Game Day Sixers
6:30 AM….Dave Johnson checking in….the effort was better but as noted some key turnovers were costly and allowed the Pistons to pull away…..but Antawn Jamison again lived up to his reputation as a warrior as he played through a strained thumb..in some ways it was amazing the Wizards were as competitive as they were as long as they were because Jamison was limited by the injury….he really couldn’t post-up because he couldn’t catch the ball and the Pistons loaded up on Caron Butler…still Jamison just kept battling and fighting…I watched him wince every time he grabbed the ball with that left hand…but he would not stop…he hopes to play tonight..says he is a fast healer…MRI showed no structural damage on that left thumb…..Sixers are without Elton Brand who suffered a dislocated shoulder on Wednesday..Sixers notes list Thaddeus Young….2nd year forward from Georgia Tech as Brand’s replacement….BLOGCAST–radio and the BLOG live and together.—starts at 7 tonight with the thoughts of head coach Ed Tapscott…in Washington on ESPN 980 AM….Warrenton andNorthern Virginia 94.3 FM….Southern Maryland 92.7 FM….1370 AM in Baltimore and there will be a LISTEN LIVE link…hope you can join us
Hey guys this is SportzWiz, just thought this was pretty cool. They just redid the championship trophy case at VC for the 78 Championship team. here’s what it looks like (tonight will be the first game it is shown)
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(Andrew Rosen/Wizards Photos) |
6:40 PM Dave and Glenn checking in….again tempo will be key against the Sixers..they want to get up and down….starters are in Mike James, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Andray Blatche…Sixers without Elton Brand will go with Andre Miller, Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, and Samuel Dalembert…
DAVE JOHNSON POSTGAME REPORT
Posted: December 19th, 2008 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 19, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Brand with a dislocated shoulder! That might keep him out a while.
I imagine we are going to have some motivated young men on the court tonight — we should win this one.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 19, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Just wanted to let everyone know that tonight is the Wizards Toyland Drive.
If you donate a toy at the game you will receive a ticket voucher to a future Wizards game. The toys are going to the Salvation Army so its for a great cause and you get a free ticket out of it, that’s a win-win to me.
Comment from Rick
Time December 19, 2008 at 2:20 PM
i think jamison should sit out tonight. rather let the thumb heal than have a nagging injury that could last many weeks.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 19, 2008 at 2:45 PM
If Antawn sits, maybe we can see Blatche and McGee on the floor together.
A lineup I’d like to see — and this is going to sound *weird* — is Etan at at the 5, JaVale at the 4, Andray at the 3, Dominic at the 2, and Dee Brown at the 1 (oh… we don’t have him any more. Then whoever at the 1).
We wouldn’t be giving up many drives to the hole, and our shot blockers might bother the 3pointers as well. We’d have a lot of athleticism on the offensive side of the floor, but not much shooting. Might be worth an experiment.
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time December 19, 2008 at 2:46 PM
if we lose tonight it will rank among the worst losses for us, probably nothing can top how bad the knicks loss was though
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 2:47 PM
It would be really nice to get a win right about now.
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 2:50 PM
It would be nice to have another trophey to go with the 1978 one.
Comment from Agent0
Time December 19, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Tom, I actually agree with that line up with Etan at at the 5, JaVale at the 4, Andray at the 3, Dominic at the 2, and Dee Brown at the 1. If this is a bench line up, than that would be supurb, and have either Nick or Juan at the 1.
BUT .. if this were a starting line-up, it would be better if it was modified a bit. Keep Etan at the 5, JaVale at the 4, Blatchte at the 3, Jamison at the 2, and Butler at the 1.
I HONESTLY think that would work out perfect. We have size, and athleticism to go along with good point production.
Now just imagine, how intimidating our line-up would be this way?? It’s worth a shot, and with Tapscott at coach, ANY line-up is possible.
Comment from wtop
Time December 19, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Who else do the sixers have that can put up as many points as Elton Brand can while he misses a month one note wtop will not be blogging on Sunday night because he will be at the wizards and Dallas game on Sunday
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Wins for the Wizards have come few are far between, so I hope we are not thinking that somehow with Brand out we should win. I would have the approach of winning with him in or out of the line up! I expect the 76ers to come out and play hard and be in this game, we have to win a game and yes this looks like a great chance, however nothing has come easy this year.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 4:05 PM
I know Twan wants to play tonight, I just hope that tonight if he does play we can limit his minutes and see the line up (dream line up) Blatche and McGee more this game.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Here’s a thought, maybe start McGee and Blatche tonight, and let Twan come off the bench and limit his minutes?
Comment from Bridge
Time December 19, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I’m about to go get my hair cut preeettty short, so hopefully my haircut will bring some sort of good omen. LET’S GO GUYS – I STILL LOVE Y’ALL AND I’LL BE WATCHING REGARDLESS! And happy holidays back to GG; I’m kinda in your boat right now (as far as checking the blog [sometimes]), but I’m tryna stay away a bit…
GO WIZARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 19, 2008 at 4:17 PM
If Antawn plays (and if i had to guess at this moment I think he will), I would strongly doubt that he would come off the bench and not start.
Comment from millie mill
Time December 19, 2008 at 4:20 PM
I know no one is saying Wizards are thinking about going young, but what do you guys think about trading Andray Blatche and DeShawn Stevenson to Portland for Jerryd Bayless and Channing Frye?
If Frye don’t workout his contract is ending anyway. Plus the Wizards are probably going to be a lottery team this year that leaves us room to sign someone in the off season. Bayless is another player with a good up side and no playing time.
Comment from millie mill
Time December 19, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Washington Wizards Depth Chart
Point Guard-Mike James-Jerryd Bayless-Javaris Crittenton-Gilbert Arenas
Shooting Guard-Nick Young- Juan Dixon
Small Forward-Caron Butler-Dominic McGuire
Power Forward-Antawn Jamison-Darius Songaila-Oleksiy Pecherov
Center-Channing Frye-JaVale McGee-Etan Thomas-Brendan Haywood
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Lets go Wizards!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 19, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Portland traded up for Bayless to draft him so I would find it hard to imagine them dealing him already and if they did I dont see them giving us cap flexibility in the process with Frye.
Comment from wizbulletman0
Time December 19, 2008 at 5:46 PM
WOOO HOOO
Lets go wiz!!!
figures, brand out, our best chance to win, but Jamison might be out.
HAHA
LOTTERY HERE WE COME
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 19, 2008 at 6:53 PM
millie mill — that is *not* a trade Portland would make! Why exactly would they want DeShawn? And, for that matter, why would they want Andray w/ the lineup they now have?
Comment from jdmek9tec
Time December 19, 2008 at 6:57 PM
If we were going to trade, i would trade away butler to portland for rudy fernandez and a 1st round pick.. then trade antawn and haywood for marc gasol and a draft pick, then draft ricky rubio. we would have our own little spanish naitonal team.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 19, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Really funny comment from Coach taps presser that I think he might have said just for Tom Mandel 
.
He said he took statistics in college and grad school, he folowed that up with, “there are lies, there are bad lies and then there are statistics”. He said if you just look at statistics it is like watching analog TV instead of HD (well at first he said black and white and color and then he said he dated himself so he changed it to the analog vs HD) Anyway just thought that was interesting.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 7:59 PM
6:40 PM Dave and Glenn checking in….again tempo will be key against the Sixers..they want to get up and down….starters are in Mike James, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Andray Blatche…Sixers without Elton Brand will go with Andre Miller, Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, and Samuel Dalembert…
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:01 PM
and thanks for all the posts….coaches working with JaVale McGee to get better defensively
Comment from gbkdc
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Tom got a shout-out!!!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:11 PM
haha, it wasn’t asked by me but another reporter asked about the statistical analysis and how it’s really exploded and his take on it.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:14 PM
gene shue just stopped by
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:15 PM
gilbert is going through the lay up line
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:16 PM
not going to play…just good to see him out there
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:17 PM
and that doesnt mean he is close…
Comment from slwiz
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:25 PM
I have just enough time to listen to the opening few minutes!! Then I’ll be back later to see how the guys did!! Hope they can get started pretty well!! Hope JaVale and Andray get in. Hope “the warrior” does well, too. CB3 hit that hoop!!! Whoo Whoo!!! Go Wiz!!
Comment from Jason C
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:25 PM
The real people that need to help mcgee are the nutrition ppl to make him get bigger. Whats up guys…gonna be around just for the beginning.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:32 PM
blatche attacking dalembert
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:37 PM
nice 8-0 run
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:39 PM
first 12 points by players other than jamison and butler
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:42 PM
mcguire with songailia in
Comment from gbkdc
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:43 PM
DMAC!!!!!!!!!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:43 PM
wizards are driving more….have scored on previous 4 philly turnovers now 5
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:43 PM
thats always a + to have guys other than AJ or CB3 doing a good job and i like we got some guys in early
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:49 PM
10 of wizards 20 points off 5 philadelphia turnovers
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:50 PM
no offensive rebounds yet for sixers
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:55 PM
we are looking pretty good tonight in alot of ways got to love this as a wizards fan
Comment from gbkdc
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:55 PM
I work at a store part time and we hired a model for an event, and she LOVES DeShawn. Someone pass it on… He needs some love right now!!
CARON for 3!!!!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:56 PM
caron finds a way after a slow start
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:57 PM
what ever it takes gbkdc
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:57 PM
lol i like D.Steve cant be mad at him for a bad shooting slump
Comment from Jason C
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:58 PM
I’m glad we’re not down after the first quarter
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:58 PM
great defense
Comment from AUNDRA
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:59 PM
LOU WILLIAMS
HE WILL BE A ALL-STAR SOON,I SAW THE SHOW IN VEGAS LAST YEAR AND HE WAS AWESOME. HOW CAN WE TRADE FOR THIS FANTASTIC TALENT. LOU CAN MAKE TEN BASKETS IN A ROW WITH HIS EXCELLENT QUICKNESS TO THE RIM,THRE-POINT ACCURACY AND MID-RANGE JUMP SHOTS. THIS GUY HAS MORE UPSIDE THE A1 EVERY HAD AT 21 YEARS OLD! WATCH OUT FOR HIM ALL NIGHT!
Comment from gbkdc
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:00 PM
I like DeShawn too. Hope he comes our of it soon. Welcome back Randy and hopefully DEFENSE
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:01 PM
lou williams has the last 13 sixers points
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:01 PM
13 points in 5 minutes
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:03 PM
wow Juan played hard D and the guy hit it anyway
Comment from gbkdc
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Yikes!!! Who blew that assignment?
Comment from M2
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:05 PM
DeShawn SUCKS! & of course she loves him… He’s a lady killer… If he’d concentrate as much on hoops… Anyway
LOVE Sweet Lou… Always have… Love to figure out how to bring him over… A lot of teams would!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:05 PM
10-3 run by sixers
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:06 PM
im not a girl and i like DeShawn and dont be so shallow M2
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:07 PM
it hurts jamison to even take his warm up off
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Hey guys just coming on aboard how are we doing
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:07 PM
nick young turn him loose
Comment from M2
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Wiz 4- Shallow?
You’re cheering for a guy about as deep as a mud puddle…
Sit DSS’s a$$ on the end of the bench & play Nick Young!
You guys (& girls) can all cheer for him from that spot & hang out with him at the clubs.
If it wasn’t for Sweet Lou tonight we’d really be cooking. This is the team we should be able to expect night in night out. Competitive!
Must be because Gil was in the lay up line?
Has everyone fired up 
Comment from AUNDRA
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:08 PM
WILL SOMEBODY HELP MCGEE WITH HIS FREETHROWS.PLEASE !!!!!TURNING OFF THE HIGH BEAMS
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:10 PM
seems like a close game, let’s see if we can get a win
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:10 PM
if you have every said that Jamison could out rebound most people with one hand you can now prove it lol
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:11 PM
hello all
Comment from AUNDRA
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Juan is having trouble with Lou quickness.
Speights looked really good in Vegas also
so we have our hands full withall this young
talent but we should win!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:13 PM
wizards 4life great call on and aundra also good stuiff..williams is deadly
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:15 PM
must be having some issues w\ the blog tonight
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:20 PM
keep getting knocked off blog
Comment from M2
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:26 PM
I’m shallow?
You’re cheering for a guy that’s no deeper than a mud puddle…
Find him at the club & tell him you like him…
Hopefully soon, as for his life as a Wizard, you’ll only find him on the bench!
(okay, that’s my 3rd attempt to call DSS a bum & each time the server has
acted funny… DeShawn must have an angel… Hitting submit one last time)
Oh &, WIZ WIN THIS!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:37 PM
test
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:42 PM
after a GREAT start to third momentum has gone the other way
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:45 PM
cmon wizards
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Mike James 25 min, Dixon 7?
Comment from Rick
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:50 PM
i dont understand why songaila continues to get so many minutes
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:54 PM
McGee 5 minutes?
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Ok James!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:11 PM
and we should be back at the bottom of the posts
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:16 PM
everything back to normal?
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Mike James playing well, still would have like to see Juan get a few more minutes seems like he was playing well, looks like another night when the 2 all stars will have 40 minutes, Jamison leading in rebounds and assists tonight thus far
Comment from the site admin guy
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:20 PM
as if any of us was ever really “normal”
should be good from here on out, but I’ll ride out the night to keep on it
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:21 PM
thanks to “the site admin guy”, we gotta get you a better handle,lol
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:22 PM
test
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:23 PM
we are back ok, Dave and Glenn, thanks
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Glenn, with all the minutes that the 2 all-stars have been logging all year, could fatigue finally be starting to set in? (Free throws and turn overs)
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
soory gang have not been able to get on…wizards in this current 4 game losing streak have average donly 17.3 points per game in 4rth and tonight stuck on 15…too many second half turnovers 11
Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
sixers are hitting their free throws, need a miss or a pair of 3s
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:36 PM
big fish that got away
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:36 PM
tired legs again in the 4th, guys this is a pattern
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:46 PM
what was our free throw percent?
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:29 PM
This is one of the worst defeats of the year, crushing
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:32 PM
I took a nap and missed the game. Not that much blogging tonight. I guess that shows how the fans are feeling?
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I can’t argue with you jeffmalone1990, every game hurts more.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:35 PM
speechless. dcbutler that’s all I can say, had some problems on the blog tonight until the 4th qtr
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Yea, even the blog was hurtin tonight
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:37 PM
tired legs in the 4th, lack of ball movement, Twan leads the team in assists, horrible w\ 5 the last Wizards to hade at least 10 assists in a game Dixon, played 7 minutes tonight, McGee 5 min
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:39 PM
This stat over the last 4 games from Dave and Glenn is telling, WE ARE TO TIRED TO CLOSE OUT GAMES:
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time December 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
soory gang have not been able to get on…wizards in this current 4 game losing streak have average donly 17.3 points per game in 4rth and tonight stuck on 15…too many second half turnovers 11
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:39 PM
I don’t totally understand why we cant finish. I know Haywood is out but what or who are we missing.
Comment from gbkdc
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Man oh man… I couldn’t get on here either.
We need a spiritual awakening. Sort of kidding, sort of not.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:41 PM
when we win the bench plays a role in the game, they need the minuted we are running our all stars in the ground
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:41 PM
We need a full team effort, not just from Jamison.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:41 PM
The stars need rest to be able to finish. No reason to play 40 minutes at this point
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:42 PM
gnkdc-what can we do, I am lost at this point
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Our best chance at a win, would have been a short handed 76ers team, and we lost the game, it’s like the skins losing to Cincy, just stinks.
Comment from gbkdc
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Pray. We need God at this point, no one else can help!!!
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:46 PM
i’ve been praying and ill keep praying
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:47 PM
amen-gkbdc and I am looking forward to the new year at this point and turning the [asge, hopefully with Arenas back in the line up
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Even though I didn’t see the game….if we’ve been playing our stars this much, with the same results, why are we playing them so much. If going through them isn’t and obviously will not work, time to analyze it and change it. Who wants to buy into a system that isn’t working. Find a system that will win some games, then we may have something to “buy into”
Comment from CB3
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Goals for the NEW Year
1. Get Gilbert Back
2. Win
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 10:50 PM
dcbutler-that was my point we are not winning with what we are doing, time to change it up. James played over 30 minutes, again there is no balance in the rotation, and again our bench has played well all year, they need the minutes and the starters need a rest, Butler and Jamison should be playing 30 minutes a night
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:16 PM
I agree Jeff
LOL…The only james that should be 30+ minutes is LeBron and he isn’t a wizard….LOL….
Until Gil gets back, we should now be developing our youth so that the team has more depth for the future. Enough is enough. I would love to see us make the playoffs, but if we get to that point, lets develop our young while we get there….So, if we get there we get there, and if we don’t, we don’t, but our team will be ready for the future, regardless. I’m not expecting much out of what we have anymore, EXCEPT to develop our youth.
The funny part is, EVERYONE is going to have to learn a new system soon, so the experience is more for their NBA development, more-so than learning Ed’s system
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:26 PM
We would all love it when “Gil gets back”. If and when he does get back, what he’s coming back to will not get us a trophy. We have to develop this team to flourish whether he and Haywood are on the floor or not(at least beat teams that are not upper-level teams). He should be coming back to a “machine” that will flourish without him and be even MORE potent with him in it. Him single-handedly “willing” this team to victories in the past is good, all of the greats have done this. BUT, there were role players that knew their roles and came in and accomplished their “JOBS”, when trophies were received. There were things that were needed prior to him and Haywood being hurt, have those issues been addressed? A “trophy” team is much more than having Gil and Haywood back. Their return will make us MORE competitive, but will that make the WIZ a “trophy” team? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:28 PM
I would love to have them both back in the lineup to see
Comment from justgetanoffense
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:29 PM
I had to take a long walk with the dog after watching the game. Helped me cool off a little. However…
D. Stephenson has become the worst shooting guard in the league, and he is rapidly turning into the worst player in the league. His shooting is horrible (from the field and the foul line), his defense is equally bad, his passing is terrible, his court judgement is suspect, and now he can’t even dribble the ball up the court without losing it. I can’t believe that Eddie T had him in the game that much down the stretch…with Slick Nick (who was on fire) sitting on the bench. GREAT coaching, once again. DS CAN NOT start another game, and needs to sit next to ET at the end of the bench. If he never gets another minute, the Wiz are better off.
I listened to Eddie T’s post-game interview. Talk about following in Eddie J.’s footsteps. He threw everyone under the bus while saying things like “I have to get them to focus”, “I have to get them motivated to play defense” as though he was accepting the blame. BS, he’s blaming the players.
Eddit T managed to take every young guy out of the game as soon as they played well. Did he just assume that they were going to cool off? GREAT strategy coach.
Obviously in pain, AJ was courageous again. He plays hard every game, never loafs, always gives 100%. He is a true leader. Love to watch him play.
CB got his points, but it’s as though he only plays hard if he is trying to steal the ball, or he is trying to get his shot. His passing and ball-handling tonight were high school caliber. He is pressing thanks to Eddie T insisting that almost every offensive play goes through either CB or AJ…no pressure there coach…way to get the players to relax and let the game come to them. CB frequently messed around with the ball so long trying to create something that when he finally had to pass, the player getting the ball (usually AB) had to take off-balance shots with the shot clock running down.
McGee consistently forced the 76er’s to change their shots around the basket. I guess Eddie T thinks that that is not a good thing for the Wiz, otherwise McGee might have played some decent minutes.
Did JD get hurt? He had one stretch where he made a bad pass and then fouled the 76er who stole the ball as he was making a layup. However, his floor game was solid and his shot was falling. Eddit T took him out and I believe he never returned. He deserved some of those minutes wasted on DS.
James might be the answer to our point guard problem. He handles the ball very well; he takes the ball to the basket; and he can shoot. He just has to learn the other players a little better. Also, he’s probably used to playing on teams that have NBA offenses, so it might take him a few more games to understand that the Wiz really doesn’t have an offense.
I thought that Slick Nick was outstanding tonight. He looked for the drive first and went to the basket hard; that helps his outside shot, which was falling for him. Too bad the coach decided to sit him and let DS play so much in the 4th quarter. Could have been a Wiz “W” instead of a “L”.
And finally, once again, when are we going to see McGee and Blatch in the game at the same time? And if we do, is there any possibility that we might put a few wrinkles in the offense so that they both might get the ball in a position where they can succeed? The triangle offense seems VERY appropriate for this team. Coach T, for your edification take a look at
http://www.jes-soft.com/playbook/platriangle-principles.html
We need a NBA coach who will install a NBA offense. Whatever the Wiz offense is, it is VERY poor.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:29 PM
True, but the rest of the league has gotten better, since those days.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:33 PM
guys great post game blogs here, I am all out of suggestions. it is not effort or energy IMO, the ship has many holes. leadership needs a players only meeting, no coaches, this is about pride
Comment from justgetanoffense
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:36 PM
dcButler357, how can you be critical of James when you didn’t even see the game? James played a great game.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:37 PM
my last statement was to Jeff
Justget,
Your opinion is the very reason why I don’t expect much anymore, except to let the youth play. Maybe it’s the economy or whatever the reason, but we have basically thrown this season away, and I’ll accept that, if that’s how they want to run the organization. Mgmt in any business, usually doesn’t let anyone know what’s REALLY going on until they make their moves, so i’m just waiting to see what it is, and hope it’s a well-thought out move, that will make the wiz better for the future.
We have/had an entertaining team until the injuries hit. Is mgmt going to plan for entertainment or a trophy?
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:37 PM
We saw Darius on the floor with Blatche, and Darius with McGee, but no McGee and Blatche???????????Maybe the Poet can write a poem on this? Another DNP for him and inactive for Pech, JCritt what was that? spot minutes, lol. Juan played well and got 7 minutes, tell me this who stole the Wizards assists, and if so for the holiday season can you return them back please.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:38 PM
James had a great game scoring, however assists? I have to pass
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Justget,
I’m glad he played a great game. I’m watching Cleveland/Denver game and saw a post about James’ minutes and threw a joke out there.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Guys,
One thing I have learned in life…..trying to figure out the who/what/why/ETC in someone else’s actions/thinking will make you more crazier than the person that you are trying to analyze (ITS A JOKE)
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 20, 2008 at 12:34 AM
The first paragraph is the view of the reporter, the second paragraph is a Quote from Caron on Yahoo sports….
The Wizards can’t create anything except the impression that they’re a team that’s starting to expect defeat. They regularly fall apart in the fourth quarter, and it seemed inexcusable that they were settling for wayward jump shots instead of getting the ball to their two best players—Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison—in a tight game in the final two minutes.
“I’m an observer on the court saying the same thing,” said Butler, who had 20 points but six turnovers. “But that’s not the case. I execute the offense that’s drawn up in the huddle.”
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 20, 2008 at 1:14 AM
frustration is here, not good
Comment from Rick
Time December 20, 2008 at 1:28 AM
i would like to see blatche and mcguire take the minutes that are being wasted on songaila. mcguire is productive out there and defends. blatche is starting to show some consistency.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 20, 2008 at 1:41 AM
You know, after sitting back and observing all of this play out, it’s an insult to give something valuable (all-stars, or any player on the team for that matter), a coach that REALLY doesn’t know what he’s doing, and demand all-star performance, when not given a realistic opportunity to excel. I am more disappointed in mgmt giving us a interim coach that is more a “figure-head” than a coach and thinking they are supposed to be better-off. Our leader-ship is looking dysfunctional. Frustration was here a long time ago, just not put in print. A “positive” attitude works for a while, but if more talking is done than action, that attitude may look for somewhere else to be positive.
Just like Caron said, He’s on the court wondering about the play (makes ya wonder if they’re all wondering about a lot of decisions being made). The players aren’t robots, they probably want to see some things just like we do….BUT they have a coach that they have to RESPECT….
Comment from zbp18
Time December 20, 2008 at 2:13 AM
I just don’t get why Stevenson is still starting or getting as much playing time as he gets. Is his staring streak more important than the team? I’m not saying he’s the only problem but his lack of production is obvious to most Wiz fans but the coaching staff just doesn’t get it. D-Steve is like the kid in the back of the class who can’t read, gets D’s & F’s on his report card, but because he comes to school everyday the teacher let’s him graduate anyway! It’s not helping him and it’s not helping the team. It’s time to take the training wheeles off Nick and just let him ride, We’re 4-20 for Gods sakes!
Comment from TAG FLIP
Time December 20, 2008 at 4:37 AM
we just need to get this thing turned around.. it’s bad enough when the starter intros get butchered. here’s what i think we should have as our 9-man rotation, at least until agent zero gets back
PG – Mike James
SG – Juan Dixon
SF – Caron Butler
PF – Antawn Jamison
C – Andray Blatche
B1 – Nick Young
B2 – Darius Songaila
B3 – Dominic Mcguire
B4 – JaVale McGee
B5 – Etan Thomas
11 – Javaris Crittenton
12 – DeShawn Stevenson
no one can argue about this starting lineup. it would at the very least be more productive. AB has shown he is ready to turn this around, posting a double double against detroit and nearly another one last night against philly. AJ there’s no question that man is a true warrior. CB3 hasn’t played very consistently this season. he’s playing with a heavy load of having to be the number one guy with gilbert out. maybe benching deshawn will possibly get him in the right mind-set and get him out of his shooting funk (he should have never shaved that beard).
but seriously, we need to get this turned around. at this point we’re almost in as big a need of a federal bailout as the automakers and the detroit lions… seriously now. o and we better not lose to oklahoma city next week…
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 20, 2008 at 8:34 AM
Obviously, that was an upsetting loss — as they all are, but this one was a win we threw away. Lets be analytical for a minute, and try to figure out why we lost:
1. We committed 29 fouls. That is a big big number. The bench committed 11 of them in a total of 67 minutes. Javaris came in for 1 minute, and he committed an idiotic foul at the end of a quarter to send a guy to the line and give them 2 points.
2. We turned it over 16 times.
3. We missed 8 free throws in the first half (and only got to the line 3 times in the 2d half). Actually, if we’d made only 3 or 4 more free throws in the first half, we would have won the game.
4. But the big reason we lost last night was that he didn’t play Dominic long enough. The minute we start giving him 20-30 minutes, instead of 10-12 minutes, we’ll start winning some games. In his 11 minutes last night, Dominic took only 1 shot and went to the line once for 2 attempts. He got 3 points and 3 rebounds. He didn’t turn the ball over.
Compare that to Stevenson’s line: DeShawn was on the floor 26 minutes. He took 8 shots, turned it over 2 times, managed 6 points and also got 3 rebounds.
Comment from ChenierFan
Time December 20, 2008 at 8:43 AM
Some random thoughts on tonights game…
-The worst part of this team is the coaching. This is not a 4-20 team.
- Coach Tapscott is the one who needs to focus. Andray came out of the blocks full of energy and hustle. Coach took him out for a breather, not for 3-4 minutes but for like 12. Andray lost his mojo until the 4th qtr. Bad move.
- Lou Williams was lighting it up with Dixon on him, switch to Dominic guarding him for a couple of possessions to break up his rhythm. Do something!
- Solid game from Mike James. The trade to give up Daniels (who’s game is shot) is looking better.
- It is time for Javalle’s minutes to increase and Deshawn’s to decrease. None of the Philly big men are post-up specialists. Javalle would not have any trouble guarding those guys straight up. As Justgetabig has noted, Stephenson’s poor shooting is carrying over to the other parts of his game. It is not at NBA level right now and allows other teams to double Caron and Antawn in the fourth qtr.
- As many bloggers have noted, many problems could be solved by having Caron at the 2. The Wiz are undersized at the 2,3,4 and 5 positions. Maybe Andray stays at the 5 and McGee guards the 4 if he lacks the bulk to guard the 5 position. Moving Caron to the 2 and Antawn to the 3:
- Provides match up problems for the other teams at those positions
- Reduces wear and tear on Caron and Antawn who do not have to be played by or guard bigger players.
- Eliminates the non-production at the 2 guard position.
- Frees up more time for Dominic and Songailia.
- Provides more rebounding and shot blocking = better defense.
I really believe that the reason the Wiz have been a poor defensive team the past few years is the misguided commitment to small ball and playing players out of position – one position smaller. The really good teams (Celts, Lakers and Cavs) have big line-ups and use them. The Wiz have the personel to do this, and they should.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 20, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Lots of you think that Nick had a good night last night, and you are right that he wasn’t bad. He took 10 shots and 2 FTAs, and he turned that into 12 points. That puts him +1 for scoring. His scoring contributed… a little bit.
He had 3 assists and 3 fouls: those 2 stats cancel each other out.
No steals — but also no turnovers.
But, he only had 2 rebounds in 20 plus minutes. Every time you get a rebound, you give your team a possession it wouldn’t otherwise have. Even if you don’t shoot/score during that possession, someone else will shoot and maybe score. Still, 2 rebounds is +2. So Nick totaled plus 3 as a contributor in 20 minutes.
To give you a comparison, Dominic, in 11 minutes was a plus 4. That’s why we need him on the floor.
Comment from justgetanoffense
Time December 20, 2008 at 10:31 AM
ChenierFan…You’ve got it right.
Tom M., Nick had it going last night only to be taken out of the game and not put back in for a long time. You compared assists to fouls to reach a bad conclusion.
3 assists = at least 6 points;
3 fouls = perhaps six free throw attempts.
In Nick’s case only 1 of his fouls led to a free throw attempt. This is a case of statistics being used to reach a bogus conclusion.
I do agree that McGuire should get more time. McGuire plays great defense and he brings life to the team when he is on the court. You could probably give us a +- for the team when McGuire plays. I’d bet it is +.
Thanks for the statistical summary. It is always interesting.
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time December 20, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I completely agree with giving Dom more minutes. I also believe that ernie has to pull out another trade before gilbert gets back. I feel that they should look to trade with the bobcats and send Deshawn,Etan,and Pech for gerald wallace.
Starting line up
PG-Gil,mike james,juan
SG-Caron,Nick,Javaris
SF-Gerald Wallace,Dominic
PF-antawn,Darius
C-andray,Javale,Brendan
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 20, 2008 at 11:50 AM
getanoffense — I *really* recommend that you read the Wages of Wins. Basically, an assist helps us score and a foul helps the other guy score. A bunch of mathematics applied to this stuff reveals that they are worth more or less the same (i.e. one positive, one negative) in their effect on the game. Too much to go into here.
I.e. they have the same kind of relationship that a turnover and a steal have.
Comment from adnanajanah
Time December 20, 2008 at 2:40 PM
its not that hard 2 get the ball 2 either antawn or caron in the fourth i really think we should start goin 2 twan. Against milwakee when we needed a clutch bucket we got 1 from antawn and we went 2 O.T. Caron has come up short against L.A. and last night against philly he missed an important shot……. stevenson shouldn’t even PLAY. wat is he giving us but ugly hair styles??
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time December 20, 2008 at 5:27 PM
did the not try to use CB3 at the 2 in LA i think he failed to be able to do that you cant run the ball threw your small foward it has to be held by a gard and the gard has to read the floor and put the ball where it needs to be…
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 20, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Here is the guy I wanted to pick w/ the 2d round pick we gave away to Boston last June for a little cash.
Trust me, Richard Hendrix will be a very productive NBA player — I wish it was going to be for the Wizards. Can you spell Paul Millsap? Hendrix has tools to be an even better player in the same mould.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 20, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Starting line ups and all statistical analysis aside. It seems our current coach falls prey to the same mistake our prior coach made. Last night just as a “for instance” Nick, Dominic, and Andray at different times got themselves into a game rhythm and were really getting on a roll only to get yanked from the game and have a sub come in. These substitutions were obviously not to give them a breather as none of the 3 came “right back in”. What criteria is the coach using to make his substitutions?
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 20, 2008 at 6:49 PM
I have a question for the board, what are the chances we will put together a 2 game winning streak before the new year?
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 20, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Jeff we have 6 games left before the new year. I think we have a real chance to win two of them. They wouldn’t be in a row, but, I’ll take em if we can win em.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 20, 2008 at 7:32 PM
It was very nice to see our old coach Gene Shue at the game last night! He was one of the best coaches in our franchise’s history. I may be wrong, but, I think Coach Shue is the only other coach to get us to the playoffs along with Eddie Jordan since we won the Championship. Hmmm I wonder if he still has coaching aspirations?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 20, 2008 at 8:31 PM
playoff history:
1996-97: Bullets Storm Back to Playoffs
Finally! After going home empty-handed for the last eight seasons, the Bullets finally got a taste of the postseason. To get there, they had to ride a torrid six-week stretch and hold off Cleveland on the final day of the regular season – all for the right to play the World Champion Chicago Bulls in the first round.
Washington, blessed with the league’s tallest player (center Gheorghe Muresan), two of the game’s most athletic forwards (Juwan Howard and Chris Webber) and one of the league’s top point guards (Rod Strickland), nonetheless struggled out of the gate to a 22-24 start. That led to the dismissal of Head Coach Jim Lynam.
Bernie Bickerstaff, an assistant coach with the Bullets when they won their only NBA Championship in 1978, was called upon to resurrect his former team. The Bullets responded, winning 16 of their final 21 games to finish 44-38, their best record since 1978-79. The late surge enabled the Bullets to climb within reach of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the final playoff spot. In a winner-take-the-eighth-playoff-spot game with the Cavaliers on the season’s final day, the Bullets squeezed past Cleveland 85-81 to end the franchise’s longest playoff drought. And while the Bullets were swept by the Bulls in the first round, they lost the three games by a total of just 18 points, a sign that the team is one to be reckoned with.
Webber led the way in scoring (20.1 ppg), rebounding (10.3) and blocks (1.9) and shot 51.8 percent from the floor to make his first All-Star team. Howard averaged 19.1 ppg and 8.0 rpg, while Strickland averaged 17.2 ppg and 1.74 spg and finished fifth in the league in assists with 8.9 per game. Muresan clogged the middle and led the NBA in field goal percentage (.599). Washington also received valuable contributions from Calbert Cheaney (10.6 ppg) and Tracy Murray (10.0 ppg).
The solid nucleus meant that most of Washington’s changes for 1997-98 would be cosmetic. After the season, the team unveiled a new logo, new uniforms and a new name – the Washington Wizards – and prepared for a move to the MCI Center in downtown Washington D.C.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 20, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Kevin Loughery made the playoffs after taking over for Gene Shue
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 20, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Wes Unseld also made the playoffs…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Washington_Wizards_head_coaches
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 20, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Coach Shue was here in the 60’s… missed the 70’s…. coached here in the 80’s….. missed the 90’s…? only a normal progression? Anybody a numerologist?
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time December 20, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Dcbutler as I recall it both Lochery and Unseld benifited from Shue directly before them. They both got to the playoffs because of Shue. I did forget about those though.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 21, 2008 at 1:23 AM
Grif,
It’s all good, just sharing some info that I found.
Comment from M2
Time December 21, 2008 at 2:13 AM
Michael Jordan post series press conference: “that is far & away the best young team in basketball”…
It took me quite a while to recover from the dismantling of that 96/97 squad.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 21, 2008 at 7:59 AM
Yes, that was the moment when Wes really showed what a skilled GM he was (not).
(Great player, however!)
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 21, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Actually, he had already traded Rasheed for Strickland — the first of the idiotic missteps.
You know… having had a great basketball career, and even being someone who really knows basketball talent — these qualities don’t necessarily make you a great NBA GM.
I’m thinking of our recent trade, which finally convinced me that Ernie will never build a real championship contender. What we need now, above all, is *roster flexibility* — because we are going to have to make some changes if we hope to become a good team.
Our roster flexibility was already limited by the decision to give Gil huge dollars and re-sign Antawn to a large and long-term contract. Antawn is certainly worth his money, and Gil, as we all know, is a fantastic person and has been a fabulous, if flawed, player. But… those knees.
Alas, we now have 14 guaranteed contracts for next year. Meaning that in a year when we will have a top pick and a top 2d round pick, we will be at the mercy of the trade market to make use of them. Meaning, also, that we are not in a position right now to pick up any valuable players that may wind up on the market.
Comment from M2
Time December 21, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Screw the “draft”… Nobody significant coming out this year anyway.
We have Nick, Dom, Blatche & Crit all 22 & under to develop, we don’t need anyone else.
We need to get our core healthy & develop the youngs WE HAVE!
At some point in the next year/year & a half, Thomas, Stevenson, James, Pech & maybe Dixon & D Song need to find new homes… Have at that 25/30 million for acquiring some players that make you happy.
Our core proceeding 2008/2009 should be Haywood, Jamison, Butler, Arenas, Blatche (& he’s a maybe – I might trade him), McGuire, Young & Crittenton… An eight man base! Haywood the only non athlete…
Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 21, 2008 at 10:38 AM
That is why I was shocked when they stood behind AB when he had personal problems, and I felt that was the difference between the wiz and a chicago. Chicago didn’t get rid of Rodman, even though he had issues, but the wiz got rid of Weber and Sheed during their personal problems. These guys are kids with a lot of $$. They need all the personal support they can get. I’m glad the wiz supported AB, and didn’t just ship him out, when his problems occurred. Now, we have a lot of other issues to resolve, Which are reachable. We are not that far away, but our problems are more of a mgmt issue…..time to get ready for Dallas….LOL…..And not the cowboys!!!! They are still picking up their faces from what the ravens did to them last night…..YES!!
Comment from justgetanoffense
Time December 21, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Unless someone is crazy enough to again hire P.J. as a head coach, Tapscott is the reigning worst coach in the NBA.
Although AJ and CB are All-Stars, neither of them, nor obviously, both of them together, can carry a NBA team. They are great support staff, but they need an on-the-court leader who is ABLE to take charge and make a positive difference. We don’t have that player and until we see that player, only the coaching staff can help us win SOME games by choosing the right combinations to be on the court at any given time. However, it seems that everytime we get a clicking combination, Tapscott pulls the most productive player. Are EG and the coach trying to get a lottery pick? If so, please let us know and I’ll save the $ I usually spend on my seats until next year. Who might they think is worth it anyhow?
CB is simply pressing on both ends of the court. He is most successful when he is able to let the game come to him…when someone penetrates and kicks it back to him. Right now, he is trying to create his shot and he is less than successful doing that. He is still very weak on “D” and his defense consists of trying to steal the ball by playing the passing lane. Tonight’s loss is on Tapscott’s head, but the sorriest player on the court was CB.
AJ was, again, AJ!!! Thanks.
Blatche is a tempo player. When he’s going good, let him in there no matter how many fouls he might have early. He was going good and Tapscott pulled him in the 1st quarter because he had 2 fouls (1 was pure BS). He returned in the 3rd quarter…His mo was gone.
We were going great when big. Dallas went small, so we matched up. What a stupid coaching move. Opposing coaches must think “If things are going bad, changes players and the Wiz will match up and we can eliminate their advantage.”
In the nineties when the Bulls were in town and the stands were full of Jordan fans, I was cheering for the Wizards. Now I find myself rooting for the individual players and don’t care about the outcome. That is a sad thing for a longtime Wiz fan to say.
We need to see MORE of the young players: Slick Nick, MeGee, McGuire, Blatche, Critt on the court together. Hey, we’re 4-20, give it a shot.
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Comment from Reuben
Time December 19, 2008 at 11:38 AM
If Jamison plays we have a pretty good chance this game. Unfortunately I wont be able to watch or blog tonight