Game Day Magic
7:52 AM….Dave Johnson here….and yes it is encouraging that Gilbert Arenas continues to practice but there is no timetable on a return….the home stand does not get any easier with the Orlando Magic in town…Hornets game on Wednesday the Wizards showed potential in building a 12 point lead and fighting hard to outscore the visitors in the fourth quarter but we were reminded that there is just no room for error. ( a lot of credit for that goes to Chris Paul)….most recent meeting with the Magic in January in Orlando was a competitive 89-80 loss…..Darius Songaila played well against Dwight Howard but also got into foul trouble guarding Superman…his ability to stay on the floor tonight will be critical. 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…..
6:13 PM Dave Johnson checking in .. Hedo Turkoglu will not play…..look for the Wizards to use Dominic McGuire to help defense Howard..so starters MIke James, Caron Butler, Darius Songaila, Dominc McGuire, Antawn Jamison…..Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Mickael Pietrus
DAVE JOHNSON POSTGAME REPORT
Posted: March 13th, 2009 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:50 AM
I heard a rumor that Ernie was going to suit up tonight and play against their GM, Otis Smith (who I think was a Bullet once upon a time?).
Nick is going to coach, and Dominic will be making some trades during the game.
Go Wiz!!
Comment from millie mill
Time March 13, 2009 at 9:08 AM
The Wizards have three more games against the Southeast including tonight. I hope we win tonight or one of the other division games so we won’t be 0-16 for the year.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 13, 2009 at 9:47 AM
I Like it Tom LOL.
Almost as crazy an idea….. I know they are going to start Darius. How about spelling Darius with Pesh some tonight? First tell Pesh to stay with Howard no matter what. Keep position on him and don’t worry about scoring. Pesh has some beef it might work. Naw.. but it was a thought anyway? 
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 12:24 PM
I just love the blog, lol…..Let’s finally get a win in the division tonight
Comment from Bridge
Time March 13, 2009 at 12:41 PM
You know, I really didn’t expect to blog, but in knowing that Caron had his live thing yesterday, I went as far as reading some of the comments (on the blog). In a lot of ways, I can really understand where GABBO is coming from as far as being a season ticket holder – - who wouldn’t be pissed? Then I thought about how everyone, including myself, dislikes Tap’s coaching…But wait a minute – - we can’t really be mad at him; he was brought in to fulfill a specific duty, and that’s what he’s doing – despite the fact that it’s making him look bad…but they’re only going for those (lucky) lottery balls. So yeah, why taunt a man who’s only doing his job…A young team is what fans seem to want, so that’s probably what fans are gonna get.
…And I can’t believe that something like this could ever come out of my mouth, but I really lost a lot of respect for the two captains…I guess that they only wish to get themselves burned out(?) – - all for nothing. I know that people must earn time, but at this point, I think that they (the young guys) DESERVE it. Requesting/expecting big minutes really ain’t a good look; makes the appearance of a “bad-sportsman”, and YES, people are noticing…I really think that this team will be a “new-look” next season, so people really shouldn’t be getting themselves too comfortable, because in the end, things are strapped (financially) and the man upstairs is the boss – and I ain’t talking about God.
In no ways am I a traitor or anything, but, the Bucks have officially won my heart, which is why I’m gonna work really hard so that I could become myself a Bucks season-ticket holder! Who knows if the saying is true – - that no one wants to come to play here…But it’s a great feeling for a fan to know that certain players REALLY do wanna be here; yeah, we may not be the best city when it comes to globs and globs of “adult entertainment” (to some people, there’s more to life that just that), but we DO love our sports and we ARE some great, committed fans! (I always thought too, that it was strictly about the PASSION for the sport as opposed to the city). And it’s so crazy because, despite what was said about Milwaukee, fans STILL look to embrace Gilbert every time the Wiz come to play here, and they STILL have nothing but great things to say about him… But yeah, GABBO, I hope that you could be a happy Wiz fan next season 
.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 13, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Bridgey — like the Wizards, the Bucks need good fans, and you are definitely one. I hope that adding the Bucks “definitely” doesn’t mean that you will stop being a Wizards fan!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 5:27 PM
6:13 PM Dave Johnson checking in .. Hedo Turkoglu will not play…..look for the Wizards to use Dominic McGuire to help defense Howard..so starters MIke James, Caron Butler, Darius Songaila, Dominc McGuire, Antawn Jamison…..Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Mickael Pietrus
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 5:28 PM
yeah Bridge don’t leave us
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 5:54 PM
oh and in the GM comments….otis smith was never a Wizards or Bullets…Otis Thorpe was
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 5:57 PM
it is caron butler bithday he is 29…
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:07 PM
wow Caron is only 1 year older than me.. close to tip wonder were everyone is
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Happy BDAY CB3
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:15 PM
wizards4life and jeffmalone1990 welcome…….caron is older 15 years younger than me
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:16 PM
guess i would know if i looked up top lol my bad but i think they should have put McGee in and let him play him so D.Song dont get into foul trouble so early
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Hey Dave and Glenn, thanks got the shout and the blogcast….
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:20 PM
yeah thanks guys for the love on the radio nice block
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:21 PM
what a play darius
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:22 PM
D.Song with a Block on super man a ESPN top 10 play IMO lol
Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:25 PM
The teams scouting report was printed on green paper today, Tapscott trying to rub off some kryptonite onto his players
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Happy Birthday, Caron!!!!! Let’s get a win tonight!!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:26 PM
doin a nice job on howard, lewis is making it tough
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:27 PM
got to get everyone to put a body on there man D.Song cant stop him if he can just dump it off to a guy wide open
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Darn, I missed the block! Must have been typing.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:28 PM
pleasure is all ours
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:28 PM
let’s get it Dray!!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:28 PM
7 missed orlando shots 6 off rebounds
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:31 PM
dominic is coming over to dohblke team
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:31 PM
hope AB got in the head of Darius and starts to push howard around not like its going to be easy but if you get into him just a little to get him mad and off his game
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:33 PM
nice block DMAC
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:34 PM
love that move from Critt they were not going to let AJ go
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:36 PM
that’s it
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Nice play!!!!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:37 PM
alright got the lead, let’s build on it
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:38 PM
hey gbkdc weclome
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:39 PM
gbkdc is in the building
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
DMAC last 2 games has had his jumper falling
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
wizards are 11 of 18 6 asists
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:43 PM
wow just let him go if he is that deep you cant keep him down is all body
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Defense looks pretty good tonight!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM
good 1st qtr, let’s get it done
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM
not been bad for a while magic shooting in the 30% but match up on howard a problem..songaila plays him the best but he has two fouls
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:48 PM
I love those blocks/goaltends.
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:48 PM
The 3′s again.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM
McGee
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Defend the 3!!!!
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM
3s are going to kill us we need to switch it up
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:50 PM
yes the 3′s are problem….with howard out
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:51 PM
I’m pretty convinced that we will NEVER EVER defend the 3.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:53 PM
17-2 are you serious??
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:57 PM
DMAC impressive as usual.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 6:58 PM
yes he has really grown this year, DMAC
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:03 PM
ans guys ,ike abttie make it hard because he can shoot from the oputside…
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:05 PM
songaila is bothering howard
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:07 PM
let’s make a run to get back into the game
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Md leads at the half over Wake 36-31, GO TERPS
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:11 PM
11-2 run
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:12 PM
way too come back Wiz kids
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:13 PM
DMAC:!: what a pass
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Man the Magic have 60 at the half, man
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:21 PM
wizards only oine turnovers
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:30 PM
60-52
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:32 PM
terrible news about Caron
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:33 PM
no caron butler second half hamstring tightened
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:33 PM
no more Caron
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:33 PM
young in for bitelr
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Terps up 48-33 in the 2nd half….GO TERPS
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:34 PM
thanks Jeff yeah thats not good caron need to stay off it and Nick needs the time
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:34 PM
really good d
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:40 PM
o for 5 wizrxs this quarter
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:41 PM
man i think Darius just did a nice Acting job
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:44 PM
magic 6 turnovers
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:45 PM
nice run
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:48 PM
think about this if you put D.Songs Mind in McGees Body you would have the best center in the NBA
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:48 PM
yes
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:51 PM
that was a BAD CALL he got pushed and the guy he ran into was not set
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:54 PM
amen
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:55 PM
oh mi god
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:56 PM
if we can keep up the hot 3 pt shooting we will have a shot
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:58 PM
15 inthe quarter for jamison
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Pietrus is the Wizard killer tonight
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:58 PM
need to keep it the same with the last 9.6 dont let em get that quick score
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:59 PM
i wonder what darius said
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:00 PM
i read his lips but you cant say that on here lol
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:01 PM
really, w4L?
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:02 PM
wizards showing alot of fight
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:02 PM
was it #!%$ or something like that?
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:02 PM
jamison is very very good!
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:04 PM
but i could not believe that block by howard
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:05 PM
i wish he would stay on johnsons right side he has not drive to the left
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:05 PM
yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Ohhhh MCGEE!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:06 PM
McGee!!!
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:06 PM
come on guys!!!!!!!!!
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:06 PM
PECH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:07 PM
GOALTEND INDEED!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:08 PM
3 goatending calls by howard
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:08 PM
That’s the idea, if he keeps helping out (howard), McGee could have a lot more slams and someone could have a lot more assists
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:09 PM
yes indeed
Comment from Aj
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:10 PM
fear the mcgee. goaltending!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:10 PM
68-58 terps 2 min left….
OH THE DRAMA…Can the terps hold on, CAN the wiz get over the hump???
WHAT A FRIDAY NIGHT
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:11 PM
this would be a great win for the Wizards tonight
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:12 PM
now i have to give that a because it was nasty too
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:12 PM
what a play Nick
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:12 PM
poor blatche but at least he walked off looking pretty good
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:14 PM
nick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from Aj
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:14 PM
it’s slick
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Terps up 10, a minute left, wiz down 1….okay now 4
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:16 PM
man would have loved for us to drive the ball
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:17 PM
wow mcgee!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:17 PM
What a great night Terps with a HUGE win, and the Wizards are in contention….Friday the 13th huh??
Comment from Aj
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:18 PM
wow playoff atmosphere on a friday night
Comment from Aj
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:19 PM
twan tied his season high
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:20 PM
welcome aj
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:21 PM
strong move
Comment from Aj
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:22 PM
jeff it’s the jerseys
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:23 PM
THAT COLLAPSING THING.
REMEMBER WHEN WE USED TO PLAY LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME??
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:23 PM
oops caps lock
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:28 PM
collapse at winning time
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:28 PM
man can we get a bad call he passed b4 he hit the floor
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:29 PM
i would get kicked out of the game if i were playing they would know they missed the call by the time the drug me off the floor
Comment from gbkdc
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:30 PM
hahaha
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Well, there is a big difference (positive) from the beginning of the year, compared to now, and that’s good to see.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:32 PM
wizards 49 % shooting
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:32 PM
at least we played this game like we wanted it i got to give the whole team respect and love for that
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:33 PM
nice game by youing
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:35 PM
great effort tonight
Comment from Aj
Time March 13, 2009 at 8:39 PM
great effort without cb. we should go to a lineup with mcgee and blatche or d song at the same time
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 13, 2009 at 9:12 PM
I saw that Ivan Carter is now a TV star. I’ll repeat what I posted on the WashingtonPost.com WizardsInsider blog: If Ivan starts to pick on the young Wizards without substantive justification, he’ll be the focus of relentless blogs on both the WashingtonPost.com and WashingtonWizards.com.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 13, 2009 at 9:22 PM
I thought that the Wiz played well tonight. We made errors, but who doesn’t? Thankfully, most were errors of commission rather than errors of omission. The guys hustled, were aggressive on offense and more tenacious on defense than usual.
AJ is a pivotal offensive force for this team; he scores when we need a score. He is very good at helping defensive, but still lacking in man-to-man defense. But, I’ll take his double-double and leadership every night regardless of whatever defensive liabilities he might bring to the game.
It was great to see the younger guys getting some serious minutes. They made more than a fair-share of mistakes, but that is how you learn in this league. I know that it was not in Tap’s game plan to play the younger guys so many minutes, but with CB going out, he had little choice. I believe that they responded very well and had the fans in the game almost to the very end.
Tap, how about giving these young guys very serious minutes for the remaining 16 games? The entire franchise will benefit. Give AJ and CB a rest. Let’s not get them hurt during a season that is so bad. CB is already hurting. Shut him down so that he is 100% next year. Limit AJ to 20-25 minutes per game. Come on man, use your head!
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 13, 2009 at 9:24 PM
SportsWiz, do you have an injury update on my main man, Anrday?
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 13, 2009 at 9:24 PM
or Andray
Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 13, 2009 at 9:32 PM
i gotcha gabbo, i’ll give u what coach said. They put him out there he wasn’t moving that well so they got him out, the trainers looked at him and started getting treatment on him.
Coach said he “rolled his ankle”. No news on it yet.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 13, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Hi Guys happy weekend. Yeah Gabbo he rolled his ankle pretty good. I hope he is ok. He is really starting to come into his own even playing out of position.
I really enjoyed that one. We hustled, scrapped, and ran all night long. We stayed with them until those turn overs at the end of the 4th quarter. It was fun watching Javaris and Nick in the back court together. They bring a much more up tempo game when they are in together. I think we really frustrated Howard tonight. The guys did a great job on him. When Antawn gets on fire like that it seems everyone around him rides his wake. I don’t think he has lost a step. He never could defend one on one. Who cares he is our Antawn lol. It’s great we are all just kind of expecting Dominic to have an average game (For Him). Wow that kid has some serious skills! He can defend, rebound, pass, box out, handle the ball pretty well, and now his shot is starting to fall. Rodman couldn’t handle the ball lol.
Great Game. We almost had that one
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 13, 2009 at 9:56 PM
LOL…Grif,
Dom has raised the bar, gotta find someone more diverse than Rodman to compare him to…LOL
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 13, 2009 at 10:06 PM
DCB…. Tom will read that and a thousand statistics will jump into his head instantly. After he clears all the numbers out of the way I bet he laughs….. LOL
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 13, 2009 at 10:15 PM
SportzWiz, thanks for the Blatche update. I hope that his injury is minor; I really like the young man. I think that he doesn’t wear his game on his sleeve because he doesn’t want to disappoint anyone. He doesn’t hold back physically, but he also doesn’t let it all hang out emotionally. He’s a great passer because he is a true team player who would be happy to not score and be instrumental in a win. I hope that he learns that you have to give it all ALL the time if you want to be successful. I want very much to see him succeed.
Grifon, I agree with you, it was a fun game to watch. The immediate double on Dwight was good strategy (good grief, did I just write that? Okay Tap, I’ll give you, or whoever devised that strategy , credit.)
Someone just told me that during the videocast there was video of Waldo playing three-on-three. Any fellow bloggers who saw the clip – how did he look? Was there any indication of a return to the real game? I hate making decisions without all the pertinent information. Will Waldo be seen in action this year?
Wiz players – thanks for the great effort tonight!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time March 13, 2009 at 10:55 PM
gabbo that is what i mentioned on the blog on Thursday. there were several video people there, it was after practice, id check what i wrote there,
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 14, 2009 at 7:31 AM
grifonracing — I believe I’ve been saying all along that Rodman was not a relevant comparison for Dominic McGuire. There has never been anyone quite like the Worm — a totally one-sided player who all the same is HoF quality (not to mention his utterly unique personality).
Dom is an all around good ball player who excels because he has both outstanding athleticism and a high basketball IQ. He is going to be a fixture in the NBA for a long, long time. Here’s hoping we can afford, and have the sense, to keep him.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 14, 2009 at 7:32 AM
I missed last night’s game 
but I’m hoping comcast has a reply on the runway for this a.m. — gonna go check in a minute.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 14, 2009 at 7:43 AM
Looking at the line, obviously something happened to Caron and Andray — nothing serious, I hope.
Nick had a commendable game! He shot pretty well, and he added rebounds and assists. Obviously, you don’t like to see 5 fouls and a turnover but no steal. Still, this is the level of participation we need from him.
JaVale also looks to have played well from his line. Crittenton needs to turn a corner. He is so strong and solid, but if he isn’t going to shoot a high percentage, then he *definitely* can’t turn the ball over! It really limits his ability to impact the game positively.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 14, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Last night I wrote, “The immediate double on Dwight was good strategy (good grief, did I just write that? Okay Tap, I’ll give you, or whoever devised that strategy , credit.)”.
Upon reflection, and in the cold light of day, I wonder about a double-team strategy that leads to so many kick-out passes to one of the best three-point shooting teams in the league. However, I guess the coach just makes a decision about how to play it and the players do what they can. That’s a tough choice to make on defense: try to stop Superman one-on-one or give up the three. We played very well against a very good team.
Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 14, 2009 at 8:50 AM
Tom M., CB developed a tightness in his leg and Andray rolled his ankle.
Comment from ChenierFan
Time March 14, 2009 at 9:55 AM
I don’t agree with the reflexive double teams on Howard. Howard is not yet a polished offensive threat. Their team is much more explosive hitting 3′s. Besides, let’s have some individually responsibility for stopping your man.
When they do double team, why do other teams have a better scheme at cutting off passing lanes to the 3 point shooters then we do? If you can’t get back to the shooter, then cut off the passing lane. Randy Ayers doesn’t get a lot of flack in this blog, but I don’t see a lot of sophistication in his defensive schemes.
Individually, the Wiz players, except for Antawn, Pech and Juan are not bad individual defenders. I put alot of the blame on poor defensive problems with cutting off passing lanes to the shooters.
Comment from gray16
Time March 14, 2009 at 3:01 PM
i didn’t really have a problem with the doubling tonight until late. late in the game, people stopped rotating to the open man. when someone such as nick goes in to defend howard, someone needs to rotate over and pick up his man, and someone needs to then take the new open man. eventually the ball will take a while to find an open man, who should be the furthest from the ball, and the longer it takes to get the ball to the open man= the more time the d has to recover. they did that early on, but not late, and it cost the wiz the game.
also at first i was mad that darius didn’t return. there was no doubt in my mind that we could win that game if darius had returned. but then i thought about it and realized, we don’t need the win, we need to give the youngins some time, especially in situations like last night. so for that i applaud eddie crapscott.
but like many have said, if he doesn’t start resting caron and antawn this team will just have another injury prone year. i guess the wizards have never been able to put togethor the high amount of minutes the stars play with the fact that the are always getting injured. hopefully they will soon, or it will cost them in the long run, as it already has before.
Comment from Aj
Time March 14, 2009 at 5:51 PM
What coach do you guys think we will get next year?
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 14, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Patrick Ewing take a look:
Patrick Ewing Would Welcome Wizards’ Interest
If the Washington Wizards are in the market for a head coach, people close to Magic assistant Patrick Ewing say the Hall of Famer would be receptive.
Ewing will not publicly comment about specific jobs that might be open after the season out of respect for those interim coaches currently on board.
While Ewing would prefer a team with some better building blocks than the wretched Wizards — who have the worst record in the East at 15-50 — he wants to land one of the coveted jobs after serving six seasons as an NBA assistant.
Ewing served as an assistant with the Wizards in 2003-04, and is familiar with the area as a former star at Georgetown University.
The Wizards fired Eddie Jordan earlier this season and replaced him with interim coach Ed Tapscott.
Ewing’s contract with the Magic expires after this season. He has been primarily responsible for continuing the development of all-star Dwight Howard.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 14, 2009 at 6:23 PM
No Tom. DCB said it was an irrelevant comparison. I said the HOF’r couldn’t dribble. Brush a few more numbers away and then re read it. There is a laugh there somewhere for you.
As long as they don’t hire any of us to coach the team all should be pretty ok
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 14, 2009 at 8:24 PM
I remember when Mike James came to the Wiz and he would let Dom bring the ball up, I would say, “oh no, another turnover is coming”, now I’m like GO DOM, DO YOUR THANG!!!
Dom has developed greatly and is still rising. I am so glad for HIM and the wiz. I think JCritt is going to be a major X-Factor next year also. The young guns are proving with a little time and experience, they can do some good things.
And let’s not forget Javalle, he’s starting to play with more control and is learning the ropes. While we may not look at this as a rebuilding season, we have definitely fortified our foundation?! Time will tell.
Comment from gray16
Time March 14, 2009 at 10:43 PM
man imagine what patrick ewing could do for javale mcgee. that could be a great opportunity for the wizards to go and get ewing. developing big men hasn’t been a strong spot for the wizards.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time March 14, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Hey Guys check out the King’s web site. Bold face black letters…… “TOP LOTTERY PICK”. I guess they aren’t being real shy about it. At least we only talk about it amongst ourselves. I don’t know how I’d feel about the “organization” throwing in the towel.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 15, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Good Morning,
Needing a big man coach, Will we get Blake Griffin, who will be here next year as a coach and as a player, getting Cap Room/Space for the org’s future….This is going to be an interesting summer.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 15, 2009 at 9:02 AM
With 15 or so games to go, and with the kings record, if they won the rest of their games, they would still have one of the worst records in the nba….reality has set in and it’s time to start marketing for next season.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 15, 2009 at 9:45 AM
The Wizards are doing the same thing with this new “determined to deliver” next season theme. Someone in their marketing department has a “thing” for alliteration. This season it was “C” (“commitment, connection…”) and they are going to “D” for next season.
If I were grading, I’d give an “F” for this season! There’s nowhere to go but up (or go nowhere — wch is what I’m really worried about for next year).
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Comment from getabigboyoffense
Time March 13, 2009 at 7:24 AM
Magic tonight. Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!