A Pair Of Contests and Last Night’s Links
Hey everyone SportzWiz checking in. Not much to say about the short road trip south. But the good news Wizards fans is we got a couple contests coming up. Also we will have a Saturday Night Blog and an All-Star gameday blog so you will have a forum to discuss the weekend. One more quick note on All-Star weekend, G-Man will look to capture his third straight mascot slam dunk contest.
Speaking of All-Star Contests we are hosting an All-Star prediction contest with the winner getting an autographed wizards ball. Click here to fill out the form and enter that contest. Also for those of you who have visited WashingtonWizards.com you might have noticed we are holding another Locker Room Sweepstakes Contest. Click here to enter the contest with the prize once again being an autographed basketball.
Listed below are links from last night’s game. As always if you have any questions we will do our best to answer them.
DAVE JOHNSON POSTGAME REPORT
Posted: February 12th, 2009 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Getabig…”You can’t see that, I guess, because, like most NBA fans all you look at is scoring.” – Tom Mandel
I believe that some of the best NBA fans can be found right on this blog, and they don’t just look at scoring. If fact, more often than not, they point out the subtleties of the game; the things that don’t appear in box scores; the Tom Heinson “Tommy point” type of play. The Wiz bloggers don’t let statistical nuances dictate to them who should be playing and who should have limited minutes. They watch the flow of the game and see who is making a difference.
I think that the Wiz bloggers should start handing out virtual fist bumps (Blogger Bumps) for those plays that don’t make into the stat box, but are simply good basketball plays. Things like: setting a good pick, keeping the ball alive by tipping it when you can’t get a clean rebound; executing a good double-team that results in a turnover, a jump ball or forces a timeout; scrambling to save a ball that is going out-of-bounds; taking a charge; making the extra pass that lead to someone else getting an assist…I’m sure that the knowledgeable Wiz bloggers can add other elements that might deserve a “Blogger Bump”.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 12, 2009 at 11:37 AM
sounds good to me gabbo.
during games when a non box score play occurs we can give out blogger bumps to that player 
I like it.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Glad you like it SportzWiz. Hope the other bloggers agree.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 12, 2009 at 12:17 PM
send a reminder out on Tuesday, four days is a lot of time to forget
Comment from millie mill
Time February 12, 2009 at 1:02 PM
gabbo,
That’s a good idea; I think players should get some kind of recognition for making plays that don’t make the state sheet.
From ESPN.com
29. Caron Butler
Just like Martin, an enticing piece for a contender … and really, for us as well, because warriors like Tuff Juice should be in the playoffs every year. Three ideas from the Picasso of the Trade Machine: Butler to Houston for Luis Scola, Shane Battier and a 2009 No. 1; Butler, Juan Dixon and Darius Songaila’s crappy contract to Atlanta for Marvin Williams, Speedy Claxton’s not-quite-as-crappy contract, Acie Law and a future No. 1; and Butler plus Etan Thomas’ crappy contract to Portland for Travis Outlaw, Raef LaFrentz’s Expiring Contract (you knew it was coming) and all the insurance money that comes with Raef’s Expiring Contract.
(Important note: My hopes for a logical Butler trade might be unrealistic since you can obtain a free “Fire Ernie (Grunfeld)” T-shirt simply by e-mailing a dude at ErnieGone@Hotmail.com. I’m not making this up. When some random fan is giving away FREE T-shirts to get his GM fired, you know something has gone horribly wrong.)
LOL
Comment from millie mill
Time February 12, 2009 at 1:08 PM
PLEASE WATCH!!!!!
Comment from millie mill
Time February 12, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Pops Mensah-Bonsu a local guy from George Washington is Avg: 25 pts and 11 rebound per game in the d-league.
Just tought you guys would like to know.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 12, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Last night we made Cartier Martin, another D-League player, look like an all-star. No doubt Pops would look great against us! ;>
Kidding aside, I like him — he might not have enough size to play the game he has successfully in the Association.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I like the idea of “blog bumps” — kudos to guys who do good things.
Getabig — I should have figured out that you meant to refer to Dom’s performance vs. Atlanta. He had his first bad game that night. I do notice that the stat line matters when it’s not good, but doesn’t matter when it is?
I know that you really *do* like Dominic, btw — just as I really *do* like Nick! I just want him to perform.
And we *both* like JaVale. I like his mom too — she is great.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Anyone know how to create some type of basketball icon (like the smiley face) that could be shared with fellow bloggers that could be inserted with a “Blogger Bump”?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 12, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Right now, the comments engine strips out any html graphics code, unfortunately. 
WordPress is the engine for this blog, and it’s open source. I don’t know whether anyone has written anything to create a richer comments environment; even if someone has, I am going to doubt that the Wizards would feel adventurous enough to go for it. The legal eagles will point to problems of liability, etc.
We could just do something w/ a bold tag — like !! or some other convention?
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Thanks for the info Tom.
That’s too bad. It would be really interesting if we could have a variety of symbols that would represent different things that happen on the court.
SportzWiz, any chance of that happening?
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Tom M., Why are you able to use the smiley/frowny faces?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 12, 2009 at 3:30 PM
fyi, guys im playing around with it right now so if something shows up and then comes down on one of the posts it is because IM working on trying to find a a way
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 4:30 PM
SportzWiz, check these links
http://www.thefamilybiz.org/ezboard/emoticons/emoticons-a-f.html
http://www.hotmsnemoticons.com\thumbnails.php?album=26
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 12, 2009 at 4:42 PM
gabbo, for some more smiley face emotions check out this page
http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Smilies
then go to What Text Do I type to make smileys.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 12, 2009 at 4:58 PM
SportsWiz — I’ve searched Images on Google for anything w/ the Wiz and a fist bump. Do you think you could get a couple of the players to pose for you doing one?
(How about Brendan and Gil?)
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Okay, thanks.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 12, 2009 at 4:59 PM
we got some good ones of Caron and Antawn doing their 3 finger, four finger shots
let me see if I can find one
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 12, 2009 at 5:14 PM
here you go tom
http://www.nba.com/media/wizards/butlerjamison_400_090212.jpg
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 12, 2009 at 7:26 PM
nice, but we need something we can turn into an icon for blog-bump use.
I know! JaVale and his mom fist-bumping — that’d be truly great.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 8:14 PM
I don’t think that the “Blogger Bump” icon should feature any player. Can we get G-Wiz and G-Man to do a fist bump for the camera?, or Dave and Glenn? Meanwhile, we can use one of the smiley faces that SportzWiz sent.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 12, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Dave and Glenn — that’s a great idea, getabig. I’m for that.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 8:20 PM
SportzWiz, can you make that happen?
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 8:24 PM
This has been a strange blog today. With the exception of Millie Mill between 1:00 and 2:00 it has been a three-way blog. It would be good to get some additional opinions. I guess it’s going to be rather slow on the blog until next Tuesday.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 12, 2009 at 9:45 PM
we can work on a dave and glenn shot but you have to ask them. we’ll get a photographer for it.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Okay, SportzWiz, we’ll ask them, but I would like to wait until we can get some additional input from the rest of the bloggers. If we can get a movement going, maybe Dave and Glenn will be more willing.
Thanks again for all of your help and input.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 12, 2009 at 10:00 PM
no problem. always willing to try new stuff. Also, we’ll try to keep throwing topics up there this weekend to keep conversation going over the break.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time February 12, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Gabbo I think the Blogger’s Bump is a great idea! Another catagory might be when JaVale (or whoever) alters a point blank shot making the shooter miss.
I like the idea of an icon featuring Dave and Glenn mid fist bump, but, I think the icon would be too big. Maybe an animated exclamation point, lightning bolt, or a red circle with a red diagonal line going through the word “stat” ?
Mille Mill I had no idea that’s where the NBA theme song came from. So then? John Tesh Does have redeeming qualities? LOL
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time February 12, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Neal…. the hot dog vendor (the one with the tattoos) said he wouldn’t go for the deal. He is afraid of losing too much social standing being packaged with me? I’ve done my due dilligence though. I’ve found a sanitary technition, with no teeth, that doesn’t know of me.
We have a real shot at him
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 13, 2009 at 7:49 AM
I just have this funny feeling, I don’t know where it comes from, that Ernie is going to make a move before the trade deadline. I don’t know what it’ll be, or what it *can* be — but somehow I just have the sense that something is *about to happen.*
I wonder… can you trade a blog?
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 13, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Griff, I’ll go along with whatever is decided as the icon as long as we all understood the meaning.
I agree, altered shots should also be a “Blogger Bump” category.
Comment from neal
Time February 13, 2009 at 9:16 AM
From the previous blog, to make sure you all get the benefit of my brilliant thoughts:
I think Young is the best 2 we have, given my presumptions: (1) he has improved his D, (2) Butler is not driving against opposing 2’s and opposing 2’s are able to get around him, (3) Stevenson won’t improve on last year, and may not get back to that level, and (4) the rumored trade of Thomas and James for Larry Hughes won’t happen. Those of you who have been watching all the games may disagree with these presumptions. I’d like to hear whether you do. I think Young is a real offensive talent. His FG, 3pt and FT percentages are 46, 34, & 86. He seems to be able to create his shot whenever he wants and it seemed to me, in the little I’ve seen of him this year, that he’s looking for his teammates a little more. However, if he hasn’t improved his D, and won’t, we have a real problem. Can any coach create an adequate defense when four of our starters (Young and the big 3) don’t work at it much? Opinions anyone?
Comment from puttforever
Time February 13, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I agree that Nick is the best number 2. But his integration into the princeton offense seems strained. Tap should use some pick plays to free Nick and other shooters. Why is it that so many times the shots go up with no one under the basket?
Comment from millie mill
Time February 13, 2009 at 11:55 AM
I also agree that Nick is the best 2 guard on the team. I thought Nick would have gotten the starting job when Stevenson asked to go to the bench. I too think his defense is getting better. I liked the way he guarded Richard Hamilton (which I think is on of the hardest guys to guard when he was playing with Billups) also I think he played Ray Allen well. I think he will be a starter next year. With Nick in the starting line I think the Wizards backcourt has the potential to look like it did when we had Gilbert and Larry.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 13, 2009 at 11:57 AM
neal — no one questions Nick’s “offensive talent;” how could it be questioned?
The question is about his overall productivity. His effective FG% (i.e. even figuring in 3pt %) is *not* above average for a 2 (despite his skills). Yes, he shoots FTs well. But he is woefully deficient in virtually every other category, and the net is a waaaay below average NBA player — not even close to average.
As to his scoring, he takes more shots than an average 2; if he shot a high % that’d be a good thing. He doesn’t, so it isn’t.
How many good games has Nick had this year, out of the 51 he’s played in? Has he had 8 good games? 9 good games?
Will Nick improve? I hope so. Right now, he is no help at all.
Comment from millie mill
Time February 13, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Damn Tom, you can be hard on Nick. I don’t think anyone is questioning Nick Offense abilities. I think Neal made the statement that Nick is the best shooting guard we have, and he is improving.
Comment from puttforever
Time February 13, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Wow if Nick is no help every other guard must be a hindrance. The offensive Nick can provide is his ability to get to the foul line, so his free throw shooting percentage is important. All the players on this team suffer from an offense which is ill suited to the players and rotations that are inexplicable
Comment from neal
Time February 13, 2009 at 6:31 PM
My impression is that the Princeton offense has become only an occasional thing. Even before Jordan left we weren’t running it on more possessions than we were. Even less now, it seems to me.
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Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time February 12, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Tom M, I just realized that my computer thinks that today is Friday, February 13. So I apologize for the wrong dates in my previous blog. Nonetheless, when I posted last night, I wrote “last night” which would have referred to the Hawks game.