Game Day Atlanta
6:51 AM….Dave Johnson ready to get back at it…..Brendan Haywood….should be back in the lineup tonight. He has not played since spraining his ankle in the pre-season game against the Mavericks, but Haywood has been with us every step of the way working out including the Toronto,Grand Rapids, and Cleveland swing…..It has been a terrific pre-season on the BLOG….and we pick up with the BLOGCAST–live radio and blogging together so you can connect with us courtside–it starts tonight at 7 from Atlanta and you can listen on 106.7 FM or online with our LISTEN LIVE link.
6:05 PM…..Dave and Glenn checking in from Atlanta….first of all thanks for all the comments on the BLOG…it gets us fired up for the game…NO Gilbert Arenas tonight(flu like symptoms)…so Wizards starting lineup will have Randy Foye, Mike Miller, Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler and Andray Blatche….
Posted: October 19th, 2009 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Remember,
ATL is game 1 of a back-to-back for WAS. There is no need to overplay anyone – as a precaution to minimize further injury potential to the guys on the team.
As poorly as Young have shown in preseason, I think Flip has a bias for offensive-minded scorers and I do believe that the culmination of Young’s entire summer (not just from 4 preseason games) will earn him a role in the rotation.
A sarcastic LOL @ 12 rebounds from Haywood – when was the last time he had double-digit boards in a game?
Comment from tyrone20000
Time October 19, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Of all our players, I believe Haywood is the one that have to be on the floor at the time of any championship!
Comment from AUNDRA
Time October 19, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I HAVE BIG NUMBERS FOR B-WOODS THIS YEAR. HE HAS A GREAT BACK UP IN OBERTO SO HE CAN GO FLAT OUT CRAZY AND WHEN HE NEEDS A BREAK IN COME FAB WHO CAN DO IT ALL ALSO! WHEN HE GETS THE BALL DOWN LOW HE HAS TO TAKE OVER THAT SPACE LIKE SHAQ AND CONTROL THE BOARDS BECAUSE REBOUND HAS BEEN A ISSUE THIS WHOLE PRESEASON AND HE CAN HUSH IT BY TAKING THE ROCK RIGHT NEAR THE RIM! THE ONLY THING HE NEEDS TO PRACTICE ON IS HIS FREETHROWS COACH!
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 19, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from AUNDRA
Time October 19, 2009 at 10:37 AM
VEGAN DESHAWN
How can you keep your energy so high just off vegan is amazing to me. I think you look like the old crazyman as before so let me see something special tonight may be a dunk or two! You are still one of the best defensive player we got!
Good Luck!
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time October 19, 2009 at 10:41 AM
I think Haywood needs a new “big men” coach other than Unseld Jr. I think he’s outgrown whatever Wes Jr. has taught him. I see Haywood and Wes Jr. workout all the time about an hour before the game on the home court and they do the same things every game. The routines need to change, in my opinion, to keep Haywood fresh and to expose him to new ideas.
If you think about it, Atlanta has a similar team to the Wiz. Consider the following
Both teams have a legit superstar: Arenas-Joe Johnson
Both teams have really good supporting players that were/can-be all-star caliber: Butler/Jamison-Bibby/Horford
Both teams have an athletic, big stud but is a headcase bonehead from time to time: Blatche-Josh Smith
Both teams have an above-average center that can bang with anyone: Haywood-Pachulia
Both teams have a questionable starter position because of inconsistency and injury-prone: SG for Wiz (i.e., Stevenson)-SF for Hawks (i.e., Marvin Williams)
Comment from hankfree
Time October 19, 2009 at 10:51 AM
I’d like to see Foye get some more time. He was really strong against the Cavs and is coming off a nice 08 campaign with the t-wolves. I think he is a great addition and should fit in great at the other guard spot opposite Gil.
Comment from Jaba
Time October 19, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Hoping for a big game from Andray! Who knows when AJ is REALLY coming back.
Andray’s our man right now! A good season start might strongly depend on how
he does! GO WIZARDS!!
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Honestly, I would like to see Gil sit out tonight. This is like the Mavs situation to me. I dont want to show this team much since we play them in game 2
Comment from Rick
Time October 19, 2009 at 11:33 AM
@dlts20, opposing teams have played and scouted Flip for years. they already know what he is going to do, for the most part. it’s much more important that Arenas gets his game rhythm than it is for us to hide our offensive and defensive schemes.
not only will Blatche have to pick it up in Jamison’s absence, but Bulter too. Caron has looked good so far in the preseason, but I think you’ll start to see him really assert himself.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time October 19, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Butler needs to be more aggressive. He lost like 15 lbs this summer and he’s not really using his added quickness and conditioning to his advantage.
Arenas should play whatever he can tolerate without going overboard.
- –
One of Tom M’s favorite players, Kevin Love, is sidelined because of our good pal Pecherov. Minny is going to win 5 games this year!
From ESPN
“Love banged his hand against teammate Oleksiy Pecherov’s elbow trying to go for a rebound on a missed free throw late in the third quarter and fractured the fourth metacarpal.”
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 19, 2009 at 12:11 PM
id like to see mcgee, blatche, nick, foye, and miller in at the same time. the way injuries go with this team id like to see how these guys play together. nick and mcgee seem to have spent alot of time together over the summer and played together in different summer leagues. i think this is a starting line up on another team. probably not a playoff team but they are still young and with time (and weight) mcgee will be one of the dominant bigs in this league and young will be an all star if he can learn defense and rebounding. as for blatche i believe from what i have seen from him this preseason and the summer league that he has arrived, he’s just still in customs so to speak. if he can start playing with a little more passion and aggresiveness he is a top power forward in the nba. some of his fast break layups are contested becuz players know he will go for a 6′11 man layup instead of dunking with authority. he should be going to the line for 1 shot instead of 2 on alot of his plays.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 12:35 PM
IDK about that Rick. They know Flip’s style but its still night & day when its with different players. Like I was watching Philly last night and it was funny because I saw him running all that same stuff he did here but its still different when you have different guys doing it. Personaly, I just always feel funny in situations like this because I almost feel like its better to lose. If Atlanta wins tonight with all our guys playing then they will sleep on us in that 1st regular season game but if Gil plays then we might win and we might be overconfident when we see them in that 2nd game.
I also still think that these teams seriously do not have a feel for Gil. He’s been gone for so long and he was always hurt when he played so there not use to seeing this healthy cat with this newfound passing ability. I would just love to sneak up on teams with that. Again, we still have Philly tomorrow and the Bulls on Friday. I would play him then since we dont see them right off the bat of the regular season but I understand both ways and wouldnt be upset if he did play tonight
Comment from Rick
Time October 19, 2009 at 12:55 PM
@dlts, there will be no sneaking up. the nba teams scout each other mercilessly. besides, in the first games of the season, the players are so focused on running their *own* systems that thinking about what the other team is doing will not likely be top of mind.
any possible advantage that surprise might provide, i think is outweighed by Arenas and others getting more comfortable with each other out on the court and learning flip’s system.
I’ll be interested to see how Blatche and Haywood work together on defense tonight.
Comment from sharpsburg23
Time October 19, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Butler doesnt have to do much this season. His numbers will be down, same with Jamison and Arenas. This team is so deep guys. If one of the big 3 are off one night we have someone to fill each roll. Its going to be a great season. Look for Arenas to have his first 30pt game tonite and look for wood to have a double double. Go Wizards!!
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 1:40 PM
IDK about that Sharp. I felt the same way too but after watching this Preseason, I think alot of that still changes with Gil being back and with Flip’s system. With Gil being back we are going to be running non stop and he gets guys open shots. Flip has maybe the best offensive system in the league and Gil has been talking non stop about driving more which means going to the line alot. I mean if you just look at our games so far, Gil has had games with 24, 18, 14, and 12 while only playing 2 quarters. Ive seen Caron get a ton of points in a quarter or a half and Ive seen AJ do the same thing.
Then you add that to the fact that Flip has promised only an 8 or 9 man rotation and Gil is getting teams in foul trouble. I definatly could see there numbers dropping but I could still see them having some pretty big numbers
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 1:44 PM
I also doubt Gil will get 30 tonight simply for the fact that he’s only playing 24min max in every game. Its definatly possible, espicaly with AJ out but I doubt it
Comment from neal
Time October 19, 2009 at 1:56 PM
What does IDK mean?
The competition at C and SG is still hot. That’s the most interesting part of these games for me.
I hope this game shows that we’re better than the Hawks.
Comment from M2
Time October 19, 2009 at 2:07 PM
I don’t know maybe it means I don’t know?
C’mon Neal, deductive reasoning… 
GO WIZ
Play the core
They need the minutes for chemistry’s sake so take advantage of the opportunity in pre-season. All of this “rest this guy” rest that guy” stuff is ridiculous. The core needs reps!
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time October 19, 2009 at 2:44 PM
hey – stop picking on neal. he’s the only 94 year old Wiz fan that blogs here. dont let his pic fool ya – he played catch with walter johnson.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time October 19, 2009 at 2:50 PM
i have a warning for those that want significant change – i don’t think it is happening.
the more we think the situation is going to change, the more it doesn’t. arenas did tell the media, in last friday’s interview video, that his assists will go up this season. yet, he didn’t say he’s sacrificing his scoring to do so. if you take his word, it means he’ll need the ball even more in his hands to make it happen.
i have to assume that jamison is still going to take at least 12 shots a game (or more if everyone struggles). and in order for caron to be effective, he’ll have to take about 12 as well. everyone will get his shots if the team scores 147.8 ppg – but that’s not realistic. so, we’re back to square one where the big 3 do the talking and it leaves the role players with very little room for error and to operate.
Comment from tyrone20000
Time October 19, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Neal, what competition a center? It must be for the backup…
Comment from aznzero
Time October 19, 2009 at 2:59 PM
hey dave,
is there s southern maryland radio station that will air the game like all of last season? thanks!
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 19, 2009 at 3:00 PM
arenas wont be the same as we remember. he will not be out there paying run and gun. but that is a good thing. Arenas seems to want to be acknowledged as the best pg in the nba. and as long as he is scoring alot people wont consider him a true pg. whatever that means. look for him to still be a great scorer but more around 22-24 ppg with around 8-9 apg. this will make us better. before we had a team that only went as arenas went. now we will have a team designed for the sg to be the dominate scorer and we are heavy at sg. this means we will go as whoever is hot goes. if nick is hot we are good, miller, foye, maybe caron all have the opportunity to lead this team on any given night.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time October 19, 2009 at 3:12 PM
i don’t think players on the team need to be hot to get wins for each game. i do think that each player needs to figure out how to be accountable for situations if his own cause is hurting the team.
for example, say arenas goes 3 for 17 shooting for a game. knowing his shot isn’t falling, he needs to spend some energy playing better defense and also to facilitate the ball more to other guys that are hitting shots. during the eddie jordan era, this theory never happened and that’s why you saw the Wiz lose games they shouldn’t have.
one more thing – let’s examine the mantra “no lead is safe”. good to great teams hold-on to leads. the Wiz can be up 18 early 3rd quarter and then lose it all with 4 minutes to go in regulation. this shouldn’t happen with even more offensive talents now. since eddie jordan’s group couldn’t solve this dilemma, let’s hope flip’s group can.
Comment from neal
Time October 19, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Arenas leads the Wizards in assists per 48 min played (7.1) and in TO’s per 48 min played.
Leaders in assists per TO:
Miller 2.3
McGuire 2.2
James 2.1
Foye 2.0
Crittenton 1.9
Arenas 1.7
Stevenson 1.6
Oberto 1.6
Just you wait wizards_fusion. You’ll be here one day.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 3:28 PM
wizfus, to be fair, this is a different team. You cant judge them like the past teams because the players are different. Im not saying that it wont end up the same but you have to give them a chance. In regards to Gil, I just dont see him having those 4-22 games that he use to have so often. He’s more of a passer now so I dont see him gunning if he’s not on. He’s also got more weapons now to share that load when he had to do alot of it himself at 1st.
Then you have to add in that he’s going to be a more efficent scorer this year if you ask me. Even when he was healthy at the end, he was so unaggressive. He always settled. He said that is over and so far he is playing like it. He said that he is going back to attacking the rim and I beleive him. I think he will shoot alot of FT’s and I think his shooting percentage will be much higher as he is taking much better shots now and will drive alot more. I havent seen him take 1 bad shot this preseason so far when he use to take 10 per game. He’s not going to force anything anymore and if he does force it, it will be on a drive which is ok by me.
Comment from Aj
Time October 19, 2009 at 3:35 PM
I know it’s hard to predict a whole nba season but i think tonight’s game will feature the 4-5 match up for this years playoffs. Ofcourse I think the wizards will get the 4 spot.
Comment from neal
Time October 19, 2009 at 4:46 PM
I think you’re right dlts20, but we could be wrong. Won’t know for a while.
Comment from wtop
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Lets go Wizards tonight against Atlanta by the way Dave great work on the Maryland Madness show from Friday night with you, Christy Winters Scott, and Chris Knocke
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:07 PM
6:05 PM…..Dave and Glenn checking in from Atlanta….first of all thanks for all the comments on the BLOG…it gets us fired up for the game…NO Gilbert Arenas tonight(flu like symptoms)…so Wizards starting lineup will have Randy Foye, Mike Miller, Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler and Andray Blatche….
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:08 PM
and thanks wtop for watching Friday night…I really enjoyed that show….Gary’s team I think is going to be good this year with the addition of the young big men Jordan Williams and James Padgett
Comment from Babakism
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Great to see Haywood back in the lineup
STAY HEALTHY!!!! NO INJURIES!!!!!! lol
The cool thing about Gil being sick and antwan being out is that the starting lineup tonight with the exception of Caron could play the majority of minutes.
Meaning we could see the substitution flow very similar to that of a regular season game giving us a chance to really see what we got with our new players this offseason and the depth of our team.
I am also very interested to see how blatche and haywood play alongside of each other. I really think Haywood makes Blatche a much better player.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:31 PM
babakism welcome all spot on with the comments…..i got my flu shot today
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:38 PM
is there no way to see this game?
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:39 PM
it is just on the radio and online.
Comment from scj190
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:49 PM
hey everyone, sam here checking in….is there any way to watch this game online? if so how do i do it?
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Glenn here: Some keys this game: No Gil and Jamison so: Execution: limit turnovers, Transition D, Hawks Frontline likes to Run, Limit second chance points.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:54 PM
just radio and online
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 6:58 PM
I wonder if Gil is really so sick that he cant play or did they moreso want to hold him out tonight since we play the Hawks again so soon foreal? I mean, we have a game tomorrow and another against the Bulls on Friday. I would rather play him then instead of tonight. Just saying.
I really want to see how Foye plays the point tonight with the vets. He’s been getting criticized but I think some of it is unfair due to the guys he’s been on the court with. You can really judge his PG skills tonight and I think he will do well
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:03 PM
welcome wizards4life….broadcast underway with comments of flip saunders
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:04 PM
can’t wait to see how foye does as well.
also want to see how haywood comes out tonight.
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:07 PM
i hope nick ges to play 22-25 min tonight. he needs as many reps in the defensive scheme as possible. looking forward to seeing how blatche plays with haywood. that should be helpful on defense as well. not to worried with the offense as we may very well end up the highest scoring team in the league
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:07 PM
thanks.. seems that Flip likes alot of guys at the 2 so he still dose not have a starter for sure as of right now
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:07 PM
I will definatly trade an L tonight for a W in game 2 of the regular season. I a
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:08 PM
dlts this might be the playoff match up with all is said and done lets hope we play them well
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:08 PM
and yes gil not feeling well …like last week several cavs had the flu… and if we were going to give gil the night off we would just say night off
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:10 PM
I was checking out our Preseason stats compared to the Hawks and its crazy because we are shooting better and our Defensive FG% is alot better yet they are scoring more than us and giving up less points than us. I will say that I think alot of our fans are underrating our D so far. Pretty much everyone judges D by FG% and ours has to be near the top of the league so far in Preseason which is great. The problem is that our rebounding hasnt been good and teams are getting alot of 2nd chance points on us.
Still, I dont think people can keep judging things by points. We are going to run non stop so we are going to give up more points than normal teams but that doesnt mean that we arent playing good D
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:10 PM
deshawn stevenson will start instead of miller
Comment from Jason C
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Whats up guys, Dave and Glenn, just finished an exam. Going to leave the broadcast on while I nap.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:11 PM
I think they benched Miller late tonight because Gil isnt playing. I think Flip wants to keep Foye playing with DS since that will probably be the backcourt of the 2nd unit during the season
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:12 PM
by the way antawn on the trip and loos great lifting shoudler
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:14 PM
starting to run on us already got to slow the game down when you go young guys playing on the other team
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:15 PM
blatche not settling, thats a great sign
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:17 PM
CB3 looks alot stronger than most past years even tho he looks like he has lost some LBS
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:18 PM
The insider just said that both Gil & Miller are out with the flu. It also said that Gil will be sent home and wont even travel tomorrow while Miller probably wont either as his tempature was approaching triple digits. Wow, hope the guys get better
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:19 PM
caron butler stepping it up in arenas’ and twan’s absense
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:19 PM
They said the guys feel that they may have got it from the Cavs since Lebron and a few of there players had it
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:20 PM
i even had the flu about 4 days ago its ruff i say its more just so other people dont start to catch it as why they might have sent Gil home
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Wood has to get out on the jumpers. Thats what kills us against Z and thats why Im happy we have Oberto. Wood can shut down the low post back to the basket guys while Oberto can get out on the shooters
Comment from fishercob
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Good evening, guys. Please keep an eye on how the Haywood-Blatche tandem looks up front, especially defensively and on the glass.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:21 PM
good points gang…bad with turnovers thats why the hawks have an eight piint lead…but gray16 as you said good to see dray driving
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:22 PM
way too many turnovers so far.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:23 PM
good call wizards4 life
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:23 PM
might have to go small with all the young guys
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:24 PM
DJ, Miller has the flu also
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:25 PM
the thing i miss about daniels is when he was on the floor, there were barely any turnovers. problem was, he never pushed the tempo either.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:26 PM
Gray i dont know if i would say never he was on his back 90% of the time the other 10% was freethrows or no calls
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:28 PM
gray, its easy not to make turnovers when youre not doing anything but dribbling in a circle and passing around the permiter. All he did was basic stuff
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:28 PM
yeah that’s true, he was a great option on outlet passes, but when he was on the floor, the wiz mostly used a halfcourt offense.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:29 PM
The reason why I love us against the Hawks is that Caron kills them everytime. He can light up Josh Smith while Gil can light up Bibby and AJ should light up Williams. Meanwhile Wood should cancel out Al and Miller should be able to hang with Johnson
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:30 PM
7 turnovers
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:31 PM
DJ, Miller has the flu incase you missed it
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:31 PM
yeah but unless the wizards improve their defense, they will still let any team hang with them
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:32 PM
I would like to see Nick Young break out tonight.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Im a Teauge fan and he said that he wears the number 0 because of Arenas. He said he looks up to Gil and people also told him that he wouldnt get any playing time in College or the NBA
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:34 PM
That Foye J is money
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:34 PM
I want to hear what the combination of Wood & Fab sound like
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:35 PM
the hawks are one of the best shooting teams in the league, and when their hot, they are near unstoppable, especially when your defense isn’t that good
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Now I feel like a fool for that Foye comment. I thought it sounded like he was making some J’s. Maybe I was flipping too much : )
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Haywood 4 rebounds… I heard the last defensive rebound…
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Wow, they almost doubled us up. We have to find a way to have a good Offense when Gil isnt on the floor. The Hawks are playing solid on O but alot of there points are because our O has been so bad. Its off turnovers or long rebounds leading to quick Offense from them
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:36 PM
the wiz should stop relying on jumpshots and threes, they need a go to guy in the post and around the paint. even if it’s a guard.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:37 PM
DJ, I know you check the boards on the break. Again, Miller is out with the flu and a tempature nearing the triple digits
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:37 PM
The roster tonight has no real PG, with Arenas missing and Crittenton still injured.
Foye played much better last year when he was a SG.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Good to see James get some run tonight
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:40 PM
My fault : we do have Mike James
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:40 PM
We have enough weapons to erase big leads this year so lets see what happeneds
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Dom hasnt played much but he’s played well every single minute he’s played this preseason
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Man, it seems like we havent recovered any loose balls this Preseason. Every time the ball is on the floor we never come up with it and then they end up scoring or we foul
Comment from truthaboutit
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:43 PM
1) Blatche already has 3 of the 7 turnovers … ? What’s up with that guy? Is he trying to do too much?
2) Giving up a lot of 3s is very reminiscent of last year … are player collapsing too far into the paint and losing track of their man?
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:46 PM
the only game i saw was the last game against the heat, and it seemed like the players were giving the players way too much room to shoot, not closing out, and yeah collapsing too much. definitely didn’t look at bad as before, but still pretty bad.
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:46 PM
sorry meant the heat
Comment from fishercob
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Excellent questions/concerns from truthaboutit. Dray gets into a lot of trouble when he tries to do too much, specifically putting the ball on the floor in traffic.
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:47 PM
meant the cavs…
long day
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Nick Young not shooting well
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:47 PM
gray, do you mean the Hawks or the Heat because you said Heat both times
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Dray & NY are basicaly the same in that if you dont have a good PG then they arent going to play consistent but if you put them on the floor with Gil then they look like All Stars
Comment from daduhjon
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:51 PM
I like Mike Miller, has he been in yet?
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:51 PM
With the way that Foye & DS started, you might be better off with bringing Miller off the bench to play with Foye. I think thats a much better mix than Foye-DS or Foye-NY. I dont like the thought of DS starting but I wouldnt mind if NY got the nod.
Comment from daduhjon
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Also, are we gonna see Paul Davis?
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:57 PM
So if we are not showing much in the way of strategy b/c we will face the hawks again next week — we should be making more accurate shots & working on the turnovers… one of the major problems of last season…
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Glenn here: not crazy about the energy tonight, but ths a great opportunity for the James, Stevenson, Magee, and others, to get some qualty playing time.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:00 PM
The truth is that if NY & DS dont start playing better then both will be out while we will just give a ton of minutes to Miller & Foye
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Yeah Nick Young better step it up because otherwise he will not be in the rotation.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I wanted to see this game on TV bad but now Im glad I didnt get to see it. It sounds ugly
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:01 PM
agreed dlts20…. we actually have options this season…
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:01 PM
at this point, i don’t see why mcguire wouldn’t be ahead of ny and ds on the rotation
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:01 PM
some noice drives by blacthe
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:04 PM
it was incredible three deshanw stevenson
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:05 PM
for some reason the link for the radio isn’t working. anyone got any other links?
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:08 PM
You know that Gil isnt playing because we only have 4 FT attmepts. Last year we were near the bottom on the league in that catagory and its showing again tongiht but when Gil plays we are argubaly the best in the league at getting to the line. He completely changes the game for us
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:09 PM
sorry gray. You cant just listen to the radio or are you not in the area?
Comment from gray16
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:12 PM
no i’m at college in baltimore, and i don’t have a radio with me.
that’s ok though, doesn’t sound like i’m missing too good of a game, hopefully the defense gets better, and people start stepping up.
Comment from supermandjw
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:12 PM
looks like the link is out?
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:22 PM
here is a link to the Hawks side guys http://www.790thezone.com/ListenLive/index.aspx
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:22 PM
so the link is out
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:23 PM
that is the hawkls broadcast ours is out? is that correct
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Gray – this is the box score link… Hope this helps! http://www.nba.com/games/20091019/WASATL/gameinfo.html
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Yes, the 106.7 broadcast is out… you get the into ads, but then it ceases..
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:25 PM
I went to 106.7 online & followed their direct link to the online station, but the results were the same…
Comment from supermandjw
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:27 PM
following now with the link given by dlts20
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:27 PM
again guys, this link works:
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:28 PM
I hate to give another link because I love our guys but I guess you want to help the fans until it works again. Its like listening to a funeral home compared to our guys though
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:30 PM
wow it sounds like were doing better and we’re still down by 20. Thats sad
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:30 PM
106.7 link is now working!!!
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Is there anything we can do to stop being the worst 3pt defensive team in history? I dont like to call people dumb but its mind boggling to me how much room we give guys on the 3. These guys are pros. You cant back off of good shooters and act like they wont make it. Thats basicaly like an open J
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:32 PM
seeing oberto and haywood together
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:33 PM
DJ, how many FT attemps do we have? With Gil we are one of the best and without him we are one of the worst in this catagory
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:34 PM
could have used miller on joe johnson
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:38 PM
DLTS … the box score is on Yahoo
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore;_ylt=Ak7hyTjzMFjOM1Bt7MmxLx.8vLYF?gid=2009101901
We have taken a total of 5 free throws … putrid
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Foye not bad tonight with 12 & 5 in 20min Not shooting great but not horrible either and I think he got creditited for a miss on one of those plays where he didnt even really shoot it.
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:38 PM
I take it back … .106.7 is again not working.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:39 PM
5 attempts? Come on now. Youre not going to beat good teams like that. That means we have no playmakers and are just settling for long J’s which leads to long rebounds and them running the other way with it
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Our guards need to be more agressive it seems! Only guard with a FT attempt is Stevenson…and that was from a 3 point shot!
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Juan Dixon is also trying to make the Hawks. I would like to see if him get some run tonight
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Ok…Foye finally gets to the line
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:42 PM
NY playing a little better tonight
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Turnovers are about even now…the only thing that is killing us now is our FG% as well as FTs taken.
My guess is that is because we are shooting too many jumpshots and not driving as much.
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:44 PM
I heard of the Anderson Sisters & that song making whoopy…. I’m an old soul 
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Haywood now has 10 RB… why can’t we stop the outside shot?
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:47 PM
well done 2stepsaway
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:47 PM
Weve increased our scoring by 3pts every quarter which is always a good thing. The bad thing is that weve been outscored in every quater. Hope we finish strong and show up on TV tomorrow against the old ball coach
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:49 PM
I agree 2stepsaway, this team is looking like the one from last year this game (granted Arenas, Jamison, and Miller are out and Butler has played great).
Flip needs to do something to address our perimeter defense.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:49 PM
sorry we have not been not posting as much keep getting knocked off the internet
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:49 PM
they are taking less shots, but making more…
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:49 PM
man, theyre just not missing
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:50 PM
No problem DJ. No one’s missing much tonight
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:52 PM
randy foye good game
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:52 PM
4th quarter, we are down… expect lots of shots made/forced from the outside…..
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:52 PM
oberto now paired with mcgee
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Foye with 19 & 6 in 25min. This coming a game after getting what, 21 in 24min? Still doesnt sound like he is doing the complete PG thing but we wont need him to do that much when Gil is back. Im going to love seeing Foye at the 2 with Gil at the 1 though. Thats going to be a deadly backcourt
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:59 PM
I would prefer Foye coming off the bench, dlts. I think Mike Miller should start because we already have so much firepower with the rest of our starters, and he is good at passing and rebounding too.
Foye will be deadly off the bench.
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:01 PM
which wizard/s is/are getting off rebounds?
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Paul Wall Davis in the house : )
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:03 PM
we do have options
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:05 PM
javale mcgee now with 7 offensive boards
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:05 PM
I actually meant def rebounds! But you ans my other thought! Thanks!!
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:06 PM
McGee, dont get it twisted. I think without a doubt Foye will come off the bench and should come off but Im just saying that he will still play his best ball when Gil is in the game with him. So far our O as a whole has struggled with him at the point. He’s created well for himself but our O overall always struggles and thats why alot of people have ripped him.
I tell those people that Gil will play 36-38mpg so that means Foye will only play 10-12mpg at the point with him at the 2 the rest of the time. No doubt he needs to come off the bench and will but I still think he will play atleast half his time at the 2. I also think he will be better at the point when the season starts and he’s playing with more vets who can help him out
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:06 PM
wow, 7 offensive boards in limited minutes for McGee. Thats awesome
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:07 PM
statistically, the 2nd half has been much better… even worked on those free throws…
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:08 PM
OK…finally Young is starting to get hot
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:10 PM
NY having a pretty good game tonight. Seems to be getting his stroke back
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:11 PM
yeah only 3 turnovers iun sceond ha;f
Comment from mcgeemaniac
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:12 PM
McGee has rebounded well tonight. I would like to see him add an arsenal of post moves to his game.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:14 PM
yes 40% 10 rebounds haywood
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Haywood – 7 of his rebounds were defensive… very good! We will chalk tonight up to….. it happens… not a great effort, but as long as it does not set in (there are no indications is will be this way!!!!)
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Im still a little worried about the Mavs & Hawks game with Wood missing alot of time, AJ missing alot of time and may not be healthy, and then Gil & Miller with the flu. Couple that with the fact of learning a new system and having 2 extremely tough road games. Thats a concern but we have the weapons to make it work
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:21 PM
gangs thanks for keeping up with us tonoght…sorry for prblems..we had internet problems
glenn post
1 800 636 1067 and see you tomorrow in philly
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Bad loss but we had some good things with Foye’s 19 & 6, Wood’s 10 boards, NY bouncing back with 15, and James had a quiet 8ast in 20min
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:22 PM
also McGee with 8,7, and 2 blocks in just 20min
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Flu does not last long.. I was laid OUT for about 16 hrs on Fri, but after that, I was good!
Foye @ the 2… not bad… but I do with Crit was able to have this preseason to really show us how he fits into the rotation…
Comment from dlts20
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:25 PM
2steps, that may be true but they also want to be careful so that they dont spread it to anyone else
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:28 PM
We don’t pay our two missing All-Stars all that money because their presence doesn’t mean much to the Wiz success. Having Gil and AJ, along with CB in the lineup is the difference between victory and defeat.
Just as others have pointed out, with Gil in the game everyone plays better. He not only projects a winning attitude, his play elevates everyone else’s play because he creates opportunities for them to be successful.
I am saying, once again, that Gil is the most important player on the Wizards team…with him we could win 60; without him we might win 30.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:32 PM
DJ and GC, although the link was down, we were able to follow on radio. Bad game by the Wiz…usual great game by you two. Thanks.
Comment from 2stepsaway
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:34 PM
oh Def! We have HUGE STOP signs on our classroom doors. IF YOU FEEL SICK – STAY HOME!!! I did get it from my students…
But unlike last season – no casts, hosp visits…. I do not think we will have to look up & only see 7 bodies suited it…
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Can’t really analyze the team with so many key elements out. But the point of the matter is, who knows when these guys may have to carry the team during the season??? Our defense has been suspect since Hughes left? IDK but what hid our bad D in the past was Gils ability to score at will. I hope we’re holding back alot in the preseason
I feel good about our team OVERALL. I HOPE someone takes initiative when Gil has to sit, or can’t go on any given night and take over. Yes, say what you want, but Daniels has been the only one with that skill, and he’s gone. Man, I hope we are just not “showing” what we can do yet….
Comment from neal
Time October 19, 2009 at 9:48 PM
gabbo, you’re smokin some strong stuff. With Arenas we win 49. w/o him we win 43 and still make the playoffs. He’s a mixed bag, unless he’s changed a lot.
Comment from M2
Time October 20, 2009 at 12:05 AM
puff puff pass
Cause Neal, you’re smokin’ stronger stuff than Gabbo…
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 20, 2009 at 12:15 AM
ROFL @ m2
Right now, the team goes as Gil goes….
Comment from dlts20
Time October 20, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Funny stuff from Wood:
Saunder said he hopes that his team can come with a stronger performance in Philadelphia, where they will again be without Jamison, Arenas and Miller.
“Gil’s out. Mike’s out. Antawn wasn’t there. Right now, we’re trying to find our way,” Haywood said before joking, “Curse of the Wizards. Injuries and sickness always plague us.”
Comment from dlts20
Time October 20, 2009 at 2:03 AM
Some Hawks fans were bragging about the win and saying to bring on Agent 0. They said he wouldnt have made much of a different tonight. They act like they didnt even realize that we were missing AJ & MM also. Some fans did and hesitated but most of there fans basically were talking about how they will be in the Elite group of the East this year and we are below them.
What I wanted to talk about though was one guy said, “we gave up 95 points to them without Gil, AJ, and MM? We will have to beat them 115-110 when the season starts”.
I think that is something our fans have to think about. We scored 95 against a good defensive team on the road when we played pretty bad and were without 3 guys who make our O go. Dont overreact to tonights game
Comment from datonypony
Time October 20, 2009 at 5:55 AM
It seems that other nba blogs have some pretty low level/class bloggers. Hmph. Haha
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 20, 2009 at 9:02 AM
We had 3 of our 4 best players out; no big deal to lose this game. Not at all.
Nick shot well; did everything else badly. Not a dependable NBA player yet — and once again, infuriatingly, he does not step up when he has a terrific opportunity.
Andray, on the other hand, was reasonably solid — even on a night when he obviously wasn’t having a good outing (i.e. 3 turnovers in 23.5 minutes). He seems to be maturing and maybe can be depended on.
As we all saw last year, JaVale’s biggest problem is taking dumb, low percentage shots off of rebounds — rather than clearing the ball to a guard. W/o actually *seeing* his play, it’s hard to know whether that’s what he did last night to go 3-8.
Randy Foye continues to show why Minnesota was willing to trade him.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 20, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Gabbo says that Gil makes us a 60 win team, and w/o him we’re a 30 win team. Wilt Chamberlain might have made a 30 game difference for his teams, but not Gil Arenas.
The Wizards are just under .500 in games Gilbert Arenas started. He is a very, very good player — but he’s not a superstar that’s for sure.
Our best record w/ Gil was 45-37 — and that was starting a strong defensive player in Jeffries and with Larry Hughes in his prime and having his best season (he was our best player that year). Right now that’s our ceiling — if we break through that level, we’ll be in new territory for the Wizards, and the season will be a success.
If everybody stays healthy and we win 50 games and get into the 2d round, that’ll be great no matter how we do in that round. That result would be a *big stretch* for this team. Far better than we’ve ever done.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 20, 2009 at 12:05 PM
He is a super star Tom. I hate it when people say his record like he was in his prime or like we were supposed to be an elite team at that time. It makes no sense. When he 1st came here he guaranteed that we would make the playoffs in his 1st year but he got hurt. We then made the AJ trade and went to the 2nd round the next year. That was everyone’s 1st year in the playoffs and Gil didnt become a star until mid season after the injuries started and he had to carry us. The next year we lost to the Cavs in 6 games. If they call those travels then we win and we play a Pistons team who we always give hell to.
The following year we are in 1st place after the new year. After that series against the Cavs everyone saw us on there same level. Over half the season the following year, everyone had us as better than the Cavs and rated #1 in the East. The problem is the game we took over the #1 spot is also the game AJ got hurt and we lost him for a month. We havent been healthy a day since. He came back and then Caron went out for the year and Gil went out for the year. I hate it when people act like weve had the same team forever and have been totaly healthy. We havent. We basicaly had like 1 real year together.
That was even with major scrubs. All we had at that time was the big 3. Gil has never really played with this Wood, he’s never really played with Blatche, NY, Dom, McGee, Miller, Foye, Oberto, hadnt played with Songaila, only 1 year with Stevensen, never played with James, Critt, and so on. I dont understand how people keep talking about Gil’s record like he was supposed to be better than that at the time. He wasnt. We were just getting started and when we were supposed to peak is when we got hurt and havent been healthy since. Thats like saying Lebron has a .500 record if they wouldve been decimated at the time
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 20, 2009 at 12:43 PM
I love Gilbert — a terrific guy and a terrific basketball player. And I didn’t say we were supposed to be an elite team. I said 45-37 was the best we’d ever done.
When we *actually do it* then we’ll be able to say we’re a 50 win team, or a 60 win team. Like Flip said last night: “ball don’t lie,” and “if” this or that had only happened… that doesn’t mean a thing, sorry.
Everybody’s big reference point is us being 27-18 and leading the East a few years ago — when, btw, Shaq had been injured for 2 months crippling miami, and the Pistons hadn’t yet started to play that season. Project it out: it’s 49 wins on the season.
I’d *love* us to be a championship team. Only thing is, we’re not. We’re slightly above middle of the pack, and we have one year to make hay with that. If we do, great. If we don’t, it’ll be time to rebuild from the bottom up.
Comment from M2
Time October 20, 2009 at 12:56 PM
dlts20
Nice to see someone here with an accurate perspective…
I’m refreshed
Comment from dlts20
Time October 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Thats not true Tom. I think we were 27-17 and I dont think you can say that projects to 49 wins for the simple fact of how we got to 27-17 in the 1st place. If you remember, we started off that season slow. Its not like we were on a 27-17 pace the whole way. I think we were something crazy like 4-9 at the start and then at the time of AJ’s injury we were 23-8 in the last 31 games. It was something like that. Thats what people forget. We were like in last and came all the way to 1st.
You said the Pistons werent hot yet but thats a lie. The thing I remember the most is that Detroit was already playing well and then they made the trade for C-Webb. Everyone went crazy and booked them to win the East. They had just won like 5 straight games against good teams with Webb. We then played them 2 times in 4 days in a home & home series and won both games. Thats how we became 1st and even all the analyst were saying that we were the best team. The problem is in that last Pistons game, the same game we took over 1st, was the same game AJ got hurt and missed a month. As soon as he came back, Caron went down, and then Gil. People act like weve had the same exact team for 10 years, have been fully healthy, and havent done anything. Its so untrue. Ernie is not that dumb. He kept us together because he doesnt think we had a full shot to prove if we are average or great and the last time we were healthy we were on a 23-8 run against beast teams like the Pistons twice, the Lakers on the road, the Suns on the road, and so on.
Comment from M2
Time October 20, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Preach
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 20, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Okay dlts20,
You have to tell us who you really are….lol….
1) you know who’s sick before DJ and Glen
2) You totally shut Tom M down….NO ONE HAS DONE THAT…LOL….
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Comment from AUNDRA
Time October 19, 2009 at 8:19 AM
What I’m looking for is B-Woods to come in and control the paint with blocks and low post dunks and reverse dunks. I hope to see the rebounding machine and the Swagger/Defense that he brings to this offensively minded first unit! I like to see 12points 12 rebounds and maybe 3 blocks from our starter and alot of communications from our In the Paint Leader on the floor. Good Luck!