Game Day Cavaliers Game Six
6:00AM…Dave Johnson checking in…BLOGCAST is back tonight and starts at 7…of course my dream was for the Wizards to have a chance to clinch the series in game six at home on a Friday night…but the commitment of this team has given Wizards fans a chance for another great memory…in a lot of ways it is probably best that Gilbert’s status is now clear…when the Wizards beat the Sixers in the final week of the season to clinch the fifth seed Gil was the difference.. he was the game changer..I thought he would be in this series and he was in game one but just not healthy enough to do it on a consistent basis…moving forward to me and my partner Glenn Consor the key is rebounding…had the Wizards been more competitive on the boards in game four they would have won…it still is amazing the Wizards only lost by three–even though they were outrebounded by 20….smart on offense…hit the boards.. and we very well could be going to Cleveland on Sunday…..BLOGCAST starts at 7…hope you can join us…..
UPDATE: Well fans your not going to like to hear this but the NBA has decided to suspend Darius Songaila for game 6 due to the technical foul he received in game 5.
Posted: May 2nd, 2008 under Blogcast, Wizards.
Comments
Comment from AUNDRA
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:34 AM
QUIET AS KEPT ! WE ARE IN SOME DEEP MANURE NOW!
WE ARE TRUE TO OUR CAUSE !
BLATCHE WHERE ARE YOU AT ,I CANNOT SEE YOU WITH A TELESCOPE!
NICK YOUNG IF YOUR SCARED THEN SAY YOUR SCARED RIGHT BEFORE YOU ATTACK
THE BASKET FOR A DUNK WITH BIG BEN IN YOUR FACE! ROGER THIS IS YOUR HOUSE YOU MUST NOT LET DELONTE WEST & GIBSON COME IN HERE AND STAB US IN THE HEART AGAIN! SONGALI KEEP ATTACKING THE BASKET BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW TO UTILIZE THE PRINCETON OFFENSE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. PLEASE MAKE YOUR FREETHROWS. FINALLY I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE THE EXTRAORDINARY ONE
LEBRON BRON JAMES FOR A OSCAR. GOING ONCE GOING TWICE SOLD TO BIG
BEHEMOUTH!!!!!!!
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:00 AM
I couldn’t believe the Cavs-Wiz Game 6 got “bumped down” to ESPN2. It’s like the ABC networks disrespected the Wiz by not giving them a chance to win Game 5 and so the producers predicted that a Game 6 was not going to happen. Theory disproved!
I’m pretty sure Boston is going to stay in the playoffs a while longer, but putting their series on ESPN1 and moving the Cavs-Wiz to the deuce is a “slap to the face” imo. The media monster is going into overdrive. The fanbases of both sides are in overdrive. The actual basketball being played is also going into overdrive. And a very important game is being shown on the same network as underwater basketweaving. Unbelievable.
Dave Johnson, via radio announcement, reminded fans that you need to show up EARLY because there were a lot of tickets sold for WILL CALL pickup. F Street aka Abe Pollin Way is going to be crazy!
Comment from Brickjp
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:34 AM
Fusion – totally agree with you about us being on ESPN2. We are clearly in the best first-round series again. And it will only get better when we take it to a game 7.
We know what we need to do in order to win this game. It’s only a matter of execution on the court. The VC will be going wild tonight! Cant wait.
Comment from novers12
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:43 AM
I am not that concerned about the game being on ESPN2. Anyone who has access to ESPN also has ESPN2. The rest of the nation will watch whatever game is more interesting, if one of the games is a blowout, then the other will get more ratings. Besides, I will be watching it on CSN anyway to listen to my boy Buckhantz and Chenier.
I am more upset about the fact that ABC has the rights to Game 7. Odds are it will be a 1 p.m. tip off, which does not work in our favor. We have always been a better team at night than during the day. I truly believe if Game 4 had been at night, we’d be up 3-2 in the series. Not only that, but with ABC broadcasting the game, CSN will not be allowed to show us the local feed.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Novers I mentioned this yesterday. If it goes to 7 it will be either at 1:00pm or 3:30. It depends on what happens in the other games tonight.
Comment from AUNDRA
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:57 AM
SHOUT OUT TO HAYWOOD AND JAMISON YOU GOT TO BRING THE NOISE TONIGHT BECAUSE NOBODY REALLY BELIEVES WE CAN GET THIS GAME UNLESS YOU TWO SHOW UP AND SHOW OFF. HAYWOOD THE JUMP HOOK GET IT POPPING AND JAMISON THE SCOOP SHOT IS UNSTOPPABLE. I EXPLECT 10 REBOUNDS FROM BOTH OF YOU TO WARRIORS SO LETS STRAP THEM GLOVES UP AND GO GET IT!!!!!
Comment from DC_Fan50
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Brendan Haywood, it’s time to Step-Up!
Comment from phoneboothscreamer
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:12 AM
am i correct in saying the game has been moved to an 8:30 start?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:15 AM
no your incorrect it s at 7!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:16 AM
that wasnt meant to be mean that’s my excitement that the game is 9 hours away.
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:19 AM
phoneboothscreamer…are you serious…SpotzWiz..update please….i really DONT care if its on ESPN or ESPN2…the true Wiz fans will be watching on CSN…except for maybe Bridge and Phemy b/c they’re not from the area..
GO WIZARDS..cant wait…tip-off is 9 hrs away….
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:20 AM
oh..thanks SportWiz..you were think the same thing i was..
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:21 AM
DC STAND-UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
DC STAND-UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
DC STAND-UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
DC STAND-UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from wiz123
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:24 AM
YEA….lets stay true to the theme and rewrite the rules….who says a team cant come back and win the series being 3-1 down…we’ll show them…
to those lucky ones going to the game….cheer hard!!!….i know i’ll be cheering here from australia…
Comment from P4Price
Time May 2, 2008 at 10:09 AM
DC Stand Up!!! Some buddies put together some motivation y’all should check out!
Hear it – http://www.myspace.com/dollarecordings
Watch it – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBHKeeSpMus
Keep it – http://www.zshare.net/audio/11393141a5ecf151/
Comment from millie mill
Time May 2, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Wizards re-write history: 1978 Bullets
In the first round of the playoffs, the Bullets needed 7 games to beat the Atlanta Hawks. The Bullets nearly lost the series as they had a 3-1 series lead. [2] In the Eastern Finals, the Bullets would find themselves down 3 games to 1 facing the San Antonio Spurs. The Bullets would rally to win the next 2 games and force a 7th game at home. In Game 7 the Bullets would rally again. They overcame a 4th Quarter deficit to beat the Spurs 107-105. [3]
Comment from wermol
Time May 2, 2008 at 11:17 AM
7 hours to the game and I am as pumped up about the game as I possibly can 
Listening to the track they play at the Verizon Center after our win…over and over and over again. Well very similar to that at least:p
Comment from Brickjp
Time May 2, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Woo! T-minus seven hours until game time. This is great! SO pumped for this game. I don’t think I’ve been this pumped for a game…EVER.
WIZARDS Basketball.
Comment from wermol
Time May 2, 2008 at 11:32 AM
For crying out loud. It appears they have suspended Songaila for 1 game because Le Queen hit himself in the face with Songailas hand.
…
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Songaila suspended for game 6. EVERYONE PLEASE USE CAUTION WHEN POSTING!!!
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I can barely believe it…At first I didn’t understand why Songaila punched labron, but after watching the scene again it’s clear that it is as labron tries to get his arm away from Darius’s arm that Darius’s arm makes contact with labron’s face…I mean I’m just shocked but you know what, it’s alright with me, wanna play tough on us?? We’ll give Blatche more minutes and he’ll be the X factor!!!(hope everything is alright with my post, don’t wanna cause trouble…)
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 11:49 AM
LilGil I don’t mind anyone arguing the call. To me it’s completely legitimate to argue in fact you could say i more than strongly disagree with the decision. I just want everyone to watch themselves with their language.
Comment from iheartthewiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 11:53 AM
really? are you kidding me? i thought the same thing as lilgil when i first saw it happened. but after watching highlights of the game on various sports networks, you see that their arms got tangled with each other and darius was just trying to break free. it was an accident!!! come on! darius of all people? why now? we’ve had other players commit worse fouls and this is the one they’re going to penalize the wizards for? i’m convinced that the nba doesn’t want to see the wizards make it to the 2nd round… they just took one of our offensive guys off our roster. cry baby james is probably really happy right now. UNBELIEVABLE! i’m blown.
but lil gil is right… they wanna play tough. fine. we have our AWESOME starters and our bench. blatche to bring some hype and some d. nick young and roger mason will bring on some offense. LETS GO WIZ!
Comment from wermol
Time May 2, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Could we possibly activate Etan for the game to show Le Queen what an actual punch in the face feels like.
I mean, the dude’s got paid enough this year to take a suspension for the team.
Comment from Brickjp
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Unreal. Simply Unreal. Who are the morons that viewed the play and actually came to this conclusion? This is a sick joke. Not even funny.
At what point does ‘favoritism’ become *cheating*. The NBA is CHEATING for Lebron.
Comment from novers12
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Will the NBA release a statement as to why they made that decision? I am not sure if they are required to do that or not. To me, it is a complete joke, because Lebron’s intentional elbow to Blatche’s face was much more vicious. It was so vicious that the NBA decided to assess him a flagrant 1 10 days later. Has that ever happened before? A flagrant being assesed that long after a game? That to me would warrant a suspension, but if they turned the cheek on that, that have to on this.
The only logic that I can come up with is that they felt it was getting way too out of control and are making an example out of Darious so that there are no more “hard” fouls in this series. But, the timing of this is just terrible, and to let everything else in the playoffs go unpunished, you have to be consistant…..I really think the league needs to give us a further explanation.
Comment from buckeyes90
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:14 PM
UBELIEVABLE.
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:14 PM
the nba seriously needs to review that play with d song and lebron. they fined stevenson for a “menacing gesture” but suspended d song for an inadvertant elbow to the chin, plus lebron acting. that’s just ridiculous that the nba is willing to lose money and fans over a silly incident like this. it’s sad that they can suspend songaila for something like that but not jason kidd for tackling pargo.. david stern needs to re-think his league policy.
Comment from buckeyes90
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I agree with novers completely. James elbow was MUCH worse.
Comment from buckeyes90
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:17 PM
You can tell Lebron simply milks the calls. Didn’t everyone see him grabbing his neck and chin for like 5 minutes after the play?
Comment from Brickjp
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Yea – I am livid over this. This is completely unbelievable. How can anyone get away with this?
Hey NBA – please review LeBron’s elbow to Blatche, Z’s elbow to Songaila
They have to know that this is TOTAL bull. The technical in the game that was called was even unjust. And now to suspend him on the DAY of the game? This is sick.
Is David Stern going to be at the game tonight? Please tell me he will be. I want to give him a piece of my mind.
How can this be seen as anything other than cheating? The NBA will do ANYTHING to give LeBron a better chance to win.
Comment from Phemy
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:25 PM
‘aight
The thing about songaila…well, whatever, don’t care anymore. Let the “refs”/nba do whatever they want, can’t do anything against it. We will win this anyways!
Hope Caron+Antawn are hot tonight, and DC STANDS UP, give them a new definition for NOISE. I’m really nervous, and i’m really excited…esp. after checking some youtube videos and reading all these funny cleveland/james-”fan”s comments…oh boy, we need to shut them up. COMEBACK BABY! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
see ya tonight!
Comment from iheartthewiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:39 PM
the NBA has been REALLY inconsistent this year.
celtics v hawks players stepping on the court during a scuffle, no one was suspended. rewind to last year – diaw and stoudemire stepped off the bench last year and was suspended.
rasheed wallace has had MULTIPLE technicals this postseason… i think its 3 right? has he been suspended? NO!
flagrant fouls that were CALLED from deshawn and haywood, an ejection but no suspension. flagrant foul that was CALLED DAYS AFTER THE GAME from lebron, no suspension. not to mention multiple blows the wiz have taken from the cavs when the refs weren’t looking.
darius songaila – no technicals this post season. what appeared to be an accident with lebron and what does he get??? SUSPENSION GAME 6!
setting the tone regarding hard fouls or not… how about the nba be fair and consistent. one believes soooo much in their team yet you’re ruining the chances of them making it because of what? ratings? giving a superstar a chance?
this is a week or two old but i wanted to share it with you today because it fuels todays occurrences:
http://evaflowin.blogspot.com/
yes i’m really upset about this. but as always… i know “my team” will do it. LETS GO! DC STAND UP! DC STAND UP! LETS GO WIZ!
Comment from Alexa08
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Here’s yet ANOTHER adversity to OVERCOME… AND WE CAN DO IT!!! I’m in Richmond, and I would LOVE to be there tonight, but for all of you who will be there tonight… PLEASE SHOW OUR TEAM EVEN MORE LOVE THEN WHAT WE’RE BEING SHOWN FROM NBA OFFICIALS!!! At this point, we HAVE to WIN because we ARE the better team, and not because the Cav’s are of FAVOR from the NBA OFFICIALS & MEDIA!
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:45 PM
yeah thats why i say LBJ is over-rated… cant win it so cheat its ok the NBA loves money its not about the game anymore its about Shoes and sales.. i say we stick it to the NBA and win anyway tell them that no matter how hard they try we are still better than the Cavs and the Refs… this is sick tho i dont see how you could even call that to start with rather less put some one on the bench for it… but dose this just make this win tonight that much better because no matter how hard they try they cant beat us… CB3 to Mason its time to show them that its still not Fair because we are a team of men playing a league of boys
Comment from ewoldtk
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Jason Kidd gets no suspension for that mugging. Garnett pushes a ref and no suspension.
Tim Donaghy and now this. The NBA is getting too blatant w/ their motives.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Okay SportzWiz no problem, I was just about to get crazy when I wrote that so I wasn’t sure wheter I had wrote everything correctly (watching my language!).
I feel good about tonight, really!
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:00 PM
i think we will be fine tonight though. the only thing this will mean is that andray blatche will need to STEP IT UP!! caron said it well during his game 5 post-game press meeting, this team has overcome a lot of adversity this season.. everybody is likely writing us all off because we’re without d song tonight (not like that it’s as monumental a loss as say butler or jamison would be). would d song be able to appeal the suspension?
Comment from OvGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Do we need anymore proof that the NBA is trying to fix this series? Obviously, they are afraid that if we beat them tonight, there’s a chance that the “Golden Child” will not make it to the 2nd round. They are trying every way to get him in a 2nd round Game 1 on Sunday.
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:12 PM
we have proven that we can do quite a bit this year. we still have our core 7 still: daniels, stevenson, haywood, butler, jamison, blatche, and mason. maybe eddie will use dominic and young more tonight, we’ll see.
Comment from iheartthewiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:15 PM
from ivan carter’s blog
UPDATE: According to a league source, the NBA was close to suspending DeShawn Stevenson after Stevenson hit James in the head with an elbow while trying to block a shot during Game 4. Instead, the league warned the Wizards that any player made contact to James’s head or face it would lead to an automatic suspension.
Comment from avirtucio
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:17 PM
iheartthewiz,
that is really a very interesting article, and now i think that this playoff games is really planned all along. it is not about the games, but really about the ratings… that is really sad… they are trying to get people to watch the games, but in fact i think what they are doing this will not help
anyway….. go wiz
we can stand up for anything as long as we play like a team
better team will come strong no matter what they plan
as fans should just pray that cb3, aj and the rest of the team will keep their emotion intact and focus about the game
let the game do its works and we are eventually going to rise like a champion
Comment from OvGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:18 PM
So obviously Queen LeTravel took advantage of that fact and pulled Darius’ arm into his face. This is so ridiculous. What next? Will the Queen headbutt Caron tonigh so that there will be more “contact with his head” so that Caron will get suspended for game 7?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Bad news — we’ll need more minutes from Antawn and Brendan, and we’ll have to hope for solid play from Blatche and probably from Dominic McGuire.
Who knows? Could work in our favor!!
Comment from Alexa08
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:26 PM
At this point, anything could happen and we’ll be looked to for blame!!! I DO BELIEVE that if the team could win GAME 4 and manage to keep their poise through the rest of that game (after that OSCAR NOMINEE MOMENT), and in Cleveland as well, then we can DEFINITELY, take care of business at home with the (6th Man) crowd. Right now, ALL WE HAVE IS US, THE WIZARDS TEAM, FANS & ORGANIZATION to get us thru WHATEVER adversity being thrown our way.
LET’S GO WIZZZZZZAAAAARRRRRDDDSSSS!!!!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:28 PM
I would expect dom to see more time. Again the decision absolutely….. Alright I was told a long time ago if you don’t have anything nice to say dont say it and I have nothing nice to say about stu jackson, david stern and the entire league office right now
Comment from buckeyes90
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:29 PM
This just completely screws up an already depleted roster.
Comment from Brickjp
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:31 PM
^ Yea. Did you see the quotes from Eddie regarding Songaila and how he planned to utilize Darius instead of Blatche. This is just a killer. So unjust. We can only do one thing right now and that is win this game and win this series on Sunday. Use this as motivation. I want Stern, Stu and Co to feel the pain of their little baby being out of the playoffs.
Comment from buckeyes90
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Its things like this that are ruining the NBA.
Comment from Brickjp
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Lebron, the King…..of the travel.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Man, y’all ALL brought up some GOOD points that I was about to bring up. A lot of things have happened in this round of the playoffs where people should have been suspended, but weren’t. I was HOT when I found out about D-Song’s suspension; SportzWiz it’s really a good thing that you reminded us to watch our language because I would’ve been kicked off today.
It’s fixed; we ALL know who the better team is, but they are going to do EVERYTHING in their power to make the Cavs win this (I hate to say). Practically, all the teams that they wanted in are in: Lakers, Hornets, Detroit, Magic, Celts, Spurs – they just waiting for one more, which they thought would happen on Wednesday but, boy we fooled them. I am like *this close* to just giving this league up…
I hope that they just MAKE SOME NOISE TONIGHT!! I’ll be on here makin some noise with the rest of my bloggers.
GO WIZZZZZZZZARRRRRRDDDDDDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Well, the Celts haven’t made it yet – I haven’t given up on the Hawks at all…But they gonna do whatever the hell they need to for the Celts to win.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:07 PM
I BELIEVE IN THIS TEAM TO THE FULLEST!!
D-Song gives us energy and defense, which will be missed, but don’t sleep on Blatche and/or Dominic. How the hell would we know how Dom performs if he’s not given any play time. It’s time for us to start BELIEVING IN ALL THOSE PLAYERS ON THAT ROSTER!! I guess, then, that I would have to start believing in Nick and D-Steve a bit more…It’s not that I don’t believe in these guys, it’s just that I’m a bit harder on them…
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:08 PM
If you freeze the YouTube video at 2:42 and play it in slow motion… you’ll see obviously LeBron uses some kung-fu tactics to quickly rotate his forearm to untagle D song and LeBron’s action cause the reaction of Songaila’s hand swung to LBJ’s chin. It was a totally accidental at least from Sonagila’s side.
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:12 PM
On more point to review the case… If Darius really tried to hit LBJ, his hand would not be as soft as it is shown in the video.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:21 PM
You are SO right FantasticWiz…Unbelievable!
If you notice D-Song’s face, he’s as confused as we all are about this whole suspension. Lebron acted all of that…I watched with the volume down because of how pathetic the announcers are. I don’t remember it being this much drama back then when Reg. Miller used to get into fights like every other game.
Comment from wiz_fan_4sho
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:25 PM
The NBA should be ashamed, to suspend Darius for that is clearly a mistake. The fact that he did not get ejected in the game should tell you that it was incedental. Reggie Miller and Marv Albert are crazy as well to even think that Darius is capable of somthing like that. It’s so obvious James caused the whole thing and then acted like Mike Tyson almost took his jaw off. It’s cheating, the whole team has been flopping all series and I’m sick of it. I pray that washington wins tonight and then on Sunday because I don’t think I can take much more of cry baby James and Whinning Mike Brown This is rediculous. BOOOOO Stu Jackson BOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Comment from gbkdc
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Bridge, I said the same thing on another blog about D-Song’s face. He had no scowl or aggression on his face whatsoever. To me, that just shows he didn’t intend to do it. Soooooo obvious to me.
This is really, truly unbelievable!!!!
I hope we see the DMAC from that Hornets game, remember that??? 10 rebounds in like 30 seconds??? I’m exaggerating, of course. But the man can jump!!!! And he’s tough and fast. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the game one bit.
PHONE BOOTH IS GOING TO BE LOUD AND ANGRY TONIGHT!!!!!
Comment from gbkdc
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Oh, and BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Comment from jhough813
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:34 PM
I’m not surprised that Songaila was suspended for tonight, it’s pretty clear that David Stern and the NBA wants Lebron to get to the next round so they can promote Lebron vs. the Celtics. Looking at that play you can clearly see that Lebron is trying to untangle their arms and had Songaila kept his arm straight he would have bent it backwards horribly or even broken it. Blatche needs to step up big tonight like we know he can and we need to keep the rebounds even like we did last game. I was at game 4 and frankly, the rebounding margin, in particular the offensive, was the main reason we lost. LET’S GO WIZ KIDS!
P.S. Pro’Verb’s rhymes are actually a lot better than Jay-Z’s, not to mention Jay-Z’s horrible beat.
Comment from gbkdc
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:37 PM
ETAN ETAN ETAN ETAN ETAN
ETAN SUIT UP ETAN SUIT UP ETAN SUIT UP
COME BACK ETAN COME BACK ETAN COME BACK ETAN
WEAR A BREASTPLATE WEAR A BREASTPLATE
WEAR A MOTORCYCLE JACKET
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:40 PM
COME ON WIZ AND GET TO THE NEXT ROUND SO THAT I CAN ATTEND ONE OF THE GAMES!! I’m swearing here, right here and right now, that if the Wiz get over this round (that’s full of all this adversity), I WILL make sure I go to at least one of the game no matter where it is….I have a beautiful poster to show off anyway…
WE COULD DO THIS!!!
“then acted like Mike Tyson almost took his jaw off” – - – LMAO
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:49 PM
I’m a bit bothered by how late the suspension was announced. It happened like 7 hours before the game. The league had plenty of time assessing and reviewing the tape.
So, let’s say Coach Jordan had run some stuff for Darius in practice and the team is planning to use those in the actual game. Now, all the time spent on these plays was wasted. If the Wiz knew about the suspension earlier, the extra coaching time would be spent on something else.
Oh well, just another mountain to climb.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:50 PM
sorry gbk i don’t think its going to happen.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:50 PM
wiz fusion i would say the timing is almost more frustrating than the suspension itself.
Comment from gbkdc
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:52 PM
“UPDATE: According to a league source, the NBA was close to suspending DeShawn Stevenson after Stevenson hit James in the head with an elbow while trying to block a shot during Game 4. Instead, the league warned the Wizards that if any player made contact to James’s head or face it would lead to an automatic suspension.”
Comment from AUNDRA
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Ain’t nothing but a hound doggy crying all the time ,Ain’t nothing but a hound dogg crying all the time. You ain’t nothing but a crybaby and you ain’t no friend of nmine!
Stand Up DC!
Stand UP!
Comment from NoVaDave
Time May 2, 2008 at 2:59 PM
It appears that the NBA wants to do what it can to help Cleveland and its marquee star LeBron move on to the next round by suspending Songaila. I would think that the Wizards would have the right to appeal the suspension thereby causing it not to be imposed until after the appeal is heard.
Comment from vah4bm
Time May 2, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Somewhere in the back of my mind I’ve been wondering how much the NBA front office is cringing after the Wiz’s Game 5 win in Cleveland. Well, this cinches it for me. A suspension of Songaila for absolutely NOTHING. There is absolutely NO DOUBT that the NBA front office is protecting its media darling and money maker (James) and they’re going to make @#&% sure that the Cavs get to the Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston. It’s all about TV ratings and the almighty dollar. So much for integrity from the NBA front office…
Comment from Brickjp
Time May 2, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Off to the VC – lets hope Stern is there. I’m PRAYING stern is there.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 3:32 PM
just a little more info on the play, the league suspended him because it was a hit to the face which involved a “non basketball play”. The league felt the play was over and if a hit to the face occurs after the play that is an automatic suspension. Don’t shoot the messanger that’s just what i was told.
As far as the LeBron flagrant they felt that elbow was still during the course of the play.
Comment from ewoldtk
Time May 2, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Stu Jackson – NBA VP of Rules and Officiating
(212) 407-8000
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I’m going to go run my errands right now so that I won’t be late…Chat with y’all soon….
GO WIZ!!!!!!!
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 4:22 PM
i’m just really disappointed that the league is lowering their standards to pamper the biggest, most overrated baby in the league in lebron. i know we said we’d be physical with him but the cavs are taking this to a completely different level. you look at the one time we played the cavs at home in december when they didn’t have lebron, there were no stupid calls against us, just a clean game that we happened to win by like, 20. d song did absolutely nothing wrong in the incident regarding lebron. we should all complain to the league if the cavs win tonight or sunday and tell them how big of [expletive][butt]holes they are for ruining our season.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 2, 2008 at 4:37 PM
We will be a focused group tonight, and I think we have a very good chance to win.
The guys that are there have to do the job. Leave it at that. If Dominic is solid, he’ll contribute as much as Darius does (though different things).
I’m looking forward to a great game and a great win.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time May 2, 2008 at 4:41 PM
my brother died today… so i wont be blogging cheer hard for me
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 4:44 PM
I’m really sorry to hear that my friend… My thoughts are going to you and your whole family right now…
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 4:46 PM
W4L, thoughts and prayers go out to ya. we’ll win one for your bro tonight.
Comment from neal
Time May 2, 2008 at 4:50 PM
I’m very sorry Wizards4Life. Was it sudden? Were you close?
I couldn’t disagree more with the league. Even if the backhand was an intentional shove that’s no reason for a suspension. A lousy time to try to make a statement to the players, which is obviously what they want to do.
OK, Mr. Blatche, show time. No more development grace period. Time to play like an NBA player. No more rookie play.
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 2, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Wizards4Life…I am REALLY sorry to hear that bro…hope the Wiz can pull this one out to give you at least a little happiness…toughts and prayers are with you man…
R.I.P. W4L Brother
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 2, 2008 at 4:51 PM
neal..you said it best its SHOWTIME for young Mr. Blatche
Comment from ChenierFan
Time May 2, 2008 at 5:09 PM
First of all, condolences to Wizards4Life on the passing of his brother. We will be cheering hard for you.
This suspension looks pretty suspicious to me. Where was the suspension when LeBron gave Haywood a slap to the groin in game 1? Where was the suspension when David West stuck a finger in the face of Dirk Nowitzki and held if there a good five seconds while he threatened him? The point is that these disqualifications are very discreationary. Granted the play was over. The play was also over when James was twisting Darius’ arm too. There were some very mitigating circumstances with this.
Like the rest of you, I am pretty livid over this! Imagine, tap to the face. This is ridiculous! The league is going overboard with these suspensions. Last year it killed the Suns. They really never recovered. This year if could bite the Wiz. If the Wiz lose tonight this will be a tainted series.
Hopefully, Blatche can play a strong game. I know if I was 21 and had to play against this level of competition and with this pressure, I wouldn’t be able to move. Good luck to Andray!
Nevertheless, I think the Wiz are ready to play an exceptional game, particularly Jamison and take the series back to Cleveland.
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 5:23 PM
ChenierFan, i agree totally with the last bit of your post. if anything this will serve as motivation for the wizards. granted we need to stay out of foul trouble against the big man, but i expect to see obviously dray get more minutes, and i wouldn’t be surprised if eddie put mcguire in there during either the end of the 1st or beginning of the 2nd to give tawn and brendan a little bit of a breather.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 5:42 PM
I’m so sorry to hear that Wiz4Life…
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 5:53 PM
dave and glenn checking in courtside…starters are in…daniels, stevenson, butler, jamison, and haywood…..west…szczerbiak james and wallace…..
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 5:54 PM
gang needless to say we don’t agree with darius songaila suspension…but have to play through it…
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Hey guys, hope to see blatche step it up tonight.
Comment from novers12
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:03 PM
DC STAND UP!!!!!
IT’S TIME BABY….LET’S GOOO, LETS TAKE THIS BACK TO CLEVELAND
LET’S LET THEM FEEL THE PRESSURE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AGAINST US IN THE PLAYOFFS
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:04 PM
Hey Wiz4Life –
If you need someone to talk to, just shoot me a message or something homie.
http://www.myspace.com/bridge711
And bloggers, since I’m posting this up like this, don’t be tryna send me no naughty messages or something…lol…
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Ok, READY TO RULE!
Caron dancin’ his butt off
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Keys: Limit 1st side shots, boards, mix the d, to disrupt Lebron.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:11 PM
I’m so ready for the game!!!!! We gotta prove everyone’s wrong!
and of course RIP Wiz4life’s brother
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Is Jamison wired? I think he is
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:13 PM
ride the crowd!!! their loud tonight.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Daniels with the swag
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:17 PM
yeah jamison hustling
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Y’all see them on the bench with the D-Song jersey…That’s funny.
JAMISON!!
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:18 PM
JAMISON HOT!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:18 PM
pushing the ball…nice.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Thanks Phems
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:19 PM
I said it, watch out for Antawn!!!
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Sure did –
What’s in HIS gatorade??? lol….I want some
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:20 PM
how about this pace
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:21 PM
pace favors us so far.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Yes!
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:23 PM
I can’t believe that they showing all this man’s (so-called) “hard fouls”…
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:25 PM
ok brendan , don’t get your 2nd quick now.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:27 PM
need to stop them from driving…too easy.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:28 PM
I hope he can’t feel his face a lot tonight!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:29 PM
hopefully wally cools down, cause caron has that match up
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:29 PM
caron….is back nice drive
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:30 PM
jason c good point about wally.,..he is a streak shooter…can’t let him get set
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:31 PM
thanks, they are going to have to double caron if wally is on the floor, should get some good looks from it.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:32 PM
blatche in now
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Dray!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:34 PM
yeah blatche! defend that rim
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:36 PM
I’m going to say this I’ve never seen Andray as focused as he was for today’s game before the game. Never
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:36 PM
good quarter
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:37 PM
im just glad they didn’t call a foul on jamison on that last second shot.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:37 PM
That’s not surprising, hopefuly he shows us how much he has matured!!
Not the best ending but solid first quarter, we really have to fight for those boards!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:37 PM
up to our bench now to extend the lead.
Comment from Phemy
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:38 PM
..and half the blog is live at the game, heh!
Well, looking good right now…continue that ball movement!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:38 PM
we have the rebound edge..but cavs still have a 9-6 edge in sceond chance points
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Alright you guys – I’m gonna take a quick break to eat…Be back shortly…Just think of it as a commercial break lol
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:43 PM
ok we need to stop taking jumpers.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:43 PM
good twan heard me
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:46 PM
there we go…move that ball.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Roger has been extremely energized this series showing more emotion than he has all season.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:47 PM
it started after they listed his family credentials on national tv sportswiz =)
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:52 PM
If I’m not mistaking there was contact with his face?? So why is that guy still in?
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:54 PM
oh man.. gotta get those boards.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:55 PM
yeah we need d boards fast.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:55 PM
boards boards boards…. We have to make sure labron doesn’t heat up, we don’t need him hitting threes out there (nor driving by the way..)
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:59 PM
hope they cool down
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:00 PM
we neeed to rebound…now
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:00 PM
and stop taking jump shots..
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:00 PM
No more shooting.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:01 PM
ilgauskas stays in becasue it was in the course of play…ruled songail’s was after the play
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:02 PM
wow … i guess lebron respects caron…how refreshing.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:02 PM
I meant on the help up.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Another planned action, I don’t believe in that guy, sorry…
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Naw, he just did that to look like an “angel” on National TV, so in a way, it only makes us look worse.
Man, we can’t be down by 9 – COME ON WIZ!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:05 PM
yeah caron…bring us back
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:05 PM
omg…get the rebound.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:06 PM
He’s terrified by Caronimo too
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:06 PM
All this is shameful, we have to FIGHT for these boards, FIGHT!
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:07 PM
HAYWOOD!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:08 PM
i suggest we go to a haywood blatche lineup…we are struggling to get even the first board.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:08 PM
About time we get something. He should have gotten another T too
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Jamison!!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:09 PM
whew…give him a T please…thank you!
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:09 PM
YESSSSSSS!!!!! T ON THE QUEEN, T ON THE QUEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:09 PM
That’s right, the official ain’t you friend labron!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:10 PM
there we go, finally lebron got T’d up
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:10 PM
So funny cuz she always expects to get all the calls and everything you know… she really is unbelievable!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:11 PM
man we better rebound, and stop taking long jump shots…its the season right here again.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:11 PM
That ref felt liberated too. Callin’ that tech, he has “spirit fingers” LMAO
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:14 PM
LilGil, I was reading your comment, and since I’m slow (lol) I’m like “who is the ‘she’ he’s talking about?” I get it now – Lebron (hahaha, you crazy). Takes me like 5 minutes to get a joke or comment sometimes 
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Ha-ha, the queen got a tech with spirit fingers! I will imitate that call for life!!
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:23 PM
we need to play with a greater sense of urgency in the 2nd half. i thought dray played well in the first half, our starters all played well.. need to keep it up for another 24 minutes so we can play on sunday.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Lol Bridge, while writing it I was like “well I hope everyone gets it” but I was too happy anyway 
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:25 PM
allright gang here we go…wizards have to get aggressive on D..get some points off turnovers
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:26 PM
i think stu jackson’s real first name is ‘stupid’
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Yeah you were all into it – made it sound so real…I was REALLY convinced there for a minute lol. I was probably the only who-ha that didn’t get it
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:28 PM
TF I literally laughed out loud about your comment. That was funny…
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:30 PM
grab the board!!!
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:30 PM
They gettin too many second chance opps
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:32 PM
both teams getting lots of 2nd chance point attempts, cavs converting them. WAY TOO MANY 3′s.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:32 PM
sigh…common play with some urgency.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:33 PM
it is plus nine in secodn chance…..points…cavaliers making threes…critical here i don’t believe this can swing the other way…more than a 13 point deficit,..if the wizards are to have success..
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:33 PM
man.. we need to just play better.. this is not how i want to see our season end.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:36 PM
AND1
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:36 PM
interesting sub…hope it works.
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:36 PM
we need to start a run right here, lock down on defense. get this thing closer.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:39 PM
About time
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:39 PM
Nice block by Twan!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:39 PM
yeah jamison! our leaders need to step up
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:43 PM
uh i think that was a foul…
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:43 PM
on lebron…
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:44 PM
ok…we have no exuse not to drive it now…cavs over the limit.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:44 PM
We gotta take advantage, they’re over the limit with more than 5 to go!
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Haywood almost took that rim down
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Nice D
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:47 PM
We gotta hit those…. I mean we got good ball movements but there has been at least 5 important shots (mainly threes) that we haven’t hit tonight!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:47 PM
man we need to pass like that every posession.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:48 PM
This CANNOT end tonight -
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:49 PM
im not likin this game…we aint hittin no shots so we need to take advantage of the fouls
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:49 PM
even when the wizards are getting good shots..not making shots..have to stop second chance points
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:49 PM
if it do..we gon have a better season cuz gil gon be hisself and players getting rest
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:50 PM
24-13 in second hcance points have to stop
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Did we just give up?
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:52 PM
it was nice bloggin wit yall this yr.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:52 PM
I know ant, which is great, but I wanna make it to a game 
. Maybe I’m just being selfish. I don’t want us to give up.
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:53 PM
yea….i hope boston whoop they @$$
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Damn we can’t give up like that, we came back in the fourth from -16 this season, we still have a full quarter to play, BUT WE HAVE TO PLAY WITH MOTIVATION, defend the three!!!!!!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:54 PM
common caron…keep your cool
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:55 PM
thats -16..we bout to be down 20
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:56 PM
i hope eddie gets mad, cause we need it.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Oh my gosh. Not giving up, but…that’s it. He makes the #23 look bad and the league looks even worse right now. There’s been lots of no-calls for us…
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:56 PM
12 mins to play….
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:57 PM
I don’t care how bad the situation looks right now. WE CANT GIVE UP, hell no!! I didn’t stay up like that to see my guys, who I’m proud of, give it up just like that. We’re good, we’re better than that!!!!!!!
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:58 PM
i like how atlanta can keep up wit the celtics…y we cant keep up wit the cavs…that just dont make sense
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:58 PM
yeah down to 10 by the 10 minute mark, single digits by the 8, thats our only shot.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Yeah…you right LilGil
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:00 PM
miss songaila’s cuts on offense
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:01 PM
yea songaila knows how to cut…real good
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:01 PM
There you go Twan! Draw some contact!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:01 PM
stop taking jump shotS!!!! coommon
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:01 PM
I wish I was at the VC to cheer the team up cuz that crowd is not loud enough for me!!! But still glad to be here with y’all (glad we’re on the same track Bridge )
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:02 PM
18pt lead
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:04 PM
man he be travelin
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:04 PM
sigh blatche needs to learn not to do that next year.
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:05 PM
good blog this season….blog with yall next season..goodnight
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:06 PM
crowd is trying…just not happening
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Caronimo do that ALL night if you have to
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:06 PM
sigh…our guys are gassed trying to get o boards.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Ant, you must be a part-time Wiz fan or something. You can’t just leave when things don’t look good…but ok, goodnight.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:08 PM
i’m just surprised they didn’t plan for butler getting doubled…you know they were goign to do that after game 5.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:08 PM
or at least execute out of it….
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:09 PM
naw im not bridge but its not lookin good for us…were just under 8 mins…i dont think we have a chance
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Part time blogger, exactly what I thought. I won’t quit before the last whistle, even if we get down by 90points! Now that game ain’t over and I don’t care about losing I just want our guys to play with pride cuz we can be damn proud of what we’ve accomplished!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:11 PM
bonus.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Alright, but just keep in mind that one game against the Celts when things didn’t look so good
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:11 PM
sorry but hte decision to put mason in didn’t work.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:13 PM
and frankly EJ has played our starters too much…caron is trying to do it all himself now…its just frustrating.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:13 PM
I think I could break my laptop right now…. I’m not worried for me but damn my friends are gonna have a tough time with me tomorrow!
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:13 PM
wally killed us this game. good season guys.
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:13 PM
u right bridge but hey look at us now…wally just got hot tonight..
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:13 PM
butler has been double teamed before in this series..especially game one…. but has not been able to make the passes…i think the wizards expected it…but cavs have made it difficult
Comment from kg
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:14 PM
why r people so down…we could still come back.
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:15 PM
i hope we get cleveland next year playoffs..
Comment from cpikus
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Don’t give up Zards…..we’ve played through some of the most adverse conditions possible this series…..D. Songalia getting suspended tonight for Lebron’s Oscar Performance, you name it the Wizards have had to deal with it….can someone please explain to me why Wally Z has dropped 6 three point buckets against us tonight. Really disappointed by the performance of our team tonight….it really boils down to not making our shots. Lets hope we can at least continue to try to make it look like a game over next 6 minutes…On a totally different note…..let me give my thoughts on the NBA’s wonderful commissioner and his counterparts pathetic explanation of why Songalia was suspended tonight….I can’t emphasize enough how much this hurt our chances tonight….just proves the point of how the NBA wants Lebron “cry baby” James to advance to the second round. And I don’t know why….if you look back to last years playoff finals when Lebron’s CAVS made it….one of the worst rated TV wise finals in the NBA in a long long time…..this team is not exciting to watch….all they do is cry and look for the refs to bail them out…..
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:17 PM
I’m so down because I hate what people say about our Wiz, and IF we lose this, the media will have sooo much fun. I don’t think I’ll watch sports channels or look at sports websites for a week or two.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:18 PM
I can barely believe this fouls was called……
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:19 PM
MASON!
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:19 PM
yeah it was about time, sorry but he had to come out of the game a long time ago.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:20 PM
He female dogs about EVERYTHING! I bet the refs breast feed him
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:21 PM
lebron theatrics are just over the top
Comment from cpikus
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Mason is straight fronting tonight at home….love the guy….defn didn’t expect this from him at home…maybe in Cleveland but not at his home in D.C…..our whole bench has just not came to play tonight
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Well, if you ask me, some of everybody should have stepped up a long time ago – I refuse to just point at Mason
Comment from suzie-qwiz
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:22 PM
This is an example of the League not letting the players play, you throw away an exciting series on a humbug, Cavs may win but we all know this was not right. Stu, and the rest of the brass of the NBA want to see Marlon Brando win, sell more shoes and have a MJ career. Its just not any fun to watch your team get it for that reason.
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:22 PM
well overall..it was a good season…a very good season..
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:23 PM
i like wat branden did…LMAO
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:23 PM
I mean, do he got to make EVERY SINGLE SHOT? That’s ridicules…
And see, the media is already starting.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:24 PM
THE DAMN SEASON AIN’T OVER YET MAN, appreciate what’s left please.
Comment from cpikus
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:25 PM
as usual…Lebron “Cry Baby” James comes out of a common foul holding his ugly face like something worse happened…..its funny as a bullets and wizards fan since 1990 when I moved to VA…I actually never hated Lebron until this series…….I will never respect this man regardless of how many championships he may end up with by the time his career is over….he will never been anything near a M.J.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:25 PM
I wasn’t talking about the cavs or lebron – I was asking that about Mason
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:26 PM
look on the bright side…..all our players are goin to be back next season then we are goin to be a tough team to beat….i gaurentee you guys we will be number 1 in the east or 2…
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:26 PM
we’ve given up, u can see it in the kind of shots they are taking.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:26 PM
NEVER – nowhere near Mic
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:27 PM
i hear you lil gil…..the wizards did a lot of wonderful things this year……..but this is so hard to watch
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:28 PM
our guys are too tired.
Comment from Phemy
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:29 PM
yeah…gonna write somthn tomorrow. Too lazy right now, and kinda speechless/frustrated. Can’t stand the tv-moderators anymore also -.-’
But..keep it up guys!
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:29 PM
I know it’s hard, I think I’ll be crying at some point. You know what ant? I’m tired of saying “we’ll be hard to beat” you know why, we’ve been saying that for 2 years now, and because of injuries or maybe something else (anyway…) we haven’t been the team we all were hoping for, now what?
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:29 PM
7 man rotation killed us sorry.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:30 PM
thanks for the comments guys you don’t know how much i appreciate all of them….
so much for the come back but you got to give the guys there due they still got here and we need to think about next year and the thing’s that are going to get us in shape to contend for a title…
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Oh wow, great job to put the bench in now – I bet they feel like losers all the time because that’s the only time they get to see that floor.
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:31 PM
lil gil…i wit you on that one but i bet we will…we was number 1 last yr. before gil and caron got injured…we got this next yr.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:32 PM
True Bridge, true…
I wonder wheter I’m more pissed cuz we ain’t getting further or cuz the travaliers are advancing?!…
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:33 PM
You right Wiz4Life. You know, you are REALLY a hard-cord fan -
Comment from cpikus
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:33 PM
I agree Jason C…..10 men total is gonna be hard to win regardless of who were playing….lets just hope Mason, Jamison will come back and Gil won’t be greedy still looking for a max contract when we all know his knee could easily go out for a 3rd straight season….gil’s become one of my favorite players of the last few seasons….but I will have absolutely no love if he chases the $$$ no love…..and pleas Ernie….we need Eddie Jordan to coach this team regardless what happens…
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:34 PM
If it seems as if I’m taking my frustrations out on y’all, I’m sorry. This is just really hard to see. I think I wanna cry ….
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:35 PM
I hope the Hawks win
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Okay now I really feel like crying man… I wonder who’ll get drunk tomorrow and forget about all that…
Anyway I’ll drop another message soon but I really want to thank’s yall, fellow bloggers and of course Dave and Glen who were there all season long. Thanks guys for everything, wasn’t always easy but this blog stayed great (despite some downs) all season long and got really heated up during the playoffs. So thanks yall, most of you guys (and Bridge ) are true fans and that’s what matters. Y’all watch out and do good alright, see ya…..
THANX MY WIZ FOR ALL THE EXCITMENT AND EVERYTHING! LOVE YALL
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:36 PM
well, all in all folks, it was a good season. we need to resign gilbert, jamison, and roger mason for next year, stay healthy, get a good draft pick, and have our core ready to go for next year. not to mention etan will be back next year. 08-09 championship anyone? HOLLA!
Comment from cpikus
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Me too Bridge…who cares about the Celtics…they should be automatically eliminated for letting the series even go to 6 games against a below .500 team in the hawks…
Comment from ant62789
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:37 PM
yea…iight yall it was a good yr…talk to you guys next season…goodnight
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:37 PM
and of course once again, all my prayers go to you and your family, keep your head up man.
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:38 PM
plus we will have all offseason to wonder.. what might have been if we had d song.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:38 PM
that was meant for wizards4life obviously.
Comment from LilGil
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Bye everyone, goodnight.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Good season guys, a lot better than I expected when gil went down, hope this just makes us better next season.
Comment from cpikus
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:40 PM
well good season Zards….all I can say is I won’t be watching a second of the CAVS next series regardless of who wins the Hawks vs. Boston series….I can’t watch another minute of the OSCAR winning Lebron James, or Big Z throwing his arms up after every single play they travel or don’t get a tick tac foul……..thanks David Stern and the NBA for cheating our team this entire season……Holla next season
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Well bloggers, it was great blogging with y’all this season. Still a die-hard fan regardless. I don’t even see you guys as bloggers, but as friends (I know that that sounds really corny, but it’s true). Y’all are free to hit me up at anytime ok. We still gotta walk with our heads up and look forward to next season.
I’m still gonna say it:
GO WIZ!!
Comment from jhough813
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Honestly, this loss is completely on us. Cleveland did nothing special at all. We didn’t rebound, we didn’t guard the 3, and we settled for jump shots instead of driving it in and at the least getting fouled. This is the same exact thing that happened in game 4 and I’m not sure when we’re going to realize that we can’t continue to do or not do these things. I’m just so frustrated right now because it’s seemingly such simple things to solve.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:45 PM
dave johnson here…my sincere thanks for a wonderful season on the BLOGCAST…hope you all enjoyed…let’s touch base in the off season…and maybe we will blog from the draft
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Jhough our guys got too tired, its simple as that. Jamison got no rest and had no legs after Cleveland made their run. He was our only guy hot in the beginning and it never came back.
Comment from Jason C
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:46 PM
thanks dave and glenn, been quite a ride.
Comment from jhough813
Time May 2, 2008 at 8:59 PM
I know we’re tired but I’m so frustrated because I know that we’re such a better team than the one man show that is Cleveland. Top to bottom we are infinitely more talented and it’s ridiculous that we can’t get past this team. It’s Lebron and a bunch of role players who shoot 3s and nothing else. Gibson and Szczerbiak literally do nothing else and I don’t know why our guys seemingly can’t figure this out. Even with the refs and the NBA conspiring against us, talent against talent we should beat them every time and that’s why I’m so upset. I pray we get all of our free agents back so we can take a serious and hopefully healthy run next year.
Comment from neal
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:01 PM
Thanks to all you for making the season more fun.
I can’t wait for next year.
Thanks a bunch Dave and Glenn. And how about starting a thread for us to speculate on personnel for next year?
Comment from ChenierFan
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:25 PM
That was tough to watch. The loss of Songaila really hurt. The Wiz played with 6.5 guys (Blatche didn’t have that many minutes.
Give the Cavs credit for shooting the lights out.
Maybe one of these years the team will have a healthy year. i remember in my first post I said above all “a healthy year”. The Wiz didn’t have that. Arenas missed most of the year and played the rest on one leg. Butler was out for a quarter of the season. Still the Wiz won more games this year then last.
There is a lot to be optimistic about for next year. Haywood can build on this year. Blatche and Mason really made big strides. And Nick Young will be a 15 pt/game scorer next year. Blatche will be at 12pts/9 rebs next year. Gilbert and Jamison will hopefully be with the team and Gil will be healthy next year. If this team is healthy they are one of the top four teams in the league.
I can’t wait for next season.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Watching the press conference, I think that I’m gonna take another break from basketball. It’s not that I’m giving up on my team, it’s just that things are sooo different now – just unfairness.
That’s it. Goodnight people…
Comment from jhough813
Time May 2, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Bridge, I hope you reconsider when next season starts. Even if the Wiz got rid of everyone I’d still root for them because I respect them as an organization and representatives of our city. It’s like the Skins, they may not win every year but they’re our team and that’s enough for me. Hopefully everyone will get re-signed and we can show people what we can do as we mature. I have a really good feeling that McGuire will develop into a really solid defender and we have all seen what Young and Mason can do scoring the ball. As much as it sucks to say, the only guy I think we need to get rid of is Etan. Frankly he’s just a distraction for Brendan and he makes 6 million as a backup center which is entirely too much.
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 2, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Guys, even if the Wiards win only 10 games next season i would probably watch at least 70 of them…im a diehard fan..i will stick with them through the ups and downs..
I LOVE YOU WIZARDS…
cant wait till next season…now its on to the Skins…
Comment from eden
Time May 3, 2008 at 1:18 AM
i think if we got rid of arenas, found a true point guard, signed someone else, resigned jamison and developed mcguire into a defensive presence we could redefine ourselves as a defensive team. we are too streaky right now with or without arenas. With him we don’t move the ball, without him we go on droughts. hopefully we get big in the draft. till next season!
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time May 3, 2008 at 1:27 AM
Just a couple of words:
1. Congrats to Cleveland. They made all the shots that count and disrupted the entire Wizards Princeton offense in Game 6. It was frustrating to watch how each Wizard player took it upon himself to win the game/make a comeback instead of focusing on the fluid movements and passing within the offense. The rebounds were close, but the assists were not. The Wiz certainly forced a lot more shots in this game, and that’s not where you want the team to go in an elimination game.
2. It was rather odd for me to “witness” LeBron showing sportsmanship in Game 6 and only in Game 6. He helped Butler and Jamison up after a knocking them down. The respect is certainly there between these all-star players and it appears that this is the only line LeBron’s going to draw.
3. After the final buzzer, both sides congratulated the other for a tough series. It was actually nice for me to see that. As Gilbert may say later, all the “bad blood” is just drama. People can have varying opinions on the opposition players, but at the end of the day – they’re just doing their job.
4. The crowd tried to give the Wiz energy throughout the night. I thought that the extra cheering conducted in Game 6 was the most I’ve seen/heard at the Verizon Center. I wish the fans would do this more for the Wiz – not just in a playoff game but during any home game the team needs a boost.
5. If you think losing the series was tough, just wait until offseason for the Wiz. I’m anxious to see if the core group is going to be back: Arenas, Jamison, Mason, McGuire, and Coaching Staff. I hope Grunfeld is going to bring back as many as he can because this is a very talented team and they certainly bring a sense of excitement into Washington basketball.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 3, 2008 at 6:24 AM
This was a very fun season — full of drama and high points as well as low points.
Cleveland played a very good game last night, particularly on defense where as sportswiz says, they completely took us out of our offense and managed to shut down Caron as well. Not to mention a triple double from LeBron and unbelievable nights from Gibson and Sczerbiak. I don’t think having Gil or Darius would have made much of a difference. Cleveland has a better team than the Wizards right now.
Frankly, I think we are at a turning point; I’m not sure I agree that we need to bring ‘the core group’ back. In particular, if Gilbert opts out I’m not sure whether he is worth the kind of money he wants. But, in truth, I don’t think he will opt out.
I’m afraid that we’ve wasted our first round choices two years in a row, unfortunately, or at least that’s what it looks like to me — we’d be a lot better team with Rajon Rondo and Sean Williams in place of Pech and Nick. So this draft is critical if we are to improve.
There’s no reason to shut down this blog — we had an interesting off season here last year, and I think we will again. I’ve been monitoring DraftExpress to start thinking about the draft. You guys might want to take a look too.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 3, 2008 at 6:41 AM
next 8 picked after pecherov in ‘06
Quincy Douby
Renaldo Balkman
Rajon Rondo
Marcus Williams
Josh Boone
Kyle Lowry
Shannon Brown
Jordan Farmar
Balkman, Rondo, Williams, Boone, Lowry and Farmar have all earned significant minutes in the league. Josh Boone is an outstanding young big man.
picked after nick young in ‘07
Sean Williams
Marco Belinelli
Javaris Crittenton
Jason Smith
Daequan Cook
Jared Dudley
Except for Sean Williams, no help there, and the latter part of the first round sucks too. The next good picks were the 1st, 4th and 5th in the 2d round: Carl Landry, Nick Fazekas and Glen Davis.
Comment from Jennifer
Time May 3, 2008 at 9:54 AM
I’m still trying to figure out what happened? Every player rotated on the floor, as a team, had the power to get the W last night.
I searched for some remnant of game five…the heart and the kill…didn’t see it.
I saw heads down in the SECOND QUARTER! Rebounding…offensive and defensive? Fourth quarter points in the paint?
Mas-on, I’ve waited patiently for you to arrive and you did…but not last night? I’ve put weight on you ’cause I know you can handle it. I expected better. You can be consistent, I’ve seen it.
Caron? Your expression was silent…you’re the torque.
Antwan? Seldom did I see your head up…forward progress isn’t found on the ground.
Cleveland is a productive team and I take nothing from them. It’s not that they were better…the Wizards were not consistenly productive. The entire series was this way.
I’m really struggling to understand…I still got your backs. Stay strong.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time May 3, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Tom M:
You can’t accurately assess Pecherov when all he gets are garbage minutes. Just because he has produced very little on the court doesn’t mean anything to me at the moment. Besides, his current teammates respect his work ethic and enjoys having him in the locker room.
Nick Young is fine for the Wizards. He’ll be the shooting guard replacement for Roger Mason if Mason leaves the team (which I think that’ll certainly happen if Arenas and Jamison are coming back). As Nick understands the pace of the game better, his turnovers will decrease. And Nick’s defense needs to improve if he wants to get minutes to stay on the court.
I think the player at the crossroads juncture is Andray Blatche. I don’t know if the team will have enough patience to continue to let him be a raw talent. Maybe he’s good trade bait right now as other teams want to acquire athletic big men.
The Wizards need another veteran – I mean a no nonsense veteran along the lines of AD, Antawn, and Caron.
Comment from ebeneezerfresh
Time May 3, 2008 at 1:24 PM
This is my first time using the blog, it’s good to be among so many Wizards fans. I was at the game last night and was terribly upset by the outcome. The hustle just wasnt there on defense. The Cavs got all the open 3′s while the Wizards were afforded none of the same treatment while they were on offense. I agree with other posters in that I dont feel like the Cavs beat us, but I do feel like we underachieved in a season of overachieving, which feels even worse. So now the focus turns to the offseason which sometimes is more exciting than the season. Does anyone have any trade ideas? What about Coach Jordan, he hasnt exactly gotten it done when it counted. Let me all know your thoughts
Comment from neal
Time May 3, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Who is Pecherov going to take minutes away from so we can see more of him? I can’t see him breaking into the rotation unless he shows Jordan enough in practice to take the place of Songaila or Thomas. That will be difficult.
Antawn says he wants about $10M. That’s reasonable I think. I can’t believe Arenas will get more than his option of $12.8M. There’s certainly room for Mason at about $2.5 – $3.0 M (up from $770,610).
I love watching Young go 1 on 1. But, like Arenas, I’m not sure he can adjust to Jordan’s offense (or Ayer’s defense). So far, it’s not a good fit.
hoopshype.com has Blatche’s salary at $2,470,000 for this year. I think he signed a 2 year deal. I presume he’ll get the 8% maximum increase for next year (to $2,667,600). I think his potential is worth that. But I agree wizards_fusion, if someone else gets enamored with him enough to give us a big-time veteran 1, 3 or 5, let’s go for it.
Comment from wizfan and the kid
Time May 3, 2008 at 10:47 PM
All:
The kid and I enjoyed this season. We attended almost all of the last 10 games, so blogging was out, but we read stuff you all posted.
From a “part-timers” perspective, you people are awesome! You are true fans and make it great to cheer on this team.
In this last game of the season, the kid and I finally got to see Etan, whom the kid loves, even as I understand that his absence led to Bredan blossoming.
I think from this distance from the season, it is easy to wonder who will be here next year and who won’t. It does matter, to some extent, since it seems that winning in this league takes a true super-star or just an amazingly well-rounded team. But, what we have started here can become exciting. Just think of what has happened this year:
1. Defense was played. It mattered. Our offense shows real signs of maturing into the system… will our defense do the same? I think one person to hope comes back is Coach Ayers.
2. We gained a center and he improved throughout the season. Brendan was fantastic.
3. We learned to limit turn overs and pass the ball. All those back-cuts and nice passes will only get better as people are in the system even longer.
4. We gained some bench depth. Roger Mason was superb and became a lot of what we were expecting from Jarvis Hayes. Nick Young can flat out score. McGuire got better and better. Andray improved and had stretches of great play. Darius rounded into the player we were expecting to get from the Bulls, hard-worker, a bit mean and can shoot.
5. Coaching improved. Eddie really began to use the bench wisely and trust more players down the stretch of games, and again, Coach Ayers was a great find for us.
We may have gone out the same way, losing again to Cleveland, but this is a much more promising team.
Hope to see all you blogging again soon.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time May 3, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Wizards4Life I’m so very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with your family.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time May 3, 2008 at 11:28 PM
I’d just like to thank the team for a very exciting season. Etan never dresses, we lose Gil 8 games in, I don’t think Pesh ever fully recovered from the “foot” thingy, and we lose Caron for a significant number of games, yet, they continued to compete. They played defense for the first time I think in 30 years and looked good doing it. I sure hope “that” becomes a habit. The best part was that they played as a “Team”. Songaila took a little time to adapt but look at the crucial part of the team he became. Roger hit the court running and looked good on both ends of the floor all year long. The Bull Dog Award has got to go to Stevenson. Great defense all year long and broke his 3 point shot total of his last 5 seasons combined. Not much more you can say about Antawn and Caron than they were All Stars once again and showed everyone why. I personally think the way Haywood came into camp, with the proper conditioning and the right mind set, set the tone for everyone else on the team. If any one person is responsible for the great “team” ball they played this year it is Haywood. He should have been awarded most improved player.
Thanks Guys. It was a Fun Season.
Thanks to you guys too. Thanks Tom for giving everyone the “other” view. We need that. When everyone (including me) is getting all college rah rah on us you are the voice of reason and knowledge. Love ya Neal. Your stats are very very Cool and I am by no means a stat guy. You kinda get me into stats screaming and kicking lol. Bridge thanks for just busting my chops LOL. Love ya Girl. Aundra your positive influence on all things “WIZARDS” is so very refreshing. Not to mention spot on analysis. Juan, Jason C, Wizfan, Chenier Fan, Wiz fan and the kid, WizSkins, Taggy, Fusion, Brick, Wermol (welcome back), phoneboothscreamer (glad you made it outta Cleveland ok lol), oldphoneman, and a special shout out to our foreign fans LilGil and Phemy. Dave and Glenn thank you guy so very much. Not many other teams treat their fans as well as the Wizards treat us. Sportzwiz and Will (FantasticWiz) you guys are Tops! Thank you! Sorry to all I missed. It’s been a great year and should be a very interesting summer.
WIZARDS IN 08-09!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 4, 2008 at 6:31 AM
Wizard4life — I’m so sorry to hear about your brother. May the one who brings peace to the world bring peace to your brother, to you, and to your family.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 4, 2008 at 6:42 AM
neal — I think Andray got a 4 year deal. He is worth what he is being paid, although that doesn’t imply that we want to keep him. It does mean that he should be quite tradeable.
Wizards_fusion — Sure, Pecherov may yet produce. But, he hasn’t so far. We took him because for some reason we wanted someone we could stash for a year. In the meantime, Rajon Rondo, Balkman, Marcus Williams and Josh Boone are excellent rotation players in the NBA. I call that a bad draft pick.
Jenifer — The Cavaliers played a *great* game 6 against us. Not only did James have a triple double, but Gibson and Sczerbiak were deadly, and Smith and Wallace were effective. Z was his usual efficient self too. But, most important, they completely took us out of our offense. We broke down on most possessions and had to play one on one. They showed themselves to be a tough team that is just coming together with some new personnel. They will be a tough opponent for the Celtics (assuming Boston does beat Atlanta).
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 4, 2008 at 6:57 AM
GrifonRacing — No one has ever called me the “voice of reason” before, thanks! This has been a great season, as I’ve said a number of times. Every team except one ends its season with a loss and a disappointment, and like all of them I’m sure we’ll recover.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 4, 2008 at 7:15 AM
Wizfan & the kid — you write “winning in this league takes a true superstar” and you are right, if what you mean is winning *a championship.* And, we’ll never get there by drafting in the middle of the pack and trying to develop the potential of 2d round choices and the undrafted.
This NBA season was shaped by 2 great trades: the Celtics got Garnett in a sweetheart deal, and the Lakers got Pau Gasol. Great players are *rarely* available; yet, even though we had very tradeable asset last off-season (Gilbert, Andray, a first-round choice, etc.), we made no effort to acquire one of those players.
Gilbert’s injury problems have reduced his value in a trade, and you can be sure he *won’t* opt out. He’ll be back next year for $13m. Antawn will be back for about $10m, and with everybody else’s raise, we will once again be up against the luxury tax ceiling I fear.
Comment from gbkdc
Time May 4, 2008 at 1:09 PM
W4Life, I am very, very sorry to hear about your brother. My prayers are with you.
Well, Wiz fans, it’s been a very interesting season, to say the least. I’ve been putting off posting because I didn’t want to face the fact that it’s over.
I was at the game on Friday, and it was LOUD!!!!! I think I lost my voice by halftime, but I kept screaming anyway. The crowd was really good, trust me, that was not the problem.
One thing that stuck out to me was coverage of 3 point shooters. I think I’ve been complaining about this in nearly every game. And I’m no basketball expert, believe me. So if it’s that obvious to me, it can’t be that hard to figure out. Also, everyone was jacking shots early in the shot clock. Plenty of blame to go around.
But what bothered me the most was that they seemed to just give up at the end. And that broke my heart. I never thought I would see that!!!
For the life of me, I do not know why this team is so inconsistent. I understand it from the rookies, I guess. There are probably many reasons for the inconsistency – injuries, fatigue, hangovers, I don’t know…
I’m not making any predictions or suggestions but I will be following the team all summer. Whatever news there is, you can believe I will reading it.
It’s been great chatting with you!!! Have a great summer.
Comment from neal
Time May 4, 2008 at 1:14 PM
Well, Tom I guess you’re right. On hoopshype they show the first year salary, then a blank for the second year, then zeros for subsequent years. I just made an assumption.
The first big issue for next year is Arenas. I presume we could agree we shouldn’t pay him more than his option amount of $12.8M for next year. I don’t think anyone else would either. But let’s say he still wants an immediate long-term deal. And let’s say he’s willing to start at this year’s salary of $11,946,667 with 8% raises over the next 4 years. What then?
I still think Arenas is our most gifted player, and that our best chance was for him to grow into more of a team player – on both ends of the court. I’m beginning to doubt that that will ever happen. Even when he decides he’s going to be a “facilitator”, rather than a scorer, it’s still all about him. What we need is a PG who will take what the enemy is giving – let the game determine what happens, rather than him. I love his personality. Before this year it had a lot to do with the popularity of the team. And his confidence added to his offensive prowess. But it has to also detract from the team productivity. I think it’s a credit to the coaches and the character of the other team members that they have allowed “Gilbert to be Gilbert”, rather than have friction and hard feelings.
A long term deal would carry advantages and risks for both parties. I would guess, however, that Grunfeld will firs want to see how Arenas performs next year. And Arenas will want to come back with a good year before he signs a long-term deal.
So…given the presumption of Arenas at $12.8M and Jamison at $10M, we have a payroll of $61,259,731. Presume Blatche gets a raise of 8% to $2,667,600 and we’re at $63,927,331 for 11 players. Our first round pick will cost about $1.5M and our second round pick the minimum $442,114. So we’re at $65,869,445 for 13 players. I figure the luxury tax limit to be about $70.4M. So that leaves us $4,530,555 to sign another medium-skill player, such as Mason. This presumes Veeremenko won’t be coming over and that we won’t make a trade.
Speaking of Veeremenko, I don’t see a place for another tall, skinny forward who shoots from outside. But, then, I haven’t heard how he’s doing in Europe. Anyone know?
Few other teams can afford Arenas as a FA, and few would trade for him when he’s not under contract. However, there is a “sign and trade” provision in the collective bargaining agreement that would allow us to sign him to a contract and trade him simultaneously, with all three parties aware and committed to the transaction. That works for me. I think that would require a change in thinking by EG, who has always been high on Arenas.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time May 4, 2008 at 6:12 PM
I just heard this on ABC7 news.
The Wizards had their exit interviews and Jamison is the only person that didn’t show up. Jamison, as many know, is an unrestricted free agent.
A quick interview with Arenas revealed that Gilbert will opt-out this year (no change) but he said that the amount will depend on his knee. Arenas told ABC7 if the knee is 100%, then he’ll want the maximum – which is like 6 years, 100 million. If the knee isn’t 100%, Gilbert quoted “then we’ve got some negotiations to do” [smiling to the camera afterwards].
Lastly, Gilbert informed us that Abe Pollin wants both him and Antawn back. Mr. Pollin wants consistency and that’ll all I’m hoping for too.
Comment from adnanajanah
Time May 4, 2008 at 6:50 PM
this sucks ! Antawn’s my favorite player and I saw his frustation after Game 6 . We need 2 give it one more try. The last time we were healthy in the playoffs Butler was only a 15 point scorer,we were really young, and the cavs hit 3 game winners on us. Just one more year with this group and a good draft pick and I’ll be satisfied. Lets have a great off season. Go WIZ!!
Comment from neal
Time May 4, 2008 at 7:17 PM
I say if Arenas wants a long-term contract let him go, even if his knee is 100%. I’m opposed to any long-term deal for him until he proves he can fit into Jordan’s scheme better. If he wants a long-term deal and finds a team that wants him, fine. We’ll work out a sign-and-trade deal. We can do that because we can exceed the salary cap to sign our own FA’s but other teams can’t exceed it for that much to sign someone else’s FA. And Abe should not tie EG’s hands.
Comment from Bridge
Time May 4, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Thanks for the info wizards_fusion; I just read it. No, not Tawn! I’M REALLY HOPING THAT HE STAYS!!! I can’t speak for Antawn so I MAY definitely be wrong about this, but Tawn seems like the type that expects results from his team(mates) as opposed to the financial aspect. I think that this season in particular really hurt; being the team leader and seeing your team fail wouldn’t be an easy thing. I kinda don’t blame him though, but despite that being said I DO hope that he comes back.
TAWN WE LOVE YOU AS A WIZARD! – Don’t make me come to D.C.; I’ll be like the 60′s and start a protest – I’ll probably get arrested but I’ll wear that orange jump-suit with pride .
http://www.wjla.com/blogs/sports/the_future_of_gilbert_arenas.html
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 4, 2008 at 8:18 PM
truthfully i think we are better off with out Gilbert..i think his career is allbut done..he will probably have to get another kjnee-surgury this off-season…i think we should sign-and-trade him to a team for a good point gaurd…and a draft pick..what if a team is willing to offer a Top 10 pick..we can package that one with our own and maybe move up and get the best point gaurd in the draft..of course he has to be a passer..a person that akes the people around him better like Chris Paul or Deron Williams…does anyone kno who is the cream of the crop of points this year..i dont think Derrick Rose is a point is he…i really like his defensive intensity…GO WIZARDS..
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 4, 2008 at 8:20 PM
oh and you guys never kno..Ernie can pull off the steal of the century once again..
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 4, 2008 at 8:37 PM
1.) Jerryd Blayless could be a possibility but his “More of a scoreer than playmaker”, BUT “is COMMITED to defense”
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jerryd-Bayless-1067/
2.) D.J. Augustin is another one..”Mix between scoring/passing…Outstanding ball-handling skills w/either hand”…AND he is another one who is COMMITED to defense”..man i like the sound of that
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 4, 2008 at 8:42 PM
3.) Ty Lawson..he’s a “True” pont gaurd..has great court vision..and is the quickest player coming out of this draft…he sometimes lacks the offensive fire-power though..but we did good enough with AD..he doesnt even have fire-power..
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 4, 2008 at 8:43 PM
dang it…again…lol
here’s the link for Ty Lawson..
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 4, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Bayless and Augustin aren’t falling to us, and I don’t know whether Lawson is all that good.
Just pick the best player on the board.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 4, 2008 at 8:52 PM
I wouldn’t over-react to Antawn missing his exit interview. I never heard that he had any problems w/ management.
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 4, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Tom, i kno that why im saying trade Gil and our Top Draft Pick in the draft and try to get this guy
Comment from Bridge
Time May 4, 2008 at 9:12 PM
wiz-skins, I’m sorry dude but I’ll have to disagree with you. Y’all need to start being more patient as fans; to want to just get rid of Gil is crazy. I’m sure that a lot of people said that about Amare S. when he first came back from his “career threatening” injury, but look at how productive he’s become – he became one of the leading scorers this season. I hope that Gil returns…
I wouldn’t say that I’m “overreacting” about Tawn, just a concerned fan because I know how HOT Tawn is to other teams (he’s like the ‘double-double’ king!)…Just expressing how I hope he comes back.
Team chemistry is more important than the “hot player” whose only hot right now…
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time May 5, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Basketball is a buisiness just like any other. Gil has been hurt almost a full season now, dating back to last season. He still wants a MAX contract…. if “the” knee is healthy. I agree with many here. He should NOT opt out of his contract if he truely wants to remain a Wizard. If it’s all about the money to him… then I agree with Neal. Sign and trade him and get a PG, draft pick, resign Mason, and maybe even get a good back up 5. BUT by all means retain Jamison!
Comment from gbkdc
Time May 5, 2008 at 8:44 AM
Jamison must stay!!!!! Bridge, I agree with you. It seemed like he was VERY upset with our team’s failures this year. He showed up big-time for every game and was always 100% professional. And I also think we should keep Arenas. At least one more year to see how he performs after his knee is 100%.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time May 5, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Gil can *want* a max contract, but that doesn’t mean he is going to get one. We played just as well w/o him as with him, maybe better. He is a terrific player, but he isn’t going to put a team on his back: he is too streaky, too inefficient a scorer, too turnover-prone.
With all Antawn’s North Carolina connections, and with Larry Brown now the coach of the Bobcats, watch out: we may lose him.
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Comment from wiz-skins07
Time May 2, 2008 at 6:52 AM
Go Wizards!!!
My Keys to Game:
1. CRASH THE BOARDS..i mean i know all of oyur are good but you arent good enough to get every shot to go in…
2. BIG GAME BY CARON, JAMISON, or STEVENSON……d-steezy if you wanna talk the talk your giong to have to walk the walk tonight…
3. LIMIT the turnovers….hmmmm…hmmmmm
4. A good presence of the bench…most likely Roger Mason…but Blatche has shown what he can do in game 3…
last but not least……
WE GOTTA BE LOUD……….
GO WIZARDS…
VOTE LeBron Bron for OSCARS
VOTE LeBron Bron for OSCARS
VOTE LeBron Bron for OSCARS
VOTE LeBron Bron for OSCARS
VOTE LeBron Bron for OSCARS
VOTE LeBron Bron for OSCARS