Comment from dlts20
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:58 AM

IDK if you want to keep the Terps game in that Tourney section or put it in here so Ill just say a little in both.

2 good local games today. Is it me or does it seem like we play Izzo alot? I like our veteran leadership and I think that will carry us in this one.

Then later on the Wiz suck but you have to admit that its always a little exciting to see a team play in LA. Just like last game, Im most looking forward to seeing how Blatche plays. I knew that the ankle would screw up his mindset and that he would in some ways punk out like Gil does whenever something goes wrong. We wont get anywhere unless these guys are “always” mentally tougher, not just in some cases. Again, Singelton sucked for awhile after his sprained ankle so Blatche could do the same but Blatche’s wasnt as bad and I truly believe that alot of it was mental from his stanpoint. Where he was weak mentally in that situation, I think he’s the type that will be strong mentally in this one and will try to bounce back by playing as hard as he did at the begining of the trades.

He has some very tough matchups tonight. Bynum is out but they still have Gasol, Odom, and Artest. He was probably going to be matched up with Gasol alot but now that Bynum is out, he probably will be matched up with Odom way more, and I expect to see some of Artest on him. This will be fun because some compare him to Odom. IDK what to expect from him in this one and honestly, if he plays well then I think we have a chance to win just due to the matchups. I could see him still being mentally screwed up about the ankle & sucking, I could also see him in foul trouble trying to guard the long Gasol, strong Artest, and most of all the lefty in Odom, but I could also see him looking like a star and going off against those guys tonight and making all the LAL fans saying that Blatche is what Odom is supposed to be.

But 1st things 1st. Lets go Gevais. Kansas is out so its all up for grabs in that bracket if we get past this one. Dont let them bully us like theyve done sometimes in the past. Again, I think Vasquez is do for a big game and will show up.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 12:41 PM

Wiz at the Staples Center tonight.

BIG thumbs up for ‘Dray.

Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 12:43 PM

If ‘Dray is physically right, he’ll have a nice game. If he’s still favoring the ankle, he’s going to have a problem. It’s not mental; it’s a physical issue.

Comment from Jaba
Time March 21, 2010 at 12:45 PM

Still wondering how good Al Thornton REALLY is. If we want to stay respectable tonight, we definitely need him to have a great game!

Go Al! GO WIZARDS!!!!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 1:58 PM

If he’s hurt, why play him? As Philosophy 45 pointed out….”stronside of rim” and “weakside of rim”

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 2:05 PM

Looking at thornton’s NBA Career

07/08 42% FG
08/09 44%
09/10 47%
30% 3 Point shooter; 13 ppg

rest of stats not really impressive….stats with the wiz are pretty much identical to his career…

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 2:29 PM

my analysis of al thornton:

if he gets the ball he shoots it… ok, i like a team player, but this team needs a scorer, so if you are successful at it, why not

so is he successful:

not great handles, not great quickness, good leaping ability but doesn’t show it much. so, he can’t really beat his man off the dribble well; this is not good. if you are going to shoot a lot, go to the rim, if you can’t, there is a problem.

so if he likes to shoot and can’t get to the rim, what does that lead to? jumpshots, and plenty of them. so is he a good jumpshooter? unfortunately no. so he likes to shoot, can’t go to the rim so he shoots jumpshots, but can’t can’t make jumpshots.

can he get to the ft line? sometimes yes. (sigh of relief, finally a plus) does he make his fts… dang it lol. so no on the consistent made fts.

from all of this he greats a a grand rating of:

useless (scoring wise).

caron butler 2.0, he’s quickly lost my hope for him

Comment from Jaba
Time March 21, 2010 at 2:33 PM

his stats seem good enough to keep him as sixth or seventh guy for sure. Thing about him is, he’s played really well in some games only to virtually disappear in the next. Seems like the Wiz need to built on concistency next year. Blatche has become a reliable contributor, but as for the rest of the team, (except for James Singleton and Mike Miller), you never know if they’re going to bring it more than two nights in a row.

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 2:36 PM

this team needs a perimeter scorer again. perimeter scorers are clearly taking over this league with the no touching rules, etc. this is why the team can’t score, and only stay in games by playing great defense. (which i love to see though)

foye just shoots jumpers and can’t make a layup to save his life. that makes him more inconsistent than nick young.

thornton (see above).

mike miller is in the sg role which makes him shoot jumpers, plus he doesn’t have a scorers mentality.

nick young is inconsistent, when he’s on this teams scoring looks so much better. but he needs to go to the rim more often and learn to love contact. that would add 5+ ppg to his scoring if he learned that.

livingston just doesn’t have the same spring he had before his injury probs. too bad because he would probably be getting 20+ now a days.

boykins is too short and too old.

gil, wish you luck this week, and you are what this team needs back. and not gil (mr run the offense) but the healthy hibachi (i’m dropping 50 on your head) is what this team needs back.

Comment from Jaba
Time March 21, 2010 at 2:36 PM

meant to write build on consistency…..sorry!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 2:38 PM

I hope the wiz practice miller being on the same side of AB, so if Miller’s man doubles, he has an open three. If miller’s man doesn’t double, the double may come from the other side. Need to address these situations to add another element of surprise on opposing d’s.

it seems everyone says how thornton helps the team, but I notice him most when he misses crucial jumpers….

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 2:42 PM

The reality of it is, would teams have traded their assets that were worth something to us, if they were that good? We received players for expiring contract purposes, anything more than that is gravy. i wonder why we didn’t get telfair in the AJ trade?

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 2:51 PM

i also wonder why this team doesn’t run more. i can hear flip over there yelling “GO! GO!” every time the wizards come down with a defensive rebound, but a lot of times nothing comes out of it…

anyone remember back when gil, antawn, caron, you know those guys (lol) were on the team, and gil looked so much better a couple of games (i believe it was the kings game where gil turned the ball over at the end and we lost, and the warriors game where he got 50) when he pushed the tempo instead of walking the ball up?

i think that’s what this team needs, not just from one player, but from everyone. this team has problems getting to 100 points (have they done it since the trades?) so they need to push the tempo. they aren’t losing games because they can’t defense (finally lol), they are losing because they can’t keep up scoring wise.

need more quick and easy baskets.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 3:28 PM

LOL…well, we’ve been giving up easy baskets…i’m glad we’ve been able to start getting back on D, Milwaukee really exploited that weakness

Meanwhile, MD is a step away from getting blown out or getting back into the game. Vasquez making un-necessary turnovers…

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 21, 2010 at 4:05 PM

I believe the reason the Wizards do not run is that their players do not fill the passing lanes properly and that Boykins is the only guard that is capable of running a break. But we all know he is limited by his passing angles.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 4:06 PM

I have really lost touch with the college scene. Two of my final four are out….but I do have Cornell winning today (if they can hold on). Looks like it’s up to Kentucy and Syracuse to hold down the fort

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 4:16 PM

If we were to dig deep within ourselves, Foye Livingston and Miller could facilitate a fastbreak. Gee is a potential “wing” also. NY has the ability also, if he can stay on the floor long enough.

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 21, 2010 at 4:35 PM

Foye is more concerned about his ball handling than the fast break.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 4:44 PM

OMG, WHAT A COMEBACK IN A MINUTE BY MD

FEAR THE TURTLE

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 4:48 PM

DAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 4:48 PM

michigan state wins on the buzzer beater, maryland almost pulled it out

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 4:49 PM

HOW IN THE HECK DOES A CENTER BRING THE BALL ALL THE WAY UP THE COURT???????????

UGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 21, 2010 at 4:52 PM

What a tremendous game between the Terps and Spartans. Wow! Would have loved Md to win of course, but they have *nothing* to hang their heads about; it was a heckuva game.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 21, 2010 at 5:04 PM

Awright — go Wiz tonight. Time to dunk the Lakers!

Re: the above discussion of Al Thornton. He hasn’t turned out to be much of a player. The ’07 first round, all in all, hasn’t turned out to be very productive (with the obvious exceptions of Durant and Horford). Oden keeps getting injured, and no one else has turned into much.

Even weirder, the ’07 2d round has turned out pretty good. Carl Landry, Fesenko, Dominic, Marc Gasol, Aaron Gray, and Ramon Sessions — all still in the league and some doing extremely well.

Makes you think, huh?

Comment from dlts20
Time March 21, 2010 at 5:05 PM

man that Terps game was crazy. Just waited too long to get going. We either got stops but couldnt score or we scored but couldnt get stops. Never put them both together until the end. I am upset at that last defensive possession though because it seemed like our D just relaxed and thought the game was over. That was way too clean of a look for that situation. No way shoud he be able to step into a straight ahead J like that at the end.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 5:09 PM

Okay, that’s the most excited I’ve been in a few, and that’s on the college level….freakin wizards…lol

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 5:12 PM

I have Cornell, but they’re season will probably end vs kentucky, as I have it picked….the rest of my bracket is in shambles…..i can’t stand the spartans right about now!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah dlts 20, everyone was below the foul line, what were they thinking, a lil pressure may have caused a turnover, the center brought the ball up the court, and his man was under the basket….pissed

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 5:15 PM

LOL…@Tyrone 2000, foye is more concerned with shooting. He seems to think that he is bringing the ball up the court to find his shot…lol….actually, I would rather him shoot, because his passes end up being turnovers…

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 21, 2010 at 5:26 PM

I would like to see the Wizards actually attempt to speed the game up by pressing the ball handlers this game and running their fast break instead of walking the ball up the court each play…

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 5:59 PM

sacramento is beating the clippers, now if golden state could go on a winning streak….

Comment from dlts20
Time March 21, 2010 at 6:07 PM

tyrone, I remember when use to press sometimes with EJ and every single time the team would score in 2 seconds on a wide open 3, a layup, or we fouled them. We had to have the worst press in the league, lol

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 21, 2010 at 6:44 PM

Just want to see something other than the slow walk the ball up court type of game against the Lakers. They will set their defense and stop the Wiz from scoring. So why not try something totally different from the 10 game losing streak. I know everyone is looking for a good draft pick but they need to break the losing again this year or we’ll be trying to break it again next year. Finish strong play for the WIN for the remainder of the year!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 7:39 PM

“Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 21, 2010 at 3:44 PM

NBA players play D all the time, it’s just known that if they don’t prevent a player from scoring than everyone assumes that the player is not playing D…”

LOL….one of my favorite bloggers

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 7:41 PM

The Lakers have shown that they have trouble with “run&gun” teams…if only we could “run&gun”….playing in a half-court set will reduce our margin for error, less than what it is already.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 7:43 PM

Who is the tv analyst for cleveland on NBATV……it seems like anything that goes wrong is everyone’s fault but Lebrons….

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 8:22 PM

8:20 PM EST…..Dave and Glenn checking in……Andrew Bynum is out with strained achilles tendon

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 8:26 PM

dcbutler, don’t listen to clevelands broadcasters. you may lose a few braincells

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 8:30 PM

Detroit didn’t put up much of a fight…

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 8:59 PM

Austin Carr is the Cav’s color analyst. He’s a great “homer”…but, waaayyy over the edge.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:07 PM

9:00 PM EST…starters are in…Wizards will go with Foye, Miller, McGee, Blatche, and Thornton……Lakers will have Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:09 PM

That’s Austin Carr???? wow, he’s aged well….

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:27 PM

livingston not starting?

wonder why

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:27 PM

here we go gang sunday night blog

Comment from wizards_fusion
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:32 PM

@dcbutler

Austin carr played in the 70s; he better age or else he’s not human.

Maybe you were thinking of Antoine Carr instead

Comment from argracia
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:38 PM

Lets if Foye can take advantage of the fact that he is back in the starting line-up…LETS GET BACK ON THE WINNING TRACK AND SHOCK THE NBA WORLD TONIGHT!!!!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:42 PM

mcgee matchuo with gasol will be a challenge

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:44 PM

Evening all….. Let’s make it a great game tonight – Yikes…. 1st turnover & it led to points… ok – it’s just the beginning… I will hand out as long as I can!

Comment from argracia
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:45 PM

I would like to see Blatche learn how to pass out of the double team. He has been playing great but that is def one of his weaknesses…

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:45 PM

What is up with the bricks????

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:46 PM

thank you flip for again yelling GO!! GO!!! lol

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:47 PM

Will somebody PLEASE take the ball to the basket!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:47 PM

9-2 reb adv lakers

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:47 PM

need to get defensive rebounds

Comment from argracia
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:48 PM

THROW IT DOWN BIG MAN!

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:48 PM

shaun livingston went back 6 years with that

i didn’t even think that was him, my goodness man

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:49 PM

Flip, wake up some of the brain cells and get Miller out of there!

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:50 PM

Players without the ball have to MOVE in order to beat the double-team.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:52 PM

Put Miller on the bench.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:55 PM

There is absolutely nothing happening when the Wiz have the ball on offense.

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:56 PM

Now – I am expecting the western conf guys that we now have to be able to better match up with the Lakers…

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 9:58 PM

thornton must’ve read the blog and taken some of our posts to heart lol

good to see him knocking down shots tonight

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:00 PM

wizard betteron reboudning

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:02 PM

Ok, I’m back on, Comcast switched from Mcafee to Norton security….

AB was lacking hustle a lil and glad to see Flip let the team work through a slow start and didnt call timeout in first two minutes

Is there a shot Thornton doesnt like, he shot that layyup over three lakers..

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:03 PM

I know that most folks think that Singleton just threw a bad pass, but Miller’s lack of movement caused it.

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:04 PM

Nice shot to end the quarter…. I think with Thornton & Livingston – staples ctr being their former “home” – there is that added incentive to perform well… *hopefully*

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:05 PM

good quarter minus the turnovers, if they get reduced the wiz actually have a shot at this

good to see thornton and singleton have a good half

still can’t get that dunk by livingston out of my head, that was crazy, didn’t see that coming

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:05 PM

Getabig, if miller signs with another team, are you going to follow him and keep blogging about how bad he is?….inquiring minds want to know…..hehehe

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:05 PM

so frustrating to block gasol but then a turnover and a three

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:07 PM

Livingston for Miller and you’ve got a team Flip

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:07 PM

nick young is home, hope he has a good game tonight, good first shot

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:08 PM

Keep going young man

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:09 PM

wow, thornton passed the ball…lol

Comment from argracia
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:09 PM

Blatche just doesnt look well tonight at all…

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:10 PM

blatche doesn’t play up to his height. why fade away when you’re one of the tallest players on the court?

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:10 PM

Foye, get the heck out of the way when you pass the ball to the post…you’re man is the double-team.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:11 PM

Malloy is not 1 for 6.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:12 PM

Then almost get the ball stolen on the double team. He shouldn’t let the players get that close. He’s got to get rid of it prior to them getting there. IQ step up

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:12 PM

oh we have to watch those turnovers we can not cause a turnover and then have one of our own

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:12 PM

guys are knocking down open shots

blatche not off to a good start, odom’s quickness and length is offsetting blatche’s usual advantages and forcing him into uncomfortable shots

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:12 PM

and players need to cut instead of standing there looking

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:13 PM

both teams are 12 of 25

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:13 PM

Blatche has an ankle injury which hampers his movement. Give the guy credit for playing though the pain.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:14 PM

Wiz playing some nice “D” against a real good Lakers team.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:15 PM

give him some moltrin, the sprain is in his ankles, not his eyes and hands. and he wants a raise? Raise his vertical leap

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:15 PM

there you go nick, go the rim, you are going to get contact and you are going to get to the line

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:15 PM

That’s the knid of offensive play by Slick that will put Miller on the bench.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:16 PM

or “kind” of offensive play

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:16 PM

blatche really has no vertical as dc mentioned, he can’t jump over a phone book tonight

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:17 PM

‘Dray – you’ve got to dunk that shot!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:18 PM

That was a bad call on singleton.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Josh better enjoy that…It won’t happen again. Singleton is not happy.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Tonight?????? Tonight last all season?

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:18 PM

didn’t like that foul call on singleton

he hit the off arm of powell which powell used as protection against the block, if you get a foul for hitting that, it pretty much makes the defender useless

turnovers still a problem

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:19 PM

lol dc, yeah andray doesn’t have a lot of spring to begin with, but tonight looks even worse than usual, which shouldn’t be possible

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:20 PM

The wiz need to run on this team. Suck it up and run. There is no way they can win in a half-court battle. Well, there is a way, but not the way that we are not executing. We dribble to much, and stand around too much.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:21 PM

indeed blatche still bithred by ankle and spacing is a concern when he get double teamed

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:21 PM

@dcbutler357 – my friend, if you’ve ever played the game and you’ve ever had a serious ankle sprain you would understand that it not a mental adjustment that has to be made…it’s a physical limitation and no amount of will power is going to allow you to overcome the problem.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:21 PM

I say, if he raises his vertical, that will be the raise that he’s asking for

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:22 PM

Foye never saw a shot he wouldn’t take.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:23 PM

well, why play. get your health straight for next year. We’re not fighting for a playoff spot or anything.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:23 PM

and if his play is making more of a deficit, what’s the point?

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:23 PM

dang it kobe, superstar shots can really break your back in a hurry

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:24 PM

Let’s put Miller on the bench for the remainder of the game and see what happens. 3/1 we improve.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:26 PM

@dcbutler357 – Agreed. They should have not played him the game after the injury. It’s not his choice, unless he says that he can’t walk.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:27 PM

DJ is right, but spacing is a coaching issue.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:29 PM

‘Dray – get your butt in the blocks and stay there.

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:30 PM

blatche and miller are the only guys missing shots right now, the rest have done very good

it’s the turnovers that have really hurt

good defense though, kobe 13 points, but on 12 shots taken, can’t be upset with that

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:31 PM

I simply can not stand watching Miller play the game. Just about everything that he does is contrary to good basketball execution.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:32 PM

all that dribbling against two defenders and thornton shot it??

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:32 PM

blatche isn’t helping the team at all

jeezmey christmas kobe, he has really caught fire to end the half

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:33 PM

Ok – Blatche is hurting (ankle)…. which teammates will step up? *Uhm…*

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:33 PM

Yet another half of horrendous offense by the Wizards.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:33 PM

need helter/skelter basketball to change the pace of this.

on another note, bynum with a strained achilles, may jeopardize a repeat?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:34 PM

Kobe is laughing…

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:35 PM

Flip, this is NOT the jump shooting Pistons. How about designing an offense that takes advantage of the skill that this team has?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:36 PM

wow, glad that’s over with….I hope LA plays their subs in the second half, this could be record-setting

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:36 PM

turnovers turnovers turnovers, not good bball execution to end the half

and kobe…. yeah that about sums up the other side of things lol

no way the lakers should’ve gotten 60 points that half, but when kobe’s hot there is nothing you can do

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:38 PM

yeah, and he basically did it on jumpers, didn’t even have to show his full repertoire

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:38 PM

to top it off inetrent is slow my apologies

wizards top two scoring options miller and blacthe 3 of 15 so far

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:40 PM

wow, horrible shooting by the 2 forwards……..

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:41 PM

59-33, man what more can you say…….Well the Teprs were down today and made a run, oh well wishful thinking

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:41 PM

good things from that half:

thornton did his thing out there, made his jumpshots and looked confident

foye had a good stint off the bench, made his shots off of screens, had 2 assists, no turnovers

nick young came out with a lot of confidence, should’ve gotten more than 7 minutes… come on flip, you’re better than that

singleton… well he was just good ol james singleton, 5 rebounds in the half and hit his shots

for the next half:

sit blatche, his injury is taking away from what he can do and he’s pretty useless out there right now

livingston has to play with better decisions, 4 turnovers in the half is not good

miller has to make shots if he’s going to be out there for 20 minutes while nick is only getting 7 and shooting well

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:43 PM

Every team in the league understands that they have to double-team AB everytime he gets the ball. You would think that, by now, Flip would begin to understand that giving the ball to AB and standing around waiting to see what might happen is NOT going to work.

Once again:

Whoever makes the pass to the post should exchange positions with the next closest man away from the ball. Someone on the off-side circles through the lane. That cutter’s position is replaced by the non-cutter away from the ball. GET SOME MOVEMENT so that AB has some options.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:43 PM

I just liked the dunk by Livingston, that was my highlight! I guess the knee is getting stronger

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:43 PM

phil chenier bringing up that 2003 game where kobe went off from deep against the jordan led wizards is really what i thought of as well watching kobe that half

his shots were all contested, all difficult shots, but kobe had his shot down pat tonight, just like he did that night. good defense, better offense

Comment from dlts20
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:44 PM

Man Blatche looks awful. He has been by far out worst player these last 2 games. Either its physical and they shouldnt have played him in either game, espcially the way he was down & squirming or its mental and he’s being weak. I think its a little of both as he clearly hasnt been in either game mentally. He looks like he’s just out there.

The 2nd part is that Im watching Foye and again, people rip on him but you can tell that there is nothing he really can do in this system. All he can do to score is that quick long pull up off the screen. Its basically impossible for him to get to the rim the way its designed. Its been like that for all our PG’s. I just dont know if Gil will ever be able to go off in it. I think he will be a dependant player. If you look at the stats, none of Flip’s PG’s have shot a great percentage. They may have 1 good year and 5 poor one’s, including Billups. The thing about Billups is that the pull up is his game, he’s not really going to go to the rim anyways, and he’s never been so much of a dominant scorer that the D keys on him. Gil’s game is not really the quick pull up off the screen and every team knows that he is our #1 scorer so you can times it by 10 on how difficult it will be for him to get to the rim or make other plays.

Its not just scoring either. I think they are limited in passing. I think you can get assist but they are mostly system assist where you just hit the guy coming off the screen or throw the baseline pass to the post. You cant be Nash in this system or just have freedom to go all over the court dishing & scoring. Im starting to really think that we couldve been a top 4 seed in the East this year with EJ’s system. Flip’s stuff is dreadful to watch in that regard. That tells you how good Gil is that even with all of that he still put up numbers and wouldve shot a better percentage if he could finish at the rim in the few chances he did get. Hopefully next year Flip keeps his system but adds some plays to give Gil more freedom

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:44 PM

Question for the board:

Do you think Flip has loss this team?

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:45 PM

And is Gee hurt? He got zero minutes in the 1st half?

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:46 PM

@gray16 – Sitting AB until he is at least 85% would be a smart thing to do. Remember, however, that this is the “crack” Wizards medical staff, that has succeeded in just about crippling a 3 time all-star, providing advice to the coaching staff.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:48 PM

Yes, I agree AB needs to sit……….

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:49 PM

jeff malone, i wouldn’t say flip has lost this team, but it’s kind of hard to lose a team that’s only been together for a month

he did however, lose the team before the all star break, and that’s why they were all traded away

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:50 PM

If you don’t fit into Flip’s scheme, you don’t fit in. Making the personnel fit into your offensive ideas is the very worst type of coaching. The best coaches evaluate the talent and design an offense that puts each player in the best position for him to succeed.

There is a lot of talent on every team in the league. The winning teams have coaches who make the appropriate adjustments.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:50 PM

Question for the board

Has there been a game all year that Milke Miller stayed aggressive the entire game?

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:51 PM

only 2 fts taken in that half, both by nick

i think nick should start this half, the wizards need scoring and he can deliver that, especially when he’s as hot as he was for the short amount of time in the first half

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:53 PM

@gray16-I agree, just wondering I mean his philosophy I just dont get, you man no players fit? I think he may have loss this group, and ut shows with energy and effort

@gotabig-The last statement is one that is the most profound, that is why I have an issue with Flip. I 100% agree with you

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:53 PM

i don’t know if phil jackson did it on purpose, but odom looks like the perfect guy to guard blatche

this is getting frustrating just watching kobe make these shots, can’t imagine how the defender feels

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:55 PM

@gray-I dont think Blatche is 100% so I wouldnt put to much into that………..

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:55 PM

great defense by livingston on that play, bad help defense ruined a great defensive outing that time

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:55 PM

unfortunate becuse great d by livingston

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:55 PM

i agree jeff that dray isn’t 100%, but odom does seem to be the perfect match physical wise for blatche

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:56 PM

For the sake of good deeds, can Nick Young play in front of his friends and family in this game?

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:57 PM

Odom is version 2.0, next year AB will be 3.0, so tonight advantage Odom

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:57 PM

livingston making big plays on defense

gotta keep creating turnovers, leads to easy baskets and fts

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:58 PM

Livingston playing with a chip being back in Cali, Im sure he wants to have a good game back in Clipper land……..

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:58 PM

“Has there been a game all year that Milke Miller stayed aggressive the entire game?” – jeffmalone1990

I think that Miller only plays worth a darn in the first half of the 1st quarter. I don’t understand it, but I think that if you check it out, I’m right. I believe that he’s auditioning and conserving his energy.

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:58 PM

keep pushing the ball everytime down the court!!!!

Comment from 2stepsaway
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:59 PM

Look at how quickly they are getting back down the court…… the hustle might be the difference 2nite…

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 10:59 PM

Everyone busts their butt and Miller just fires a lousy 3.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:00 PM

Now a bad shot from AB.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:00 PM

Take out Blatche, put in Singelton…And I hope McGee had a better 2nd Half

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:00 PM

well gabbo, he had just made 2 threes, and you know when mike gets hot, he goes off, so i personally didn’t mind that three attempt

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:03 PM

wizards success running and outreboudning lakers

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:03 PM

The Wiz need a player with the heart of a hired-killer. A stone cold attacker; no fear of failure; loves to beat you with a big play; always in attack mode…Agent 6!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:03 PM

@gotabig-Miller has had a tendency to fade in games, he starts HOT and then NOTHING. He gets on a roll, then stops shooting, he has really suprised me this year!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:04 PM

No Gee tonight?

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:04 PM

Hey Flip, that stupid zone doesn’t match up well against the triangle.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:05 PM

This must really hurt Arenas to miss tonights game especially! I know he would love to face off against Kobe!

Agent 6 next year

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:06 PM

Lakers coaching staff 100; Wizards coaching staff 0.

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:06 PM

the two guys missing shots:

miller and blatche…

in the first half that is. now that they aren’t missing, the team’s shooting percentage is sky rocketing

good job by dray of bouncing back in this half

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:07 PM

HEY THE ZONE HAS COOLED THE LAKERS DOWN TO 57% FOR THE GAME, and 45% from 3! (oh boy)

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:07 PM

Malloy, the Lakers do commit fouls. Even on one leg, ‘Dray doesn’t miss by that much from 10 feet.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:10 PM

As much as I’d like to see Miller on the bench, I hope that he is not hurt.

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:10 PM

gabbo, dray initiated contact into odom, but odom stood straight up with both hands sky high, good defense by odom, good no call by malloy

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:13 PM

good 2 man game by nick and dray

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:15 PM

would like to see nick get the ball more, but i already know that isn’t going to happen

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:16 PM

@ gray16 – You could be right, but I didn’t see it that way.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:21 PM

gee in secind half…… now

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:22 PM

clawing back into it, lets see what happens in last 10 minutes

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:22 PM

Foye is some point guard. Does he ever get an assist?

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:23 PM

nick and blatche in at the same time has the offense rolling

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:25 PM

put in livingston for foye and this lineup is the best of the game imo

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:25 PM

Gee gets nailed by two Lakers on a drive…no foul. On the other end, ticky-tack foul. The Wiz will not get the calls until they are able to just kick everyone’s butt.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:26 PM

gee just did a nice job on gasol on defense blatche nice move down the lane before the free throws….i knw score is bad but credit wizards for better second half shot 61 percent in 3rd

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:26 PM

everybody in this system dribbles a bit much….lol…and they aren’t dribbling waiting for a pick, they are all doing one on one moves for the most part.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:29 PM

Come on DC – They are dribbling waiting for Rip Hamilton to appear in the open after running around three picks in the paint.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:30 PM

Nice block Singleton…I mean foul. That was all ball.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:31 PM

That was an amazing no call on the obvious charge against AB.

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:31 PM

great second half for washington, even if it winds up a lost

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:32 PM

Take it to em NY…He betta play the rest of the game

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:33 PM

wow, great pass by kobe
NY IS WARM

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:33 PM

go head nick young

now go to the bench were you belong lol

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:33 PM

What is going on during this Wizards run??? Miller on the bench, Slick scoring!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:34 PM

if NY is hott, why don’t they keep feeding him….poor recognition by the team

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:34 PM

‘Dray, my main man, what the heck are you doing with that shot?

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Can’t blame this lack of IQ on the coach

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:35 PM

foye was the only weakspot in that lineup, great lineup

singleton, blatche, young, gee, and ross for select minutes did great

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:35 PM

doing some nice things but lakers have too many options …kobe is so good at finding the open player

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:36 PM

That’s part of the problem in itself, this team doesn’t have anyone on it that knows how to win.

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:36 PM

i saw thornton get up before that t.o.

something tells me he is coming in for nick young

you guys please pray i don’t throw my remote through this hd tv if thats the case

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:36 PM

Oh Alberto has won a ring.

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:38 PM

good, flip isn’t as stupid as i thought, and now livingston is coming back in

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:40 PM

what a second half!!!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:41 PM

yes, gotta play helter skelter and hard nose

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:41 PM

Hey Flip, Can you see what #1 is doing? Forget Miller and play Slick the rest of the way.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:42 PM

wow the fight is still there young now 19 points

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:45 PM

too bad kobe had to go on that rampage in the first half, the lakers probably would’ve only had 50 that half and the wizards would’ve really had a shot at this

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:47 PM

The logic of putting AB back in the game at this point is??????

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:47 PM

did singleton foul out?

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:47 PM

something tells me nick young is playing against his future team tonight

something tells me kobe likes this guy, will convince management to pick him up this offseason, will take him under his wing, and nick will go on to drop 50 on our heads

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:49 PM

well we made it a lil respectable. Everyone in the league knows that the lakers are “weak” against the run….

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:49 PM

In the off-season, the Wiz need to find a center who will slap Gasol up the side of the head the first three times he gets the ball.

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:50 PM

no tacos for you!!! lol

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:51 PM

1 800 636 1067 post game

Comment from gray16
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:52 PM

check this:

nick young got 22 points tonight…

and still played 10 minutes less that mike miller

i don’t know whether to laugh or be mad

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:52 PM

If Flip learned anything from this game, the loss was worth it.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:55 PM

A season-ending, but not career-ending injury would suit both Miller and the Wizards very well. He might get a contract next year, and we might be able to get some serious minutes for Slick.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 21, 2010 at 11:57 PM

@ gray16- Join the crowd, be hysterically angry.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Okay, safe trip home for the Wiz. Hopefully a learning lesson for the players who will be here next year. Live, learn and toughen up.

Bobcats in the booth on Tuesday. I’ll be there rooting for the Wiz!

Comment from dlts20
Time March 22, 2010 at 12:03 AM

Only 2 good things about that game is NY played well and Blatche looked like he shook off the ankle injury in the 2nd half so I expect him to start playing really well again next game

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 12:06 AM

Blatche was 7/20. Come on AB, if you keep this up your average will fall to that of the guy you replaced. However, there is really no comparison…’Dray had 5 assists. The guy he replaced didn’t have 5 assists in ten games. ‘Dray also had12 rebounds and 3 steals. Not a bad game, but below what we have come to expect.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 12:09 AM

I can’t imagine what excuse Flip might come up with to start Miller instead of Slick the remainder of the season…better scorer (Hah); better defense (Hah); passes up more scoring opportunities (well okay); jumps higher to throw a pass (hands down winner).

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 12:12 AM

‘Nite all. Wiz were very competitive in the second half. We have a lot to look forward to…my glass is half-full. Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 22, 2010 at 12:47 AM

For the first time in our nation’s history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 22, 2010 at 7:46 AM

Yes — a terrific moment: *finally*!!

If only Barack could play ball as well as he fills his current job — we could use him!

Comment from HardCoreFan
Time March 22, 2010 at 11:02 AM

My prayers are with Gilbert in the lose of his mother. Apparently, he had planned to reconnect with his mother after his basketball career. Unfortunately, he lost his opportunity due to her death. Even though he didn’t have a relationship with her he paid for her funeral and is really hurt over her death- There is just something about your mother that cannot be explained. Also life is so short so don’t put off reconnecting/forgiving/loving someone that you care about.

It’s been a real tough year for Gilbert.

Comment from dlts20
Time March 22, 2010 at 11:09 AM

Yeah, it seems like Gil cant catch a break. I think he’s going to be a brand new man next year and player.

Gilbert Arenas loses his mother

Gilbert Arenas already faces a difficult week ahead, with his sentencing for felony gun possession set for Friday. But Arenas’s troubles were magnified recently, when he discovered that his estranged mother, Mary Francis Robinson, died in Miami.

Robinson passed away on March 13, but Arenas didn’t find out until a few days later, according to multiple sources. The cause of her death is not known.

Arenas wasn’t close to his mother, who abandoned him at young age and left him to be raised by his father, Gilbert Sr., from the time that he was 3. Arenas met his mother only once in the past 25 years. In his second season with the Golden State Warriors, Robinson approached him after a game in Miami. Although he has not been in communication with Robinson, Arenas paid for her funeral expenses.

Arenas is said to be distraught over her death. Arenas said he never held any animosity toward his mother, but his one encounter is believed to have traumatized him. Arenas always said that he planned on reconnecting with Robinson after his playing days were over. He never got the chance.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/28/AR2006102800830.html

Comment from dlts20
Time March 22, 2010 at 12:43 PM

Is it me or is Flip neutering McGee too much? He’s not going to play well like that. No doubt McGee takes some horrible shots at times but just tell him once. I dont think its fair to do what Flip is doing now in basically telling him to never shoot unless its a wide open dunk. Then everytime he does, Flip immediatly takes him out. That makes the kid so nervous that even when he does shoot, he wont make it because he’s so scared and wondering wether he should shoot or not. Weve lost 11 in a row, give the kid some freedom. You might as well bench him all together if you are going to handcuff him like that.

Comment from gray16
Time March 22, 2010 at 1:20 PM

so sorry for arenas, man definitely a rough year for him

hold strong through this week gil, we are wishing the best for you

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 4:56 PM

I agree with you dlts20. I think that Flip is just a bully who is pushing around young guys who are trying to do what he wants them to do. Do they make mistakes? Of course, who, except Flip, obviously, doesn’t. You are right – let them play and make their mistakes this year when it doesn’t really matter anymore. It might help them avoid those mistakes next year.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 4:57 PM

Very tough week for Gil. Hope he stays strong.

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time March 22, 2010 at 5:33 PM

Sorry to hear about Gils mom.. hope he can get his life stright and turn things around for the better..

but check this out http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2010/03/22/20100322_fantasy_open.nba/?ls=iref:nbahpt1
found this kinda of funny and GABBO will prob love it lol

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 8:27 PM

Thanks for the link Wizards4Life.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 8:30 PM

Everyone’s right about ‘Dray…Time will tell if he is one of the elite players. I realize that many folks are betting against him, but I’ll take him on my team any day.

Comment from gray16
Time March 22, 2010 at 8:59 PM

watching the dallas/new orleans game:

so much easier to watch caron take those contest mid range jumpers that he consistently misses on another team. you’d think he would just stop shooting them, but hey, i like chris paul and darren collison so i’m kind of rooting for the hornets in this one lol

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 22, 2010 at 9:28 PM

NBATV is asking who would be the next AB in the league. Also saying NY is a 20 ppg player and Javale will be good with more time

ATL taking it to Milwaukee at the half

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 10:29 PM

“Blatche’s WP48 at the midpoint of 2007-08 stands at 0.021. Such a mark is below average, and tells us that Blatche is still not a “solid contributor” for the Wizards.” – The Wages of Wins. BTW, they would say the same thing about the 2009-2010 season.

This is pure BS based upon backward-looking statical data. It is OBVIOUS that Wages of Wins provides no better forward looking analysis that the astute fan watching the game. It provides no criteria upon which to determine a player’s future value to a team. The Wages of Wins may be a good tool to see how a player PERFORMED, but it has no value in predicting how a player WILL perform in the future.

Once he was given the opportunity to play to his potential, AB demonstrated that he had been held back in his opportunity to display his talents.

The best judge of a player’s potential is not his statistical history but the well-tuned eye of someone who truely understands the tool-set required to succeed in the NBA.

Once given the opportunity, AB stuck it to Wages of Wins…Slick will do the same.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 10:33 PM

Tom M., if you post something like “the exception proves the rule”, I’m going to find you in Delaware and force-feed you a Maryland crabcake sandwich.

Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time March 22, 2010 at 10:40 PM

Tom M., You realize, of course, that I am kidding. I wouldn’t force anyone to do anything…although Maryland crab cakes are the best.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 23, 2010 at 7:36 AM

Gotabig — not to worry, amigo. You and I have worked out how to squabble here and still be pals!! We’re both Wizards fans — and we *both* hope Andray does join the elite. Ditto Nick (ain’t happening, sorry).

If I run Dray’s Win Score numbers (closest I can get to WP48 w/o some fancy statistical math software) and project what they mean in WP48 (there is an approximate conversion), I get very good results. In WP48 terms (and for that matter in Hollinger’s PER terms too), Andray has improved immensely as a player. Given that *no one* ever doubted his talent, and given that Flip testifies to how hard he’s working, and given that he’s only 23, that’s not so surprising.

Until that point, for whatever reason, and through 3 coaches, Andray hadn’t been terribly productive. He was definitely *not* productive in ’07-08 (the original figures you cite).

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 23, 2010 at 7:43 AM

Do statistics predict? Depends on the statistics. You do get some idea what the weather will be like in March by looking at weather statistics. But weather statistics can’t be used to predict what the weather will be on April 5, 2011.

In the same sense, a given player will *always* depart from the statistical curve, and sometimes by a long way. But, over time, NBA players tend to get better until they’re about 25, be on more or less a plateau until 28, and then start a slow decline that gets steeper when they hit their early 30s. Surely this is no surprise!

So, does that predict anything? Well, it tells me that a graduating senior who becomes a rookie will probably peak in his 3d or 4th season. Again, that’s hardly earth-shaking.

When you start talking about high school kids coming into the league, there are *so many* other unknowns about someone that age, it’s turning out to be very hard to know what their first few years will be like.

Anyway, this is *not* what WP48 is for — it’s for grasping what a player brings to the effort of winning ball games.

Comment from dcbutler357
Time March 23, 2010 at 8:21 AM

Can’t predict anything if the person isn’t on the floor.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time March 23, 2010 at 10:10 AM

As with any analytic methodology, the smaller the sample the less valid the results. You can’t tell anything about a player by looking at what he did over 100 minutes.

Comment from tyrone2000
Time March 24, 2010 at 8:40 AM

Coach Saunders is the supervisor and has a right to play the players he wants to play. There can not be two sides of the story unless something was wrong with Blatche. Those 16 good games has really gone to his head. Good Grief…