Game 53 Blog: Washington Wizards vs New York Knicks

Truth is down in Argentina 'seeing about a girl' so I'm taking the reigns tonight. First things first I should preempt this post by saying I'm a die hard hockey fan and casual NBA fan. To prove this point I'm tuning in late in the 3rd quarter to watch this to the end.

My bad Truth, this late start won't happen again.

3rd Quarter 5:00 min. left

NY 61 Wiz 66
They just mentioned that this is the 60th anniversary of the Harlem Globetrotters beating the Lakers.....I can't imagine this feat ever happening again.

David Lee with a nice steal and awkward dribble down the floor. He's then fouled and blows the dunk, misses the free throw, gets rebound, turns it over, gets it back and dishes to Jones who misses the dunk. My first thought is that we cannot lose to this team.

The Wizards have limped into the second half but it looks like they are getting Arenas and Thomas back soon. The question is...How does Eddie Jordan ease these guys back into the mix?

2:43 NY 62 Wiz 70
Nate Robinson drives and is fouled. Nasty Nate doesn't get enough credit for his performance in the dunk contest a few years ago....




Art Monk is at the game.....class act and finally a Hall of Famer. It still irks me that Michael "do you know who I am" Irvin made it in first.

Meanwhile......23.7 left NY 65 Wiz 70
Sloppy end to the quarter....Wizards blow a 9 point lead.

Alexander Ovechkin is at the game.....for those who don't yet know, Ovechkin is easily the most exciting player in the NHL and on his way to 60 goals.



4th Quarter NY 67 Wiz 70

10:27 NY 68 Wiz 72
Blatche picks up his second quick foul, third of the game.....

Caron Butler looks pretty unhappy on the bench. The Wizards are 2-7 without him and clearly miss are finding that a guy like Butler is harder to replace than a player like Arenas. Great piece on Butler over the weekend in the Post. Front Page.

During a commercial break I'm compelled to digress for a minute and mention something. This Saturday night Kelly Pavlik defended his Middleweight title against Jermaine Taylor in a much anticipated rematch of their battle five months ago. The same night Kimbo Slice was brawling with some hillbilly on Showtime. I know many people who chose to watch the UFC fight over the Middleweight championship. While Truth is gone and I have his password, I am going to take advantage write a post about boxing. The Fact that anyone would choose to watch Kimbo Slice over Pavlik/Taylor II illustrates perfectly the trouble boxing is in. Theres more to say but I think I'm supposed to be writing about this game. Look for a boxing post soon.

6:00 NY 74 Wiz 81
Wizards are holding on to their lead, Nick Young is a bright spot in what has been a stop and start 4th quarter. He's providing some much needed energy to a team that looks like it's dragging.

5:04 NY 80 Wiz 81
David Lee is at the line....he looks like Will Ferrel's Jackie Moon in Semi Pro....but he hits 'em both and brings the Knick within 1. 8-0 run by NY

4:30
Jamison stops the bleeding and the Wizards get a good call on the defensive end. Haywood then fouled and goes to the line. These are the stretches that will tell us if we have a playoff team in DC. Haywood hit both and brings the lead to 5.

3:39 NY 82 Wiz 87
Big shot by Jamison and a rebound on the other end. He is suddenly all over the court and just recorded a double double with his tenth rebound to go with 31.

2:20 NY 85 Wiz 89
Great steal by Daniels but he gives it right back. Wizards are hanging tough but they look inconsistent, which is bound to happen with the injuries they are dealing with. They lack a continuity in their game....particularly on offense.

1:52 NY 86 Wiz 89
Stevenson to the line.....he's working on a pretty good game and an excellent beard. Misses one and drains another.

Wow...they just showed Ovechkin tonguing down some blond. I wonder if he puts his fake tooth in to do that.

1 point game.....under a minute left.

Huge rebound by Jamison. Daniels leaves his feet without knowing what he's gonna do with it and turns it over. NY takes it down and is fouled.

19.5 NY 89 Wiz 90
Jamal Crawford at the line...misses one and hits the second. Tied up at 90.

19.5 NY 90 Wiz 90
Timeout Wizards. Who gets it here? Gotta imagine Jamison will get his hands on it at some point.
Inbound to Daniels.......holding for the last shot. Drives left and takes a tough shot just inside the line. Brick. OT.

Overtime

2:45 NY 98 Wiz 90
A three from Robinson and some turnovers by the wizards put Lez Boulez in a hole early.

Wizards have a tough stretch of games ahead of them...this game may be one of those you look back on at the end of the season and just shake your head.

Big three from Crawford and the Knicks lead is up to 11.

53.8 NY 106 Wiz 97
Robinson is fouled and this one is all but over.

A couple of fouls, some missed and made free throws and this ones gonna end 113-110. The Knicks didn't miss a shot in OT.

Tough night for the Wizards....to be honest I'm kind a glad I didn't invest more than a two quarters in it. Adam will be bringing you the next game which will be a tough one against the Cavs.

Caps play tomorrow....I wonder if Truth would mind a hockey post.

Would LeBron Really Cheat On Ohio With New York?

So yea, I was making fun of LeBron's penchant for the New York Yankees in a previous post, "LeBron James Lobbies to Get New York Yankees Logo Added to the Quicken Loans Arena Court."

But would LBJ really bolt to the Big Apple?

Well, my boy AJ and I had a little gmail exchange about it....like to hear it go:

AJ:

At this point I think he is only doing all that NYY crap just to drum up some media coverage in the Big Apple.

You think the guy would ever jump ship for the Knicks?

Me:
The Nets are about to trade Kidd to gain cap room....they should move Carter too...before '10. You don't think that LBJ would go to Brooklyn to play for his boy Jigga?

Coincidence that the Nets just pushed their move to Crooklyn back to after the 09-10 season?

AJ:

If he moves to Brooklyn he'll command so much cheese that the Nets might not have the $ to put any pieces around him.

I do know that LBJ loves Jay like a son does a father, so I wouldn't put it past him to bolt from Cleveland and head to Biggie's old stomping grounds.

Me:
LeBron is smart though.....he would not have to worry about team salary as much because of all the money he would gain endorsement wise in the Big Apple. Trust me, he's the type of guy who'd rather have pieces around him to win.

AJ:

Agreed. By the time his second contact comes around he will already have made over $100mm from basketball alone.

With money like that flying around the NBA, it is a wonder how some cats like Joe Forte can blow a chance at the league.

Me: I just hope that Jay-Z (aka Big Homie) and LeBron's relationship is not like Lil' Wayne's relationship with his daddy, Baby the Birdman.

UPDATE: Someone has created an entire website dedicated to recruiting LeBron James to New York City. Check it out here: www.nycforlebron.com

Antawn Jamison for Eddy Curry or Zach Randolph? No Thank You.

So... Chad Ford thinks he can fix the New York Knicks?

Step 1: Buy out Stephon Marbury.

Ford makes a good point. Sure, the Knicks could try to trade Marbury this summer to a team looking for cap room, but Ford doesn't think that New York will get anything worth their while. Then again, have you heard of the Phoenix Suns? They gave the Seattle Sonics Kurt Thomas and two first round picks, in '08 and '10, in exchange for a conditional future 2nd round pick and a gain in cap space.

With frugality on the minds of many most all GMs these days [take that mainstream media....bloggers can cross out words and look cool, you can't]....anyway, you'd think the Knicks would be able to get someone to bite on Starbury. Of course, Marbury's recipient would surely cut him loose before he could set foot on a plane. No need to pack baggage Steph, all of yours is carry-on. Exactly, Kurt Thomas has been a great locker room presence in Seattle, not to mention averaging almost 10 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. And I've really got nothing against Marbury. The whole cheap shoe thing is kind of cool. But he's never been a winner. Why would any franchise want him? More importantly, for Stephon, how can he resurrect his career at this juncture? And why did Phoenix give up Thomas in the first place? They could sure use him now.

Step 2: Trade Zach Randolph or Eddy Curry.

Chadwick throws out several theories. I can't blame him, it's his job to do so. One involves Curry to the Hawks for Pachulia and Lue...intriguing. Another with Eddy going to the Magic for some randoms. But the suggestion which made me pause was Eddy Curry and Malik Rose to the Washington Wizards for Antawn Jamison. I can't even begin to say what's wrong with this suggestion. Jamison provides two main things over Curry: rebounds and intangibles. And "intangibles" covers a lot....everything from AJ's crafty shot repertoire to his leadership. Besides, Eddy Curry is not built for the Eddie Jordan offense and I don't see him meshing with Gilbert Arenas, assuming Gil stays around.

Ok, if not Curry, then the Knicks should try to trade Zach Randolph. To the Lakers for Kwame Tiny Hands and Farmer, Ariza or Crittenton? Phil has coached head cases before...see Dennis Rodman, oh, and....Kwame Brown. But I really don't think the Lakers are giving up Jordan Farmer. He's looking more and more like a keeper. Ultimately, Zach Randolph on the Lakers hinders the development of Andrew Bynum.

Eyebrow raiser #2: If the Wizards won't "bite" on Curry, then perhaps Randolph? Ok, first of all, the Ernie Grunfeld I know doesn't "bite" on bait.....especially nothing that Isiah Thomas is dangling. America is the land of second chances, but not when your exchanging a locker room presence such as Jamison with a locker room presence such as Randolph. No thanks.

Chad Ford goes on to spit more theories on what the Knicks should do.....but the point is, take the Wizards name out your mouth buddy. Jamison should retire a Wizard, at a reasonable cost of course. But there is no reason to think that Abe, Ernie and Antawn shouldn't make that happen.

On to some other recent Wizards scuttlebutt....

>> Hey, the Atlanta Hawks recently did a pretty cool thing. They invited bloggers to attend a game, gave them the "press" treatment, and then let them do their thing. Here is one of the results from The Atlanta Sports Fan where we learn that Brendan Todd Haywood is a master of veteran trickery....via Al Horford:

We spoke with Horford a little longer, learning that Brendan Haywood is a pretty sneaky player (”He’ll hit you in the back real hard, and then be like ‘Oh, sorry man. I didn’t mean to.’ Whatever.”)

>> The question on the minds of every single Washington Wizards fan? Are the Bullets better without Gilbert Arenas? Like the DC Pro Sports Report, I would tend to say no. But isn't that ultimately up to Gilbert? The real question should be: Will Gilbert Arenas' game change when he returns? ....or, more importantly, how will Superstar Agent Zero make this Wizards team better?

>> Speaking of Gilbert....in his latest blog entry, he ranks Caron Butler 3rd behind LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony as the best 3 men in the league. Wages of Wins says that Butler is better than Melo. I agree. Melo is a great scorer, but Tuff Juice can sure fill up a stat sheet. The Wizards already have a #1 scorer in Gilbert Arenas....so considering that fact, yes, Caron Butler IS a better all around player than Carmelo Anthony.

So yea.....Gilbert is a victim of his own blog....or is he? I'd like to assume that he takes into account that everyone will analyze anything he writes...or anything he tells a guy to write for him.

>> Slam Magazine is wondering why Gilbert keeps talking about his contact and if he is composing an "exit plan"....perhaps in hopes of playing for a team in a larger market. Not sure why. He's built a pretty decent rep here in the little village of DC, which is the 9th largest media market. Gil, do you feel you'd be better playing for the Knicks, Lakers, Clippers, Bulls, 76ers, Mavericks, Warriors, Celtics, or Hawks? Don't answer that question.

>> True Hoop believes that Gilbert has thrown down the gauntlet, expressing his desire to win a championship regardless of the cost. But I seriously doubt that Arenas is actually referring to the current Wizards players as "scrubs" in his comments. Nice try Henry.

>> Everybody Hates Kwame.....including me.
Wizards Insider is somewhat defensive of Kwame.
Then again, Wizards Insider says that the Caron for Kwame trade is the most lopsided deal of the millennium. Not argument here....however, I would disagree with #2 on the list. A surly Rasheed Wallace would've never benefited the Atlanta Hawks. No one really knew that the Hawks would be "giving" the Pistons a championship in Wallace because everyone expected the Lakers to run away with it. Ultimately getting Josh Smith, who can be just as surly as Rash-weed Wallace cannot be considered a total loss.

>> Scott Van Pelt found a "diary" entry of Roger Mason Junior. Don't worry RMJ, at this point, you're playing for straight cash homey. You're a 'fly under the radar' type of cat.... your props will come soon.

>> After that horrendous loss to the Knicks last Tuesday, Basketbawful is calling the Wizards selfish......and that's without Gilbert on the court chucking the rock......but cynics are a dime a dozen and Basketbawful has so many dimes it could lead the league in assists.

>> Steve Buckhantz releasing the beast? Please.
Wanna borrow some chest hair cap'n? I gots plenty to spare.

Live Game 38 Blog: Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks

I gots revenge on my mind from the last Wizards game against the Knicks, game 37.

First of all.....Etan Thomas really hasn't been cleared to practice, not yet. Slam Mag catches up with Etan. Godspeed.

It's been reported that Antonio Daniels is a game-time decision. But it looks like he is going to play tonight. All is copacetic.

So...knowing that, let's start the show....

1st Quarter

The game starts off and the Verizon Center looks like one big hot box (yup, actually a Wikipedia entry) from the laser smoke.

Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier can't stress how much "fun" it is to select All-Stars on NBA.com -- because you can see the head-shots of the selections you make. Ahhh....technology.

Before I realize it.....points are scored in bunches. The Wiz have 16 and the Knicks have 13 in the first 5 1/2 minutes. Washington is 6-7 on FGs to start. It's about time they started off with a little heat.

I'm not sure if I just heard correctly, but Steve Buck just said that Antawn Jamison was called "body beautiful" in training camp because he arrived in such great shape. Why haven't I heard this before?

4:18 - Body B just hit a jumper to put the Wiz up 22-19. DC is hot like fire on the field goals....something like 10-12.

2:40 - Jamison didn't really get "pushed" by Jared Jeffries. JJ simply made a good, hard block out on the rebound and AJ went flying because he didn't establish his balance.

1:43 - Eddy Curry just got a dunk, only the 3rd of his whole life, 27-26 Knicks.

0:54 - Nate Robinson hits a 3 right in a grill, no contest...puts the Knicks up 2, 30-28. He waits until the Wizards, Antonio Daniels, has the ball past half court and then Nate gives the Lock Smith "Can't Feel My Face" move right in front of AD. He's a legitimate douche.

Steve Buck: "The Knicks will not be kicked around. Clearly, they will not go away."

Uh duh.....this is the NBA, right?

1st quarter ends, rather quickly if you ask me. The Knicks look like they "came to play" and the Wizards just look like your run-of-the-mill regular team.

32-28 Knicks. Both teams are shooting over 63% from the field. JHC.

2nd Quarter

11:34 - Butler makes Jared Jeffries look like a ham with a spin move bucket, off the glass.

11:11 - Nate Robinson jumper. Hey, if you aren't going to guard him....at least try to get in this jerk's head so he makes some stupid mistakes. 35-30 Knicks.

10:07 - Jared is all over the place with a couple offensive rebound tips, possessions and attempts. He travels, no call. But Butler eventually commits a foul. However, after the whistle is blown, Jared J raises his own hand. Why? I'm not sure. I don't think I've ever seen a player raise his own hand after he has gotten fouled.

9:50 - Steve and Phil....a couple non-biased guys. No foul is called on DeShawn covering Nate Robinson when one should have been....they give it the proper recognition.

Timeout. Knicks by 36-30.

I keep expecting Clay Davis to ask what his cut is going to be for recommending Southwest Airlines in that commercial. (PS - you'll only get that if you watch The Wire)

8:42 - Jamison gets on Blatche for bad offensive spacing. Nick Young scores on a step-back. Down 4.

8:13 - Jamison buckets....7-9, 16 points. He's M.O.P. -- ON FIYA!

6:17 - Steve Buck calls Q-Rich a laser after he hits a trey. He has 16 points on 6-8 shooting.

5:23 - Jamal Crawford 3 puts the Knicks up 3, 47-44....but Nick Young answers with his own 3 to tie it up on the other end. Bean Burrito has 12 off the bench....he looks like he came to play sumthin' serious.

Roger Mason's jumper looks funny sometimes. First of all....he's working with some type of Reggie Miller leg kick. But then, he doesn't seem to land solid. As soon as he hits his feet, he's moving back somewhere....on defense? Not sure if this is a good thing or not.

1:34 - Pecherov with a smooth baseline J. 57-54 DC.

1:05 - Caron Butler muscles an offensive rebound away from Zach Randolph...goes down the court, misses a shot, BTH tries for the bound, but gets fouled. Caron went to the ground. Haywood was closest....but it took DeShawn Stevenson running over to get Butler off the floor.

0:20 - Butler is taking names. His hustle swag puts the Wiz up 61-54.

The first half ends....it's a dog fight. Washington is up 61-57.

Half Stat Guts:

• The Wiz are shooting almost 62% from the field while the Knicks are shooting 47.4%.
• So why are the Knicks only down 4?
• Well, they're 8-16 from deep, while the Wizards are 4-9.
• And New York is 13-15 from the FT line, while Washington is only 5-6.

Q-Rich has 19 points. Do the Wizards realize that if they D'd him up.....if they were the least bit physical with Q, he would get injured with a hang nail or a tummy ache for months, possibly years.

3rd Quarter

Quarter starts pretty nice for the Wizards, despite the distraction of a phone convo with my pops.

The Knicks call a timeout as they go down 6, 5 1/2 minutes into the 3rd. 71-65 Wizards. This looks like strong 3rd quarter start that the Wizards have made a habit this year, rather than an instance.

5:00 - Caron Butler sets a Wizards franchise record with 52 consecutive FTs made, bonafide.

The Wizards are finally learning to get back on D when Nate Robinson is pushing the ball....kinda.

3:45 - Smooth OP hits another Jumper. Pech keeps the Wizards lead at 10, 84-74.

3:07 - The Lock Smith is trying to live up to his moniker tonight...going against Jamal Crawford with a solid effort on D. Would we expect anything less?

2:52 - Oleksiy P snags a nice offensive rebound and gets fouled. He's building a fan-favorite consensus. Timeout, Wizards still up 84-74.

OP FTs out of the timeout = 12 point lead.

The 3rd ends and the Wiz stay up 12, 92-80. They can't let up.

4th Quarter

Quickly....the Knicks cut the lead to 6 by going to the inside game. The Wiz just don't have the size to handle the likes of Randolph and Curry.....not many teams do.

9:56 - Check that...4 after an Andray Blatche goal tend on Randolph.

9:40 - Time for a can of Tuff Juice. His J stops an 8-0 Knick run.

9:10 - AJ continues the hot, puts the lead back to 8. AJ is 12-17 from the field.....but that Wiz D is still suspect.

5 1/2 left....Wizards still up, by 11, 103-92. Ok, I admit it, I've been lazy in this game blog. The game hasn't excited me much.

How can Steve Buckhantz still honestly peddle Gilbert Arenas for the All-Star game?

3:31 - Roger Mason hits a big J to put the Wiz up by 15. The Knicks have a lot of cats who can score, but they have no one to keep the ship steady.....not even the coach.

2:46 - Whoa! Jerome James is HUGE! When is the last time that guy played?....checking now....It's big Jerome's season debut! Hey brah, if you're looking for the best all-you-can-eat in DC, check out Fogo De Chao.

This just in......from Steve Buck, Gilbert greeted the Wizards, his teammates, when their plane arrived late at night after the Knicks loss on Tuesday. Yup, he misses basketball.

Well, the Wiz just about have this one wrapped up....and the final is 111-98 DC. The bench came up HUGE this game. Give them the game ball....with 30 total points, albeit from 3 people: Nick Young with 12 (great 2nd qtr.), Mason with 10 and Oleksiy with 8.

Not a spectacular win, but I'll take it.

"We're not going to go as far as we want to until our bench comes through...."
Antawn Jamison right after the game. I could not have put it better.

Have a safe night everyone.

Box Score
Wiz Get a Little Payback [Washington Post]

Oh yea....and a great article by Mike Wise, mainly focusing on Caron Butler.

The highlights of the article:

"I haven't told coach this, but I'm considering just coming off the bench when I come back," he said quietly in front of cubicle in the Wizards' dressing room. "I just don't want to mess up the sync right now, you know? They got a nice thing going. When I do go in there, I want it to be free-flowing, not try to slowly get it back and slow everyone else down."
-Gilbert Arenas

AND

What explains Butler's rise is going back at Paul Pierce last week after his counterpart at small forward for the Celtics began talking. Butler finally gave Pierce back some of his own smack, saying: "I'm being honest, man. You can't guard me."

AND

The numbers don't do Butler justice. What illustrates his rise in the mind of NBA observers is what he did to Quentin Richardson last night after Richardson dropped in a plethora of three-pointers in the first half, finishing each made basket by banging his fists off the front of his forehead as he pantomimed the horns of a bull.

[Those 19 points that Q-Rich threw down in the first half......ain't nuthin' - he was held to 2 points in the 2nd half]

Live Game 37 Blog: Washington Wizards @ New York Knicks

Looks like the Big Lead is endorsing Caron Butler as the NBA's Most Improved Player now that Andrew Bynum is out with a knee.

Slam Online's game notes of the Washington Wizard win in Bean Town by Ben Collins and Jonathan Evans.......where:

• Andray Blatche is compared to Cloverfield.
• They are wondering about all those offensive fouls called on the Wizards in the 4th Quarter, as was I -- A 300 pound Big Baby drawing charges? Please.
• They call Caron Butler "pliable pudding", making fun of the Tuff Juice nickname -- of course, this was right before the Celtics built that 77-63 lead with just over 6 minutes left in the game.....little did Johnny and Benjamin know. Is all forgiven? NOPE!
• We learn that DeShawn Stevenson has taken a page from Caron's book by shooting around with a straw in his mouth.
  

Tonight's game against the Knicks.....yea, yea, let down game, right? I think not. First of all, Jamison and Butler do not play the role of the fool, holmes. They know better. Plus, the Knicks dismantling of the Detroit Pistons the other night is a good thing. The Wizards will see it as just a little splash of water to the face.....meaning, as dysfunctional as they are, don't sleep on the New York Knicks.

Yup, Wizards Nation is taking this one seriously. Even bloggers are talking smack.

Bullets Forever with the usual game preview.

[And this just in, Antonio Daniels is going to rest his knee tonight - after 3 though games in 4 days, I don't blame him - Roger Mason Jr. gets the nod.]

Pick up the phone bench, it's ringing for you.

Now let's start the show.....

1st Quarter

Weird start to the game. Between my tv screen looking dark, and the "noise" in Madison Square, I feel like they are playing in an airplane hanger.

9:16 - Tuff Juice finally picks away some of the offensive ice with a deuce. 5-4 Knicks.

Haywood is active with some rebounds....I suppose playing next to Eddie Curry can make just about anyone look "active."

8:03 - Timeout Eddie, 9-4 Knicks, Wiz are just a little sluggish. It happens at the beginning of so many NBA games.

Odd, since this is not on the main Comcast (Caps game) the game feed stays live during the timeout (sans mic sound from Phil and Steve) for a couple minutes until a single NBA All-Star commercial comes on. The odd part: absolutely nothing is happening on the MSG court. In DC, they got clowns, or something on the big screen, or kids dancing, or burritos tossing, on every single stoppage of play. Nope, not in the city that never sleeps. Just some Knicks highlights on the big and a low rumbling from the frustrated, fatalistic, and late-arriving crowd.

7:06 - 2 straight threes by Fred Jones makes it 15-4 Knicks. Can we sneak a tracking device on that guy?

5:51 - Roger Mason with another chip away at the ice. Makes a 3 to put it at 17-8. Wiz are 3-13 on FGs.

4:11 - Changes made early with Blatche, Songaila and Young checking in. They join Mason and Butler. Somebody has got to create a spark.

3:05 - Dominic McGuire checks in early too...for Butler.

Still, the Wizards are letting the Knicks score much too easily. And on the offensive end, they are having trouble creating good shots without being able to run in transition.

Another timeout, Knicks up 26-12. NY is shooting 61.1% and DC is shooting 23.8% - need I say more?

0:18 - D-Mac got himself a dunk, the first of his career? ...but I was looking away so I didn't see how he got the ball besides the fact that it was an offensive rebound.

As Steve Buck says, "The first quarter mercifully comes to an end for Washington." Well put.
30-14 Knicks. Don't worry, it's going to be okay.

2nd Quarter

10:40 - Songaila spin and hook in the lane, his 2nd bucket in a row. A really nice aggressive move, better to watch than some of his ill-advised jumpers.

9:47 - Great defensive play by Andray drawing the charge on Nate Robinson. Hell, he's given enough charges, must know how to take them too.

9:22 - Dominic McGuire needs to learn the art of the pump-fake.

9:11 - Timeout, Knicks double up at 36-18.

Young, Butler, Jamison, Songaila and Stevenson now up to bat.

Not much happens.

7:24....so, Haywood comes back in for D-Song.

6:51 - The Knicks start to feel bad and foul Jamison. He can only bleed 1 of 2 FTs. 38-19 Knicks.

6:12 - Nate Robinson 3 that rolls around the rim. Down 22.

I still have faith....but I don't think that can surpass the ghosts helping the Knicks on the court tonight.



5:31......faith in Pecherov's Three! Nice! I like! And by the way, I don't think anyone in the media has ever talked about Oleksiy without mentioning that he's "not shy about taking shots" -- ok, we get the point. Now if he does that sh*t a lot and keeps missing, Jamison is going to break out his soap in a sock.

4:50 - Pech with another trey. Hmmm.....

Steve Buckhantz is "learnin" and waits until Caron Butler makes both before announcing that he's hit 43 straight FTs.

3:37 - Pech miss...ok, two was nice....but now, someone slap him on the ass and tell him to go get some "rebounds son!"45-27 Knicks. Curtis Mayfield says: Keep on Pushin'

1:23 - Caron tip back. 47-33. 14 point deficit is better than it was, 22.

0:50 - Buckets son! Pech with a trey. His third of the game. I guess not being shy is a good thing.....means he has confidence.

0:33.5 - Nice pass from AJ to BTH for the dunk.

0:00.4 - Lock Smith Three! The Wiz scrap on defense and get a little hot. Down 10, told you I had faith. 51-41 Knicks at the half.

Quick Stat Check

• Turnovers are the same at 5
• Knicks are +2 in rebounding with 22, but the Wiz have 9 offensive rebounds to NY's 6 (Haywood has 3 of those)
• Bad Wizards shooting....again. 35.6% for the game. Jamison and Butler are 2-7 each. That won't last. That can't last.
  
• 3 Knicks players have 10 points: Richardson, Crawford, and Fred Jones - Towards the end of the 2nd, Caron Butler started show some of that defensive intensity from Monday's Celtics game that was highlighted so many times on ESPN....that needs to be contagious off the bat in the 3rd
• Oleksiy Pecherov leads the Wizards with 9 points. Steve Buckhantz...can I getta "How bout that?"

3rd Quarter

11:20 - Antawn Jamison jump hook on Zach Randolph -- yea, go at that cat....you know he can't play D.

10:34 - A Eddy Curry miss is the signal for Knicks fans to boo.

10:23 - Jamison abuses Zach with another hook, And1 - Down 6, 51-45. Yep, it's a basketball game.

The Knicks are continuing to pound the rock inside.

9:17 - Butler jumps the passing lane, fights for the ball, steals, and a break-away solo dunk. Still down 6 at 53-47.

8:01 - Yup....a steady diet of inside work from New York with a Q-Rich three on the side. 59-47 Knicks. Why, exactly, is this team bad again? Oh yea, the coach.

7:14 - Jamison doesn't have a chance on D against Randolph....even with Haywood's help, which makes it hard for Stevenson to handle Curry on the miss. Eddy gets the put back and the Knicks are back up 14. Eddie Jordan calls a timeout so he can yell at the ref and get a technical foul. Not sure what exactly set him off...but there have been a couple ticky-tack, or non-fouls which have been called on the Wizards.

....and cue Eddie Jordan's 24 Second Shot-Clock Mercedes commercial. Do you think he's talking with that staggered, robotic voice in the huddle now? What about to the ref?

Coming back, EJ was mad because Eddie Curry essentially pushed DeShawn Stevenson out of the way for the offensive rebound on that last play. Yea, I saw it too. I'm with you Eddie.

6:25 - Roger Mason scores 5 straight points, back to 9 - 61-52. Okay, so RMJ is not the Microwave....that nickname has been retired by Vinnie Johnson anyway. And we know who owns Hibachi. How about....Roger Mason Jr., The Foreman Grill? Isn't that what you break out when the Hibachi is broken?

4:49 - Now it's Jamison's turn for his own little run. He just hit two 3s in a row. 65-58 Knicks.

3:32 - Foreman Grill just hit a circus shot.

3:14 - That 3 makes Jamal Crawford 4-5 from long distance, he's got 16 points. 70-60 Knicks.

Steve Buckhantz: "Something funny happened Phil."
Phil Chenier: "Yes it did."

Somehow the Knicks get the ball out of bounds with 1 second on the shot clock and Nate Robinson hits a J. I think it should have been a shot clock violation in the first place, not exactly sure. 72-62 Knicks.

Despite the Knicks continuing to have answers on the offensive end, the Wizards keep pushing at them. Roger Mason pull up jumper with 50 seconds left puts the score at 77-70, Knicks.

After Butler's 44th and 45th consecutive made FTs, the score is 77-72 New York after 3.

4th Quarter

Well, the Knicks are up 20-7 in second chance points. Makes sense since the Wizards did not get an offensive rebound in the 3rd and the Knicks got 5.

10:07 - Stewie the Assassin is back in the game....that's Oleksiy Pecherov for those who don't know (Pech looks like Stewie from Family Guy). DC still down, 81-73.

9:30 - That is....until another Crawford 3. 84-73.

8:51 - Jamal Crawford three...I'm tired of typing his damn name. Have the Wizards reverted back to their early season woes of not being able to defend the three ball?

As Nate Robinson easily drives down the lane and dishes to Curry, I start thinking....

Is this a 'Wizards playing down to the level of the Knicks and up to the level of the Celtics' thing?
or...
Is this a 'Playing without Antonio Daniels' thing?

....or does it matter as Eddy misses both FTs, Wiz don't do anything with the ball, and the Knicks run right back down with an alley-oop dunk. And1. Renaldo Balkman at the line for the make. 91-77 Knicks. The Wizards got as close as 5, or was it 4 - still, 7:20 is a lot of time left.

6:11 - Butler with a hanging jam over everyone that looks better than the one against the Celtics last night. Nice pass from Pech off the offensive rebound. Good cut by Butler too. Let's hope this sparks a run. They need to get that '4th game in 5 nights' second wind. Knicks by 11.

Pecherov does not do FTs...he misses two, but the Wiz get their 2nd Chance Point scrap on...Caron Butler 3 point play. Down 8.

....Knicks have had an answer all night. Robinson 3. Back down 11 and time is running short.

2:49 - Butler bucket keeps it at 100-89....not for long after a Balkman bucket.

Right now, 2:19 is left in the Wizards game, 2:19 is left in the first half of the Mississippi State-Kentucky game at a stoppage in play. Chances?

David Lee dunk And1. I stopped paying attention a while ago. The game ends 105-93 New York.

The Run Down:

• Still on a high from both wins against the Celtics.
• What can I say, I'm not that surprised about this loss.
• But it doesn't mean that I'm not upset.
  
• I'm not calling this a let-down game.
• The Excuse: The 4th Game in 5 Night Fatigue.
• Bad shooting is one thing, the Wiz ended up at 39.5% FG and missed 9 FTs out of 29.
• But you can't tell me that getting out-rebounded 43-37 and out-assisted 26-13 is not a sign of being worn down (aka - lack of hustle on D).
• It is what it is.....get over it and move on.

Box Score

Wizards Suffer a Letdown [Washington Post]

Eddie & The Wolf from the DC Pro Sports Report

Antonio's Knee

Recap on ESPN.com

I Got Links On It

League doing its part to rebuild New Orleans in post-Katrina
All about athletes, the good ones.

Strange Yi Jianlian Chinese commercial...then again, what Chinese television production is not odd in a comically innocent type of way? Here, Yi is just another man, doling out milk to the ladies. Just Another Bucks Fan has a great account/translation.

Hot Chicks

>> Sultry LPGA golfer, Anna Rawson (pictured left) and her MySpace page. Sure hope she doesn't turn to the other side.....

>> Sonya Toms, wife of golfer David Toms. -- Thanks to The Big Lead with the link.

>> Jamie Kotsay on UmpBump.com (wife of Oakland Athletics' Mark Kotsay)

>> Rickey Hatton's girlfriend, Jennifer Dooley is kinda hot...even if she is about to lose it. Maybe it's the glasses and assumed British accent.

>> From the FanHouse - Jeff Garcia's wife is definitely the hottest. I guess you gotta be with a name like Carmella DeCesare. Oh yea, plus the fact that she's half Puerto Rican, half Italian and was Playboy's 2004 Playmate of the Year. Did I mention she has also wrestled on WWE's RAW? Oh yea, and don't f*ck with her....in 2004, she caught Jeff Garcia cheating skippin' in the sac with Kristen Hine (picture to the right, Carmella on left, Kristen on right). Consumed with anger like a Junk-Yard Dawg, DeCesare found Hine in a bar, kicked her in the head, and in the subsequent trial, Jeff Garcia was asked in court if he was gay, then, Carmella married him 3 years later. The story is busting with awesomeness....and yes, judging from the photos on FanHouse, Garcia looks totally gay.

And now, a MUCH better picture of Carmella DeCesare.

Slam Magazine with some good Isiah Thomas/New York Knicks lists. My favorite Isiah Thomas quote, "I think we are catching him at a good and unique time in his life." (said about Vin Baker) -- I guess that's how Charles Band felt about signing Gary Busey to appear in his film, The Gingerbread Man, after Busey did this. The New York Knicks = Gingerbread Men

Spaniards are making fun of the Wizards gold uniforms.

DeShawn Stevenson's new advisers....food runners at the Cheesecake Factory.

We Rite Good has a nice breakdown of the NBDL and how the league can be changed for the better.

Did you ever see that clip of Richard Simmons on Whose Line Is It?....no? then where the hell have you been? If you have, go check out this ESPN Richard Simmons commercial thanks to Awful Announcing.

100% Injury Rate with a little rundown on athletes and junk food. Why do I feel this list is incomplete without a mention of John "Hot Plate" Williams? (pictured left during his lean days at LSU)

More proof of why I do not like Penn State....and this has nothing to do with Joepa.

The Big Lead with Matt Leinart's Baby Momma Hoops Update.

Finally, I was ecstatic when the Washington Wizards drafted him. I was skeptical of him at the start of the season, mainly because Hollinger planted the seed (that jerk). Now, I am SO glad the Wizards got Nick Young.

Stay up young world.

Isiah Thomas...He's a Bad Coach, Don't You Get It Charles Barkley?

The New York Knicks lost to the Boston Celtics 104-59 tonight. Would've set an all-time Knicks franchise low for points scored in the game had it not been for a Nate Robinson 3 pointer at the buzzer. And I laugh.

So I'm watching Inside the NBA on TNT at halftime of the Lakers-Nuggets game. First of all, Kenny Smith compares the Knicks to the Washington Generals....hilarious.

But Charles Barkley? I'm with you 99.9% of the time captain, but you feel bad for Isiah? Because the players quit of him? The key part of 'the players quit on him' is the Him and not the Players.

Now look, I know that coaches are supposed to coach and not play. I also realize that it's the responsibility for the players to go out an win games. They are on the court. Coaches are on the sidelines.

And hell, the Knicks players DO deserve criticism for their lack of effort. But to say you feel bad for Isiah Thomas because the players quit on him? Let's do two things Chuck: Be real with us and be real with yourself.

Isiah Thomas is the one who cultivated this whole losing environment for the New York Knicks. Don't look at this one horrible, horrible loss to the Celtics. Look at Isiah's whole tenure with the Knicks. What has he done?

Nuthin' for nobody from nowhere.

Why should I care? I don't. I despise the Knicks.

NBA News Photoshop - Phil, Isiah & Pat

God Kobe, I wish I knew how to quit you!

Yo 'Melo, can you give Stephon a ride to Bal-more?
Oh yea, tell Mr. Omar to give me a call.

After a 1-7 start, including
a loss to the previously win-less Sonics,

Pat Riley and Shaq O'Neal started to wonder...
"IS this league for old men?"

Stephon Marbury a Celtic?

Ok, I made that up.

But everyone is talking about how Stephon Marbury's days with the Knicks might be numbered. And yes, no team is going to take the 2 years, $42 million left on his contract in a trade. But even if he is bought out, I really can't think of an NBA team that would reasonably sign the team killer. That being said, somebody would have to, right?

BTW, the breaking news found via Slam Online is that Starbury has gone AWOL.

So, in the event that the Knicks do cut Marbury loose, I've scoured NBA rosters to see which teams may just give the guy a chance. Starting with the least likely victim and ending with the most likely.

7) The New York Knicks - Really...would this scenario be that far-fetched? Isiah would have the new contract sent before he realized that the New York-born, former All-Star guard, that he could get on the cheap, was the guy he just cut.

6) The Sacramento Kings - Mike Bibby is going to be out for at least 8 more weeks with a torn thumb ligament. Plus the Kings suck this year, I picked them to finish with the worst record in the league. On top of all that, they are no longer selling out Arco Arena. So what are the Maloof brothers to do? What any shady casino owner would do...something crazy to sell tickets. Could you imagine Marbury and Artest on the floor at the same time fighting over the ball? Or just fighting in general. Personally, I wouldn't pay to see it, but maybe there'd be a chance for some PPV duckets. Or....they could use Starbury to guarantee a sabotage of the team so they could move the Kings to Sin City, The Major League Theory. The owner of the Cleveland Indians in that movie was a former Las Vegas showgirl...coincidence?

5) The Atlanta Hawks - You just feel like some of the high flying Hawks are deprived without a good point guard. Then you realize that they drafted Marvin Williams over Chris Paul and Deron Williams, and you start to feel sick to your stomach. Could you imagine either of them with Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford and Josh Childress? Tyronn Lue and the perpetually injured Speedy Claxton just aren't cutting it, and Acie Law is just a rookie. Strike that...considering the latest with Josh Smith, not to mention terrible ownership, the Hawks don't need a potential triple dose of cancer.

4) The Indiana Pacers - Larry Bird has never liked Jamaal Tinsley. And I'm pretty sure that he hates Marbury. But think for a second, the Pacers are off to a halfway decent start. I certainly didn't expect them to be 3-3 at this point. So what if they are in contention for a playoff spot in the Leastern Conference? There couldn't be a better way for Larry Bird to stick it to that a-hole Isiah than by taking his cast-away on the cheap and flipping it into something.

3) The Miami Heat - Pat Riley is desperate. The Shaq window closing like a guillotine. Hell, I bet he even has the numbers of Jayson Williams and Keon Clark on speed-dial. Stephon would be a gift from heaven. Penny, Starbury, Smush and White Chocolate....if those names don't say 'And1 Championship', then I don't know what.....aw crap, let me just stop right there.

2) The Los Angeles Lakers - Mitch Kupchak to Kobe Bryant: "Hey, you said that you wanted some All-Star caliber help....now go f*ck yourself."

1) The Boston Celtics - This might make the most sense. Here's a hypothetical conversation between Kevin Garnett and Marbury:

KG: What up man? Can't believe the Knicks cut you kid.

SM: That's a'ight son, it's been a tough summer. Funny thing is, Isiah was in that car with me. We tag-teamed both that intern and Anucha. That's the last time I share anything with that dude.

KG: Uh....(pause)...well anyway, what about coming to play for the Celtics? We could use the depth...and Danny ain't gonna pay you much. But still, we could recreate the good ol' days with the T-Wolves, with some more sharing of course. And, you got that shot at a ring.

SM: Aww...really KG?!? (said with child-like enthusiasm) For really real? You think they got a spot for Coney Island's Finest?

KG: Yea homey...but here's the deal, you ever seen that movie Full Metal Jacket? No? Well, let me put it this way, if you go all Private Pyle on us, we gonna strap you to a bed and beat you with bars of soap in socks until you're peeing out yo ass. Or, if you like vague 1983, Sean Penn, BadBoys movie references, it'll be Coke cans instead of soap. Do you smell what I'm stepping in?

SM: (walks over and gives KG a big hug)

Hey, it could happen. I'm just sayin'