Comment from wizards_fusion
Time November 5, 2009 at 9:33 AM

re: The Heat game

I’ll try to answer some questions from the last thread from what I saw

Q1) Why was DeShawn in the game in the last moments?

A1) Well, it was because he’s the one that played defense the “best” on Wade. Flash had his way against Miller early (he’s too fast for Mike) and did his pump fakes and all that jazz against Foye and Miller. Stevenson held his ground and was able to run through screens with Wade. Did Wade still get his buckets? Absolutely, but that’s why he’s pretty awesome. I thought DeShawn did an admirable job trying to play as tough defensively on him as he could without being whistled for brushing by Flash’s jersey.

Q2) Why is Caron playing so much 1-on-1 and racking up turnovers like crazy?

A2) I think part of the problem is that Caron is still in the mindset from the last 2 years where he and Antawn had to do everything. I agree with GABBO a bit that he needs to listen to his coach and do what he’s told to do and not go beyond his means. Sometimes, it appears Caron thinks too much instead of playing instinctively – which got him popular here in DC. The mind goes a lot quicker than the body and when these 2 parts are not in sync – you get a turnover.

Also, I believe Caron is confused what his current role needs to be. Miller is doing a lot of the dirty work that Caron did. And Arenas is taking the scoring load from him. The ball is not getting to Caron’s sweet spots and he had to create way too much for a guy that’s rather average in creating his own shot.

Mental fatigue is weighing in on Caron and as a result, his free throw % is down, his turnovers are way up, and his bad tendencies are showing up at the worse times.

- -

In 3 of 4 games, I think Arenas didn’t try to be a team player but instead took it upon himself to take down all 5 of the other guys on the opposing team. The Arenas-Wade slugfest was great to watch live or on ESPN, but it doesn’t solve the problems that prevented the Wiz to win more than 42 games a year. Arenas had a mission last night (and I’m not sure if it was because someone told him to be aggressive on his man) – he went right at Chalmers, Q, and Arroyo with his quickness. It was effective until the crucial end. The Heat was ready for him late in the 4th quarter when he did the same thing. I believe by then, Gil was gassed and no longer had that extra gear to finish properly and to make a smarter play than what actually happened.

Lastly, I left the Verizon Center with only one thought in mind – MISCOMMUNICATION. For much of the game until the comeback, guys were not on the same page. A lot of pointing and chatting with each other = confusion. The gelling process is taking a toll against playoff teams from last season because the Wiz are exposed for being inexperienced in Flip’s system. Miscommunication should never be a blame game but more so be a team growth exercise. 4 years ago, it took Antonio Daniels exactly 33 games to finally understand Eddie Jordan and became a valuable backup PG for the second unit. 4 years later, we’ll have to see how long it takes Arenas and company to operate Flip’s system efficiently because right now, it is not pretty.

PS – If the Heat wants to keep Wade, they better throw like 150 million bones because he’s worth it.

Comment from TAG FLIP
Time November 5, 2009 at 2:12 PM

From seeing the highlights of the game, it’s apparent that Gilbert is already trying to do too much. Yes, it’s unfortunate that this team can never seem to stay healthy, but in the first 5 games, Gilbert has 28 assists, or 5.6 a contest. That’s not bad, but he is also averaging 27.6 points per game. If Gilbert wants to truly be an elite point guard in the NBA, he’s going to have to increase his assists per game total to at least 7 or 8. I’m not saying he has to dish out dimes like Steve Nash does, but from the play I’ve seen since opening night, he hasn’t really seemed to be getting everyone else involved past the first quarter.

@wizards_fusion: I think Caron still does have the mentality that he has to carry the team given what has gone on the last couple of seasons injury-wise, in particular to Gil. We have not played a meaningful game with any of our Big 3 healthy since the 2008 playoffs, so let’s hope that Jamison and Miller come back REALLY soon.. I’m anxious to see this team at full strength!

Finally, that last play last night.. I missed the game but saw the highlights… what was Gil trying to do? Whatever it was it obviously didn’t work but it just looked plain ugly…

Comment from Wiz_HypeMan
Time November 5, 2009 at 4:47 PM

Sam Smith believes a LeBron to the Lakers’ scenario makes the most sense for him if he wants a chance to be considered among the greatest winners of all-time.
If this happens, it would be like the Yankees all over again for the nba. Check Out NBA.com to read more.

There is also a cool story on our guy Blatche. Show some love and check it out.

Comment from neal
Time November 5, 2009 at 7:36 PM

We need to get over this mentality of “just try to hang on till Jamison gets back”. I’m pretty sure the average in the NBA is for a couple of people out from a team’s rotation. And good teams win, even when one of their stars is out.

I just don’t buy Stevenson playing back-up 2 over Foye, McGuire and Slick. I know he plays pretty good D, but he’s not quick. Wade didn’t seem to have much trouble getting around him. I think Foye would have done a better job staying up with him. Maybe McGuire too. And either of those guys would contribute more on the offensive end.

Comment from maggicman11
Time November 5, 2009 at 8:38 PM

I really had to watch the game again on tivo before i posted this but it seems to me as if Gil played the best defense on wade out of miller and, yes, Dsteve. but i would have really rather have seen dom get to play on him. his size would have caused more problems for wade than gil or dsteve.

Also we have played 2 good games out of 5. thats not a good stat. the wiz need to get more familiar with each other. with Gil coming back and the new guys being signed the team just doesnt seem to be in sync. gil and foye play well together but the starting 5 we have just dont click the way we need them to in order to be contenders. we are 1-3 against playoff caliber teams and a change in the lineup might be the spark this team needs

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time November 5, 2009 at 10:00 PM

New name for Miller is “Nails” as in tough as nails. New name for CB is going to be “juicy juicy” unless he starts to play a team game.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time November 5, 2009 at 10:07 PM

LeBronze to the Lakers with Kobe…not until we start playing the game with more than 1 basketball at a time. Then again, the NBA did change the rules to sanction the crab dribble, so two balls at one time…why not if it’s in the best interest of the “King”.

Comment from gray16
Time November 5, 2009 at 10:48 PM

yeah, my bad it’s his fiance (they have been engaged forever)

rumors say shaq and her have been friends for a long time now

who knows what she found in shaq, but i’ve been cheated on and that stuff is the worst feeling in the world. just hope this isn’t true

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time November 5, 2009 at 11:05 PM

@gray16 – keep this junk off this bolg! This is a b-ball blog. We don’t care about the trash bs.

Comment from Bridge
Time November 5, 2009 at 11:11 PM

“Hiya Bridgy welcome back! Missed ya Girl!” – GR

Hey boo-boo! Missed you too; hope you been alright

Who has a twitter? We should all add each other or something!

@gray16 – …Speechless & smdh!

Comment from Bridge
Time November 5, 2009 at 11:19 PM

@GABBO – Technically you’re right (about it being a bball blog), but technically…I mean, c’mon now! All that trash you were saying about EJ & Tapscott LOL.

I’m defending NO ONE! I just always like to see both sides of every situation.

Ok, Goodnight all!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time November 6, 2009 at 12:20 AM

Now, I was coming on to see if anyone saw the Lebron cavaliers lose to chicago, but seeing that threw me for a loop….have a good night everyone….SPORTSWIZ, can you delete all this stuff PLEASE?

Go Wiz!!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time November 6, 2009 at 12:33 AM

LOL DCB… you stole my thunder

Chicago Beat the Crab Dribblers!!

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time November 6, 2009 at 12:35 AM

Gabbo… I Like It. Nails Miller

Comment from dcbutler357
Time November 6, 2009 at 12:43 AM

Hey Grif,

Meanwhile, did you see that last drive by Lebron. He took a hop before he drove to the basket…LOL….It seems like he is doing a lot of travelling lately…lol….Overall, Cleveland is not looking good, I like the way chicago took it to them tonight.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time November 6, 2009 at 12:44 AM

Been Great Bridgy Knew you would be back for the season (barring too many… shall we say n’er do wells?) LOL. Great to see you too boo

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time November 6, 2009 at 12:48 AM

ROFL… thus … my Crab Dribbler’s comment!

You just have to LOVE THAT

Comment from gray16
Time November 6, 2009 at 12:55 AM

as for the cavs vs bulls, great win for the bulls. i’m sure this is not how the cavs wanted to start off the year at the q, but i’m sure they will rebound soon.

but i have to say, i was glad that last drive was not called a foul. for anyone else it wouldn’t have been called a foul, so not giving it to a superstar, despite his name, was great imo.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time November 6, 2009 at 1:11 AM

Indiana tomorrow (actually tonight now). If we play the kind of ball we did against Dallas Indiana doesn’t stand a chance.

Go Wizards

Comment from Wiz_HypeMan
Time November 6, 2009 at 1:12 AM

As a wiz fan im happy to see the king lose. At the same time i want them to be rolling so the wiz can hand the another big L. Oh well i guess its a win win.

I can’t lie, that was a foul. I still don’t feel sorry though. Wiz will see the cavs soon and I hope that we learn from last time.

Comment from Wiz_HypeMan
Time November 6, 2009 at 1:15 AM

We can beat indiana. Count that as a W right now. Go WIZ!

Comment from Wiz_HypeMan
Time November 6, 2009 at 1:20 AM

@dcbutler257
good point
we have your back gray

Comment from Wiz_HypeMan
Time November 6, 2009 at 1:29 AM

I dont know about you guys but i can’t wait until the playoffs. I know its so early but i can’t take it any more. I want a ring!!! We need to win now because who know how things are going to end up in 2010. There could be five different versions of The Big Three with all of the free agents.
just pick one
LBJ
Shaq
Dirk
D-wade
Joe Johnson
Yao
Bosh
Al Harrington
Amare
Manu
ITS DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time November 6, 2009 at 1:34 AM

yeah i could care less till Gil says it or Shaq says it nothing happend as far as the Wiz-Heat game that was a ok game we are still trying to find our team so to speak its going to take around about to all-star break for stuff to realy start clicking for us i dont think anyone is going to be able to learn a new coach and how to mix old and new team members in 5 games… i was at the game the crowd was dead i have not been in about 1-1/2 years but thats the worst i have seen it could realy use something to get the fans going

Comment from datonypony
Time November 6, 2009 at 3:25 AM

So the starting line up against Indiana will be…. Haywood, Oberto, Butler, Foye?, Arenas. We should be able to dominate in the paint against them, and Danny granger seems to have lost his shooting touch somehwat. Around 35%. We should be ok. Oh and I can watch the game tomorrow