Day After
6:02 AM..Dave Johnson checking in…..It is a start…we have talked in the past about how accountable this team has always been and that came through last night….and yes a game like that was over due but the key now is to focus on going forward…it is not too late ….As Caron Butler said on the radio post game last night Andray Blatche has shown flashes….that flash now has to be a streak…he can change a game when he is on….the defensive energy was there,..the rebounding including 23 offensive boards was there….and then there were little things like DeShawn Stevenson who only had one point but he came through with 7 assists..Ed Tapscott talked about tightening the rotation and he did last night but he also pointed out that he wants to keep everyone involved and that guys who may not play one game because of match-ups or style of play could be in the next…THE BLOGCAST WILL BE GOING AS ALWAYS ON THANKSGIVING NIGHT…as you know that is blogging while we do the radio broadcasts….it is your connection court side….
DAVE JOHNSON’S POSTGAME REPORT
ED TAPSCOTT POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Sportzwiz checking in. Just wanted to throw some stats your way on this fine Wednesday morning:
TAPSCOTT POST PRACTICE AUDIO
Posted: November 26th, 2008 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from aznzero
Time November 26, 2008 at 8:35 AM
defend the three + limit turnovers at a critical time + rebound = WIN
Comment from Reuben
Time November 26, 2008 at 9:10 AM
YAY 2nd win
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time November 26, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Check out the Post for Butler calling Tapscott Obama! “We’ve got Obama on the sidelines…. he’s light-skinned, has a law degree, uses big words…”
Very funny!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time November 26, 2008 at 9:13 AM
I hope it’s easier to fix the Wizards than it’s gonna be for Barack to fix the economy.
Comment from neal
Time November 26, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Wow! Winning has as much to do with attitude as talent in my book. The guys played with enthusiasm. Let’s just hope at least some of it lasts. We’ve all seen teams have a momentary explosion of energy with a new coach, then relapse.
I know Jamison and Butler scored a lot of points but the kids get credit for the energy and the win: Brown, Young, McGuire, Blatche and McGee.
Apart from the energy the most encouraging thing to me was to see Blatche play with many fewer stupid turnovers and fouls.
Still a bunch of defensive lapses. Fortunately our hustle and hot shooting made up for them. Butler has to get better defensively.
Somebody needs to tell McGee to forget about the highlight reel and put down those jams with BOTH HANDS. It’s going to be fun to see if this guy can be as good as it seems.
I hate to see Thomas at the end of the bench. I like the guy. Can’t argue with the decision, however.
I like Brown a lot. Dixon is disappointing.
McGuire is making a case for being in the rotation even though he apparently can’t shoot in prime time. I love watching him fight for rebounds.
Well, we’ll see if this energy and optimism can continue.
Go Wiz!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time November 26, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Tom I was there when that happened it was HILARIOUS!
Comment from Brickjp
Time November 26, 2008 at 10:49 AM
WOW. That pretty much sums it up.
From the opening tip, I could tell this was our night. The energy level was insane. You can tell it was contagious and we were playing with passion and a sense of purpose. I mean, the offensive rebounds alone. Never before have I seen us want the basketball so much. We went after it like it was ours.
So many positives from last night. Let’s hope we can go on a little run and gain some momentum. The season ain’t over folks! There is hope on the horizon.
How ’bout that Andray Blatche? I could barely recognize him out there.
Comment from Rick
Time November 26, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Wilbon still burns me up. In his article in the Post today he intimates that this win had nothing to do with Tapscott. He says if only the players had played this way before, then Jordan wouldn’t be fired. B.S.
Let me point out a few things:
1) Tapscott used the right players and in rotations that made sense, seemed natural (Blatche, McGee, Young all > 20 minutes even mcguire got 16 mins), (juan dixon < 10 mins and thomas did not get off the bench).
2) He expressed an emphatic concern for better defense during practice and before the game
3) Blatche looked like an unshackled talent because that’s what he was. He got the ball where we wanted it (at the high-post/elbow) and was able to score or assist to a cutter. And he didn’t have a coach nitpicking his every move who he knew would pull him out of the game at the slightest mistake.
On top of all that, it is the coach’s job to get the players motivated. If he cannot motivate them to play then who can? As much as we would like to, the Fans cannot determine who gets time on the court and who doesn’t. Eddie Jordan seemed to think that the best way to motivate his young players was to have them ride the bench.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time November 26, 2008 at 12:17 PM
GREAT!!! Orlando plays Philly tonight on ESPN (Hopefully we can catch them slacking tomorrow)
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time November 26, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Perhaps I was overcome by irrational exuberance last night when I posted to the blog; but I was very excited to see the enthusiasm back with the team. This is the entertainment industry and last night the Wiz entertained. It’s fun to watch the team when the players are having fun, pushing the ball, rebounding and making plays for each other. Last night was the first time this year that we saw the Wizards play as a TEAM. Coach T played it perfect. He didn’t pace the sideline calling every play; he encouraged; and he let them play the game.
Regarding DS, I liked the way he played within himself last night. It didn’t look like he thought that he HAD to make something happen. His shooting is still off, but he played an excellent floor game.
Go Wiz!!!
Comment from gbkdc
Time November 26, 2008 at 2:02 PM
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from aznzero
Time November 26, 2008 at 2:42 PM
i agree gbkdc
yay!!!!
its a great feeling. i hope the rest of us have running shoes to keep up with the team this season
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time November 26, 2008 at 2:56 PM
“overcome by irrational exuberance” = A FAN
(fan is short for “fanatic”)
Comment from SportzWiz
Time November 26, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Just got back from practice. A few notes.
I’ll have Tap sound up shortly.
I asked Tap about McGuire’s role with the team and how basically yesterday he came in and just focused on stopping Stephen Jackson and rebounding.
Tap talked about how that is exactly what he wants out of Dom. To come out and try to be that defensive stopper off the bench and to hustle and rebound. He did an excellent job in his role.
Tap also talked about workin with the young players in his previous position and how that has built a repor with them now and they are very comfortable with him.
Someone asked him about how Etan handled it. And he said the 8 man rotation plus 2 will be based on matchups. Etan didn’t really fit the matchup vs. Golden State but he will against Orlando.
More on Orlando tap wants JaVale to be aggressive vs. Dwight Howard and not worry about picking up fouls to just play his game.
Antawn also spoke and he says that dray looks great in practice and a lot more secure with himself. I asked if this was almost like “training camp dray” and he said that while he wants to see it more consistently and its been just a few days that yes, he is playing with more confidence and at a higher level in the last few practices and in yestserday’s game and is playing more like the guy we’ve seen in camp the last two years.
Hope that works for you as I will be off the computer until mid day tomorrow.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBDOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from neal
Time November 26, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Well, I really do hope Tap has found a way to tap our guys full potential. I’m glad I didn’t have to figure out how to do it.
Comment from aznzero
Time November 26, 2008 at 3:45 PM
man if dray plays consitent he will definitely be on my fantasy team. 25 10 5 5 is not a bad line!
Comment from Da_Big_Taba
Time November 26, 2008 at 6:53 PM
^^^^lol same here
Comment from Da_Big_Taba
Time November 26, 2008 at 6:55 PM
i already have mcgee in my fantasy too.
Comment from dopeboyfresh
Time November 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
i really like what the wizards were able to do last night……
i’m still a little sad to have heard about eddie jordan getting the boot…. but he’s a good guy and an excellent coach and i’m sure he’ll end up somewhere else……………
GO WIZARDS…………lets pick up that win tomorrow night……….
Comment from dcbutler357
Time November 26, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Orlando just won a buzzer beater with Philly. Bogans and Jameer nelson are hurt. Wiz may be better off running all night. Orlando has a LONG front court…Batiste, Howard, Turk, Lewis….but Johnson and reddick are at the guards (could be our advantage)….GO WIZ!!
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time November 27, 2008 at 12:09 AM
That was funny Tom. I clicked on the Ed Tapscott press conference and there was Caron talking about Tapscott = Obama. Very funny stuff.
That game was refreshing in so many ways. I think Tapscott has the feel for the players. He seemed to have the right guys in at the right times. I like what he says about matching different guys up against different teams. That was kinda Eddie’s downfall. He stuck with “his” guys through thick and thin. It just got a little too thin.
The distribution of minutes was excellent. Very nice job getting the right guys on the floor at the right time and keeping everyones minutes appropriate.
I’m kinda pumped up. Tapscott seems to be able to use the talents of the players. This season may still be a season.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time November 27, 2008 at 12:32 AM
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY
Comment from slwiz
Time November 27, 2008 at 1:03 AM
Did I open my big mouth; well now I’ll take my foot out, my bad!! LOL It’s just so great to hear every body’s enthusiasm!!! I love it when fans get delirious and happy with joy!!! We finally had something to cheer about!! Hope they can keep it up.
Also, I think I missed comments back to some of mine. Again, I goofed. I get so geared up with the jumpin’ blog!!! Sorry!!
A couple of you helped me find the internet video stream and that was really cool for me!! Txs again!!
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time November 27, 2008 at 1:09 AM
If we beat the magic, that would be huge. Plus they played the sixers tonight.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE
hopefully Howards eats a lot of turkey LOL
Comment from Bridge
Time November 27, 2008 at 3:26 AM
I know that I already said it on the last “Gameday,” but, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Be with family and send a message (I did)/send messages to the one(s) you love (because): “True love does not worry about the distance between, for the heart and soul travels through one’s words” [Unknown].
Maybe I’m just all “mushy” right now because I’m going to see that movie “Twilight” today – - yay(!) for chick slash romantic flicks (I need one of those right now)!!
GO WIZARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from neal
Time November 27, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Mushy is good Bridge. The world could use more of it.
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Comment from aznzero
Time November 26, 2008 at 8:33 AM
good morning DJ,
wow is all i can say. i was so impressed and into the game it was hard for me to blog. im pretty sure yall had alot of fun on here as much as it was exciting to watch them play.
lots of good things happen. blatche play, DEFENSE, REBOUNDING. definitely look liked a different team. i think this is the way this team should play an uptempo style with the athletic abilities we have on the team. it was hard to really say anything negative about last night. the only thing i would say is to stop the penetration other then that we played superb.
it was just great to see us win. i wasnt expecting a blow out but that was def a plus. hope we keep this energy going tomorrow.