Portland all-knowingly jumped the passing lanes, the young Wizards usually filling the prophecy as expected. The Trailblazers bumped as they pleased on the boards, hassled like bill collectors on defense, and made the game look very, very easy. They had the confidence.

“They’re just some young guys getting some experience on the floor,” Wizards television play-by-play man Steve Buckhantz would implore during the broadcast of Washington’s 111-76 loss in Portland on Tuesday night. Not in so many words, but in several pixels of prose, as if freshly picked from the algorithm tree and laid gently into his lap by the monster.

It’s like the fate (disclaimer: I don’t believe in fate) of the Washington franchise’s basketball path is trying to outdo itself in the absurdity of highly-stacked odds against. Three-rookie starting lineups featuring John Wall, Jordan Crawford and Trevor Booker, with JaVale McGee and Yi Jianlian serving as de facto rookies posing as starters … along with all veteran players past, present and future unavailable for contribution. (Andray Blatche, Nick Young, Josh Howard, Rashard Lewis, Rex Chapman, Chris Webber, Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Larry Hughes and Mike Miller all sat out due to injury.) If the circumstance is unprecedented, you will hear about it.

Common mistakes and missed defensive assignments are accepted and approved as understandable. Lack of consistent hustle, selfish forays to the hoop and unfocused execution are ills seen too often, doctrine for some. The kids are swimming, but will 35 point losses in front of fervid Blazers fans help them build confidence? For some it will, for others it will not. Here’s to now searching for promise amidst those who won’t cut it in a promised future.

In other news: JaVale McGee had a stylized block, of the year.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• December 5, 2011 -- ShareBullets: John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins Think About The Future
• December 7, 2010 -- Friday Night Pictures: When Portland Came To Washington
• December 4, 2010 -- From The Other Side: Frustration Sets In For The Blazers

So JaVale McGee received a pretty sweet half-court alley-oop from Gilbert Arenas, let’s watch the video:

Now let’s check what I saw from where I was located (in GIF form), which certainly seems better than Sean Marks’ perspective. Then again, he’s making NBA money.

More Pictures from the Phone Booth Floor:

[click on images to enlarge]

Marcus Camby arbitrarily yells into the night.

Maybe he was trying to claim the court as his territory or something. Intuition tells me he does this instead of peeing on the hardwood to mark his ground.

The Art of Rebounding with JaVale McGee.

Kirk Hinrich doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into.

When you sit on the baseline to take photos, you often run into situations like this, when the ref gets in the way of a good shot.

I can’t wait until the day when referees call a game while being suspended in the air, moving about using jet-propelled zip lines.

Screw the ‘Dougie’, Hilton Armstrong has a new dance.

Worth noting that Armstrong dunked that ball before dancing.

International relations of some sort.

I neglected to make mention of the following event in my previous post on the lumps John Wall is taking …

Early in the second quarter, the Blazers turned the ball over and it ended up in Wall’s hands with no one in front of him. He hesitated a bit to size up the basket for a dunk, a monster one that would impress fans, and that moment allowed defensive specialist Nicolas Batum to catch up with John and come ever so close to blocking his shot. A legit foul was called on Batum, and Wall made both free-throws, but no one, NO ONE, should catch John Wall like that. It should have been two easy points and ball the other way.

This is a pretty horrible looking shot by JaVale McGee …

… but of course it went in, you know — if you look closely, Wizards assistant Randy Wittman is giving his ‘OMG’ face in the background … more on Wittman to come.

This was Gilbert Arenas’ reaction after McGee tried a different crazy shot against a double-team.

And of course, Joel Pryzbilla bailed McGee out with a foul. WHY ARE YOU ENCOURAGING HIM JOEL?!?

Gilbert Arenas, playing 2-guard and curling tight off what is believed to be an Andray Blatche screen.

Wall glides past the competition.

Quite a unique shot attempt.

After screaming to the air before the game, Camby gets some special treatment at halftime.

After McGee inexplicably left LaMarcus Aldridge free for a dunk early in the third quarter, Randy Wittman, usually appearing to be the more vocal, passionate, ‘screaming at players’ assistant coach, simply buried his face in his hands for a couple minutes that seemed like an eternity.

Bench expressions from Sam Cassell and Arenas also help tell the story. Even though the Wizards went on an entire 4-0 run over the first four minutes of the third, Aldridge’s dunk put Portland’s lead at 10, 48-38. Things were not looking good for a Wizards team that scored just 38 points in the game’s first 28 minutes. Thus, Wittman proceeded to look like a lost soul on the bench, not knowing the direction of his life. Well, lo and behold, the Wizards went on a 19-8 run to end the third, took a lead heading into the fourth, and won the game. Lucky them.

Pretty sweet basketball watching gathering here.

Referee Courtney Kirkland, the guy who canceled Andray Blatche’s technical foul, banters with Miles Rawls, commissioner of the Goodman League at D.C.’s Barry Farms, during a timeout.

7&7

Laters, from the Wizards Girls.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• April 10, 2011 -- Wizards Fly Free Against Sleeping Hawks
• March 16, 2011 -- Under The Hoop: Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks
• February 11, 2011 -- Under The Hoop: Atlanta Hawks vs Washington Wizards

With just over two minutes left in Friday night’s game, and the Wizards holding onto a 73-69 lead over the Portland Trailblazers, Brandon Roy took a three pointer.

He missed. Nicolas Batum got an offensive rebound and passed to Wesley Matthews in the corner. He missed a three. Joel Pryzybilla then missed a controlled tip from point-blank range. LaMarcus Aldridge tipped the rebound, and missed, and tipped the ball again, and again, and again, just swatting with the hope that something would go in his team’s favor for a change.

The final rebound then brushed past Roy’s hands. Andray Blatche swooped in to try to gather the ball as he teetered on the baseline, but in one move, Roy punched the ball away. As it left Blatche’s grasp, Roy grabbed him around the waist with one arm to prevent recovery. The ball went out of bounds, and having last touched Blatche’s hands, referee Scott Wall blew the whistle, signaling possession in Portland’s favor. Wall’s view of Blatche getting grabbed was blocked.

Andray made a face to the ref, and during the motion of turning the other way, threw a punch into the air, which fits into the category that has earned many NBA players technical fouls this season, as David Stern is trying to crack down on such transgressions.  So Wall immediately whistled Blatche for a technical foul. Uh oh. That would mean Portland could sink a free-throw, cut the Wizards lead to three, and have the ball in their hands.

Immediately, referee Courtney Kirkland ran over to consult with his colleague and subsequently overrule him. Kirkland saw the foul committed by Roy and blew his whistle as well. Since it was Blatche who was fouled, he would be selected to shoot free-throws on the other end, and his technical foul would disappear, negated from being a factor on 7-Day Dray’s pocket book.

It was a big turning point of the game. Instead of Portland getting a chance to get within one point or even tie the Wizards, they found themselves down six with 124 seconds left after Blatche calmly sank his free-throws. The Wizards would go on to win the game by four points, the same margin going into the technical foul that never was.

After the game, I asked Blatche is he was aware of the heat-of-the-moment incident:

In the end, you must give the refs credit for consulting each other and getting the call right while not penalizing someone else for their mistake. It also seems to send the message: if you complain in a technical-worthy manner, and you’re right, then the refs won’t come down hard on you … at least in this instance of the disappearing technical foul.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• December 7, 2010 -- Friday Night Pictures: When Portland Came To Washington
• December 5, 2011 -- ShareBullets: John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins Think About The Future
• March 14, 2011 -- Sunnier Days For A Frozen New Jersey Soul

Prior to last night’s game against the Wizards, Portland Trailblazers guard Wesley Matthews declared it a must-win situation. When coach Nate McMillan got wind of this during his pre-game press conference, he bluntly refuted that premise.

“I think all games are a must win, so what happens if we don’t?”

Three and a half hours after he made that statement, McMillan got his answer when his team lost to the Wizards, 83-79.  They scored 10 points in the third quarter,  23 in the fourth and they shot 33% for the entire game.  The Blazers looked lost on offense, lethargic on defense, and they allowed a struggling Wizards team to overcome a 12-point Portland lead and steal the game.

In the post-game press conference, McMillan’s words and body language reminded me of former Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips. When it became painfully obvious that the Cowboys were no longer responding to his coaching prowess, Phillips would show up to press conferences and say that the he did not know what to do with his team, and he was as baffled as anyone else as to what the solution was.  After awhile, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had no choice to fire him.

Now I’m not at all implying that McMillan should or will be fired, but I am saying that I would not at all be surprised if that very thing were announced on Monday morning.  However, you don’t have to just sit here and take my word(s) for it.  Look for yourself:

Right after McMillan’s postgame press conference, I made my way over to Brandon Roy’s locker room to get the player’s perspective on what had just happened.  The picture he painted with his words was just as bleak:

Finally, before I left the locker room, I had a chance to briefly interview Blazers guard Patrick Mills.  I wanted to ask him about what McMillan said about the team not listening, but I also wanted to get his impressions on his matchup with John Wall.  Luke Russert (son of Tim Russert, and currently on NBC and XM Radio) boldly tweeted about the speed of Mills after he breezed past Wall on a fast break.  I wanted to ask Mills if he agreed with this assessment.

Rashad Mobley:  I know you may not exactly want to discuss this in a losing effort, but what were you impressions of the young rookie John Wall?  There was a tweet by NBC’s Luke Russert that implied you were faster than he was, would you agree with that?

Patrick Mills: Well I wouldn’t say that, he’s pretty quick out there and he’s definitely athletic, that’s his greatest strength.  He wants to get out in the open floor and make big plays and for him to continue to be good, that’s what he’s going to have to do.  And he’s not just fast in terms of foot speed, he’s quick from side to side, and he reminds me of a quicker Derrick Rose if you can believe that.

Mobley: Coach McMillan said that it seems like you and your teammates are not listening to the message he’s trying to get across.  Since you’re a point guard, and it’s you and Andre Miller’s job to run the team, what is your reaction when you hear something like that?

Mills: You gotta really lock down and focus and really focus on the message he’s trying to get to the guards, and as a point guard I have to do a better job of making sure everyone on the floor understands that message.  I have to take that upon myself and be accountable and do an even better job next game.

Mobley: But you all have lost six games in a row now, why haven’t you done that already, and if you have, why don’t you think it has worked?

Mills: You know there are a number of things that are wrong, it’s not just one, and it’s not just me or Andre.  For us as professional basketball players, we have to step up and be accountable for ourselves on the floor and work out the things that are wrong, and we will do that soon hopefully. It’s a young season, we can still definitely fix it.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• December 5, 2011 -- ShareBullets: John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins Think About The Future
• March 23, 2011 -- JaVale McGee Block of The Year: Remixed
• March 14, 2011 -- Sunnier Days For A Frozen New Jersey Soul

It’s somewhat similar to how there are certain seats in a baseball park where you must have a heightened sense of foul balls. But that’s a ball, not a person.

NBA basketball, unlike football and hockey as well, is the only pro sport where players can come in physical contact with fans. Sure, you’re thinking of Ron Artest now, but that’s not what I mean. Players from any sport are capable of going into the stands to fight fans. I mean contact during the course of play. Maybe the Lambeau Leap could classify as a unique fan-player interaction, but if you’re sitting in those seats, you have a crappy view of the field.

NBA courtside seats provide a unique sporting experience that can’t be topped.

Sitting courtside also comes with a cost, in the wallet of course (unless you’re a blogger with a photo credential), but also in the risk of receiving the errant limbs of sweaty occupants from the tall gene pool into unknown areas of your body spilling beer and lord knows what, where. And that’s part of the fun.

Photo of the Night.

[click on images to enlarge]

No, John Wall is not photoshopped into this scene.

Wall successfully saved the ball, but where are the people?

It’s 61 seconds into the third quarter and they haven’t returned to their seats yet. Maybe they were in the VIP Lounge, jazzing it up with cats. Maybe they were in line getting drinks. Maybe they were in the John. Who knows, but people always seem to take a long time getting back to their seats after halftime. Maybe that should have been on Ted Leonsis’ list of things to accomplish: find a more efficient way to shepherd people into their seats for game-play prior to the beginning of each half (while still getting them to spend money on refreshments).

People joke about late arrivals for Heat games in Miami this season, but that problem has long plagued Wizards games. Early in his first season before things got crazy, Flip Saunders remarked that fans weren’t showing up early to games to provide a shot of energy into the arena, saying it was unlike what he experienced in Detroit. Of course, that was probably when Flip still had playoff hopes for Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood, Gilbert Arenas and Mike Miller … and now in Detroit they’re chanting “M-V-P” for Kobe when the Lakers come to town. Man that’s sad.

But you’d think the courtside VIPs would have especially wanted to be there to have Wall come crashing into their lap. Instead, their coats got all the glory of a good story to tell to their other coat friends, and the spilled bear.

These are Dante Cunningham’s legs.

Guy in yellow still proclaims that he is, in fact, No. 1. They guy next to him likely proclaims the man in yellow as his son. Guy to the left of Cunningham’s legs managed to save most of his beer, but with much the sacrificial spillage going on the lap of his wife/date. Good Samaritan to the far left is trying to keep the Trailblazer shoes from connecting with his neighbor’s face. NBA tumbles.

Here’s Andray Blatche practicing his hover move.

Dray’s hover-craft is usually pretty effective, but he’s still working his way back into shape, mind you. Andray did display better effort, etc. than we’re used to seeing against the Portland Trailblazers on Friday night, and Flip Saunders commended him on that in his post-game presser. As Ernie Grunfeld would say, “It’s a process.”

Also, Sean Marks sends his regards.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• December 5, 2011 -- ShareBullets: John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins Think About The Future
• December 7, 2010 -- Friday Night Pictures: When Portland Came To Washington
• February 2, 2012 -- Stickers for Selflessness: Leading the Charge Against Hero-Ball

{Pascal’s Manale, New Orleans — home of some of the best Louisiana oysters I’ve had}

Still on vacation and not due back in D.C. until late Monday, I don’t even think I’ve seen as much as a highlight from the Wizards’ past three games in Denver, Utah and Portland. The losing streak has now entered double-digits and is counting.

Part of me feels bad for not making more of an effort to watch the games. I mean, these are ‘my’ Wizards, the team I spend countless hours of my life keeping up with. I feel a bit lacking for not keeping up with what’s going on with the team, even in inevitable losses.

Then again, I tell myself, ‘Dude, you’re on vacation … it’s okay’. That being said, I’m pretty sure that on Sunday I’ll be searching New Orleans for a television with the Wizards-Lakers game on. I think I saw a commercial for a bar in Harrah’s casino touting the NBA league pass.

Shamefully, if I go there, instead of saying, ‘Hey bartender, do you mind putting the Wizards game on?’, I’ll probably put my head down and mumble something about wanting him (or her) to turn the television to Kobe and the Lakers.

And now, some links …

{National attention for Blatche}

Chris Tomasson of NBA FanHouse has an in-depth piece on Andray Blatche, he writes:

“I look at the situation as being underpaid,” Blatche, 23, said in an interview with FanHouse. “I understand why I got the contract that I got and I make the best of it.”

[...]

“Definitely next year, if I’m going out and I’m doing the same thing and I become an All-Star player, it’s definitely going to bother me a lot because I’m definitely going to feel underpaid and like I’m not being appreciated,” Blatche said. “But there’s nothing I can do about that.”

Looking back, Blatche knows the arrest did nothing to help his negotiating power that summer.

“You learn from your mistakes,” Blatche said. “It was taken more seriously than it should have been. We just got caught talking to the wrong people. That’s what it was all about. We shouldn’t have talked to them anyway. That’s what happens.”

In the past, I’ve called Blatche’s contract, even when he was the ‘old’ Andray, “affordable.” I’m not necessarily ready to make the big jump from that to “underpaid” — basically, ‘Dray needs to put more than a couple of seven-day stretches together. But I do like what I’ve seen from him lately, on the court and off.

Otherwise, I found what Blatche said about his arrest interesting. It was “taken more seriously than it should have been”? Uh, not sure how Dray doing something illegal was taken too serious. You’re an NBA player, why do you need to be chasing prostitutes? C’mon son.

Got caught “talking to the wrong people”? Um … so sure, talking to an under-cover cop posing as a hooker is probably the wrong person to talk to. But does that mean the “right” person to talk to is a straight-up prostitute? C’mon son.

{Visiting the Verizon}

The website/blog Stadium Journey, which is in the process of reviewing sports venues across the land, recently visited the Verizon Center for a Wizards game. This paragraph says it all:

It’s the Wizards. No one cares. For many years the team sold tickets by marketing to fans of the visiting teams. Then they got good for a minute. Then they changed the name. Then they got bad again. Then they got Gilbert Arenas and people got excited. They had a mini rivalry going with Cleveland which ended when Arenas got hurt for two years. Then he came back and brought an arsenal to work one day and got suspended for the rest of the season. Then they gutted the team. Now no one cares again.

Of course, the author also visited the Phone Booth for a Capitals game (review posted on January 3rd). Many of the sections read the same, aside from the obvious atmosphere differences between fans rooting for a winner versus a loser. The ‘FanFare Score’ for the Wizards was a 22, for the Caps it was a 32.

{Grunfeld scouting the Big Dance}

Ernie Grunfeld is making the rounds at the NCAA Tournament. On Friday, Grunfeld was in Milwaukee, where Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State and California-Santa Barbara are playing. Ohio State features Big Ten player of the year and national player of the year Evan Turner. Turner, a junior, is considered a high lottery pick should he enter the draft.

[via Wizards Insider]

Dime Magazine had a contest to come up with a new nickname for Gilbert Arenas. “The Sixth Sense” won. Not buying it. Arenas will not be called that on this site.

Bullets Forever shows just how bad the Wizards’ offense has been.

The Portland Roundball Society misses Gilbert Arenas … yea, join the club.

The WaPost’s Michael Lee has a good report on Fabricio Oberto wearing a heart monitor … sounds like all is good with Fab, just keeping an eye on things … as they should be.

Mark Travis of ‘But The Game Is On’ talks about the youthful Wizards.

{Blazers 76 – Wizards 74}

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

Foye helped the Wizards come back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to take a 74-72 lead with 61 seconds remaining. “He came in and got aggressive,” Coach Flip Saunders said. “He started going north-south with the ball instead of east-west. He made some big shots and got them back on their heals. Put us in a great situation.”

But the Wizards couldn’t close it out. Roy missed a three-pointer with 51.8 seconds remaining, but LaMarcus Aldridge grabbed the offensive rebound and went to the free throw line after Al Thornton picked up sixth foul. Aldridge tied the game at 74, and after Andray Blatche missed a layup with 20.9 seconds remaining, the Blazers put the ball in the hands of their superstar.

Roy pumped to get Gee in the air, and as fate would have it, Foye came leaping toward him as Roy knocked down the game-winning jumper with nine-tenths of a second remaining.

The Portland Roundball Society has a game recap from their end, which also includes the below video of Flip Saunders. Gotta secure rebounds.

Random Posts

• December 18, 2010 -- Expect A Scene Like None Before At The Verizon Center Tonight
• November 9, 2007 -- Linkage Check
• April 18, 2008 -- Wizards vs. Cavaliers: A History of Talking Trash

Q1

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

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

Wiz look sluggish in every aspect.

Caron tries a behind the back pass after getting the ball in the lane off a nice cut…..nope, turnover.

9:00: Timeout. 6-2 Blazers. Pick and roll hand-offs for Portland. No hedging from man guarding the screener. No protection of the basket.

Out of timeout….hard dunk ‘n yell by Caron on a backdoor cut….slices two Blazers. On the other end, Caron’s D gets sliced by Batum.

Maybe I should just starting watching Wizards games with one of those Benny Hill tracks.

3:46: Darius Songaila is coming in….YES! I love it when that guy plays. No, seriously, I do.

Butler drives on Outlaw….spins…and steps on the baseline. That’s how it go.

2:40: Comcast Stat: Wiz – 5 field goals, 6 turnovers.

Hey, the Wiz are on a 9-2 run…..still down 21-17.

The 1st ends 22-17….Batum made some crazy block on Mike James. (16 points in paint for Blaze)

Q2

JaVale McGee and Juan Dixon are in….Juanny hits a trey ball.

Oh shit….Tapscott’s trying to cheat. Outlaw came off a screen in the corner….as he’s receiving the ball and going into his shot, Tap, kneeling on the floor, pats Outlaw on the butt….airball.

10:24: D-Song with a long jumper…..money. Hey, it’s tied at 22. Portland natives grow restless.

8:39: Butler bobble….turnover….the 10th turnover for the Wiz. Focus is a muther.

8:08: McGee horrid baseline airball. WANT: his nice form jumper to start working…..how about we start with FTs? He’s terrible at those.

7:39: Well….McGee tried to use proper block out technique on Oden off a missed Brandon Roy FT….problem is, Oden was just able to kind walk into position to get a board and JaVale found himself right under the rim. Board, fouls, FTs, etc….not exactly JaVale’s fault…..but he needs to get lower so he can’t be so easily moved.

6:20: Blaze on a 10-0 run. 34-24.

1:03: Ed Tapscott yells, “FIST 1-3, FIST 1-3″ — evidently this play involves Mike James dribbling around and then a Caron Butler 3-point airball at the shot clock buzzer.

Little Victories: just when you thought the Wizards were going to break their season low points for a half (stood at 30), Caron Butler gets fouled firing a trey with 4.7 seconds left. He makes all three and the Wiz are down 39-31. BOOORR-ing. Seeesh, if I’m going to spend time watching this game, at least make it exciting.

15 Wiz turnovers (5 from Butler)...18 Blazer points.

Q3

We got your turnovers in all shapes, ways and forms…such as one on an out of bounds play.

….or one that slips through Jamison’s hands on backdoor cut.

…..or a Greg Oden offensive board (like a turnover)…he has 11, 6 offensive.

9:17: Jamison gets the Wiz on board in the quarter with a long deuce. 43-33 Blaze.

Portland is collecting trey balls like dorks did with pogs back in the day (disclaimer: I collected the shit out of some basketball/baseball cards….but not pogs)

Good ol’ Phil and Buck….

Caron tried to make a steal…went into courtside fans….got some liquid on him.
Phil: “Looks like Caron got some juice on him.”
Steve Buck: “Well, he’s tough.”

Damn….Portland has had three straight dunks….all in the half court offense I believe. 57-42. ‘Nother trey…make that 60-42.

Young pass to Andray, he doesn’t give a shit about securing the ball….Blazer deflection….goes off Andray’s foot out of bounds. Lazy ass bull shit.

Caron hits a couple treys in a row….Blazer fans really want him now. 66-50 Portland.

Points off turnovers….24-7….guess who.

0:31: Great pass from Butler to Songaila for a DUNK!!! Me = Happy. Down effing 19.

Butler hits a trey ball at the buzzer……“Hello Ernie? Hi, this is Kevin Pritchard. Look, I know GMs think that I’m a son ova bitch….but let me make you an offer you can’t refuse for this Tough Juice character.”

Irony: The Wizards are shooting 42% from the field…Portland is at 41%. Points off turnovers…..27-7.

Q4

9:41: Nick Young hits a three…..75-61 Blazers. Cut it to 12 on the next possession. I would say that the Wiz are hanging around, but they’re not the type of team that can overcome.

7:17: It’s a Fernandez Circus….lead back up to 19. 84-65.

7:07: We’re at a season high 22 turnovers folks.

Phil Chenier uses some: “All throughout this game, they’ve been kinda hanging around” language….really Phil, really?

4:00: Fucking point guard Andray…..“Hey, let me dribble up the court, trying to be cute, going behind my back and shit….Sure, Outlaw is right up on me, but that ain’t shit to me ’cause I can dribble son….mad handles, word is bond kid. I’m Andray effing Blatche.” ERRR NOPE!! Off his foot and Travis Outlaw Monster Dunk.

Christ, Brandon Roy has 9 steals.

Blazer Dunk, turnover, turnover, Blazer dunk….why are Caron and Antawn still in the game?

It’s over 100-87 Portland. Some may see the score and say, ‘Hey, Portland is good and the Wiz didn’t get blown out’……check that my friend. This game was never even close.

26 TURNOVERS!

Web Hits:

[Washington Post]
The game was well out of hand by the time an errant pass by Wizards guard Juan Dixon led to a fast break dunk for Trail Blazers forward Travis Outlaw in the final minute Saturday night, but the play symbolized everything that went wrong in a 100-87 loss at the Rose Garden.

[Wizards Insider]
Portland led only 39-31 after a weird first half in which it shot 31 percent and made only one of 10 three-pointers but blew the game open in the third with a 17-7 run that included threes by Nicolas Batum, Roy and Sergio Rodriguez, a dunk by Batum, and two dunks by Greg Oden, who finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

[Bullets Forever]
There are games where the scoring deficit isn’t indicative of how close the game was, and then there are games where the scoring deficit isn’t indicative of how one-sided the game was. You can file this one under the latter category. If it wasn’t for the Wizards shooting unusually well on threes in the second half (9 for 11) this game would’ve been much worse and closer to the blowout that it felt like I was watching last night.

[Bust A Bucket]
Well now that was a fun game to watch. For the first time in a while the Blazers took a team apart, although to be fair, the Wizards are awful and didn’t seem to be trying.

[Blazers Edge]
How low-stress was this game? For the first time in three years I didn’t jot down a single note while watching. It’s going to be a low-stress recap too. Be forewarned.

[Rip City Project]
And that’s really all there is to it. The Blazers clocked in at 9 a.m. Johnny on the spot, clocked out at 5 p.m. and got home just in time for dinner. And anyone who thinks the Blazers were “unclassy” in the fourth quarter there, I doubt there’s any hard feelings from the Wizards, who left their starters in as well and have nobody but themselves to blame. Like Mike Rice said, we aren’t going to see them again for over half a year, and when we do, they might have already traded half their team regardless. It’s all gravy.

Random Posts

• November 14, 2007 -- Links Fo' That Ass – Stop Snitchin' Stephon!
• December 20, 2011 -- Wall, Wale & Washington Wizards Fan Fest
• January 6, 2010 -- Nick Young, Getting Defensive Out Of The Box

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

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

I have no hope.

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

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

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

Me? I’m just left with thoughts of a futile history (guess it could be worse….should I be thankful that I’ve only been a fan since 1990?)….and thoughts that a basketball team, which for the past four years has pumped life into the city of DC (and the whole DMV area), is now about to be blown into pieces.

Time to rebuild. Time to be thrown back into the depths of the “Clippers of the East” — very ironic that in this time where overall hope is being brought back to the nation’s capital, it’s being sucked out of a single building along “Fun Street” in Chinatown.

So the dilemma of a losing fan. Do I watch last night’s game?….wasting away hours of my precious Sunday?

The sad part is, I’m not sure I can resist.

Random Posts

• September 23, 2011 -- DISCOVERY: The Beginning of the NBA Play Offs, Washington Wizards Style
• November 13, 2008 -- The Only Time You'll See Caron Butler Wearing Goggles
• January 5, 2010 -- Shot Out To College From Andray Blatche

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

Portland Skyline [flickr/Jeff.Jones]

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

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

If we did a trade with Washington that didn’t include Butler, it would for sure be Jamison. The only problem is that we already have a power forward so that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Although, if Jamison were willing to be a 6th man somehow I guess that would work. Do you want Frye, Sergio, & Outlaw? Us Portland fans tend not to know the East coast value of certain players. I don’t think a trade with the Wizards would be possible right now.

I am a huge Jerryd Bayless fan. But even with that aside, I think he needs more run. It doesn’t make sense that we would play 3 rookies already, one of which is 19 and from France, but not play Bayless. Bayless is the point guard of the future and the sooner we get him in the line-up and getting solid experience the better off we’ll be. Steve Blake has been injured lately, so it’s given the team and the fans a chance to see what Jerryd is capable of. The main beef is that he isn’t a true point guard, but with Brandon Roy on the court, it doesn’t matter. Jerryd can be a combo guard and do his thing opposite BRoy.

First of all I think Nate is doing a fine job. I don’t believe that coaches have as much effect on the game as we’d like to believe. The fact is, in professional sports, these are grown men who have to make the plays on the court. Our perimeter defense has been horrendous this year. We also struggle with the pick and roll and sometimes simple things like switching on D. I think the team is young and inexperienced and that is a bigger reason for our 23 defensive efficiency. I also think Nate is a championship caliber coach, once he gets another year or two with this team, they will be much better defensively and you will see a trio of Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Alrdidge, & Greg Oden as stars in this league.

Now this is a tough question. There are probably a few guys who I’d like to have a beer with. Channing Frye seems like the most down to earth, funny guy, he loves Portland and likes to go out and enjoy the city. Joel Przybilla would be cool, I heard he can drink a fifth of whiskey in 5 seconds, maybe it’s folklore or maybe it’s real, who knows. I think if I had to choose though, it would be LaMarcus Aldridge. I never really hear him talk much and he seems to keep to himself. I like his game and his persona so I’d like to pick his brain. As far as someone to Bitch slap, probably no one, although, there are times where I want to knock some sense into Travis Outlaw when he’s playing. Something tells me he wouldn’t like that so I should leave that alone.

Thanks again to Matt of Bust A Bucket…..I would say good luck to the Blaze tonight, but I doubt they’ll need it. How ’bout….good luck to Portland in making the playoffs in the West.

As for tonight, the Wiz are probably the guy on the sign below.

[flickr/Salim Virji]

Random Posts

• June 15, 2010 -- The WNBA is worth it.
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The need for little things works on a sliding scale. The better the team, and talent, the more room there is to fudge on those little things. With injuries and the what-not, the Wizards have no wiggle room. Of course, teams like the Spurs have talent and do the little things; that’s why they have multiple championships under their belt.

Last night, some of the ‘little things’ the Wizards did not do include:

• Andray Blatche using only his upper body on block out attempts (although, I believe this has blossomed into an epidemic).
• Caron Butler lacking consideration in blocking out Rudy Fernandez, who was allowed to get a running start and a huge offensive put-back to put Portland up three with 2:24 left.
• Caron Butler using too much shot clock and then putting a rookie, JaVale McGee, in a difficult position to hit a contested baseline jumper from a though angle with the shot clock running down and 1:30 left in the game.
• Nick Young turning the wrong way (270 degrees instead of 90) in trying to defend a cutting Rudy Fernandez which led to a bucket and a foul at the very end of the 3rd period.
• DeShawn Stevenson not stopping the ball, and Sergio Rodriguez, after made FTs, which set up the previously mentioned gaffe.
• Ed Tapscott going with Darius Songaila instead of Dominc McGuire on a crucial defensive possession with the Wizards down two, 13 seconds left, and mostly perimeter players in for Portland.

You can read the game blog at Bullets Forever for the full run-down.

I love me some Caron Butler, but I hate seeing his name so many times in the Little Things column. Sure, he made some great plays down the stretch in working the ball closer to the hoop and not settling for jumpers. Also, unlike Larry Hughes and Gilbert Arenas used to do, I don’t think Butler makes bad gambles when he picks up steals by jumping passing lanes. However, Caron just can’t stay in front of his man on D. Not exactly sure why….maybe his bulk limits lateral movement. And it certainly didn’t help when Portland was playing Brandon Roy at the three spot, forcing Caron to guard him.

Maybe Tuff Juice lacking flavor on defense is just a fact of life, but please…PLEASE….it must be a concentrated team effort to limit second chance points by opponents. Allowing extra buckets is like spitting in your own face and casting aside all previously exerted defensive effort.

Check Your Qs and As

You may have seen the blogger Q&A with The Rip City Project, Portland Trail Blazers Blog, but you can also check my return answers to Rip City here.

Hits from the World Wide Web

• Another competitive, fun game for the Wizards at home, they ended with a loss but not before keeping one of the better teams in the NBA to a one-possession turn for most of the contest. [Kelly Dwyer, Ball Don't Lie]

• The story of the game was Portland’s balanced scoring (five players in double figures) and clutch play down the stretch. [Ivan Carter, Washington Post - 'Little Things' Sink Wizards]

• “We were close, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” -Ed Tapscott (my dad always uses this quote…..old school)

• Turning point: Roy’s drive and score was big but so was Rudy Fernandez’s rebound and putback of a miss by Blake with 2:19 to go. Caron Butler appeared to miss a box out on the play and that allowed Fernandez to fly in for the putback. [Ivan Carter, Wizards Insider - Portland 98, Wizards 92]

• Even as the game came down to the wire, the place was flat and hardly anyone was on their feet. Now, we all know that DC is loaded with folks who aren’t from here, the team isn’t particularly fun to watch and with the economy struggling, it’s easy to understand why some hard-core fans would stay away, but if last night is any indication, it’s going to be a long season of playing in front of crowds like last night’s. [Ivan Carter, Wizards Insider - Losing Basketball Means Dead Crowds]

• This may be weird but stick with me. For some reason at the end of this game I was humming the theme song to that old Nickelodeon show, GUTS. Why? Because that’s exactly what it took for Portland to pull this one out. And I’m legally insane. GUTS. [SJ, The Rip City Project]

• This was another game the Blazers pulled out in the final minutes. It’s a fine pattern for road wins, somewhat normal for the NBA. It does come with a caveat, however. Play with fire too many times and you’re going to get burned. [Dave, Blazers Edge]

• The Blazers are off to their best start since the 1999-2000 team started 15-5. That team finished with 59 wins and advanced to the Western Conference finals, where it lost in Game 7 to the Lakers. Nobody is saying this Blazers team is ready to advance to those heights, but with so many weapons and a developing poise late in games, the Blazers are beginning to wonder if they are onto something special. [Jason Quick, Blazers Behind the Beat/The Oregonian - For the Blazers, so many ways to attack]

• * Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison are not leading men. * DeShawn Stevenson didn’t completely embarrass anyone. * Andray Blatche has the sloppiest game in the NBA. * Sergio and Rudy at the end of any quarter are magical. [kellex, Blaze of Love]

• Greg Oden Feels Pretty!

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1) Portland is second in the NBA in offensive rating, but dead last in pace. Do you think the slowed down offense better sets up the young Blazers to get deeper into the playoffs? Or with quick/wiry athletes such as Travis Outlaw, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez, Nicolas Batum (but not Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla), would you like to see the team get out and run a little more?

I think the slow pace is one of the main reasons why Portland has been able to find success this early. One of our strengths so far this season has been an ability to take care of the ball. At one point we were #1 in fewest turnovers and I believe we are still top 5. The lack of turnovers can be attributed directly to the slow pace. Teams that play at a slower pace will turn the ball over less than teams who don’t. Why? The fewer possessions a team has, the fewer times they can turn it over. Not to mention that Portland tends to be super careful with the ball anyhow. I think with our personnel we can do a bit of both. When it’s time to get out and run, we can get out and run. When Sergio Rodriguez checks in the tempo seems to jump up a couple notches. But I’m perfectly fine with this teams pace. It can be methodical at times but it is the type of mature basketball that tends to do well in the post-season. Can’t argue with results.

2) Speaking of playoffs, the Blazers missed the cut last year after a great start. Right now, they sit atop of the Northwest Division, tied with the Nuggets for the second best record in the West. Assuming that the playoffs will be a lock, what are your realistic expectations as to how far they will go?

That’s a pretty big assumption to say the playoffs will be a lock, I mean right now whether it be because of injuries are struggles…a lot of great teams out West are underachieving. Houston, Utah, New Orleans…I mean shoot San Antonio is on the outside looking in right now. Still a long, long, long road to travel but for the sake of conversation I’ll join you out there. Just know that if someone gets hurt or we don’t make the playoffs I will hunt you down Mariah Carey style. Pre-season I saw us making the playoffs as a lower seed (6-8). I think with our personnel we can match up with the majority of teams in the West. And really it would come down to which team we play. There is an ability for this team to make a little noise in the post-season. Realistically the Blazers could win a first-round matchup. And I can’t believe I just wrote that, I haven’t shaken my head this much since I read how Spencer and Heidi from the Hills got married.

3) Travis Outlaw…..time to start him or like him better coming off the bench? At what point does Nate McMillan succumb to inserting him into the starting five?

Travis Outlaw should definitely come off the bench. Don’t get me wrong he brings great value but it’s clear he can’t start for this team. He fits in much better with the second unit than with the first. I like Batum a lot more with that first unit than I do Travis. And while we’re on the topic of Batum, his play is making Mr. Outlaw more and more expendable. It’s clear that with every game he’s improving and his ceiling is much higher than Outlaw’s. Blazer fans pretty much know what they are going to get from Travis Outlaw. We know he can score, and when he’s on…watch out. But when he’s off….oh no. It will be interesting to see what happens when Martell Webster returns to the lineup.

4) Ike Diogu…anything to report on this guy? I know he’s dealt with some injuries in the past, but at one point, he seemed like a pretty decent prospect.

Ike Diogu is a beast. His biggest problem is that he cannot find the right situation for him. He’s battled injuries and poor situations. I mean Golden State with Don ‘to hell with post players’ Nelson and having to sit behind Jermaine O’Neal. Now coming to Portland where there was a pretty clear rotation of bigs (Oden, Aldridge, Pryzbilla, Frye). Ike’s an excellent scorer, he proved this in college and if you look up his game log’s he’s proved he can do it in the pro’s. He just has to find a team that will play him because the talent is there, the playing time just has not been.

Thanks again to SJ from The Rip City Project. Be sure to check out the blog for the latest word on the Blazers.

[photo source: flickr/IAAFOTS]

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Denver Nuggets

[Pickaxe and Roll]
I think there are different answers depending on whether you are talking about the goals of management or the goals of the players. Management has clearly been geared towards the future. The Camby trade revolved around future cap flexibility. They traded their first round pick for a future first round pick. Older players Camby and Najera have been sent packing in exchange for younger players. Management would never admit it, nor should they, but I do not think they expect anything other than another first round exit at best from this squad. Prediction: 47-35

[The Nugg Doctor]
The goal for this team is to not be content just making the playoffs, but to finally advance in the postseason. For five straight seasons the Nuggets have been one of only four teams in the league to make the playoffs in said consecutive years and are the only team to have not made it to the conference semis. Prediction: 44-38

Minnesota Timberwolves

[T'Wolves Blog]
I’d like to say that the playoffs are the goal for this team. I think if you went around the locker room that’s the answer that most players would give you. However, given that this team is largely the same as the squad that went 22-60 last season, that we still don’t have a true starting point guard or basically any center, and that we’re still being coached by Randy Wittman with his mind-boggling 96-192 record, I’m going to hold off on declaring Minnesota a contender for the West’s 8th seed. I’d love nothing more than to drink the McHale Kool-Aid and be preparing for a 42-40 finish, but I just can’t bring myself to it. Prediction: 33-49

[Empty The Bench]
The goal entering this season has to be locking up a low-level playoff spot, no matter how unlikely that may seem right now. If Jefferson continues his All-Star trajectory, Randy Foye finally lives up to the draft-night swap for Brandon Roy, Mike Miller thrives as a primary weapon outside, Corey Brewer emerges as an athletic defender who can run the floor, Kevin Love becomes the inside presence and passer the Wolves offense needs to outscore teams, Sebastian Telfair continues his maturation as a true backup point, Rashad McCants embraces his role of microwave off the bench, Craig Smith keeps cracking skulls in the paint, and Ryan Gomes continues to be professional and efficient beyond his years, well, then they just might have a chance……Ok, so they don’t have a chance. Prediction: 32-50

[Canis Hoopus]
OJ Mayo and a stash of contracts were traded to the Griz for Kevin Love, Mike Miller, and a serviceable 2nd string center with an expiring contract. Oh yeah, Brian Cardinal was in there too. At the time I called this deal highway robberyand I stand by that take. When it went down on draft night, Wolves fans were faced with two negative frames in which to place the trade into context: a) The team just pulled another Roy/Foye trade. b) The team that traded one of the greatest 4s of all time for Al Jefferson just picked another 4. Prediction: 36-46

Oklahoma City Thunder

[Baller Blogger]
Develop the young guys and win enough games to endear yourself to the new home crowd. Obviously, this team is not going to contend for a playoff spot. However, they should expect to win at least a handful more games than they won last year. I think they’ll be disappointed if they don’t win at least 25 games, with 30 as an outside possibility if Durant and Green both make huge improvements in their second seasons. Another thing to look for is in-season trades. GM Sam Presti has shown a pretty good mind for getting the best out of trades, and there are some solid assets here (Collison or Smith especially) who could be traded to a contender for draft picks. Prediction: 24-56

[Blue Blitz]
On the court, this team has absolutely no expectations. Almost everybody predicts them to finish dead-last in the West. Player-wise, we are looking to develop everybody. If we can find a star out of the blue, like David West was when the Hornets were here, we’d consider it a successful season. We’re not looking to put a win-loss total on the Thunder this year. We just expect them to go out there, try their hardest, and have some fun. Prediction: 17-65

[The Thunderworld]
Most people are picking them to finish last in not only the West, but the entire NBA. Most experts don’t think they’ll improve on their 20 wins from last year. But by playing good .500 ball at the Ford Center this year, they’ll be assured of 20 wins right there and then if they play decently on the road, they could be looking at a 30 win year, which would be a huge, huge boost. Look, no one gave the 2005 Hornets a prayer to compete. They won 18 games the year before and appeared to have gotten worse. But behind a bump from a rabid city and a really, really good point guard, the team challenged for a playoff spot. There’s no reason the Thunder can’t aspire to do the same. Prediction: 30-52

Portland Trailblazers

[A Stern Warning]
The Blazers do not have any illusions of grandeur in their goals for this season. The team knows that they are young and will need at least another year to bond as a unit that can even consider challenging for a title. Integrating four rookies into a squad is never an easy task, regardless of their talent levels. Last season was an unexpected surprise, as a team that was predicted to fall dismally with the l
oss of starting 20-10 player Zach Randolph and the season-ending injury to Oden, managed to pull to .500 with the second most exciting winning streak of the season (after that of the Houston Rockets). Thus this season the expectation is that the Blazers will do one better, move into the playoffs and whilst not looking to go all the way, will pick up the experience needed to take them where they want to go in future seasons. Prediction: 45-37

[Blazers Edge]
In the past month, I’ve heard the Presidential candidates debate ad naseum whether to use a “hatchet” or a “scalpel” to reform government. I think it’s safe to say that General Manager Kevin Pritchard and Assistant GM Tom Penn are scalpel-wielding roster-reformers. Every move they make is precise and accurate. Like watching a surgeon dissect a dead animal, it’s a thing of beauty. What? Prediction: 49-33

[Rip City Project]
Playoffs, playoffs, playoffs. Despite the incredibly tough state of the Western Conference – and with some teams on the decline – the Blazers goal is clearly making the leap and making the playoffs. More importantly, that’s the immediate goal the coaching staff has instilled in the players in an effort to, we would guess, curtail the championship expectations. To pull a card out of the cliché hat, if the team is playing hard and taking the long-term journey in year-to-year steps, all is well. Prediction: 46-36

Utah Jazz

[UtesFan89]
Two years ago, this team surprised (and took advantage of an easy road) and made it to the Western Conference Finals. Last year, it got a bit tougher, and they could only make it back to the Conference Semifinals. You’ve got the fact the team stood still this offseason though and you throw in the fact that so many players are potentially entering contract seasons, and it just seems like management thinks this team is perfectly built. And, as a result, the goal has to be to win the NBA Finals. No one has any idea what the team will look like at this point next season, so you can’t just say “win in the next couple years”. The team is built to win now and, if the team stays together, win in the future. Might as well start winning now though… especially with no guarantee on how long the team will actually stay together. Prediction: 58-24

[SLC Dunk]
For two years in a row now they’ve been the fourth seed in the West but have had to open on the road in Houston. They’ve been able to overcome both of those first round series, but if the Jazz are to advance deep into the playoffs, they have to have home-court advantage. They haven’t had that veteran experience yet where they can win on the road consistently. Until they do, they’ll need to play their series at the ESA. The Jazz have as much talent as any other team in the league. There is no reason that they can’t contend for the title. They have the offense, the drive, and the youth to match up against any team. But a defensive stopper would be nice. Prediction: 56-26 (prior to Williams’ injury)

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We are all aware of the weigh problems Duckworth dealt with throughout his career and more so into his retirement. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy involves the thickening of the heart muscle, thought to be primarily caused by genetics, but could be affected by non-genetic factors. There is no definitive connection between Duckworth’s heart problems and being overweight, but an easy conclusion to make would be that the latter certainly did not help the former, especially since his high blood pressure played a role in his heart failure.

Memories of Duckworth have focused on his positive contributions, especially those of his days with the Portland Trailblazers, the team he was most associated with. True Hoop’s Henry Abbott and Wayne Thompson of Blazers.com will recall his performance in a Portland game 7 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the 2nd round of the 1990 NBA Playoffs. Current Blazers team president, Larry Miller, remembers Duckworth “as one of the warmest and biggest- hearted.” Duckworth was in Lincoln City, OR to host a free clinic for kids.

My memories will, of course, stem from Duckworth’s days as a Bullet. While the on-court recollections weren’t always fond, I do remember the big fella having a smile on his face, for the most part.

After sending notice of his death to a couple people, my friend Chris reminded me of the day we were on the court with Big Duck back in late ’93/early ’94 for a post-game clinic on the floor of the Capital Centre/USAir Arena.

As arduous as it may be, here’s to remembering Kevin Duckworth as a Washington Bullet.

1993-1994
When the Bullets acquired Duckworth a day before my 13th birthday, I thought he’d be the big man the Bullets needed to compete with the Shaqs, Ewings and Alonzo Mournings of the Eastern Conference. Pervis Ellison was still around to help down low (when healthy), and ’93-94 was big Gheorghe Muresan’s rookie year…..a three-headed monster indeed.

Similar to the Scott Skiles trade, the acquisition for Duckworth wasn’t the worst idea in the world. Albeit, the Bullets gave up a lot more in Harvey Grant, and didn’t receive a 1st round pick in return. But many reports of the day had Grant ready to exercise an opt-out clause after the ’93-94 season in order to play for a winner. So, it behooved GM John Nash to get something for Grant now, rather than risk losing him for nothing later.

Duckworth wasn’t Nash’s first through fourth options, as he had his sights set on trying to trade for Rik Smits (Indiana), Dikembe Mutombo (Denver), Vlade Divac (LA Lakers), and Michael Cage (Seattle) before finally settling for the Duck.

Nash and the Bullets had been backed into a corner. Harvey Grant, who had a trade-approval clause in his contract, already nixed deals to Denver and Dallas. Portland had become malcontent with Duckworth’s dwindling scoring average and increasing weight. It had come to the point where Duckworth actually requested a trade because he had grown weary of inquiries about his girth from Portland management, and increasingly frustrated from being left out of the Portland offense.

Much like an arranged marriage is an option-less fate, Kevin Duckworth and the Washington Bullets were not a match made in heaven. He showed up at training camp out of shape and far from his “listed” weight of 275 lbs. with Portland. At the beginning of the season, his points and rebounds numbers were similar to those diminishing stats from his last year in Portland (14.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg), which was pretty much expected. However, with the Bullets, Duck’s FG% was horrid (40.7% in November ’93), and his lack of conditioning led to slow defensive rotations and easy baskets for the opposition.

December gave way to a 2-14 record for the month as opponents scored 105.8 points per game on 43.6 FG%, while the Bullets scored 96.1 ppg on 37.4 FG%. Coach Wes Unseld removed Duckworth from the starting lineup for a brief time, and his presence on the court was sporadic for the rest of the season. Attempts to trade him before the late February deadline were futile.

Bullets fans showed no mercy on Duck, showering him with boos for the duration of the season. Their expectations of an NBA player with a $2.2 million salary led to the impatience that dehumanized Duckworth’s existence on the team and compounded the problems. Duckworth struggled with his self-confidence and his game drastically suffered. He realized that he had to do something to quell his ballooning weight, but no one really knew if his lack of morale consumed his ability to exert the effort needed to overcome his rotund demons.

Ultimately, Duckworth’s 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds averages were not the sole reason for a disastrous 24-58 season. Rex Chapman only appeared in 60 games, rookie Calbert Cheaney only in 65, and Out-of-Service Pervis Ellison only in 47. The only future hope was the NBA draft lottery and dreams of selecting Glenn Robinson, Jason Kidd, or Grant Hill. With the fifth worst record in the league, the Bullets ended up with the 5th pick and Juwan Howard.

1994-1995
By training camp in October, Duckworth showed renewed vigor and love for the game, having considered hanging up his high-tops after his catastrophic first season with the team. Duck was still a hefty triple hundo, but he was down 40 pounds shed over the summer. He’d attended the famed Duke Weight-Loss Clinic, albeit only opting for a two week stay when he probably needed a five week program. New head coach, Jim Lynam, also offered more positive reinforcement than Wes Unseld, who had moved to the front office to assist with the planning for the new arena.

Optimism was short-lived. As the season went through it’s first month and a half, Duckworth’s play was riddled with inconsistency. He started the first 18 games of the season. In half of those games, Duck scored in double figures, averaging 16 per. In the other half of those games, he failed
to reach double figures, averaging 5.6 per. After a mid-December game against the Utah Jazz, Duckworth began experiencing issues with his Achilles tendon; he was still not at the desired playing weight of 280. His hesitancy to play on the sore Achilles all but killed a possible deal to the Clippers, in addition to saying that he’d have a problem with a trade to Los Angeles, not wanting to go back to the Western Conference.

By January, Duckworth’s minutes per game, in the five he played that month, were down to 17.8. John Nash, with the emergence of Muresan as a valid option a center, continued to explore trades for Duck. One such rumored deal would have sent him to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Xavier McDaniel, but the Celtics backed off as Duckworth’s unhappiness with his team role and poor conditioning proved to be a reoccurring theme. Duck also publicly expressed that he didn’t want to play in Boston.

February was even worse as the team entered the month with an 11-29 record. The Bullets would only win two out of 14 games that month and Duckworth would only play 55 minutes over five games. His absence from many games was the result of a suspension, his weight had inflated to 326 pounds. Duckworth insisted that he was trying to get back into shape after the Achilles setback, which contradicted statements that he wouldn’t play until it got better, which further contradicted statements that he would play if he knew that he’d get more minutes. John Nash was exasperated.

Duckworth and his agent filed a grievance over the suspension, and won when a physician declared him able to play. Duckworth was reinstated, but when March came around, and he weighed in at 317, Nash suspended him again. By the end of the month, Duckworth shut it down for the year in order to have calcium deposits surgically removed from his Achilles.

After the season, the Bullets left Duckworth unprotected in the expansion draft, even offering to pay most of his salary should Vancouver or Toronto select him. However, the Grizzlies opted for Larry Stewart. Nash did manage to pawn him off to Milwaukee for Bob McCann in October 1995. Luckily, the Bucks didn’t void the trade after discovering that Duckworth needed his knee scoped. The Bullets had also agreed to pay a portion of Duckworth’s remaining $2.75 million salary. He appeared in eight games for the Bucks, and 26 the next season for the Clippers, before retiring at the age of 32.

Bittersweet Memories
With his passing, many people are remembering Kevin Duckworth. Most Blazers fans are reminiscing with a wink and a smile. Bullets fans, for the reasons above, perhaps not so fondly. But that’s not a knock against Duck and the type of person he was. It simply comes with the territory of rooting for a playoff perennial versus a cursed franchise.

Ivan Carter of the Washington Post is shocked, as am I, that Duck passed away at such a young age. Jaime Mottram of Mister Irrelevant provides us with heyday cardboard memories. Jarrett Carter of Stet Sports reminds us all that Kevin wasn’t necessarily a knucklehead, but perhaps just misunderstood, dealing with issues of which us outsiders weren’t aware.

The guys of We Rite Goode, in their FanShot on Bullets Forever, reminded me that Duckworth, while the victim of DC scorn back in the early 90s, and perhaps rightfully so, is now entrenched as part of our franchise’s hapless history which we should embrace in order to appreciate the team we have today.

It was just over a year ago that JakeTheSnake of Bullets Forever discovered an Eastern Illinois (the alma mater of Duckworth) site, which has since been taken off the world wide web, that came to a staunch defense against anyone who would ever bash the Duck.

Now that the memories are out and past Duckworth bashing has been officially laid to rest, we should not to forget the overall lesson of appreciating our own lives, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle for ourselves, and our loved ones. Rest in peace Kevin Duckworth.

Sources Used:

• “Bullets Trade Grant To Get Duckworth; Blazers’ 7-Foot Center Fills Need for Size,” The Washington Post (Jun. 25, 1993) David Aldridge.
• “For Bullets, Center Is a Pivotal Issue; Kevin Duckworth; A Season Of Hopes Gone Bad,” The Washington Post (April 12, 1994)
  
• “Bullets’ Duckworth In Camp and in Shape; Slimmer Center Relishes New Start With Lynam,” The Washington Post (Oct. 6, 1994) Richard Justice.
• “Duckworth Is at Center Of Bullets’ Latest Problem,” The Washington Post (Dec. 17, 1994) Jim Brady.
• “Celtics won’t go after Duckworth Unhappy Bullet center not interested, either,” The Boston Globe (Jan. 20, 1995) Jackie MacMullan.
• “Duckworth Suspended; Bullets Cite Center’s Weight,” The Washington Post (Feb. 4, 1995) Richard Justice.
• “BULLETS NOTEBOOK; Overweight Duckworth Suspended,” The Washington Post (Mar. 1, 1995) Richard Justice.
• “Plan wasn’t bulletproof,” The Boston Globe (Oct. 29, 1995) Jackie MacMullan.

Random Posts

• December 5, 2011 -- ShareBullets: John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins Think About The Future
• January 23, 2012 -- At The Buzzer: Wizards 94, Celtics 100 – McGee, Booker, Wall (and Blatche)… Late-Game Uh-Ohs
• February 1, 2010 -- Gilbert Arenas Writes Op-Ed For Washington Post: Learning to be a better role model

At face value, Miles would be far from the shooter the Wizards should desire for spot action. On the other hand, he is still freakishly athletic and could provide a combustible punch of energy off the bench for a team needing a push. Darius Miles could be seen as a low-risk, high-reward option, and he’s only 26.

Darius Miles the person raises several red flags. Number one is knee issues. He had microfracture surgery in November 2006 and an independent source dubbed his injury as career ending this past April, allowing the Portland Trailblazers to release him without salary cap implications. The last NBA game the guy play in was over 26 months ago. However, reports say that his knee has fully recovered, but that Miles is just not yet in ‘NBA Shape.’ Should he play again, Portland’s cap space would shrink.

Red flag #2, attitude. Most accounts don’t dub Miles as an absolute menace, rather elude to a selfish demeanor created from your run-of-the-mill pampered upbringing of a natural born basketball talent. The most famous example is a 2005 confrontation between Miles and then Portland head coach, Maurice Cheeks. It started in a film session and may or may not have included escalation into the office of then Blazers GM, and former Bullets head man, John Nash. But surely Miles has learned a humbling lesson, and perhaps coming under the wing of a veteran such as Antawn Jamison would aid his maturity.

Red flag #3, suspension. Much ado has been made Darius Miles failing a drug test and being suspended by the league for 10 games. The NBA then made all teams aware of said fact via email, this stirred a minor controversy as to if the league acted unethically in leaking medical information. True Hoop and The Sporting Blog have the issue at hand well covered. The heart of the previous debate: does D-Miles have a weed or steroid problem? The latest report from Mark Stein is that Phentermine (an appetite suppressant which is considered a controlled substance because of a similarity to amphetamines) is actually responsible for the failed test. Not exactly a reason for NBA teams to be concerned. Although, I am curious as to why he was taking weight loss pills; being off that knee probably fattened him up.

Overall, these issues are not insurmountable for a team to deny consideration. The Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets each have worked out Miles. But would he be right for the Wizards? Well, money is the main issue and with $1.5 million left until luxury tax land, options are limited for the Wizards. If Jim Bowden (Mr. Second Chance) was the Wizards GM, instead of the Nats, Miles would have been signed long ago.

Judging by the list of possibles composed on Bullets Forever, there are others who I’d rather have over Darius Miles. Matt Barnes stands out first and foremost. He’s fiery player who can knock down the trey, rebound, and defend. Some such as Tony Allen (not enough height), Devin Brown (ability to defend?), Maurice Evans (a big maybe) come to mind as possible preferences. After those on the list who are out of the Wizards price range, or already signed, the remnants leave nothing to be desired over a 26-year old prospect in Miles.

What Darius Miles brings to the table is shot-blocking, rebounding, and versatile defensive abilities derived from length and athleticism. I mentioned that I’d like someone who can shoot the long distance ball, but it’s not like Miles can’t score in a variety of ways. D-Miles wants to play for a contender (check) and is affordable (check) seeing that he will be happy trying to play his way back into the league on a one-year veteran’s minimum (Miles will still be getting $18 million from the Blazers).

Might the Wizards benefit from renting Miles for a year on the cheap, even if it might stunt the growth of Dominic McGuire? I’d say that the guy is at least worth a work out. But who knows what tricks Ernie Grunfeld has up his sleeve. Another possible could be Luke Jackson, who Stein also reports is getting interest from Dallas, Atlanta, and Memphis. In the end, we know that Grunfeld will lay low and strike when the time is right.

Suggested Reading:
A onetime phenom, Miles trying for unprecedented comeback, Ian Thomsen, SI.com

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Sure you can go check out the Game Blog on Bullets Forever, as well as the box score….but below, you will find some select comments from the World Wide Web.

Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers will be shown on Comcast on Wednesday at 8 pm DC time….and on NBA.com as well (30 minute delay I believe).

“I want to be a better defender. That and learn the plays better.”
- Nick Young [Lang Whitaker's favorite summer league quote so far]

—————

“He [Andray Blatche] lost concentration a lot on the glass and allowed his man lots of offensive rebounds. Then, there’s the last possession, where he had the ball knocked out of his hands, allowing the Blazers to rebound Bayless’ missed free throw. It encapsulated everything maddening about Blatche. He can look so physically imposing and yet be so mentally weak.”
- Pradamaster, Bullets Forever

—————

“Of all the guys, [Nick] Young probably let me down the most. I was expecting to see him attacking the basket and showing renewed commitment defensively, but instead, he was breaking plays, shooting fadeaways all over the court and allowing Bayless to blow right by him. His final stat line looked good, but believe me, he stunk tonight.”
- Pradamaster, Bullets Forever

“well, NY looked exactly like last year. not a good thing. he’s just not a basketball player. all he can do is shoot (and pout). bayless made him look like a high schooler.” [sic all over]
- Commenter Stevie on Wizards Insider

“Nick Young — Like Blatche, there was good and bad. He started off shooting poorly, terrible shot selection. Then settled down a bit and really had his shot going. He’s got a sweet shot, just needs to be more patient. Still can’t play defense, but there’s time.”
- Mike Jones, Wizards Outlet

—————

“[Jerryd] Bayless got the Dwyane Wade treatment, and deservedly so, angling his way to the rack all night long, absorbing the contact, and knocking down his freebies. A truly rare and exceptional performance.”
- Danny Ourian, NBADraft.net

—————

“MEMO To HAYWOOD: Stay healthy and Watch ya back homie; this guy [JaVale McGee] could be our starting Center before you know it….”
- Les Bullez

“The craziest stat of the night was that [JaVale] McGee had zero defensive rebounds in the entire game. Zero! He should have had one on the final possession, but he allowed the fall to fall out of his fingers. Project or not, no seven-footers should have zero defensive rebounds in a Summer League game.”
- Pradamaster, Bullets Forever

“[JaVale] McGhee [sic] is a keeper. He show some flashes with his passing, blocking, and low post moves. All he need is one to two years under his belt and gain at least 40 more pounds. He going to be much better than Haywood. As for Blatch, Young and the rest of the second year players, I think they’re just there to be playing just to be playing.”
- Commenter DeMj on Wizards Insider

“The Wizards would be the first ones to tell you that he [JaVale McGee] is two or three years away. Still, you can’t ignore his physical tools. The guy is a freak, look at his arms and athleticism. He just needs to learn how to play.”
- Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress via True Hoop

—————

“[Petteri] Koponen, the Finnish guard selected by the Blazers a year ago but stashed away overseas this past season, gave the crowd something to be excited about as he got it going in the 2^nd half, draining three long range jumpers in a row as the Wizards continually failed to go over the top of the screen and show hard on this bomber. He made them pay, hitting on 4 of 6 from beyond the arc.”
- Danny Ourian, NBADraft.net

—————

“[Frank] Elegar looked like he belonged on the court and played well. A definite NBA body as well! He looked better than McGuire
on this night. Guess we will see how it plays out.”
- Commenter Rob P on Wizards Insider

—————

“Overall, impressed with the Wiz attitude and the manner in which they played the game. They were aggressive and competed very well. I’m looking forward to seeing them again and hoping that Dee Brown can have a much better game.”
- S.E. on WashingtonWizardsBlog

“Did you guys see the look on Eddie’s face when Young Nick’s “big three” was mentioned. He was like, “Damn kids.” Then he quipped that everybody in summer league thinks they’re Gilbert Arenas. Classic. I love when Eddie trashes the young guys. Same thing Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs and Pat Riley would say.”
- Commenter Unselds on Bullets Forever

“Taj McCullogh runs funny, but it’s an inspiring kind of funny run.”
- Jake The Snake, Bullets Forever

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In the live game blog on Bullets Forever, this is what I said:

Funny play to end the [Update: it happened at the end of the 1st, I originally had 2nd] quarter…Caron attempts a 3 at the buzzer, he misses…it looks like Roy goes into him, they both go down hard. But Caron gets right up, Baby Brandon needs the trainer to come help him. The replay shows that Caron “might” have grabbed Roy.

In the comments section, ItsMrHarris2u wrote this:

Baby Brandon just had his season ended by a Kobe wanna-be attempt to draw a foul. Pathetic play that shows alot about Coran. You NEVER grab someone and pull them down. What a POS.

Let’s remember, as the Oregonian reminds us, that Brandon Roy was already hurt before the play in question: [UPDATE: As pointed out in the comments section, I was wrong. Roy's groin was not previously hurt. The play with Caron came at the end of the 1st quarter....for some reason I thought it happened before the half.]

Roy left the game at the end of the first quarter with a right groin strain, then returned midway through the second quarter, only to leave again for good minutes later after aggravating the injury.

Mike Barrett of the “official” Blazers Blog doesn’t call Caron dirty, but does place the onus on Butler:

Caron Butler went up for a shot, and in an effort to create a foul on the play, locked arms with Brandon Roy. It pulled Roy into a very awkward landing, and being he didn’t let up until Roy was already bent in half with his right leg tucked under him, it caused an injury to Roy’s right groin muscle.

My Response:

My “baby” comment was more referencing youth than attitude. I am a fan of Brandon Roy and I definitely do not like seeing the guy get injured.

It’s hard to tell from the side angle if it’s truly what everyone thinks it is, a “Kobe-esque” move by Caron.

• [YouTube: Caron Butler should be suspended or fined]
• [Same angle, better quality on ESPN]

I will tell you this about Caron, he’s not the traditional “hold your follow through” type of shooter. This video is the best example I could find without wasting too much time: Caron draining 5 straight threes against the Mavericks. Notice how quickly his arms retreat to his hips after the release. Now, factor in that Butler’s shot against Roy was at the buzzer, when players are more likely to pull the string on the release.

The highlights from NBA.com show both the side and the back angle, which is much more definitive. I’ve watched the clip dozens of times and have tried my damndest to capture a screen shot to no avail. However, you should be able to watch it here.

Here is what I saw with my own eyes:

After the release, Caron Butler’s left arm drifts off to his left side, gravity pulls it towards his hip. Brandon Roy, attempting to block the shot, has the momentum of his left arm (and body) going to the right (Roy’s right) and in the opposite direction that Caron Butler is facing.

That’s the obvious foul which is called: Brandon Roy’s arm making contact and going through Caron Butler’s off hand. Easy to see. But does, as the announcer comments on the NBA.com clip, Caron Butler “grab” Brandon Roy. At face value, most would say yes….and at regular speed, it looks very questionable.

Before I proceed, let me remind everyone that Caron Butler is playing with an injury to his LEFT wrist; a chipped bone somewhere in there. It’s only natural for a player to protect his injury when playing.

Now go back and look at the clip. Brandon Roy’s arm comes dangerously close to making direct contact with Butler’s left wrist. One could argue that he does make contact with the left wrist, but I’m not sure….you’d have to ask Caron.

Knowing this, the actions of Caron Butler seem much more clear. He is trying to instinctively pull his wrist back to protect it when both players get inadvertently tangled. No part of the clip leads me to believe that Caron intentionally grabbed Brandon Roy. And I’m not sure how Mike Barrett expected Caron to “let up” as Butler tried to dive on the floor away from Roy, after Roy knocked him off-balance.

Would Brandon Roy have injured groin if he didn’t commit the foul by making initial contact with Butler?

NO.

Brandon Roy’s take: “It was just a freak play,” Roy said. “His body weight fell on me and pushed me pretty far down.”

“Mister” Harris and all the other false accusers out there owe Tuff Juice an apology. Please keep the names Caron Butler and Kobe Bryant together in the same sentence, out your mouth.

Lesson Learned: Brandon Roy shouldn’t have beaten Caron’s butt in NBA Live. [video]

Random Posts

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• December 31, 2011 -- Channelling More Incites From The WIZZNUTZZ
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• The anti-Eddie Jordan crowd has ceased their crowing lately. Tuff Juice gives Eddie his full support, as he has done all year, and Ivan Carter of the Washington Post does well to drum up some support.
• Support came from Slam magazine giving some link love to the Washington Post’s touting of Jordan. (Byron Scott seems to be the favorite among the commentors)
• So Michael Lee on Wizards Insider starts the east-coast Coach of the Year argument with four great cases, but gives no answer.
• Lez Bullez also talks about others in the conversation.
• The DC Pro Sports Report has Eddie’s back and cites the valid criticism.
• Me? Right Now: Mo Cheeks 1, Eddie Jordan 2 – but there’s a lot of important games left.
• To the West Coast Swang with the Pradamaster from Bullets Forever:
  My guess is that if the trip is a microcosm of the entire season, like it was last year, we’re in good shape. This year’s team doesn’t have nearly as much talent, but they’re more organized, play better defense, and have better coaching.
• Good thing the Wizards took Monday off to get a head start to Portland.
• Awww….Somebody bald has a crush. [PTI]
• VOTE FOR GILBERT OR DIE!
  
• Know what I’m sayin’?
• It’s game night people.
• Game #9 blog vs. Trailblazers
• Catch tonight’s game blog on Bullets Forever
• [And here is the link to that game #70 blog versus the Portland Trailblazers.]
• GO WIZARDS!

Recapping those Pistons:

The prerequisite Bullets Forever recap and link to the live game blog.

What about the nation of Pistons?

Pistons Nation regurgitates the company line:

Another factor was probably that the Wizards still have playoff positioning to play for where as the Pistons are comofortably in the 2 slot. So they’re tinkering with things in preparation for the post-season.

I would agree more with Need 4 Sheed’s assessment:

Another lackluster performance for the Pistons, who have a tough stretch ahead. They are locked into a playoff spot, but we would like for them to be playing solid ball headed into the playoffs.

And on Rasheed’s tech:

Sheed’s 11th tech of the season. It clearly was a foul, but a tech? I guess however if you give one to Stackhouse for pushing Ginobili’s face into the floor Sheed’s little push qualifies, though it was very marginal.

from DetroitDerek
top photo of Portland from [PhotoNerd]

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It’s early in the season, so I wouldn’t be too concerned with Caron Butler burning out; he played 46 minutes against the T-Wolves. It’s obvious that he is the #1 horse this year, the pillar that the team must lean on since they really don’t know what they will get from Gil on a nightly basis. Even though Arenas came through big last night, I’m not ready to officially declare him back. Butler is shooting .508 from the field this year, a dramatic improvement from the .463 he shot last year. Let’s hope he keeps it up.

The big issues for tonights game:

>> Production from the 2, the Wiz are desperate for someone to step up.

>> Who’s guarding LaMarcus Aldridge? It will probably be AJ, and we are never thrilled with his D. But LaMarcus has a good perimeter game, so you definitely don’t want Haywood away from the basket, chasing him around…then again, Channing Frye likes to roam too. I’m sensing that we will see the big line-up (one of them) early tonight. Blatche will be key (obvious).

This just in: Gilbert Arenas will not be playing tonight, gotta rest that knee. I’m okay with this… gives Eddie a chance to see who wants to man up. This team has their work cut out for them though. Can Antonio Daniels step it up like he did in last year’s playoffs? Unfortunately, this also means run for Nick Young…and I’m okay with that too. I’ve been down on the guy, but I still want to see what he’s made of. Can he rebound after a horrible game last night? Let’s roll.

1st Quarter

Wiz go to Haywood early…good, but I’d like to see him get lower post position before feeding him the ball. He misses the first shot of the game.

Haywood actually starts off on LaMarcus, AJ on Frye.

7:14 – Great pass by Daniels to Haywood for a dunk…a little dribble penetration, and a great maneuver of the correct passing angle. Wizards up 11-2. Also, Stevenson has started the game strong on D, bothering Brandon Roy a good bit.

The Wiz are doubling Aldridge from the top at times.

5:01 – Andray in for Haywood, along with Roger Mason Jr for Stevenson….now it’s his turn to show what he can do.

3:43 – Not a pretty game so far, just under 4 minutes left and Eddie Jordan must take a time-out as the Wiz are still stuck on 11 and the Blazers have 7.

2:17 – Still on 11, 9 for the Blazers. Fro some reason the Wizards have stopped going to Butler. The lull is cut short with a Jamison 3.

As the clock runs down in the first, the ball is in Roger Mason’s hands at the top, he gives it to AJ on the right wing, who zips it back to Roger, who then feeds it to Butler on the left wing. But Butler only gets the ball with 3 seconds left on the clock….lucky for the Wiz, he fires up a 3 and gets fouled, makes all three FTs. My problem is the sequence and the Joe Gibbs-like clock management. The ball should have been in Caron’s hands much earlier.

Wiz up 22-15 at the end of the first.

2nd Quarter

Roger Mason is playing solid so far. He’s hit a 3, and just made a breakaway lay-up after a Stevenson steal. More importantly, he hasn’t made any mistakes. Wizards up 32-19.

7:57 – Blatches checks out after playing some great ball on both ends of the court. AJ, Haywood, Songaila, Mason Jr, and Stevenson in the game.

5:49 – Wiz up 10, 34-24 – Haywood gets blocked by Przybilla, but stays with it and gets fouled on the 2nd attempt, makes both FTs. You really have to be proud of the Wizards effort so far. Yea, they aren’t shooting well (35%), but they are making Portland work for theirs (33%), and they only have 2, get it TWO turnovers so far. Damn, I hope that I just didn’t jinx them.

5:34 – 2 points, first points, for Steve Blake….just a minor mis-communication for the Wiz on D. Tighten that up fellas. Blatche is back in the game though…you see, Eddie is not going to confuse any players…or send mixed messages. If you earn playing time, you will get playing time.

Wiz up 40-32. Why am I surprised? Butler only has 7 points…4 of those came in the first 4 1/2 minutes of the game, and the other 3 came on those FTs at the end of the first. Believe it or not, this is a GOOD sign.

3:02 – Jamison 3, the Wizards, including Blatche, are really moving the ball well on offense. AJ has 13 points and is 3-5 on 3s.

Does anyone have the plus/minus on JUST when Haywood and Blatche are in the game at the same time? Bullets Forever? They just seem to have great chemistry. I know that Haywood is more down-low and Blatche roams around the mid-range…even still, they never get in each other’s way, nor do they congest the offense for anyone else.

Ha! I love it…very nice tactic by the Wizards. My boy Rob, who is at the game, texts me that they are putting the Dallas Cowboys logo on the big screen when the Blazers are shooting FTs to the increase Boo factor. They show it on TV a couple minutes later.

Halftime…the Wiz hold strong. Nothing incredibly special, but if you ask me, it’s been a great performance so far. I wonder when exactly did the team find out that Gil wasn’t playing…so they could properly prepare themselves. Wizards up 47-38.

3rd Quarter

Key…Wiz start the 3rd off strong. Good for Eddie Jordan to keep these guys focused and motivated coming out the locker room. They score the first 5 points and go up 14.

Brandon Roy has been quiet ya’ll….only 3 FTs, 0-4 from the field.

10:11 – Buck says that the Blazers have gone the past 4:20 of game time without a FG.

Haywood has also done a great job staying in between LaMarcus and the basket. But it hasn’t only been this game….he’s been moving his feet well, laterally, the whole season.

8:04 - Haywood offensive rebound draws a foul. He and Jamison are actually fighting over offensive rebounds at this point. Brendan makes both FTs, he’s 7-7 for the game, Wiz up 58-42.

7:01 – Steve Buck says that Stevenson just thought about this first shot of the game, but did not take it. Good…someone has been in this guy’s ear about knowing his role.

6:32 – Nick Young makes his first appearance…holding breath….NOW (until he gets his first turnover)

6:06 – Breath release…not for the TO, but Young hits a 3 after the penetration set up by Antonio Daniels.

5:16 - As expected…a bad close-out from Nick Young, on Steve Blake of all people…foul on Young. Absolutely no defensive fundamentals…what are you doing out there at USC Tim Floyd?

4:38 - Another foul on Nick Young…this time he decides to move his hands instea
d of his feet and fouls Brandon Roy on a drive to the basket.

3:49 – Brandon Roy 3 on Nick Young’s head…8-0 run by the Blazers, Wiz up 66-52 now. Eddie leaves him in the game, but opts for Roger Mason checking in for Stevenson.

3:29 - Young hits 1 of 2 FTs for 4 points in the game…I’m sure the folks on Wiz insider are just raving about his offense and about how he needs to play more.

2:46 - Ok, Props to Nick Young (see, I give it when it’s due)…he dives on the floor for a loose ball that leads to a Wiz fast break. And look, I’m not completely down on the guy….I DO realize that he’s a rookie. I’m still happy that the Wizards got him at where they picked in the draft and I trust Ernie Gruns. Clear?

2:15 – Young hit a J on one end, but fails to get low on D and fight through a pick on the other end…Jarrett Jack hits a crazy shot.

:59 – Breakaway dunk by Young…thank you young man for coming alive and giving the Wiz some offense off the bench. I guess I can’t criticize his D too much….Gilbert Arenas does still play for the Wizards.

:20 – Nick Young is on fire, he hits a deuce just inside the 3 point line as the shot clock was running down. The LA yungin’ has broken into double figures for the first time in his career.

End of the 3rd…AD gets a layup And1 as the clock runs out (ok, :00.2 left). The Blazers cut the lead to 12, but the Wiz now lead 78-63.

4th Quarter

Jitters for the Blazers, two turnovers in their first two 4th quarter possessions.

Eddie going with the lineup of Young, Songaila, Daniels, Butler & Blatche.

9:43 – Damn, Andray picks up his 5th foul, Haywood in.

9:21 - Wow, Young hits a back-down-spin-fade-away jumper. Nice! I like!

8:40 - Haywood dunk! Wiz up 88-70. My mom, who is in town for a visit, comments on the funny eye-brows of Jarrett Jack. And hey, they are funny. Haywood is on the cusp of another double-double, 15 points – 8 rebounds. Roger Mason has 8 points as well? Wasn’t aware of that. In fact, the Wiz have gotten 32 points from their bench tonight, and if I’m not mistaken, that is a season high (of course, it’s to be expected since Arenas is out tonight).

6:03 - Wow. Haywood is 9-9 on FTs tonight.

3:51 - Largest lead of the game for the Wiz after an AD steal and a Caron Butler dunk, no Blazer even crossed half-court….while he put his hand behind his head, a la…Karl Malone. 102-79 Wiz.

Dominic McGuire checks in as Eddie starts to clear his bench, joins D-Song, Young, Blatche & Mason Jr.

Everything is great….Caron Butler is dancing on the bench. Antonio Daniels had 10 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds….only 3 turnovers.

But get this….as of right now….and yes, it is now garbage time, the Wizards only have 6 turnovers for the ENTIRE game (finished with 8). Taking a quote from the Steve Buckhantz book, “How ‘Bout That?”

The young Wiz close out the game nicely…. the final score is 109-90.

Wizards fans could not have asked for anything more. Solid game. Arenas got rest. Rookies got experience. Low turnovers. Made FTs. Copacetic.

I can’t even go on anymore….now off to the bar for drinks.

Peace.

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