Q&A with Waiting For Next Year

Waiting For Next Year is a blog dedicated covering the Cleveland Sports scene. During this series, we've had some amicable and some not so amicable discussions with their team members.....mainly on the Bullets Forever comment sections. In the spirit of good blogsmanship, Rick from WFNY and I exchanged some Q&A on our teams and this tumultuous series.....here goes:

WFNY: Are the Wizards really a better team without Arenas on the floor?

TAI: The short and sweet answer is yes, right now they are (his injury factors in heavily on my answer). The question everyone will ask is what about Gil and next year (if he stays true to his word on opting-out). I like Gilbert Arenas, he's a card. I enjoy his charisma and his killer instinct on offense...a prerequisite if a team ever expects to have championship hopes. However, Gilbert has many hills to climb in terms of gaining maturity. I'm optimistic that it can be done, but I just hope his quirkiness doesn't hold him back.

TAI: In your post after game 5, you were pretty pissed at Mike Brown. To myself, and then Prada on Bullets Forever, this seemed like an unfair knee-jerk reaction. Do you feel the same today? The reason I ask is that I've been a supporter of Eddie Jordan from day one....but Wizards fans have been back and forth all year....most recently expressing their desire for Mike D'Antoni or Avery Johnson after the Wizards loss in game 4.

WFNY: Absolutely. You have to understand this is more than a one game reaction. Mike Brown is a very good defensive coach, even though the Cavs have given up more points this year than in previous years. Brown took over a team that couldn't spell defense, and turned them into one of the better squads in that area. But this man is probably the worst offensive coach in the league. Take a look at last year's finals. No creativity what-so-ever on offense. All season long the Cavs have struggled getting into their offensive sets. They are constantly having to throw up bad shots because the clock is running out. He has one of the most prolific scorers in the game, and he can't figure out how to get him the ball unless West hands it to him at the top of the circle. Post LeBron up down low, have him catch balls off of screens, for goodness sakes run a pick and roll! Zydrunas can hit an 18 footer with regularity. Why can't he and LeBron work on a 2 man game that would be deadly....

WFNY: Haven't heard much chirping before this game, has Butler finally got this team focused?

TAI: A definitive yes on increased focus. Both Caron and Antawn Jamison have recently said some very strong words of leadership in the papers....finally, talk from Wizards players of which I can be proud.

I certainly have expressed my opinion of fodder that has come from the Cleveland end of the spectrum....but more so, I've been critical of DeShawn Stevenson and Gilbert Arenas for their lack of professionalism. I could barely take satisfaction in the Wizards' 36 point win in game 3 because of DeShawn Stevenson's antics. And I think I expressed that in my blog of the game and in the comments section.

TAI: LeBron has proven himself to be a great passer, and I think this "hockey assist" thing that Mike Brown is preaching is novel approach. But I couldn't help but wonder why LeBron was deferring towards the end of game 5. Yea, it's clear that for the Cavs to take it to the next level, LBJ needs to take responsibility for his teammates involvement....and you make some great points in your response about Mike Brown.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is: What do you think of the hockey assists approach? How much falls on LeBron's shoulders? Would you have rather seen him drive to the hoop when Cleveland needed points instead of saving it for the last possession?

WFNY: That game ended with no points from our last 4 possessions. That is ridiculous. Even one basket there, and the Cavs probably win. My biggest problem was with the outside shots. LeBron's three pointer was a terrible decision. I wrote as much in the Mike Brown piece you referred to. The kick-out to Gibson wasn't a horrible decision, but there was no need to take a 3, and we hadn't been hitting them. If Daniel had pump faked the Wizard running at him would have flown 5 yards behind him, or crashed right into him. A pump fake and quick dribble gets you a better shot, or a defender leaving the low post. Either one would have been better options. Or why not go to Zydrunas there? He is a lot closer to the basket, and he's the best free throw shooter on the team.

The 'hockey pass' offense is primarily for transition attempts. Or it should be. For that idea to work in the half court, there would have to be motion, and the Cavs are not big into motion offenses. The best guy we have at moving without the ball is Wally Szczerbiak, and I don't think you are afraid of him are you?

WFNY: Who has the edge going into tonight's game? Is it the home team, or does the pressure of having to win throw the advantage to the Cavs?

TAI: I'm going to obviously go with the Wizards....not so much because of the home court advantage but more because they know that Gilbert's out. Caron knows he must continue to be assertive. Antawn Jamison knows another 8 point effort won't cut it. And the rest of the team knows to fall in place to their roles from when this team was beating the likes of Boston, New Orleans, and Dallas (twice each) without Arenas. I also wonder how the Cavs will play with the comfort of knowing that a possible game 7 will be on their court.

TAI: My final question before this post gets too long....

I like the scrappiness of Delonte West..... he has decent height and an array of skills. Seems like Cleveland has always been trying to find a PG who can play with LeBron. Is Delonte finally the answer? If yes, then why. If no, then what type of PG, or who, would be ideal? (funny how ESPN lists the Cavs game 5 starters as C, C, SF, SF, SG)

WFNY: The jury is still out on Delonte. There are questions about his defense, and Mike Brown rewards defense with playing time. Funny thing is that the first game Delonte played in Cleveland he and LeBron pushed the tempo quite a bit, and it looked like they were going to click. Unfortunately, the rest of the team can't handle that pace. Z, Varejao, and Wallace might as well have lead shoes on.

The question about Delonte kind of goes back to the question about Mike Brown. What is Delonte being asked to do? He can break the trap, which is an area the Cavs struggled with before Delonte got here. But when nobody is moving, there is no need for point guard. Too much isolation for Delonte to really be a traditional PG. I like that West can get into the lane, but he needs to be a better finisher for that to be effective. His height hasn't translated to much when he gets inside. He loses his confidence quickly as well. Of course, it doesn't help that he was being replaced when he struggled to shoot.

Delonte is the real key to this trade working out for the Cavs long term. I'm curious what he is capable of doing next year after going through camp and practice with LeBron and company. Who would be ideal for this team? John Stockton. Shoot, I'd love for Mark Price to be this team's PG. Deadly from the arc, and good vision. That would make LeBron so much better. Sigh.

TAI: You provided some great answers. Thanks a lot Rick, and good luck.

WFNY: Thanks for chatting with us. I'd say good luck, but I don't mean it. Nothing personal. I just would rather my team win....

TAI: Ha! I meant.....good luck with your blog.

Scott Templeton Receives Cleveland Journalism Award

Don't know who Scott Templeton is? Shame on you......as you've missed out on one of the greatest television series in history. Templeton was the quintessential douche-bag reporter, a character on HBO's The Wire. To be clear, I'd like to separate this from associating Templeton with or making any stereotypes or judgments on real journalists.....at least those from DC. [I understand there is some type of blogger-MSM war going on] -- in any case, I could estimate that I do not have a problem with 75-85% of journalists out there (I feel terrible as that is such a crude guesstimation......and yes, I used the "word" guesstimation -- so what!!). In any case, what made Scott Templeton such a d-bag on The Wire was that he was wrought with lies, plagiarism, and staunch, unsupported defense of his despicable acts.


While I am sure that Cleveland journalists are no where near the reprehensible nature of the character on The Wire, they sure have been adept in displaying skills of hackery as of late.

Tales of Hack Jobs:

First, there was this excerpt for Brian Windhorst's blog (he's also the Cavs beat reporter for the Akron Beacon Journal)

After the game, LeBron said DeShawn Stevenson hit him with a closed fist on the flagrant foul in the first half. I have since seen some photos that support that but it was not clear. Also, he seemed to go for the ball. I suspect the Cavs will push hard to have him to have the foul upgraded but it probably won’t happen. Here is the thing, people who know DeShawn have told me they think he’s crazy enough to attempt to go head hunting for LeBron in Game 5 if he thinks it is over just because of how personal this has all gotten. We’ll see.

My initial reaction was this: For one, this was posted well after the conclusion of the game. Second, he’s telling us that as a Cavs beat reporter, the only access he had to that play was photos, which he deemed to be inconclusive. That’s sad......[and later]....... This "people who know DeShawn" comment is a little disturbing. What exactly does this mean?…..you can know someone on so many levels. I mean, Damon Jones "knows" DeShawn….... Stevenson's mother also "knows" DeShawn.
>> This whole issue was discussed on a Bullets Forever post (where I made my comments) - others made many valid points, so if you have not already, I suggest you check it out.

Then Along Came Two Sallies
#1) Patrick McManamon, an Akron Beacon Columnist - Cavs need to take out the garbage
Essentially, Patty Cake: Called the Wizards garbage. Pointed out that there are more important things in this world. (Really? More important things than basketball? You don't say.) And then McManamon proceeded to write a column about everything that's gone down in this series that has to do with basketball and not those more important things. Sounds like a little snot doing nothing more than pandering to a bunch of whiny babies if you ask me.

#2) Bill Livingston from the Cleveland Plain Dealer - Fierce Wizards a joke that just keeps us laughing
Now, Bill wants to call out the Wizards for all their talk...no problem with that, as I've done the same. Unfortunately, Livingston is intent on only telling one side of the story and uses an example which horribly back-fires into his face....just wait.

So, while I am just a stupid blogger....essentially an untrained monkey....I won't do anything here but express my opinion and angrily call people names.

I'll let the real journalist take care of the duties of a well-thought-out comeback. I implore you to go read this entry from Dan Steinberg's DC Sports Bog on the washingtonpost.com: DeShawn Appears to be Popular in Cleveland.

Oh yea....the AP is getting in on the act by making shit up.

In other news:

• 6 pm start time? Crap. [We're Off To See The Wizards]
  
  
• Yup, most of the Wizards are saying what they're supposed to say. [WashingtonWizardsBlog]
  
  
• LeBron James Flagrant 1 Fouls = DeShawn Stevenson Flagrant 1 Fouls [Wizards Insider]
  
  
• My Swog Needs......something positive to happen. [My Swog Is Phenomenal]
  
  
• Meanwhile....some give props and try to find solutions. [Bullets Forever]
  
  
• As if I wasn't embarrassed enough by DeShawn Stevenson. [DC Sports Bog]
  
  
• Is this the end? (not a good sign that the Doors are playing in my head...or is it?) [DC Pro Sports Report]
  
  
• A true witness testifies. [DC Optimist]
  
  
• The Cavaliers like to vandalize their own court [DC Sports Bog]
  
  
• Rick has actually been a pretty cool Cleveland blogger (although he may not say the same about me -- not that I've said anything bad about him....just the whole 'LeBron is a baby', etc., etc. rhetoric....although, I've been very critical of Gilbert Arenas and DeShawn Stevenson too) -- anyhow, Rick has a great interview with Dan Steinberg. [Waiting For Next Year]
  
  
• Game 5 Thread (talk it up) [Bullets Forever]
  
  
• Oh yea, Gilbert Arenas is finito......we may have seen his last game in a Wizards uniform.
  

Wizards-Cavs Game 4: Quick Pre-Game Thoughts

To ironically quote a Jay-Z song title...."What More Can I Say?" -- meaning, the way Jake put it on Bullets Forever, "the rivalry just keeps getting weirder and weirder," would be an understatement.

Taking a rewind, I tried my best to keep away from this internet thing for the past 24ish hours....for no particular reason as I did get a 10 minute check yesterday afternoon. I took in a pitiful Nats loss against the Cubbies, did some drinking, which unfortunately involved tequila shots, and justifiably found myself with a mini-hangover this morning. The usual antidote would be the tragically tasty grease of McDonald's. Since one is not convenient to my Mt. Pleasant/Columbia Heights location, the next best bet was the Marx Cafe on Mt. Pleasant Street. You usually don't have to deal with Sunday morning crowds, the food hits the spot and the service has all the international neighborhoody friendliness one could want. [by the way, for you're a Redskins fan, I stumbled across this City Paper article about Vinny Cerrato...interesting suggested reading]

Feeling slightly better, perhaps not 100% as I opted not to chase the hair of the dog (that bit me) I came back to do some reading on what I thought would be the life and times of Gilbert's knee injury......NoPE!

As I'm sure you are aware, all of this happened instead. What unprecedented craziness.....leading to columns and rhyme droppings from the distinguished Mike Wise and nationwide ABC mentions of nightclub fodder by Stuart Scott and Mike Tirico.

I've never been to the Park and I've only been to Love once when one of my boys from college, an ex-Harlem Globetrotter, was in town (name-dropping without name-dropping, huh?) -- I really hadn't had the desire to go back since, as I would call Love the LeBron James of clubs.....Over, Rated. So yea, why not join the boycott?

This is fun and I am excited. In the last game blog (and in the comments section), I chided DeShawn and Gilbert for their trash-talking ways.....now I'm like fuck it. Talk as much as you want fellas, especially if it gives you extra incentive to back it up.....and as long as you win, of course. In five words: Cleveland, you can suck it.

The way that this rivalry is escalating, I halfway expect this to be the culmination (long clip...the 3:20 mark would be an adequate start):

Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Playoff Game 3 Blog

Wack Rapper Alert!
(but hey....if it means good luck....)

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 check 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.

NBA.com box

Bullets Forever Game Thread: Wizards vs. Cavaliers Game 3

TAI: Uh oh....if you've somehow found your way to this blog, that means that SB Nation still has Bullets Forever held hostage with technical difficulties.....I smell hints of a Cleveland conspiracy (just kidding....maybe). Now begin the game 3 thread from BF's Jake The Snake:

(Hey guys, sorry about the technical difficulties over at Bullets Forever today, I can assure that all the SB Nation tech gurus are doing their best to get things back to normal as soon as possible. Until then, many thanks to Truth for graciously allowing us to host the game thread for tonight's game here. -Jake)



The Essentials:
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 3 (Cavs up 2-0)
Verizon Center
8 p.m.
TNT

Key Links (drop any others in the comments)

• A final word on the Haywood incident.
  
• Wizards react quotes from Game 1 and Game 2.
• The Domi.Nick Affect is back!
  
• Lots of great stuff from the Bog today: New hairstyles for Caron and Nick, Wizards discussing tonight's game, and checking out some playoff themes.
• White Out Conditions are being reported by We're Off To See The Wizards.
• WaitingForNextYear introduces DeShawn to Damon Jones (not for those with an easy stomach). In the comments there's a link to some encouraging trends for Wizards fans.
• DCPSR hands out grades for Game 2.
  
• The Wizards behind the scenes.
• Sadly, Eddie Jordan will not be rocking the white suit tonight.
• TAI's Game 3 Preview, plus many other great links.

Tonight's Lines
Cavs at Wizards: Wizards by 5
Over/Under on total points: 198

Well folks, this is it. A win tonight puts the Wizards right back in this thing and a loss would pretty much end it. You never want to say that the Wizards couldn't win 4 games in a row, but it would be awfully, awfully difficult.

I think we all know what needs to happen tonight (more ball movement, keep LeBron from getting into the lane, hit open shots, not get caught up in fouling, etc.) and after the debacle in Game 2, I have no worries that the Wizards will be able to recommit themselves tonight in front of (hopefully) rockin', monochromatic crowd.

This is an open thread, so if you're as stunned by Damon Jones' coat as Chuck is, talk about it here.

GO WIZARDS!

Wizards-Cavaliers: Webbing A Preview of Game 3

This is not so much a game 3 preview as it is a festival of related links and the best words from them. I've read them all and can vouch for each and every one. Enjoy.

My Prediction?
A big game from the Silent Assassin.

flickr/wizardsdotcom

Good Words to Start
>> "We have to channel all of our aggressiveness, all of our excitement and all of our bravado into being organized within the team framework." [Eddie Jordan via WashingtonWizardsBlog]

>> "Discipline first is self control. Discipline second is The Enforcer. If you can't control yourself, The Enforcer must control it, and that's me." [Eddie Jordan via DC Sports Bog] - Oh yea, same link....Caron Butler shaved a message in the back of his head.Advocating to use Roger Mason Junior as the "enforcer" because of his "super human strength." [Basketbawful]

>> Great piece on the upbringing of Roger Mason aka The Silent Assassin [Jon Siegel, Washington Times]

>> "Caron seems to be farely healthy, Gil's far from behing Gil. And we know that. But look, they don't have Sasha Pavlovic and they've got some guys banged up. LeBron's got a bad back. So, you know, we can't use that as an excuse but, Gil's flat out not healthy. He's not nearly the Gil we're going to see in October." [Eddie Jordan via Wizards Insider]

>> "The Cavaliers, meaning Mike Brown and James, have successfully created the perception that the Wizards are playing dirty basketball and are out to hurt one of the game's biggest stars. The Wizards maintain that they simply want to play clean, hard basketball and not give James easy layups, dunks and three-point plays. [Ivan Carter, Wizards Insider]

>> "The coach at practice today said the fouls his players are handing out are no more violent than those the Cavaliers are laying on the Wizards. The Cavs are just doing a better job acting. [Mike Jones, Wizards Outlet]

>> "They need to implore the Jordan philosophy of allowing Lebron to go one-on-one with DeShawn and not let the other players to kill them. I figured Coach Jordan would have picked that key factor up from watching the Finals last year, so maybe he isn’t studying film the way he should be in order to lead this team to a win. [Kingly-1, Les Bullez @ MVN]

>> "There is still time to turn this series around, but it must begin Thursday night with a win. Any kind of win would do, though decisive would be nice. At this point, though, beggars can’t be choosers and Bullets fans are beggars, I’m afraid. [Spence, DC Pro Sports Report]

>> "We know it's going to be electrifying," James said. "It's going to be a hostile environment. We have to able to, if they hit us with a punch, we counter with a punch......Not literally," he continued. "Let me change my words. If they make a few shots, just counter their attack and move on." [LeBron James via Washington Post]

>> Arenas, on what’s gone wrong: "There were plenty of times where I just wanted to say, ‘[Forget] the offense,’ and go out and do what I do best. But that’s not basketball right now. They’ve been winning passing the ball around right now, and that’s what we have to do." Translation: When we’re down 0-3, I want you all to go back and smell the smugness rising off of this quote. Until then, I’m pleading frustration, innocence, and self-inflicted confusion. [Bethlehem Shoals, Slam]

>> Where will the passion of Eddie Jordan get him in the future? [Stet Sports]

Is Caron Butler more hurt than he is leading on? Or does he simply not want to mention the word 'injury' in any response to the media, and thus lead people to think he might be making an excuse?
>> "I asked him about his health. Before the series Butler, who missed the last three games with a bruised right knee and earlier missed a large chunk of the season with a hip injury, answered this way: "It doesn't really matter because we have to play tonight and I'm going to be out there. I have to leave everything on the court. Just gotta play. No excuses for anything whether it's a nagging injury or anything. I'm going to look in the mirror and be comfortable with whatever happens in this series. Let's just go out there, leave everything on the court and see what happens." [Ivan Carter, Wizards Insider]

How Much Potential Atmosphere Does A Phone Booth Have?
>> "The Wizards are encouraging fans to wear all whitle to create a "white out" but I'll curious to see whether Wiz fans can match the passion and energy Caps fans have brought to the table in the playoffs. [Ivan Carter, Washington Post]

>> "Or you could do it gangsta style," Young continued, "and come in your white tees," Dominic McGuire finished. "White tees, white Air Force Ones," Young said. "The clean Air Force Ones, you know what I'm saying?" McGuire agreed. [DC Sports Bog]

>> Is the Wizards Locker Room like The Office? [Washington Post]

>> "Resistance to Cleveland professional hackery need to be strongly reinforced. Referees need to be reminded that they do not work for Nike with "REF-YOU-SUCK"s. I want to not be able to feel my ears. [Bobtimist Prime, DC Optimist]

>> "During one 15-minute increment that included overtime [of the Caps game] (9:45-10 pm), the D.C. rating was 8.6, which translates roughly to 198,000 households. It's a lot more people than will watch the Wiz playoff game in this market tomorrow......Will Caps fans argue that their team has surpassed the Wiz? Or does everything reset now? I can't tell you how many fans I've spoken with whose explanation was a laugh and a "Washington loves its winners;" I guess we'll see. [DC Sports Bog]

>> "You have to earn it. You've got to get the crowd believing in you. You've got to get the crowd to say, 'Hey, they're playing good basketball, they're rebounding well and they're defending well.'" [Eddie Jordan via Washington Post]


Does Anyone Even Care About Soulja Boy Anymore?
>> "James was asked on Tuesday if he planned on doing his "Soulja Boy" this week. "Nah," James said. "I got my Roc Boy dance ready." [Wizards Insider]

>> Soulja Boy will be at the Verizon Center......in a Cavs jersey? [Akron Beacon Journal]

>> Well, tonight's Soulja Boy concert in Cleveland has been canceled. [via DC Sports Bog]

>> "Stevenson was wearing a Jay-Z t-shirt, but he seemed genuinely surprised when reporters pointed that out, said it was completely unintentional and then returned to ask that reporters not make a big deal out of the shirt, repeating several times that he had not even realized the implications when choosing the shirt. "I just wore it [randomly]," he said again and again. "I don't want TNT saying I wore a LeBron-Jay-Z shirt. I just wore it, I swear." [DC Sports Bog]

>> LeBron has a new dance to combat the "Soulja Boy" [We're Off To See The Wizards]

------------

"I’m hoping that this is the prototypical Wizards team that will bounce back from a tough loss like that. Now we have to return the favor. If we trust each other and play harder we will give ourselves a chance." [Eddie Jordan via WashingtonWizardsBlog]

The Haywood Incident: A Final Word

Put yourself in this all too familiar situation: You see a player on the team you root for commit a foul on an opposing player going for a shot.....but the foul isn't strong enough. Actually, the foul is rather clement as the opposing player brushes it off and scores the basket, And 1. What do you say to yourself? "If you're going to foul the guy, don't let him get a shot off!"

My truthful opinion: Brendan Haywood's foul on LeBron James deserved a flagrant 1 and not a flagrant 2.

But.....I understand why the referees felt the need to toss Haywood from the game. And don't worry, I'm not pulling the "Superstar Call/David Stern Conspiracy" card. At that point in the 3rd quarter, the refs had to do something, as they were well aware of the situation..... from the war of words off the court to the blade cutting tension on it. A message needed to be sent to both teams: crossing the line beyond 'physical play' will not be tolerated. Do I like being on the losing end of that message, and the game? Of course not.

I will contend that the act of Brendan Haywood's foul was no worse that Anderson Varejao's arm swipe at Andray Blatche's head.

However, the subsequent result of Haywood's foul appeared much worse, especially in the surroundings of an impassioned crowd and an emphatic protectionist coach. I blame neither Mike Brown nor Cleveland fans for their emotion, as many of us in Wizards Nation should admit that we would have reacted in a similar fashion.

We can debate the merits of which foul was or was not a "basketball play" for years and will never come to a consensual conclusion. There might be a child's handful of players in the NBA who would intentionally attempt to hurt someone. I'd like to think there are none, but let's go with the law of averages. In any case, I truly believe that no such players exist on either of these teams. Anderson Varejao was hoping for a block but got an armful of face instead when Andray Blatche transferred the ball for protection. Brendan Haywood wanted to keep LeBron from getting a shot off when he turned and saw the first train from Akron coming into his stop with no brakes. Haywood intended to halt that train and not to derail it from the tracks.

Did the LBJ train derail? Yes. Should Haywood be held culpable despite his intent not to harm? Of course. I've already stated that the refs were right to remove Haywood from the game. But more so to quell escalating emotions between both teams and not as punishment to someone whom various interested parties have equated to a rabid animal.

In the first two games, Eddie Jordan was out coached by Mike Brown. Not so much from an Xs and Os standpoint; I'll concede that point as it's not part of my debate. Rather, Eddie has displayed what I'll refer to as a lack of institutional control. Mike Brown has done an excellent job of preparing his team, building off last year's playoff run, and he has been successful in politicking the media and the referees. After all, if it's worked for Phil Jackson, why not give it a try?

As this series moves forward, I can only hope for two things: that we see no more fouls from either side which may be misconstrued as a dirty play, and that the refs do not call the subsequent games so tight that the flow of basketball is affected.

As a Wizards fan, I'm already embarrassed enough that my team has not backed up their talk. Here's to a competitive series from here on out and may the best team win.

flickr/wizardsdotcom

"Nothing was meant behind the foul, It was a bang-bang play and he said himself: He's 6-9, 260, so if you go out there and try to foul him lightly, he's going to score the basketball. So there was nothing malicious. I apologize to LeBron James. I didn't mean to hurt him. It's not one of those things." [Washington Post]

The Hard Foul Roundup [via Wizards Insider]
In Game 1, James responded to a hard foul from Andray Blatche by blasting Blatche in the face with a forearm and in Game 2, Devin Brown took Roger Mason Jr. down hard on a breakaway layup, Anderson Varejao cracked Blatche in the face as Blatche went up for a layup and Delonte West laid a hard foul on Antonio Daniels as Daniels went to the hoop. Varejao received a flagrant 1 for his hit on Blatche but none of those plays created the perception that the Cavs are somehow playing dirty.

"Things got blown out of proportion with the talk that happened the course of the season, but the man is coming down the lane! Do not let him score! I mean, that's basketball. When I come down the lane, when Gilbert comes down the lane, they put you on your ass! It's no difference during the course of 82." [Antawn Jamison via Wizards Outlet]

"I'm going to play the same way. That was just a bang-bang unfortunate incident. I saw him at the last minute and tried to foul him and he was already up in the air. I’m not going to change the way I play." [Brendan Haywood via WashingtonWizardsBlog]

Haywood's Possibly Incitant Comments [via Wizards Insider]
"Every time, LeBron gets fouled, Mike comes running out there like he got shot or something. Calm down Mike. It's not that serious. We're not trying to take him out. It's all within the confines of the game. I don't see how coaches should be running out on the court anyway. Isn't there a coaches' box? Since we're talking about the confines of league rules, he shouldn't be out of the box."

"If that's Delonte West I fouled like that, do they throw me out? Probably not."

"C'mon Mike. That man's name is LeBron James not LeBron Brown. He' s not your son."

Even Cavalier fans must admit
that this photo is pretty comical.

Aaron Josefczyk - Reuters

The scene of this play from the game blog: LeBron is getting ridiculous. Mason is dribbling, LeBron comes to double...takes a wild swat at Mason..and they run into each other....LeBron bounces back like he just ran into a vertical trampoline and comes up checking his mouth, looking at the jumbo-screen. Cavs fans go nuts. The foul is called on LBJ....Mason goes 1-2 from the line.

React Quotes: Wizards-Cavaliers Game 2, 2008 NBA Playoffs

Remembering history? Doomed to repeat it? Well, let's hope these react quotes reverse karma in the direction of the Washington Wizards. Oh yea, a muzzle on Gil and DeShawn wouldn't hurt either........especially because I really don't feel like putting together an 'Egg on Our Face' photoshop in the future.

If you dare, here's the Wizards-Cavs game two blog on Bullets Forever.

React Quotes

"Last night, Washington decided to value physicality over skill, and in the process managed to lose the ability to do either effectively. [JakeTheSnake, Bullets Forever]

"For the second straight game, the Wizards lacked the offensive punch needed to overcome LeBron James, who added to his mastery of Washington with 30 points, 12 assists and 9 rebounds before taking a seat with the Cavaliers comfortably ahead by 24 points in the fourth quarter. [Ivan Carter, Washington Post]

"The Wizards loss in Game 2 was the most troubling postseason performance the Wizards have ever had under Coach Eddie Jordan. Even last year, when the Wizards faced the Cavaliers with two hands tied behind their back, they put up a better fight. [Michael Lee, Wizards Insider]

" Once again, the Washington Witnesses prove to be all bark and no bite.......As for the Witnesses as a whole, they might soon be petitioning to re-name themselves as "Pavement." The Cavs are now 10-2 against Washington in playoff games over the last three postseasons, including eight in a row. [Amar Panchmatia, Cavalier Attitude]

"Seriously? Now you decide that 3's and long jumpers are in your repertoire? Stop ruining fast breaks. [White President on Antonio Daniels, We're Off To See The Wizards]

"Stevenson's signature move is to wave his hand in front of his face, but doing it when his team is getting shellacked was as amateur as it comes. [Patrick McManamon, Akron Beacon Journal]

"But the team clearly was embarrassed by how easily the game went for Cleveland on Monday night. Damon Jones, the hero of Cleveland's series-clinching victory in 2006, mocked Stevenson's hand wave after making a fourth-quarter three-pointer, and several Cavaliers were laughing and joking on the bench as the game turned into a blowout. [Ivan Carter, Washington Post]

"The Wizards left Cleveland with barely a whimper on Monday night, looking like chumps, like a lottery team instead of one with playoff aspirations. Nothing that transpired in Cleveland's humiliating 30-point Game 2 victory suggests that a change in venue, to Verizon Center for Thursday's Game 3, will make an enormous difference in the outcome of this series. [Michael Wilbon, Washington Post]

"Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 16 points and 9 rebounds to Cleveland's cause, and Wally Szczerbiak said "Suck it, Larry Hughes!" by scoring 15 on 6-for-9 shooting. [Basketbawful, Deadspin]

"Last night, as I was watching the Wizards getting killed by the Cavaliers, I spent some time watching Gilbert Arenas -- yet another star beset by injuries -- lumbering around the court. "Gilbert Arenas," I wrote in my notes, "has been sent here to make ever