Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:54 AM

Got the Hawks tonight. Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from Bridge
Time March 2, 2009 at 10:36 AM

Thanks A LOT; I really appreciate it .

Comment from Jaba
Time March 2, 2009 at 10:41 AM

Let’s get a win! Is Javaris playing tonight?

Comment from Jaba
Time March 2, 2009 at 10:57 AM

getabigboyoffense – Ivan Carter finally brought up the coaching issue. Interesting to me was how much influence Arenas seems to have in that matter.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 2, 2009 at 11:05 AM

Jaba, shootaround isn’t until 4:30 today due ot the weather, so we won’t have an answer regarding Javaris until later in the day.

Comment from Jaba
Time March 2, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Thanks SportsWiz! And hello from Stuttgart, Germany! We’re a couple of hours
ahaed of guys….it’s almost 5:30 PM over here. Still have tons of work to do, so
I’ll be sticking around some. Will try to stay up for the game tonight! And I hope the Wizards will make it wothwhile!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 3:25 PM

…lol…Thanks DJ and Glen…just finished shoveling the driveway and getting the snow off the cars. Now I can relax and wait for the game to begin.

Comment from ChenierFan
Time March 2, 2009 at 3:29 PM

Only six more weeks to go in this dreadful season. The season series against the Bucks was very instructive. Remember the first time they played the Wiz used their young players to run up a 15 pt lead in the third quarter – the Bucks were being run out of the gym by Nick and Javale. Then Eddie Jordan turned to his vets to bring home the bacon. Two players, who are just shot, Deshawn and Antonio slowed the Wiz down to nothing and the team lost going away. I think that game, and those that followed of the same pattern sucked the air out of the team, particularly the young players. From there, the team struggled to find any passion for playing. Half the time no one knows what to do out there except make sure Antawn and Caron get their shots.

Next year, for the Wiz to be a really good team (even with Gil and Brendan back), not just a first round playoff team, they need to develop a real power forward, who plays with power. Jamison who is a highly skilled offensive player is showing his age on defense and needs to get 30 mins/game as a sixth man. I think Andray can fill that need, if he gets better coaching and confidence. Maybe Javale plays the 4 next year. But unless they do get or develop a true power forward, the Wiz will just be back to being a high scoring, no defense, and undersized team. Much better than this year to be sure, but still quite limited.

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time March 2, 2009 at 3:33 PM

I just found out I might be going to see the Wizards play the Hornets, the Kings, or the Magic next week! Just hope the Wizards do ok until then!

Comment from Rick
Time March 2, 2009 at 4:04 PM

i often hear about how caron butler is the only player other than lebron to average 20pts, 6rbs, and 4assts. but isn’t joe johnson of the opposing hawks doing just that as well?

Comment from Rick
Time March 2, 2009 at 4:06 PM

Hey ChenierFan, Blake Griffin is a power player. Not sure if he is an NBA starter next year or not.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 2, 2009 at 4:27 PM

Rick, joe johnson is averaging 20 pts 6 assists and 4 rebounds.

Caron and LeBron are the only two averaging 20 pts 6 rebounds and 4 assists

Comment from Rick
Time March 2, 2009 at 4:44 PM

Aha! Thank you for the clarification SportsWiz.

FYI: DWade, Chris Paul, and Steven Jackson are the only other players averaging 20+ 4+ 6+

Thought Dwade, Kobe and Carmelo are pretty much right there with caron and lebron.

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 2, 2009 at 5:22 PM

I feel so lost being out of town this weekend.. Left my laptop at home, so I had to share with the siblings that were also in town for my mother;s bday (I HATE sharing! LOL)

Someone stole my newspapers from both Saturday & Sunday from my door, so I will have to make time to read the Post online tonight! *sigh*

What happened to Crit????

I decided snow be damned -I will be at the game tonight!

Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 2, 2009 at 5:34 PM

crit had the flu, no word yet on tonight, but he’s from ATL so I’m guessing if he can play he will

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 2, 2009 at 5:45 PM

Thanks Sports Wiz! I do hope Crit is able to play tonight!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 6:26 PM

6:20 PM… Dave Johnson court side…because of weather Hawks did not arrive at their hotel until 6:30 AM after their heart breaking loss last night to Cleveland…starters are in…MIke James, Caron Butler, Darius Songaila, Dominic McGuire, Antawn Jamison…..Hawks will have Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams…

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 6:27 PM

hey jaba wlecome aboard great to have Germany back with us..we had New Zealand Saturday

Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 2, 2009 at 6:28 PM

crit is a go, atlanta is his hometown team so when I saw him in the locker room we asked if he was ok and he said he was going to play, I followed up with “and it helps when its against atlanta”, He smiled and said “Yea I can’t miss this one.”

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 6:30 PM

:25 PM….hey jaba great to have you on board from Germany ..we had New Zealand listening Saturday…look for the Wizards to play the Hawks straight up…hard team to double team…try to double team Bibby then someone like a Joe Johnson has a field day

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 6:52 PM

hawks have lost 5 of 7 and three in a row on the road

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 6:58 PM

6: 52 PM…..UPDATE NO CARON BECAUSE OF LEFT HAMSTRING TIGHTNESS…BLATCHE WILL START

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:08 PM

Good evening,

So Blatche will be at the 4 or 5?

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:09 PM

Hey Dave/Glenn, will Butler just not start, or is he completely out for the game tonight?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:12 PM

BUTLER OUT FOR THE GAME

Comment from Wizfan4life
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:16 PM

hopefully McGee gets some good minutes tonight, same with Dixon, I feel like Tap has kinda forgotten about them this season

Comment from sharpsburg23
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:17 PM

Anyword on Gilbert and practices and an inside on what game he may return on? I no longer watch for wins, but for next season. I watch each player. I think the main players we need to keep are: Jamison/Butler/Arenas/Songolia/Blatche/James or Crin/McGee…trade the rest…

NY: Unless he gets his 25-30 mins get rid of him. We cant get the true NY until then.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:20 PM

nothing new on gill team did not practoce sunday

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:26 PM

Keep McGuire for sure. Too bad about Butler. Go Wiz!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:30 PM

greta move by johnsons

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:31 PM

we need to keep a good majority of the roster. we have to build some type of chemistry if we are going to compete. everyone needs to develop their roles

Comment from sharpsburg23
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:34 PM

forgot about mac. him too. hopefully we get griffin too!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:34 PM

wizards 5 asists on 5 field goals made but shooting 38 % blatche playing well

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:35 PM

whats up guys! dont look like we are doing too bad tonight

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:35 PM

it seems like every team we play always shoots a higher percentage

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:38 PM

Okay, i’m sitting here watching it on tv and I’m like something is missing…no radio…lol…

Okay, i’m 100% ready and blogging now…good start!!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:39 PM

glad to have you with us dcbutler357

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:40 PM

mcguire 4 asists

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:40 PM

Yesirrrr, glad to be here!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:42 PM

JCritt may be the x factor

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:42 PM

Yay Crit!

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:44 PM

that was a nice move by crit

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:45 PM

Just heard Stevenson is out for the season, he’s having back surgery in a week.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:45 PM

ouch, wish him the best

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:46 PM

mcgire 5 asists dcbutler 357 on critt

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:48 PM

Yes it is good that deshawn is having back surgery so he can come back ready to go

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:49 PM

uggh, why is jcritt coming out? oh, well lets go wiz!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:51 PM

good attack by james with clock running out

Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:56 PM

dom is really passing the ball well today

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:56 PM

x factor!!

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:56 PM

j crit!!

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:57 PM

dom is lookiin like the pg

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:57 PM

lol…way to plea for the assist

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:59 PM

that is what i call sending a statement

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 7:59 PM

good game, hanging in there.

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:01 PM

wow what did i miss i got up for like a sec and now im lost

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:02 PM

Wiz4l,

Dom is the catalyst on a lot of easy baskets thus far, good team effort

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:03 PM

Jcrit is hopping 2nite

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:03 PM

mcgee 4 rebounds

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:03 PM

man J.Crit looks good – that last pass thanks for the update DC

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:04 PM

good d by mcgee

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:04 PM

where is CB3?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:04 PM

JCrit speed is the xfactor, plus he’s jumping

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:04 PM

mcgee is patrolling the paint

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:04 PM

CB3 is ailing tonight

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:05 PM

CB3 is out with a bad hammy

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:05 PM

ok, i know there is trouble from time to time on the internet, but am radio is out?

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:06 PM

bout to make some spaghetti, who wants some?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:06 PM

Good 1st half!!

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:06 PM

not that i want anyone to be hurt but this might be ok for the young guys to dig off the bench and get some time and CB3 is a work horse and needs the rest

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:07 PM

cb3 left hamstring tightnes…dominique wilkins will be glenn’s half time guest

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:07 PM

ok, am radio back on, then out…lol…back to silent t.v.?

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:14 PM

We look good tonight. Playing full of energy. I can’t believe Crit dunked twice!! And DMAC is running the point! Doing a good job, too!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:16 PM

good point wizard4life….how about mcguire with 8 assists

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:17 PM

lilballa 19 spaghettit sound so good right now

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:17 PM

Dominic, JaVale and Javaris are really playing great. A very fun 2d quarter.

Lets get a win here.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:17 PM

gbkdc it is just falt out fun to watch mcgee run the floor and he is disrupting shots on defense though sometimes he ends up out of position

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:20 PM

McGee is awesome!! Lovin it!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:20 PM

mcgee is working on picking his spots on defense…in tiher words he does not have to go after the block every tume becasue then he gets out of position

Comment from Bridge
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:23 PM

The TEAMBALL is amazing 2day! Everyone is doing great in their own way…D-Song with his toughness; AB with his confidence; Critt with his speed and assists; Dom with his defense and ASSISTS; Mike James with his smart plays; McGee with his rebounds and energy; Nick with his improving defense; Twan with his leadership on the floor. NICE STUFF!!

Of course, hoping for a smooth recovery from Caronimo.

GO WIZ (Lets win this game 2nite!)

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:26 PM

hey bridge we made the deliveryu ed liked his card

Comment from Bridge
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:29 PM

Who is ed? I didn’t make one for him – just the players…

Comment from Bridge
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:30 PM

Please tell me that you didn’t give one to ed[die] Tap lol.

Comment from sharpsburg23
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:30 PM

Reason we are in this game:

1. Jamison playing heart out as always!
2. Butler not playing: Reason: Butler does not play 110% as in previous seasons and as he did the first month. No reason too. He picks when he wants to play hard.
3. Crint is playing well. I love James most of the time, but a young Crin driving to the hole like Arenas used to is what we need. It opens up shots for everyone. We also run the floor better then!

Go Wiz!!!

Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:34 PM

against ATL because they are so athletic and big up front Tap has gone with a real big atheltic lineup and it is workin

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:35 PM

Yep, Jamison is really amazing. Total warrior every night. Very underrated.

Comment from Bridge
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:37 PM

I’ve got love for you guys, but PLEASE tell me that Tap DID NOT get one.

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:38 PM

Did Blatche just get 3 fouls in like 10 second? And McGee tipped in a basket for Atlanta?

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:39 PM

haha, gotta love Tap

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:39 PM

yea i am still tryin to figure out wat was up w/ that tip. i am still confused

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:40 PM

Bridge, haha!!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:42 PM

hawks end on 10-2 run

Comment from Bridge
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:44 PM

Can I please have my question answered because I’m confused right now…

Comment from llballa19
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:46 PM

ok we cannot let them pull away right now

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:47 PM

14-2 hamws run.,..uh oh too many perimeter shots

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:51 PM

mcgee was tryoing to get the rebound and instead tipped it in

Comment from Bridge
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:52 PM

Maybe I’m overreacting right now; hopefully that was a typo or something, but thanks anyway…

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:53 PM

Glenn here: Wiz have to change up their D, play alittle Zone, maybe 3/4 court pressure, throw Hawks off balance

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:55 PM

great d by darius

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 8:56 PM

Yeah our d was better earlier

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:00 PM

Mcgee

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:03 PM

good point gbkdc

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:08 PM

this one slipping away

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:11 PM

mcgee 3 block shots

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:11 PM

mcguire 9 assist

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:14 PM

Wow!!!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:15 PM

mcgee 14 points 8 rebounds 3 block shots

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:16 PM

interesting second half.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:19 PM

301-230-0980

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:22 PM

that is for the post game show

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:38 PM

I don’t know why Mike plays 40 minutes, and Javaris plays 20 minutes, on a night when Javaris really had it going.

Nonetheless, a lot of minutes w/ 4 young guys and either AJ or Darius.

McGee was terrific; Dom was good. I watched Nick play defense, and he was mostly ok (up in the air on a pump fake one time…). The box credits him w/ one turnover, but I saw at least 3. No improvement from Nick, I’m sorry to say.

Comment from Bridge
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:44 PM

[DJ and Glenn] Again – sorry didn’t mean to put you guys in a bad situation or anything – - y’all are probably just as confused as I am on the whole matter…I am seriously here LMAO because it’s all just too funny. Maybe one just magically appeared in there for him or something (??), but thanks to my organizational skills , I’ve got proof of everything; always prepared. But thanks, thanks, thanks!! I promise not to put y’all in another situation like this…Like I said – I really appreciate it !

The first half was great, but Atlanta just brought it in the second half. Great game for everyone who played though; so that’s good!

GO WIZ!!!!!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:47 PM

TomM,

I was trying to figure out how to put my thoughts into words, but thanks for opening up the can of worms. I felt JCritt was putting the hawks on their heels and then he was taken out. JCritt makes a mistake and you hear about it for games. Jamison makes three or four and a row, and what…he’s great, he has a double double/outstanding game, etc…same ole same ole.

When the kids were making their runs in the first half, I didn’t even notice Jamison (except for getting his shot thrown or whatever). The youth were really “ball’n” and playing with passion.

Rotations were a big part of the second half collapse (even though I was doing more than watching the game, that’s what it looked like). NY needs plays drawn up, the dribbling isn’t cutting it, and slows things down to much (hint hint off-season workout lesson 1)

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 2, 2009 at 9:48 PM

Oh yeah, Dmac couldn’t check williams, and Ny couldn’t check JJohnson…just too over-whelming.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 2, 2009 at 10:12 PM

The Hawks are a pretty good team this year. I think we did a fair job against them. I really like the energy the team plays with when Javaris is in there. Mike may be just a half a step quicker on his on the ball defense, but, I think Javaris is catching up to him there too. If he can keep scoring consistently I would expect him to get the starter’s minutes and have Mike back him up. If JaVale were playing anywhere but here he would be averaging 20 to 25 minutes a game. Not 30 here and 7 there. To get consistency you must first create consistency. He sure is fun to watch. Dominic almost had 9 assists with no turnovers. the second half killed him when they were trying too hard to catch up. Almost though. Hey Tom… did the Worm ever get 9 assists? lol. I thought Dominic did a very good job defensively on Williams. He had a hand in his face on almost every shot. Williams is just that good when he gets it going. Nick on Joe Johnson is almost a mute point lol. Nothing against Nick’s defense (he is getting much better) but it is Joe Johnson. I would have liked to see Andray get a few more of Antawn’s minutes. Andray was playing a better game and Antawn isn’t getting any younger.

I agree that the 3rd quarter point guard swap may have cost us this one. We played a pretty good game though against a good team.

Comment from neal
Time March 2, 2009 at 10:41 PM

I do think we’re playing with more energy than early in the year. Maybe the young guys are influencing the vets, rather than the reverse.

We should stop talking about Tapscott’s rotation. They’re just substitutions, not a rotation.

Tom, if you live in Lewes you’re off the hook regarding our bet on Mason’s year. I presumed you were in the neighborhood.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 2, 2009 at 10:49 PM

Neal… no road trips to Starbucks? LOL

Actually it isn’t really that far. I can be to Lewes in less than an hour (except on weekends in the summer )

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 2, 2009 at 10:52 PM

Note: it does help to have a right foot made of lead

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 2, 2009 at 11:25 PM

Back from the game… had a great time even though we lost..

I say this round goes to the young ones… (minus Nick – sorry!) McGee (1 rebound shy of a double-double), Crit (10 pts, 5 rebounds, just under 20 min – but his defense helped bring it back in the 2nd quarter) & as always McGuire (5 rebounds, 9 assists – there was a very ugly turn over, but hey… ya know!) kept the energy up & played very well as a unit. Blatche was ok, though we need some progress on his part. He does not seem like the same player since shaq hit him….

I think tonight gave us a look at our Future & frankly, it does not look that bad….

And again, what did Dixon do (or not do) to STILL be in time out????

OK – 2 hour school delay tomorrow – YEAH! Will be listening on Wed. BEAT THE THUNDER!!!

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 2, 2009 at 11:43 PM

The guys played hard. I thought that AJ looked very tired, but he tried to play through it. His legs just aren’t there on the jump shot…too many minutes.

DC, Grif, and neal all see the same things that I see…the young guys play with energy IF they have an energetic leader on the court…can anyone say Critt? He just gets the ball and goes and if you don’t keep up you’re not in on the offense…I love it. Critt pushes the ball; the young legs run with him; and the game is fun to watch…UNTIL Tap pulls the plug.

As a joke, I previously wrote that Tap was the LOTTERY COACH. Now, however, I firmly believe that he is not trying to lose games. It only appears that way because he does the dumbest things. He is simply the worst choice to coach a NBA team EVER. It brings to question Ernie’s judgement, or lack thereof, in selecting Tap as the head coach in the first place.

Tap is a very negative coach. I was looking right at him tonight when he was screaming at Critt and then Dominic (nice coaching Tap). I watched as he pulled Dray in the second quarter because he got his 2nd foul. Dray was playing great; the team was involved…pull the plug Tap. I watched as we came out of a timeout that Tap had called and saw him running up the sideline as we put the ball in play to change the offensive play that he obviously called during the timeout.

There were fewer fans at the game than usual (it could have been the weather), so it was quiet enough to hear Tap shouting at players and shaking his head in disgust. Again, nice coaching/teaching Tap…great for morale.

This offense is just the opposite of what Nick needs to get going. However, despite that, Slick finally was successful and started to feel positive about his game and…pull the plug Tap.

McGee and Dray got some minutes together and we cut the lead and then…pull the plug Tap.

I really hate watching this team play hard only to have to overcome Tap’s lack of knowledge and coaching/teaching skills.

A message to the Wiz players: Hang in there guys; you’ll have a new coach next year. If you don’t, there are at least four season tickets that won’t be renewed.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 3, 2009 at 12:29 AM

LOL…Uhhh neal,

(some say tomatoe, some say tomato)substitution, rotation=somebody comes in, somebody comes out…who cares which word you use, the way it’s being done, it hurts the team’s chances.

Comment from GlingGling
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:04 AM

Gabbo, perhaps he is the lottery coach. Just because he is legitimately trying to win doesn’t mean he can’t be. In my opinion that makes him a better lottery coach because in interviews he can be sincere in saying we’re going to give it our all.

Time and again the folks here have said that with our personnel we should be winning more games. Well how do you make skilled players lose games? By having a coach that is fundamentally flawed.

My concern is that while we’re going to be receiving a high pick next season, will Tap have actually damaged the team in the process?

Either way, Wizards lost and Thunder won. Mission accomplished. Tap says, “At ease soldiers.”

Comment from edry09
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:48 AM

Guys I think this off season will be one of the most crucial for the wizards because first we are going to have a high draft pick and we are in a position where we can make some moves:

- james/stevenson to the wolves for mike miller (good defense, team usa, 3pt shooter, role player)

- blatche/thomas/pecherov to the jazz for carlos boozer (good scorer and rebounder, all star…move jamison to the bench as a luxurious 6th man)

-trade the second draft pick with some cash for warrior’s ronnie turiaf (bring D and energy at center position…very enthousiastic guy nice for the locker room)

-sign jason hart as a free agent (veteran experience at the point)

-with the 1st pick draft PG Ricky Rubio (an european future project) to bring in years to come…with crittenton, young, mcGuire and mcGee they will be the future of the franchise

here is the rotation:
pg:Arenas, Hart, Crittenton
sg:Miller, Young, Dixon
sf: Butler , McGuire
pf: Boozer , Jamison, Songaila
c :Haywood, Turiaf , McGee

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 7:54 AM

edry — *why* would Minnesota trade Miller for James/Stevenson? Would you make that trade? If not, then don’t assume please that there is some idiot out there who will.

Blatche/Thomas/Pecherov for Boozer???? Whatever you are smoking, I want some! I’d love to have Boozer, but Andray Blatche really isn’t a Jerry Sloan type player, and you’ll have to explain to me why they’d want Etan and Oleksiy. Btw, Carlos Boozer is a FA this summer. Care to speculate what he’ll command in salary?

The Turiaf trade is illegal — salaries have to match.

If we have the 1st pick in the draft, and we can afford to keep it (Grrrrr!), we’ll pick Blake Griffin, I’m sure.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 8:04 AM

Still, it *is* interesting to think about what you’d do with this roster in the off-season. How one would get us out of the bind, Ernie has created where we have more salary on the books than *any other team in the NBA*, and we have 2 high picks coming but only 1 roster spot.

Myself, I would have traded Caron and Nick (if they’d have taken him) to Portland for Raef Lafrentz’s expiring salary. Caron doesn’t look to me like a happy camper, and he would be happy in Portland — and they need a stud player.

*Of course* I wouldn’t want to lose Caron, but the trade would have solved all other problems in a single move, and you have to *give* something if you want to *get* something. I’m sure a deal along these lines was discussed.

But… that possibility is gone. So, what would you do w/ the situation we’re in? I remind you, there is no “waiving” players. You can buy a guy out to free a roster spot, but his salary counts against the lux tax, etc. Not practical for us.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 8:16 AM

Who are our most tradeable players for the off-season?

Andray — plays reasonably well, is young and has an up-side. Makes a low salary.

Brendan — Very good NBA starting center, under-paid, has an expiring contract

Caron — 2 years left on an attractive contract for the quality of player he is.

Dominic — cheap and looking like he is going to be a stud in the league.

JaVale — duh.

Javaris — anyone who is watching film on us sees a guy who has a bright future. (Again, kudos to Ernie who got him for… nothing).

Nick — someone might think he was worth taking a flyer. He is cheap and has obvious skills and equally obvious flaws.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 8:21 AM

We also have some guys who it’d be very hard to trade because of their contracts:

Gil and Antawn — if for no other reason, the economy means no one will want to take on these kind of contracts unless they are *assured* of a star player. Gil is coming off injury, and Antawn is 32.

Etan — he has an expiring contract, but it has a 15% trade-kicker in it, so he’d cost an acquiring team almost $8.5m next year. It’d have to be an attractive package for someone to swallow that!

And we have some players *no one* will trade for (though they might fit in some kind of deal I suppose): Mike, Darius & DeShawn.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 8:23 AM

neal — I’ll let you know next time I’m coming to DC; we’ll meet for the Starbucks I owe you!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 3, 2009 at 8:44 AM

Tom I second your “draft pick Grrrrr”. I thought I had a way. I can’t see any way to do it now without losing a very good player or two.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 8:49 AM

By the way, if you want to understand the bind in, and why I’m thinking about this, take a look at our salaries.

We are on the hook for $210m. That’s without re-signing Brendan next year (he’ll get a salary bump), or Dominic next year (he’ll get a *big* raise — everyone in the league will want him, because he is a bargain), or inking JaVale and Javaris to the long-term deals we will want for them, or re-signing Andray in his prime.

Not to mention the cost of re-signing Caron!

We won’t be able to keep all these guys, and Caron would be the obvious one to go, because he is very tradeable and very expensive.

Add to this the fact that along the way 6 guys drop away (Etan, Mike, DeShawn, Darius, Pech, and probably Nick). Who replaces them, and at what salaries? Mostly draft picks, obviously. And our *best* draft picks will be in this year’s draft! Another reason why we should have dealt Caron for an expiring contract?

The Wizards are a business, a sports entertainment business. I think we have a lot of business problems; it’ll take a sharp knife to cut through them.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 8:53 AM

If you want to understand what it means to be hamstrung, and what it means *not* to be hamstrung. Take a look at Houston’s salaries. They are going to win 50 games this year, but instead of having $210m in salary on the books, they have $90m. They have, in other words, *flexibility.* We don’t.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 8:58 AM

Grifon — I don’t mind losing a couple of “very good players.” That’s the way the world works. The fact that I *like* Caron and his game doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be willing to trade him. Per the above, we won’t be able to keep him anyway.

We are in a position where we have to make radical moves. No choice.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 3, 2009 at 10:50 AM

Gotta love all the “financial flexability” Ernie spoke about. The team won’t look the same next year. I don’t see how it can.

Comment from millie mill
Time March 3, 2009 at 12:40 PM

I think the Wizards should do a trade with Phoenix. I don’t think the Suns are happy with Shaq and Stoudemire together. Either one would help the Wizards. I think at this point the most tradable player is Caron. I would propose Caron, Haywood second round draft pick 2009 for Stoudemire or Caron, Haywood and Etan for Shaq.

Caron, Haywood second round draft pick 2009 for Stoudemire:

The Suns get a star at the SF and a backup center and almost a first round draft pick. Plus Haywood’s contract expire in 2010.

The Wizards get a PF that will opt out for Free Agency in 2010. Also they gain a roster spot. Free up almost 16 million in 2010.

Caron, Haywood and Etan for Shaq:

The Suns get a star at SF and a role player starting center that will allow Stoudemire to be Stoudemire. Free up almost 13 million in 2010 while keeping a star in Butler.

The Wizards get a star at center that will be retiring in 2010. Also they gain a roster spot. Free up 20 million in 2010.

Trade for Stoudemire:
Gilbert Arenas
Nick Young
Antawn Jamison
A. Stoudemire
JaVale McGee

Trade for Shaq:
Gilbert Arenas
Nick Young
Dominic McGuire
Antawn Jamison
Shaq

The way Nick looks out there now I don’t think he is ready to start but we don’t have too many options.
I wonder who is going to be our coach next year.

Comment from edry09
Time March 3, 2009 at 12:41 PM

Tom Mandal- I suggested Boozer trade because I heard Jazz don’t need him anymore with Millsap doing a great job and the team playing well even without him.

Why would you want to trade our young guys?

And what would you think about a Butler/Gerald Wallace trade to bring some more D?

Comment from edry09
Time March 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM

millie mill- this a very ambitious trade but it makes sense, the only probleme is starting two young guys (nick and mcgee). For the coach I would go for flip saunders or avery johnson!!you?

Comment from millie mill
Time March 3, 2009 at 12:57 PM

I like both those guys for a coach. I think Avery Johnson and Gilbert will have problems. Far as the trade goes the numbers work, and I think it would help both teams. The Wizards are locked up for the salary next year anyway so just as well look forward to 2010.

Comment from gbkdc
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:01 PM

Tom, I agree, CB does NOT look very happy. Makes me respect Jamison even more than I already did. He probably feels the same way, but he is not acting on it or showing it, and is still giving 110% every night.

Comment from millie mill
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:20 PM

I can’t blame anyone for not being happy on this team. As I watched last night’s game I was thinking we are playing with only one starter. Everyone else would be coming off any other team’s bench. That makes watching more interesting knowing that the players that are playing are going to be there next year and will be our bench.

Comment from aznzero
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:31 PM

can we somehow pick up gooden? is there anyone we can cut?

Comment from GlingGling
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:35 PM

It will be interesting to see where this team goes. Even though we aren’t in a good position, we are in a unique position and the solution is either going to be to wait or somehow make some drastic moves.

Putting it in perspective, beyond Tom always being having an eagle eye for the numbers, none of this would be a discussion if Brendan and Gil were in the starting line up. Gil, Caron, Dominic, Antawn, Brendan; that is a great starting line up. You’ve got three great scoring options, and two good defensive players (plus Antawn can rebound).

Beyond the financial issues, which are significant, with a healthy roster we’ve got the juice.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:42 PM

GlingGling — keep in mind our record when we “had the juice”. We were a middle of the pack team.

We can’t make any trades now; the deadline has passed. We can’t “pick up Gooden;” the deadline for that has passed as well (and anyway we don’t have a roster spot or $ for him).

Someone wants to trade for Shaq? You think Shaq is going to come to a losing team?? Stoudemire is a terrific player; don’t know whether or how we’d get him.

Comment from GlingGling
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:42 PM

Thanks for the salaries link Tom, things certainly look binding. It really like it would be pretty hard to keep our second round guy. Buying out doesn’t look to be an option or anyone.

Comment from millie mill
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:55 PM

Tom, I didn’t know Shaq or Stoudemire had an option on where they go. A lot of players get traded and don’t want to go. Unless they have a option in there contract to choose the team they will be traded to, I can’t see them stopping the trade.

Comment from aznzero
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:56 PM

Thanks Tom,

I didnt know there was a deadline for signing free agents. I wasn’t sure if we can release someone for him. I think it would be great to have a player like him. But your right we wouldn’t have the money to get him.

Comment from M2
Time March 3, 2009 at 1:58 PM

edry09 is NUTS in almost every department…

Comment from edry09
Time March 3, 2009 at 2:03 PM

We have to bring D and 3 point shot in this team so I would either go for a butler/gerald wallace trade or a butler+pecherov/battier+scola trade.
In an other hand bring quentin richardson in for stevenson and james

Wallace trade:

Arenas
Richardson
Wallace
Jamison
Haywood

Battier trade:

Arenas
Richardson
Battier
Jamison
Haywood

Comment from edry09
Time March 3, 2009 at 2:43 PM

M2 why it’s nuts?

Comment from neal
Time March 3, 2009 at 2:43 PM

Getabigboy, you’re saying what most fans would never say – Butler and Jamison have serious downsides. Apart from not liking to really extend themselves on defense, neither bought into the “Princeton offense” much and haven’t really been good at team play.

Where it’s one player I look at it differently than the Wizards case. In our case it’s most of the team. I don’t think Jordan ever got our guys to play very well as a unified team. We always depended on the stars to carry us, with only a little help from role players. I actually think Tapscott is doing a better job in this respect than Jordan did. I know that’s going against the prevailing sentiment toward Tapscott.

I don’t envy the next coach. Trying to get the Big Three to play team ball will be one hell of a challenge. So much depends on Arenas. Even though he isn’t a captain, if he leads the way things could go very well next year.

I don’t see that we will be forced to make major changes next year. I think getting under the luxury tax limit is a pipe dream unless the limit is drastically lowered. On the other hand, if the new coach decides that our stars just aren’t going to accept the way he wants the team to play, he might get Pollin and Grunfeld to agree to breaking up the nucleus and essentially start fresh.

I can hardly wait for next year. New coach, top draft pick(s). New outlook on who plays and how much. Can’t we just fast forward through a few months?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 3:46 PM

neal — I wouldn’t count on us having either of those draft picks, especially not the top one. I’m afraid we will need to trade it away.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 3, 2009 at 4:00 PM

regarding the draft pick, here are my thoughts.

1. I think if there is a player that the team likes that it thinks can help them sooner rather than later they will select him. (i.e. someone like Blake Griffin)
2. I think the Wizards will look into a lot of trade options and will trade the pick if that is not the case.
3. I know a lot of people worried about the Wizards not paying the luxury tax, I think if a guy the team really wants is there they won’t hesitate to use the pick.

Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 3, 2009 at 4:05 PM

M2 you are a man of few words. Good to see you back. I missed your blogging.

Comment from Rick
Time March 3, 2009 at 5:33 PM

some of you guys make it seem like getting a top pick in the draft is a burden.

it’s a great thing! (although we have to put up with this kind of season to get it)

the very flexibility we need we will get with that draft pick if it is #1. if it’s not griffin, then it makes things more difficult, but still way better than finishing 42-42, losing in the first round of the playoffs and not having a good pick.

one could argue that getting our roster back healthy next year is the only thing we need to compete for a title. i disagree. but if they all do come back healthy and we see continued development from blatche, young, mcgee, and mcguire, then i think we can move the pick along with some of our least attractive contracts and still be a very dangerous team. and one with some flexibility in the coming years.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 3, 2009 at 6:36 PM

Far from it, Rick — a pick near the top of the draft is just about the only way to get great talent at a low cost.

After that kind of pick, the next best is the top pick in round 2 — you get first round talent at a lower cost, and you don’t have to guarantee the player.

SportsWiz — that’s good news. Please understand: I don’t *want* the Wiz to pay the luxury tax. I think it’s bad business. I do want us to have Blake Griffin, tho!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 3, 2009 at 10:22 PM

If the Luxury tax drops aren’t we already over it without the top pick? I’d be surprised if Abe decided to not only go over the luxury tax but to go that far over it. Anything is possible I suppose.