Game Day Bulls
5:34 AM EST…Alright so three is not the Wizards lucky number–just can’t seem to get three wins in a row …Give the Raptors credit–they made the key plays late to secure the victory. The Raptors are 21-7 at home–Wizards did win there in December. On to tonight against Chicago. Speaking of three…it is the start of a three-game home stand. Change is not easy, but from hearing all the calls on our radio post game shows it is clear this new look team is earning respect and winning over fans. On Friday in the win over Denver the standing ovation was something that had the players talking. Let’s face it we appreciate hard work and this team is playing hard. The ball is moving—Wizards have reached the 20-assist mark in each of the last three games. Andray Blatche has 25 points and ten rebounds in those games newcomers Josh Howard, Al Thornton, James Singleton, and Quinton Ross have given this team a shot of energy… BLOGCAST—radio and blogging together—starts at 7:00 PM —with Flip Saunders comments—on the dial we have great radio stations from Cumberland to Lynchburg….closer to home our flagship is 106.7 FM THE FAN in Washington and in Baltimore 1370 AM…..and there is a LISTEN LIVE link on the right side of the BLOG
5:30 EST….Dave and Glenn checking in…. Wizards trying to win three in a row at home for the first time since April of 2008
6:31 est…..starters are in….Randy Foye,Mike Miller, JaVale McGee,Andray Blatcge, Josh Howard….Bulls starters…DerrickRose, Kirk Hinrich, Brad Miller, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson…
DAVE JOHNSON POSTGAME REPORT
Posted: February 22nd, 2010 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Jaba
Time February 22, 2010 at 7:44 AM
The Toronto game was a heartbreaker! Can’t believe we can’t seem to get that freakin’ third win in a row! Let’s start a new streak tonight and do it right this time!!! Gotta keep up playing hard. And playing TEAM ball like we did against Denver! I’m getting nervous whenever I see one of our guys starting to play selfishly! Spread the wealth! Think assists! There are enough good people on this team! Hope McGee’s wrist is alright. Need him to be a 100%. Hope the new guys will become even better once more familiar with Flips offense. Like I said before, I’m not thinking about how long they will be part of this team. They ARE Wizards now and I like them! Let’s go and beat the Bulls tonight! Go Josh Howard!! Go Wizards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from Jaba
Time February 22, 2010 at 7:48 AM
Wizards Insider: The money Washington receives from Ilgauskas, they will likely use to add some more front-court depth. The Wizards have just 11 players available and JaVale McGee played with a strained tendon in his right wrist on Saturday in Toronto.
“There is a chance we might bring in one guy or make that a rotating spot” with players from the NBA Developmental League, Saunders said on Saturday. “We’re pretty much open.”
Thought that was interesting. More new faces?
Comment from vitality08
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:09 AM
Wait, so it’s Ilgauskas that buys himself out of his contract? I thought Wiz had to buy him out.
someone please explain.
Comment from maggicman11
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:33 AM
So i hear EG saying he plans on keeping Gil. my question is, what if we actually luck up in the draft and end up with the #1 pick. do we take john wall and and look to move gil? do we keep both? or do we go for a big man in derrick favors or demarcus cousins?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Go Wiz, Go D-Ray, AT and all you all.
Heal up, JaVale!
Lets get a win tonight!!
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:56 AM
Bulls in the booth tonight.
BIG thumbs up for ‘Dray (D-Ray).
Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from dmac
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:06 AM
The game against showed me that we have a good chance of being respectable as a team for the rest of the season. I agree we should have won the game but we agree our point guard play broke down and even Mike Miller lost focus on the court and remains to unselfish. He he has to be our 2.3 or 4th option.
Also I believe we should continue to play to win so it carriers over to next season. Not play to lose so we get an advantage with more balls with the lottery. There is no gurantee that we will get the first pick. But if we can get a player out of the the top 8 we should get a good player be it Wall, Cousins, Evan Turner, Wesley Johnson, Derrick Favors, Greg Monroe, Patrick Patterson and etc. Also with Cleveland’s pick in the first round I would think about a point guard like Sherron collins from Knas who fits the Ty Lawson mode. Mark my word teams will regret passing on Collins once he get’s to the leagu. He is tough as nails, smart and has a respectable outside shot. But he is a team player. Also i believe the same PG who gave us a hard time Saturday night (Jarret Jack from Ft. Washington, MD) will also will be a free agent. So lets not play for John Wall to fall to us.
But let’s learn how to win basketball games as a young team.
On Isguaskas he could wind up in Dallas or Miami.
Comment from dmac
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:07 AM
I meant to say the game against Toronto.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 11:22 AM
toronto game was definitely a heartbreaker, let’s hope the wiz can rebound tonight
containing d rose will be a problem, not only are the guards going to have to their best, rotations from everyone are going to be key.
the great thing with javale in the game is he contests every layup/dunk attempt and can change a lot of people’s shots. but sometimes the pg will recognize this and dish to his man (that he has come off of) which leads to an easy shot or foul, so let’s hope the rotations are in order to prevent that as well.
this is definitely a team the wiz can beat right now, hard work is all it’s going to take.
as for d league big men, alade aminu is one i wouldn’t mind seeing on the team. he was pretty good at georgia tech, but went undrafted. he could be a decent pull up for spot minutes.
Comment from dmac
Time February 22, 2010 at 11:59 AM
I wanted to add more players as possible top 8-10 picks.
Ed Davis- UNC- PF
Cole Aldrich- Kansas-C
Donatas Monteijunas- top Euro player-PF-C
Xavier Henry- Kansas (like Michael Redd) G-F
Willie Warren- Oklahoma (would be could match with Gil in the backcourt- SG-PG
2nd 1st pick
Kalin Lucas- Michigan State-PG
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 22, 2010 at 1:00 PM
I noticed that JaVale got no blocks vs. Toronto. Something to do with the wrist injury?
We only have 12 guys on the roster now, and Ernie mentions that he may be adding someone from the D League. James White might be a guy to fit our current energy-crazed style of play.
Gotabig wants us to attend to our new team not the draft. But some of you guys can’t seem to stay away from draft speculation. We do have 4 picks, which feeds speculation. So…
The best draft site is Draftexpress.com, and here’s their current (early!) mock draft:
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2010/
They project us to get Cousins (yes!), Artsiom Parakhouski (good numbers, small college, big guy, who knows?), Craig Brackins (Mississippi State big), and Alexey Shved (tall, young Russian Point Guard who is regarded as *incredibly* talented).
I don’t think Ernie will be here, but if he is you can be sure we won’t add 4 rookies! Not his style.
Comment from aznzero
Time February 22, 2010 at 1:41 PM
New look Wizards versus New look Bulls
I’m a fan of Derrick Rose. I hope our guards can contain and prevent him from penetrating. Other than that hopefully Blatche keeps it going. Nick is starting to feel it so I hope he is about to get into a groove.
I am becoming more of a fan of Singleton. This guy is exploding with energy.
@Tom
I agree. White will bring alot of energy if we pick him up.
The Wizards games are messing up my P90x schedule. haha.
Lets go Wizards!!!
Comment from maggicman11
Time February 22, 2010 at 2:16 PM
@ tom
I used to see James white play at the local rec center in my home town. he is a freakish athlete!! probably one of the most explosive dunkers ever in the league. the fans could use that excitment in the arena
Comment from rgz
Time February 22, 2010 at 2:45 PM
@vitality re. Ilgauskas buyout
It seems to me it makes sense that Ilgauskas pays the Wizards to compensate them for loss of a player.
That’s how Euro contracts are, if the player wants to get out of his contract to join another team, then he has to negotiate with the team holding his contract.
Otherwise, the usual NBA way has been to negotiate a buyout (the team buys the contract) with a player they no longer want. The player of course wants to get paid the whole contract amount, but they usually agree to something less.
Comment from dmac
Time February 22, 2010 at 3:11 PM
We need a big man or a real point guard to bring from the D-league. bring in James White then there will go NY minutes.
This is a good game for AB to shine against the rookie checking him in TaJ Gibson for the Bulls.
I expect a big game tonight from Josh Howard.
Comment from maggicman11
Time February 22, 2010 at 3:18 PM
James White can play the 4 with his length and explosiveness. that would be a very uptempo game with him coming in for blatche at the 4 and al thorton or singleton at the 5.
Comment from AUNDRA
Time February 22, 2010 at 3:27 PM
The reorganization of my team has started but the #1 question I still ask is will we remain consistent throughout the process. I have to say that Blatche has surprised me which is very hard to do with his consistent scoring,rebounding, blocks and no brainer Turnovers. However I expected Howard,Thorton and Singleton to achieve to show the younger guys whats needed to survive. Young,Foye,Mcgee and Miller have shined some but remain a puzzle in the equation for me. I believe Ross can play a major role especially in the 4th quarters when they attack the basket on little tough man Boykins. The small ball can help us but can also leave us defenseless when bigger guards start an all out attack on the basket like Toronto! The energy level has be great because we seem to get our 2nd wind earlier and easily near the 4th quarters! We have to try and turn into the tasmania devils in the 4th because teams will attack the basket at will! I am still a fan and hope Ernie can get it right before the years end!
Comment from AUNDRA
Time February 22, 2010 at 3:41 PM
My opinion on Zydrunas IIlgauskas is he was the enemy but now he belongs with us. If I was him I would feel betrayed by Cleveland/ Lebron James. Hell I would like some Payback against these guys just to show them I still have alot in the Tank especially against them! But if he can’t get over playing for the new look Wizards then I guess we have to let him buy us out ! He would have to now go in his pockets and play us!
Comment from dlts20
Time February 22, 2010 at 3:41 PM
Weve been one of the worst teams in the league the last 2 years yet by far the biggest talk in the NBA right now is how much better Cleveland & Dallas are after acquiring our players. I think AJ is going to be unstoppable on Cleveland because he will get some post ups but mostly he will be standing at the 3pt line. You have to double Shaq & Lebron which means they will kick it out to him for either wide open shots, or the defender will be running full speed at him and he can pump and go to the hoop. Its like cake. Then you look at Wood and Dallas is going crazy over him while Caron looks like that 2nd scorer that they needed. All anyone is talking about are those moves yet we had those same guys and sucked.
Thats why I still say that if EJ were our coach then we would be a top 4 team in the East with those guys even though Flip is a 10x better overall coach than him. We had way more talent than we did under EJ yet the Offense was the must ugly like thing in the leauge and we had no chemistry at all. JVG is one of my favorite commentators and I agree with alot of things he says. Today he said that when you are on bad teams you start developing bad habits which you have to change when you come to good teams. I think guys like AJ & Caron did start developing bad habits after last year when we lost all those games. When Gil 1st went out and we kept winning, all we talked about was the great ball movement & team ball we had. Then the next year we started losing and guys like AJ tried to be the hero and think they had to get 30 every night for us to win. Thats when the ball movement stopped and there was no more team ball.
Then Flip came and the system just didnt fit with Caron and the bad habits that we acquired. Now its crazy because everyone talks about the Cavs & Mavs being way better with those moves which is true but we got rid of all those top guys for castaways and we also look 10x better. Our 3 top scorers and maybe our 5th in Wood is gone, 2 other good scorers in Z & Gooden never came, we just sent home the only other guy on our team to ever average nearly 20 in James, yet we just easily scored over 100 for the 3rd straight game and our O looks so much better, exciting, and more fluid than when we had some of the best scorers in the league. Stuff is so funny like that. Everyone says Caron, Wood, & AJ make those 2 teams instant title contenders but we were almost in last place with them? Some reports say that EG just tried to trade Blatche straight up for DJ Augustine who averages like 5ppg and now Blatche is getting 25 & 10 as a starter in only 32mpg. I
ts all insane but I actually think its about to workout well for all 3 teams and call me crazy but I have a strange feeling that everyone thought the Wiz-Cavs rivalry was dead but I think we will be seeing them next year again in the playoffs with them having AJ and us having a totally new look. I think we will battle alot in the regular season again. Its crazy. Thats another reason why I say that we shouldnt give up on Gil yet. This stuff is so crazy that you may think 2 + 2 equals 4 but it doesnt all the time in the NBA. He may have a ton of chemistry with this group and look great with Blatche and others
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 22, 2010 at 4:25 PM
this is a fun team to watch and thats all i care about it could be alot worse trust me and every other guy/girl on the blog who has been Bullets fan in the past.. lets go get a win tonight i love it
Comment from neal
Time February 22, 2010 at 4:42 PM
vitality08, both sides have to agree on the buyout. Ilgauskas gets less than his contract calls for, but he doesn’t have to play for us for the rest of the year. He’d presumably return to Cleveland.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 22, 2010 at 5:17 PM
Just to go a step further regarding James White’s dunking prowess (I have never actually seen him play a game)
He’s the best dunker I’ve ever seen. If the NBA put him in the slam dunk contest they could bring out any 3 guys, LeBron, Dwight, Wade, Julius Erving from 1975… and it wouldn’t matter. James White would go home with the trophy and it wouldn’t be close. There’s James White and there’s everybody else when it comes to dunking.
The guy does a between the legs dunk from the FT line. Enough said.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 22, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Be nice to add a first-rate point guard, but ya know I just don’t think there’s one floating around looking for a minimum-salary job. That’s why I suggested James White — just another fireball for our new “wild and crazy” team!! 
As to taking minutes from Nick — what has Nick done, please tell me, to earn minutes?
Looking forward to the game tonight — and a win!
Comment from onebigfan
Time February 22, 2010 at 6:07 PM
I will keep saying it time and time and time and time and time again, Big Tigger and the fans at the games can do better.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 6:30 PM
5:30 EST….Dave and Glenn checking in…. Wizards trying to win three in a row at home for the first time since April of 2008
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 6:48 PM
I have no idea why people were feeling sorry for the team after the Raps game. Wiz couldn’t score in 5 minutes and they couldn’t stop Jack. The game of runs hurt the Wiz at the end.
The Bulls play pretty good defense, so this game is going to be tough. Mike Miller has to score for the Wiz. He has to be the outside threat.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 6:54 PM
XOXOXOXOXOXO
onebigtiggerfan
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Comment from neal
Time February 22, 2010 at 7:23 PM
There are NEVER any first-rate PG’s or C’s around willing to play for the minimum. If a team has those two commodities w/o handicapping its flexibility it has the makings of a good team.
Who cares who has the biggest dunk? Still only counts for 2.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 7:38 PM
6:31 est…..starters are in….Randy Foye,Mike Miller, JaVale McGee,Andray Blatcge, Josh Howard….Bulls starters…DerrickRose, Kirk Hinrich, Brad Miller, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson…
Comment from dlts20
Time February 22, 2010 at 7:40 PM
Bulls are playing great right now but they are still small with Hinrich starting at the 2 and Gibson at the 4. We should be able to take advantage of that. I would like to see us go to Blatche on Gibson alot and I would like to see him back him down & be aggressive. He shouldnt shoot fadeaways that much. Just back him down and shoot a hook over the top or turn towards the basket to shoot instead of fading away from it.
Comment from ChenierFan
Time February 22, 2010 at 7:45 PM
A few random thoughts…
1) Brother Tom is right that Mike Miller is not a 30 min/game player. Al should get most of the minutes at SF
2) Mike Wilbon just does not like Andray one bit. If anyone read his on-line chat he complains that Andray has not put in the effort in the weight room because he does not have a chisled physique. Well, 25/11 over the last 3 games looks pretty beefy to me. I don’t recall Moses Malone or Bob Lanier or even Tim Duncan having cut look. Andray is noticable stronger. It used to be that he would bounce off of other players, now they bounce off of him. He’ll get doubled a lot tonight. Wilbon was also the guy who said these new Wizards would be worse than the Nets.
3) I feel the Wiz will give the Bulls a tremendous beating tonight. So much so that the Bulls may need counseling after the game.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 7:46 PM
great to have everyone hear
Comment from vitality08
Time February 22, 2010 at 7:48 PM
@Tom, I checked out DraftExpress this morning to see where they had Artsiom Parakhouski going. I got excited when I saw he was slated for the Cavs at 30. I’ve been dying to ask what you thought of him since you are so knowledgeble about the game.
I don’t know Art but I went to Radford University and we are all buzzing with excitement just to have one of our own being scouted and actually making the mock draft boards. If I’m not mistaken all the other mock drafts have him in the second round. Draftexpress is the only one that has him in the first round.
For me personally, I would LOVE to have a player from my “tiny” university playing for my favorite NBA team. If I’m not mistaken, he’ll be the first Radford Highlander ever drafted.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 7:54 PM
Flip again says…. it is more about how Wizards play ..he has kept it simple.. because these guys have yet to have a full practice together
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:01 PM
broadcast underway
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:10 PM
man that sax player is badd
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:12 PM
I’ve been really liking watching the new look Wizards play. I really think we can be a much better team. I was a little sad to see AJ go at first. But things needed to change.
I find myself beginning to become really attached to these new players. They bring some kind of excitement to the team that we didn’t see before from the old Wizards. This is the kind of energy we needed that we lacked when CB3 and AJ and BH00 were around. I don’t mean to disrespect those guys, it’s sad they’re gone, but something needed to be done.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:14 PM
gray16 you are so right
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:17 PM
blatche needs to give taj more room on that drive so he doesn’t wind up on top of him
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:18 PM
Wow. That’s 2 fouls by Javale McGee already. That can’t be good.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:18 PM
that was good d by javale, had the right idea
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:19 PM
the first one was on andray i believe
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:19 PM
we were wondering about howards ankle looks good
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:19 PM
NVM I thought he had 2 fouls. I didn’t know that AB had the other one. My bad.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:21 PM
love javale’s energy and his decisions so far
Comment from Phemy
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:23 PM
love the effort under the boards! Blatche doing everything, wow! O.G!
Comment from Phemy
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:24 PM
heh well, and than he had that quick wierd jumper way off :/
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:24 PM
that’s 4 quick team fouls
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:24 PM
deng now 2 fouls
Comment from jg004
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:24 PM
I would to see McGee learn a go to move on offense because as “good” as a defender as he can be he really seems lost on offense. I don’t know whether it’s because he can’t really understand the offense or if it’s just that he hasn’t been taught correctly. He just seems very lost on offense to me.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:26 PM
mr. first quarter josh howard off to a good start
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:26 PM
howard lot of energy
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:27 PM
gray16, I agree we should limit our early fouls. Some of the fouls there were unnecessary.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:29 PM
oh no, that’s not a good sight
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:29 PM
Not this again. I guess some things never change! I hope he’s going to be okay… this really sucks.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:32 PM
keep your fingers crossed for howard
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:32 PM
foye is getting beat by rose every time
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:35 PM
u are right rose makes the bulls go
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:35 PM
greetings to germany
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:35 PM
nick young needs to learn how to create off the dribble
when he gets the ball he is thinking only one thing: score
if he can learn how to take a hard dribble, stop, and pass, when three people surround him like that, he will find the open man
Comment from weswalk
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:36 PM
We need a shot blocker in the game. McGee needed to be pulled after that shot he took, but please teach him up and put him back in.
Comment from dlts20
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:37 PM
Our D sucks right now as they are getting into the paint at will. You cant rip Blatche though for letting them score because its clear that after he got that foul on the 1st possesion, he is not taking any chances to get that 2nd. The perimiter guys have to stop letting them slash so easily because Blatche cant defend the rim right now with that 1 foul
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:39 PM
i don’t like having nick and thornton on the floor at the same time
both like to attack every time they get the ball, so the ball movement could be reduced
luckily fab is in there so he can keep the ball moving as well
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:40 PM
I’m really hoping that Josh Howard is okay. I really don’t want to see a player like him go down. I hope he isn’t too bad.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:40 PM
decent quarter offensively, defensively rose is spectacular with his speed, and the bulls got more patient and moved the ball to the open people
the wiz are going to have to do a better job with rotations and stop ball watching on defense
hope josh howard is ok, but from the look of things, it didn’t look good
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:42 PM
josh howard sprined left knee will not return
Comment from Phemy
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:43 PM
oh man that sucks. Argghhh
Now let’s get our Defence going!
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:44 PM
Any word on how bad it is?
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:44 PM
i think josh going out has taken a little energy out of the team right now, they are going to need to work through this
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:47 PM
man blatche has a lot of quickness, he just bursts into speed
if he could develop a better jab step/triple threat game, he could use that more often
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:49 PM
javale beat on two pick and rolls, once by the ball handler, once by the roller, although the help should’ve been quicker
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:51 PM
Alrighty. We need to really step up the D here. WE can’t let Noah do that again.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:52 PM
ouch
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:52 PM
the wiz have no energy right now
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:52 PM
Or, let anyone else do that for that matter. We can’t allow such easy access to the paint.
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:53 PM
I see no D in the paint here. Smething has to be done. Maybe change the D around a bit?
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:53 PM
mabye boykins can spark this team
Comment from jg004
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:54 PM
Flip Murray? Seriously….Flip Murray?
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:54 PM
javale is making a lot of mistakes right now, and unlike the past couple of games, hasn’t made up for them with other plays
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:55 PM
the wiz are going to need to keep this lead as low as possible going into halftime
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:58 PM
wizards 7 asists and 7 turnovers
Comment from weswalk
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:59 PM
believe me, javale is not the only one making mistakes. We have players with a lot more experience making similar mistakes.
Comment from dlts20
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:59 PM
I cant believe the Bulls have these smaller guys guarding Blatche and Flip wont run any post plays for him on the left block. Blatche is only gettting the ball outside or on the right block where he has to turn over his right shoulder which ususally means a fadeaway. Give it to him on the left block so he can turn over the left shoulder with power on these smaller defenders. Run it every play so we can get some good shots
Comment from jg004
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:59 PM
I would love to know why Mike Miller who I am a big fan of, but why for someone who is known as a shooter has only taken one shot in 10 minutes of play so far when your team is down by 10 and obvisouly having trouble finding the basket. He needs to stop being so unselfish. He also seems to become invisible during points in the game. Hopefully he can step it up soon and start hitting some shots.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:00 PM
great defense on that possession
Comment from weswalk
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:00 PM
AB appears to be the only player whose ballin.
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:01 PM
What’s up with these Phantom fouls? I didn’t see any fouls on that play.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:02 PM
jg, mike usually takes spot up shots, but i don’t remember him getting many chances for a spot up shot this game
usually when he has the ball, he is looking to create
that foul call is dumb, you can’t even box out in today’s game?
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:03 PM
again, no energy, guys look lackadaisical out there
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:06 PM
just too mnay turnovers now ten for the wizards six in the quarter
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:06 PM
even while the wizards are playing HORRIBLY (had to type that in big letters) the bulls aren’t capitalizing like they should
if this lead is around or within 10 points at halftime, the wiz still have a great shot to win, IF the show up in that half
Comment from dlts20
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:07 PM
gray, I was about to post the same exact thing. I dont even recognize this team. It looks like the team before the trade. We have no energy, everyone is lax, no focus, and are being totally outhustled. We are slow to everything and they are playing at full speed on the attack while we are 2 steps late. Its weird and it was like that from the start. The Howard thing just made it worst
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:10 PM
james singleton providing a little energy boost, hopefully they can close out the half well
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:12 PM
mike miller is really not playing well right now
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:14 PM
lol @ mike miller is “untouchable” for trades
why should the Wiz keep a guy that’s so not doing anything? does he know he’s in a contract year?
we complained why the “old wiz” would win 1 and lose 4. i’d say, why does miller go through the same pattern – 1 good game, then 4 poor ones?
i don’t get this guy.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:15 PM
10 point lead is way better than i thought it would be for a second there
the wiz just have to show more energy, and keep the ball moving
on defense, rotations have to be better
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:17 PM
for third straight game, Wiz are down double digits or very near that at halftime.
are we due for another dominant 3rd quarter?
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:18 PM
i think mike was the only guy showing energy for the wiz a lot of times, that we fell in love with him and excused his inconsistent play and mistakes
now that the wiz have added a bunch of other energy players and blatche and mcgee (and others) are showing energy and playing well, that energy doesn’t stick out as much
it’s like if you haven’t eaten in a week, a cheeseburger will taste great, but when you have a cheeseburger surrounded by a bunch of sirloin steak dinners, the cheese burger doesn’t look as good anymore lol
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:19 PM
energy doesn’t equate production for mike miller – and that’s what i’m complaining about.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:20 PM
@ gray16
true about the queso-burger, esp. if you eat the steak dinners at golden corral
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:20 PM
would like to see miller get hi shot rythtym back… had made 21 of 28 three coming in……1/4 from the field tonoght
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:22 PM
bill wennington just said on our halftime show….the bulls go as derrick rose goes
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:24 PM
I really just am in shock that Josh Howard got himself hurt. I think the injury curse is still alive in the Verizon Center and that it just took someone else for a victim. I think the only way we can get rid of this curse is if we play at a different stadium or something… the MCI center/Verizon center is cursed. We need to rebuild the stadium or something. Maybe bring a shaman in.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:27 PM
everyone knows the wizards curse happends because onebigfan blaming everything on big tigger and bad fans not clapping their hands
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:28 PM
listen folks – team is only down 10; not 30.
they’ve done this a lot. i’m not worried.
besides, it’s not like they have to win this game to get into playoffs.
every win now is to stink up their opponents’ chance of making the final 8 in the east. in other words, wiz are playing the spoiler role – if it applies.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:30 PM
we have seen flip somehow get his teams to come out of halftime with super energy after going in with deficits and getting right back into the game
heck, the wiz were showing good energy to end the half
like wiz fusion, i’m not worried
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:32 PM
derrick rose is truly amazing
speed and quickness that can match pretty much anyone, along with some of the best handles in the game leads to great success for a lot of people
just ask tim hardaway and allen iverson
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:33 PM
foye with 5 assist
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:33 PM
and flip and the guys do it again, it never seems to fail lol
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:34 PM
al thronton
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM
lol, brad miller forgot who he was
Comment from Phemy
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:40 PM
well, were not getting any calls…like in the last games.
3*Traveling by the bulls. We HAVE to score now come on…
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM
the tide has changed in the wizards favor
bulls turning the ball over frequently right now
a blatche to mcgee alley oop would’ve really sent this place going crazy
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:45 PM
goood foul by thronton wizards on a 14-0 run
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:46 PM
javale just can’t defend the pick and roll
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:47 PM
mcgee altered rose shot
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:49 PM
hope the wizards can keep this momentum, no loud toronto crowd to take the wind out of their sails tonight
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Alrighty. Now let’s keep this lead.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:51 PM
wizards out scored bulls 22-8
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:52 PM
wiz out reboudngin bulls
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:55 PM
blatche with a 20 and 10 game already
man this kid has really come into his own
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:57 PM
thank you flip murray, keep this momentum in the wizards’ favor
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:57 PM
That was a terrible foul. Ross should have just let him shoot.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:58 PM
randy foye having a big game
i think he has stepped up in place of howard offensively while singleton has set the tone energy wise and defense wise (3 blocks)
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 9:59 PM
gilfanatic, ross was trying to use the one foul i think, it was a smart play, but even smarter by flip murray to recognize it and sell the shot attempt
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:04 PM
miller back in
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:04 PM
can’t have possessions like that, boykins has to move the ball
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:11 PM
good timeout by flip, need to make sure everyone is on track
javale is really having a horrible game
Comment from dlts20
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:15 PM
I still dont get why Blatche isnt getting paint touches this game against these smaller guys when we gave him alot agains the bigger teams. Its weird. That cant stop him so give it to him.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:16 PM
blatche is going for 30 tonight
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:19 PM
brad miller is really moving on those picks, refs gotta wake up
Comment from Phemy
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:19 PM
COME ON NOW…go wizards!
Move the ball, calm down!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:19 PM
great job singleton
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:20 PM
singleton is really coming up with some big plays
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:21 PM
al thornton is a pretty good offensive rebounder
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:22 PM
huge huge rebound by thornton
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:24 PM
derrick rose is completely annihilating randy foye
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:26 PM
i think thornton got fouled
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:26 PM
wow, here we go again
just keep fighting
and aren’t the wizards continuously feeding blatche
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:27 PM
meant to say why aren’t they feeding blatche
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:27 PM
wiz have no closers now.
guys are confused who’s going to go blow-for-blow against rose.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:29 PM
This is where you become men
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:31 PM
huge second chance points
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:31 PM
although randy made that shot, i am upset all the wiz guys were just standing there. miller ran a lazy curl.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:31 PM
good shot by foye, but still blatche is getting no plays drawn up for him even though he has been the hot hand
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:31 PM
Foooooooooooooyeee with the clutch shot.
Come on now… we need to close this out.
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:31 PM
believe me, the bulls will go for a 3 right now
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:32 PM
told ya the bulls went for 3 – brad miller wtf
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:32 PM
2 really bad possessions by thornton
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:33 PM
what in the world is going on
flip saunders, earth to flip saunders, give the ball to andray blatche
wake up and smell the coffee man
Comment from dlts20
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:34 PM
I still dont get how Blatche has 25pts and seemingly is not getting any plays ran for him against small PF’s. It dont make sense what Flip is doing
Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:34 PM
IMO….All of these players are winners. They have really taken a bleak situation and made a comeback. That is the sign of a true warrior. Hats off to the whole team for not throwing in the towel. No one will take this team lightly for a looonnnng time ;!: 
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:34 PM
if bulls drive, no and1s
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:35 PM
great defense
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:35 PM
game over – wiz win
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:35 PM
20 wins – more than last year :p
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:35 PM
good job on d, switch on all picks, and stay in front of guys
good win, but flip has got to do better on his late second plays
Comment from Gilfanatic
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:38 PM
Alrighty! So we’re 3-4 now since the trade. I’m liking the way things are shaping up.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:38 PM
another blue collar win
1 800 636 1067 for post game show
Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:38 PM
This team is beating QUALITY teams. This is no longer a fluke, it’s called team-ball will outlast one man or two man teams any day.
Comment from Phemy
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:38 PM
3 – 1 over the last 4 games? Oh yeah
Glad we got that win. Great hustle&energy by singleton+thornton. Not so great game by Javale+Mike though…
Man I hope Howard is ok, I really liked him the last games!
gn8
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:39 PM
lmmfao
javale air-chestbumped andray – check.
javale air-chestbumped foye but randy didn’t jump. got totally faked out.
winning gets guys happy.
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:40 PM
3-0 at home since the trades, great win
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:40 PM
wiz won this game without josh howard. it is a big win.
Comment from dabeatkeeper
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Great win! The team has really changed but man we actually look good! I knew Thornton would be great but wow this team may make the playoffs! Who knew?
Comment from gray16
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:40 PM
i saw that too wiz fusion lol
i think randy did the right thing, he probably would’ve been knocked into the third row lol
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:41 PM
this is great – the wiz now have guys that’ll go toe-to-toe against zach randolph — no more 22 points 27 rebound games from zbo!
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:47 PM
steve buckhantz made a great point about blatche now being a leader of the wiz.
chenier was complimenting on how good rose is at his age. but buck counters with andray and saying that he’s only 23 years old!
i forgot andray is still this young. i think andray is extremely confident that he can play against the big boys now – no chains to hold him back. and i’m sure we’ll never see him do behind-the-back passes 2 feet from the basket in the paint — leading to stupid turnovers.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:55 PM
Wow, that was a *fun* game to watch. Tremendous hustle by all our guys.
If this is the real Andray Blatche, then he has arrived as a genuine NBA player. He had a fantastic game tonight.
Phemy says Mike didn’t have a good game, but he did actually. Not one of his best, but good all the same. And Randy had a solid game too — which we definitely needed. Solid is the right word for pretty much everyone, really: Thornton, Singleton, Ross all contributed.
But Andray dominated the game. Most of the night he looked like the best player on the court. In fact, he *was* the best player on the court.
Comment from neal
Time February 22, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Blatche is team captain now. Did Saunders appoint him or did the team choose him? From 2nd string to captain in a week.
Is Arenas still a captain?
Blatche is one helluva offensive force. He doesn’t have all his defensive blunders ironed out, unfortunately, but what the hey.
I love watching this bunch, and they seem to love playing with each other.
I really hope Howard isn’t out for long.
Great win guys.
Let’s get the Phizzlies.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 22, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Talking about Andray’s age — there are guys in the upcoming draft who are older than Andray!
On the Wizards, only JaVale is younger than Andray, and then only by 17 months.
Comment from datonypony
Time February 22, 2010 at 11:14 PM
Hopefully from now on D-RAY will have a great career. Hey Dave and Glenn, you guys should spread Blatche’s new nickname!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 22, 2010 at 11:16 PM
Over the last 4 games, we have outscored our opponents by 21 points. We’ve played some pretty good teams too. Admittedly, 3 of the games were at home, but we were very competitive in Toronto too.
If we were able to sustain that differential over the rest of the season (a tall order), we might win 18-20 of our last 28 games. It’s just barely possible — but very unlikely! — that we could sneak into the playoffs.
What a turnaround that would be!!
Comment from wizards_fusion
Time February 22, 2010 at 11:20 PM
@ neal
the 2 official wizards captains are now Mike Miller and Earl Boykins. they’re the ones that meet up at halfcourt and shake hands with their opponents’ captains and the referees before the game.
andray is not a captain this season but he may be in the future.
Comment from datonypony
Time February 22, 2010 at 11:45 PM
Lol I think thats a bit too optimistic but hey, we have started rebuilding on a bright note.
I know that they are no longer wizard players, but Butler has started the ritual of straw chewing in Dallas now :p
Wow, Haywood 18 rebounds so far.
Comment from dlts20
Time February 22, 2010 at 11:50 PM
CRAZY OVERSTATEMENT TIME
You ready? You ready? OK, here it comes. Drum roll please……………………………
Blatche is either thee most, one of thee most, or top 5 most complete big men in the league. Time for me to go hide now, lol
Seriously though, peep what Im saying. That dont make him one of the best but how many bigs can you name in the league right now that can literally do it all? Blatche can. He has size, he can play D, he has top notch handles for a big, he has a soft J with long range, is a great FT shooter, has a vast variety of post moves, can put the ball on the floor to go by you, is a great rebounder, has very underrated fundementals, is a great passer for a big, and is just a highly skilled inside/outside player. Even the guys in the league who we say are the best bigs have flaws. It doesnt hurt them in most cases but alot of the bigs dont have J’s. Alot of them dont have handles. Alot of them dont have great post moves. There D sucks or they are average rebounders. They dont have the kind of quickness to beat a guy off the dribble.
Blatche is not the fastest guy in the world but if you put a 6′10 guy on him on the outside, he can take him off the dribble all day. His only 2 real flaws are that he lacks explosion, and some think he lacks the strength & power game. They think he needs to build more muscle in the offseason. Even with that he still is very good now at backing guys down and pushing guys out the way for boards. He can really work on his body in the offseason and he probably can somewhat build some explosion. We can clown and say thats its just Blatche or its only 4 games but I dont care who you are. You dont average 25, 10.25, 2.5, 2, & 1.5 per game if you are just lucky or riding a hot hand.
He definitely has alot to prove but those numbers and his game speaks for themselves. I heard some fans who havent watched him in these games thinks he’s just putting up numbers on a bad team because we have nothing else but we know that isnt true. We’re winning these games and he isnt gunning at all. He’s taking a normal amount of shots if that and he’s shooting a very high percentage in close, hard fought games. He’s not stat padding at all and he’s only playing 34mpg which makes it even more impressive. Add to that I thought he couldve had like 35 tonight if Flip ran more plays for him. He’s actually playing very smart, is only averaging like 1 bad shot per game, and unlike AJ, he loves to pass and will eat a double team up
Comment from dlts20
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Again, none of that means he’s 1st team all NBA or is elite but the simple fact is that he is a pretty complete big no matter how good you think he is or will be
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:17 AM
Welcome aboard…there’s plenty of room on the D-Ray bandwagon…although there were times when it was very lonely here.
What a great TEAM effort AGAIN.
In addition to the players, here’s the real difference in the offensive play…no one gets the ball and thinks shot first, unless Coach Saunders has designed it for some specific player to take the shot…everyone of these guys thinks pass first…if you like basketball, you have got to love this team.
Comment from datonypony
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:41 AM
Haywood with 20 rebounds again :O
Comment from wiz123
Time February 23, 2010 at 2:10 AM
I agree, blatche definitely needs to add some hops to his step. I dont get it when ppl compare him to garnett – garnett plays above the rim…blatche on the other hand…tries reverse lay-ups and finger rolls….with his pump fakes and spin moves…i think he is much closer to a olajuwon (a poor man’s one at that). nevertheless, i do believe he has to potential to be real good.
either way, blatche actually attracts a double team from oppositions. recently none of our former big 3 has been attracting double teams..
I hope flip recognises this and facilitate the offense through him as he has proven to be a willing passer and that is refreshing to see.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 23, 2010 at 2:14 AM
my bad for not bloging alot as of late i got alot of stuff going on right now but i do catch most of the game”s” and we are playing real well i think we will be back in shape by next year and thats hard to do with a 4-5 starter trade that we made i even think we have a chance to reach the playoffs next year even if we don’t bring in another player and thats saying something..
p.s. did anyone hear if Howard is ok or what his status is for the next few games?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time February 23, 2010 at 5:52 AM
Playoffs?
6 games back overall
6 games behind Milwaukee in loss column
7 games behind Milwaukee in win column
28 games left
The next five games can put a dent in the process. A home and home with Milwaukee are huge. Gotta look at NY and NJ as wins(can’t take it for granted, but sub .500 teams we have to get a W). Memphis will be a big test.
March is filled with playoff teams for the most-part, along with a monster west coast trip.
Is it do-able? Yes
Do we have the resources? Yes
Have to take each game one at a time, stay focused, and keep bringing it every night. JHoward injury did not look good, hope we can over-come this.
We shall see, it’s going to be fun
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 23, 2010 at 8:27 AM
Good comments on Andray — and since I first called Death-Ray, I hope I’m gonna get some credit for D-ray if it sticks.
No one ever questioned Andray’s talent, Gotabig — but his performance level has never been solid. We’re 4 games into a new world, and so far he is really responding well. If this turns out to be the real Andray, however winding the road to get here, then I will be as happy as I know you are.
dlts — the question is not whether Andray is an elite player or even whether he lacks explosion. The question is just whether he is consistent and plays with high basketball IQ. If he does those things, then the skills he *does* bring will make him a very very good NBA player. In my experience, guys improve more by getting better at what they’re good at then by fixing deficits (except for shooting technique when that’s the guy’s deficit).
Comment from aznzero
Time February 23, 2010 at 9:31 AM
Great win! Boy are they fun to watch.
Dray has lots of talent. Ed Tapscott when he was our interim coach said the Andray Blatche has the most talent on the team. Its great to see his consistency now. Well that could be because he is getting alot of consistent minutes.
Thumbs up to Thornton (He will be a great player for us) and as well as for Ross. I hope Ross will hit shots like that every game. Not sure because I dont know much about him.
Singleton is becoming one of my favorite players every game. This guy brings energy and toughness. I love it!!!
Great game for Foye. He is helping me out in my fantasy team.
One day rest and practice, I think we will have a good game on Wednesday at the phone booth.
Comment from millie mill
Time February 23, 2010 at 9:55 AM
Great win last night. I hope Blatche gets Eastern Conference Player of the week.
Comment from AUNDRA
Time February 23, 2010 at 9:56 AM
28 games left and no end in sight,lets see how far down the rabbit hole we can go before times up. If we play like we did last night we just might have Charles No Brainer Barkley talking about us on the good side of things! Our motto
“when we see blood now were playing wizard ball”
Comment from aznzero
Time February 23, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Hey millie,
sorry if i seem to not respond to you on xbox. i barely have time to get on due to work and school, but my bro in law is always on my gamertag. sorry if i reply really late. But i believe we still have a nba 2k game to play? haha
Comment from Jaba
Time February 23, 2010 at 11:14 AM
SportzWiz – please tell me, is there any word on my guy Josh Howard yet?
Comment from millie mill
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:02 PM
@aznzero it’s OK man. We will get to play some day.
With the roster right now, who do you guys think we will keep?
I think the Wizards will keep Foye, Singelton and maybe Boykins.
Ross will pick up his player option.
Howard, Miller, will be free agents.
I think Nick Young will be traded with a pick to move up in the draft.
Comment from gray16
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:24 PM
i think nick young is definitely one of the guys that should be used in a trade.
he has offense (sometimes great offense), he has defense (sometimes), but he’s not a real team player. he’s a finisher. now this is good to have on your team, but he’s not reliable. i think there are a couple of picks out of the draft that could fill in nick’s spot better.
i just wish the wiz could’ve gotten james harden, he’s a great team player and had a lot of talent. he’s like a more aggressive mike miller, with a whole lot more potential.
Comment from gray16
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:24 PM
*meant has a lot of talent
Comment from lightningmikester
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Great job last night, guys! I gott tell you, I am LOVING the new roster. I love how we just transformed into a team that can bring it offensively AND defensively (for the first time in a long time). Playing Chicago is no easy task, at home or away, and they never backed down, even when they were down ten at the half. I am proud of the whole team right now and I hope we can keep this up tomorrow night against Memphis. GOOOO WIZ!!
Comment from lightningmikester
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Anybody think that if for some reason Gil doesn’t come back (But I’m hearing that since he’s under contract, he will) Andre could be the new Arenas?
Comment from gray16
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:48 PM
as for andray, people wonder who he reminds them of.
for me it’s no other than jermaine o’neal. jermaine also had a slow to start to his career, joining a team out of high school that was already built to win. then jermaine got traded to the pacers, and his minutes went up. next thing you know, he was a 20 and 10 guy regularly, even got to 25 and 10 for a year.
blatche reminds me a lot of him. jermaine did play a little more of a power game while blatche plays with more finesse, but their games are similar and their careers to this point. it wasn’t until jermaine was 23 that he finally started becoming the jermaine that was on his way to winning mvps. unfortunately for him, he had the injury bug and while is still a sold player, isn’t the insane jermaine of old.
blatche has the potential and right now the will and determination to be a 20 and 10 guy consistently. his footwork is getting better (minus the travel calls which i feel he will study and learn to work out of his game), his touch around the rim is great, his jumpshot is solid and he’s not relying on it, and his strength as someone mentioned earlier is a lot better.
if he keeps this up into next season, and the wiz give him the keys to the car (which they should, not even gil coming back should change that, a 20 and 10 guy very efficient guy is hard to come by, antawn was there but he wasn’t efficient nor defensive minded at all), he could be on his way to an all star game before we know it.
Comment from Phemy
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Draft John Wall, put Gilbert on the 2, sign David Lee… and start rocking. Let’s go!? 
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 23, 2010 at 12:59 PM
millie mill — what makes you think anyone will want to trade for Nick Young? Also, to “keep” Foye, we have to be willing to make him a qualifying offer of almost $5m. Do you think he is that good a player? Based on… what?
gray16 — yes, it would have been great to get Harden, but he went 3d in the draft, and we had the 5th pick. Tyreke Evans, who went 4th, would have been great too. But we had no way to get either of those guys.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 23, 2010 at 1:04 PM
I’d love to have David Lee, but I think the Knicks will keep him. As to John Wall, what is it that makes people think he’s good? The media?
Hey according to Bullets Forever:
http://www.bulletsforever.com/2010/2/22/1321764/d-league-standout-dwayne-jones-top
we’re interested in adding some big guy who is dominating the D League.
Comment from gray16
Time February 23, 2010 at 1:04 PM
tyreke is one of my favorite players, but he isn’t a team player, he’s a guy to build around. he’s an allen iverson, lebron james, dwyane wade type player who likes to have the ball in his hands most of the time and other players have to adapt to him.
james harder is a team player immediately, he adapts to those around him.
don’t get me wrong, i would love to have tyreke on the team, but i don’t know if at this stage he is what would help the wizards as much as a james harden type player. the wiz already seem to have a reliable option to go to (in the post which most of the time is more efficient and effective than a guard) in blatche, so tyreke i don’t think would be the answer.
the rookies out of last years draft i feel would help this team the most are james harden, steph curry, johnny flynn, ty lawson, or darren collison.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time February 23, 2010 at 1:34 PM
Well I am proud of the current start of this young group, they are playing with passion, pride and purpose. As a team and franchise they could have easily tanked it or folded yet they seem to have in s a short period of time gained come chemistry and most importantly, playing for each other. Great win last night…….
Comment from millie mill
Time February 23, 2010 at 1:39 PM
@Tom, I was thinking out of the players the Wizards have under contract Nick Young is the first to be traded. If the Wizards see someone in the draft that they want to go after (as in move up in the draft) or another team want to get into the draft (the Wizards have 4 picks, hard to see them keep all), Nick can be used as bait. Who knows?? As much is I hate to say it, you are right about Nick. He has been given chances and nothing has come of it. So in closing I think he will be traded this summer. (if the Wizards can get someone to bit on taking Stevenson off their hands Nick won’t be that hard).
Also I do think Foye is worth the qualifying offer of 5 million. Because he can play the PG, SG and knows his role. His defense is not that bad. If signed will backup Gil and sometime play along side of him.
I don’t think Wizards will have to pay him the qualifying offer. That’s why they didn’t pick up his option. They can offer him less because he will be a free agent. Of coarse he will go somewhere else if offered more, but time will tell
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 23, 2010 at 2:06 PM
They can let Foye become unrestricted, it’s true. Who knows…
Really this and everything depends a lot on who is running the show. And that depends on the ownership situation.
If Ted acquires in time, he will have his own team in mind, I’m sure (but they’d have to be in place in time to plan the draft). If the Pollin family still owns the franchise, then I imagine they’ll stick w/ Ernie until they do finally divest — be hard to hire someone who figures to be gone when the team is sold.
Comment from maggicman11
Time February 23, 2010 at 2:06 PM
@tom if John wall could have came out of high school last year, he would have went #1 over blake griffin. he is a beast at the point gaurd position. kentucky isnt ranked number 2 in the nation with a record of 26-1 for nothing. yes he gets a lot of help from demarcus cousins but that guy is a monster. he has mastered the position minus a great jump shot.
with all that said, id still rather see gil as our pg and draft cousins or favors if we have a choice. maybe even draft cole aldrich. i mean we have PFs. blatche, oberto, thorton. we need a center. i like javale but against guys like dwight, bynum and shaq.. he just isnt strong enough. he cant hold his ground. a guy like cole aldrich can hold his own against the big strong guys in the league
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 23, 2010 at 2:07 PM
Josh Howard is done for the season. Torn ACL. 
He had a short tenure as a Wizard.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 23, 2010 at 2:07 PM
As I posted in a new thread, Josh Howard will miss the remainder of the season with a torn left acl.
Comment from neal
Time February 23, 2010 at 3:07 PM
Glad you’re no longer using your sad handle millie.
I really hope Thornton is coming back also. And I would make both Howard and Foye an offer, though less than they’re making now. About $3M each for Singleton, Thornton, Howard (down from $10.9M due in part to his proneness to injury) and Foye. Ross is under contract for $1.1. I’d like to keep these guys together if we can get them cheap. And I’d offer Miller $5 or $6M.
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Comment from vitality08
Time February 22, 2010 at 7:38 AM
I know I’m definitely enjoying the games more lately. With the total team effort and increased ball movement, I tune it feeling like we can win the game instead of hoping for a win, but not completely convinced of it.
They’ve been doing great and I’m sure they’ll keep it up.
Let’s get it tonight, Wiz!