Comment from AUNDRA
Time December 14, 2007 at 8:40 AM

We fans are really loving what we see from this bunch of men. The chemistry looks great and there are No Ball Hogs so there are no stagnant offensive lapses! Everyone is getting involved so everyone will dive for balls and even rebound so you know we are really having a good time.The last five games the team has horned in on the little things that make a big difference at the end of games. The perserverance to not let other teams run deplete there zest to make there own run for the win. I would like to tell the rookies to really get ready for battle this week because it’s coming time to be trusted in every way! We all fell Nick Young can score at will but can he play great defense or rebound the ball. We know that DMAC can block shots but can he score around the basket or make huge defensive steals for breakaway dunks! These are the questions that we fans need to have trust in before you are let off the fishing line for good!
The time has come rookies to show the total package Rebounds,Steals ,Defense and Assists. What can you do for the Team!

Comment from Brickjp
Time December 14, 2007 at 10:00 AM

Ok so I’m pretty happy about last night’s win. We need to keep this momentum rolling. I think everyone pretty much touched on most of the points on last night’s game.

I just need to gripe for a bit. The refs were SO biased last night in favor of the Heat, especially Wade. That officiating was atrocious. I dont know how they get away with that. I’ll point out 4 examples.

1. When Darius stole the ball and went up for the layup in transition, Wade without a doubt got him with the body. Even all the players stopped (including Wade) as they were expecting a whistle.

2. The blocking call on Haywood (I think) in the lane when Wade drove. Clearly a charge. Haywood was set and beyond the semi-circle. But it’s Dwayne Wade so lets give him two shots.

3. Butler made a move near the right elbow in the second half and went up for the lay-up and got clobbered, crashing to the hardwood with no call.

4. And lastly – this is the one that really gets under my skin. In the 4th quarter, I think they called a hand-check foul on Mason, giving Wade 2 free points. That was the most ridiculous call I’ve ever seen. With out guys getting banged with no calls, and then they call THE most ticky-tack foul of all time. That was straight up a horrible call and completely inconsistent on the ref’s part.

Now I’m looking at the total fouls and the Heat were called for two more, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. It was the significance of the calls. We were in the penalty 3 minutes into the 4th quarter. It just kills me when we have to beat the other team plus the refs. Wade finished with 1 personal foul by the way. Anyone else agree with me about those calls?

With all of that said. We beat the Heat in their own house. Feels pretty good when BHaywood is throwing down monster dunks in transition.

Comment from Beeb
Time December 14, 2007 at 10:36 AM

Brickjb,I agree with you. I have never understood the concept that if you are a star player and you drive,”you are going to get the call”. That has always been life in the NBA. We watched Lebron literally take 5 steps in the playoffs to beat us,2 years ago. In the NFL, home field advantage is a result of the crowd noise. In the NBA, home means home cooking. Plus,officials are critiqued like the NFL. Every monday, an NFL referree gets a disk of his calls that were considered close and they are evaluated. As long as this Commish is in charge, even with the point spread offical, business as usual will have guys like Wade driving to the middle and getting the call, if the ball doesn’t go in.

Comment from AUNDRA
Time December 14, 2007 at 11:16 AM

Brickjp and Beeb thats whats called home court advantage and it happens every game!
This home court advantage theory is a mindset most refs in the NBA use with elite all-stars such as Wade,Lebron,Kobe and sometimes Arenas. These stellar atheletes get this proviledge all the time so it really nothing you can do about it. I just want the same treatment at our home court Wade get at his! I have found something interesting thou and that is the Wizards seems to get alot of Technicals at our homecourt as appose to away games! Refs know whats will happen if they are found cheating and that is a FBI investigation and possible jail time with all benefits taken away. Lets keep track of the three referees at that game to see what they do the rest of the season for any unlawful
actions!

Comment from Brickjp
Time December 14, 2007 at 11:21 AM

^ We don’t get those kind of calls at home. In general, I feel like Butler gets no respect from the refs. It’s unreal. He got hammered multiple times with no call. And then they call a touch foul on Mason. I don’t care if it’s ‘home court advantage’ – its not right. I know it happens and no, I dont think the refs are purposely cheating the Wiz, I just think it was bad judgment. That foul on Mason was garbage, plain and simple. The look on Eddie’s face said it all. And on the blocking foul called against Haywood, the refs even hesitated, not knowing which way to call it and then you could kind of tell they were thinking ‘well, we cant call a charge on Wade’. Pisses me off.

And what’s up with the stat guy for the box score? Was that home-court advantage too? Haywood had two consecutive blocks in the 4th and the box score says he had 1 block. Ridiculous.

Comment from millie mill
Time December 14, 2007 at 11:23 AM

I agree with you Brickjb. It seems like every time we play the Heat in Miami the calls are really horrible. I guess the Wizards are getting use to it because it didn’t frustrate them too much.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 14, 2007 at 11:32 AM

The Blocking foul against Haywood and the hand check when Wade wasn’t even making a move against Mason were my personal favorites Brick if you are keeping score lol.

Comment from DC_Fan50
Time December 14, 2007 at 11:35 AM

TEAM (Total Effort by All Members)

Wizards style of play.

Man-Up!

Comment from Wiz034
Time December 14, 2007 at 12:16 PM

The Wizards always have a hard time in two cities on the road. San Antonio and Miami. I still remember the game in Miami where the Wiz lost at the end of the game, sending Shaq to the line and he just happened to make his FT’s. That was a heart breaker but the basketball Gods bounced the Wiz’s way last night and they earned the W..

Comment from Reuben
Time December 14, 2007 at 12:58 PM

Is it me or did Nick not play

Comment from b
Time December 14, 2007 at 1:25 PM

it is not you.

Comment from millie mill
Time December 14, 2007 at 1:27 PM

That game was for the Vets. I think Nick will get to play in the next game.

Comment from neal
Time December 14, 2007 at 3:24 PM

Yes, I presume Young will play, but it seems like Mason has again moved in front of him as the primary backup to Stevenson. And he’s also the primary backup to Daniels.

Comment from neal
Time December 14, 2007 at 8:47 PM

Brian, there are others with misgivings about Arenas. And I think your observations are valid. But I also think he’s our biggest talent and he’s only 25. I don’t think Jordan’s Bulls won championships until he learned to be a team player. If Arenas is learning by watching the current team, maybe his maturation process will speed up. I think our best chance is to keep our core group and pray that Arenas will continue to mature as a point guard. It seems to me he has made some progress in the last couple of years. Or am I imagining that?

Comment from BruceO
Time December 14, 2007 at 9:57 PM

wade gets Bs calls all the time. There should be some sort f consistency in calls. Somone once said “wade and his special teams of referees” to refer to him. It’s over rated. Just because they won the championship (only cause they had shaq) some years ago that the national unbiased broadcast turned into the Miami heat show..even wade commercials during broadcast. but I suppose this is the NBA and they use superstars to market. You’d think Miami was ahead during the show. Teamwork Play of the game went to them. Even the highlights I saw a sportscaster going “is he here! he has arrived! who’s is that guy.. oh yeah it’s number 3″ gushing over D-wade without talking about how his guy outplayed him, how he looked gimpy and over weight, how he had turnovers and was really slowed down. Nothing about Shaq being outplayed.. nothing about Haywood.

Comment from suzie-qwiz
Time December 14, 2007 at 10:29 PM

It was not just the refs that I was struggling with, what about the commentators on TNT, wow did they only have one team playing in this game and it was not the team that won. We whipped the Heat on both ends of the floor and all you could hear from them was D-Wade and shaqisms. Shaq was on the bench and they found more to say about his play than the great play by BH. Whats up with that? Our guys are playing great and consistant, we have all stars and an all star coach, give us some love.

Comment from neal
Time December 14, 2007 at 10:53 PM

I don’t think there’s any conspiracy by the refs against the Wiz. What reason would they have for that?

I think Haywood, instead of blaming whoever for how things went, has now tasted success and the more success he has, the more pride he feels and the better he plays. He’s really feeling good about himself and the respect and praise he’s getting. I trust Jordan is now giving him his due.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 15, 2007 at 1:19 AM

Neal.. I feel you may have misconstrued some “thoughts about Arenas”. I don’t think anyone has any misgivings about him. Everyone that is a Wizards fan knows he is one of the great players of this generation. I think the people that feel as I do think he is simply playing out of position to showcase his talents to their fullest extent. He is a wonderful player, but, he is not (and with his mindset about BBall) and never will be a “true” point guard. His true position is at the 2. That is where he can showcase his talents, given he learns to play a little defense.

Antonio Daniels, with his assist to turn over ratio being one of the highest year after year, should really be running the team. Tom… a long time ago… said when Daniels runs the team they slow down. To tell you the truth I’ve never really seen that. Daniels seems to run the team at team pace… whatever that pace is at the time. If Jordan wants to run.. he does and does it well. If Jordan wants the half court… he runs it and runs it well. Team Assists have gone through the roof with him as starting point guard. Assists mean team ball and team ball wins.

Comment from newposter
Time December 15, 2007 at 1:34 AM

speaking of daniels, did you see ivan’s article in the post? he’s out 2-4 weeks. either mason or young will start.

Comment from newposter
Time December 15, 2007 at 1:38 AM

here’s the link http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/14/AR2007121401840.html

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 15, 2007 at 1:40 AM

WHAT? let me read THAT

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 15, 2007 at 1:54 AM

RATS!!! Thank you Newposter, but, that STINKS ON ICE!

Ok, Roger, it’s you and me against Tom ROFL

Ok, Nick! You need to step it up a notch. You are gonna be a crucial back up for a month or so.

This Stinks! We will have 1 fairly inexperienced player and a rookie at the point.

Horrible timing!

Comment from newposter
Time December 15, 2007 at 1:56 AM

we’re not going to have a rookie at hte point. i don’t think there’s any thought of letting nick handle the ball like that. i’m thinking mason and stevenson will share ballhandling duties.

Comment from newposter
Time December 15, 2007 at 1:57 AM

but yeah, it stinks either way. they’ll find ways to keep winning, though. and everyone’ll step up.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 15, 2007 at 2:01 AM

I sure hope so! Lousy news! Thank you though, forgot about Stevenson at the point. I feel some better now

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 15, 2007 at 2:17 AM

You are a true Wizards Fan Newposter! Welcome! They have “stepped it up” all season so far. I have no doubt the character of the team will shine through. We are getting periously close to having to sign a 10 day contract (if that can even be done yet… Tom and Neal will let me know lol) to keep a “full” roster. Abe may have to dip into his pocket a little this season?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 15, 2007 at 2:53 AM

Everything aside….. I have the utmost confidence in Roger Mason Jr. as our starting point guard till AD gets back.

Comment from BruceO
Time December 15, 2007 at 5:05 AM

lol sucks that AD is out. I haven’t even read the article and I will next. I’m also reading that book Gil mentioned within his Blog, the game within the game. I’m also watching the lakers/ golden state game. I have Baron davis, stephen jackson and kelena azubuike on my team. The combination of all this stimulus has led me to the conclusion that stephen jackson would be perfect for this team. he’s a defensive stopper..he’s currently checking kobe successfully plus I know he can gaurd dirk.. that reminds me of all the attention I’m paying to rodman recently who also could guard different positions. Plus Captain Jack can score and shoot threes, plus he’s playing with Baron davis who’s a gil type player in an uptempo offense. He could come here and be our starting small forward and caron can be our starting shooting gaurd. We have four shooters of good height who have the option of defending their man.
Also the game within the game is leading me to the conclusion that this team is better with gil. It’s just up to gil to step in to whatever areas this team needs and his ability to do that drives him to the hall of fame. Also his accepting less money would work in his benefit because the better the team does the better his endorsements. It’s almost like he’s employing someone else if he signs for cheap, the extra money is spent on a stephen jackson and we make it to the finals.
About AD being out, I feel that would mean one of a couple of things, a) we could just sign a guard with the aim to get someone who can stop dribble penetration and has speed. b) we could start deshawn or mason successfully to play the gaurd spot as opposed to the point and shooting gaurd. Both of them can handle the ball some and give us a big gaurd lineup. c) this gives us more Nick young time possibly or… we could do d) Have deshawn/ Mason play point..have some sort of rotation involving caron and deshawn at the 2.. Have a caron/ Jamison rotation at the three…more songaila/ pech or Blatche at the 4.. and more Haywood at the 5. I don’t know what scenario will play out but I want to see what will happen

By the way kobe just left the game cause ” he can’t move offensively against GS. Stephen jackson would be great here..

Comment from BruceO
Time December 15, 2007 at 5:58 AM

we should do whatever possible to get hibbert. i believe he’s a championship center and is close to being as good or even better than Oden. The fact that he is rated the 5th best draft pick for next year is funny.. but then again beasley is there, Oj mayo is there , derrick rose is there and kosta koufus is there but overall I think him on the wiz would be great. Him behind Haywood would allow Blatche and Pech to play the PF with great size. Blatche can become an elite power forward once he’s controlled and disciplined
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Roy-Hibbert-585/

Comment from neal
Time December 15, 2007 at 7:46 AM

Well, the risk in not signing another guard at the beginning of the season has happened. Now we have only three guards and no true PG. Thanks Abe.

At the least we need to sign a PG to a 10 day contract (and another after that) – probably Donell Taylor.

The luxury tax is based on the payroll on the last day of the season.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 15, 2007 at 8:16 AM

What a drag for Antonio to go down. We need a strong December, and this makes it much more difficult. I don’t know whether the number of minutes AD’s been forced to play have any bearing on the injury, but they’ve been too heavy.

I certainly hope they’ll pick someone up, but I don’t think any of us imagine that the level of play would not be affected w/ Donell Taylor on the floor in place of Antonio. Even if they do sign him, he won’t get heavy minutes.

We’re going to see more Caron at the two, I guess, w/ DS and Roger at the 1. Of course, if DeShawn plays like he did against Miami, we won’t miss a beat!!

If Caron has to pick up guard minutes, we are likely to see more Dominic. Lets not forget that Songaila has an ankle sprain. Who is going to play tonight??? Yikes.

Comment from neal
Time December 15, 2007 at 8:42 AM

The Post said Songaila will play tonight.