Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

[note: this game blog also appears on Bullets Forever]

David Stern was on Comcast before the game talking with Russ Thaler and Mike Wise of the Washington Post …who was hitting him with some hard questions, albeit halfway in jest….such as:

Why does LeBron travel worse than Patrick Ewing in the 80s? Laughing non-answer. Or….
Why do superstars get calls? Evidently Stern can prove that this is not true with statistics, but doesn’t have the time….yeah riiiight.

Later, Rock Cartwright of the Redskins joins the pregame show. He says that neither Caron Butler parties nor Gilbert Arenas parties have anything on Fred Smoot parties….of course, Mike Wise and Russ Thaler are admittedly put in a rough position…..but they mentioned the Love Boat nonetheless. Unnn-com-for-ta-ble…….

Wow…a lot going on in the pre-game, huh?

Initially, Eddie Jordan said that Gilbert Arenas felt some slight pain and aching in his left knee and that he might not play at all. Comcast reported this around 7:15.

Then, when the show was thrown to Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier, who were “just” handed the starting card at 7:30, Gilbert Arenas’ name was on it.

Who knows with this team? As we all are probably well aware, the Wizards had a loose game-day locker room….at least with hair-dos as Caron carved “Tough Juice” in the back of his head , evidently himself, and Andray Blatche and Nick Young were sporting mohawks. My initial reaction is that this team doesn’t need to be clowning around…then again, I’d rather have them loose than uptight.

Ron Thompson makes a nice assessment on how Gil starting will affect Roger Mason (as Antonio Daniels will be coming off the bench)….essentially, Ron speculated that Roger might play better because he is used to playing with AD. We will see. Personally, I’m more curious to see how AD will play. (Even though I have a good feeling about the Silent Assassin.) The Wiz have gotten zilch from AD this series. We need his energy off the bench.

Phil Chenier had a recent sit down with Gil:

On yesterday’s practice: an “emotional film session” where they knew Eddie Jordan was going to come down some players throats. He wasn’t the usual laid-back Eddie. The most unusual part though was when Gil was talking about Jordan coming down on those who took selfish shots in game 2…..Gil was glad that he only had one instance…..Whhhat? I gotta go back and look at that. Really? Only 1 bad shot from Gil?

Watch Comcast or TNT? How about both….two+ TVs makes it easy, but who do you listen to? I’m inclined to put the volume on TNT. Barkley says that Gil has to “pass the damn ball”…..and that seals the deal. I’m going with TNT. I like my hometown guys, but I’m not ready to hear anything slightly bias this game. Of course, we’ll have to see how Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello do…..

Arenas is going to be limited to 28-30 minutes….LeBron is miming homeruns on the court during intros….Yankees fans…”great”….and then LBJ does his powder thing. Very original LeBron.

Quarter One

The White-Out looks decent….Bron gets booed as the Cavs get the tip. Caron is defending James to start. He misses a jumper.

Soldier Boy sighting? Nope, not yet…at least not on TV. LeBron blocks a Butler transition layup….and then goes down and gets a layup. Same ol’, huh?

10:38: Wiz ball movement gets AJ a lane for a layup…first Wiz points. 2-2 game.

Wally hits and easy step back on Gil…interesting matchup there as DeShawn is on Delonte West.

10:06: Haywood yells after the baby hook. The Cavs go to Wally again cause Gil is on him. Mike Brown will go to whomever Gil is guarding.

Looks like DeShawn has a mohawk too.

9:28: Patient offense….lob to BTH, scores on Big Z and draws the foul…As Ilgauskas is draped on BTH, Haywood stupidly throws a chicken win into his stomach…Big Z then gives a push back. Initially it looks like a tech is just on Z, it’s actually a double T and justifiably so…Eddie is pissed. 6-4 Wiz after FTs.

DeShawn gets a steal, but guns a trey.. Nope. Ilgauskas somehow gets a breakaway dunk and BTH smartly doesn’t do anything like foul as he was following behind. 6-6 game.

8:51: Gil misses his first 3….high rebound. Two Cavs and DeShawn go up for it..DS gets there first and gets the foul, he really skied on that one.

8:42: Hook Stevenson..LeBron is guarding him and he tries a dribble then guns the rock..a three miss. No need for that BS…

Then Stevenson misses a layup after LBJ (or Wallace) blocked Haywood…not a good start for the Lock Smith.

7:55: Uh oh…getting the calls against LeBron out of the way early..Bron gets a charge called on him.

Gilbert and BTH run a pick and roll….dunk. 8-8 tie. I’m proud of the Verizon center atmosphere….I’m not there but it sounds pretty intense.

Cavs post Wally on Gil…he misses an easy…Arenas drives back at him and gets a lay-in Cleveland didn’t expect drive from Gil. 10-8 Wiz.

5:57: Wallace gives Jamison a bear hug pelvic thrust thingee from the back and picks up his 2nd foul…first commercial break 10-10 game.

Gil goes to the bench and TNT reports that he had an MRI earlier today, the result is a bone bruise. AD is in the game.

5:27: LBJ misses a 3 in the corner, Wallace gets the board. The Wiz don’t even pay attention to LBJ going to the hoop to receive pass from Wallace for a dunk. 12-10 Cavs.

AD gets his first layup and looks like himself. Next time down (after a Wally miss), Butler gets his first FG, a midrange baseliner. 14-12 Wiz.

So far on defense, the Wizards are moving much quicker and keeping up with Cleveland’s ball movement. This game, they are sprinting to cover their assignments.

3:44: Wiz get into penalty as Joe Smith fouled Butler on a rebound…..seems like the Wiz are going up harder and higher for boards.

3:15: Varejao completely flops….what a douche….but I can’t blame the ref for calling a charge as Caron had
his arm out there. Butler should know that Andy V. will try to set people up with his dramatics.

Another charge is called…this time on Andray….looks like another good whistle. LeBron is present in the paint, especially on offensive boards, but the Wiz have packed it in, minimizing drives. Another TV timeout, 16-12 Wizards. 5 turnovers for the Cavs, 3 for LBJ…but only 2 points for the Wiz off that. Washington has 4 turnovers themselves.

1:44: LeBron misses an impatient 3…AD jets the rock all the way to the hoop….And 1 on Andy Varejao who judging by his face, has never committed a foul…..ever.

Blatche gets the timing and throws Devin Brown’s shit. The Cavs started 6-11 from the field, 1-8 since.

0:09: With the clock winding down, LeBron James goes up, leading with his knee a la Karl Malone. Makes the hoop and 1. Nice move, dick. 21-17 Wizards.

A hard fought first quarter. Wiz were up 9, but it ends 21-17.

1. Lotta turnovers: 6 for the Cavs, 5 for the Wiz.
2. Curiously, Wiz have 5 steals and Cavs have 0.
3. DC is shooting 40% from the field and 5-5 from the FT line.
4. Cavs at 38%, only 1-1 on FTs.

Quarter Two

Both teams start with turnovers. LeBron James on bench to start 2nd.

10:38: MaseON for three. Thanks buddy, bout time….(he missed a layup at the end of 1st). 24-17 Wiz.

Andray blocks Big Z….got to love Blatche’s presence to start.

10:06: Mason pump fake….see ya Boobie…ball transfer…and buckets. 2 pointer. 26-17.

9:29: MaseOn again…this one was easy as the Wiz has a 4-1 fast break…Haywood was out high covering a Big Z screen for West, BTH poked the ball away and got the steal. SWARM! 6-0 Silent Assassin run!

Larry Hughes is in the house. Comcast’s Chris Miller is interviewing him on the sideline…..and I could care less.

9:04: AD fouled Devin Brown on a 3 attempt…..ok, should be a call….just didn’t think they would do it after the shot missed and the rebound was secured (by Varejao I think). Brown makes 2 of 3.

Blatche, Haywood, Mason, Butler and AD in (interesting lineup…I’m down)….Mason miss…Blatche board, kick out to Mason…drive….ball back to Blatche for the dunk. 30-19 Wizards.

MVP so far: Andray Blatche
LVP: DeShawn, 0-3

7:45: Really? Are you kidding me? They call a travel on Big Z? Noooo!! I just heard an ‘oink’ outside of my 5th floor window. And after that…just as everyone is wondering where LBJ is, Mike Brown gets him off the bench. Pretty good rest for LeBron. Gilbert also checks back in….

7:01: Mason takes a heat check coming off screen…looks like a play run for him, not a bad miss.

Arenas has his point guard head on a swivel coming down the court….Cavs lose Butler, he gets the pass from Gil and a dunk on Andy’s back. Mason gets a steal….but misses the three. I would have liked to see Mason not do that. 32-22 Wiz.

6:31: Cavs commit another turnover…their point guard play is terrible. That’s their 13th, Delonte has 3.

6:01: Butler hits a trey and everything is going right so far….so far….so far….

Oh, Butler….really? You go for a Varejao pump fake? Cavs points…then a Wiz turnover…trying to go for a homerun pass.

Jamison Block! Benny Wal-lace…wrong direction brah! Wiz get the ball, Jamison runs the court, Gil flips him a no look pass..no basket but foul and 2 FTs. That’s the Bill Russell play of the game. 36-24 Wiz.

Hmmm…why is LeBron not going inside as much…scurred? (that’s how people say ‘scared’ in Mur-lin, I mean Maryland)

4:19: Gil with a sweet bounce pass to AJ…he “lulled the Cavs to sleep” – Phil C’s words. But dammit if AJ doesn’t miss both FTs.

Tell you what though….as Big Z counters Haywood’s points…..the Wiz are doing a much better job with getting hands and eyes in the passing lane when LeBron cuts through.

3:00: Meanwhile…Gilbert Arenas limps into the locker room.

Stevenson rattles home a trey….his face goes numb again…idiot. C’mon, don’t do that crap. 43-29 Wizards.

2:33: Butler steal…Mason all the way to the hoop…the Verizon center is going nuts.

The Wizards points off turnovers has picked up….they now have 18.

1:53: Caron hits a running bank…11-2 Wiz run since the 4 minute mark.

0:55: Wow…no really, wow – Caron Butler spins and splits a white guy double team (Big Z and Wally World) he drives and hits a double-clutch hanging one-hander. Amazing. Mike Fratello compares Butler to Elgin Baylor. Barkley would later compare this move to Dr. J. High compliments.

LeBron is a no-go for a shot as the clock runs down…he’s pleading his case to the ref. I think I see a tiny Johnny Cochran devil and angel on his shoulders and that’s the half.

49-33 Wizards. A great job from every angle…the crowd, the offense, the defense, the coaching. My inner skeptic reminds me that there’s a TON of time left. But still, you couldn’t script it better…..aside from the part about Gilbert going to the locker room….Cause I’ve never seen a movie where the supposed good guy gets taken out and the movie gets better, until tonight perhaps. (And no, I’m not counting that movie where Samuel L. Jackson got eaten by a shark, Deep Blue Sea)

Half Stats:

1. Wizards FG=50% (64% in 2nd quarter)- Cavs=39 %.
2. Points in paint 30-12 Wiz.
3. Turnovers: 15 Cle, 9 Wiz.
4. Steals: 9-1 Wiz.
5. FTs 7-9 Wiz, 5-8 Cavs
6. Boards- Cavs up 19-16, 6-2 offensive
7. 3s – 2-8 Wiz, 0-3 Cavs
8. LBJ was 5-11, the rest of Cleveland was 9-25
9. Points: Caron 12, LeBron 11, Haywood 10

Quarter Three

Gilbert Arenas is out for the rest of the game….but he’s sitting on the bench (of course, right….well, you never know sometimes).

My biggest fear….if the Wizards win big, is that they talk smack (ok, only DeShawn) and get the Cavs angry.

11:35: 3rd starts with an AD miss at the end of the shot clock……don’t like it.

11:20: Although, LeBron is also settling for jumpers. Nope.

The Cavs have no offensive flow…..they’re left with Ben Wallace dibbling in post, almost traveling….and a miss. He gets his own board….Wally misses a shot that looks flat.

Haywood is no doubt getting the best of Big Z…..easy post possession on offense nets 2 FTs….and BTH is drawing offensive fouls on other end. 53-34 Wizards.

Butler goes hard for a steal..not close. Cavs convert. 53-36.

Daniels is doing a good job of penetrating and dropping dimes to AJ so far. He’s also playing D that’s better than what we’re used to from him.

8:27: AJ continues hotness with a J off the screen. AD made a perfect pass for his 3rd assist in 3rd. 58-38 Wizards.

7:47: Cavs get two offensive boards on one possession but can’t knock down any of three jumpers. LBJ 3, Wally mid-range, West 3….nope all day.

Cleveland fans should be mad at West’s D right now because Daniels is doing what he wants.

DeShawn has been on LBJ the past three or so possessions

6:58: Stevenson hits a trey…..and here we go. Ambasol on the face (I feel I should explain ambasol…it’s numbs tooth-aches) Cleveland timeout. 14-5 Wizards run, 63-38. Lotta time left….left…..left……

6:39: LeBron hits a funky bank runner. 63-40 Wiz.

6:21: DeShawn hits another 3….yea, easy to hit them when you’re up 20, huh? (sorry, I’m still mad at him)

5:55: DeShawn with a heat chec
k 3 and miss…DAMMIT – DON’T DO THAT CRAP!!! GET A GOOD SHOT YOU MF!!!! (I’m still scared of a crazy comeback)

Delonte West is a funny looking dude….If I were directing an old tymie play, I’d cast him as a shoe shine boy….Hey Mista!!

You know it’s going bad for Cavs when Big Z makes 1 of 2 FTs. 68-43 Wizards.

4:25: Oh No! Jamison misses an easy dunk back cutting LeBron, who didn’t have his head on a swivel….nice pass from Caron.

Caron strips the ball from LeBron…dunk you very much. He knew LBJ was going to settle for a jumper. Got em like Sidney Dean baby!!! 72-43 Wiz.

Dammit….Caron misses a J….he slipped….Cavs come down and Joe Smith gets a dunk. Eddie calls a timeout…Caron limps to the bench. Hopefully it’s not too serious, doesn’t seem like it. 72-45 Wizards.

TNT is reporting that Eddie Jordan went army on the Wizards: He broke them down after game 2 and then built them back up. I know there’s a Full Metal Jacket joke here somewhere.

0:52: That’s what I like to see….Andray gets the ball on the wing and drives it right down Varejao’s throat…and gets a foul call. 1 of 2 FTs, but Wiz get the ball back.

Uh oh…here comes trouble. Nick Young has just checked in.

0:40: Mase Still On….drive pull-up Buckets. 77-48 Wiz.

Another thing I like: The Wiz are still doubling LeBron to get the ball out of his hands.

Uh oh….the Wizards fans chant overrated while LBJ is at the line….and that dude can’t help but smile during both shots, missing the 2nd. Of course, the Cavs get a steal or something and LeBron puts on a cape and throws down a dunk.

After only 4 points in the first….Jamison has nailed 11 in the 3rd. 7 came in the first 4.5 minutes. That’s how you start an important quarter.

Quarter Four

FINISH STRONG!!

Big Z gets an easy to start 4th. 77-53.

11:20: But D-Song and Andray keep attacking the basket until the ball goes down.

James drives and gets Andy V. an easy. LBJ’s 3rd assist. 79-55.

Wiz use all the clock and Butler has to force a 3…James comes down and nails a 2. C’mon Wiz, stay aggressive….79-59 Wizards. (20 point lead with 10 minutes left….not exactly comfortable)

9:36: Songaila curls off the screen bounce pass from Caron….man Devin Brown made it way too easy for Butler to make that pass…..bucket, foul, but FT miss.

Comcast reports that LeBron keeps looking over at the Wiz bench…evidently he and Gilbert are having words. Really Gilbert? Have you not learned? This is only one effing game…and the Wizards haven’t even won yet at that.

Coming back from the commercial, Gilbert is laughing it up, cutting up…saluting someone, probably the Cavs, on the sideline. You stay classy Gilbert Arenas.

8:15: DeShawn Stevenson nails another trey and does the Damon Jones butt slap. Jake just commented on the thread. Soulja boy is indeed in the house . You think Soulja Boy will get on that heroin in a couple years like B.G. did? I give 5-1 odds on yes. (funny thing…BG is about a 1000% better rapper than Soulja Boy)

7:39: Stevenson gets a steal, comes down….LeBron doesn’t feel like following him off a screen. The Lock Smith hits another trey. He dances up the court, whatever……I’m beginning to despise DeShawn Stevenson. 89-61 Wizards.

7:11: LeBron goes to sit, probably for the rest of the game. Overrated chants start again. I’m sorry, but we are effed. Doesn’t anyone know this franchise is cursed and that the Cavs are going to win the next two? (of course, by saying this, I’m hoping I negate a curse….oh shit…did I just reverse it? aw screw it.)

6:50: Caron drives and hits a crazy shot to get a foul. 30 point lead.

The more the Wizards talk trash, the more I do not give a crap about this win. Am I beginning to sound like a grumpy old man? Should I be happier? I’ll remind everyone that this is just one game.

There’s still 6 minutes left and this game can’t be over soon enough. Never thought I’d say that up 30 with 6 minutes left.

6:07: Stevenson and Butler go out for the game…Stevenson is the best “at home up 20″ player with a mohawk…..like ever.

5:54: How insulting would it be if Mike Brown inserted Damon Jones right now? …..well speak of the devil!

5:15: Mason hits the screen with a cross over…buckets. Largest lead of either team in series. 32 points.

Damn Mase-On (A trey ball, 16 points)…..what can I say? I called it. Then again, pretty much everyone had a good game. Go me.

And it’s ice pack city on the Wizards bench.

Fratello says that Mike Brown is steaming on the Cavs bench…concurrently on Comcast, Mike brings his little green glasses cleaner out and starts working them thangs.

Uh oh…Varejao comes in with 4:17 left.…on my god…he’s got a hatchet in his hands!!! Look out Wizards.

Wiz get a steal. Andray Blatche gets a dunk. 104-65.

3:20: Nick Young fails to get his with a three miss.

The ghost of Billy Thomas is in the game.

2:38: Nick Young makes a strong drive….holds the ball low where the defender can get it…strip poker, Cavs steal.

2:13: Damon Jones misses a 3…I almost wanted him to make it to see what he does. Cavs get the board and he ends up missing another. Foooo-GAZI!

1:19: Mason Junior ball….Pecherov open in corner and ready to shoot. Mase holds his hand up…no rookie….Mase- ON! Deucer for his 18th point. 106-69.

Wiz steal…Pecherov all the way down the court…and attempts a goofy layup. Sorry Stewie….it was Lois’ fault.

0:47: Damon Jones misses another…damn.

0:13: Devin Brown hits a three….are you shitting me? Brown fouls Andray Blatche with 12 seconds left and down 36. Can the Wiz use that as motivation for the next game?

Game over flip.

You know Mike Brown is full of it…..he says that the Verizon Center crowd is “one of the best in the league if not the best in the league” – what…did you get that quote from some sort of Coaching Quotes in A Loss Handbook?

Turning optimist…..it was a great crowd for this night. It was a great win. Now the Wizards need to play the next game like this one never happened.

Stay Hungry DC.

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The Warrior Award: DeShawn Stevenson – agreed. My 2nd place would be Antawn Jamison
Most Improved: Roger Mason – agreed again. Just as Ron said, it was a difficult choice between Mase-ON and Brendan Haywood.
Mr. Dependable: Obviously Jamison.
Mr. Complete: Caron Butler
(I’m beginning to think that they selected players first, and then named awards according to their games.)
The Overachiever: Eddie Jordan – I’m caught on this award. I hate to call Eddie an “overachiever” for doing his job and being the good coach that I know he is, and whom I’ve supported, from Day 1.

Anyway, the game…

This is the Pacers ‘De La Soul’ game….you know, the Stakes Is High. If they lose, they can pretty much count on watching the playoffs from home. And that’s fine with me, I’d rather see the Atlanta Hawks step up to bat. The task won’t be easy, Danny Granger has been killing lately (much less being an upcoming Wizards Killer, a la Mo Williams) and both Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler will be resting injuries tonight.

Quarter One

10:33: Dunleavy is Mr. Go-Hard at Antawn Jamison, getting a bucket and later, a two foul shots. Bout time, for a #3 overall pick. 4-4 game.

The early game plan for Eddie Jordan seems to have Brendan Haywood go up against Troy Murphy in the paint.

9:49: AJ gets a nut-shot as he throws up one of his crazy right-handed floaters. In defending, Granger kicked his leg up (like Reggie Miller shooting a jumper) right into the Jamison family bling. Antonio Daniels graciously commits a foul to stop play and we go to an early timeout. I hate to say it, but seeing AJ go down like that, writhing in extreme pain (we’ve all been there), but then to know that it’s just a clap to the ding-dong, and not something really serious, is a relief. Mr. Dependable stays in the game of course. 8-4 Wizards.

Steve Buckhantz says that Jeff Foster was in the media room trying to scavenge for dinner before the game. That’s our Jeff Foster, straight roaching. Foster is out tonight by the way.

8:51: Hands in the face of Dunleavy for 3? Nope. 10-7 Wizards.

Code Name: The Cleaner checks in the game….AJ has two fouls. And he immediately gets a skying offensive rebound on the neck of Dunleavy. I’d like to think that D-Mac can play better D on Mike Jr. too, who has scored all Pacers points so far.

7:07: Lock Smith…..back to back treys. 16-7 Wizards.

6:46: Dunleavy cuts in the middle of the zone and no one sees him. 16-9 Wiz.

6:30: Dunleavy cuts baseline in transition against the zone…thankfully Haywood sends his shit.

6:03: Murphy transition 3….the trailer from the top of the key. You cannot forget anyone on this team around the perimeter. 18-11 Wizards.

4:56: DC’s 3rd turnover leads to Pacers points which leads to an Eddie Jordan timeout. 20-16 Wizards.

Comcast keeps putting up DeShawn Stevenson 3-point stats: He’s tied with Manu Ginobili for 7th in the NBA for the most games (16) with 4 or more made three pointers. DeShawn’s also made a great deal more 3s this year than he has in all of his previous 6 seasons combined.

Chris Miller on Eddie Jordan’s timeout: “No more lay-ups! Hit ‘em hard!” (not sure if Eddie actually yelled that or not….I doubt it)

Damn, Jermaine O’Neal has been in the league for a while now….before some 7th graders were born.

3:21: Offensive rebounds and second chance points are becoming a bit of an issue for DC. 27-21 Wizards.

1:07: Cleeean-ner! Follow up dunk son! That was quite a slam off the Roger Mason miss. Would Windex be a better nickname for D-Mac? 31-25 Wiz.

Windex…errr…The Cleaner needs to get more selfish. He picks off a Pacers half-court pass attempt with 2.8 seconds left, and after taking a couple dribble up court, tries to pass it to Andray. Not enough time, he should have shot the ball. Oh well.

The Pacers are crappy. They don’t even deserve to be in playoff contention. And they are right what the Wizards offense needs as DC scores 35 points in the 1st quarter (on 56% shooting), yet gave up 28.

Quarter Two

11:09: A three from Mase-ON sets a franchise record for 3-pointers in a season….562. And they did it thanks mostly to Jamison, Stevenson and Mason, not Gilbert. 38-28 Wizards.

9:02: Big Pech contributes to the 3 point count to give the Wizards their largest lead. Funny, it seems like the Pacers have been the better team. 45-33 DC.

7:32: Nick Young hits a mid-range fadeaway….evidently Eddie turns to the broadcast crew and says something to the effect, “That looks like Phil Chenier 70 years ago.” 50-37 Wizards.

The Wizard bench players a playing pretty well, especially the guard play of Nick Young and Roger Mason.

4:11: Andray Blatche is getting put-back dunks, 59-43.

3:46: Mason is driving and setting up Blatche for lay-ups. 61-46.

3:05: Steven Buckhantz compares the looks of Troy Murphy to Ernie Grunfeld…..Chenier says Murphy is “not quite as thick,” whatever that means.

Coming out the timeout, Steve Buck says: “Wizards lead the Pissers…..Pacers…” and then he can’t quite recover.

2:13: D-Song is getting offensive boards all over….and I’m really surprised that the game is going down like this. I expected a lot of fight from the Pacers. All they are really doing is running with reckless abandon.

Aside from not being able to play defense, the Pacers simply can’t keep the Wizards off the boards. 32-13 is the rebound count in favor of the Wizards right now.

0:42: Songaila is playing the role of paint point guard tonight with
his 4th assist. 66-51 Wizards.

0:00: I know it’s been a fast-paced game and the Pacers are going to get buckets as a result, son…but the Wizards defense has been a huge negative so far. Still, a 12 point lead at the half is good for me.

Halftime interview with Nick Young: He basically just said that he wanted to get out on the court and have fun because he hasn’t gotten a lot of minutes lately and that he wanta to get up whatever shots he can. “Great”

Half Stats:

• Wiz boards: 35 (13 offensive) – Pacers Boards :16
• The Cleaner has 6 boards in 14 minutes
• Wiz bench points: 42, starter points: 24
• As much as Indy likes to shoot 3s, they are 5-13 from deep, the Wizards are 7-15.

Quarter Three

Not sure what happened, neither are Steve and Phil, but Stevenson checks out and heads into the locker room 19 seconds into the 3rd quarter.

“They’re letting this team hang around.” says Steve Buck. 68-57 Wizards.

8:44: Roger Mason answer that with a three. 75-62 Wizards.

8:35: But the Wizards leave Troy Murphy open again for his own triple.

Luckily, the Pacers have no idea how to keep the Wizards off the boards.

7:56: But still, the Pacers score….Eddie calls a timeout because the Wiz D is terrible. Indiana is 5-6 FGs in the quarter so far…and it’s not like they are hitting tough shots, most are wide open. 77-67 Wizards.

The report coming out the timeout is that DeShawn Stevenson and his sore back will be out for the rest of this game. The Cavs are up 6 on Philly right now with about 7 minutes left in the 3rd.

7:02: Damn D-Song….he set the Pacers right up with a spin move and a 7-10 split for the lay-up. 80-67 Wizards.

6:40: The D-Song gets his 6th assist to Haywood. 82-67.

4:50: D-Mac (Windex) chases down a loose ball like a hound dawg.

3:38: Mason with the soft shooter’s roll for three….so much for the Pacers hanging around. Good timeout Eddie, the Wiz are up 21, 91-70. Mase-ON has 21 points.

Next Up: Dunleavy lay-up, Jamison 3, Granger 3, another Granger 3. 94-78 Wizards.

Lot going on, but there alway is, isn’t there….a lot going on. [One of my favorite quotes from Made by the way]

Second chance points is 21-6 in favor of the Wizards at this point.

1:49: The Cleaner hangs for a jumper….and it’s good. 98-78 Wizards.

Unfortunately, Nick Young is just doing whatever the fuck he feels like right now….dribbling around and missing fade away jumpers — dribbling around shot-clock violations. Not the type of “routine” you like to see the kid get into.

0:00: To end the quarter, Young fiddles around with the ball, gets it to D-Mac behind the 3-point line corner, but not in time to get any kind of decent shot off. The 3rd quarter ends. 98-81 Wizards.

Quarter Four

11:04: Mason Junior hits another 3, his 6th of the game (26 points)…ties Roger’s career high. 101-83 Wizards.

10:05: Dunleavy trey….this game is not really over just yet. 13 point lead (101-88)? Lotta time left.

8:29: What a surprise….Andray Blatche fouls out with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The 6th was a questionable charge call on Andray. But damn kid, how can we get you to stay on the court? Now the Wizards are down four players.

5:59: Travis Diener his at trey (first game points in 2.5 minutes). It’s an 11 point Wiz lead….but the Potomac Rainmaker answers with his career high 7th three pointer. 106-92 Wizards.

4:48: Cleaner with a tough shot….he uses his strength in the post against Dunleavy as someone from the bench tells him to “go to work” — And 1 missed, 108-94 Wizards.

Meanwhile…..the Sixers have just gone on a 17-5 run to tie the game with Cleveland at 80, 4:37 left in the 4th. I’ve actually had the Wizards game on two TVs….for what reason, not exactly sure. Well….probably because one is hooked up straight to cable and the other to a digital box, so there is a couple second delay that allows me to see some plays twice

Switching one TV over….Boobie Gibson trey. Screw Damon Jones, I’m worried about the Wizards keeping track of that guy in the post-season. Remember last year?

Pacers are within 10 with 2 minutes left.

2:51: A charge is drawn on King James, Philly ball, down 83-82 (don’t get confused, two game blogs have fused together)

1:11: Granger cans a three….7 points Wizards lead now, 112-105. Wouldn’t it be amazing if both Philly and the Pacers came back to win? Shut me up.

0:57: D-Mac does NOT clean anything by missing 2 FTs….Pacers get the rebound and call timeout.

2:11: Ilgauskas hits a couple FTs to put the Cavs up 3, 85-82. Igoudala has taken a couple bad shots on the last two Sixers possessions, but they get an offensive rebound on the 2nd miss…. and Sam Dalembert hits a bucket, And 1 – but a misses the FT. 85-84 Cleveland.

0:41: Meanwhile…Indy turnover, Dunleavy traveling. D-Mac goes 1 of 2 from the FT line this time. The Cleaner needs a lot of face time with Dave Hopla this summer. 113-105 Wiz.

1:06: T. Young hits a hook to put Philly up 86-85.

0:32: Granger drives and Harrison gets a jam. 113-107 Wizards.

0:44: LBJ gets it to Ilgauskas for the go ahead bucket….an amazing thread-the-needle, jump to pass (had to) from LeBron. 87-86 Cleveland.

0:24: Somehow, Songaila and McGuire are in charge of getting the ball up court….8 second violation, Pacers ball. REALLY?

0:17: And Marquis Daniels hits a three. 113-110 Wizards.

GET THE BALL OUT McGUIRE’s HANDS!!! He’s fouled with 16 seconds left. Ok kid….k
eep it cool. D-Mac makes the 1st….camera flashes to the Wizards bench where Haywood is playfully slapping Nick Young dead in the face.

D-Mac hits the second….thank you sir. 115-110 Wizards.

Philly scores (Sweet Lou Williams drive), Cavs score (Lebron soft touch). 89-88 Cleveland with 15 seconds left.

0:05: Wow….I just yelled out loud because the Sixers hit a shot. Igoudala lost the ball, Sweet Lou was there for the pick up and knocked down a jumper like a vet, 90-89 Philly.

Meanwhile…Roger Mason makes a couple more FTs to seal the deal and the three-point well dries up for the Pacers. Game over, Wizards 117-110. NBA.com box

The Sixers foul LeBron…they had 1 to give. 4.1 seconds left.

LeBron goes to the basket….looks like it might be a travel….looks like there could be a foul somewhere. NOPE! The Sixers win!

…..not so fast my friend. No one heard a whistle. The refs review and a foul was called with .2 seconds left. Devin Brown at the line…the Sixers players must be called out of the locker room.

Andre Miller is doing some gamesmanship by walking in a circle around Brown at the FT line. LeBron is kneeling and laughing at opposite FT line after Devin hits the first FT. LeBron puts his arms up and starts walking to the bench before the 2nd one drops. Even Comcast thought the game was over. Cleveland wins, how about that?

Even the Cleveland TV announcers (Fred McLeod I believe) start the shit talking….”Gilbert Arenas, welcome back to Cleveland.”

Well, that’s it. My initial reaction is to sit everyone against Orlando….than again, maybe the Tres Grande can get maybe 15 minutes of run together?…….then again, better to be safe than sorry.

Lotta trash talk between DC and the Mistake by the Lake is about to go down.
Don’t sing it, just bring it.

Random Posts

• October 6, 2009 -- Off To Richmond: The Wizards’ Home Floor Away From Home
• January 14, 2012 -- Lights Out On 1-11 Space Jam Wizards
• January 3, 2012 -- DC Council Game 5: Wizards 92 at Celtics 100: Signs of Life in a Loss

I got a preview/run-down of all (some) things Wizards here. Laters.

Also, check out the Bullets Forever game thread for comments.

Previously on Ready to Die.

Wizards vs. Pistons Game 30: Stuck with the fat girl at the dance as DC got blown 106-93. Detroit had 33 bench points, was 11-22 from three and had 23 assists to 10 for Washington. Bad all around.

Wizards vs. Pistons Game 68: This will be known as the Gilbert Arenas hissy-fit game. The Wizards won 95-83 and made Detroit look very un-Detroit. This discovered picture of Rasheed Wallace was the most important piece of the night.

Quarter Uno

Richard Hamilton is back in the lineup for Detroit….and I’m betting that the Pistons have also heeded the warning which Dallas gave to their NBA colleagues with their 1st round playoff exit last year. Meaning Rip, having missed the last 5 games (and 8 of 9), is going to make the Lock Smith put in some work tonight because Detroit needs to be in a playoff rhythm.

11:56: AJ gets a bucket within 4 seconds off a good Brendan Haywood opening tip. The Wizards often seem to get the quick early basket.

10:30: Prince 3….Butler doesn’t recover from a screen fast enough….nagging injuries prevent nimbleness.

Arli$$…or Robert Wuhl, is in the booth at the Nationals game. Don’t worry, the volume is down. But Arli$$ the show, aside from pro athlete cameos and the relatively attractive Asian, was rather mediocre. I won’t call it flat-out terrible, but it lacked a kick.

8:47: Beautiful follow tip by Jamison is succeeded by a Rasheed Wallace trey, 9-9 game. Some slashing gets tempers flared in the Caps game as DC holds the 2-1 lead over Philly with 10 left in the 2nd — Caps get a power play out of it.

A timeout occurs at 5:53 with the Wizards up 12-9. While the offense has been far from crisp, it has been semi-effective….considering that the Wiz have the lead. The team has benefited from the activity of Jamison and Haywood, they have 5 boards together while the Pistons have 4 as a team.

Before the Wiz can come out of the timeout, the Philly Flyers knock down two very quick goals. They are up 3-2.

5:53: Gilbert makes his entrance into the game. What does this mean for tomorrow night’s match with the Sixers? Not sure….but you can read what Ivan Carter has to say about it. How ’bout I study Gilbert Arenas’ shot selection?

4:53: Gil starts out by setting up Andray blatche…who quickly forgets his two-hands on the ball lesson that Kirilenko gave him long ago. He gets blocked by Ratliff when he should have finished or at least gotten the foul.

3:37: Gil gets a double dribble called against him as Detroit has ratcheted up their D since the timeout….Rasheed gives him a thanks and a pat on the head before the Pistons continue their 9-0 run on the other end.

Uh oh…the Flyers have scored again. 4-2 with 4:38 left in the 2nd period.

2:18: Meanwhile….the Pistons are increasing their offensive ball movement. Chauncey Billups three in the corner. Evidently, I missed a Gilbert 3-point attempt (and miss) on the previous possession. His only shot so far. 23-14 Detroit.

0:00: The first ends with the Tayshaun Prince missed a three that was hotly contested by our Gilbert Arenas. 23-19 Detroit is the score. The biggest issue is: Detroit has hit 2 more 3s, 2 more FTs and has doubled the Wizards up on assists, 6-3.

Quarter Dos

The Nats and Braves are still scoreless.

11:28: Gilbert misses a jumper early in the shot clock. Let’s call that a bad attempt. He was open a step or so inside the 3-point line, but I’d rather open jumpers be taken more within the offense.

10:36: Arenas dribbles around and the Pistons kind of watch him….open layup, points scored. That’s a good shot. 25-23 Pistons.

10:01: Gil checks out and Roger Mason AKA ‘whatever‘ immediately fires and misses a trey. It’s getting testy in the Caps game again.

9:27: Roger Mason misses another three. Not exactly the time for the Wizards to neglect the paint on offense….especially when the Pistons keep getting inside dunks.

Damn, they keep taking about DeShawn’s consecutive starts at 247 (every game update from Steve Buck)…..but The Prince is clean ahead at 352.

6:00: The Pistons, or their bench, seem to want it just a little bit more…I mean, they are playing just a little harder. I’m sure the Wizards want the game. But Rodney Stuckey has provided a quick 4 off the bench while Jason Maxiell is pulling down 7 points and 3 boards. 38-28 Detroit lead.

4:16: Right now, as he nails 2 FTs, Caron Butler has 6 points on 1-4 from the field. It’s safe to say that he needs to assert himself in the offense a little more. 43-34 Detroit.

3:08: Haywood does
n’t even bother getting in the face of Antonio McDyess as he hits that baseline shot that he nails ALL THE TIME! Scouting report BTH? 45-36 Detroit.

2:30: Pistons have to take the ball out of bounds with 1 second on the shot clock….McDyess can’t get the shot off in time. A prime example of why tenths of a second are needed on the shot clock in the NBA, and college. Speaking of clocks, this is pretty damn interesting (Jason Kapono warning).

0:00: The half ends as Caron Butler limps around the court…trying to do anything and guard anyone….looks like a bum right knee. Not sure what happened, but it doesn’t look promising.

The sole bright spot: the Wiz were able to fight back into the game thanks to some defense. After getting down 13, it’s 47-42 Pistons. DC trails 19-17 in total rebounds but commands the 6-4 lead on offensive boards. Also in the 2nd, the Wizards nailed 7 FTs to only 2 for Detroit. Wizards bench? A whole 9 points (5 Andray, 2 Gil, 2 Songaila) — while the Pistons bench is contributing 22 to the cause. Jamison and a “quiet” Stevenson lead with Wiz with 11 points apiece, no one for Detroit has broken double figures (Maxiell leads with 9).

In other updates….I saw goal #3, but missed #4, both by Mike Green, to tie the Caps with the Flyers at 4-4. The Nats are down 1-0 in the top of the 8th.

Quarter Tres

Caron update…he bumped knees with a dude but is back on the court.

10:13: A couple minutes into the quarter, Phil Chenier comments that Caron seems to be favoring the right leg.

GOAL CAPS! Alex O breaks his playoff cherry with aggressive D and a steal of the puck leading to a nail in the net. 5-4 lead for the Caps…very big. How ’bout it Cristobal? Can you hold down the net?

8:08: At the first timeout, the Pistons have powered their way to a 7-0 run and a 56-44 Detroit lead. Detroit has benefited from speed up the court.

MVP chants are starting at the Verizon Center…..And the Caps are able to survive the mad dash from Philly as Ovechkin gets a couple hits in contribution (ever wonder why Alex O attends so many Wizards games? His daddy’s baby momma was a 2-time Olympic gold medal winner in basketball). A little more testiness between the two teams after the final horn but it’s all good in the District as the Caps take the 1-0 series lead. Oh yea, the 76ers lost to the Pacers tonight as well. Nice work lovin’ brothers.

6:01: Meanwhile….the Wizards are on the verge of making it ugly. Lack of proper decisiveness on offense….34% from the field doesn’t help. Nick Young checks in to join Gilbert Arenas at the guard spot. Let’s hope they can provide an offensive spark. Down 61-47, they need something.

Nats update: still down 1-0, but it’s the top of the 9th and the Braves have the bases loaded with Gilbert Arenas’ jersey number outs.

4:55: The Pistons are looking like who they are….a #2 seed and the Wizards are looking like who they are… a team which would not make the playoffs in the Western Conference. Nothing doin’ as Washington has been outscored 19-6 in the 3rd, 66-49 lead for Detroit.

4:15: It’s hard to believe that the Wizards have no one who can handle Jason Maxiell — who has 16 points off the bench by the way. (uhh…Andray Blatche anyone?) Oh yea, to go along with his 4th foul (3rd in the 3rd Q) Jamison goes to the bench with 4 3rd quarter points for a total of 15.

How can it get so ugly this quick? Nick Young is taking and missing bad shots……Caron Butler can barely jump with that knee injury. At this point, I would not be surprised if both he and Gilbert say out tomorrow against the Sixers.

3:04: Richard Hamilton easy bucket….Nick Young miss….Rip baseline jumper……Buckhantz is starting to use words like “disarray” and “nightmare” – Happy Friday everyone, 75-52 Detroit.

2:06: As I find out that Cleveland lost in addition to Philly, Tayshaun Prince puts a dunk in the can. 77-52.

Quite a fancy show going on here. Need 4 Sheed is creaming in his headband right now.

0:04: Thanks to a ‘who cares’ Nick Young three……the deficit ain’t as bad at 81-55 to end 3 quarters.

Quarter……awww efff this.

The fact that M.A.S.H. is now on DC20 means that the Nationals have lost (ends up 3-0, but I wasn’t paying attention to the end). The presence of this old-tymey show also can’t be a good sign for the Wizards.

10:42:…I’m still watching, but the drinking has increased, as has Jason Maxiell’s continuance to drain his weasel on Wizard heads. 87-63 Detroit.

Insult on top of injury…..or is it the other way around? Regardless, DeShawn Stevenson is out for the rest of the game with a bruised tail-feather. No word if he will be dancing later.

For the hell of it: 36-16 points in the paint advantage for Detroit. That’s not an advantage, that’s rape.

8:51: Are you serious? Jason Maxiell continues to hit step-back jumpers like Pro-Active on Haywood’s facial. Yup, he’s got a career high of 20 points.

Steve Buckhantz refers to an impending Wizards loss tonight as “no harm, no foul” since Philly and the Cavs lost (but Toronto won) — nice one, a-hole. Me to myself: angry much?

8:01: Andray Blatche just threw up the most lazy, uncalled for under-handed shot that I would be pissed if I saw at an 8th grade girls game. He then commits a silly foul and Jason Maxiell crams an emphatic dunk. What? There’s still 8 minutes left in this game??

Thank god the replacements are on the floor: Mason, McGuire, Blatche, Young and Pecherov.

Wizards Sideline Bench Shot: Yup, everyone looks pretty peeved….but good ol’ Gil can manage some smiles…..probably because he knows he’s on TV. Am I being unfair?

Steve Buckhantz: “Like Ben Wallace, Maxiell’s favorite hobby is building model cars.” Tonight, he built a model turd and left it under Eddie Jordan’s seat.

So the young players are in…are they working on the offense? Nope. They are working on 1-on-1 moves.

Quick Fact…..Lindsay Hunter holds an NCAA record for most 3s launched in a college game….26 against Kansas. (tha
nks to Stevie Buck).

3:50: The Wizards are resorting to playing grab-ass with Jason Maxiell in an attempt to keep him away from the basket.

Gilbert is signing autographs while sitting on the floor…not even the bench. What a guy.

0:52: The Jason Maxiell show continues…….Tomorrow, he is going to wake up and realize that this wasn’t a dream.

On a related note (to the game ending) there is torrential rainfall in DC. I can hear women and children screaming outside of my apartment on 16th Street. 102-74 Detroit Pistons.

I auspiciously hoped for something to build upon, but I ended up with the same Wizards inconsistency. Oh well (a common quote), at least they are in the playoffs. Hopefully, the disaster tonight will lead to a much better effort tomorrow night against the Philadelphia 76ers.

nba.com stuff

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What Happened Last Time?

Wizards Game 2 in Boston: Celtics 103-83: Gilbert talked pre-season smack then got his name chanted (a la Dar-ryl Strawberry) and booed by the playoff atmosphere in Beantown. The Kevin Garnett block on Gilbert Arenas typified the night.

Wizards Game 35 in DC: Washington 85-78: Shocker in DC! (I’m talking about a win vs. the Celtics, not the fact that the Verizon Center crowd was actually *cough* good). Caron Butler and Paul Pierce had an intense 3rd quarter battle. DeShawn Stevenson capped the game with a dunk and trash talk to the Celtics bench.

Wizards Game 36 in Boston: Washington 88-83: Shocker Part II! Tuff Juice was all over the court in the late going…..hitting a double-clutch shot AND1 to put the Wiz up one with 40 seconds left, playing insane D on Paul Pierce, hitting a scoop shot to again put the Wiz up one with 19 seconds left, rebounding a KG miss and hitting FTs to put the Wiz up 3 with 8.6 seconds left, etc., etc…..

Sincerely From Boston.

I traded emails with Jeff from CelticsBlog.com earlier today, here are the results:

TAI: Saving themselves for the playoffs, Celtics starters played about 20 minutes each in a 3 point win against the Bucks last night….but considering how Gilbert ran his mouth before the Celtics blew the Wizards out on Nov. 2 (memorialized by KG’s monster block on Gil) — and then, the Wizards (sans Arenas) swept a 2 game, 2 night, 2 city series, is there any extra motivation to win tonight’s game, especially with Arenas back in the lineup?

CelticsBlog.com: This team has had its motor running all year, looking for all sorts of reasons to get motivated to play the next opponent. They took the foot off the gas in the last few games, resting starters and whatnot, but the Wizards and Hawks are the only playoff bound teams left on the schedule. So in the spirit of “gearing up for the playoffs” I think we’ll see an increased effort to win this game. And yes, I’m sure a little payback for the back-to-back sweep won’t hurt he motivation.

TAI: As a Celtics blogger, who would you rather your team face in the first round?

CelticsBlog.com: Whoever the worst team is. How about the Heat? I don’t mind playing the Hawks. They have lots of budding talent, but they still have room to grow and I think our defense will make life very difficult for them. The only thing that scares me is that they might be too young to realize that they should be losing these games and actually win a few. The Raps scare me a lot more because they can penetrate and find open shooters. If the shots fall, they can beat anyone.

TAI: Celtics Glue Guy:

CelticsBlog.com: I could cheat and say it is Kevin Garnett because he absolutely changes the mindset of everyone, but I’ll say James Posey. He’s the kind of guy that doesn’t show up in the box score much, but he’s an emotional leader on the court and a top notch defensive player who finds a way to hit an occasional 3 point “dagger” (as Buckhantz might say) to shift the momentum our way.

Many thanks to Jeff, check out the CelticsBlog.com preview of tonight’s game.

Other Game Bullets.

• Antawn Jamison practiced yesterday. [WashingtonWizardsBlog.com]

• AJ also participated in this morning’s shoot around and his sprained shoulder is good to go (despite having trouble lifting his arm over his head on Monday). Tuff Juice and D-Song should also be good after yesterday’s practice collision. [Wizards Insider]
• This 12 year old hates Soulja Boy, and perhaps DeShawn Stevenson as well. [Pantagraph.com]
• We already know that Celtic starters (much less the Big Three) were limited in Boston’s win against Milwaukee last night. Also……
• “With home-court advantage throughout the playoffs already secured, Boston’s big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were held out of Saturday’s win at Charlotte and Coach Doc Rivers indicated that he will rely heavily on reserves in the final six games. [Washington Post]
• “If the plan is to not allow Arenas to play back-to-back nights, do you hold him back Friday night so he can play Saturday against the 76ers? Philly’s press gave the Wizards fits the last time the teams met but Arenas is almost impossible to press and/or trap. He’s just too quick, even now. Strategically, it would make more sense for him to play Saturday night. [Wizards Insider]
• Another Celtics Blogger wants to write blog posts like Gilbert Arenas. [Green Bandwagon]
• Check out more links. [Bullets Forever]
• Gilbert Arenas likes to hug strangers. [Gilbertology]
• Nickname Contests are all the rage. [DC Sports Bog]

• Eddie Jordan: “We’re hunting for fourth,” he shouted. “We ain’t gonna’ be hunting sitting on our [rear ends]. We’ve got to be aggressive. Come on.” [Washington Post]

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Time for some quick react quotes from the past two Wizards games. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but the Wiz were able to squeeze out dubs versus both Miami and Chicago. Considering the injuries, I’ve become comfortable in the fact that the Wizards can mange wins while trying to find a rhythm. These are not your father’s Washington Wizards Bullets…so let’s not get spoiled by four playoff appearances in a row. Even so, wins against the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls are hardly anything to write a blog post home about, or is it?

Next Up: Boston Celtics, 7pm, Wednesday April 9th. Onto to the quotes….

Miami Heat

“Last night, when the Wizards clinched their fourth straight playoff appearance with a 109-95 victory over the dreadful Miami Heat, the reaction from the crowd was the basketball equivalent of a golf clap, and players reacted with relief rather than excitement. [Washington Post]

“Wasn’t easy to watch former Heat small forward Caron Butler get busy on the Heat, but it sure was easy to ponder the questions of “Why” was he let go in the first place, and “What” do we have to show for it in the aftermath? The Miami Heat got the worst of that Shaq trade in more ways than one. [Crazy from the Heat]

“Yesterday’s game was nice because we won, but the casual attitude of the team really bothered me. The only thing the Heat were doing yesterday was shooting the three, and yet we did nothing to emphasize cutting off the three-point line. [Prada, Bullets Forever]

“From my seat, Gilbert Arenas played a much better all-around floor game last night than in his return Wednesday in the loss to Milwaukee. He sparked that 16-6 first quarter run by really pushing the ball in transition. He notched four of his eight assists during that span and appeared to be far more comfortable at the defensive end where he moved better and did a better job of getting over and under screens. [Wizards Insider]

“More than anything else, Gilbert’s effectiveness for the rest of the season (especially if he’s restricted to 20-25 minutes a game) is going to be measured by how well he creates and capitalizes on fast break opportunities. [Gilbertology]

“>>The good news? Two of the next four games will not be televised in South Florida. Consider it the mercy rule. >>At least Pat Riley acknowledged Friday that he sees nothing wrong with Heat fans putting their hopes in securing the No. 1 pick in the draft. >>”If we get the No. 1 pick,” he said, “we will have earned that.”>>As for Friday’s game, the more you see Caron Butler, the more you miss him. (Unlike the more you see Shaquille O’Neal.) [Miami Heat, SunSentinel.com]

If it seems like I show the Miami Heat ‘No Country for Old Men’ poster every time the Miami Heat come up, then yes, I do. If only to rub it in the face of my boy Nawaz from Miami. I always told him that renting players would lead to the downfall of his beloved Miami Heat.

Chicago Bulls

“Brendan Haywood grabbed the offensive rebound, threw down a dunk and turned to a group of heckling Chicago Bulls fans and delivered a message. “They were just talking a little bit of junk,” Haywood said. “I just told them, ‘Look, man, we’re up 19 so just sit down and enjoy the show.’” [Washington Post]

“First of all, I would like to apologize to those of you who had to watch the Saturday game in which the Bulls let Wizards center Brendan Haywood score a career-high 25 points for a 99-87 Bulls loss. It wasn’t even that close. I watched in disbelief as a team with Antwan Jamison and Gilbert Arenas on the sideline, just simply outplayed them. [Bull Riding]

“Am I the only one that thinks Brendan was thinking about this while he was going for 25 and 10 last night? Granted. all the key players from that tussle are gone, but still. [Jake, Bullets Forever]

““Give Brendan Haywood a lot of credit,” said Wizards associate head coach Mike O’Koren, who filled in for Eddie Jordan in the pre- and post-game news conferences because the coach battled flu-like symptoms. “Led by him, we outrebound Chicago 53-28, which is really controlling the boards. [Washington Times]

“I even watched this game over the 1st half of KU/UNC. And someone tell Red [Kerr] to buy a freaking iron, his shirts look like he folds them in a fanny pack. [Commenter Rusty Longley on Blog-A-Bull]

flickr/fotografisch.at

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Well, that answers Ivan Carter’s question, Gilbert Arenas will sit out and rest the knee tonight against the Chicago Bulls, opting out of the back-to-back. Who knows what that means….I thought it was normal rest earlier this season, then all of a sudden, he’s having another surgery. Antawn Jamison, as most know, will also be dress-code suited on the bench.

The update is that Gilbert is out as a precaution.

Quarter One

11:41: Can of Tuff Juice from long distance to start.

Even bigger sports night for DC (than on Nats opening night)….got the Caps season finale on the left feed (a win and they’re in the playoffs). The Wizards-Bulls front and center, for now UNC-Kansas on the far right.

UCLA hanging around wasn’t a surprise (Memphis has been butter on a roll, going in I thought they had too much bench and athleticism for the Bruins) yet, I was surprised that UCLA never made a significant push. Shiiiit. Collison….track stars need not apply in the Final 4 homey.

7:59: Haywood is hitting unbelievable fade-aways….did Steve Buckhantz just call Larry Hughes ‘L-Boogie’?…8-8 game.

7:32: Butler is taking heat check threes (made two already, but misses this one), offensive rebounds, Songaila is making nice drives, Haywood is following D-Song’s miss with a dunk. The Wiz aim to put Chicago to the test on offense. And tested they are as D-Song caps a 6-0 run and the Bulls call a timeout at 6:50. 12-8 Wizards

6:10: Tuff Juice J – Caron has definitely found his shooting touch these past 3 games. His playoff mind is right….hopefully his teammates will follow suit. 14-8 Wiz.

Before the game, the debate came up on who should’ve had the ball in the closing seconds of the Bucks game….the consensus among AJ and I is that it should have been Caron.

The 3rd period is starting at the Verizon Center…Caps hold a 1 goal lead in the ‘Win and You’re In’ game.

3:48: Roger Mason….he slips and goes down, the Bulls get transition points to cap an 8-0 run, they’re up 16-14.

3:21: Prada is right, Haywood should and is having a good game so far due to the thin Chicago front-court. A dunk gives BTH 6 points a block and a board.

Semin gets a goal for the Caps ……a blazer from long distance, close to the blue line.

2:44: Meanwhile….that early activity on offense has turned into a bit of carelessness for the Wiz. 12-2 Chi town run. No turnovers for Chicago….8 points for the Bulls off Wizz turnovers…20-16.

And now the Caps have a power play….some Panther has been a trippin’

2:20: RNJ knows what to do after a timeout, it’s nail a three. Reliable, 20-19 Bulls.

Kansas and UNC get kicked off……I’m a Wiz fan….but the NCAA tournament may, at times, take precedent over the volume of Wizards game — despite Billy Packer.

0:34: Caron keeps me around with a reverse slam. The Wiz finish the 1st up 3, 25-22. Caron has 10 points, 4 boards and 2 assists. With zero turnovers, Chicago only had 1 assist in the first.

Quarter Two

10:46: The Wizards aren’t getting physical enough in keeping Chicago away from the offensive boards. Of course, in the process, Blatche picks up his 3rd foul…he sure can pick up some cheap ones, can’t he?

I like the aggressiveness of D-Song….he realizes the personnel situation and adjusts his game accordingly.

Is Tyler Hansbrough a bull in a china shop? Or just an over-excited puppy? How about the Karl Malone comparisons? Both are hard workers…kinda dirty? I’m not sure about Tyler…but Malone sure knew how to use his physicality to hurt others. Kansas is playing with fury on the defensive end.

Wiz and Bulls have hit an offensive lull…the Caps are still staying strong with the 3-1 lead…..playing pretty defensively now as Ovie takes a shift rest.

Timeout and Kansas is up 23-10….UNC looks a little shook. Ty Lawson has not been able to establish the offense.

5:15: Somehow D-Song picks up a tech. I’m not sure what happened, but let me go ahead and say that I like the fire.

UNC is getting run out the gym. They can’t do anything offensively the JayHawk D is leading to easy points.

4:28: AD finally gets Washington off 31 points….he’s been holding his wrist a lot…….of course, the dirty as hell pick that Chapu put on him isn’t helping AD’s health. 35-33 Bulls.

4:00: Noah comes close to victimizing D-Song with a throw the ball in the basket dunk like Superman Caron.

3:59: D-Song takes a seat and The Poet gives him some prose….perhaps a Haiku as AJ suggests.

The Caps are 30 seconds away from the playoffs – gotta put the volume up to hear the Verizon Center goes nuts……a Wizards fan can only wish for that atmosphere.

Ovechkin….despite somehow meeting his girlfriend on the Internet, seems like a good guy. Glad the Caps have him locked up for years to come. Ted Leonsis is an example of a great owner….more wishing from a Wizards fan. Ever checked out his blog?

Meanwhile….UNC is still stuck on 10 with 9 minutes left (held scoreless for about 4.5 minutes), Kansas has 33. Nothing easy for Hansbrough…but Kansas is swarming him.

I can hear the media now…taking the POY award from Hansbrough if UNC loses. But he has 8 of the 12 Tarheel points. Lawson is starting to play panicked….and Rush hits another 3, 38-12 Kansas with 7:32 left.

Wizards and Bulls continue to slop it up. Joaki
m Noah is throwing his weight around….Caron’s friends, mom and family made the trip down to Chi-Town…if Caron doesn’t do well, she’s going to wave a bat at him.

7 ties, 13 lead changes….Bulls take a 43-42 lead into the half. It’s a relatively even game stat-wise. The glaring difference seems to be the 9 turnovers for the Wizards to 3 for the Bulls…and accordingly, the Bulls have 6 steals and the Wiz have 1.

87-88 – The last time the Caps, Wizards and Redskins all made the playoffs in the same year.

Kansas hits a shot at the buzzer to maintain a 44-27 lead….if UNC kept it at 15 or below, I would’ve given them a chance. Now? Well…… our friend Billy Packer said it was over.

The Hawks beat the 76ers tonight….Wizards need to do their job.

Quarter Three

10:20: When Deng is slashing to the basket…..good things happen for Chicago and Tyrus Thomas (with a J, 51-44 Chicago).
9:19: Haywood is taking over with o-boards and running lane hooks against all of Chi-Town…..he’s gotten good at doing it against who he’s supposed to do it against. 51-49 Bulls.

7:53: I like Haywood’s aggressiveness going inside….getting the Bull D rotating and moving, even if he is getting blocked by Noah

6:59: Stevenson hits two in a row….DC, after being down 7, has had an adequately strong 3rd. 57-54 Wiz.

5:51: It’s become a fast-paced game as the Wiz take a 61-56 lead….Boylan doesn’t like this, timeout Chicago.

Phil C says that Stevenson has become a reliable mid-range shooter..I’d say that’s a stretch.

4:28: The glue guy that is D-Song seems to get stronger every day…..just a smart, heady sign by Grunfeld.

3:10: Larry Hughes hits another long shot…if it happens again, somebody is sleeping. 66-63 Wizards.

2:19: I wish the Wiz could get more inside work than what Haywood has been doing….hot shooting like the long J D-Song just hit don’t come on offense many nights. 70-63 Wiz.

1:55: Blatche gets a follow 1 handed slam. Crash the boards every time kid…..you can see that his psyche can be very shaky as all hands are on deck to congratulate him coming out the timeout. He got that dunk right on the heads on Noah and Nocioni.

2nd chance points 16-4 DC.

Wiz have the ball for last snot…somehow it ends up as a 2 man game between Roger Mason and Dominic McGuire – no dice but the Wiz hold onto a solid 76-64 lead.

32-13 Wizards run in last 10 minutes of 3rd. As the pessimist, I’m not satisfied…the optimist says it could be a lot worse.

Quarter Four

9:22: RMJunior with a 3 and continued off the bench shine. 81-65 Wiz to a Bulls timeout.

Meanwhile….UNC just cut it to 12, 54-42….14:42 left….curious to see how Kansas will respond.

UNC within 10…my interest has been sparked. This Wizards-Bulls game is pretty boring. So much for that budding rivalry from a couple years ago.

12:20 – Down to 8 for UNC…..Kansas just turned sloppy. 10-0 UNC run in 4.5 minutes.

6:09: Haywood is dunking and talking to either Aaron Gray or the Ref….either way, he is down to business. I like his quote from the other day. “He made his grand entrance and he had his time,” center Brendan Haywood said. “Now it’s time to get back to business.” [Washington Post] 85-69 Wizards.

Psycho T is raging and scoring and getting AND1s…no FT dice. Would this be the comeback of all comebacks? In the Final 4, yes indeed.

I sure hope the Wiz can keep Roger Mason…but I don’t think he’s going to turn down another 3 year $3 million contract offer like the one Mason got from the Spurs (actually, next time, offers for Roger will be much higher).

3:59: The Bulls are just kinda gunning shots at this point while the Wiz are still taking it inside and doling out some scrap…especially Haywood with dunks putting the team up 19, 93-74.

The Bulls are not completely out of the playoffs….so that’s why I’m even more glad/impressed with the impending wizards win. A W would put Washington in the 5th seed, a game ahead of Philly and 2 ahead of the Raptors.

3:19: Mason is dribbling around silly and hitting fade aways. Roger has 14, Wiz up 20.

A running match of desire and desperation between Kansas and UNC now….5 point game with 9 minutes left. Which coach is more to blame?

2:10: The Bulls go on an 8-0 run to cut it to 97-85…not sure of the reason for careless Wizards turnovers.

Random Thought: What if the Bulls kept Tyson Chandler and didn’t sign Ben Wallace? It’s been covered in the past.

1:13: Not sure why Stevenson is still in the game, gunning with that ankle. Still 97-85.

0:45: Gordon misses a 3 and Gray gets blocked on the put-back…that will pretty much do it.

A great gutty Wizards win. Decent start….a little lull in the middle and then the Wiz just finished off a baffled Chicago Bulls team. Their future once looked so bright.

Haywood is nets a career high 25 points. 99-87 is the final. Very good win…..nba.com box score.

Off to see if Kansas can pull the game out.

3 days off (from games) – stay healthy everyone.

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Meridian Hill Park, Washington, DC

End of the Fourth Quarter

Eddie Jordan’s quotes after the game were very interesting: “I found out [about Gilbert playing]….he doesn’t really tell me, but that’s Gil……..Let’s say it wasn’t through normal, proper channels, but I found out. That’s it? Okay…….” Exit stage right. [What the hell kind of professionalism is that? From hissy-fits to angry auto drives to game plan surprises......Gilbert is like that fake can of nuts loaded with springy snakes.]

Well, the Wizards are back to normal. The offense looks like a poor-man’s Suns (which is pretty good) and the defense has lost it’s damn mind. Gilbert was named Comcast’s Player of the Game. Are you serious? This development disgusts me.

DeShawn limps off the floor….game over. 110-109 Milwaukee.

Ramon Fucking Sessions. Jesus F-ing Christ. The pass inbounds to Andrew Bogut (who had his BACK to the basket)…he immediately flips to Sessions in the corner. Of course, Gil was in charge of covering him…leaves too much room (AND turns his head away from Ramon)…Sessions gets the very quick shot off….it’s good and that’s the game.

Wizards are getting injured left and right. Stevenson’s ankle….Jamison’s something. What the hell is going on? Is it a full moon?

Oh no!!! Jump ball won by Butler, goes towards the out-of-bounds line, saved by Jamison, he takes a dive into the front row. Pass goes slightly over AD’s head towards the Wizards end (AD could not be an NFL receiver) …Sessions is quicker to the ball. Bucks possession, timeout. 1.1 seconds left. Well, the Nats won 1-0 while that jump ball was going on.

….AD is in for Gil. Ugh….I guess he’s our next best option at guard on D. (BTW – Mo Williams is not in the game) Sessions baseline penetration on AD……pass to Villanueva in the other corner, he drives…pass to Bogut….he’s open right under the hoop and Tuff Juice comes from the backside to knock the ball away. A Massive scramble ends in a jump ball between Butler and Sessions. In the process, Stevenson stepped on AD’s foot and limps to the sideline.

Out # 2 for the Nats. Pop fly to left.

21 seconds left, Wizards ball. Do you go back to Agent Zero? 60% of me says no….but I’m going to trust Eddie Jordan’s call……here we go. Arenas drives….leads a little with the shoulder, but gets tripped up by Sessions who is trying to get over a pick…Ramon trips Gil and sends him to the line. 2 made FTs stop a 7-0 Bucks run. Thank god the Bucks call timeout so Eddie can hopefully take Gil out the game on defense. 109-108 Wizards.

Out #1 for the Nats….Nick Johnson plays better D on the line than Gil.

Redd misses against Stevenson…Bucks almost get the long rebound. Ball in Gil’s hands….takes a shot that was a little too forced. Haywood’s multiple tips produce no results. Wiz get lucky…they lose Ivey on D, and he misses a wide open shot. Bucks still up 1 with 23 seconds left.

…..meanwhile, the Nats are going into the bottom of the 9th in Philly with a 1 run lead. Rauch for the save again…not Chad Cordero. Wow. And I just noticed, Philly only has 1 hit. Exciting games…how ’bout that DC sports scene?

Stevenson misses a lay-up, could’ve been a whistle……is it right for DeShawn? Nope. Bucks ball, timeout. 1:17 left.

Haywood is back in and what do you know: Bogut misses a gimme…but gets his own rebound on Brendan….and a put back. Bucks up 108-107.

Butler misses a long jumper….seems like we haven’t heard from him in awhile. No points for Tuff Juice in the 4th, last scored with just over 5 minutes left in the 3rd……that’s not a good sign.

Crap. Crap. Crap. First of all….a big thumbs down to the Verizon Center crowd. It’s a close game and they are acting like they’re watching a colon cleansing. I realize that it’s the Bucks in town…..But really? — Anyway, Gil goes for a layup….misses. Loose ball, tapped by Gil, recovered by Gil on the ground. Instead of calling a timeout, he throws the rock to an area containing 3 Bucks and 1 Wizard. Milwaukee down the court….basket AND1…stupid foul by Roger Mason Jr. Ivey makes the FT and it’s a 1 point game. 107-106 Wizards.

Gil is able to get to the FT line with toughness. Makes 1 of 2. 107-101 Wiz.

Man, these Bucks won’t go away. Royal Ivey, who had that big play in game #42 (a Bucks win where Royal hit a deuce with the shot clock at 0 and 6 seconds left in the game to put Milwaukee up 4) knocks down his 6th and 7th points of the quarter. 106-101 Wizards.

Andray Blatche again….making his presence known in the paint for the bucket and the foul…missed FT. He’s getting some crunch time run. Sorry HAYwood. 106-99 Wiz.

What a play! Gil draws the defense again…..Songaila flashes in the paint and receives the pass. D-Song gets the Bucks moving so AB is open for the wrap-around assist and the dunk. 104-97 Washington.

Bobby Simmons makes Jamison look helpless on defense. 100-95 Wiz.

Roger Mason shows he should still be involved. 100-93 Wiz.

Villanueva keeps the Bucks relevant with a three...it’s only a 5 point game.

Arenas dribbles around aimlessly (it appears)…what is he doing? Oh, he’s moving the defense for a Jamison trey ball. Nice work Gil. Taking advantage of the
attention he attracts will be key. 98-88 Wizards.

The Bucks are staying juuust out of reach. I guess that’s good? I’m Ron Burgandy?

Steve Buckhantz pops the question to Phil Chenier: Cleveland or Orlando? Inexperience wins as Phil would rather face the Magic in the first round.

Mason Jr. with a trey……and something like that makes you say: Wow, the Wiz got a guy like that draining 3s off the bench now? Imagine if Jarvis Hayes balled like RMJ last year. 95-85 Wizards.

Steve and Phil talk about that dunk Nick Young had on Andrew Bogut the last time these two teams played, game #63. Nick got a T for taunting then…..and it’s Brendan Haywood’s fault. BTH told Nick that he was only a practice dunker (as re-told by Steve Buck)…but wasn’t that after Burrito’s dunk on Bron-Bron? (yes it was, that was in game 40)

Andray Blatche has played a solid game…even with 4 fouls. He has 11 points, 3 rebounds and a side of composed maturity.

The Wizards seem to be “floundering” – they shot a lot of their wad in the first quarter, but have seemed a little….drained?

End of the Third Quarter

Redd misses another FT…wow. Makes 2nd, 86-78 Wizards to end the 3rd. The Wizards are coming to double a lot when Gilbert is on D.

With three NBA all-stars in the game with him, Andray nails a jumper on Ruffin a step inside the 3 point line. 86-77 Wizards.

Michael Redd misses 2 FTs….then Gil loses control of the rock, but dives towards the sideline in an attempt to save…no dice. Knee looks okay. Handles, not so much.

To the Nats game in the bottom of the 7th……an amazing stab by Zimmerman at 3rd turns the DP and the inning is over. Still 1-0 Nats.

4:10 – Gilbert is back….I’ve got a feeling that the bad defense will not be getting any better.
The Wizards go to the zone look to compensate.

Seems like the Bucks have a lot of turnovers….NBA.com says 13 for the game, 4 in the quarter so far.?

Uh oh….Mo Williams hits an open trey at the top of the arc. 74-68 Wizards. Don’t need him to get hot.

Andrew Bogut looks good just about every time he plays the Wiz, basket And1. He’s got 17, 9 in the 3rd so far. 72-65 Wizards.

Butler is fouled kinda hard going to the basket….Villanueva grabs his right arm as he charges down the lane…Charlie follows though to pull Caron’s arm down as well. After landing, Caron makes a aggressively grand arm back-swing as if he is still trying to get Charlie off him….lucky for Charlie V., he already released his grip. 72-62 Wiz.

The original starters begin the 2nd half for the Wiz. It becomes a battle for Jamison against Villanueva in the first 3 minutes. AJ wins with 7 points.

Right before the 3rd begins….Ryan Zimmerman pops his 2nd HR of the year. 1-0 Nats.

End of the Second Quarter

Well, the half is over and that is that. The offense looked well oiled….14 fast break points in the 2nd (and total). Gil dropped 12 off the bench…..to add to the 18 points that Nick Young, Roger Mason, Andray Blatche and D-Song combined to score – 30 off the bench, not too shabby. 61-54 is the total. 62.8% for DC is burning the nets (36 points is melting the paint)….but 57.1% for the Bucks has to be burning the lining of Eddie Jordan’s stomach. In the half interview, Caron reveals that the team knew Gil would be back at shoot-around and they played like they had their mind right.

Wiz miss a fast-break oop to Caron….Bogut gets an uncontested dunk on the other end. A smattering of boos, not sure if they’re booing the Aussie or the fact that the Wiz let that happen. 61-54 Washington.

Gil takes a seat in exchange for Nick with 41.5 seconds left in the half.

Redd miss. Jamison outlet to Gil in middle….over to Caron on the right wing….in to Haywood for the bucket. I don’t think the ball touched the floor, caps an 8-0 Washington run. 61-50.

Gil Arenas draws a charge on Mo Will. Down the court, Mo tries to flop on the Lock Smith..DeShawn scores and laughs. 59-50 Washington.

Gilbert’s first semi-explosive drive. Haywood gets a defensive rebound, and is pressured by Bogut. It takes him a second to get the outlet to Stevenson, who whips it to Gil. Arenas sees an open lane and doesn’t hesitate….Gil weaves to score the lay-up AND1. But did you notice him jumping off the wrong foot? He shoots with his right hand….semi-going to the left, but jumps off the right leg….the good leg. Gil misses his 1st FT. 57-50 Wizards.

Oh yea, Wizards can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Pacers loss. The Pacers are down 39-24 to the Celtics right now. Michael Redd and his 5 points in one possession won’t go away. 53-49 Wizards.

Every time I see Nick Young….I can’t help but think of that comment that one hoe-bag once made, “He looks like his breath might smell like onion rings.” Meanwhile….Nick takes the elevator for a dunk…..and then a twisting layup after a D-Song strip. 48-38 Wizards. The Wizards offense is looking pretty damn good….with or without Gilbert in the game. I think his presence has given a boost to the entire team.

Comcast’s Chris Miller interviews the CEO of Legal Seafoods…..and why? They share stories about letting Red Auerbach smoke a cigar in his restaurant….even after the smoking ban. Aw, how cute. Legal Seafoods is really not that great….it’s to Red Lobster as Wendy’s is to McDonald’s.

Gilbert Arenas goes back to the bench. Young, Mason, Blatche, D-Song and McGuire…all lead the effort for Washington off the pine….or is it now plastic? Vinyl? Suede?

End of the First Quarter

Arenas missed a step-back trey from the top of the arc at the buzzer. But Gil is back indeed with 10 points in 5 minutes. He’s not a distributor, but he’s not a driver either. Only non-jumper came on that first cut play within the offense. The Wizards are hot as a team, 14-20 (70%) to 56.5% for the Bucks. The Bucks have 3 offensive rebounds and 8 assists (to 1 and 5 for the Wiz) – after one quarter, it’s 33-30 Wizards. DC got an early 9 point lead, but the Bucks hung around after that.

Another Gilbert three….in Yi Jianlian’s face. Every Wizard is looking out for Gil on D….he’s trying to keep up with Mo Williams Haywood lumbers out near the Bucks coaches box to doubl
e….Mo Williams would later get an assist to Bogut for the basket. Tie game at 27.

Mo Williams makes a hard baseline cut on Gil….Butler must help, lane is open up for Bogut. But Gil goes down and nails a long deuce…..and then he nails a trey after a Desmond Mason layup. Gilbert was wide open both times….did Milwaukee think he wasn’t going to be gunning? Arenas lets Mo Williams score…and then Gil commits a charge….the Bucks go down and take the lead (guess who? Mo Williams again). 25-24 Milwaukee.

Gilbert gets some nice ovations….Eddie runs a back door play for him right down middle of lane (pick from Brendan….Bogut wasn’t paying attention to help) …..Gil gets an easy reverse layup within the offense. 18-14 Wizards.

Coming back from commercial, they show Gilbert coming out the locker room. Not sure when he actually came out…. it seems like just now. Gil has an angry/’I just woke up’ look on his face. Curiously, Arenas is on the bench without a warm-up top…..barely a play runs out of the timeout and Gilbert gets the call to check in the game. He was probably backstage warming up on a bike. I’ll dedicate some time to paying attention to Gil now….since that’s what he wants.

Stevenson gets blocked and looks for a call (doesn’t get one)…..yet the Bucks can’t take advantage. Since their timeout at the 9 minute mark, it’s been an 8-3 run for Milwaukee.

For some reason, Charlie Villanueva gets caught defending Haywood twice….no contest. 1 FT and a FG. 16-10 Wiz.

As go timeouts…..Milwaukee (Villanueva) drives down the lane, misses, but Bogut gets the board and put-back. Stevenson, not having gunned a shot yet, takes and misses….Bucks get points. DeShawn misses again. The Bucks miss. Jamison turns the ball over (a little extra defensive attention from Milwaukee) and that leads to a Villanueva lay-up. Just like that, it’s 13-10 Wizards.

I’m glad that Caron Butler is on the court. At the first timeout 3 minutes into the first, the Wizards take a 13-4 lead, making all six of their shots…..7 points coming from Caron. Left open, he did not hesitate to knock down outside jumpers.

Steve Buck and the scuttlebutt says that Gilbert will dress in his #0 uniform tonight. At the start of the game, Comcast’s Chris Miller is left on the bench and at the alter, wondering about the whereabouts of Gil. Who cares?

The wrist is not getting worse……so Antonio Daniels is on the floor tonight. The report is that he will need surgery and 3 months of recovery after the season.

flickr/mr woo

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The Wizards need to rebound in more ways than one: rebound from last night’s demoralizing game (for fans) and rebound the damn ball. 55-36. That’s the rebounding total from the Wizards’ time in Oregon. Joel Pryzbilla had 17 rebounds….8 of those offensive. Tonight, I’m going to pay special attention to any offensive rebound the Wizards give up and the responsible party.

The Wizards blew the Sonics out in game 32 of the season, DC side. In that game, Seattle provided us an example of their youthful sloppiness. Tonight in Seattle, the Wizards need to provide a consistent veteran effort.

Sixers and Raptors have both already won, so the pressure is on. I love these late-night West Coast games.

Let’s start the show….

Quarter One

11:42: Sonics get the ball in the paint on the first possession of the game, but the Wizards swarm to the ball and get a steal.

11:02: A purposeful Haywood gets the first 5 Washington points. On defense, the Wizards come out with a slight pop in their step.

10:44: Sonic Offensive Rebound #1: Nick Collison – didn’t catch who he beat.

9:30: After a rhythmic Caron jumper and a slick Stevenson pass to Jamison on the inside, the Wizards get the first punch, leading to a Seattle timeout. 11-4 Washington.

7:44: Haywood makes a move which should lead to him playing more than 20 minutes tonight. 16-8 Wiz.

I gotta comment on Brandon Jennings….with 7 assist and 6 minutes left to go in the first half of the McDonald’s All-American game…..I gotta give him props for bringing back the high-top fade. Check out the pics from Simon On Sports.

6:04: Stevenson with another 3, 8 towards the 20 point prediction…..of course, that also means he might shoot a lot too. 19-14 Wiz.

5:26: Sonic Offensive Rebound #2: Haywood doesn’t put a body on Collison.

5:21: Sonic Offensive Rebound #3: French Petro gets a tip and Haywood watches Collison get the loose ball, 3 for Nick.

4:46: Sonic Offensive Rebound #4: No one puts a body on a hustling Jeff Green whose tip keeps the ball alive off a Watson miss. Green is Caron’s man, but I think the Wizards were in zone.

4:43: Sonic Offensive Rebound #5: This one is tipped up (off Green’s tip) and out by an active Petro to Durant. The team was reeling from

Antonio Daniels is also having a hard time keeping up with Watson. The Wizards desperately lack a defensive point. Gil and AD ain’t cutting it in that area.

3:00: Luke Ridnour makes a wild, hustling appearance…..Earl Watson has been hurt too, he was a game time decision and has 6 points and 3 assists.

0:18: Sonic Offensive Rebound #6: Wilkins slides in behind Caron and Mason to get the bound. No one put a body on him.

The first is over. Stat: Rebounds aren’t going well. 17-10 in Seattle’s favor, 6 offensive. Zero turnovers for Washington though.

Quarter Two

0:18: Sonic Offensive Rebound #7: Donyell Marshall gets a tip running in transition, Wilkins secures it. Very bang-bang. Sonics have a big team on the court: Wilkins, Green, Collison, Marshall, Ridnour . Wizards: AJ, Mason, D-Song, McGuire, Young.

Quick start for Seattle, 10-4 run in first 3 minutes, game tied at 33. The Sonics are pushing the ball and the Wizards aren’t adjusting well in transition defense.

8:27: Sonic Offensive Rebound #8: Songaila is not long enough for Marshall….plus he was side to side instead of boxing out with his back to his man.

It seems that Seattle is getting so many offensive rebounds that it’s hard for me to keep track. NBA.com says 9. [I missed a Collison offensive board 16 seconds after #8. Nick got a bucket off his board, Sonics take the lead at 35-33.]

You know what has also died down, besides fans against Eddie? (well, after last night…they might be calling for Jordan’s head again after all the love the other day) But I think a consensus of fan approval is building for Roger Mason Jr. I can’t yet call him a “fan favorite,” but to be a home-grown product, what more could you ask?

Watching this game, I realize that I cannot wait until Gilbert Arenas comes back. After a decent start for the Wizards, the killer instinct on offense has subsided. The Wizards have a bunch of guys who can score, but no one with a lack of consciousness to start draining buckets when a pick-me-up is needed.

5:49: BTW…Looks like our hometown boy is letting Luke Ridnour give him the business. 44-39 Sonics.

5:16: That’s what they need….Butler gets an eventual slam after TWO Wizards offensive boards on the same possession. 44-41 Sonics.

4:11: Well, after that killer instinct talk, Caron Butler hits a 3. But we know he’s still getting healthy…..hopefully. Timeout Seattle. Coincidentally, no Seattle offensive boards in last 4 minutes.

Good ol’ Xavier McDaniel.

3:54: Sonic Offensive Rebound #10: Spoke too soon, Collison gets Haywood again (and a dunk). A white big is killing Brendan on two straight nights. Would Etan let this happen?

0:1
7: Sonic Offensive Rebound #11: Another Collison rebound…it’s becoming a white haze. The first half ends….rebounds, rebounds, rebounds. 30-21, 11-6 offensive.

Half Stars: Durant has 16 points on 8-13 shooting, Caron has 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds.
56-50 Seattle.

Quarter Three

9:40: Sonic Offensive Rebound #12: Collison miss, Butler stays behind Durant, Jamison and Haywood linger in lane, Durant (the original passer) tips back out to Collison.

9:16: Jamison must get a “kind bounce” to go 2-10 from the field. 58-54 Sonics.

Jeff Green almost gets a follow, Jamison gets the ball, not sure if it was an offensive.

8:37: AD just got a tech…talking after he didn’t get a call…doesn’t even look like he got fouled on replay.

8:06: Durant taps the ball away from DeShawn, fast break FTs. 63-54 Sonics.

Nothing is going right for the Bullets, Jeff Green is getting the best of Caron Butler.

7:06: Sonic Offensive Rebound #13: Petro gets an offensive rebound right over Haywood’s head.

6:41: Stevenson’s long threes are hitting the shot clock.

This is ridiculous. At this point, the only difference between tonight and last night is the Wizards start to the game….the 2nd quarter wasn’t anything to write home about. This 3rd is dreadful…..and there’s still 6 minutes left!!

4:17: This is a Comedy (and tragedy) of Errors. I really can’t believe the score is 73-56…only 6 points in the 3rd for the Wizards so far. Honestly, this is getting hard to watch, much less pay attention to….I’d rather look for photos on flickr.

flickr/fortes

2:21: Of course, the Wizards go on a 10-0 run of their own to cut the lead down to 7. 73-66. Sonics squash it with a timeout.

Well, that’s the 3rd…Wizards gets some saving grace by ending on a 12-2 run. 75-68 Sonics.

Quarter Four Big

9:53: Sonic Offensive Rebound #14: No one could react to French Petro.

9:00: Mason with a nice 3….but he can’t lead a break very well after getting a steal, no PG tendencies…..but AJ gets goaltend call, Wiz all the way back within 2 points. 82-80 Seattle.

After being pretty vocal earlier, despite sparsely filled seats, the Seattle crowd is VERY quiet now.

8:25: Mason with a triple. 84-43 Seattle.

7:18: Songaila bucket…..who opened the scrapiness box for the Wizards? They have an 87-84 lead.

6:19: Mason is bananas….just confidently NAILED his 4th three on 4th attempt in the 4th. 90-84 Wizards.

5:45: Ball movement please….Mason to Butler to D-Song — Buckets Son!

5:36: Kid Fresh (or is it Delicious) keeps answering the call, a trey this time. 26 and 7 for KD. 92-89 Wiz.

4:32: Roger Mason is going off with another trey. He may not be confident with the handles, but he sure can make things happen off the bench. 95-89.

3:36: And MAKE things happen again with a driving bucket in transition. 22 points for Roger. 17 in the 4th! 97-91 Wizards.

3:01: Now he’s driving and dropping dimes to Jamison, the Seattle players are chasing ROGER MASON JR.? all over the court. Unbelievable.

All the Seattle fans care about is ‘Save Our Sonics’ chants.

2:27: Butler gets a bucket and that might seal the deal. 101-92 Washington.

And that’s the game, 104-99 Wizards….wow, bailed out by Roger Mason Jr.

Boy, after the beginning of that 3rd quarter, I was ready to get in my car, start speeding to the Tidal Basin, and well…..you know. But I was saved by a Roger Mason in shining armor.

Eddie Jordan looks happier than I’ve ever seen him look getting off the bench to congratulate the players coming off the court. Two fists pumped in the air and a YEAH!!

Jordan commended Mason and Songaila the most in his post game, with some Haywood props on the side.

• NBA.com Box. [I lost track of offensive rebounds after what I believe was #14...the Sonics ended up with 16.]

• Bullets Forever with Roger Mason dunking in Israel.
• Who is the surprise player of the year for the Wizards?

• Roger Mason did some heavy lifting tonight.
• Roger Mason Wikipedia.
• A Roger Mason Revival.
• How Roger Mason found his jumper.

flickr/@ B E L ™

flickr/jaycoxfilm

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• May 9, 2009 -- The Anatomy of A Modern Ron Artest Breakdown: Part 1
• June 15, 2009 -- How the Washington Wizards Turned Around the Lakers’ Season

• 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]

Random Posts

• February 20, 2011 -- Quick Exit for John Wall, Coming Out Party for JaVale McGee
• May 14, 2009 -- Brendan Haywood Doesn’t Hold Hands
• January 13, 2010 -- Report: Gilbert Arenas’ Dirty Harry Revolver Just One of Several Hundred Guns

No time for a game preview as promised after the Florida run-down…..you should be (or probably already have) checking out Bullets Forever for the pre-game 68 thread.

Quarter One

10:00 – Getting into the game (watching on TV) a little late, 4-4 is the score. McDyess already has 7 rebounds, Rasheed is on the bench with two fouls, Hubie Brown likes the early energy for the Wizards and apotential nickname has emerged for Jamison – “Horse” because as old Hubie says, most of his shots look like they belong in a game of H-O-R-S-E.

5:01 – Actually, maybe horse is not such a good moniker. In any case, Haywood and Jamison answer Hamilton and Prince buckets with a couple dunks, Jamison’s leaning to the side. 13-12 Detroit.

Going with the national ESPN coverage of the game by the way. I like Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier, but I need a fresh look at Les Boulez.

2:09 – So far, the Wizards come out of the gate looking like they want it a little more. Caron hits another trey, the Wiz have nailed 6 shots in a row. Detroit goes down and commits a turnover. Timeout, 23-18 Wiz.

Solid first quarter for the Wizards, Hubie Brown uses compliments such as “unselfish” and “smart decisions” – to state the obvious, the Wizards have approached the game a little more seriously than the Pistons. I’ll take it and the 28-20 lead.

Stats, quickly: Haywood has 11, Wizards have 6 assists on 11 FGs, Wiz @ 55% from the floor, Detroit at 42.9%, Jamison has 4 rebounds, McDyess has 8.

Quarter Two

10:49 – Wiz cap at 17-3 run which leads to a Flip Saunders timeout. Hubie is not impressed with the defensive rotation of Detroit. 32-20 Wizards.

9:35 – Eddie calls a timeout of his own after a Wiz lapse (Detroit offensive rebound) leads to a Jarvis Hayes triple.

Lisa Salters reporting with Gilbert Arenas from the sidelines: – Gil was leaving the building tonight after being told he wasn’t going to play…..then he came back to watch the team. Looks like they are going to wait another week “or so” – essentially, the knee just needs a little more time according to the doctors. Gil says, “You can’t let fear get the best of you.” Good words .Also, he had to go find a blazer so he would be able to sit on the bench according to the NBA dress code. [picture of Gil on bench from Gilbertology]

The full story comes from Wizards Insider:

Gilbert Arenas wanted to play tonight but the medical staff would not clear him. Arenas went through shootaround this morning and was preparing himself to play all day long and was obviously angry at the decision. When I approached him, he said something that I can’t repeat hear but the clean version is something along lines of “Now, they are messing with my mind.”

He walked out of the locker room without speaking with reporters and will not be on the bench tonight because he said he does not a have sports coat (which is required by the NBA’s dress code).

On his way out of the door, he said: “Ya’ll don’t have to write anymore. I’m not coming back this season.”

Mike Jones of Wizards Outlet was around to “witness” baby Gil as well. We can all understand frustration…..but there’s more than a hint of immaturity in Gilbert’s actions/words. I’m glad he got it together and came back to the bench.

I like Hubie Brown….insert your AARP joke here, but there’s a certain grandpa comfort that he brings with his color commentary. I feel like I’m watching the game while sitting on his lap…..some might follow that sentence with a ‘no homo’ comment – whatever.

Looking at the graphics for this upcoming 5 game westward swing, I think the Wizards could easily pull off a 3-2 record.

4:50 - Hubie Brown calls Darius Songaila a “true pro” after he gets a nice assist to Blatche for a dunk and before he gets a sweet layup on Theo Ratliff. The Wizards answer a Detroit run to go up 40-33.

Sometimes when the Wizards are playing well, they look like they are trying really hard to do so. Tonight, the game is flowing nicely in their favor. A lot of buckets are looking effortless and smooth.

3:12 – Boy, D-Song is all over the place….great cut to the basket for the hoop. 6 points off the bench for Songaila. Wizards maintain a 42-34 lead.

Speaking of Theo Ratliff to the Pistons. I wonder if the Wizards will ever be in the position to pick up a bought-out veteran on the cheap. Yea, you gotta be more of a contender first — but would Abey Boy ever front the loot anyway?

0:04 – Caron Butler hits a big 3 with four seconds left to seal a great half for the Wizards. Chauncey Billups waits around to complain to the ref about something before going into the locker room. Really solid start as the Wizards take a 47-40 lead.

Eddie seemed to tighten up his bench play, only giving out 27 minutes to Blatche, Songaila, and Mason. The Wiz got out-rebounded by 3, 20-17. However the Washington offense was much more efficient, draining 19 of 36 shots (3-5 from deep) while holding Detroit to 17 makes on 40 attempts. Oh yea, Nick Young is out tonight.

Quarter Three

At this point, the Pistons really do have a Need 4 Sheed.

10:30 – Jamison is butter with a bucket – definitely seems like he has more than 15 points. 53-45 Wiz.

9:14 – Wow, Caron Butler is a strong dude. He received a back door pass from Haywood and threw it down on McDyess’ head, subtly clearing him out with the left arm. Antonio was clearly peeved at himself for getting posterized. 55-49 Wiz.

I know the Wizards are moving the ball well, but there are also a lot of holes in the Piston defense which is making it easier for Washington.

6:57 - We gotta find a nickname for Jamison, maybe the Ultimate Warrior? A tough one-handed offensive rebound, a flip up basket, And 1, made FT. 62-54 Wizards.

6:18 – Damn, damn, damn……lessons aren’t being learned as Rasheed gets open for his 3rd three of the quarter. Hu
bie Brown calls for a timeout so that the Wizards get a chance to meet Rash-weed Wallace and know about the things he can do from long distance. Before that can happen, a Lock Smith turnover leads to Piston fast break points allowing the Washington lead to be cut to 3, 62-59.

Rasheed looks like he’s getting a little bulky – he’s definitely favoring the leg with the knee brace a tad.

1:05 – Pecherov comes in….where’s that dude been? No, not in terms of game playing time. But that cat looks like he’s been getting some sun. Do they make tanning booths that large?

0:30 – Roger Mason finally gets on board with a triple. 71-63 Wiz. Gotta have him down the stretch.

Hamilton retrieves the ball after it gets blocked by D-Mac to score the bucket. 71-65 after three. The game is moving along at a decent clip – only 18 FTs attempted in total, along with 23 fouls whistled.

Quarter Four

Both the Wizards blogs on the Washington Post and the Washington Times have provided us with “cooler heads have prevailed” updates on Gilbert Arenas.

9:00 – Lot going on…..Blatche looks like he hurt himself, but goes down and nails a jumper. Back down the court, Andray Blatche has himself draped all over Rasheed…so the ref justifiably calls a foul on Andray (looks like Rasheed may have got Andray first though). But then, for a reason unbeknownst to me, the ref throws a tech Rasheed’s way. Uhh….yeeeea, his reactions are funny.

Coming back to see the replay, looks like Wallace got the tech for an elbow to Blatche. But you can’t blame him too much. I guess it was good work on Andray’s part to goad him into emotion.

8:46 – Then, after the tech…on the very next play, Wallace drives to the basket and gets wrapped around the neck by Haywood. Heads remain calm.

7:25 – Mason Junior pushes the Wizards back up 10 with a trey. 81-71 Washington.

Only two Wizards points have come from fast-breaking…guess Eddie J’s half-court offense is clicking tonight.

4:48 – The Pistons are not draining open looks, the Wizard maintain a 10 point lead, 83-73, after another board battle won by Jamison.

3:30 – Sweet Caron driving scoop shot, he’s looking pretty healthy this game. 85-73 DC.

2:28 – Uh oh…..two straight shots by Billups, the 2nd a trey. 85-78 Wizards

But big plays come from Daniels and Haywood. They both get something going to the basket and fouls. Daniels misses the FT, Haywood makes his. 90-78 with 1:38 left.

1:21 – A key offensive rebound by Caron Butler may have sealed the deal. Wizards can’t convert, Pistons get a layup to cut it to 8 with a minute left.

Three-point shooting Rasheed Wallace contemplates the game at the end of the bench.

0:25 – The Wizards handle the zone press of the Pistons well….can I say it? DAGGAR!! Stevenson nails a three to make it 95-83 Wizards. The vampire is dead and the coffin has it’s final nail.

Nice work for the DC Wizards. Detroit unmotivated, refs…..blah, blah, blah – A Win is a Win and a Loss is a Loss. It was really a solid effort from start to finish.

To sum it up: “The Ball Don’t Lie!!!” (neither does the NBA.com box score)

Random Posts

• June 8, 2010 -- LINKS: Ted’s Takeover & The Mystics Coach On Attendance Banner Removal
• February 1, 2011 -- Finally, A New Yi In D.C.?
• February 7, 2009 -- Party's Over Andray: Wizards Smacked by Nuggets

The ranks:

1. Jamison’s 31 and 11
2. Brendan Haywood’s defense
3. Songaila’s war with Super Buddy Jesus
4. Dominic McGuire’s alley-oop from Caron in the middle of the 2nd
5. Antonio Daniels’ sweet spin and finger-roll late in the 3rd
6. Hedo Turkoglu missing 2 free-throws in the final minute

The live blog will give you the full story.

Bullets Forever opened the Hollinger hating door again.

What they said:

Third Quarter Collapse thinks Dwight Howard is getting the Shaq treatment: “To be frank, it’s ridiculous how much Dwight’s defenders get away with defensively. The difference between what they’re allowed to do and what Dwight’s allowed to do is astonishing.”

Wizards Insider gives us this quote from an excuse-making Dwight Howard: “I think it’s the flopping,” Howard said. “Some of the things, I understand. People can beat up on me, and nothing happens. But when I touch somebody, I get calls. I try to talk to the refs but it doesn’t seem to do any good. I really can’t focus on that. It’s only one game.

Washington Post [Focusing on the Present, Wizards End Up With a Gift]
ESPN.com box score

Miami Heat
Didn’t catch the game (NCAA tournament took precedence), but here’s the web highlights:

Washington Post:

At one point during the fourth quarter, Miami had five players on the court who were in the NBA’s Development League earlier this month. The Wizards scored the game’s first six points and never trailed, winning their season-high fourth straight road game.
——-
“It’s time to step on them,” said Daniels, who finished with nine points, seven assists and five rebounds. “Right now. Let’s step on them.”

Wizards Insider:

Rookie Nick Young was a late scratch with a bruised left thigh, an injury he suffered during last Thursday’s win over Cleveland.
——-
Sat next to a scout from a Western Conference team who had some very nice things to say about Eddie Jordan as a coach.
“He’s one of the best in the business at getting his guys to run and execute that system. I mean, they are very good. A lot of teams try to emulate what they do but they can’t do it. I think he’s doing a great job. They are one of the most organized teams in the league at both ends of the floor.”

“But,” I replied. “Some of the folks who read my blog seem to think that Jordan’s a lousy coach.”

Scout: “Then they are uninformed and don’t know a lick about basketball. I do this for a living and I’ll tell you: he’s one of the best in the business.”

Thank you Ivan for asking the scout that question about the bloggers. Journalists (and bloggers) are stereotypically cynical, but commenters, those on Wizards Insider mostly apply, can be pessimistic insurgents. I’m seriously turned off at the amount of animosity towards and lack of credit given to Eddie Jordan.

Washington Times Wizards Outlet – Caron Butler did not take San Diego beating UConn too well:

“Well, bad thing is, I gotta take it out on somebody,” said Butler, who went on to score 25 points on 9-for-11 shooting against the team that drafted him 10th overall out of UConn in 2002.

I’ll leave you with the photoshop I did a while ago — idea thanks to the soul selling of the Miami Heat. Would I do it for a championship with years of mediocrity to downright terrible to follow? Perhaps so my friend.

The preview of the prime-time Pistons game is forthcoming.

Random Posts

• October 26, 2009 -- Truth About It.net 2009-10 Washington Wizards TrueHoop Network Preview
• January 23, 2008 -- Afternoon Wizards: Brendan Haywood & The B-List All-Stars
• August 28, 2008 -- Remembering Kevin Duckworth as a Washington Bullet

Just to set the record is straight, okay? The other guy? Oh c’mon, acting like you’ve never seen Ron Jeremy in a Mario outfit.

ON TAP:
A HUGE Wizards Insider post tonight.

1st: Gilbert gives some straight talk — the East should be scared of the Wizards [essentially].

We’re not scared of any team,” Arenas said. “There’s no team that actually frightens us out there. When you have three guys that can score 20, we’re more frightening because no one has actually seen us as a whole group yet. Everyone has seen spurts of our team but they don’t have a scouting report. If they have a scouting report, it’s from last year so, we’re kind of the favorite going in of you look at it from that aspect.

2nd: DeShawn Stevenson and LeBron James have a high school myspace feud over who has more swag.

Apparently, James said something about DeShawn to former Cav Drew Gooden, who recently related that information to DeShawn. He didn’t appreciate it.
“We’re all in the same profession,” Stevenson said. “We don’t need to talk bad about one another. So, that’s how it happened. I was ticked off and that’s why I said something to him at tip-off. So, it goes back further than people think.”

Uhh…..dizzamn? The gloves are off. This is a rivalry.

Birthday Boys: Antonio Daniels and Hedo Turkoglu

Oh yea, March Madness is here and I’m entering the Bullets Forever group on Yahoo, among too many others to count. The most interesting Wizards tid-bits from the pre-game show:

• To make the Final 4, DeShawn Stevenson is picking UNC because he likes Roy Williams, wonder why?
• DeShawn Stevenson is also picking Kansas because they were his original commitment out of high school before jumping to the league. Gotcha.
• Brendan Haywood is picking……Kansas? Interesting…..I bet he’s got loot on that pick. If UNC wins, he’ll be happy of course. But the Jayhawks win, that’s straight cash homey.
• Official Wizards Picks

To the game…

Jamison insisted on the ol’ basket check before the game. Did he really think one of the baskets was crooked during shoot-around? Maybe. Is this some type of veteran’s gamesmanship AJ is doing to get in Orlando’s head? I’d like to convince myself so.

Quarter One

11:00 – Stevenson breaks the ice for both teams with a trey…..I’m also hoping for an “against his old team” game from the Lock Smith.

8:42 - Antawn nails a 3, both buckets (I know, only 2, right?) have been good shots coming in the offense. Thankfully, Magic are also cold. 6-4 Wizards.

8:04 – Next to turnovers and missed FTs, I really hate when players jump to pass. Especially a big man. Especially Andray Blatche.

7:25 – Uh oh, Rashard Lewis gets a 3 from the corner….the Wizards lost him in the early offense. 7-0 Magic run, 11-6 lead.

Wizards Curfew: 1 am……much has been made about this, but here’s the rub: Wiz will fly to Miami after the game where there will be no curfew. Lock Smith Unlatched on South Beach!

4:48 – Does anyone ever remember Hedo Turkoglu going to the basket with this much authority?

Phil Chenier and Steve Buckhantz are “amazed” because Seattle only got a 2nd round draft pick in the Rashard Lewis “trade” with Orlando. I’m sorry, but when discussing the merits of a trade and the players and/or goods exchanged, Sign-And-Trades when the player really could have just signed, do not count.

The playoffs with one big NBA conference, the Wizards are headed to BeanTown. [True Hoop]

2:00 – Two offensive rebounds on one possession turns into points for Orlando….and Dwight “Buddy Jesus” Howard is out of the game with 2 fouls.

And that is the end of the 1st quarter….the Big Shooters, Hedo and Rashard, have a combined 16 points. Orlando has 5 more rebounds, 3 more assists, 6 more fast break points and is +5% on FGs with a 26-20 lead. Honestly, it could’ve been worse as they were up 24-14.

Quarter Two

Good to see Pecherov get some 2nd quarter action.

11:14 – McGuire too….nice D on Turk, exactly what the Wiz need. D-Song, Mason Jr. and Nick Young are on the court as well.

One of the Orlando cheerleaders was wearing one of those Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation Telemarketer head set mics. Why? Does the thing pipe into the arena sound system when she leads cheers? Is she coordinating covert movements around the arena and outfit changes into ear pieces.

7:33 – Aaaaalley OOOOP! Dominic McGuire running the court, the Magic lose sight of him, probably because he’s a rookie, he gives the signal and gets the long lob pass from Caron on the break for the dunk.

Slow start to the 2nd, Magic hold a 28-24 lead and take a timeout. Orlando is 1-8 in the 2nd.

6:48 – So how does it happen that a guy from Turkey says, “E’nuff o’ dat” and starts raining buckets all while smoking a cigarette? 15 for Hedo, a 34-24 lead for Orlando.

5:19 – Songaila had to guard Dwight Howard on a couple possessions. The result is two fouls and mysterious blood on Howard’s jersey…..Haywood checks in.

2:30 – Wizards go on a 6-0…until a Turkoglu three. A Bogans three puts it back at 10. Eddie calls a timeout.

1:52 – Haywood sets Dwight Howard up perfectly as he is square on D and able to draw a charge, the 3rd foul on Ho
ward…he goes to the bench.

The first half rounds up with the Magic up 43-36……Stat It Up:

• Team combined for 46 points in 1st, only 33 in 2nd
• Hence, teams are a combined 37% from the field
• Lotta rebounds: Orlando has a 26-19 lead — but each team has 4 offensive rebounds
• Hedo the Turk had 18 points, Howard has 1 point but 10 boards (only 15 minutes of action)
• Jamison has 10, Stevenson has 7, Songaila has 6 off the bench
• Magic have 7 threes to 3 for Washington
• Orlando has 8 turnovers to 4 for the Wizards
• “Tonight, they [the Magic] put the killing blow to Washington, unless Haywood the Terrible returns and the Lock Smith can lift them up.” [Hardwood P.]
• Terrible Todd has 2 points and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes….but he has done a fair job in negating Dwight Howard on offense.

Quarter Three

10:24 – Don’t let that Monster out! Howard backs off Haywood…..caught him sleeping. Haywood nails the 14 foot jumper. 7-0 run to start the 3rd, game tied at 43.

9:30 - Jameer Nelson goes on his own 5 point run, 48-43.

8:55 - DeShawn is starting to hibachi on both ends. A 3, then he gets a steal and an easy two hand dunk.

Down the court, Stevenson gets his hand in again to knock the ball away, but Butler turns it over….couldn’t handle the pass.

8:00 – Lock Smith airballs a heat check 3, Todd Haywood cleans up the mess. Maybe Hardwood P. was right….

6:35 – Now it’s the Wizards turn to get two offensive rebounds….resulting in a Howard goaltend on Butler. 53-52 Wiz.

5:21 – Wow…just a lot of ball movement for the Wiz…they are pretty fun to watch now. AJ baseline jumper, 19-9 run – 55-52 Wizards. Jamison lefty runner, 57-52.

1:07 – Antonio Daniels with an amazing side step spin and finger roll to the hoop – A b-day bucket. 63-60 Wiz.

0:47 - The Gobbler always has an answer. Tied at 63.

0:33 - Then again, so does Jamison – a 3 gives him 25 points.

0:14 - He didn’t make the team, but Turkoglu is getting all-star calls??? He pump fakes a three then falls forward into his shooting motion. Jamison turns past and barely brushes his jersey…hold….hooooold….turkoglu misses…hold…….and then they blow the whistle. 3 FTs give Turkoglu 31 for the game.

Damn good 3rd for the Wizards, outscored Orlando 31-22 and took a 67-65 lead.

Quarter Four

11:02 – Blatche got a slam? He’s been non-existent in this game. Doesn’t seem right, but he’s played just 29 seconds so far.

9:50 – Whatever you think of Darius Songaila, you must respect that dude for going to war against Dwight Howard….speaking of, Howard makes a move on D-Song who stays between Dwight and the basket (albeit his back was turned)…..Blatche came with the help D and threw his shit.

Andray then goes down, draws foul #5 on Howard and makes 2 FTs. Haywood checks in to play along AB, Songaila, Stevenson and Mason. I like the big lineup.

9:00 – Van Guns has enough after witnessing another B. Todd jumper. Timeout Magic. 73-67 Wizards.

2 minutes goes by as does a 5-0 Magic run.

6:51 – A Jamison 3….followed by a Bogans 3. No one else is doing much. Nelson and Lewis miss 3s – the Wiz hold onto a 78-75 lead with 5 minutes left.

Not for the faint of heart: Stevenson bobble – loose ball, Daniels recovery, 4 seconds on the shot clock, AD drive and kick back to DeShawn, long 3 miss, Caron keeps it alive, Daniels recovery to the basket..GOOD, And 1….missed FT. 80-78 Wiz.

2:51 – Jamison runner, foul, Howard goaltend and FT. Wiz take lead 83-78.

This Orlando crowd seems MUCH worse than the tepid Verizon Center. This is a good game. Hedo Homer has 37 points. How can they not be into this game? Lotta empties in O-Town.

Damn, they just announced that the Heat scored 54 and the Raptors scored 96 tonight. This is sad…well, that’s what happens when you sell your soul to the devil.

1:09 – Mason bricks a 3 off the glass that doesn’t hit rim…..oh my dear lord get him out! Doing that with a minute left?

0:58 - Hedo makes 1 of 2 FTs – Bogans 3 – tie game at 85.

0:41 - I was skeptical when he shot it…..but when that ball rolled a half way around the inner rim and dropped down, I knew to always bet on Tuff Juice when he straps ‘em up. 87-85 Wizards. Magic timeout, Butler subs out on D.

0:33 – Turkoglu goes down the lane almost unimpeded and Haywood is forced to foul – missed another FT, made the 2nd. A birthday career high, but 9-13 from the line….. that last miss will hurt.

0:12 – Too. Much. Butler drive against Hedo, but he can only take it up with his right hand….and thus is unable to keep the ball away from Dwight Howard who gets the block…mad scramble to the rock and a 24 second violation right before AJ and Bogans get tied up. Magic ball with 9 seconds left. Wizards up 87-86.

Buckhantz goes cardiac as the Magic get semi-close to a 5 second call, get it inbounds, but Stevenson slaps it out of bounds away from Hedo who was in a tough situation on the sideline. 4.2 left.

No Celtics game, no Celtics game, no Celtics game……..

…Turkoglu drives….gets past a couple Wizards….finds an open look but a very tough shot as he was shooting with his right hand from the left side and off-balanced…..MISS!!

WIZARDS WIN 87-86!! Great game…the bench is excited, I’m excited. ESPN.com box score is excited.

Random Posts

• December 18, 2011 -- Flip Saunders: ‘Film Don’t Lie’
• November 24, 2008 -- When Do The Wizards Become A Late Night Punch Line?
• July 16, 2010 -- Cartier Martin: a Different Perspective

flickr photo from Cougar-Studio.com

Why? Because Eddie Jordan has set a curfew for his Wizards team on their 2-game Florida road trip. Curious as to why Eddie would do this, as the Washington Post tells, Jordan has never believed in curfews. Is this a reactionary or preemptive move? In any case, I am in agreement because the idea can’t hurt.

“…..a business trip, not a Florida pleasure trip.” -Coach EJ

Moving on to the Atlanta Hawks loss.

Bad Wizards defense…..what more can I say? At least someone was happy to get free donuts as a result of the Hawks win. Bibby is getting props too.

Bulletin Board Material? Brendan Haywood didn’t have a terrible game against Atlanta as he scored 16 points on 7-10 shooting with 9 rebounds in 32 minutes. Sekou Smith of the AJC, however, didn’t think much of the 2nd half efforts of one B. Todd Haywood: “Al Horford was a man among boys in the second half, putting the clamps on Brendan Haywood after the Wizards center got off to a rousing start in the first half.”

Enough of that…..the game should be a distant memory anyway.

O-Town Magic

The Wiz first played the Magic in their DC home opener of this season….boy was that game a major disappointment. In my blog of Wizards game #3, I used words like “uninspired” and “disconnected” to describe the Wizards play in the 4th quarter. The opening night crowd in the Verizon wasn’t any help…..”tepid” was fan word of the night. Hedo Turkoglu dropped 25 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds leading the Orlando Magic to a 94-82 win over Washington.

Game #2 against the Magic, which was actually game 60 on the season, occurred just about 2 weeks ago……a more recent distaste in my mouth as it was a game the Wizards really needed, but they elected to get blown out 122-92 instead. Orlando got off to a strong start and never looked back as they scored 34 points in the first quarter. In the opening period, the Magic had the same amount of points in the paint (20) as the Wizards had in total.

This 2nd quarter excerpt sums up the game: 0:47 – The worse “Can’t Feel My Face” I’ve ever seem from DeShawn. He hits a 3 pointer, and it appears as if the half-hearted effort is simply out of habit; I don’t think his hand actually crossed the perimeter of his face at any point.

Agent Wishy-Washy

Gilbert Arenas’ knee, as usual, is the talk of the town. From the Times to the Post, everyone is throwing their hands up at trying to decipher the cryptology of Gilbertology.

If you want the full run-down, go read the Pradamaster on Bullets Forever.

My take: We definitely don’t want to throw Gilbert into the mix prematurely. If he doesn’t feel 100% confident in himself, after going through multiple practices, then he should just chill for a while. The problem is, Gilbert talks too much and we listen too much. I really don’t have a problem will Gil’s verbiage, he’s an entertaining cat. But the issue is that what comes out of his mouth changes with the wind and thus, too much energy is spent trying to either interpret what he’s saying or figure out what he’s thinking.

So for me, “just play already” is really a “shut up and play” – It’s already been suggested by team doctors and Gilbert himself that when (and if) he comes back, he will not be the “same old Gilbert” right away. Rather, he will focus less on wheeling through traffic and more on being an Wal-Mart-like distribution hub – even more of a reason for Gil to test himself in a real game; the risk will seemingly be more minimized. And guess what? That’s what this Wizards team needs anyway!

In the end, perhaps Gilbert’s hesitancy is not the result of lacking confidence in his knee, but more because he is not sure that he can abstain from his aggressive offensive ways. Yes, defense and ball-handling are not glorious assignments. But that doesn’t mean Arenas won’t be the go-to guy when the clock is winding down and the game is on the line.

Do what you gotta do Gilbert….a great motto is “better be safe than sorry”….but this quote by some dude named Stephen Kaggwa is good too: “Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.”

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>> After the 0-5 start, the Wizards got their first win of this 2007-2008 season against the Atlanta Hawks back on November 11th…..thanks to some guts and 15 rebounds from Antawn Jamison. Unfortunately, that game coincided with a 33-25 Redskins loss to the hated Philadelphia Eagles.

>> In game 25, a 97-92 Wizards loss to the Hawks, Washington survived a slow start to make the match really close down the stretch. Nick Young and DeShawn Stevenson both gave solid efforts, however the Wiz were unable to overcome a 32 point night from Joe Johnson and a +16 rebound margin for Atlanta.

>> Game 34: Wizards vs. Hawks in Atlanta. This one was even more exciting as the game went into overtime; Washington prevailed 102-98 thanks to Antonio Daniels with his game sealing bucket and 7 assists with 0 turnovers.

>> Tonight’s game is a big one for both teams….playoff implications. As I read on the Bullets Forever game 66 preview, the Hawks are tied with the New Jersey Nets for the 8th spot in the NBA Eastern Conference playoff race. Currently, the teams share a 28-38 record….disgusting.

>> Ivan Carter says that the Wizards should not overlook the Atlanta Hawks. Really? I mean, that goes without saying, doesn’t it? Can the Wizards afford to overlook anyone at this point? Can any potential NBA playoff team afford to look past an opponent? So many questions…..so many sports clichés.

>> One person who should never be overlooked is Antawn Jamison – he is your NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

>> Wizards Insider tells us that Brendan Haywood, who didn’t play against the Clippers on Saturday, should be good to go tonight….as are Caron Butler and Antonio Daniels.

>> Not sure if this story has any bearing on the playoff chances of the Atlanta Hawks…..but recently, a professional golfer named Tripp (you know he’s gotta be a douche to be named ‘Tripp’ with two ‘p’s) Isenhour killed a hawk as a result of immature frustration. T-ripp attended college in Atlanta (Georgia Tech). The red-shouldered hawk (Atlanta Hawk colors) died after it was struck by a ball as a result Isenhour aiming his golf swings in it’s direction. The event happened in Florida where the Washington Wizards will next travel to face the Orlando Magic.

On that note, the game blog will be on Bullets Forever tonight.

GO WIZARDS!!!

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

Check one: Bullets Forever

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In other news:

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

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

React Quotes from Clipper Blogs:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

flickr photo from gamescore
photoshopping by truthaboutit.net

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Eddie Jordan recognized the exhaustion of his team against Charlotte on Saturday. The Wizards have had two days rest, at home. Not doubt that I’m taking the Wiz to run away with this one. I’m giving the 6.5 and taking over the 202.

1/4

9:01 – Brendan Todd Haywood with some cherry picking and a dunk.

What I like to see DeShawn doing: Driving to the hoop, attracting defense, and dishing to Brendan Haywood…….instead of throwing up a junker from outside.

I always think….”I’d rather a player take it to the hoop” when I see them miss a semi-open jumper, especially when it’s a big man. Andray just took a semi-open step back with Bogut on him. Blatche got decent position on a man from Down Under, after good flow in the offense Bogut on off movement then iso…..12 ft.

4:54 – AD just took us back to age 26…splitting the D and throwing down a wicked dunk. Game tied at 14.

4:31 – Momma, that man with no eye brows just made a face after he scored. I feel bad for Villanueva; because of his condition, he has like half the facial expressions that the rest of us. That’s why Charlie V has a blog.

Ovechkin is at another Wiz game. Hey, if this guy can become a basketball fan…..I can certainly start attending a couple hockey games.

2:30 – Dan Gadzuric…..as Steve Buckhantz reminds us he is an Ernie Grunfeld pick….is coming up with o-bounds and a lot of activity for the Bucks on D, also forcing a TO.

As they talk about Jamison’s back, maybe his new nickname can be The Offensive Contortionist.

After 1, the Wiz lead 26-22. Washington shot 50% from the field, but it seems like they should be up by more than four. The Wizards showed some decent offensive flow; four turnovers provided the main set back.

Charlie Villanueva was 5-7, scoring 10 points in all fashions, from all over court.

2/4

Slam called Brendan Haywood “stubbornly immobile”…..he looks so on a move to the basket. Bogut gambles, but BTH took up enough space between himself and the ball, allowing the lane to be wide open for a clumsy move and dunk.

9:17 – Andray gets a deflection, steal from Charlie Bell and one of the most agile break-away dunks I’ve ever seen by a big guy.

7:55 – Nick Young takes one for America. He yacks a huge dunk on Andrew Bogut and taunts the Aussie big man. Body up son! Normally, I’d be mad at this juvenile act. But nobody talks about Americans like Bogut did and gets away with it. Yea, Andrew may have been right, but only Americans can talk about other Americans.

7:38 – Bogut has some moves on O, but can’t finish. Soft MF

After chastising Young City…..Steve Buck says, “that was some dunk” about a minute later.

6:05 – Blatche is taking Villanueva’s play as a challenge and is getting him back with blocks and moves to draw a foul. Makes one FT, Wiz up 39-31.

4:20 – Bogut gets going a little, 12 points….Songaila is simply not big enough for him.

3:52 – Nick Young tries to dunk on Bogut again….too bad he is going from the left side with his right hand. Bogut sends the ball right back to him. But damn kid can jump…..throws down a wind mill on a fastbreak 30 seconds later.

2:40 – The Nick Young Show is getting some high ratings. A strong move to the basket and 8 points, 48-37 Wizards.

1:13 - Not sure about the Bucks perimeter D….the Wiz are driving through the swiss cheese. Bogut is there to defend sometimes….. but that only opens things up for a Nick Young three.

0:45 – An alley….oop? To Brendan Haywood. He was running and receiving a lob from AD in the corner. Perfect fast break offense, ball didn’t touch floor. Caps a 15-2 run leading to a Bucks timeout. 55-40 Wiz.

0:14 – Dominic McGuire is the perfect 9th man….and rising. He’ll have a long NBA career doing what he does, like an offensive rebound and pass to BTH for a dunk.

Half-Run-Down – 57-44 Wizards

• Haywood: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks.
• 23 points off the bench (1o from Blatche, along with 5 rebounds, and 11 from Young).
• A. Daniels: 5 assists – 0 turnovers, only 5 team turnovers.
• Much more energy than Charlotte game, especially on D – holding the Bucks to 36%.
• Running in motion on offense, 55.3% from the field on 16 assists
• Charlie Villanueva has 15 points and 8 rebounds.
• 15 offensive rebounds for the Bucks, astounding.

3/4

Wiz start off 2nd half with backcourt pressure.

10:07 – A dose of Royal Ivey and Villanueva taking advantage of Darius Songaila in the first two minutes give the Bucks a quick start, cutting the Wizards lead to 58-51 before an Eddie Jordan timeout.

8:33 – D-Song gives Bogut a little music of his own: A jumper and a nice switching drive on the Aussie.

6:04 – Doesn’t matter…..Bogut ties the game at 63…..and then at 65 with a dunk. The Bucks have scored 21 in the 3rd, the Wizards 8. Hope they didn’t blow their wad using up all their energy in the first half.

At this point of the game, Steve Buckhantz finds it proper to consider Eddie Jordan for coach of the year.

Ovechkin is still eating.

It’s hard to believe that Caron has missed 16 consecutive games.

3:04 – Fool to fool. Andray Blatche makes Charlie V look like a fool with a spin move for a hoop in the post. Michael Redd comes back down and hams up Nick Young, getting to the basket and drawing a foul. Nick Young cries arm push, yet, goes
back down the court and hits a 3 on Redd. Andray bothers Villanueva on the inbounds, causing the ball to go off the back of the backboard, Wizards ball. Nick Young turns it over against Redd. The Bucks goes down in transition and Blatche fouls Villanueva, 2 FTs for him. Quite a 4 player cycle in 60 seconds.

Roger Mason Jr. comes in…..at 1:45 mark. Don’t remember him being in the game earlier. Evidently he was on the court for close to 7 minutes.

1:28 – Eddie Jordan has had a lot of practice with the “Being Frustrated by the Defense of an Offensive Minded Guard” face….that’s why he’s able to give it so easily at the sight of Nick Young trying to guard his man.

0:38 – Nick Young…..confused about what to do with the ball in transition and only Charlie Villanueva between him and the hoop, appears smart by pulling the ball back, there wasn’t much available. But then he makes up for that good act by almost double-dribbling and taking a forced miss.

0:01 – But Bean Burrito is learning….a strong move by The City closes out the 3rd as the Wizards barely hold on to a 2 point lead. 79-77. Young has 16 off the bench…he’s earned some end of the game run.

4/4

9:57 – DeShawn Stevenson has himself on lock down tonight – 2 FG attempts, 2 misses, this one coming on a long jumper set up by Nick Young penetration.

The Wiz are able to get back to up 10, 95-85, with 6:40 left….despite Michael Redd dancing his way into the paint a couple times. After 5 points in the first half, he has 17 now.

4:51 – Nick Young checks out with a career high 19.

5:48 – Jamison’s head is not in it….Roger Mason calls for the ball, but AJ doesn’t assess the situation as the telegraphs his pass. Turnover.

4:51 – On a subsequent possession….Jamison commits his 8th turnover for the game. At least he has 21 points on 10-19 shooting to go with that.

3:39 – Michael Redd is a good, good player. He’s not going to lead a team to glory, but put him on a team like the Bulls, and Chi-town just might be in the conversation again.

2:00 – With a chance to cut the Wiz lead to 5 with two minutes left, Bogut tries to do a little too much, a spin and a bad attempt. AD gets two FTs on the other end and the Wiz take the 100-91 lead.

1:30 – Nick Young, deservingly back in the game, takes it all the way to the hoop. A new career high. I’ve never seen him attack the basket as he has in this game. Check that….attack the basket in a reasonable manner. Right now, his 22 is on 9-15 shooting. I’ve only seen him take one bad shot.

Bogut’s miss hurt, but Young sealed the deal with his basket.

0:40 – Despite the turnovers, Antawn goes to the locker room early a warrior.

What was touted as a must-win, a must-needed win, all over Comcast came to fruition tonight.

In the post game interview….Nick Young still sounds like a little kid. I keep thinking that cookies and gummy bears are going to start falling out of his mouth.

The final is 105-93 Wizards. They covered the 6.5 spread, broke the 202 over, and most importantly, stay a game and a half above Philly for the 6th seed in the playoffs.

NBA.com Box Score

NEXT UP: The Cleveland Cavaliers at home on Thursday

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Caron’s hip deal is a funny thing….even he doesn’t know when he’s better. The possibility of an aggravation, this being an odd injury; I can’t imagine what’s going through his mind. All I can say is that I feel for ya Tuff Juice. Take as much time as you want as I can only imagine what it’s like trying to gain confidence with hip issues.

Gilbert…..pretty much the same to you. Knee injuries are far more common than those of the hip. So, you can rest a little more assured knowing that you’re not alone. Hey, even I am with you. I had microfracture surgery in late December ’07, and blogged about my experience once, then twice….but never followed up (unfortunately, similar to my dedication to physical therapy). One day.

Point is, Arenas is going through the confidence thing just as Caron. Whatcha gonna do?

Back to the current Wizards: It’s snowing in Toronto. The Pradamaster is a busy guy. DC Pro Sports goes into enemy territory. And I had my preview, so you’re covered.

So let’s start the show….

Oh yea, the DCist is overhearing things in DC. I wonder what I’m going to hear in the upper level or “The Hill” at the Wizards-Bobcats game tomorrow night……

1st Quarter

As Steve Buck tells us to look out for Flying Treys in the Air Canada Center, I wonder if the Wizards can keep up in a shooting contest.

By the way, the company line from Steve and Phil about the Magic game was in regard to all the valuable time given to players such Nick Young and Oleksiy Pecherov.

Hell! The Wiz are down to 10 healthy players, the young players are getting “valuable time” anyway…..I’d rather them get sed valuable time in close games as opposed to meaningless blowouts where douchenozzles such as JJ Redick are running around the court.

11:00 – Haywood starts a little slow down low with a turnover and a miss…..Jamario Moon is throwing bamas off of him on rebounds.

9:20 – BTH checks in with a dunk and a “no don’t shoot it” until he makes it fade-away spinning jumper…..good to see the Wiz going inside on the first 5 offensive possessions (D-Song just got an inside bucket nicely set up by Daniels).

8:40 – Well, it’s already better than last game as Sam Mitchell calls a timeout…his team down 10-2. Safe to say that any team in the world would call a timeout after allowing an Antonio Daniels steal and uncontested dunk and then a Darius Songaila o-bound and smooth spinning hook shot.

6:30 – Stevenson shoots an air-ball 3 with the shot clock running down…..Eddie Jordan gives a mild (just smelled a small dog’s fart) stink-face. The Italian Spazz hits two straight 3s. 10-8 Wiz.

The Raptors are trying to isolate pretty much anyone against D-Song.

2:25 – Nice give up by Stevenson…..after missing 2 3s already…..Jamison gets an o-bound off the 2nd miss, gives it back to Lock Smith open at the 3 point line….DeShawn doesn’t take the shot, he gives the ball back to AJ for the long made 2 after he sneaked in the corner.

Good first quarter for the Wiz. Overall, they did well in establishing themselves inside totaling 10 of their 29 in the paint – along with 8 mid-range points. The Wiz went 2-6 from 3, one miss coming on a last second half court attempt by DeShawn. Toronto could not get into an offensive flow as they shot 33%, they only have 18. 11 point Wizard lead after one.

2nd Quarter

11:20 – Jamison just got his 8th rebound.

Steve Buckhantz tells us that he will keep viewers informed about the Sixer-Sonic game, Philly only being a game and a half behind the Wizards for 6th place in the east. Are we really ready to do this with a quarter of the season left? Start watching what other teams are doing?

9:05 – Meanwhile…..ever since I got back from Argentina, Argentines have been playing well against the Wiz. First, the infamous Nocioni dunk….and now, the Wiz turn the ball over three straight times (4 already in the quarter), 2 of which were consecutive steals by Carlos Delfino. He’s got 7 points and 2 assists to go along with that. 31-27 Wizards.

Giving a team, struggling at shooting, easy points off turnovers is a sure-fire way to let them back in the game.

8:35 – Great, the Italian Spazz is hitting stumbling reverse lay-ups. Phil calls him “agile”

8:20 – More careless turnovers by the Wiz….asking for it with Nick Young and Roger Mason at guards, along with D-Mac, Andray and D-Song in the game.

7:30 – Delfino is going off…..he’s got 11 points, 9 in the first 4.5 minutes of the 2nd. 13-4 run for Toronto. The Wiz are not taking care of the ball…..very frustrating.

7:17 – Nick Young gets the second best dunk of his career (here is his first)…..some dude named Primoz had his arms flailing near the Bean Burrito.

5:50 – Roger Mason is heating up, 2 straight buckets…..somebody has to combat Carlos. 41-35 Wiz.

5:30 – Delfino has McGuire on skates….but he misses the Ginobili-esque lay-up attempt.

5:16 - ….speaking of Primoz, he picked up a tech during the commercial break. Not sure what he was spittin’ mad about.

4:52 – Mason with another three (12 points)…..c’mon, how can you not like Rog?

4:05 – I guess I need to stop calling that Italian guy a Spazz. He’s looking good with 15 points and looking like a mature Yi Jianlian.

2:53 – Again? Seriously? Bargnani hits another 3. I’d appreciate someone bodying him up…….you know he’s fugazi when it comes to being tough….it’s part of the Big Euros Who Can Shoot Threes Bible.

I’m not sure why….and it really doesn’t matter, does it? But that “Near, Far” Celine Dion son
g is playing in Air Canada. I think I will order this shirt soon. Although, aren’t hats a good thing?

1:23 – Jamison is having another one of those 1-9 starts…..c’mon man, why make it difficult on yourself?

0:01.3 – Daniels sets AJ up with his 2nd FG on a nice drive and dish. In doing so, AJ reaches around and grabs his own back. I forgot that he was playing with a sore back.

Well, that’s the half – Washington is up 8, 53-45.

• The leading Wiz scorers: Songaila (14), Mason (12), Haywood (10).
• Bargnani has 18 while Delfino has 11.
• Wiz at 55% FG are shooting 15% points better than Toronto.
• The Wiz have 8 turnovers, too many. 3 from Haywood, 3 from Toronto.
• The Wiz have a big 25-14 rebounding edge and the assist edge at 12-9.

3rd Quarter

11:19 – Antawn hits a 3….and then grimaces. 56-45 Wiz. A backiotomy is not what this team needs.

A couple Wiz turnovers, a couple more Toronto points. 58-51 Wiz with 8:45 left.

8:23 – Daniels gets his second dunk of the game on a fast break. D-Song got a nice loose ball recovery and sweet assist. The Lithuanian Swag definitely made the road trip…..as did the two turnovers he’s had in the last couple minutes. Still, 14 and 5 at this point of the game, I’ll take it. 60-51 Wiz.

6:50 – Calderon is a Spazz too…..a good one at that. Two straight by him makes it 62-57 Wiz.

Can we something else besides the term, “Reach-around foul”?

5:51 – Haywood rejects Calderon’s junk……sending him to the floor in a Euro flop, crumbling like a Jenga tower.

5:47 – Bag-Nanny proceeds to hit a 3 to cut the once 11 point Wizard lead to 2. 62-60.

5:24 – Calderon comes down and gets in the lane again… uh oh Roger Mason……basket, And 1. Raptors up 1.

4:41 – Calderon comes down and gets in the lane again… uh oh Roger Mason……miss, Moon recovers the rock and dunks. Raptors up 3…and yes, I got lazy with the copy and paste, or is it a statement on the Calderon in the paint pattern?

All this gets the Wizards quite discombobulated on offense…..credit to Nick Young for jacking up a couple bad shots, Wiz are 2 for 8 this quarter.

3:30 – Good Lord….no one on the Wizards knows how to stop the ball……Calderon. That’s not coaching folks, that’s just players not getting out there and playing the game.

2:38 – 6 misses in a row for the Wiz in the midst of a 16-0 Raptors run. Another timeout attempts to get things settled down 69-62.

2:20 – Andray “Where Ya Been?” Blatche backs down against the weak Raptors and hits a baby hook. 69-64 Toronto

When Roger Mason is cold, why do all of his shots seem like bad shots?

1:17 – The Inside Job is working as AJ gets a baby hook in the paint. Wiz down 72-66.

0:38 – Blatche shows his passing skills….albeit the back door cut by Nick Young was a little sloppy. Big hoop nonetheless. 72-68 Raptors.

Finally, the deplorable 3rd ends with the Wizards down 74-68. A 15 point quarter for the Wizards, a 29 point quarter for the Raptors…..the Wiz scored 9 of the first 17 points of the period.

4th Quarter

16 team turnovers for the Washington Wizards in the game so far…..leading to 22 Raptor points. And you know how much I abhor turnovers.

Mason has a much easier time keeping up with Ford as he is not really a scoring threat.

10:31 – The young kids get running and gunning and tie the game at 74.

10:04 – Unsatisfied with narrowly avoiding another turnover, Eddie Jordan calls a timeout to calm this team down.

9:52 – Of course, Nick Young buries a 3 with the shot clock running down…..gotta like how he has that confidence. And all of a sudden, he has 9 points on 4-8 shooting.

8:14 - Young the Hopper hits another 3….now this is what I call “valuable” playing time; helping your team come back and take a lead. 80-76 Wizards.

7:09 – Wow….what a slam by Young, receiving a back door pass from D-Song. Wow again, he put that on two Raptors. Wiz up 84-78.

5:46 – The obligatory heat check fade-away from the corner/wing doesn’t go for Nick. An undisciplined forced shot….gotta live with that I suppose. He’s been pretty damn hot, just wish he could’ve attempted to continue in a composed manner.

4:46 - Just as I was about to type that the Wizards were making it tough on Calderon (keeping him contained, if you will)…..the Wiz get caught sleeping on Calderon and Nick Young allows him to hit a three. Big shot. Tie game. 84 all.

4:34 – Stevenson, continuing his terrible offensive game (1-8, 5 points) gets a charge called on him.

4:00 – The Raptors (Calderon) go down and score, but AJ answers. Tied at 86.

3:47 – Thank god Bargnani misses a 3….but Andray just watches RAAA-sho get an offensive rebound, put-back, And 1. Raptors up 3.

3:10 - Nick Young miss….forced. Roger Mason steal…scouting report…..Jamison and his back hustle for fast-break points. 89-88 Toronto.

2:41 – With the ball back and the crowd getting louder…Roger Mason comes through BIG with a 3. Redemption like that is going to get you the game ball son. Wiz up 2, 91-89.

1:59 – DeShawn, DeShawn…..just give up trying to do anything this game. Traveling on the Lock Smith, too much WD-40. 19th team turnover, 4 of those claimed by Stevenson.

1:38 – Whew….I’ve had hold my breath a lot on a couple open Raptor 3 misses…Delfino with the latest.

1:22 – Big scoop shot lay-up by Jamison…and he got fouled, no call. Poor back. Wizards up 93-89.

0:58 – Yessir, yessir….give him the game ball. Roger MasonJr. with a 3 pointer…..no daggers yet though. 96-91 Wiz.

0:43 - ….because of a Raptor offensive rebound off a Bargnani 3 miss gets to that damn Anthony Parker in the corner for a triple. 96-94 Raptors.

This has become a pretty exciting game between two playoff teams (ok, Eastern Conference playoff teams who would not even make it out West — and without their superstars) who are fighting for the game in an entertaining manner. The players from both sides are feeding off it’s importance.

43.3 left, 24 on the shot clock for DC — good play off the inbounds for the 2 for 1?

Nope, a Wizards turnover. No Wizard really fought to get open and Mason had to make a dan
gerous pass which got picked off by Moon. He gets fouled and knocks down both FTs. Tied at 96, 41.4 left.

No 2 for 1 now.

0:21 – AJ miss….no other Wizard is around, except for DeShawn Stevenson who crashes the boards and GETS the putback! Thanks Mike Wise. Wiz up 98-96.

Oh man….they keep showing those old replays I talked about earlier.

0:13 – Foul on Jamison?? Got Bargnani on the wrist?? Please. They don’t call that foul on a number of NBA superstars. Why not AJ too?

Out of timeouts….Raptor pressure…..13 seconds left….get it to Stevenson…..Raptors take their foul to give around half court.

0:10 – Out of bounds….Nick Young gets the ball….gives it to Stevenson (don’t like that, go with the hot hand)…..ball back to Nick Young (good)….he misses a 3 at the buzzer trying to break Delfino down.

I can’t complain about the shot, or who took it….but Nick Young just isn’t ready.

I hate overtime games….you know, the ones where you already feel like your team is hanging by a thread.

O-Ver-TIME

4:00 – You think the Wiz do good to limit Calderon penetration with AJ guarding him…while protecting the 3 point line. This only leaves the lane open for a Delfino drive. AJ answers on the other end with a tough shot. Calderon retorts with an easy jumper. 102-100 Toronto.

3:31 – Jamison the Warrior gets clobbered a couple times, the injustice happens when a foul on the floor, and not shooting, gets called.

3:28 – Stevenson ties the game on 2 big FTs. The Wiz are only 14-15 from the line. Good %, but not a lot taken.

2:57 - Not the time for the “experienced” D-Song to pick up his 5th turnover….a direct chest pass to Calderon. Toronto fast-break makes it 104-102 in their favor.

2:15 – Back with the ball…easy Calderon penetration on Stevenson….lob to Moon doesn’t go. D-Song gets called for a foul on the floor. I don’t know how D-Song gets called for the foul when Moon tried to go over him to get the ball.

1:43 – Tired of watching….AJ takes over with a big bucket. Gotta keep going to him while the back is warm. Game tied at 104.

1:12 – Jamison misses….thinks there shoulda been a call. Blatche gets the rebound and is fouled on the follow (at this point, I notice that Haywood is conspicuously absent from the game). Breath release….Andray makes both FTs, Wiz up 106-104.

0:58 – AJ has the vet hands too….stripping Delfino on an attempt….Raptors get the ball back and Bargnani scores off an inbounds play. Tie game.

Young, scaring me, drives and throws a pass…jumping in the air…to Blatche, who barely catches it, but manages to find a cutting Jamison. Passer to Hoop-er, the result is 2 AJ FTs and a 108-106 Wizards lead with 40 seconds left.

0:30 – Parker misses a 2 off a curl….and Jamison, of course, gets his 16th rebound, gets fouled, and makes both putting the Wizards up 4 with 30 seconds left. Not sure why the Raptors felt they needed to foul. Nonetheless, the game ball is about to transfer to Antawn Jamison.

The craziest sequence to end a game….Calderon misses a 3, gets his own rebound, he misses another 3 (I think), Moon misses a 3, McGuire gets the rebound, turns it over falling out of bounds, Delfino (or Calderon) gets the rock, tries for a 2, gets blocked by Andray, Calderon gets the ball back and barely musters up a 3 point miss at the buzzer. And I could still be totally wrong about what happened, but……Wiz Win! 110-106!

WoW….let me catch my breath…..BIG win and a BIG defensive stop at the end of the game that was just as intense as a game winning shot, aside from the Raptors having 4 (or so) chances at the hoop. The point being, DC got the stop.

Boy, this one feels good. Really good. Oh yea, score board watchers….Philly won in a rout. The win moved from Big to Huge.

[Box Score]

The new slogan for the season should be:
“Washington Wizards 2008: No one is coming to save us.”

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• February 7, 2011 -- ShareBullets: Plodding Through An NBA Lottery Winter
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In the previous Wizards game (#43) against the Raptors, which happened to be at home in DC the night before the above game, we were treated to this quote by Steve Buckhantz, except much louder: “Noooo!!!! It’s not possible!!!!!”

Why? Well, just watch below:

Hey, at least the Wiz won that one, thus, preventing horrible, horrible nightmares about the Raptors for the rest of my life. This clip expands on the reasoning.

Before that, the Wiz beat a Chris Bosh-less Raptors in game 17.

The good news tonight? Chris Bosh isn’t expected back any time soon.

And hopefully, the Wiz upping their record against Toronto this season to 3-1 will piss off this Canadian blogger….as I had a big problem with him after match-up #2 between these two teams.

I enjoyed the Mike Wise column about the Lock Smith DeShawn Stevenson in today’s Washington Post. It made me happy to have Stevenson on the team and proud that his maturity has progressed. Although, he still has some evident hills to climb.

In other news….Caron Butler is still being careful with his hip like an old lady trying to take a shower in Florida. Nothing ground-breaking in this Washington Post story by Ivan Carter.

The perpetual pessimistic Tom Knott writes a surprisingly optimistic column in the Washington Times, “Agent Shows Zero Signs of Departing.” Welcome to the bandwagon Tom, as pretty much everyone else thinks Gilbert will remain a Wizard (it’s a numbers thing). Where does the line start again?

Here’s to making my Friday with a win – see you around the live blog.

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• First of all, a win tonight would allow the Washington Wizards to climb back to 5-hunny. The loss to the San Antonio Spurs back on February 6th put the Wiz at the even mark, and they haven’t been at the water line since.
• This fact is pointed out on Wizards Insider, along with the fact that the Magic played a tough game against the Toronto Raptors last night. But does catching a team on the second night of a back-to-back really matter at this point of the season? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t…..but…..
• What matters more to me is that the Wizards have had the chance to rest on Monday and Tuesday.

Brendan Todd versus Dwight David

In their first matchup of the season, game 3 (the DC home opener) when the Wiz were still funkin’ around, Haywood pulled down 16 rebounds along with 10 points, 5 blocks, and 5 personal fouls. Young Dwight had 15 boards, 17 points, 3 blocks and 4 fouls. But Turkey-Gloo could not be stopped as he dropped 25 on the Wiz, leading the Magic to a 94-82 victory, as the Wizards played a “disconnected” 4th quarter.

BTH held his own…and actually negated….the efforts of Dwight D. Howard on that night; he needs to do the same tonight.

And ironically, that’s the only time the Washington Wizards have faced their division rival Orlando Magic this season. Tonight’s game blog will be on Bullets Forever, a link is forthcoming (which is here – the Live Wizards Game 60 Blog on Bullets Forever). That being said, I leave you and Dwight Howard with this picture of your friend, my friend, our friend…..Buddy Jesus.

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