -- Kenny “The Jet” Smith on John Wall
• March 4, 2011 -- Losing With Flying Colors: Wizards Splattered Like A Jackson Pollock
• February 20, 2009 -- Pre-Trade Deadline Pimpin' With Caron Butler

{fact}

Four of Gilbert Arenas’ six fouls came immediately after a turnover. Three of those turnovers were committed by Arenas himself, one by Caron Butler.

{wizards vs. clippers: 11 frames}

{links}

[Dave Johnson - CSN Washington]

The Washington Wizards have a sense of urgency. On Sunday, after close to a six hour flight, they went straight from the plane to the practice court.

On Monday the Wizards fought their way through a jet-lagged first half only to find themselves in a familiar position on the wrong end of a close game in a 97-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

After that one, all that I can say is that the Wizards are some creative guys. They really know how to script the most excruciating losses imaginable.

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

Once again, the Wizards shouldn’t have been in this situation, however. As Flip Saunders likes to say, “some times the basketball gods have a way of equalizing things out.” Translation: do things the right way, or else, what you neglect is going to come back to bite you in the tail.

The problem tonight for the Wizards was failing to protect a 17-point lead midway through the third quarter. Instead of slamming the door shut, the Wizards missed six of their next seven shots, and turned the ball over three times.

[Chris Needham - NBC Washington]

If you have a Wizards fan wandering around the office in a daze today with bloodshot eyes, it’s probably not just from a lack of sleep.  If they stayed up for last night’s loss to the Clippers, it’s just as likely that the redness and puffiness is alcohol and tear-related.

[Kevin Arnovitz - Clipper Blog]

“Not a lot of teams let me do that one-on-one in the post,” Kaman said. “But if teams are going to let me do that, I’m going to score.”

[Steve Perrin - Clips Nation]

I don’t consider myself a Wizards expert after watching them in one full game and bits and pieces of others, but in this game at least, their problem is pretty obvious – they have three players, while NBA rules allow you to have five.

Random Posts

• September 28, 2009 -- DeShawn Stevenson’s New Tattoos and Abe Lincoln
• January 21, 2008 -- Live Game 39 Blog: Washington Wizards vs. Dallas Mavericks
• April 25, 2008 -- The Verizon Center: Where Undercover Gigolos Roam

flickr/Roadsidepictures

I watched the Wizards take on the Timberwolves and Clippers in the Las Vegas Summer League long ago, but am just getting my notes/observations on those two games posted.

So in the spirit of better late than never, here goes ….

(Note: I still need to get my post up on the Knicks game and hand out the summer league grades … but only to the players who ‘count’ — Blatche, Young, McGee, Crittenton and McGuire.)

Wizards vs. Timberwolves : Summer League Game 3

1st Quarter

In the huddle before the game started, Coach Zierden told his players, “Push the ball, push the ball, push the ball … play and have fun.”

Coach Z’s firs play called: The 52 Twist. Evidently that involved a lazy pick set at the free-throw line by Andray Blatche for Nick Young. No one was open for Javaris Crittenton, so he eventually gets it to Blatche fading off the set pick to the top of the key. He takes three dribbles towards the basket and clangs an absolute brick that only hits backboard.

2nd Play of the Game: A Crittenton turnover as he tries to force a bounce pass through more traffic than on the 14th Street bridge at 8:30 am on a weekday.

3rd Play: Young comes off a screen and takes the opportunity for a fading jumper. He gets fouled, but misses the first FT, unfortunately choosing to back off the line during the process. He sinks the second.

4th Possession: Blatche gets an offensive board on the right side, but instead of going right through the defense, perhaps drawing a foul, he tries to throw up a weak reverse layup scoop that gets blocked.

Not the best start to the game, the Wizards being down 7-1 almost two minutes in … and this is before Jonny Flynn checked in.

7:04: Andray Blatche Headband Alert – after getting blocked a second time, it is officially tossed.

Other 1st Quarter Observations

• After a poor first outing, Dominic McGuire is really making an effort to play defense without his hands, always keeping them high as he moves his feet. He also displays a nose for the ball in going to GET rebounds, not letting them come to him.
• The Wizards miss a ton of bunnies close to the rim.
• Nick young has developed a much more reliable three point shot — he scores 11 points in the first seven minutes, going 2-3 from long distance.
• I wish, in the “summer league,” that Blatche would take less shots that he can get anytime (dribble drive spinning fadeaways), and take time to work more on baby hooks and drop step action.

2nd Quarter

Not only is Flynn super quick, but he’s got the strength and moxie to get all the way to the rim. Once he finagles his way past the perimeter D, the interior guys for the Wiz do a lot of watching. Flynn’s got great court vision, it’s hard to anticipate what direction he’ll go in next.

When McGuire gets a defensive board, he’s looks to push the ball himself … I wonder if that’s something Flip will be comfortable with him doing during the season. D-Mac looks like he’s getting more comfy with his transition handles himself.

4:31: Another Blatche dribble drive, spin away from the double team, and fading, off-balanced jumper — miss. Sweet Jesus, why is that his “go-to” move?

Blatche still shows that he’s a willing passer with good court vision … not sure if this talent contributes to the frustration surrounding hm or not.

Flynn scores 11 of the 16 points by Minny in the 2nd and assists on one of the other two buckets. Wiz score 20 in the 2nd, but still close the half down 43-36.

3rd Quarter

Young clearly more intent on getting closer to the basket. He looks comfortable on offense without trying to do too much. A driving layup 40 seconds into the third gives him 16 points.

Dom McGuire on offense: I like how he resorts to using “safe” offensive options … using a back-to-the-basket game when a smaller guy is on him,  trying to implement drop-steps and nice footwork into his moves.

Nick Young is a very dangerous offensive player, 21 points with 3:45 left in the 3rd. Ok, I know this is summer league, but he’s nailing shots that would be tough for anyone to guard. Randy Foye getting minutes over him isn’t guaranteed, especially when Foye is a questionable defender himself.

I know he’s been working on this calm and composed “comfort zone” but Crittenton’s PG skills are still very unrefined. He has ‘skill’ but doesn’t really create much action for the offense.

After three, Flynn has 18 points. He is a bona fide finisher — mostly eating Tyrese Rice alive. Rick Kamla compares him to Rod Strickland.

4th Quarter

About two minutes into the 4th, I find out that Blatche is 0-8 in the game. God … even I didn’t think he was playing that bad … well, maybe.

Blatche gets his first bucket at 3:31 mark. Minny gave him room just past the FT line and he nailed the jumper … good shot. I’ll always be an advocate for him shooting the mid-range jumper when he’s open.

Blatche came on late, hitting three buckets in a row … and no fadeaways, how ’bout that?

But in the end, Flynn was able to get into the lane all night. His penetration helped create back-to-back threes at the 2:16 and 1:15 marks to give the T-Wolves a nice advantage.

The Wizards, and Nick Young, had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, thanks to an absolutely horrible three-point attempt by Oleksiy Pecherov early in the shot clock with 28 seconds left. But Young missed a trey. He had a good look, but faded on his shot just a bit, probably just enough to make him miss.

The Final: 89-82 Timberwolves.

Wizards vs. Clippers : Summer League Game 4

Notes:

• Javaris Crittenton has shown a better than average ability to split double teams, but sometimes he scares me, for a guy with a high turnover rate…
• Nick Young keeps getting compared to Rip Hamilton … but he’s a much better athlete with more range (maybe not in the past, but if what he’s shown during the summer league holds true during the season). With hard work, under what Flip is doing, he’ll be a much better player … of course, it’s a big “if” for Nick to be a harder worker than Rip.
• McGee needs to be doing defensive slides all day long … get that muscle memory in there. So many lengthy players get into the bad habit of playing with their arms instead of moving their feet first.

Game:

Crittenton being less of that controlled guy and more forcing the issue in the start of this game. I can see why True Hoop’s Kevin Arnovitz initially tweeted: “Re: Javaris C. When the best thing you can say about a PG is that “he’s big,” well…he sucks.”

But Crittenton did get to the line six times in the first 5:30 … but only made three of those.

5:52: McGee’s first block on Blake Griffin …  you see he’s ready to spring intially, but waits and times it perfectly.

5:37: Soft touch lob from Heytvelt to McGee … seems like JaVale knows that he doesn’t have to slam all lobs and has the touch to get the ball through the net.

3:51: Type 1 flagrant on Blake Griffin, committed by McGee. It wasn’t even that bad. Griffin was going wildly to the basket, out of control, and threw his off arm into McGee first. Not saying that a foul shouldn’t have been called, but a flagrant is a little much … but hey, that’s the NBA we know today. It’s all about how a guy goes crashing to the floor, not the actual foul.

Nick Young needs to concentrate on going straight up on his jumper, and not drop his arms (kinda like the late three against Minny).

Overall, a very sloppy first quarter … stats say 12 turnovers between the two teams. Seems like a crappy CYO game, Wizards up 15-12.

But hey, with 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal and 1 block — McGee is letting the game come to him (although he did pick up three fouls before exiting at the 1:46 mark).

2nd Quarter

Love to see Dom McGuire continuing to play with high hands and moving his feet on defense. He’s working hard to cut off dribble drives. I love his effort level.

With Crittenton out the game, the other PGs are very poor at initiating the offense … especially Tywain McKie.

4:30: McGee “pulls a Blatche” by trying to dribble the ball up the court …never want to see him to that again — resulted in a turnover of course.

3:17: Great hesitation move by Young, acted like he was going to pull up, but drove baseline for a tough layup.

With the Wizards scoring 14 points and the Clips 20, it was very uneventful 2nd quarter — 32-29 LAC. In terms of Crittenton, at least he seems to drive/move with a purpose/direction instead of side to side movement like McKie.

3rd Quarter

Big difference in how Javaris came out in the 3rd, creating ball movement … contagious to the rest of the team. Three of the quarter’s first five FGs were assisted upon.

At one point midway through the quarter, Caner-Medley led a 2-1 fastbreak with Blake Griffin against McGuire. Dominic kept his eyes on Caner-Medley, but clearly stayed aware of Griffin. He easily anticipated a lob and swatted it out of bounds. Very smart defensive maneuvering by McGuire.

With several blocks early in the game (he would be credited for 7 total in the game), JaVale McGee clearly had the Clipper guards aware of his presence. They began to throw up wild shots on drives to the basket, scared to finish at the rim.

McGuire continues to find his way to loose balls, pulling down four of his 11 rebounds in the 3rd.

With less than 40 seconds left in the 3rd, McGuire hassled, Ni(c)k Caner-Medley into a late shot clock pass. Dom focused on his eyes and anticipated the direction of the pass. He kept himself in position to knock the ball down and get this third steal of the game.

4th Quarter

7:16: Young gets heckled at the FT line … smiles … but hits both. Flip Saunders should make him do something every time he smiles, like Willie Mays Hayes and push-ups for pop-ups in Major League.

On McGee: He kept himself close to the hoop for a majority of the game … an offensive board here, an oop dunk on Blake Griffin there. No one really got physical with the kid, so it was easy for him to hang out in the paint.

On Nick Young: He seems to be perfecting offensive diversity: hitting set three pointers created by penetration, driving to the basket when there is an open lane, or faking a long shot and working to get his mid-range game going when the paint is crowded. Haven’t learned too much about his defense during the summer league, but it’s not a good environment to measure progress in that area anyway.

If Young can further develop his offense, and the endurance he needs to constantly move/run off screens, he will be an awesome asset coming off the bench. Of course, Nick MUST always be ready, and simply cannot be the type of offensive player who needs minutes/shots to ‘get going’ — I’ve often found that to be a cop out excuse for having a bad night.

Final Note: The Wizards closed out the Clippers by doing the good things they’d been doing all game: shooting better than a horrid shooting LA team (42.1% for the Wiz isn’t good, but LA was at 35.6%), and moving the ball just enough to get decent looks … and most of this was simply the result of the Wizards having more talent on the floor.

The Final: 74-64 Wizards.

You can find more Wizards Summer League info in the posts below:

• Wizards Vegas Summer League Media Dump
• Practicing What You Preach (and links)
• Wizards Summer League Game 2: Should Ernie Grunfeld Be Sweating?
• Wizards Summer League Game 1 Twitter Recap

Vegas Sunset - flickr/Marionzetta

Other reads from Truth About It:

• July 20, 2009 -- Wizards Vegas Summer League Media Dump
• July 15, 2009 -- Wizards Summer League Game 1 Twitter Recap
• August 28, 2009 -- 10 Questions for the 2009-10 Wizards

Yes, the Wizards sucked the juice out of a bar rag against the Grizzlies on Monday (hey, I think they call that a New Jersey Turnpike…..ironically enough, the Wiz play the Nets on Wednesday), but they did pick up their 10th win of the season against the Clippers on Saturday.

With seven minutes left in the 4th, Baron Davis hit a trey ball as an “inadvertent” whistle blew. They counted the shot and the Washington lead was cut to eight, 90-82. A bucket on the next Wizards possession was very crucial.

Sure, the Clips would cut the score to eight a couple times late in the game, but in this instance, Nick Young answered the call of duty to give the Wizards a 10 point lead and game changing bucket.

Here’s the break down:

Previously on Game Changer: Willie Green’s 16 1st Quarter Points

Random Posts

• March 9, 2009 -- Absolutely Irrelevant: Reggie Bush is a Nats Fan?
• October 6, 2009 -- Wizards Training Camp Wrap-Up: Days 5 & 6 from Richmond
• January 30, 2008 -- PREVIEW: Washington Wizards @ Toronto Raptors – Part Deux

picture from flickr/gamescoreblog

Golden State Warriors

[Upside and Motor] (check the great picture too)
The Warriors jumped the shark. Two seasons ago they were a darling, last season they took a slight step back (but enough of a step to fall just short of the postseason), and now they’ll find themselves struggling to reach 11th place in the West. Welcome back, lottery balls; the Bay’s missed you. Predicted Record: 30-52

Los Angeles Clippers

[Clips Nation]
And then there’s the question of health. Can these guys stay on the court? The marquee additions, Baron and Camby, have been injury-prone throughout their careers (although both were surprisingly durable last season). Kaman likewise has had some injury issues, including missing 30 games last season. Throw in the ages of several players expected to log heavy minutes (Mobley is 33, Thomas 31, Camby 34, Hart 30, Baron and Ricky 29) and it certainly is cause for concern. Injuries can happen to any team – but they seem to happen to the Clippers more often. Predicted Record: 41-41

Los Angeles Lakers

[Forum Blue & Gold]
This team is 10 deep with guys that could start a lot of places in the league — Lamar Odom is coming off the bench, name another team where that would happen? That depth provides three advantages. One, the Lakers will win a lot of games because the second unit will outplay other team’s second unit. The Lakers “Bench Mob” led by Jordan Farmar, Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza come in and change the pace, running and being aggressive on defense. Just like a baseball pitcher, that change of pace can be hard to handle. The Lakers are going to stretch a lot of leads out at the start of the first and fourth quarters. Projected Finish: 60-22

[Respect Kobe]
I’ve said that Odom will be the biggest weakness, and the biggest potential problem, fo the Lakers this year. Simply put, I say that because he is not a good long range shooter. The Triangle Offense needs shooters to space the floor, and the lane is going to be very busy with Gasol and Bynum sharing space and Bryant and Ariza slashing to the basket. But Odom is not a long range shooter; in fact, the period during which he showed major improvement last just happens to coincide with the point at which he virtually stopped attempting three-point shots altogether. Predicted Record: 62-20

[Hoops Addict]
The team’s greatest strength is the fact that their opponent’s do not have Kobe Bryant. Fresh off a gold medal and his first long-overdue MVP, Bryant is the game’s consensus best all-around talent. Defensively he remains among the league’s elite one-on-one defenders, while on offense he is still an assassin with the ability to break a team’s will at a moment’s notice. Bryant’s presence is what makes them a title contender. Predicted Record: 64-18

Phoenix Suns

[Bright Side of The Sun]
Some people will mourn the passing of the D’Antoni era and for all the excitement he brought and the credit he earned, it was time to move on. Letting the other team score quickly so that you can run it back on them was a blast. So was disco. Predicted Record: 55-27

Sacramento Kings

[Sactown Royalty]
If you ask Reggie Theus and the Kings organization, the goal is the playoffs. If you ask most Kings fans, the goal is playing the youngsters as much as possible and drafting Ricky Rubio, Blake Griffin or B.J. Mullens. The Kings are a team in transition, and Theus is going to have his hands full balancing going after wins with getting the kids some burn. Predicted record: 37-45

Random Posts

• October 27, 2008 -- Cumulative Washington Wizards 08-09 Preview From The World Wide Web
• March 16, 2009 -- Caron Butler Not Too Hamstrung To Get Down
• March 21, 2008 -- What I'm Listening To

So first Gilbert Arenas said he’d rather die than vote…..instead opting to offer apathetic encouragement for the Presidential winner, whomever that may be, to “Do a good job,” and “Change the world.”

Then, a month later, Baron Davis staked his claim for Obama and told Gil not to worry about increased taxes because more money to the government, perhaps sacrificing one less shark tank, would go towards educating America’s kids.

(I know he said he’s gonna raise the taxes on the top income bracket, Gil, but if he uses that money to improve our schools then you won’t have to worry about some kids trying to sell pictures of your pool online cause they couldn’t get a better job.) LOL

Not exactly a mud-slinging affair, but who said that needed to happen for the internets to enliven with talk of two well-known NBAers and their political views? Hey, at least the topic is up for discussion and not pushed to a taboo back-burner. Thanks blogs!

————————————————

Stet Sports: Baron Davis Chides Gilbert Arenas’ Political Views

Yes, Baron. Your laughing out loud symbol is appropriately designated. People with jobs will be selling those pictures of Gil’s pool online, so we definitely can’t let the children fall by the wayside.

DC Sports Bog: Today’s Top Five: Lobbying Gilbert

Well, Baron, I can assure you that no one sold any pictures of Gilbert’s pool online (for the record, I got these for free), but thanks for the shout-out, and good luck rallying Gilbert to your cause.

NBA FanHouse: Baron Davis Doesn’t Think Gilbert Arenas’ Take on Obama’s Tax Cuts Is Entirely Accurate

The point of all that being that it’s kind of bizarre to see someone like Baron hold out and then go play for another team over the issue of many more millions of dollars … when clearly he feels that the government should be in charge of that money anyway. Or maybe he just saw the tax cuts coming and wanted to make sure he had enough cushion.

The Sporting Blog: Bloggers Advise Ballers on the Social Benefits of Higher Taxes

And, as if this needs to be said again, the Warriors or Clippers are not the IRS. Taking money from one is not the same as being cool with giving a little more for another. If anything, I’d say Baron’s achieved the ideal equilibrium between business and civic interests. Gil, who signed an even hugher contract this summer, should have even less of a problem with this. But what do I know. I’m not a pro athlete looking to give back to the community while acquiring multiple houses, nor am I Will Brinson. [author of NBA FanHouse piece]

Slam: Politics: Baron Davis vs. Gilbert Arenas

I’m not in a position to declare who’s right in this political debate between millionaire ballplayers; I do live in Canada after all. All I know is that I can’t wait to read Gilbert’s response. E-Beef!

You Been Blinded: Baron Davis Tells Gilbert Arenas To Vote For Obama

Gilbert Arenas is a free-spirit so it’s doubtful that anybody, including Baron Davis, is gonna change his mind. I’m just glad to see that the athletes are taking an interest in politics instead of giving the standard “no comment” we’ve become accustom to over the years.

————————————————

flickr/the queen of subtle

Random Posts

• October 5, 2010 -- ShareBullets: The Pre-Preseason Is Over
• February 20, 2010 -- A Team Worth Watching, Wizards Mine A Win Over Nuggets 107-97
• October 23, 2009 -- Antawn Jamison Out 3-5 More Weeks (Damn)

The first question you must ask is will Elton Brand even opt-out. He’s been quoted in the papers that he is thinking “more and more about his future,” and that “if negotiations go right between the team and David Falk, his agent, that he will return. If so, it will probably be under a new contract.”

Brand knows another injury could be just around the corner and wants to secure his financial future. He also knows that at the age of 29, he’s still a hot commodity. Sounds like a guy who wants to opt-out and get a fat 6-year contract to me. If Brand decides not to opt-out, he stays with the Clippers for 1-year at $16,440,000 million.

It’s also worth mentioning Corey Maggette, as he could also come into play. He’s more likely to opt-out as he’s desperate to get paid and feels he’s worth more than the $7 milli he would get next year. Maggette has also had issues with Mike Dunleavy, citing lack of defense. But Dunleavy has gone on record saying that he wants Maggette back.

It seemingly all depends on the checkbook of Clippers owner Donald Sterling. True, he’s recently become a little more free spending, but might not find Maggette to be a smart investment, leading Brand to question commitment to winning.

Scenario 1: The Pink Elephant
Somehow, something happens and Gilbert Arenas gets mad…..or he suddenly wants to leave DC because he doesn’t like the weather, or because he flips a coin, or because he figured out that ‘Clipper’ has seven letters, the same amount of crosses tattooed on his surgically repaired knee….whatever the case, Gilbert just wants to get the hell out of Chocolate City.

At the same time, out in LA, Donald Sterling wants more BRI (baskeball related income) and figures that someone flashy like Gilbert Arenas will sell more seats than Elton Brand, the quiet leader. Could you imagine both Arenas and Kobe Bryant playing in the same arena in La-La land….the Staples Center Duo? And Gilbert, wanting something new to overcome, figures his moxie would be best served playing in the shadow of the reigning MVP.

The Clippers and Wizards could just do a 1-for-1 sign-and-trade (legally I believe you can – in 2005 the Bulls sent Antonio Davis and a sign-&-traded Eddy Curry to the Knicks for Tim Thomas, Mike Sweetney, a sign-&-traded Jermaine Jackson, and a couple 2nd round picks). But Gilbert for Brand straight up would throw each team in such disarray personnel wise, others would need to be included……unless the teams make other moves aside from Brand for Arenas; perfectly possible, but it’s asking a lot.

[Note: players who are signed and traded are given the same rights and increases as if they were re-signing with their current team]

• Part 1: Arenas and Brand are of similar value….one can assume, so you give them each 6-year, $109 million contracts with $14.5 mill in year 1 and 9% yearly increases (rounded yearly payment schedule = 1: $14.5, 2: $15.8, 3: $17.2, 4: $18.8, 5: $20.5, 6: $22.3).

• Part 2: Clippers sign Corey Maggette and trade him to the Wizards, contingent on letting Antawn Jamison walk (also, with Haywood at 5, Brand at 4, and Butler at 3….that would leave Jamison out of the starting rotation…but it’s not like AJ hasn’t played 6th man before). So, if Maggette is almost four years younger than Jamison, do you give him Jamison money, but for six years? ($9.5 million in year 1 and 8.5% yearly increases – $70 million total) Maggette’s last contract was 6-years, $42 million. Is Maggette worth that much more?
• Part 3: Going back to LA in exchange for Maggette would be Etan Thomas (to “replace” Brand), Oleksiy Pecherov (a young big), and the 18th pick. [Good god, I think the Clippers might rather have the cap room by letting Maggette walk.]

How would both teams look?

Wizards
PG: Daniels
SG: Maggette, Stevenson, Young
SF: Caron Butler, Maggette
PF: Brand, Songaila, McGuire
C: Haywood, Blatche

Clippers
PG: Livingston, Knight
SG: Arenas, Mobley
SF: Thornton, Powell
PF: T. Thomas, Pecherov
C: Kaman, E. Thomas

I don’t have to go any further before realizing that his is a terrible idea…..for both teams.

[a couple days pass........]

On second thought, this might not be the worst idea in the world…..but point guard would be a great concern. Would Maggette mesh? Would the Lock Smith come off the pine? Does this bury Nick Young? Do the Wizards play someone like Stevenson as the back up point to get Nick more time? Use the MLE on Roger Mason as the backup PG? Would the Clippers want Nick Young to be thrown in the deal?

It’s possible that as an alternative the Wizards could let Jamison walk and just sign Maggette to a 5-year contract. Then you could keep some depth in not having to give up Etan, Oleksiy, and the pick. But you would have to sign Maggette before trading Arenas for Brand because, as I understand it, you can’t sign Maggette for anything more than the MLE if Brand’s new contract pushes the Wiz over the cap.

….so many questions, my head hurts…… not to mention that Clippers fans are probably laughing their asses off at the above suggestions. At the end of the day, moving Arenas for Brand doesn’t sit well with me as I’m patient enough to keep giving it a go with the Big Three.

Scenario 2: Ernie Grunfeld, the Dream Merchant
No, our local DC NBA GM has not teamed up with 9th Wonder to drop a new album…..Is there a scenario where the Wizards get Elton Brand without giving up any of the tres grande?

1. Abe Pollin must say “Eff it — I want another ring while I’m still young. Ernie, you have my full blessing to travel down luxury tax highway.”

2. It would have to be a sign and trade and the Wizards would be giving up depth.

e="font-size:130%;">3. The Clippers (and Donald Sterling) would rather piss off their fan base and rebuild with youth…..this decision could also hinge on the Clippers position after May 20th, when the NBA draft lottery takes place. The Clips finished with the 6th worst record in the NBA and have a 7.5% chance at landing the top pick.

4. Elton Brand wants to leave…..while the Clippers have some pieces, they are much further away from contending (especially in the West) than the Wizards. Chad Ford thinks that Brand going championship chasing is a possibility….Clippers Nation doesn’t see Brand playing for any team other than the Clippers next season.

Assuming the above, what kind of package could the Wizards offer in a sign-and-trade?

First you gotta ask the question, does Elton Brand’s worth = Gilbert Arena’s worth?

In scenario #1, I assumed that Brand and Arenas were of similar value, hence both worth 6-year, $109 million contracts. Brand’s last contract was for 6-years and $82.2 million (the Clippers matched an offer from the Miami Heat in July of 2003). Arenas’ last contract was for 6-years and $64 million. That’s about a 70% increase for Gilbert over his last contract, while just a 33% increase for Brand.

Both players are coming off serious injuries. Gilbert Arenas is three years younger and sells more jerseys. Brand might be a more desirable piece as a shot blocking big man who doesn’t command the ball. My head might explode. I’m just going to stick with the idea that these two will receive similar contracts as stated.

In scenario #2, the Clippers want to save money and the Wizards want to spend more money….so we will invoke the Traded Player Exception….simultaneous style (as both teams are over the salary cap). Meaning, in order for the Wizards to accept Brand’s signed contract, paying him $14.5 million in year one, the Wizards must send $11.520 million in contacts (the 125% + $100K rule) back to the Clippers.

More assumptions:

1. The Clippers want both Nick Young and Andray Blatche. Their salaries for next year equal $4,342,628 million — $7,177,372 left to ship.

2. Well, that’s easy…..just give the Clippers Etan Thomas ($6,864,200) and Dominic McGuire ($711,517) and your sending back $11,918,345 to LA. The Clippers get three promising young players, two who grew up in SoCal, and Etan’s contract comes off the books in two years when Clipper Steve wants to make moves on the free-agent market.

• The Wizards start: Arenas, Stevenson, Butler, Jamison, and Brand.
• The bench includes: Haywood, Songaila, Daniels, Pecherov, 18th pick, maybe Roger Mason (sacrificing youth and depth, huh?…..well, I’m sure that championship chasing elders would want to sign with the Wizards for the minimum)
• The Clippers roster: I don’t care.

3. Not so fast my friend….you just got Lee Corso’d. The Clippers just called…..they don’t want Etan Thomas, they want Brendan Haywood (they like Kaman as their starting center, but Haywood could be trade bait); and they don’t want Dominic McGuire, they want a future 1st rounder. Haywood’s salary for next season is only $5.5 million…..so the Wizards would have to find more money to send to the Clippers. Does Haywood, Blatche, Young, another player, and a pick seem way too much to give up for Elton Brand? My intuition says yes.

Conclusion
As this rough outline doesn’t meticulously factor in every financial scenario such as trade kickers, bonuses, salary cap, etc…. the point being: is Elton Brand a plausible option for the Wizards? Sure, anything is possible. But these scenarios hinge on unpredictable player desires and nondescript team goals. There will also be plenty of other teams vying for the services of Brand……Philadelphia and Miami come to mind. The safe money is on Brand returning to the Clippers alongside Kaman, Thornton & Co.

Recapping scenario 1: I am vehemently opposed to blowing up the Wizards. This franchise only evokes worse karma in the future if they jettison both Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison. #2: In my dreams, might the Clippers be persuaded by Young, Blatche, Thomas, McGuire and a future 1st rounder (or two)? Something tells me that as easily as I would pull the trigger on that trade, the Clippers would just as easily reject it. Then again, Brand could walk (for a lesser, 5-year contract) and leave LA’s 2nd team with zilch. In any case, the possibility is at least worth the price of a phone call to the west coast.

Random Posts

• January 25, 2012 -- Trading Andray Blatche, A Hypothetical Exchange Between Team Representatives
• October 4, 2010 -- Sights And Sounds From Wizards Fan Fest
• June 12, 2011 -- The Camouflage King

Ok, I do know the final score. Being a fan, I was obliged to check game updates on my phone. I also know there was an overtime thanks to Antawn Jamison’s 3 free-throws to send it there, thanks to my boy D-Mac…..the man behind the production of Wizards and Caps games on 980 AM.

Check one: Bullets Forever

If there’s ever been a game before now where a team has played for exactly 5 minutes and 10 seconds and still managed to win the game, I sure haven’t seen it.

Ok…..well, the Wizards have a historical habit of playing down to their opponent’s level. I can understand this happening, especially with Caron back…..still trying to sync up.

Moving on…. Wizards Insider, Gilbert says he is close. Even more of a reason for players to start subconsciously worrying about their minutes and role with the team. Also, both big men, Brendan Todd The Big Headed Monster and the Kamanator (did you know he has brain overdrive?) did not participate in the match.

More on Gilbert on the Washington Post. Nacho Gil is going to get another MRI and if the read is clear, it’s going to be all good, huh? He’s gone through four “full” practices. But in the last quarter of the NBA season, where teams are trying to save players for games and playoff runs, I’m a little skeptical of how intense these practices really are. Take you time Agent Zero. Gilbertology is excited nonetheless.

So what about the game? (Dammit….I really need to sack up and get a DVR) The Washington Post run-down dedicates half a sentence to the brutality of the other 47 minutes and 50 seconds of the game. Essentially, Antawn Jamison amazingly put the team on his shoulders, again. Caron also showed the health of his hip with “sensational” dunks.

Heading over to the NBA.com box score to get the details. Nothing crazy….or at least nothing that makes the Wizards look horrible. I realize that the final box is probably inflated by a 19 point overtime. 10 turnovers for the game, not bad.

Quick check of Les Bullez. A little more info: shots just weren’t going down and the Wiz missed a lot of FTs. Well, the Wizards did miss 9 free-throws, but they also took 43. The 34 makes means a 79.1%; not bad at all and on the dot for the season home average. The Wizards didn’t boost their FT totals much in overtime, going 4-4.

In other news:

Rookie Al Thornton left the game with a leg contusion. He had 8 points in 12+ minutes of action when he left late in the 2nd quarter. I hope that guy is ok….he’s a ball player. Thornton had 24 and 9 the last time the Wiz faced the Clips.

Speaking of that last Wizards game vs. the Clippers, #52 – Antawn Jamison runs LA. He got a tip in bucket with 0.3 seconds left to seal a win. They rioted in Washington, DC.

React Quotes from Clipper Blogs:

ClipperBlog.com has a beef with the refs…..and a staunch defense of their lottery team against any mistakes they made in letting the Wizards steal the game.

“So when Cuttino Mobley’s foul on Antawn Jamison with :02.2 seconds, it’s incomprehensible. Here’s what happens: The Clips lead 100-97. DeShawn Stevenson inbounds the ball on the far side to Jamison outside the arc. Jamison, covered by Mobley, catches the inbound, spins 180 degrees clockwise to square up for the 3PA. Cat has his left hand on Jamison’s right hip. But as Jamison sets and elevates for the shot, Cat actually removes his hand. As Jamison releases the ball, there’s absolutely no contact between the two players. But Olandis Poole whistles cat for the foul and Jamison goes to the line.”

I got a problem here. We all know that when a player is fouled in the act of shooting, he will go to the free throw line. If you would like to go through the entire NBA Rulebook, go ahead. But let me provide you with this passage:

“The act of shooting starts when, in the official’s judgment, the player has started his shooting motion and continues until the shooting motion ceases and he returns to a normal floor position. It is not essential that the ball leave the shooter’s hand.”

Now yes, it’s the refs judgment call as to if Jamison was in the act of shooting. But turning around towards the basket with 2.2 seconds left, I ask, what else was he doing? Cat Mobley’s removal of his hand from Jamison does not matter since AJ was deemed to be in the act of shooting upon the initial placement of the Mobley’s hand.

Game. Set. Match. – The referee made the right call, inarguable.

“A Win Is A Win” is the phrase that’s filling up the Wizards game philosophy in-box.

…..meanwhile, I present the Kamanator on his day off with Kobe Bryant.

flickr photo from gamescore
photoshopping by truthaboutit.net

Random Posts

• July 2, 2010 -- Gilbert Arenas Chooses Jersey No. 9, But Why?
• December 31, 2011 -- DC Council Game 3: Wizards 81 at Bucks 102: A Game of Ineligible Points
• January 24, 2011 -- MIP or Dunk Contest? Nick Young Answers

Onto tonight’s game, I’m excited about it. This team, despite 6, 7 game losing streaks, did come out to play in the last two games against two very good Western Conference teams. Yea, it didn’t turn out how we would like. The Wiz made some bonehead mistakes, but I recognize the effort. I’d say about 20 other NBA teams, if faced with a similar situation, would have folded.

Should the Wizards get mad and pick a fight? [SVP Style]

ME: Of course I would like someone to bust Stephen Jackson straight in the jaw, especially for something like this. But I like this Wizards team not trying to act like the Warriors; their bitching and moaning during that game was a little too much.

Did Eddie have nothin’ left or was his team not listening? [My Swog Is Phenomenal]

ME: Personally, I think Eddie’s choice was to let the Wiz go and his team did not make solid decisions. He shouldn’t have trusted them. He should have gone with what worked earlier in the game.

“The long jumpers, the forced shots, and the ragged offense is leaving us in a bad position when trying to match up in transition.” [Bullets Forever]

ME: I couldn’t agree more. I don’t have as much a problem with long jumpers as I do with the forced shots. I’d be curious to know what % of the Wiz offensive rebounds come on long jumpers….that stat has got to be out there somewhere.

“Look for Nick Young to have a terrible game trying to show off in SoCal.” [Sebulba Goldberg, Commenter on Wizards Insider]

ME: I certainly hope he doesn’t…..but I would not be surprised at all. In fact, I’m setting his over/under on forced moves at 3. I’m taking the over.

Start the show:

Q1

• What will the bounce back be?
• The goal is to go to ‘Twan Jamison on the right post iso against the rookie, Thornton…..it doesn’t work twice.
• AD pays dividend early….composed drive after a Blatche offensive rebound, drive and dish to BTH. He got Cassell with one of the slowest cross overs I’ve seen. Steal on the other end.
• AJ in the post again….fadeaway miss. That play ain’t working…the Wiz need ball movement.
• Daniels is making quick moves to get somewhere, he’s not just going east to west.
• Andray Blatche is learning from the Utah game…..he throws down a hard two hand dunk. Antonio got the ball off the rebound and Andray cut to the basket.
• I don’t like the shot selection, but Lock Smith is rising up and knocking them down.
• Timeout just under 5. AD has managed the team on a 10-0 run after being down 11-4 to start.
• Do they really have Maggette on Andray Blatche? Nice post turn-around J. Go to him now now now.
• Nope, they don’t. Stevenson misses a jumper and AB picks up his 2nd foul going for the board.
• Pecherov…..I mean, what is that guy doing? He handles and handles the ball…..and just gets where he wants, spin and fading paint jumper. Kid just got out-hustled for a loose ball though.
• Stephen Jackson just hit ANOTHER 3…oh, wait….wrong game. I’m thoroughly confused with Golden State-Phoenix on one TV and the Wiz-Clips on another. Bad memories. Drag.
• Uh oh…Phil Chenier just said that Nick Young had a “solid” game against Golden State. So that’s the company line, is it? If Phil ever tells you some ice is okay to walk on, don’t listen.
• Oh! The Clips lose Jamison on an OOB play with 0.8 on the clock, he missed a wide-open 3.
• Still, once down 11-4, the Wizards are able to get some 2nd chance points, 8 of them. Second chance points are an encouraging sign….a hustle stat.
• Wiz were also able to limit the sloppy Clippers. They had 8 turnovers.
• 25-17 is the Wizard lead after 1.

Q2

• Daniels, Mason, D-Mac, D-Song, and Jamison.
• AD tweaks something….knee? ankle? Not sure….seems to be okay.
• Blatche comes in for AJ after about 90 seconds.
• Confusion ensues on offense…..for both teams. 2 points total in 3 minutes.
• Damn, you know it’s bad when Gilbert bails….cat headed back to DC, guess he wasn’t touching this one. I thought La-La was his town though.
• Not sure if either team’s defense is responsible for the stagnant offense on both ends, but at least the Wiz are securing the ball after Clipper misses…..actually, a key part of defense. The Clippers have yet to get an offensive rebound 15 minutes into the game.
• Doesn’t take but 2 minutes for the Wiz to make a 6-0 run. 33-19 DC.
• McGuire went about the highest I’ve ever seen a dude get for an o-bound, but the Gnat (Mr. Knight) took it away.
• Steve and Phil talk about Clippers history and Bill Walton…..I love how Phil coyly mentions that Walton was injured so much….like he hasn’t seen the Shaq-Walton feud.
• Not all the Clippers shots are bad, they just can’t hit tonight……until a Tim Thomas 3 gives them 30 with 2:14 left. Steve Buck says that Timmy T needs a backiotomy.
• Daniels keeps creating…..drives and draws the help that allowed Brendan Todd to get a 2-hand offensive rebound dunk.
• Haywood is playing well again….one could say like a beast. Better rest him in the second half.
• I don’t watch many Clipper games, is Sam I Am still doing the BBD….Big Ball Dance?
• The Wizards close out the half on a positive note, they’re up 45-32.

1/2

• Welcome Back AD! 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 0 turnovers
• Damn AJ? 4-14 from the field….simmer down a little, huh?
• B. Todd Haywood – 12 points, 8 rebounds…..the song that’s playing in his head now: “What More Can I Say?” > Jay-Z
• Rookie Watch: Al Thornton with
  10 pts., 6 rebs.
• Glass Half Full - Wizards have 29 boards, Clippers with 15 (9-1 on the offensive glass).
• Phil & Steve: They rave up and down the block about B. Todd and about how much of a hard worker he his. They neglect to mention his late game absence the other night.

Q3

• AD should know not to throw a long lead pass to Mr. 220, his knee ain’t right.
• This is confirmed: Brendan Haywood owns white guys in the paint. Biedrins on Monday, the Kamanator tonight.
• Andray still with that 2 hand dunk thing…..nice drive. He starts going for the dunk with 1 hand, sees Kaman and goes to two. He still misses, but draws the foul.
• Clippers are still confused on offense…Cassell says Eff it, claps for the ball, knocks down a 3 from the corner. The next time down, he pulls up on the break, that one misses. A 37 year old would have made it.
• Poor Lock Smith. He gets picked off, asks out of the game, gets a shot hit in his mug, Eddie Jordan calls timeout, 52-46 Wiz.
• D-Mac can be better than Jamario Moon.
• B. Todd and Mobley have some words…..it was all Mobley. He hit BTH with a forearm in the back on a rebound….and then acting like BTH was holding onto his arm and pushed him again. A man named Todd don’t take that mess. I’m looking for a subtle rebuttal.
• Oh yea, they announced that Ray Allen would replace Caron Butler. No Hedo? SNUB!!!
• I’m not sure what’s happening to the Wiz. Yea, the Clippers have picked up things on their own, they’ve got some ball players. But what the deal with the Wiz offense? Why aren’t they going to Haywood? (never thought I’d ask that question in my life)
• Or is D-Mac the next Dennis Rodman? Ok, so that strong man-up D is not there just yet, but kid sure can rebound….he’s got 10, 6 offensive off the bench….in 15 minutes!
• The quarter ends and the Clippers get the best of the Wiz, they’re down 1.
• Al Thornton is still going to town. 6 points in the 3rd.
• And really, the Clippers just did a better job of taking care of the ball…..their sloppiness in the first half was not so much the fault of the Wizards.
• As for the offense, Washington needs better than 16 points.

Q4

• D-Song reverse layup. It’s getting late, so a dream is possible. Oh, the move was on Kaman? I’m totally awake then.
• Andray gets his 4th foul, says something to an official and gets a technical with 9 minutes left in the fourth. Might I add….Got Dammit! He’s gotta get mentally stronger.
• The is a close, ugly, low-scoring game. A far cry from the last 3. Me thinks the Wizards were actually playing Up to their competition. How ’bout that?
• Steve B talks about Wendy’s. They show a fine girl on TV. Phil C says “That’s making me hungry.” Draw your own conclusion, but you’re not the guy with the sweet mustache.
• Did Kenyon Martin and Tim Thomas ever box? I think they’re both Fugazi.
• McGuire….are you kidding me? Son can throw D-Song the sweet no look bounce pass for the hoop too.
• Songaila is having his “Michael Ruffin” night, but with offense. Isn’t that what we wanted from Ruffin? D-Song is nowhere close to having the same lateral movement and on the ball D as Ruffin.
• Ok, D-song needs to cut those long semi-contested jumpers out.
• Well, it was a nice concept…that winning thing. Thorton hits a 3 to put the Clippers up 1 with 2:20 left.
• Just kidding…Brendan HAYwood is in….it’s all good. He’s gonna lead DC to a win. He knocks down some FTs, Wiz back on top. Once again, Big ups to Dave Hopla.
• Magettee hits a J. DeShawn massages his knee.
• Come in AJ……sure you can hit a 3 to put the Wiz up 2 with 1:38 left.
• Momma, there go that man again……says a lil’ kid after seeing Lock Smith hit a long fading two while falling into the Wiz bench.
• Maggette goes down and hits a 2.
• Back down the court…..Haywood with the ball out high, takes a dribble to DeShawn on the wing, fakes the dump off, turns to the basket, Jamison (on the same side) spins off his man and BTH tosses him a sweet pass for the dunk. What a nice play….COACH JORDAN! Wiz by 2.
• Tough D by the Wiz…..Clips trying to get to Tim Thomas guarded by Songaila down low, no go. Maggette drives off a ball screen, and the Wiz make his runner from the side tough, but they foul Corey. FTs, tie game.
• Eddie Takes a full timeout.
• Hey, where’s that Nick Young fella?
• Wiz have the ball, no BTH. Song, AJ, Stevenson, Mason, AD….what do you think?
• AD high pick and roll with D-Song….Darius charges and clears room in the paint….AD with an off balance shot, D-Song keeps it alive and……
• AJ WITH THE TIP IN!!!! 0.3 SECONDS LEFT!
• No Toronto no Toronto no Toronto….Phil and Steve don’t even mention it……..shit, why did I?
• Clips try the a lob to Thornton and the pass is too long. No Dice for LA-LA.
• Antawn Jamison, All-Star, Consummate Vet. After a bad shooting night to start, 7 points and the game winner in the last 1:38.

THE STREAK IS OVER!
THEY ARE RIOTING IN DC!
BURN CLIPPERS JERSEY BURN!

Flickr Photo from: johnjan99ca

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