Washington Wizards Blog

Comment from sharpsburg23
Time December 22, 2008 at 9:49 AM

Will Gilbert play Christmas day?? Ask him? Let me know of any smurks!

Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 22, 2008 at 9:54 AM

If you are asking me if i had to guess i would say no.

Comment from Bridge
Time December 22, 2008 at 10:29 AM

I like Critt, and I think that he has a lot of potential but not if it involved AD being out of the picture. Why get another “rookie” when: a) there’s not really a prominent coach right now, and; b) we still have “rookies” on the bench who could be considered as pre-maturely developed? Then Mike James…Look, I’m not about that “immediate gratification” type of stuff – - in other words, I’m not about to ‘warm-up’ to him just because of three games where he scored like 16 points. Looking at the “now” is good, but the future is what’s more important…Can he do what he’s doing now, in the future; in other words, is he a ‘solid’ investment (like AD is)?? Who knows – but I doubt it…but, boy, I hope he proves me wrong. That trade was worthless on the Wizards behalf…

And I must applaud Rick Carlisle for yesterday’s coaching – - very smart substitutions. When Blatche came in, he’d put Erick Dampier in; when Blatche went out, he’d take Dampier out. Dampier was a great match-up on AB, which is why I think he had foul trouble. I think that D-Song and AB in together would’ve been perfect for that. And I don’t really like Caron at SG. I think that he’d be better at SF/PG. The point being is that Caron is one of the most unselfish players on the Wizards (along with AB); I think that by putting him at SG, that’s making him into a more selfish player. We need him both shooting and assisting – - not just shooting. (Ya want shooting all day, feed the ball to Mike James). We need more passing and team-work.

Comment from sharpsburg23
Time December 22, 2008 at 10:40 AM

Mike James CAREER STATS are better than that of Daniels and we get a young PG(Crinn). MJ was worth the trade. Daniels needs to be on a NO type of team trying to contend. Playing 10 or less mins. Hes old now and it shows. Let him get another ring! Gilbert will be back soon..with the youth and maybe a nice pick(not if I were the coach)…the team will b alot better!

Comment from Bridge
Time December 22, 2008 at 10:54 AM

Well, I’ve never been one to care about the stats. I grew up a Bulls fan, and they had Rodman, who (offensive-wise) his stats weren’t “there” either. I always look at the game, not the stats. And we shouldn’t be looking for a “savior” in Gil (because this is team ball), we need to be looking forward to a WIN. And there’s not really much of an age difference between James and Daniels – one is just a shooter, while the other is a facilitator/passer.

Comment from Bridge
Time December 22, 2008 at 10:58 AM

Well, I guess that I’m just a ‘sucka’ for the (what most bloggers consider) “old” players .

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 22, 2008 at 11:05 AM

Actually, Mike’s career stats are quite a lot *worse* than Antonio’s sharpsburg23, but you probably only look at scoring stats, right? After all, that’s what basketball is, right, guys running around shooting?

Also, Bridge, Rodman had *great* stats — he was one of the most productive players in the game.

Mike James is an ok player, streaky and not all that great at his best, but anyone who plays 10 years in the league is a good basketball player. Does he help us? No.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 22, 2008 at 11:06 AM

I was glad to see Crittenton get some minutes, as SportsWiz says. He looked good. Couldn’t get the shot to drop, but otherwise he contributed.

If Crittenton and Dominic had split Nick’s 20 minutes, we’d have won the game.

Comment from Bridge
Time December 22, 2008 at 11:11 AM

“Also, Bridge, Rodman had *great* stats — he was one of the most productive players in the game.” – - Tom

See – EXACTLY! (lol) Just proof that I don’t really be looking up no stats …

Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 22, 2008 at 11:20 AM

To go back to the trade, a couple of things.

The Wizards had the worst scoring backcourt combo in the league, Mike James brings a third scorer to the starting lineup.

AD also has a lot of miles on the tires if you know what I mean, I’m not sure right now his body is able to play in the 30 minute or so range. Its why he’s probably a better fit in NO who has paul and James is better here starting.

The Wizards also LOVE Crittenton. He has seen very very limited minutes in the league but when you can pick up a talent like his your going to have to give up something, but the Wizards got a very good young guard and they picked up a guy that can play heavy minutes at the point.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 22, 2008 at 12:23 PM

Oh, that’s right — if Crittenton works out, it’s a great trade.

And, yes, it’s terrific for Antonio to play for a contender where his role will be well-defined and not involve heavy minutes.

The *problem* with the trade is if Crittenton doesn’t work out. I’m glad the Wizards are high on him, but I think we all know that lack of success is the best predictor of more lack of success. Crittenton hasn’t succeeded so far, so his success is in doubt. On the other hand, I liked the way he played last night.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 22, 2008 at 12:30 PM

As to Mike James — yes, the obvious rationale for the trade was to get some backcourt scoring. But, we are 0 and something since he arrived. When we win a game, then maybe he gets some strokes as someone who can “help” us.

In the meantime, the fact that he hoists up lots of shots doesn’t really make him a 3d scorer. He was 6 of 15 last night and had 5 turnovers. (he did some good stuff too, but still…)

Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 22, 2008 at 12:45 PM

Tom I don’t think you can argue that AD hasn’t had the best season thus far, and considering that his body was struggling (and it was) with the minutes he was playing the Wizards needed to get a guard in that could A. score the ball. B. Be relied upon to play more minutes. AD is playing 10-15 minutes right now per game for New Orleans and im guessing maybe 20 is his limit

As for Crittenton one aspect both of us dont agree with each other on is looking at a player as a failure or bad after two years. The guy hasn’t played much, he’s played in multiple systems and as a certain reporter said to me yesterday he “oozes talent”. I could care less what his wages to win score is when he plays 5 minutes at the end of games that don’t matter.

To me the upside of crittenton is a lot more then the consistency that AD brings for 10-15 minutes per game at this point.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time December 22, 2008 at 1:00 PM

I liked Critt’s energy yesterday, and he made some good passes. It seems like he’s getting more familiar with the system/players. Whether he have won or lost with him really is a mute point….LOL….It’s not like we’re 21-4, we’re 4-21. Looking at the team, we are building and trying to fix the current problem at the same time, so I’m going with the flow right now….Gotta be un-biased at this point. And we are playing tougher, just too many minutes for the players that we need at the end of the game, and a lil better execution, and we’ll be ok.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 22, 2008 at 1:08 PM

Hey SportsWiz — we don’t disagree about Crittenton’s potential, and he played very well last night (despite missing his shots): not in garbage time either. *By no means* am I declaring him a bust. All I said was that the trade was great if he works out.

And I agree that AD had kind of used up his value for us. If no injuries and we were contending, he’d still be here. Maybe he’ll be back in ‘10-11 — as our coach!!!???

Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 22, 2008 at 1:13 PM

we’ll see, he’s very vocal

I like AD but I agree at this point that his value isn’t for a team like ours because he’s relied upon more. That’s why i thought it was a good trade because crittenton could (i know that “potential” word) turn out to be a big player for us down the line.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time December 22, 2008 at 1:22 PM

Yes — that’s the hope, and we share it.

Comment from Bridge
Time December 22, 2008 at 1:23 PM

So if Critt ‘replaced’ AD, was Mike James brought in to ‘replace’ Stevenson?…Just curious, (but that’s more of a rhetorical question)…

Comment from aznzero
Time December 22, 2008 at 1:27 PM

sorry i havent been blogging. been really busy the past few days.

i guess my prediction of gilbert coming back on christmas will likely not happen

Comment from SportzWiz
Time December 22, 2008 at 2:27 PM

bridge, id say more like Mike James came in to replace AD, and crit is a long term answer they didn’t have.

Also as I just posted in another thread

As discussed on here, DeShawn Stevenson has been struggling and today he went up to Coach Tapscott and told coach that he would be willing to move to the bench to try and switch things up and get his “swag” back.

In his place Tapscott and the staff are discussing either Dominic McGuire or Nick Young as the possibilities to start but that is still up for discussion. I will post the audio of the presser shortly.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time December 22, 2008 at 2:37 PM

I know James brings scroring, however who on the Wizards bring assists? Bridge I will have to agree with you, most teams that we play have great team management and ball movement, passing the ball to the open man is not rocket science and it is basic basketball. Not clear outs and one on one basketball, the reason we are shooting jumpers teams are packing it in and wanting the Wizards to shot from the outside, a true PG will get into the lane and maybe feed the post and put people in the best position on the court. Please do away with the 40 minute a night 3 starter rotation, so we can play team ball and be fresh in the 4th.