Wizards Prepare for Game 5
The Wizards returned to practice at Verizon Center Tuesday morning to prepare for Game 5 in Cleveland. Here’s what they had to say about Wednesday’s game in Cleveland. Gametime is 6:00 pm ET and will be available on TNT, CSN and on WTEM 980AM.
WIZARDS HEAD COACH EDDIE JORDAN
On Wednesday’s game in Cleveland:
“This is the game to win. Right now, we have to win there to win the series. We expect to win the series and that starts with a win tomorrow night.â€
On preparing for the game:
“We understand what we have to do. We have to play harder longer and smarter longer than they do. We are used to the environment there. It can be very loud and volatile atmosphere but we are ready for it.â€
On rebounding:
“We have to fight to get rebounds. We have to get in the position to rebound. Some of it is having a knack for rebounding, but the other part is to want it more and to have the skill to get it.â€
On Gilbert Arenas:
“Gilbert is in a different sort of role for us. He is still a catalyst for us. He can do some wonderful things for us, like you saw against Philadelphia at the end of the regular season and in game 1 of this series. Hopefully he can last long on his legs. As long as he has his legs under him, he will be great.â€
WIZARDS GUARD GILBERT ARENAS
On Game 5 in his NBA.com Blog.
“If we’re going to pull out this series, we’re going to need a miracle. We’re going to have to dig. We’re going to have to play big. Everyone is going to have to bring their A games. We can’t have no let downs now… It’s one of those things where we’re going into the lion’s den. That arena is going to be ready for us. They’re going to bring out the boo birds and call us every name you can possibly think of. They’re going to boo us from tip-off until the end of the game… For us to silence that crowd, we’re going to have to get out to a quick start and try to get up big to get the fans out of it a little. ”
WIZARDS FORWARD ANTAWN JAMISON
On Wednesday’s game in Cleveland:
“The thing about this situation is that we have always been able to find a way to get through adversity and find a way to get it done. We are really up against the wall now. We know what we need to do to get a win. In order to win this series, we have to get a win in Cleveland and we just have to find a way to do it twice. Everything points to tomorrow night and we have to find a way to get it done.â€
On the team’s struggle to win playoff games in Cleveland over the past 3 years:
“You have to look at the situations. Last year you have to throw out the window because of all the injuries. The year before we let a couple of close games slip away. Game 1, we let slip away and in game 2 we were blown out. We have lost some very close basketball games in Cleveland. You just have to find a way to put it behind you and focus on the next game.â€
On his confidence in the team:
“This is a pretty good basketball team. With the exception of one game, we have played pretty well. We have not been able to make some shots and some little mistakes have put us in a 3-1 hole. Nothing is going to change. This team is still going to go out there and fight and play hard. We still believe we have the opportunity to win not only this game, but to win this series.â€
WIZARDS FORWARD CARON BUTLER
On preparing for tomorrow’s game:
“We have to be mentally focused, which we are. We need to prepare for the challenge ahead of us and I think we are ready.â€
On attempting to come back and win a series after being down 3-1:
“Once again, we are going against a lot of doubters. A lot of people believe our season is going to end tomorrow night. We have worked hard and we do not want our season to end on this note.â€
On the team’s injuries:
“Guys are banged up and have some sort of injuries, including Gilbert and myself. That’s no excuse. It’s playoff time. Our franchise player had a great shot opportunity at the end of the last game that just didn’t go down. Now we have to bounce back.â€
On rebounding:
“We have to rebound better. We know that. We understand that. That’s the mentality we are bringing into game 5.â€
WIZARDS GUARD ROGER MASON JR.
On tomorrow’s game:
“You saw what we could do in game 3. We played together and our bench gave us a lift. I think we are going to need that tomorrow.â€
On contributions from the bench:
“It’s the key to the game. It is a team effort and we are going to need everybody. Collectively, the bench will have to step it up tomorrow.â€
Posted: April 29th, 2008 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time April 29, 2008 at 8:03 PM
lets go wizards….. lets go wizards…..
Comment from Reuben
Time April 29, 2008 at 9:06 PM
I dont like the 6 oclock start b/c it means i cant see it but still
Lets go WIZARDS
Comment from AUNDRA
Time April 29, 2008 at 9:17 PM
The secret is out and that is Bobbie and West are 3 ballers who can hit the pressure basket in a nasty unfriendly environment. So can our guards come up with anything to repel these pesky ballers or are we doomed for the fishing pond again! Gil Zero, Roger Mason and Deshawn Stevenson where are you at because they are making a mess of your playoff season right now. I also like to give a shout out to Tough Juice because we need you to stop King James some how so he depends on Bobbie and West again !Haywood keep being a mean SOB because you can take it right at Softie for the dunk anytime. X-factor Andray Blatche has to deliver with his side kick Songailis for high percentage dunks and revervse dunks. We have always been murders on the rebounding boards for some reason and that can’t happen at all or it’s a done deal!
I really like the zone early and then the traps later to slow down the penetrations of Magic /Jordan like James . The assists will be the tell of the tape once again so lets put it all together and be efficient with the ball for 48 minutes. Good Luck!
Comment from Jason C
Time April 29, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Darn I’m gonna miss the game too because its at 6pm…go wiz…hope I come back with another game to look forward to.
Comment from ewoldtk
Time April 29, 2008 at 11:12 PM
The good news is we have 2 ‘hostile’ games under our belt in that awful CLE town. The bad news is all the awful off-court drama has given those hecklers LOADS of new ammo to scream at our players. If we have any Wiz fans sitting down low jawing back, mention that CLE’s river caught on fire, no one gives 2 sh!ts about the rock and roll hall of fame, and their city is so bad they lost their NFL team to see them win a championship in Baltimore. Anything Ravens related makes them lose it. As for Deshawn, I cant imagine what he hears from fans. Dave, can you add some insight as to what our Wiz players hear on the court???? After Brenda’s latest comments, I’m sure he’ll be the focal point and we already know he’s super vocal w/ the opposing fans.
Comment from hotsxygirl23
Time April 30, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Come on Wizards, we must all have faith.
Comment from kingjamesawizardkiller
Time April 30, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Well it has been a pleasure once again. Maybe next year you will get to play against another team in the first round becasue you will never get past the Cavs. I have a feeling it willbe a blowout tonight. I am going to the game and I’m going to say every word in the book to your thugs Deshawna and Brenda. No need to talk trash to Gil because he is not a factor. Thanks again for another first round bye.
Comment from Sexy Agent ZERO
Time April 30, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Don’t be mad becuz the locksmith made the so call king lose this so called crown.
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Comment from wizards_fusion
Time April 29, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Toronto and Denver are already out. Phoenix and Dallas are on the brink. Wizards are on the brink. I don’t want Washington to be the next victim of an early exit from this postseason. I want to experience Game 6 LIVE, which I learned WILL BE another White-Out condition.
The Wiz need to stay composed and fight through the hostility in Cleveland. Delonte West and Daniel Gibson got their shooting confidence back after draining all those 3s in Game 4. Ben Wallace lacked the energy he typically brings but he’s certainly ready for a close-out game.
The iron has been unkind for the Wizards during the end of Game 1, the entire Game 2, and most of the second quarter of Game 4. It only takes a spark to get their trademark 14-2 runs to put the Cavs on their heels. Mason needs to stay sharp. Andray needs to stay in the game. And AD needs to bring his championship experience from the bench.
Lastly, it has been a tough series for Gilbert Arenas. When he was missing all those bad shots, he was written off. When he was playing more passive like in Game 4, he was criticized for not shooting enough. Wiz fans will not be able to see the real Agent Zero this year; but I do hope he can bring back his phenomenal swag just in time to tell Washington and NBA fans “not so fast LeBron – we still got more games to play”.