Game Day Hornets
6:13 AM Dave Johnson ready for a winning streak…but it will be a challenge against a Hornets team that is 7-1 since Tyson Chandler returned to the starting line up…he was almost traded last month to Oklahoma City for a couple of players with expiring contracts..Caron Butler told us in the radio post-game Monday that he plans to continue to drive to the basket more…I thought he was going to get a triple-double against the T-Wolves….full credit to Juan Dixon for taking advantage of extended playing time and really running the offense well to help spell Javaris Crittenton who started for the flu-ridden Mike ….BLOGCAST—live radio and blogging together—starts tonight at 7….on the radio on ESPN 980 AM…94.3 FM in Warrenton and Northern Virginia…92.7 FM in Southern Maryland…1370 AM in Baltimore and great affiliates from Cumberland to Roanoke…..
6:35 PM…Dave and Glenn checking in….starters are in…no Peja Stojakovic with back spasms….Chris Paul, Rasual Butler, Tyson Chandler, Julian Wright, David West…..Mike James, Caron Butler, Darius Songaila, Dominic McGuire, Antawn Jamison
DAVE JOHNSON POSTGAME REPORT
Posted: March 11th, 2009 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Jaba
Time March 11, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Antonio Daniels coming to town! He hasn’t gotten a lot of minutes lately, but I’m sure we’ll see him tonight. I really like the guy, but I’m feeling better and better about the deal that brought us Javaris. (I really don’t believe Mike James is going to be around for more than this season, even though he did have a couple of good games). Hope everyone on the team will come to play tonight and we’ll win this one! GO WIZARDS!!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Great game for Juan last time out, hopefully we can get a win tonight. I have really enjoyed reading the post ovr the last week, and look forward to the blogcast tonight.
Comment from edry09
Time March 11, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Jaba- James has the “player option” for the next season, it’s gonna be hard for the wiz to convince him to opt out, no one will give him 6M. Who knows maybe he gonna have an opportunity in Houston to be back home.
Tom- Do you see any way for the wizards to stay under the luxury tax? That’s will mean to trade the pick, make james move and no free agent!? It wouldn’t be better for the wizards go a little bit over the luxury tax for this year, sign the first draft pick (especially if it’s Griffin), sign a free and eventually make a trade?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 11, 2009 at 2:40 PM
If we can get Blake Griffin, then you bet I think we should sign him, and I think overall it’ll be a bargain even w/ the dollar for dollar luxury cost, because *only* at the top of the draft do you get real impact players in this way.
If we don’t have a shot at him — and I fear even if we do 
— Ernie will certainly trade the pick or else pick Ricky Rubio and stash him in Europe for a while.
Mike James would be out of his mind to opt out — and he is pretty sane! The whole NBA economy is under stress, and there will be no other equivalent or even near equivalent deal around for him.
In general, the situation is difficult for us. Under any circumstances, being locked up w/ $210m of salaries on the books (b4 re-signing dominic and brendan, btw) would be awful. But, now that appetites to take on salaries are going away, it *really* limits what we can do.
The Wizards are in a real bind.
Comment from gray16
Time March 11, 2009 at 3:42 PM
hi guys, new member here. been lurking for a while, but decided to finally join.
to tom, its bad to see how much of a bind the wizards will be in this offseason. but i surely hope the wizards don’t make the mistake of letting dominic go. dom’s play is irreplacable as every great team needs a hustle man. and with his offensive game developing, and his basketball iq appearing to be great, it would be horrible for him to slip away from the wizards.
hopefully the wizards financial problems won’t get in the way of at least keeping the team togethor. i would love for them to get another piece in the draft, but i would rather see this team go on as it is before letting go someone and recieving a high draft pick.
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 3:53 PM
If the Wizards don’t get the #1 pick and end up picking Ricky Rubio, do you think he will get much playing time behind Arenas and J-Critt in 2010?
I wouldn’t mind the Wizards trading down in the draft to get a player like DeJuan Blair. According to ESPN they had him ranked at 15. He is a 6-7 power forward that plays with a lot of heart and hustle. He is avg. 15.6 points 12.4 rebounds 1.0 blocks his FG% 59%. He plays for Pittsburgh so he is not from a small school. He reminds me of Charles Barkley. (From Wikipedia) In Barkley’s three-year college career, he averaged 14.8 points on 68.2% field goal shooting, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 blocks per game. If you watched the Pittsburgh vs. Uconn game you would have saw Blair handle 7ft 3 in Thabeet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WASWhKKQfY
I think we can get rid of a dead weight player (i.e Etan, maybe Mike James) along with our 1st round pick for someone we can use and the other teams 1st round pick.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 11, 2009 at 4:02 PM
You might want to take a look at Tommy Sheppard’s interview that he had. In it he talks about the Draft and the Wizards situation.
http://www.nba.com/wizards/multimedia/sheppard_090309.html
Similar to what has been said here at other times. The team can use it a lot of different ways, if they like someone that’s available they will grab them if not, look for them to package a deal, remember the last time they were in the lottery they packaged the pick and a player and got Antawn.
Comment from Rick
Time March 11, 2009 at 4:07 PM
it’s true they got antawn, but they could have gotten devin harris.
are there any chances that the nba will increase the salary cap?
one might argue that because of the economy, it makes sense to give some “tax relief” to the owners who are still obligated to pay these exorbitant player salaries even though revenue is sure to be way down.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 11, 2009 at 4:29 PM
great to have you on gray, look forward to another POV on here
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 5:45 PM
6:35 PM…Dave and Glenn checking in….starters are in…no Peja Stojakovic with back spasms….Chris Paul, Rasual Butler, Tyson Chandler, Julian Wright, David West…..Mike James, Caron Butler, Darius Songaila, Dominic McGuire, Antawn Jamison
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 5:46 PM
not sure on exact slary cap numbers yet won’t know until later inthe summer….we drafted devin harris to trade to dallas to get antawn jamson….
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 5:56 PM
almost game time, let’s get a win
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Keys: Screen and roll d on Paul and Chandler, transition d, attack the paint, limit turnovers!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:04 PM
hey jeffmalone1990 welcome back
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:04 PM
thanks Dave and Glenn!!!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:09 PM
I hear Dave, it is GAMETIME!!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Dave…good call on Caron driving to the basketball, I hope you take Coach Tap’s advice and talk to a few more of his players (per his request) LOL
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:13 PM
if only i had that kind of influcence
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:16 PM
I think Dave and Glenn, if we can make Paul a scorer tonight and keep his assists down we have a shot at a win at home, IMO.
Let’s Go Wiz 
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:18 PM
I know Mike James is chompin’ at the bit for this game, I hope he plays within the game
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:18 PM
good point jeffmalone1990
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:18 PM
I have been to the Green Turtle, lol…thanks Dave and Glenn
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:19 PM
What’s up bloggers!! Go DMAC!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Great start for Twan
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:21 PM
gbkdc is in the building!!!!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:23 PM
DMAC
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:23 PM
3 assists for DMAC already!!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:24 PM
6 assist 6 made field goals
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:25 PM
I really hope we see a match up of Chandler vs McGee tonight, again great basketball IQ DMAC 4 assists
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:26 PM
4 assists, 1 reb, 1 steal, just a great start by DMAC, bringing ENERGY…early!!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:26 PM
welcome fantasticwiz
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Butler
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Wiz 8 assists, Hornets 1
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:31 PM
great start by Darius as well
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:32 PM
DMAC!!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:33 PM
JCRITT should be a fun match up with Paul (gotta get run some run tonight with the 2nd unit)
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:34 PM
good time out
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:36 PM
yes hornets b on a 7-2 run
Comment from SongailasTwin
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:36 PM
wiz are really focused tonight…the starters are playing with lots of energy
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:37 PM
ok JCRITT attack Paul
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Man they put Posey in this game and have made a run at the Wiz
Comment from SongailasTwin
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:39 PM
nice ball movement, 10 assists for wiz so far!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:40 PM
DMAC, TWAN and Darius
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:40 PM
dmac just shut down chris paul
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Man I hope we can sustain this effort the entire game, if so we should get a win tonight
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:45 PM
good sign for Nick hitting his forst shot
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:46 PM
We have to slow Chandler down, I hope that McGee will see some extended minutes against him
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Blatche and McGee together…in a word…..THANK YOU
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Dray active early
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:49 PM
The Young guys playing with the same ENERGY as the starters, very good sign!!!!!!!!
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Good to see Tap feel a little relaxed on the sideline.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:52 PM
i alos like yougn’s agression
Comment from ChenierFan
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:53 PM
So far so good.
Hornets are having trouble with Javale in there. Andray is over passing a bit (or is that playing under control?) Antawn needs to get hot again and we can put this three man team away.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Is that my boy Juan for a 2nd straight game??
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:00 PM
yes and juan was reallu a diffrence monday…welcome chenier fan
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:03 PM
athleticism of the hornets a problem…blocked shots
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:05 PM
good time out, we have to close out the 2nd qtr strong
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:05 PM
9 TOs by the Hornets and we turned them into 12 points.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:05 PM
nice play by D.song to box that guy out so he could not have dunked that if he wanted to
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:05 PM
good d by songaila on last play and welcome wizrds 4life….not bad luck../.nice jumper by juan and now we get another possesion
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:07 PM
the team seems focused tonight and everyone is playing well for the most part, really good sign
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:10 PM
they are playing a 5 on 4 man game there is always some one open wizards need to strech the floor
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:11 PM
not bad
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:11 PM
D-Mac has more assists (5) than CP3 at the half!!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:12 PM
really good 1st half for the Wizards
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Outrebounded 25-17… We need to have better efforts in rebounding in the 2nd half though.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:23 PM
good point fantasticwiz just talked about it on the air
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:26 PM
I thought I’d join you guys.
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:26 PM
I’m back, had to cook dinner.
Welcome back, JM1990!
Let’s get back to work!
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:27 PM
So far a good game.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:27 PM
welcome gbkdc and millie mill…9 turnivers by hornets
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Good call on the 3 seconds
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:28 PM
thank you gbkdc, let’s get a win for the blogcast family!!!
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:29 PM
they are slacking ro CB3 and AJ we need to take what they give and let some one other than thos too score
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:29 PM
DMAC is quite a passer, who would have expected that??
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:30 PM
good shot James
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:31 PM
DS is not to be let alone
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:32 PM
great play
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:32 PM
DMAC is a all around player just needs to work on his shot
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Caron gets called for that 3sec. alot here as of late
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:32 PM
gbkdc you have been a long time supporter of DMAC so I would guess you knew about his passing…(smile)
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Darius: Lithuanian Thunder
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Dom wide open over there should have passed
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:34 PM
We have to stop no-name player from looking good
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Caron looks like he wants to get his game going in the 3rd
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Stop Chris Paul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:35 PM
LOL @gbkdc…classic!!!
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:36 PM
I knew DMAC was a great defender and rebounder, but the passing has been a pleasant surprise! Yes, I’m a big DMAC fan. He is All Business.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:36 PM
yeah dmac’s passing he had 4 of those 5 assist in like the firts 5 minutes
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:37 PM
I think it will be hard for us to keep DMAC in the future
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:37 PM
he has a “tremendous” basketball IQ and he will continue to improve (DMAC)….
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:37 PM
hornets are a good reboudnign teamm..11-2 second chance points
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:38 PM
I copied that nickname for Darius but I love it!
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:38 PM
he can shoot as well wish he would do some more of it just like that
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Good shot dmac!
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:39 PM
get mcgee to stop TC
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:40 PM
WE HAVE TO KEEP DMAC
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:40 PM
bad call on james
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Paul is on fire!!!
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Did our defense go home?
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:43 PM
chris paul is taking over 11-0 last 1:29
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:44 PM
big 3 by james
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:45 PM
nick should be nice right now there not going to pay him too much D because of Caron and AJ
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Good D
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Typical 3rd quarter
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:47 PM
What’s up with our third quarters
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:47 PM
ok let’s get back in this game
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:48 PM
No Hustle on Blatch and paul
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Good shot young
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Make a run with the last 1:13
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:52 PM
paul only had 0 points 2 asists at the end of one
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:53 PM
paul 10 asists
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:54 PM
CP3 on pace for another triple double
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Wow Hornets scored almost 40 pts in the 3rd
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:55 PM
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:57 PM
hornets 30-13 last 6:45 10 of 14 from the field…paul is just amazing
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:58 PM
40 points by hornets 3rd
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Mike James 3-3 from the 3pt line
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:02 PM
That was an ugly 3rd.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:02 PM
alright wizards taking advanatge with paul out 11-2 run
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:03 PM
for the Wizards run
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:03 PM
COME ON WIZ!!!!!!! CB3 get it going!!!
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Where is McGee????
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:06 PM
jamison another double double 19 and 10
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Jamison most underrated!!!
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Thank you good call on paul
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Wow Mike James
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:10 PM
what a run by the home team~~
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:11 PM
good effort but every play so critical
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:11 PM
I think I could have made that 3 pointer
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:12 PM
These 3’s are driving me crazy!!! Why is no one ever guarding the 3??? Rasual Butler has hit that shot over and over from the same spot.
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Lame call!
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:15 PM
What a shot Butler!!!!!
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:15 PM
6 point game!!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:16 PM
no matter, you have to give credit to the Wizards tonight
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Paryer:
Lord please help the Wizards. Please bless them with the #1 pick.
Amen
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:17 PM
11 piont game
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:17 PM
a lot of fight but then just bad turnovers…
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:18 PM
wizards out scired and outr reboudned hornets in 4rth
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Millie Mill, AMEN!! They have played really hard tonight, with a lot of passion and intensity against a really good team.
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Who ever is coaching this team next year will have there hands full teaching these guys how to guard the three point shot.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:20 PM
cannot fault the effort tonight
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:23 PM
pounts off turnivers alamost even .,,,even thought hornets 15 tos to the wiz 9
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:23 PM
I miss when we were good.
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Maybe next game
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:24 PM
The three point shots are there because they are trying to help out their team-mates. It’s a nice gesture but it hasn’t worked tonight or all year…
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:26 PM
301-230-0980 for pst game show
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:26 PM
I am happy with the effort not the result
Comment from millie mill
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Man I thought that was the Blake Griffin game
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 11, 2009 at 8:52 PM
A lot of the game was fun to watch, but basically despite valiant effort we were outmanned. Chris Paul is off the charts; he may be the best player in the game today.
Don’t know what’s going on with Crittenton the last couple of games; he seems to have regressed. Maybe he is under the weather?
At one point, looking at Tyson Chandler and JaVale next to each other as a Hornet was shooting a FT, I was amazed that although Chandler looked more filled out through chest and shoulders, JaVale was actually *bigger* than he. JaVale is a very very big guy.
Mike shot well. Nick hustled (but again no rebounds at all). Dominic was extremely solid.
We got beat by a much better team.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 11, 2009 at 9:39 PM
sorry i kinda flake out on the blog sometimes i have a 3yo kid its hard to type watch and keep him out of stuff at the same time.. anyway it was a good game we just came up a little short i kinda thought the Refs should have made some calls late but now that i think about it thats when the calls should be let go for the most part and i wish DMAC would shoot the ball more we all know he can hit it when he is open and that would keep people from droping down on AJ an CB3 all in all good game but a loss none the less
Comment from gray16
Time March 11, 2009 at 9:40 PM
first of all thanks sportswiz for the welcome.
well i didn’t get to see the game but it sounds like the same thing that has plagued the wizards for years got them again: defending the 3. i believe they were the worst team in the history of the nba in defending the 3 last year, not very surprising when you see how they play.
they help out too much, have no confidence in their big men’s defense, and help off of great 3 point shooters. i can’t believe how many times i have seen the wizards leave a great shooter like peja open to double someone like tyson chandler in the post. the times the wiz look best on d, is when either they abandon this poor exuse of a defensive system, or when players are missing shots.
hopefully one day a coach will be good at math and probabilities and realize that a wide open three is much worse than a contested drive. heck a wide open three is worse than an open drive with today’s shooters. hopefully this will all be cleared up soon, or the wizards, even when healthy, will continue to be an offense vs offense type of squad.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 11, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Does anyone have any idea how many times the Wizards have won a game with Delaney as an official? If the answer is never in the past 3 years, I would believe it.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 11, 2009 at 10:49 PM
gray16, welcome. Most coaches would give up the three point shot rather than the layup. The percentages are better. However, if our outside defense was half-way decent, we wouldn’t have the type of penetration and kick out passes that happen to us night after night.
If the Wiz had someone who could control the opponent’s point guard to ANY extent they wouldn’t have to keep the bigs inside to guard against the drive and we might be able to defend the three point shot from the corner/wing a little better. Dominic does a good job on defense, but he is not able to stay with quick guards. He is good at defending against forwards. Critt is learning, and will be good at it, but he is not there yet.
The players are executing what they are told to execute. The coaching staff has our defense running around constantly. That is one of the primary reasons that we have been so competitive in the first quarter lately…and so horrible in the second half…the players, especially AJ and CB, are exhausted and choose to focus their energy on scoring.
I still maintain that the winner of a NBA basketball game is the team that scores the most points, no matter how many points the other team scores. While our defense is poor, our problem is primarily our offense, not our defense. Our offense is designed for a small, quick team. We might be able to put a small team on the court, but no one has ever accused the Wizards of being quick.
We need an offense that puts the players in a position to succeed when they get the ball. Andray Blatche is not in his best position to succeed when he gets the ball at the top of the key; Nick Young is not in his best position to succeed when he gets the ball in a double-team. Blatche has to get the ball below the foul line extended, preferably facing the basket. Nick needs to get the ball on the weak side as the result of a screen away from the ball. There is no sense to setting a pick for Nick when he has the ball. He can beat almost anyone one-on-one. Why set a pick that allows both his man and the picked man to double-team him?
We happen to be suffering through the reign of what is probably the all-time worst coach in the history of the NBA. Good grief, we are now at 50 loses, and Ernie says that Tap is doing a good job! A good job of what? If Tapscott were working for a corporation, his butt would have been kicked out the door long ago. But, even I, his constant critic, have to admit that he is doing a good job of being the LOTTERY COACH.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 11, 2009 at 10:56 PM
I really thought that Waldo would appear tonight. What the heck are they waiting for. I, for one, am not willing to spend $40K on season tickets for 2009-2010 unless I can see that Gil is back and can help us be competitive. Can he play? Is he healed? We’ve been lied to throughout this year. I can’t believe that anyone would pay a high price to see the repeat of this year…I won’t!
Comment from millie mill
Time March 12, 2009 at 6:19 AM
getabigboyoffense,
I don’t expect the Wizards to do this but, they should. Last year when the Heat had an injure plagued season that led to there worst record I read that Pat Riley and some of the players called the season ticket holders to re-insure them that next season will be better. Maybe that will happen, but with the Wizards reputation of being hush, hush probably not.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 12, 2009 at 6:26 AM
Getabig — you are certainly right about the need to control the other team’s point guard. On the other hand, controlling Chris Paul is just impossible. The guy is interplanetary — and what a treat to watch him operate.
A good point about running around in the 1st quarter and being back on one’s heels in the 2d half.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 12, 2009 at 6:33 AM
I wish I felt really confident about next year — even w/ Gil back.
Comment from millie mill
Time March 12, 2009 at 6:36 AM
Getabig,
Here is the link to the Miami newspaper article.
http://blogs.herald.com/miami_heat/2008/04/d-wade-and-heat.html
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 12, 2009 at 8:57 AM
Hello everyone,
Just some info on the best college players from rivals, etc
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 12, 2009 at 9:09 AM
BTW-At some point, the players on the floor have to learn each other and adjust also. We’ve been on Tap a lot, but the players also need to learn to play with each other and adjust (TRUE, they are made to play a type of defense and pay for it, but that will pass soon). When Nick is in the game, is Songalia in? Songalia is good at setting picks. IMO NY dribbles a little to much and doesn’t know WHEN to get rid of the rock. The season is almost over, so I’m in basic “chill” mode right now.
Looking/Moving forward, everyone keeps saying I can’t wait until Arenas and Haywood get back. Granted, they are foundations for a winning formula, but it’s times like these that makes one say…”what do I have in place, if they or anyone else were to get injured”, what has mgmt learned from all of this?
If we/wiz could fix one of our issues, it could snow-ball into something that fixes a lot of our issues.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 12, 2009 at 9:20 AM
“Fix issues” — unfortunately our roster and salary inflexibility will make this quite difficult.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 12, 2009 at 9:27 AM
LOL….TomM, I understand, but we/wiz have to start some-where.
Comment from gray16
Time March 12, 2009 at 9:29 AM
getabigboyoffense i agree totally with you. the only thing is when the wizards help on those driving guards, i just wish the people way out on the three point line aren’t the ones that help. they are always too far to make a difference, and by the time they reach the ball, it is being kicked out to the man they just left open. the only way i could see that stopping is if that defender stayed on his man, or if another man rotated to the open man (granted that that player is a good shooter).
and i definitely agree with you on the wizards offensive woes. but as long as gil and haywood come back strong, that issue should be resolved.
Tom Mandel: i see you are worried about the financial troubles coming into the draft. do you think we should package a player and pick trade for some already groomed talent? such as mike james, x player, and the pick for some other talent?
Comment from gee wiz
Time March 12, 2009 at 12:13 PM
honestly i think next year will spell 2-3 round playoff at least next year, if we get our starting 5 back, with a much better nick young. 1 top 5 draft pick! i would like to see us go after pitts BLAIR, that is a solid 4 who brings toughness and O in the posts. and get a solid back-up point in case gil does not get better. like pitts fields. a short chubby point who definitely wont get drafted to the second round….. mostly like available for us. so starting 5, gil, deshawn, caron, jamison, haywood. bench james,young,dominic,blair, mcgee, sounds like a winner, and we also have blatche.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 12, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Gee wiz,
I noticed on the rivals page, they have him as a 6′8″center and other 6′8″ players as power forwards…i think he’s more of a power forward for the pro’s, but the way he dismantled UConn’s Thabeet, you never know.
Comment from gee wiz
Time March 12, 2009 at 11:54 PM
oh yea he is definitely a power foward, i also forgot a blake griffin. i think we will definitely get a top 3 pick. and a star rookie in blair or griffin will defnitely help us out in case jamison wants to leave, we would have a true 4 man to back him up. obviously im ok with mcgee playing center so i say we need a 4 i believe songaila has to go. either him or etan. well its 2 things i noticed. jamison always said….. he likes it here, but numerous times he has expressed interest in the bobcats. he loves tar heel country and he has so many….. friends there. he goes there every summer. as far as gil…….. its funny how gil mentioned “its a good thing for the wizards to lose cause we would get a good draft pick….. we thought he was giving up on the season and now i wonder if he already knew at the time the he was not going to play at all this year? i believe if ernie decides to keep this crew cause once again we didnt have all of our pieces together …… lol, adding a draft pick will gives us a big boosts…. but aye we will see! dissappointing season, im looking foward to next year! GO wizards. im glad caron an twan was professional about it for the most part
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:24 AM
Blake Griffin will be the top pick, hands down. If we have a shot at him we’d be nuts not to do whatever we can to make him a Wizard.
DeJuan Blair is having a tremendous season, following a very very good one last year too. The knock on him is that he is 6′7″ (which means he is probably really closer to 6′5″). Think of him, maybe, on the model of Jason Maxiell or Paul Millsap, and you can see where he could be a very good player in the league. Draftexpress dot com projects him to #19 in the draft. If we trade away our top 3 pick, it’ll be because of $$. Don’t know whether that allows for acquiring a different, lower pick.
Griffin looks like he’ll be a star; can’t say that about Blair. Sort of like Boozer to Millsap??
Comment from gee wiz
Time March 13, 2009 at 1:08 PM
true tom…. blair is not a star player, he just is a solid overall player. but we would be nuts not to go after griffin if he is available. so at this point what is that u guys think will improve the team next year?
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Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 11, 2009 at 7:34 AM
Hornets tonight. Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!