September 22, 1971. Louisville, Kentucky. Freedom Hall.

Just over 40 years ago the Baltimore Bullets made the 600-mile trip west from Northern Virginia, where they had battled the N.B.A.’s New York Knickerbockers in their preseason opener the night before, to square off against the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association in the biggest game few today have ever heard about. The contest would be the second act in an Inter-League Exhibition Game (ILEG) series, a sporting event invented by the owners who were looking for something to make “airing out the big arenas, sweeping the floor and printing up tickets worthwhile,” amid rumors of a merger between the two roundball associations. Though early on, these exhibitions were not well publicized, they weren’t without meaning.

The 1971 ILEG series was headlined by two N.B.A. titans, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Baltimore Bullets, both gearing up for another shot at an N.B.A. championship. They were scheduled to play five A.B.A. squads in five A.B.A. cities; the games were held in A.B.A. cities like Louisville and Winston-Salem for the simple reason that the N.B.A. didn’t want to legitimize the upstart league.

Baltimore Coach Gene Shue, two years removed from an N.B.A. Coach of the Year Award, journeyed westward without star guard Earl “The Pearl” Monroe (sent home with knee bursitis) and forward Gus “Honeycomb” Johnson (still working his way back into shape after off-season surgery in both knees), but still had a championship-caliber roster at his disposal. It was a homecoming affair for Bullets guard and Louisville native Westley “Wes” Unseld. Unseld was the star center for a Seneca High School team that won two state championships, and a three-year letter winner at the University of Louisville; the Cardinals played their home games at Freedom Hall, just six miles down the road from Seneca. In the 1968 A.B.A. draft, the Kentucky Colonels drafted Unseld, but lost a bidding war for their hometown prodigy, who inked a four-year $400,000 contract with the Bullets as the second overall selection in the 1968 N.B.A. draft

The Colonels had firepower of their own. The team was led by talented second-year scorer, the 6’9” Dan “The Horse” Issel, and rookie defensive pillar, Artis “The A-Train” Gilmore, under instruction from head coach Joseph “Joe” Mullaney. Mullaney was a college teammate of “hot-shit guard”¹ Bob Cousy at Holy Cross during the mid-1940s, winning a championship in 1947, before playing out brief careers with the Boston Celtics of the N.B.A.—a one-year adventure—and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Providence College hired Mullaney as their head basketball man in 1955, where he coached the Friars to 319 wins in 18 seasons. In 1969, the Los Angeles Lakers employed Mullaney to fill the void left by former head coach Butch van Breda Kolff, who had quit in frustration after a 108-106 N.B.A. Finals defeat to the rival Celtics. Two deep playoff runs, including a Finals appearance of his own, somehow weren’t enough to satisfy then Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke, who fired his new coach after just two seasons.

In June of 1971, Mullaney became the fifth coach of the Kentucky Colonels, replacing former Celtics guard Frank Ramsey, and was in search of early victories with his young roster. ”The Colonels are a young team with great potential—in a sense still in the formative stages,” Mullaney told the press at a news conference after the official announcement. “And it looks like a very exciting opportunity.” At Freedom Hall on that autumn night in September, Mullaney would need to get his tactics right. His Colonels were to face a Baltimore Bullets team that still had a bitter taste in its mouth. The Bullets had been swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the N.B.A. Finals just a few months earlier, making them just the second N.B.A. team to go winless in Finals history. The 1959 Lakers were the first team to do so, and the first victims of the smoke-breathing basketball monster driven by Red Auerbach—a Boston Celtics superdyansty that won eight consecutive championships.

While the N.B.A. Finals are typically billed as heavyweight bouts, Milwaukee tenderized Baltimore as if they were nothing more than a stepping-stone on the path to something bigger. Lew Alcindor, Oscar Robertson and the rest of the Bucks battered the Bullets, just as The Milwaukee Journal’s Terry Bledsoe had predicted they would:

“It is as though Muhammad Ali had stumbled somewhere earlier in his comeback attempt and Joe Frazier had been forced to conduct his fight of the century against Oscar Bonavena.”

To be fair to the bullnecked Argentine, Bonavena gave Frazier a fight, twice sending Smokin’ Joe to the canvas, though he ultimately fell out favor with the scorecards.

On the night before the Colonels-Bullets game, the Milwaukee Bucks headlined the first-ever N.B.A. vs. A.B.A. contest against the Dallas Chaparrals. The reigning N.B.A. champs, without “The Big O,” Oscar Robertson, who was testifying against the imminent N.B.A.-A.B.A. merger in Washington, D.C., barely squeaked past Dallas and their top forward John Beasley. (The Bullets had actually drafted Beasley in the fifth round of the 1966 N.B.A. Draft, though he never joined the team, instead choosing to spend his career in the A.B.A.)

On paper, the game “looked like one of the monster mismatches of all time,” wrote Sports Illustrated mythmaker Peter Carry. “The Milwaukee Bucks, champions of the Universe and beyond, came to play the Dallas Chaparrals, who are out of this world in quite another way. It was to be a big night for the Bucks, who lost only 18 of 106 exhibition, regular-season and playoff games last year. For one thing, they were introducing an old center with a new title. Kareem Abdul Jabbar started in the post, replacing Lew Alcindor. Otherwise, he was the same old No. 33, crashing for rebounds and scoring 32 points.” Milwaukee trailed in the closing moments of the fourth quarter, but were saved by a McCoy McLemore jumper with 11 seconds left. The Bucks’ 106-103 win was sealed with a pair of free throws from Lucius Allen.

The East Coast contenders from Baltimore felt some pressure to win—not only to properly represent the N.B.A., but also to keep up with the Bucks—but figured the A.B.A.’s Colonels could be controlled.  The Bullets were cocksure before the game—superiority by Association, perhaps?—despite being without the services of Monroe and Johnson. At the time, the three-point line (like the 30-second shot clock) was an innovation exclusive to the high-flying A.B.A., but one that didn’t necessarily impress. As Bullets guard Jack Marin took the floor during warmups, he took a long look at the three-point arc taped to the hardwood and boasted, “I’m not just a star in this league, I’m a superstar.”  He then missed four of five practice three-pointers. Meanwhile, Fred “Mad Dog” Carter tried, unsuccessfully, to take some hot air out of the contest. “What’s this thing for,” he joked, poking fun at the A.B.A.’s red, white and blue ball. “Trained seals?”

“This is something we’ve been looking forward to for four years,” said Kentucky guard Louie Dampier, burning. Dampier was one-half of a sharpshooting tandem with Darel Carrier, which combined to score an average of more than 50 points in its first three seasons together. “They (the N.B.A.) say we’re weaker and I’d like to prove we aren’t. I won’t say I’ll play harder because I always play as hard as I can. But when they leave here tonight I want to make sure they won’t be looking down on us anymore.”

Other reads from Truth About It:

• January 10, 2012 -- Kevin Love On Stan Love, Dad
• October 14, 2011 -- Bullets On Stan Love
• September 6, 2011 -- Hello and Goodbye to The Baltimore Bullets

[The deflated NBA - Lowell School basketball court, N.W. Washington, D.C. - photo: K. Weidie]

What does the latest lockout news, the cancellation of the first two weeks of the season, mean for player development, fan loyalty, media coverage, and if a season will be played at all? The collective knowledge of TAI contributors — Rashad Mobley, John Converse Townsend, Beckley Mason, Adam McGinnis, and myself – weigh in, on the scale of 1-5.

1) Scale 1-5: How much does the lockout set player development/rebuilding back for the Wizards — 5 being a huge setback; 1 being no big deal?

Mobley: The reality is that the Wizards would have been in rebuilding mode even without the lockout. What it has done is give franchise-player John Wall, an extended summer to flex the new found confidence in his game, and ideally that will be contagious.  Ideally. 1.

Townsend: The Wizards have a lot riding on the development of the last two draft classes. Rookies Chris Singleton and Shelvin Mack would greatly benefit from a full NBA offseason, allowing them to hit the ground running come game day; however, other players have signed deals overseas and continue to mature in professional settings. Setback? Maybe. Idle? More likely. 3.

Mason: Individual skill development work is much more productive in the off-season, if the player has a worthwhile trainer. It doesn’t help a team adding some important rookies, though. 2.

McGinnis: The Wizards desperately need to get back together as a team, figure out which players are going to be building blocks, who needs to be shipped out of town, and whether Flip Saunders is the man to lead the franchise back to competitiveness. 4.

Weidie: As more games are cancelled, with training camp, etc. already delayed, we might find NBA players losing motivation after what might have been a summer of more dedicated workouts than ever — especially considering the Wizards crew. The out-reach that Flip Saunders and staff did last summer in traveling to player home-bases for training  has now gotten lost on most. I think it was more valuable than people realize.  4.

2) Scale 1-5: How much do you think the lockout, the two cancelled weeks of the season (and likely more) in the least, will turn off the NBA’s fan-base — 5 being worse than the ’94-95 baseball strike; 1 being fans will come back in same hoards no matter what?

Mobley: I think some fans will go the jilted lover route and claim to shun the NBA forever.  But eventually the allure of an abbreviated season, a lightning fast free agency period, and the possibility that their favorite team has an outside shot at a playoff berth, will draw most of the fans back. 2.

Townsend: The lockout will continue to disaffect basketball fans. Merchandise sales, NBA League Pass subscriptions and season ticket renewals are guaranteed to take a dive — I expect to see half-empty stadiums when the lockout comes to an end. That said, people need their hoops fix, and there is no game better than the NBA. Fans will come back slowly, just not with open arms (or wallets). 3½.

Mason: 1 if it only lasts two weeks. If it lasts until December, after the baseball playoffs and during the (relative) doldrums of the NFL season, people will be annoyed. But if they come back and the product is strong–especially in terms of a compelling playoffs, I don’t see the repercussions being too terrible–maybe a 3.

McGinnis: NBA owners are playing with fire that people are just going to jump back at spending $100 dollar seats and $9 beers while the country’s economy continues its deep slog. The League is risking TV ratings and corporate ad dollars, too.  3 and rising.

Weidie: You got your basketball junkies who will watch the sport and the best pro league in the world no matter what. Then you have the general fans that the league is always trying to attract for advertisers. I think since their interest is general in the first place, once the league returns they won’t be able to avert their eyes, assuming the NBA continues putting out a good product. With all the budding stars, I don’t see why not. 1.

3) Scale 1-5: How much stock do you put in media reports surrounding labor negotiations — 5 being that the connected mainstream guys can be highly trusted, it’s just what they are covering is erratic; 1 being how can you take any stock when it seems most sources are probably fueled by rhetoric and politicking that’s convenient to them?

Mobley: The beauty of all sports–not just the NBA and this lockout–is that we not only have our go-to websites, but we have our trusted go-to people within those sites.  Not to be a company guy or anything, but TrueHoop has done an excellent job of providing fair and balanced analysis of this lockout, not just straight reporting.  David Aldridge and Ken Berger have, too. 4.

Townsend: I’ve been following the media reports for updates on the labor negotiations, but not fiending for the latest headlines from the scene. I’ll take my lockout news with a spoonful of sugar and an entire jar of salt. 4.

Mason: The media that can get access must name everyone anonymously, and often does so without parsing the spin for us. I’ve been disappointed by coverage that seems uninterested in getting to the bottom of whether the NBA is actually losing money, and have let both sides simply use the vague goal of “as much money as possible” as their motivations. 4, but that’s just because we have no other choice.

McGinnis: Like any negotiations with two sides trying to win the public spin war, it really is difficult to sift through the public statements and reports, especially with David Stern running things and Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski going off on his usual slanted jihads. 2.

Weidie: I’ve been trying to stay removed from reporting on lockout negotiations, mainly because I don’t trust any sources, nor any side (players, owners and agents). I understand that understanding the economics helps with team analysis, but let me know when the CBA is set. I can stand without all of the B.S., especially when the few stories I do read irk me. 1.

4) Scale 1-5: How confident are you that any sort of season will be played in 2011-12 — 5 being that a realization by both sides of their absurd stupidity (and money losses) will relent to compromise very soon; 1 being highly unlikely that any season will be played?

Mobley: The players will tire of the touring the country to play free exhibitions, and the owners will notice how college football, the NFL and college basketball are seemingly replacing the NBA, and there will be professional basketball played by January at the latest. 5.

Townsend: I’m not optimistic about a 2011-2012 season; recent reports indicate that both the owners and the players have dug their trenches. The Players Association is empathetic to the needs of future generations of NBA athletes and claims it’s prepared to hunker down for a long, cold winter. The owners, on the other hand, are glancing longingly in the mirror thinking, “Hey, this lockout looks pretty good on me.” 2.

Mason: I put the start of the season somewhere around the middle of December. 5.

McGinnis: From the outset, I was convinced that there was likely not going to be a season. Stern and the owners seemed content on holding out until they busted the union while the NBAPA naively thought there was some middle ground to be found with an opposing side out to destroy them. The ominous sign to me was when the NBA sued a bunch of players, including the Jimmer, to get a favorable court in the future. 1.

Weidie: I’m inclined not the believe threats, such as Ben Gordon claiming the lockout could last up to two years. The eight-percent that the NBPA has been saving for players won’t suffice when considering all the other entities they must support. This, however, isn’t to say both sides aren’t capable of digging in their heels. Thus, I’m thinking there will be basketball in February after the Super Bowl. 3.

Let Me Ride!

[bus dock, Silver Spring, MD - photo: K. Weidie]

Other reads from Truth About It:

• October 18, 2011 -- ShareBullets: A 50-50 NBA Lockout Mess
• October 15, 2011 -- Look Guys, JaVale McGee Doesn’t Want You To Believe Him (Says: ‘Layout of Food! Scrumptious!’)
• December 25, 2011 -- NBA Players: Get. Some. Rest.

{ Jordan smokes 'em if he's got 'em - flickr/simplistic.designs }

I’m not a ‘huge’ fan of Michael Jordan, and I definitely don’t hate him. When he was beating the Lakers and Blazers for a ring when I was 11 and 12, I was like, “Oh cool! It’s MJ!” When he was taking down Chuck Barkley, my sentiment was “may the best man win.” When Jordan came back, I rooted for the Sonics and Jazz because I thought the Bulls had won enough, it was time for someone else. Finally, when Jordan was a Wizard, I initially thought his presence would be good, then responded to his departure with shock/surprise, and ultimately, became apathetic toward his presence in DC.

Ok, now that my Jordan fandom disclaimer is out of the way …

Jordan’s HOF speech has been called petty, uninspiring, disparaging, vicious, and strangely bitter by Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski. He was called a clown, and vicious again, by FanHouse’s Terence Moore. Ken Berger of CBS Sports dubbed Jordan “ruthless,” and called him a “competitive sociopath.” In his Twitter one word description of each HOF entrant’s speech, The Washington Post’s Michael Lee used “cruelty” in reference to Jordan. J.E. Skeets of Yahoo!’s Ball Don’t Lie twittered that MJ’s speech was a bad idea, and akin to “finding out the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were crackheads.” Joshua Lobdell of The Inquisitr called Jordan petty (again), and a disgrace, even going so far as to say, “a large part of Jordan’s legacy has been forgotten” as a result. Tim Varner of 48 Minutes of Hell called the speech “tacky, vitriolic, and unnecessary” … but Tim also recognizes that Jordan’s shots were “footnotes of his mythology,” and calls on us to better recognize the David Robinsons of the world (a more than valid request). And finally, Matt Moore of Hardwood Paroxysm calls Jordan a jackass, but has a great piece highlighting that such actions from Jordan are nothing new … although Moore does claim that, “Ron Artest probably has more going for him than Michael Jordan as far as a complete life goes,” and challenges readers to wrap their brains around that assertion. Not worth trying.

You see, I came across most of these reactions prior to actually seeing Jordan’s speech. My initial response to the reactions was, “Well, that’s Michael … he’s a dick, but a competitive and winning dick.” And the same sentiment seemed to be conveyed by many who knew Jordan with a shrug of the shoulders.

But then, after my viewing on NBATV around 5:30 am on Sunday morning (I know, random time), utterances such as an elongated ‘really?’ and an “are you kidding me?” began to formulate in response to the reactions of the aforementioned.

I can’t exactly call all of Jordan’s detractors wrong for their beliefs, but they are completely missing the point.

I’m not sure if I should be surprised that my take on Jordan’s speech falls very closely to that of Michael Wilbon. Of course, Wilbon’s Chicago connection to Jordan has served as a fair boost to Wilbon’s career (his girlfriend/current wife once wondered who he loved more). If Malcolm Gladwell had a part about Wilbon in Outliers, the fact that Jordan happened to play in Wilbon’s hometown would have been a key factor. So, it should go without saying that I don’t see MJ through the same rose-colored glasses as Wilbon … although I just said it.

Hence, much of what I have to say about Jordan’s speech is duplicative of Wilbon’s column (almost to my chagrin as I usually don’t see eye to eye with him), but I’m going to say it anyway.

What did these packaged romantics expect? … These assumed ceremonial basketball purists on their high horses (damn… feel like I’m being unfairly harsh, but like I said, the opinions of the aforementioned are not wrong — and what I have to say is not targeted toward all whom I’ve linked).

Did people really want a “humbled” Michael Jordan making an out-of-the-box induction speech? Not me.

I don’t want to see the greatest competitor the basketball court has ever known be fake, contrite for doing what he did best on the court … especially when those on-court actions are the reason for his entrance into the Hall of Fame.

Jordan isn’t famous because he could dunk the ball, or drop 50 in a game. About 2.7% of all players who have appeared in the NBA all-time have scored 50 in a game. Michael Jordan ain’t no 2.7%, his percentage is so minuscule that it’s immeasurable.

Jordan is famous because he won. Won to the tune of six championships which easily could have been eight straight, and possibly more. Jordan won because of his competitive nature. And to remain competitive, Jordan wanted motivation, which in his words, he “desperately needed.”

Think about that. The man admits to being ‘desperate’ for reasons to stay motivated, to maintain a competitive edge, a winning level. Don’t chide Jordan because he’s opened a window to his life that was previously unseen (or denied) by most, or blast him for mentioning all the instances along the way which made him a winner.  When Jordan asked “what don’t people know about me” in his speech, the answer should have been what their horse blinders of denial didn’t allow them to see.

I’m not here to defend Michael Jordan, and I’m not a Jordanaire apologist. I simply don’t want to be deprived of the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ that helped create the man we celebrate with a Hall of Fame induction. And I’m glad I wasn’t.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• August 25, 2010 -- Gus Johnson 101: Goliath & Ghost
• September 15, 2009 -- Best of Jordan-Wizards Links
• July 3, 2009 -- Washington Bullets Draft Demons of the Past: Dinner Bell Mel Turpin

October

10/27 at Dallas: Gilbert Arenas arrives in a sparkling chariot. He is carried on to the court by his teammates where he shares a flawless 12-step handshake with President Obama (who made the trip). At which point, a teary-eyed Mark Cuban calls Arenas a thug and runs down the tunnel, spilling his ice cream cone in the process. You are probably going to want to see this.

10/30 at Atlanta: So hey, Zaza. You get my call? Over the summer. Oh, okay… I mean we left like seven voice mails… Nah, its cool… jerk.

10/31 vs New Jersey: In celebration of Halloween, JaVale McGee brings his Wolverine claws. Not to be outdone, the Nets’ Sean Williams brings a sawed-off shotgun.

November

11/3 at Cleveland: LeBron refuses to shake hands on account of his spontaneous leprosy.

11/4 vs Miami: Michael Beasley can’t stop giggling at the Wizards’ logo. AYO, WHY GANDOLF’S JUNK BLUE?

11/6 at Indiana: Larry Bird offers to take Mike Miller and Fabricio Oberto off our hands. Oberto fails his physical for “swarthiness.”

11/8 vs Phoenix: Brook Lopez and Mike Miller trade hair tips.

11/10 at Miami: With Mario Chalmers nursing a minor injury, Chris Quinn starts at PG. That’s the entire joke.

11/14 vs Detroit: Joe Dumars suspends Chauncey Billups for not showing up to practice only to be informed he traded Billups two seasons ago.

11/18 vs Cleveland: LeBron debuts his Koala Dribble in which he stares blankly from the top of the key prior to putting Daniel Gibson in his pouch.

11/20 at Oklahoma City: So hey, Durant… one of my roommates is moving out in 2012. I’ve got a six year lease with your name on it.

11/21 at San Antonio: Roger Mason, Jr. and Fabricio Oberto nod knowingly.

11/24 vs Philadelphia: Eddie Jordan’s iPod has Nas’ “Hate Me Now” on repeat. He never breaks eye contact with Ernie Grunfeld for the entire duration of the game.

11/27 at Miami: Dwyane Wade and Gilbert Arenas combine for 100 free throws.

11/28 vs Charlotte: Bob Johnson, Bobcats owner and African-American entrepreneur, is invited to speak to the team about leadership and responsibility. Afterwords there are at least six questions pertaining to the cancellation of “BET Uncut” and if Johnson was directly involved with that decision.

December

12/1 at Toronto: Fabricio Oberto scrawls his BlackBerry Messenger # on a paper airplane he glides towards the Toronto owner’s box.

12/2 vs Milwaukee: The Bucks’ financial woes result in the game taking place at a Milwaukee community center. The Wizards have to shoot on the side with the bent rim.

12/4 vs Toronto: Chris Bosh skips the game to attend the premiere of his latest film “Bosh Wearing Costumes 7.” Even Clinton Portis thinks it’s lame.

12/6 at Detroit: Gilbert Arenas offers Ben Wallace $25,000 to punch Kwame Brown in the face. Ben does it for free.

12/10 vs Boston: Flip Saunders scolds ‘Sheed and KG for using swear words in front of Andray Blatche.

12/12 vs Indiana: During a particularly spectacular dunk, Danny Granger exhales onto the backboard and scrawls “HELP ME!” backwards with his free hand. It’s as if he’s been practicing that for four years.

12/14 at LA Clippers: Hometown kid Nick Young gives the Wizards a city tour which ends up being a pretty accurate reenactment of Training Day.

12/16 at Sacramento: Mayor Kevin Johnson makes inappropriate advances towards Mike Miller.

12/18 at Golden State: The greatest unorganized game of professional basketball ever played. David Stern has the tapes burned afterward.

12/19 at Phoenix: Not content with Robin Lopez and Taylor Griffin, the Suns offer to sign Mike James’ six siblings.

12/22 vs Philadelphia: Still working out the kinks in his Princeton offense, Eddie Jordan uses a whiteboard and 45 minutes of his personal time to explain to Thaddeus Young what an assist is.

12/23 at Milwaukee: Mike Miller wins Miss Wisconsin 2009. The results weren’t as close as you think.

12/26 at Minnesota: So… what’d you do with that draft pick we traded you?

12/28 at Memphis: During a 2nd quarter jump-ball between JaVale McGee and Hasheem Thabeet, a Chinese satellite is knocked out of orbit.

12/29 vs Oklahoma City: Oh hey Kevin, you ever dreamt of being Vice President? We should talk.

January

1/2 vs San Antonio: DeJaun Blair doesn’t play, thus ruining a “told you so” column that every DC-area sportswriter penned months in advance.

1/5 at Philadelphia: Eddie Jordan won’t hint at what his New Years resolution was. Randy Ayers divulges Jordan has been watching Kill Bill non-stop.

1/6 at Cleveland: LeBron is dunked on by Nick Young. A mass execution follows.

1/8 vs Orlando: Dwight Howard dunks on the Washington Monument. This is not a legal basketball play.

1/10 vs New Orleans: Byron Scott and Flip Saunders have a folded-arms contest that goes on well into the night.

1/12 vs Detroit: Flip Saunders adopts Eddie Jordan’s “Hate Me Now” motivation. An amped up Flip storms the court during introductions screaming “Escobar season has returned!” Pistons’ head coach, Jon Kuester, forfeits the game immediately.

1/13 at Atlanta: Nick Young gets the Wizards’ team plane candy-painted.

1/15 at Chicago: Dominic McGuire looks directly at Joakim Noah and is turned to stone; still pulls down 5 rebounds.

1/16 vs Sacramento: I’m not sure how, but John Wall is starting for the Kings.

1/18 vs Portland: Gilbert Arenas and Greg Oden collide on a play. Earth ceases rotating.

1/20 vs Dallas: Free-agent to-be Drew Gooden claims he’d fit in with the Wizards’ goofballs. The Wizards unanimously agree that Gooden is a “trying too hard” type of goofball and not a natural “goofball,” thereby will not be joining the team next season.

1/22 vs Miami: Dwyane Wade falls down six times and gets up 11 times, confusing mathematicians and gymnasts alike.

1/24 vs LA Clippers: DeAndre Jordan defeats JaVale McGee six dunks to three.

1/26 vs LA Lakers: Arenas drops 40 and Kobe gives his requisite condescending “he’s good when he’s on / he’s good for a scorer” comment in the post-game interview.

1/29 at New Jersey: Jarvis Hayes has 10 points, 0 assists, 0 rebounds, 0 steals, and 0 blocks in 25 minutes. Also, Rafer Alston does something stupid.

1/30 vs New York: A scorekeeper slips into a dehydration induced coma when the Wizards and Knicks combine for 300 shots.

February

2/1 vs Boston: Rajon Rondo impales Mike James with a javelin. James is called for the offensive foul. The NBA reacts by banning javelins from the court during the last 10 seconds of the shot clock.

2/3 at New York: Mike D’Antoni instructs Al Harrington to walk into the visitors locker room with a post-it note on his forehead reading “Mike Miller, please.”

2/5 at Orlando: Vince Carter rolls his ankle in the 1st quarter. He re-inserts himself into the game precisely when his backup starts heating up only to roll his ankle for real.

2/6 vs Atlanta: Joe Johnson puts the team on his back despite being up 10 at the half. Hawks lose by 12.

2/9 at Charlotte: Gerald Wallace flies into something at a high rate of speed. Luckily, surgeons gave him OnStar last season.

2/17 vs Minnesota: Ricky Rubio plays his first g… just kidding.

2/19 vs Denver: Things get awkward when Mike James finds a tattoo of himself hidden in Birdman’s elaborate sleeve.

2/20 at Toronto: Brian Colangelo makes the inevitable move that transitions him from “Genius” to “Not as smart as he thinks he is” just like Joe Dumars before him.

2/22 vs Chicago: Antawn Jamison defeats the great Noah with his ingenious use of a mirror. Jamison is officially knighted after the game.

2/24 vs Memphis: Andray Blatche confuses Marc Gasol with Che Guevera. Sadly, “Thats the guy from the t-shirt” is not descriptive enough to satisfy his teammates.

2/26 vs New York: Nate Robinson jumps over Javaris Crittenton. This is a technical foul, as Javaris was sitting on the bench at the time.

2/28 at New Jersey: Looking for a place the eat, the team holds a vote and unanimously decides on “DC.” Also, Rafer Alston does something stupid.

March

3/3 at Milwaukee: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Hakim Warrick, and JaVale McGee perform “Hands Across America” by themselves.

3/5 vs Milwaukee: Brandon Jennings shows up 25 minutes late and plays the game in the Tony Montana white suit jacket. Scott Skiles does not report for work the next day.

3/7: at Boston: Rajon Rondo cannibalizes Javaris Crittenton. Rondo is fined for leaving the bench area.

3/9 vs Houston: Remember when Yao dunked on JaVale McGee last season? Not so jovial now, are we?!

3/12 at Detroit: JaVale McGee, Tayshaun Prince, and Austin Daye collide. Have you ever tried to untangle two slinkys? It’s a lot like that.

3/13 vs Orlando: Rashard Lewis leaves a goatee hair on the hallway water fountain. Andray Blatche is convinced it’s a pube.

3/15 at Utah: We’ve actually got a bit of a headache. No no, it’s not like that. The game was great and we love what you’ve done with the place. We really would love to stay and chat, but we’d better get moving to Denver. Remind me to take you up on your offer next time.

3/16 at Denver: The paternity tests are in. DeShawn Stevenson is informed he is JR Smith’s father.

3/19 at Portland: “Is Brandon Roy the new Gilbert Arenas?” becomes the new “Is Greg Oden the new Sam Bowie?”

3/21 at LA Lakers: Ron Artest’s 20-5-5 performance earns him a spirit animal from Phil Jackson: The Box Jellyfish. Ron Artest demands a trade.

3/23 vs Charlotte: Gerald Henderson gets boo’d at the Verizon Center and all is right in the world.

3/24 at Indiana: Tyler Hansbrough asks Brendan Haywood for NBA advice. Brendan calls Tyler “a gay” and giggles to himself for what seems like an eternity.

3/26 at Charlotte: Michael Jordan stops by to pick up a paycheck. He can’t stay as he is busy searching for the real franchise killer.

3/27 vs Utah: The Wizards are unable to stop Jerry Sloan’s pick-and-roll. Sales of Flip Saunders’ DVD plummet.

3/30 at Houston: The Rockets start Aaron Brooks and four 6’8″ players. Andray Blatche pulls down a season high four rebounds.

3/31 at New Orleans: Flip Saunders wisely gives Arenas a day of rest. It has nothing to do with Chris Paul. NOTHING AT ALL.

April

4/2 vs Chicago: Gilbert keeps asking Kirk Hinrich how he got rid of the lightning bolt scar on his forehead.

4/4 vs New Jersey: The Nets visit the Wizards, but Kiki Vandeweghe has been in Virginia for weeks camping out on Ed Davis’ front lawn.

4/6 vs Golden State: Don Nelson demands Wizards’ assistant coach Sam Cassell stop smiling at him during timeouts. It’s giving him bad vibes.

4/7 at Orlando: Randy Foye rides Space Mountain like five times, ate two HUGE turkey legs, and took a picture with Goofy. This was the best road trip EVER! Oh, the Wizards lost by 17.

4/9 at Boston: Eddie House and DeShawn Stevenson play an entertaining game of H-O-R-S-E during the second quarter. Both are benched for the remainder of the game.

4/10 vs Atlanta: Local Comcast Sportsnet cameras catch a glimpse of Josh Smith smiling. Smith claims he was about to sneeze.

4/12 at New York: All the Wizards go and see Wicked. Well, everyone except Brendan Haywood. He’s a man of misguided principle.

4/14 at Indiana: Danny Granger concludes his fifth season by committing seppuku at halfcourt. The Wizards’ locker room is more joyful as they win their 60th game of the season.

When not contributing to Truth About It, Sujoy Paul can be found falsely prophesizing on twitter @docfunk

Other reads from Truth About It:

• January 30, 2012 -- From the Other Side: Conversation with Denver Nuggets Guard Ty Lawson, aka ‘Chico’
• January 26, 2012 -- Tyrus Thomas: Helps Wizards Fans Boo Andray Blatche, His Coach Thinks He’s Herman Cain
• January 25, 2012 -- Press Conference Coverage of New Wizards Coach Randy Wittman

Mentioning Nick Anderson sounds very “woe is us” from Orlando. Thing is, true fans aren’t making the association, rather some professional MSMers.  These hacks need to be called out:

1) D-bag from the AP [via Sports Illustrated]:

A shot that couldn’t have been much easier.

Uh … no, a-hole. If you’ve played basketball before, you know how difficult Lee’s shot was — to time his jump, catch the pass, be concerned about an oncoming Pau Gasol, while slowing down uncontrollable momentum to lay the ball softly off the glass … exactly.

Yes, Lee is an NBA player … and maybe he makes that shot eight times out of 10. But please, whomever you are AP story writing guy/gal, don’t make a fool out of yourself, showing what I assume to be uneducated and inexperienced athletic ability, by equating that shot with something ‘easy’.

2) Joe Henderson of the Tampa Tribune:

Until that moment, the Magic had done what they needed to against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Uh … sorry Joe. The Magic played o-kay, but they certainly didn’t “do what they needed” in game two. They didn’t need their stars, Dwight Howard and Turkoglu, to combine for 12 turnovers. Super Jesus Howard certainly didn’t need to be complaining to the refs so much while not busting his butt to get back on D.

Henderson and others such as Stuart Scott also ran with the Nick Anderson comparisons in a sensationalistic act of ‘hey look! I can cite another tragic piece of history and how they are similar because it’s the same franchise’ — good for you guys, way to work.

Missing four free-throws, while pressure packed, cannot be compared to Lee’s miss. As Rob Mahoney aptly highlighted on Hardwood Paroxysm, the play called by Stan Van Gundy was a high-risk, high-reward gamble … a ballsy move not equivalent to getting tight at the line.

There is no “Curse of Nick Anderson” … curses don’t bring a franchise #1 picks in the form of Dwight Howard. Even if Orlando loses this series, with a guy like Howard, they are set for years to come … perhaps one day making people give Nick Anderson the Mike Jones treatment, who?

The Block.

Clock running down. Tie Game. Ball in Kobe Bryant’s hands.

And the Black Mamba gets blocked by the Michael Jordan of Turkey … the great NBA Finals block that almost was.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• February 1, 2012 -- Gilbert Arenas To The Lakers? What Nick Young Thinks
• January 5, 2012 -- DC Council Game 6: Wizards 85 at Magic 103: Making Progress Harder To Find
• January 4, 2012 -- 3-on-3: JaVale vs. Dwight and Ernie vs. Otis

I couldn’t help myself as I watched the calm/cool/collective, yet, tough and banging exploits of Blake Griffin this past Sunday against UNC.

The Wizards want him on that line, they need him on that line.

All the fodder amongst “us” Wizards fans is that we are due for some good luck in the draft.

So naturally, I wrote a killjoy piece on NBC Washington called, Don’t Bet on Wizards Lottery Luck.

Go me.

Essentially, as my data outlines below, the Wizards have been in the NBA Draft Lottery (well, not in the playoffs….so, with a position spoken for in the lottery, 15 times….soon to be 16).

In seven of those 15 times, their spot has been “jumped” by another team. In seven times, their spot has stayed in the same position as their record. And only once, have the Wiz been oh-so-lucky to jump two teams and nab Kwame “Hoe Cake” Brown.

Might pointing out these demoralizing facts, perhaps quelling the hopes of fans, actually lead to positive karma when the draft order is decided during halftime of an NBA playoff game in May?

Or am I really screwing the Wizards over?

I’m no believer in predestination, but in this instance, I’m resigned to the fact that what will be, will be.

That being said, does anyone know a good Witch Doctor?

Or should I be bumping A S.W.A.T. Healin’ Ritual on that fateful day in May?

*Note: Here’s to hoping my data is valid. I got it from the internets, and everything is always right in the World Wide Webby.…and least that’s what the internet told me.

Note #2: Those viewing the blog post in a reader might have to actually click through to see the stats I’m talking about.

Random Posts

• July 21, 2009 -- JaVale McGee is a mutant, and he will cut you
• March 6, 2011 -- Wizards Distress Signal Answered By A New Cast Of Heroes
• August 26, 2010 -- The NBA Equivalent of Losing Alana Beard

Hey you!….jerk Wizards fan (pointing to myself in mirror)….What, you have nothing to look forward to? (aside from the season ending)

Oh…I forgot, you’re all jazzed about Gilbert Arenas playing on Saturday. Keep it in your pants hot shot, that’s a ‘believe it when you see it’ situation.

I’m not talking three days from now, I’m talking TONIGHT!

Wait…..that’s right, you’re all BLAH, BLAH, BLAH…. “I want Dominic McGuire to score!!!”

Whatever.

Get off dude’s back.

I really appreciate Rufus on Fire checking into my/our Wizards, and then creating a furor extending from main stream bloggers to main stream media.

….but the Taser doesn’t need all of that….the pressure. He’s got more to worry about….like rebounds, defense, etc., etc….than trying to put the ball in the hoop.

(that being said, I’m really going to be pulling for you to score D-Mac)

Why is tonight’s game so effing huge? Well, this is the first of only two more chances for the Wiz to avoid an epic FAIL…which would be to lose every game against the other teams in their own division, the Southeast (never happened before).

The final chance (if it doesn’t happen tonight) will come against the Miami Heat on April 4th.

Get this shit done boys….the fate of something or another depends on it.

In the meantime, head over to the Bullets Forever game thread to discuss.

“Nice work kid, but I’m not going to be your coach next year.” -Ed Tapscott

Random Posts

• April 28, 2010 -- Cardboard Bullets: Juwan Howard, the original $100 million man
• March 28, 2008 -- Washington Wizards React Quotes from the Pacific Northwest
• December 17, 2010 -- Pre-Game Faces: Wizards vs. Lakers

• College Wolf from TWolvesBlog.com
• J.D. Mo from The Bob Boozer Jinx
• Fish from DallasBasketball.com
• Matt from Hardwood Paroxysm
• Jared from Both Teams Played Hard
• Dave from The Dream Shake
• Daniel from LA Ball Talk
• Don from With Malice
• James from Dino Nation Blog
• Mookie from A Stern Warning
• Jonny from The Lakers Nation
• John from Red’s Army
• RockKing from Waiting For Next Year
• Wyn from Canis Hoopus
• Ben from Blazer’s Edge
• Royce from The Thunder World
• Kyle (Me) from Truth About It

Previous Rounds:

• Round 1: Hoops Addict
• Round 2: Upside & Motor
• Round 3: The Dream Shake
• Round 4: Raptors HQ
• Home Base: Brew Hoop

Without further ado, here goes……

Quick Bullets

• 13 different players received votes for Rookie of the Year.
• OJ Mayo and Derrick Rose were the only two rookies that everyone had in their top 5.

Others receiving votes: Brook Lopez (10), Rudy Fernandez (9), Marc Gasol (8), Greg Oden (6), Eric Gordon (6), Kevin Love (4), Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (3), Roy Hibbert (1)

#5 Michael Beasley (12 points)

Developing chemistry with Wade, knocking down shots from everywhere. Needs to learn not to be such a black hole, though. -Matt from Hardwood Paroxysm

#4 DJ Augustin (14 points)

Quickness and good shooting makes Augustin a game-changer in Charlotte. The kid’s a tough assignment, and the ‘Cats look more competitive than they ever have. -J.D. Mo from The Bob Boozer Jinx

#3 Russell Westbrook (30 points)

Could wind up being more important than Durant. Yeah, I said it. -Matt from Hardwood Paroxysm

Like a bat outta hell, Westbrook decided smartly to hit the rookie wall early and then jump straight over it into December and January. Look out. -Mookie from A Stern Warning

#2 Derrick Rose (70 points)

Thrown into the fire when Hinrich went down, he’s kept the Bulls in striking distance of the playoffs. Hinrich’s back to take some of the pressure off and this may mean that the ROY goes to Mayo in the end. But up until this point in the season, no rookie has accomplished more than Rose. -J.D. Mo from The Bob Boozer Jinx

This vote is more subjective, but just watching Rose’s game, I always come away thoroughly impressed and feel like he has the most advanced game of any of the rookies. He’s 2nd among rookies in scoring, 1st in assists, and boasts a solid .467 FG%. -RockKing from Waiting For Next Year

#1 OJ Mayo (79 points)

Efficient, deadly, still learning his teammates. He’s probably going to jump to the other list in a few years. -Matt from Hardwood Paroxysm

Kevin McHale GM mistake # 145,852 -Dave from The Dream Shake

Amazing abilities on the court. He has huge upside potential and it will be interesting to see how far this kid goes. As long as he stays away from dirty agents! -Daniel from LA Ball Talk

Quick Bullets n style="font-size:130%;">

• 24 different players received votes for MVP, in addition to a Quad Tendon (Carlos Boozer’s), a 5-headed monster of Garnett-Pierce-Allen-Rondo-Perkins, and a Jeff Foster (whatever that is).
• 5 players were in top 10 of all participating voters (LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard)

Others receiving votes: Kevin Garnett (14), Devin Harris (9), Shaq O’Neal (8), Paul Pierce (8), Amare Stoudamire (5), Ray Allen (4), Manu Ginobili (3), Vince Carter (3), Chris Bosh (2), Pau Gasol (2), Josh Smith (2), KG/PP/Ray/Rondo/Perkins (2), Yao Ming (2), Kevin Durant (1), Carlos Boozer’s Quad Tendon (1), Jeff Foster (1)

#10 (tie) Danny Granger (18 points)

No, I do not feel bad about this pick. The man is the Jason Bourne of the NBA. He’s killing everyone, and no one knows he exists. -Matt from Hardwood Paroxysm

#10 (tie) Dirk Nowitzki (18 points)

Possessing one of the purest shots in the game, could actually move higher if he wasn’t deserving of the name ‘Irk’. -Don from With Malice

#9 Joe Johnson (19 points)

#2 is #1 in Hotlanta. Josh Smith may bring the highlights, but JJ brings IT every night. -Mookie from A Stern Warning

#8 Brandon Roy (39 points)

Missed time out injured, but make no mistake: Brandon Roy is the reason the Blazers are as good as they are. -Don from With Malice

Don’t go forgetting about this quiet performer. B-Roy’s numbers line up across the board with the best guards in the game and he has led the Blazers well beyond where they should be. -Mookie from A Stern Warning

#7 Chauncey Billups (45 points)

Hard to believe a changing of the guards could make so much difference, but it’s hard to argue with the results. George Karl will find a way to screw things up in Denver. -J.D. Mo from The Bob Boozer Jinx

A natural born leader. The swagger he has brought to the Mile High City speaks for itself. More than the answer, he’s the solution. -Mookie from A Stern Warning

#6 Tim Duncan (60 points)

I opened him up and saw that his Energizer Battery isn’t set to expire until the year 2015. -College Wolf from TWolvesBlog.com

Never underestimate the heart of a champion. I just noted this stat and I don’t know how well documented it is: since 2002-03, in the years the Spurs have won the title, Timmy D has shot 51.9% from the field. In the years they haven’t won, he’s averaged 49.4%. This year he’s shooting 51.5%. With the number of shots he takes, that means a lot. I’m just saying… -Mookie from A Stern Warning

#5 Dwight Howard (106 points)

“Oh, no, Andrew Bynum is the best young center!” “Nuh-uh! Greg Oden is the best young center!” BOOM! “HOWARD SMASH!!!” -Matt from Hardwood Paroxysm

This guy is a beast. Does he make his teammates better? Look at my man Hedo! -Daniel from LA Ball Talk

I’m trying to figure out how he plans on topping last year’s dunks. -Jonny from The Lakers Nation

#4 Dwyane Wade (116 points)

He’s still Ernie Banks. Though the old Cub only wanted to “play two,” while D-Wade wants to “fall down seven times.” -Fish from DallasBasketball.com

His defense has really skyrocketed. He’s taken to the weakside block on the lowpost scorer, and has gotten more aggressive in the half-court trap with his newfound strength and burst of speed. Yeah, some of it is stat padding, but it’s also effective as hell. -Matt from Hardwood Paroxysm

#3 Chris Paul (127 points)

He’s gotten lost because his team isn’t in the 30 win club, but having an outstanding individual season. -Jonny from The Lakers Nation

It seems like every year now you can say “If not for LeBron James, CP3 would be having an all time great season”. 20 points, 11 assists, and 3 steals per game? Not too shabby. -RockKing from Waiting For Next Year

#2 Kobe Bryant (131 points)

Doesn’t it seem like he’s shooting a little less but making a little more? The Drama Queen’s game may be at its finest-ever point. -Fish from DallasBasketball.com

The fact that Kobe has stayed out of headlines proves he has matured. He’s focused and the rest of the league should be scared. -Dave from The Dream Shake

I admit it, I used to be a hater. Now I have nothing but respect — he’s learned to defer to his supporting cast where necessary and is playing more efficiently across the board. -Mookie from A Stern Warning

#1 LeBron James (170 points)

If only because he correctly referred to the “crab dribble” as a “trademark” and not a patent or a copyright. It’s still traveling though. -Dave from The Dream Shake

Crab Dribble or Not He is the King of the Castle -James from Dino Nation Blog

It’s been a while since it has been this clear cut… whatever way you want to cut it. Statistically, team record, flat-out dominance or just raw power — LBJ has got it all. He would have to slow down significantly to lose this award. -Mooki
e from A Stern Warning

I’m sending Eddy Curry after anyone that doesn’t vote for LBJ as MVP. -Ben from Blazer’s Edge

NOW: Pretty, Pretty Charts (ok, not that pretty)

[only includes those who finished in the top 10 (11) for round 5]

Voting Distribution, Places 1-4

Duh.

Random Posts

• November 16, 2007 -- the LIST: Top 10 Nas Tracks, All-Time
• January 22, 2010 -- The Season of Mike James’ Discontent
• January 6, 2012 -- Gilbert Arenas Is 30 Years Old

My rankings are as follows:

MVP Rankings (previously ranked week 1, week 2)

#1 Lebron James (2, 1) – Ugh….I gotta include a pic of LeBaby James on this blog again….oh well, game gotta recognize game.

#2 Dwyane Wade (1, 7) – Sure the Heat are only hovering a couple games above .500, but that’s quite an accomplishment considering that each Miami’s top 10 5-man units includes either a rookie, Mario Chalmers, or some cat named Chris Quinn at the point.

#3 Chris Paul (3, 5) – CP3 leads the NBA by far with a Net Points of +43.1 while on the court.

#4 Kevin Garnett (9, 3) – The guy talks trash, barks like a dog on all fours, makes big babies cry……all while keeping the team together as they break records for the best start in Celtics franchise history.

#5 Kobe Bryant (6, 2) – Kobe is Kobe…and the Lakers are still best in the West. He’s not putting up the best numbers of his career…..doesn’t need to. Then again, without the Kobester, the Lakers are a .500 team at best.

#6 Dwight Howard (8, 4) – Howard leads the league in rebounds per game, blocks per game, total rebound % and allows guys like Rashard Lewis to lead the league in three-point makes and attempts.

#7 Chauncey Billups (NR, 6) – Hmm….what do you know, a Denver lineup featuring Billups is ranked 1st among 5-man units in Net Points Per 48 Minutes.

#8 Joe Johnson (4, NR) – Johnson is 5th in the NBA in 4th quarter points per game; the Hawks are 3rd in the NBA in Net 4th quarter points…..you do the math.

#9 Tim Duncan (NR, NR) - The Spurs are 15-8, atop the Southwest Division, as Duncan leads a team featuring the likes of Matt Bonner, Michael Finley, and Roger Mason Jr….oh yea, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have missed a combined 21 games.

#10 Paul Pierce (5, 9) - Paul Peazy has just as much of a hand in Boston’s wins as KG…..except not as much.

ROY Rankings (previously ranked week 1, week 2)

#1 Derrick Rose (1, 1)

#2 OJ Mayo (3, 2)

#5 George Hill (NR, NR)

Ok, now head over to the Dream Shake to check out the full Quarter Season Blogger MVP and ROY Rankings.

baby photo from flickr/pigstyave

Random Posts

• December 5, 2008 -- 2007-08: Brendan Haywood Breakout or End To A 3-Year Slump?
• January 22, 2012 -- Doc Rivers on the Wizards, Limiting JaVale McGee & The Booing of Andray Blatche
• February 2, 2012 -- DC Council Game 22: Wizards 103 at Magic 109: Orlando Too Big To Fail, For Now

Crittenton is the big “get”…some are saying “steal”…for the Wizards. But until I’m able to do a more exhaustive write-up on the former Yellow Jacket/Laker/Grizzly/high school teammate of Dwight Howard, I wanted to remind everyone that Javaris Crittenton has once walked in the shoes of Gilbert Arenas, literally.

From a June 2008 story in the Washington Times, “Arenas’ shoes are on other feet” –

“While Georgia Tech guard Javaris Crittenton may one day fill Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas’ shoes, he certainly didn’t think that day would be yesterday.

During pre-draft workouts for the Wizards at Verizon Center, Crittenton’s foot burst through his sneaker. Fortunately for the guard, Arenas happened to be on hand with an extra pair.“

Direct quote from washingtonwizardsblog.com:

“Gilbert gave me his shoes, because I busted mine. I didn’t realize it at first because I was playing so hard, but it didn’t feel right. Then I looked at it and there was a big hole in it. Luckily, Gilbert wears the same size. His shoes were comfortable, but those are big shoes to fill. I hope he lets me keep them; I think he will.“

[photo source: flickr/brookenovak]

Random Posts

• February 20, 2010 -- A Team Worth Watching, Wizards Mine A Win Over Nuggets 107-97
• March 24, 2011 -- ShareBullets: John Wall Jumpers and Andray Blatche Bum Shoulder Dougies
• April 9, 2009 -- Wizards vs. Cavs: The Final Showdown in Screen Shots

It is what it is. Thankfully, someone who is a real Lakers fan, Kurt from the Forum Blue & Gold, has been kind enough to take time to answer some questions I had about his team. Read on…..

[UPDATE: Head to Forum Blue & Gold to check my return answers about the Wizards]

1) In the olden days, when it came to Phil Jackson, I was like “meh…..he’s a convenient opportunist and I’m not buying his Zen B.S.,” but more and more, I’m beginning to like Phil because of his snarky sarcasm that screams, “Will you baby NBA millionaires just grow up and be men?” Plus, the realistic side of me knows that he’s always been a damn good coach.

That being said, what’s to make of the latest with Andrew Bynum? To me, what amounts to about a half an NBA season (last year and this year) does not make a boy a man. So, is he really a kid who doesn’t know better, or should he be in at the end of games for boards? And why do the Lakers do so much communicating in the press anyway?

Bynum is a 21-year-old kid who will quickly learned that while the players may have the leverage over the coach on a lot of NBA teams, that is not the case here. He’s a kid trying to fight for minutes on a deep roster with lots of veterans, but he needs to pick his battles. Saying you should have played more when you were part of a unit that shot 1 of 11 and turned the ball over 4 times to start a quarter (as happened in Indiana) is a hard fight to win.

That said, the Lakers are a better rebounding team when Bynum is on the floor (they grab 53% of the available rebounds when he’s playing, 51.6% when he sits, and that is a bigger gap than you think). And it’s good that he wants to prove he’s worth the healthy contract he signed at the start of the season.

To your second question, Phil Jackson has long chided players through the media. It’s part of his MO. Vets like Odom and Kobe get the message and move on without taking it personally. Radmanovic and others, not always so much.

But the other part of that equation is the Lakers have one of the largest media entourages in the league, all fighting for stories. Look at it this way, the LA Times is slashing its workforce left and right, but for this season it hired a second Lakers beat reporter to travel with the team. Plus they have two brothers who write a full-time Lakers blog online, and they go to practices and what have you. That’s three to four guys at every game and practice from just one paper. The point is, those guys need drama and right now this team isn’t giving them much. They are winning handily on the court, getting along off it and not shooting themselves in the leg in a nightclub. So, even the slightest little thing gets blown up bigger than it really is. Welcome to LA, baby!

2) This is the last year of Lamar Odom’s contract. Things are obviously going well for the Lake Show, despite Odom complaining about coming off the bench earlier this season. He seems to have wised up (duh, contract year) and shut his mouth. So, do you still try and trade him? Do you want the guy on the Lakers in the future?

No way the Lakers are going to trade him, unless somebody comes to the Lakers with another “Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol” like deal. Odom’s minutes and numbers are down slightly, but he is playing some of his best basketball now. He thrives with the running second unit, his scoring is just down because this is a deep Lakers team with a lot of guys who can score (and Odom likes to pass). Same with the minutes, everybody is playing less. Bottom line, you don’t make trades and mess with the chemistry of a 15-2 team.

As for next season, who knows? I think the Lakers would like to bring him back, but at no more than about $10 million a year, maybe less. They just paid out a lot to Bynum, Kobe will likely redo his max deal, plus Ariza and Farmar need to be resigned. If someone comes and offers Odom $2 million or more a year than the Lakers plus the chance to start, it’s hard to blame him for leaving. But the Lakers may be able to fill his space with a vet willing to play for less to get a ring. Ideally, though, that vet is Odom.

3) Who on the team deserves more minutes?

Trevor Ariza. He has really blossomed this year, developing a decent jumper and really thriving in the up-tempo, open court game. He has the second-best +/- numbers on the team (behind Odom) and the fourth-best PER. There are calls for him to move into the starting lineup, although right now he is playing three more minutes a game than the guy he subs in for (Radmanovic).

You’ll see tonight, he’ll dog someone hard on defense then make great hustle plays all over the court. Signing him to a deal this summer (he’s an unrestricted free agent) is becoming a higher and higher priority for the Lakers.

4) The Lakers seem to be set as contenders for the next couple-three years……but would you still say it’s championship or bust this season?

In my head, I know that anything could happen, the margin between the Lakers/Celtics and a few other top teams is razor thin. One key injury changes everything, and it is possible the Lakers could go to the Finals, play well and still lose. Intellectually, I understand all that and know this team is a contender for the next four years so that one year is not the end all/be all.

But in my heart, I want it this year and anything else will be crushing. And, if we can get that title by ripping it away from the Celtics, I can die a happy man.

5) What is the Lakers biggest weakness?

Right now, nightly focus. They are getting into a “flip the switch” mode that has killed many a good team in the playoffs. But you’d like to think Phil Jackson can shake that mindset.

On the court, there are a fe
w things you need to do to beat the Lakers. One, LA is going to score a lot, offense comes easy to this group, but you have to find a way to make them less efficent.

Second, bigs (fours and fives) who can hit from 15-feet out or farther presents the Lakers aggressive, trapping defense with a challenge. Look at the two Lakers losses this year, key players were Rasheed Wallace and Troy Murphy, fours who could step out and then crash the boards hard coming in from the perimeter. That, by the way, is one thing the Wizards have tonight in Jamison.

The other thing that can get them is quick, penetrating point guards. Fisher is a good veteran defender, but he can’t keep up with the speedsters anymore.

Many thanks again to Kurt of Forum Blue & Gold. Be sure and read one FBG’s recent posts, The Vaunted Lakers Defense, and check back in the future for thoughts on tonight’s game from the perspective of “the enemy.”

Random Posts

• October 15, 2008 -- Best of the World Wide Wizards Web
• September 20, 2010 -- Nick Young: It’s All About Smiles and Cries – 2010-11 Wizards Player Preview
• August 5, 2010 -- Musically Inclined McGee

My rankings are as follows:

MVP Rankings (previously ranked)

#1 Lebron James (2) – I previously had D-Wade ranked #1, but I must give LeBron his due. The Cavs are winning games by a double-digit average and LeBron is making his teammates better. Cleveland is shooting over 48% from the field, holding opponents to just above 42%, and have the 2nd best rebounding % in the league.

#2 Kobe Bryant (6) – The Lakers are the better team, Kobe plays the bridesmaid in the MVP race because he has the better supporting cast.

#3 Kevin Garnett (9) – Sustained Leadership.

#4 Dwight Howard (8) – Without Howard, the Magic are essentially the Wizards.

#5 Chris Paul (2) – He’ll have the Hornets in serious contention before the season is over.

#6 Chauncey Billups (NR) – Dark horse candidate is coming on strong and showing that he wasn’t a product of the Detroit system, rather his veteran swag is adaptable and makes others better.

#7 Dwyane Wade (1) – I hate to drop D-Wade this far after I had him ranked first in the initial poll….perhaps this week will factor in team record more than others. Oh, and I’d watched him kill the Wizards just prior to the previous rankings.

#8 Amare Stoudamire (7) – Because he’s really good and the Suns are relevant.

#9 Paul Pierce (5) - Respect.

#10 Chris Bosh (NR) - See Above.

ROY Rankings (previously ranked)

#1 Derrick Rose (1) – Plays the hardest position to learn and the Bulls aren’t terrible.

#2 OJ Mayo (3)

Ok, now head over to Upside and Motor and check the full poll, Blogger MVP/ROY Rankings Round 2: Singalong Edition.

[photo source: flickr/Keith Allison]

Random Posts

• January 12, 2008 -- Live Game 34 Blog – Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks
• November 8, 2007 -- A Little Linkage
• March 6, 2011 -- Wizards Distress Signal Answered By A New Cast Of Heroes

In any case, the first “little victory” campaign is to get Nick Young into the 2009 All-Star Slam Dunk Contest. And what better way to represent than a t-shirt?

Below you will find a lovely blue “Monumental Air” t-shirt….the very style I ordered before heading out of town for the holidays and received in the mail upon my return.

The design was crafted by Jake The Snake and is sponsored by the good folks at Bullets Forever. Shirts come in blue or white, with a large or wide logo, and the text on the back of each is:

With today being Cyber-shopping Monday….or whatever, it’s time for you to get on your horse and purchase one for yourself, the kids, grandma, your dog, your neighbor, and so on……

Click here to head to the store……
Monumental Air 2009, Put Nick Young in the NBA Dunk Contest.

Random Posts

• July 2, 2008 -- I wouldn't root for [blank] if they were playing the Axis of Evil
• October 13, 2008 -- What Losing Brendan Haywood Means For The Washington Wizards
• January 26, 2011 -- Lesson Learned: Don’t Call Al Harrington ‘Othella’

My rankings are as follows:

MVP

1. Dwyane Wade is playing out of this world. Not only is he filling up the stat sheet, even to the tune of 1.6 blocks per game, but he’s creating for his teammates like he’s never done before. Just look at the Miami Heat roster and tell me that they’d have one win without D-Wade. At this point in the season, you can’t say that about any of the other candidates.

2. LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets
4. Joe Johnson – Atlanta Hawks
5. Paul Pierce – Boston Celtics
6. Kobe Bryant – LA Lakers
7. Amare Stoudamire – Phoenix Suns
8. Dwight Howard – Orlando Magic
9. Kevin Garnett – Boston Celtics
10. Rasheed Wallace – Detroit Pistons

Rookie of the Year

1. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls
2. Michael Beasley – Miami Heat
3. OJ Mayo – Memphis Grizzlies
4. JaVale McGee – Washington Wizards
5. Luc Mbah a Moute – Milwaukee Bucks

Ok, now head over to Hoops Addict and check the full poll, Blogger MVP and ROY Rankings – Version 1.0.

[photo source: flickr/diebmx]

Random Posts

• February 14, 2008 -- Live Game 52 Blog: Washington Wizards @ LA Clippers
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• January 24, 2012 -- DC Council Game 17: Wizards 83 at Sixers 103: Flip’s Last Game

Oh….these two must be a couple candy salesmen….and I don’t know if they’re selling it or getting high off their own supply, but the garb of Gilbert Arenas and Antonio Daniels is sweet like bear meat.

Daniels with his pink on the inside, iridescent blue on the outside combo; and Arenas with the Burberry-Ascot get-up.

Well, at least somebody went to Miami prepared, because the Wizards sure weren’t ready to play against the Heat as they lost ugly by 20 points. Too bad their game wasn’t as pretty as those suits. Enjoy South Beach fellas.

Random Posts

• November 7, 2007 -- Truthful 07-08 NBA Predictions
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For the longest time the Miami Heat had the number of the Washington Wizards. Remember the Wizards when Gilbert Arenas was playing and the team was winning? Yea, those Wizards. Well, when it comes to last year….sorry suckers. SWEEP!

Game time soon….quick history from 07-08:

Game 22: Washington Wizards @ Miami Heat – Dec. 13, 2007
Missed the game, but the game blog was covered by AJ. Wiz came out in the first aggressive on D and running….got them to a 12-point lead after one. As the game would continue, the Wiz held control for the most part with Miami making a run every now and then. Caron Butler started out slow, but caught fire in the 3rd quarter. Ultimately, the final score made the game seem closer than it was; the Wizards had some chances to blow the Heat out of the water. This was also one of those “DeShawn Stevenson playing out his ass” games as he went 6-12 from three point range. Wizards 104 – Heat 91

Game 29: Washington Wizards vs. Miami Heat – Dec. 29, 2007
Missed this game too….wedding…thank god I have a DVR for this season (I know, I’m a laggard). All you really need to know about this one is that Ricky Davis led the Heat in scoring with 22 points and Luke Jackson was second with 14 — and Dwyane Wade did play (ouch for them). The Wizards also got 42 points from their bench. Wizards 96 – Heat 74

Game 68: Washington Wizards @ Miami Heat – March 21, 2008
What do you know….I missed this game too…my Bulldogs in the NCAA Tournament took precedent. Didn’t miss much….let’s see, the Heat at one point had five former NBDL players on the court (not NBDL vets from a previous season….from that season). Nick Young didn’t play because of a bruised thigh, and Caron Butler led the Wizards with 25 point, perhaps taking out anger at the fact that UConn got upset by San Diego in the tournament. Wizards 103 – Heat 86

Game 76: Washington Wizards vs. Miami Heat – April 4, 2008
After not even seeing any of the other Heat games, I actually attended this one with my pops. Gilbert Arenas played with his ‘shiny suit man’ shoes. Stevenson hit four 3s in the 1st. We found out from Caron Butler on the big screen that Andray Blatche has terrible manners because he chews with his mouth open. And yes, Ricky Davis once again led Miami in points….Chris Quinn was 2nd. As they would say in Murrr-lin (Maryland), that’s turrr-eh-ble. Wizards 109 – Miami 95

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Had on the Washington Wizards-Orlando Magic game as I was getting ready to go out on Saturday night. Thanks to my laggard adoption of DVR technology, I figured I could just watch it again later and hack out a game blog.

But as the walloping swelled, it became more and more evident that I’d never be watching the game again. And a game blog? You’ve got to be kidding, right?

I’m certainly distraught about the beginnings of this 09-09 season, but surprisingly, any anger I should have is subdued as if my drinks were being drugged.

Not many teams have a Dwight Howard to expose ineptness in the paint, but preseason optimistic expectations of a deep Wizards front-court is seeped in irony. Tell me, what low post “banger” (on offense and defense, but the former applies more) do the Wizards have? I’ll tell you who other teams have: Detroit has ‘Sheed and Maxiell, the Bucks have Bogut, Big Z, Benny Wallace, and the Brazilian Spaz are in LeBron’s court, Boston has a Big Ticket, a Big Baby, and a Perkins, the Sixers have Reggie Evans and Brand (and not to forget Sam Dalembert), Bosh & J.O. are in Toronto….even the Knicks have Z-Bo. And that’s just the East….I could go on.

What do the Wizards have? The closest to a banger, Darius Songaila, is undersized, slow, and Euro. Andray Blatche is soft like goo with his finger rolls and aspirations to be Point ‘Dray. Antawn Jamison skirts with his gimmicky flip shots, work that is not muscled down low.Oleksiy Pecherov tries to rebound, but gets buckets, not dirty…..son. And all the stump speeches in the world could not aid Etan Thomas’ offensive campaigns.

JaVale McGee…..another story. Once again, Ernie Grunfeld proves that he gets paid for a reason and blogosphere pundits do not. Sure McGee ‘The Choppa’ is skinny, but those helicopter arms add an intriguing above-the-rim dimension to the Wizards’ offense. He brings something to the table that any team would want, no matter how fast they want to play…..but boy can that kid run the floor. JaVale McGee already has people calling him the steal of the draft after only watching him for one game.

I understand this Wizards team is built for reasons: speed and the smarts to run the Princeton. But even with a healthy Brendan Haywood and his mechanical offensive moves, the Wizards do not have a big man who can knock around some bodies down low. That’s why when Eddie Jordan needs a crunch time bucket, the offense becomes anemic. Sure the Princeton involves moving and cutting, but that doesn’t mean the Wiz can’t use an attention attracting passer from the post. There is also a reason the Wizards must sink down low and neglect defending the three point line…….and it’s not just one game dealing with the beastliness of Dwight Howard. With the Washington Wizards, size does matter, and I’m afraid it will be a continuing trend all season.

And now, Wizards-Magic coverage highlights from the World Wide Web.

• The night began discouragingly enough on Saturday when point guard Antonio Daniels limped into the Amway Arena, dragging his right leg. It took a bad turn near the end of the first half, when Caron Butler was rolling on the floor, with blood spilling from above his left eye. Then, with the Wizards trailing the Orlando Magic by 25 points midway through the third quarter, co-captain Antawn Jamison sat at the far end of the Wizards’ bench, staring blankly at nothing in particular, and didn’t bother getting in the huddle as Coach Eddie Jordan addressed the team during a timeout.
  [Bad Gets Worse For Wizards in Deflating Defeat - The Washington Post]

• Caron struggled early, missing back-to-back threes. The first looked to be a heat check; Washington and Orlando began the game shooting nothing but threes. However, with the score 6-6, Dwight Howard earned his first basket of the night, an easy dunk after pushing Etan Thomas out of position in the paint. For Washington, Howard would be an issue the whole night, and while the Wizards managed small runs, Orlando, between Howard’s inside game and the excellent three point shooters outside, would go on 10-0 runs in response.
  [Washington's co-captains struggle in loss to Orlando - Examiner.com]
• The Wizards allowed their opponents to shoot better than 50 percent from the field for the second straight night. And on offense, the Wizards looked sluggish and disoriented. Washington committed 16 turnovers, which led to 23 Orlando points.
  [Listless Wizards routed by Magic - Washington Times]
• The Orlando Magic executed their game-plan to perfection Saturday night in defeating the Washington Wizards, 106-81, for their fourth straight victory. In the first half, they used the three-point shot to space the floor for Dwight Howard. Keith Bogans, Mickael Pietrus, and Hedo Turkoglu hit two three-pointers apiece in the first half, after which the Magic lead, 58-39.
  [Orlando Magic 106, Washington Wizards 81 - Third Quarter Collapse]
• Well, I think that was about what everyone was expecting. You don’t see a lot of teams that struggle guarding the 3 point line and lack a good interior defender win a lot of games against a team like Orlando who has a slew of outside shooters and the man-beast that is Dwight Howard.
  [Magic 106, Wizards 81 - Bullets Forever]

• “Y’all see JaVale McGee?” [Dwight] Howard asked a group of reporters while chatting informally while finishing getting dressed in front of his locker room. “That dude’s got a SEVEN-SIX wingspan!”
  “Didn’t
  help him much tonight, huh?” a member of the Orlando media replied.
  “Oh, no, he’s nice!“ Howard said. “He’s doing alright, he’s a rook, man. It takes a while in this league for big men. But I think he’s gonna be nice!”
  [Howard on the McGee bandwagon - Wizards Outlet]

• Washington kept up its awful start Saturday by dropping one to the Magic. The Wizards, missing Gilbert Arenas for another month or so and Brendan Haywood for the season, have begun the season 0-5. Eddie Jordan hears the guillotine being prepared. Antawn Jamison has to start wondering if he’ll be shipped out should the prayed-for rebound never come.
  [Which 0-for-'08 Team Will Win First? - Ziller at NBA FanHouse]

Random Posts

• November 9, 2008 -- Caron Butler's "Look" to Andray Blatche (again)
• November 16, 2010 -- From The Other Side: An Interview With Hoops Addict’s Ryan McNeill
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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

• April 24, 2008 -- React Quotes: Wizards-Cavaliers Game 2, 2008 NBA Playoffs
• July 25, 2011 -- Washington Wizards Share Sacramento Kings Memories
• April 25, 2008 -- Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Playoff Game 3 Blog

I meant to get this post up before last night’s loss against the Pistons…..oh well….here’s to remembering last year’s Wizards history against the Pistons.

Wizards vs. Pistons in DC – January 2, 2008
Richard Hamilton had a rare flirtation with a triple-double (20 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds). The Pistons won 106-93…the big statistical difference was that Detroit went 11-22 from long distance.

In other news: The Wizards tried to establish themselves inside early. Andray Blatche committed a flagrant foul on Jarvis Hayes in the 2nd. Overall, Blatche was listless.

Wizards vs. Pistons in DC – March 23, 2008
Antawn Jamison came through with one of his double-doubles (24-12), and the Wiz were scorching hot from the field (.528), while holding Detroit to .430 FG%. The Wizards won 95-83.

In other news: This was the Gilbert Arenas temper-tantrum game. He was preparing to play. The medical staff didn’t clear him. He said “they” were “messing with his mind.” He didn’t have a blazer to sit on the bench. Arenas stormed out the locker room and said, “Ya’ll don’t have to write anymore. I’m not coming back this season,” to the media. He sped home to get a blazer, thought about driving his car into a lake, was saved by Young Jeezy, and Gilbert wrote a blog entry about his “ordeal.”

Wizards @ Detroit – April 11, 2008
The Pistons simply blew out the Wizards 102-74. Detroit shot 50%, had 28 assists to the Wizards 12. Jason Maxiell had a career high 28 points, his next highest scoring amount is 19. Caron Butler went 1-7 from the field.

In other news: Gilbert Arenas was 2-8 in 19 minutes. Detroit had a very strong 3rd quarter, the Wiz were only down 47-42 at the half. The Wizards only shot 27.1% for the game.

For how the history for the 08-09 season has begun to be written, you can check what Game 2 Wizards vs. Pistons Game Blog.

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Viggy still makes some great observations on the NBA and needs an outlet (aside from email) to express those thoughts. So here we are….maybe this will be a one-time thing, maybe it will be semi-regular, but in any case, I present Viggy On The NBA (my only contribution is the Pharcyde reference in the post title….as if you didn’t already know).

The Thunder are going to be terrible, very terrible….they looked awful against the Bucks at home. Jeff Green doesn’t seem to be as good as he should be, and Kevin Durant still doesn’t seem ready to consistently take over.

(This is where I got interrupted for two hours to work on something . . .)

Byron Scott needs to stop f-ing around with the lineup. He sat Chris Paul for seven minutes in the first quarter and tried Mike James to see how he could run the offense. He sucked and Golden State was on fire. They looked like the Warriors of the Baron Davis years. Paul came back and brought the Hornets from down 13 in the second quarter to a tie at half time. I understand what Scott is trying to do, but I’m not sure he needed to do it the first game of the season.

The Rockets can’t score . . . against Memphis? WTF? They seem so loaded, offensively and defensively. Ron Artest was scoring, yet they only had 69 points with two minutes to go in the fourth against the Grizzlies.

Rookies: Michael Beasley looked overwhelmed and OJ Mayo shot (and missed) way too much. Kevin Love performed as expected off the bench as did Russell Westbrook, although he looks a lot more like a 2 than a PG. Guys who will be top rookies are the two foreigners, Sergio Rodriguez and Marc Gasol. Guys picked late who people will regret not taking: The Kansas guys, Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur both looked great last night.

The Knicks looked great through three quarters…..they’ll be better than people expected. The bottom line is they have plenty of talent, and since D’antoni plays guys based on who plays hard instead of who has a big contract, I think they’ll do alright. Isiah always seemed to think he had to justify the guys he got by playing them.

The Heat might be worse then people expected, although I expect Beasley to bounce back. They could really use some help from the bench. Speaking of help from the bench, people have been ragging on Atlanta‘s bench being so crappy, but what about the team they beat last night, the Magic? The only guy I’ve really heard of was JJ Redick and he didn’t help very much. I think their loss of depth is going to hurt them…..Maurice Evans, Keyon Dooling and Carlos Arroyo helped more than people realized.

The Lakers (I’ve been in love with Trevor Ariza since he was in NY, I’m glad he’s finally getting some burn) looked strong and are playing better defense then I expected. The Clippers . . . are going to suck. Baron Davis is all they’ve got and he can’t play every minute of every game. They have a bad mix of guys who want to run and guys who can’t run. Their only hope is that Chris Kaman gets injured, Marcus Camby comes in, and they run people out of the building.

Um what else . . . Philly didn’t look good, and got killed inside by Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh. I thought the inside play was supposed to be Philly’s new strength with Elton Brand. O’Neal looked alright….let’s see about a whole season. Is anyone else tired of watching the Suns and Spurs? Maybe it’s just me, I didn’t watch too much and figured I’d see plenty of both teams on national TV the rest of the season. I also skipped over Denver and the Jazz….with both ‘Melo and Deron Williams out didn’t really see any point to watch that.

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