Game Day Cleveland
7:19 AM…..Dave Johnson checking in from Cleveland where I enjoyed Maple Bacon Ice cream for the first time..ahh life is good and so is the basketball and so is the BLOG..THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU..for the wonderful support on the pre-season opener with so many friends jumping on the BLOG….and speaking of which..many of you have..but I invite you to friend me on Facebook as we enjoy another season together. It is strange to be in Cleveland where the building-sized LeBron James mural is gone…but it wil be good to see our friend Antawn Jamison tonight…he was the reason I was rooting for the Cavaliers in the playoffs…he deserves success. And how about the success of the game against the Mavericks. Lester Hudson…who had a terrific training camp…but was having an off night…ends up sinking the game winner. On the court it was clear Gilbert Arenas, John Wall and Kirk Hinrich can play together… I am just going to stay focused on Arenas on the court and that’s where he looked focused on Tuesday night. It was impressive that Wall did not try to do too much in his pre-season debut. Indeed Wall as the saying goes let the game come to him. And it is too earl to make conclusive judgements but this team is going to be better defensively. From Wall to Yi and every play in between the defensive commitment was impressive. 14 steals and 11 blocked shots is getting after it….Here’s to more fun tonight…again you connect with me and Glen as the game goes on..BLOGCAST…live radio and blogging together with yours truly and Glen Consor starts tonight at 7:00 PM…you can listen online and of course on 106.7 FM The FAN.
6:50 PM…Dave and Glen checking in from the Q…it will be the same starting lineup as Tuesday….with John Wall, Gilbert Arenas and Kirk Hinrich together…along with Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee…BLOGCAST starts at 7 with Flip Saunders interview and there is a listen livge link at the top of the page
Posted: October 7th, 2010 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:00 AM
Yes. One more game closer to the season.
My clues to look for on who will make the final roster:
1. Will Lester Hudson get the bulk of point guard backup minutes?
2. Will Martin play alot also?
If they do then I believe these two will have the upperhand to make the roster.
3. Will we see Ndaye, Morrison, Palmer and Marks (hurt)?
It will be a very bad sign for any of these players if they do not get on the floor.
4. Will we unleash the new Bruise Brothers, Booker and Seraphin?
These guys bring a tenacious attitude and willingness to bang people around. I love it.
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:05 AM
Tom, I agree. This could be a big make it or break it night for Nick Young.
Al Thornton needs to show he could be more than an adequate backup, which I am not convinced he is yet.
The Dallas game showed how little confidence Flip has in our Small Forwards by starting 3 guards.
A Big chance for someone like Cartier.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:19 AM
Cavs tonight.
big THUMBS up for ‘Dray.
Go Wiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:51 AM
What Gotabig said!!
And for the other guys too!!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:59 AM
@draftazoid — how is the second pre-season game a “make it or break it night for Nick Young”?
Nick is in the last year of his rookie contract. He makes @ $2.6m this year. We have I believe 6 or 8 more pre-season games or something like that. Then 82 regular season games. Somewhere in there Nick will decide his future with his play — but not tonight.
Here’s hoping he gets 20+ minutes tonight and shows some progress in basketball IQ. Oh, and shoots well too.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:37 AM
I really want to see 5 things.
1- Obviously Blatche vs AJ. Dray was great the 1st night and AJ was horrible so I know he will want to play great this game against his former team.
2- I would also like to see Dray & Yi vs Hickson. Alot of people are high on Hickson
3- Is this Wiz team different or is it another typical DMV sports team that cant handle success? I want to see another good game and not them feeling so good about themselves that they look like crap and make everyone do a complete 180 on them.
4- I want to see Gil be more assertive. Dont get it twisted, I love the way he passed and this team will be great if they continue to move the ball but I think we all want to get a glimpse of how healthy and how close to the old forum that Gil really is.
5- Was the Kirk Hinrich thing an experiment or is Flip truly considering it? If he starts that same lineup tonight then it will be interesting. On the other hand, alot of coaches start a million different lineups in the Preseason and some guys just sit out games anyways. We play the Bulls the very next night so nothing will shock me regarding the lineups in this one
Comment from Jaba
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Would be nice to see our second unit come up with a win tonight. And yes, if we really want to be competitive this season, we need both Al and Nick to perform at a high level with consistency. I hope both will shine tonight! Also hoping for a good game from Hilton Armstrong, who seems to be doing better than a lot of folks thought he would.
GO WIZARDS!!!!
Comment from reddog271
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:52 AM
3- Is this Wiz team different or is it another typical DMV sports team that cant handle success? I want to see another good game and not them feeling so good about themselves that they look like crap and make everyone do a complete 180 on them.
@DTS they haven’t had any success in 3 years. winning one preseason game by a few points doesnt’ cound as success to me
Comment from Cy-Philly
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:30 AM
like every one says its too early to get a clear picture on anyone exept maybe captain kirk. Something i’m looking forward to is who will guard AJ? i’d like to see if booker is up to that challenge, he gives up a little in height but i think his sheer will and tenacity on D could be very effective against AJ as we know all too well that he is far from being a ‘physical’ player. If Booker/B.A.D/Dray can keep AJ outside the paint he is going to be less effective. Any way, like gotabig says thumbs up for every one in a Wiz uniform!!
p.s. i hope we crush ‘em just because its the cavs, payback’s a B**** ain’t it? lol 
Comment from reddog271
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:41 AM
being that the chosen one isn’t on The Cavs and AJ is… I don’t hate them as much anymore
Comment from JWALL
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:47 AM
This is a new beginning altogether. So we don’t want to go into each game apprehensive about whether we go back to our old ways.
dlts u r wound up to tight about Gil. Take a deep breath and give him time. U must remember that Gil came into the league as a combo guard from Arizona just like Jason Terry was at Arizona. Gil for one has always been known as a scoring guard. Not a 1 or 2.
It was when Eddie Jordan came that he was determined to make Gil into a point guard rinning the Princeton O. Then it was Flip with his style. Now that with John Wall here we are hoping Gil can adjust to a more traditional 2 guard. This is a new team and so it will take a while for everybody to find their niche and adjust to their roles.
We are blessed to have more talent which is going to make it difficult in keeping letting go of players.
The talent level hopefully will make the guy’s work harder.
I like how Yi, HA and Lester Hudson are making statement s with there play.
Now we should do well against Cleveland tonight.
We don’t have to face LBJ there no more and so we should do well tonight. I hope Trevor and kevin get playing time tonight.
Comment from JWALL
Time October 7, 2010 at 11:01 AM
In addition I would like to say as the the players learn to let the game come to them instead of doing what they are not capable of doing well.
The same should be for us bloggers and that is let’s enjoy this ride this season and how it plays out.
I truly believe this will be a fun season.
I like Dick Vitale’s comment and have already put my stock in the Wiz.
ChenierFan so you know I like the name that doclinkin came up with for JWall ( Johnny Ballgame) and I will continue to push it.
In fact I plan to be at Six Flags on Friday and will see if I can personally ask JWall if he likes ( Johnny Ballgame).
Chenierfan what name can you come up with to go with JWall’s game?
Comment from neal
Time October 7, 2010 at 11:02 AM
I agree, draftazoid. Tuesday’s three guard lineup was certainly not a vote of confidence in Thornton.
Wilbon in the Post wrote a lame article slamming Arenas. He must not have had much to write about. Everyone knows both the Wiz and Arenas would rather he be traded, and he will be, at first reasonable opportunity, though we may have to eat another year (or even more) of his salary first. Wilbon got really picky to find things to criticize. Give it a rest for chrissake Wilbon!
Comment from Cy-Philly
Time October 7, 2010 at 11:14 AM
tbh its clevelands fans, i don’t have anything against the team or players as reddog said since ‘the chosen one’ left. I’m quite bitter about they way cleveland fans acted whenever the wiz came to town lol
Comment from Rick
Time October 7, 2010 at 11:41 AM
@neal, i agree wilbon has become worse and worse ever since he started to appear on TV. his articles always seem to make me cringe. and he is always bashing. loves to bash blatche too.
Comment from Rick
Time October 7, 2010 at 11:43 AM
in my opinion, it’s not that important who is sitting at the end of the bench during the season. i would rather see our main guys continue to get significant time together and continue to gel and develop chemistry throughout pre-season. i really have no interest in seeing the what-ifs and maybe-one-days get playing time tonight.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 11:45 AM
@neal – Wilbon is a minimal talent who gets his material by reading what other reporters write. I try to refrain from commenting on what he writes because I wouldn’t want his editor to get the idea that people place any stock his drivel; however, sometimes he is just so off-the-wall that I post a comment at the Washington Post blog. For a professional writer, there are times when his sentence structure, grammar and even his spelling are horrible. BTW, Michael Lee is in the same boat.
Comment from Babakism
Time October 7, 2010 at 12:17 PM
As I said before………………..the media will do whatever it can to make sure they have a story………..Gil isn’t giving them what they need to write about so they are digging into garbage for writing treasure that just isn’t there. Once this season starts and we are winning games surprising everyone I wouldn’t be surprised if Gil doesn’t get traded. If Wall is performing at a rookie of the year level they won’t trade Gil because it would disrupt the chemistry of the team. Rookies like Wall need stability in their first year to build up their confidence and establish themselves. Rajon Rondo probobly wouldn’t have been an all star without the big 3. But now that he has played with them he will be an All Star after they are gone.
Gil is still an All Star and one of the best scorers in the league and is already prooving he can play off the ball too.
BTW I meant to say it after the Mavs game, we have a much more potent offensive lineup this year. You will notice that when our starters are on the floor there really isn’t a player besides maybe Javale who you would cringe when you see them put up a shot or if the ball is in their hands and the shot clock is winding down and they have to jack one up.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 7, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Chicago teams are the only teams that get any favorable press from Wilbon.
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 7, 2010 at 12:55 PM
ready for the game tonight.. expect to see more hudson, and martin.. also Seraphin should be able to do well against jamison if he gets in. look forward to seeing him and booker get in the game. I dont think Morrison has a chance to make the team so i doubt he’ll play. i dont think we’ll see any sad faces because of it tho..
Comment from Rick
Time October 7, 2010 at 1:06 PM
if i was JWall i would have rather had Morrison in there than Nick Young. Morrison might have knocked down those open jumpers and gotten me my rightful assists.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 7, 2010 at 1:42 PM
while NY is a streaky shooter, his defense is better than Morrison, which isn’t a big statement. Just play Booker and be done with it.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 7, 2010 at 1:45 PM
LOL…I wonder how Byron Scott feels…he’s gone from job security for a few years, to “i hope i can get a good free agent or #1 pick”, so I can stay in town for a while. It would be interesting to see if Eddie Jordan joins his staff, now that he is “jobless” again.
Comment from JWALL
Time October 7, 2010 at 2:00 PM
One of my observations tonight will be to see how Flip does his time outs.
I think when we are running good and have a lead from 8 to 15 points. You want your subs to stay focused especially on the defensive side and make sure they don’t take hurried shots when they get in the game.
I would also like to see us do a better job with our offensive rebounding. I hope Javale can get better footing and position down low. I don’t think he realizes he is a real threat close to the basket. But he has to be in position to receive the ball and also be ready to receive the ball when JWall or Gil slashes to the basket.
Comment from JWALL
Time October 7, 2010 at 2:02 PM
I would think Al Thornton will start tonight at the SF versus Kirk checking AJ.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 2:16 PM
Has Cleveland seriously decided to play AJ at the 3? He can’t keep up with 4s. I was hoping that we might see AJ vs. AB tonight.
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 7, 2010 at 2:31 PM
re: Wilbon’s article
What if Mike’s right about Gilbert? What if this commentary is not him making mountains out of molehills? If Mike wants to rag on Gil, then he shall rag on Gil.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/06/AR2010100606693.html
re: Gilbertology, Part 47
And what if Gilbert is playing the media even though he’s speaking the truth? The media, for the most part, treats athletes (esp. African American athletes) as intellectually inferior. They don’t think guys like Gilbert has a brain and can outsmart them.
Nowadays, I try to find incentives with everything Gilbert does. I don’t think about the words that come out of his mouth – but instead, I think about what incentives led him to push those words out of his mouth. Everyone has incentives for everything they do. Gilbert is no different.
re: Draftazoid’s deference on Gilbert
And why are some jumping down draftazoid’s throat for his comments on Gilbert? Who cares if draftazoid knows about Gilbert’s past and philanthropic attitudes when DC was eating out of his hand? An opinion was made and was defended. Oh well, not everyone that blogs here should love Gilbert. It is ok; no need to get emotional and get your panties in a bunch.
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 7, 2010 at 2:39 PM
I will say this about Wilbon
I think he swings from being a fan (i.e., writing like Bill Simmons) to being an upstanding African American in this nation (i.e., writing like Dr. Cornel West) to being a father with a no non-sense attitude, and then cycles back to being a sports journalist/cynic/television analyst. There is no one-mask he puts on; and this bothers me the most with his NBA commentary.
Wilbon needs to stop writing like his words are going to kiss-up to the teacher (i.e., his audience) and fear that his subjects (i.e., NBA players) are going to drop him of “insider” information if he talks bad about them. He writes a commentary, not a factual recap of the games. If Gil’s going to get angry from these unflattering words, then so be it.
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 7, 2010 at 2:42 PM
There is only 1 guy that kisses-up to all NBA players – and his name is Ahmad Rashad. Ahmad does variety shows; and so he has to be cool with all. Wilbon doesn’t have a variety show – his job is to give it straight and let us think and make judgments for ourselves.
Like Gilbert said the other day, you can’t be a “double-headed sword” (or in Wilbon’s case – a chameleon).
Comment from Rick
Time October 7, 2010 at 2:45 PM
@dcbutler, i don’t think you can say that nick’s defense is better than anyone’s
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 7, 2010 at 2:57 PM
Gotabig, we will probably see Antawn play the 3 on Offense and 4 on Defense.
JWALL, my guess is that Flip is going to stick with starting the 3 guards until someone steps up as a good starting small forward.
I think it was a brilliant move by Flip. Puts everyone on notice that the job is open.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 3:13 PM
You think that Cleveland will have AJ guarding AB in the low post? Oh my! Get the Man the Ball!
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 7, 2010 at 3:17 PM
jj hickson is there starting 4 now.. i doubt AJ will play the 3. he will probably come off the bench for hickson
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 7, 2010 at 3:40 PM
LOL…if it isn’t better than morrison’s then both of them need to just sit on the side and play spades
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 7, 2010 at 3:41 PM
lol…mighty funny the wiz thought AJ was good enough to check 4s for about 5 years…..lol
Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time October 7, 2010 at 4:25 PM
Go Wizards! John Wall is gonna fry tonight. I predict Andray Blatche will dunk on AJ twice.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 4:40 PM
They may have thought that AJ could check 4s, but he couldn’t and didn’t. He simply outscored them.
Comment from steven102
Time October 7, 2010 at 5:22 PM
I can’t find you on Facebook. There are over 500 Dave Johnsons. Help.
Comment from maggicman11
Time October 7, 2010 at 5:32 PM
I dont think the people who get paid to analyze these things actually couldnt see that AJ didnt have a defensive bone in his body. I think they just didnt care. The idea was to outscore everyone. thats why you get 3 high powered scorers on the floor at the same time. none of them could play defense but they could all score. it took a few years and a few injuries for them to realize it wouldnt work that way.. it started off good.. when EJ was the coach of the all-star game everyone got excited like we could be a championship team without defense. but reality set in after a while..
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 7, 2010 at 6:14 PM
@ Gotabig — unfortunately, the days of careful grammar, spelling, punctuation and even syntax are gone gone gone. Because text goes from the writer’s fingertips on the keyboard all the way to publication without ever having to be printed out, passed around, etc., there just is no editorial cycle at all.
It’s not just Wilbon or sports or even journalism. I read a book recently that had *the same paragraph* — totally identical! — in two places a few pages apart. The author didn’t catch it, and after that forget about it.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 7, 2010 at 6:20 PM
Very excited for tonight. I don’t care about matchups and I’m not reading tea leaves about the future from our starting lineups. I’m just interested in seeing the new guys and the kids and how they play together.
If I’m Flip, I don’t play Dray much tonight. I start him of course, but keep him to 15-18 minutes. Maybe not so much of Kirk or Gil either.
Great to win Wall’s debut game, but really wins are secondary in pre-season. Keeping in mind that Jason Kidd and Nowitzki didn’t play *at all* in the 2d half Tuesday, for example, it’s obvious that Carlisle wasn’t focused on getting a W.
Comment from bullets'78
Time October 7, 2010 at 6:20 PM
Looking forward to the game tonite. Too bad its no on on TV but i love listening to Glen and Dave on the radio. Go Wiz!
Comment from AUNDRA
Time October 7, 2010 at 6:22 PM
A win would be great but staying true to the basic fundamentals is bettter! We had some success but there is concern our bench is under performing and thats been a problem here for years. I know for a fact that Clevelands bench is probably one of the best in the league and I’m not joking! Excecution from the defensive in will be the determining factor in the game late early and late for the win.
Lets get ready to rumbleeeeee!
Comment from amr
Time October 7, 2010 at 6:49 PM
I must admit that I like the new Cavs team. They play nicely under the new coach. But I think our roster is more talented. We should be able to go 2-0 if our other top players—Young and Howard—play more minutes. Go Wiz!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 6:51 PM
6:50 PM…Dave and Glen checking in from the Q…it will be the same starting lineup as Tuesday….with John Wall, Gilbert Arenas and Kirk Hinrich together…along with Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee…BLOGCAST starts at 7 with Flip Saunders interview and there is a listen livge link at the top of the page
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:00 PM
I hate saying it but…
*Facepalm*
Let’s go wizards!!!!!! 
Comment from ChenierFan
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:05 PM
To answer JWALL (11:01 AM)…
The problem with the nickname, Johnny Ballgame, is that it sounds like a nickname for a baseball player more so than a basketball player. As a matter of fact wasn’t it Don Mattingly who was called Donny Baseball or Donny Ballgame? Maybe that’s where you got the idea without knowing it. That’s why I think it is not catching on.
But hey, I was calling Gil “Agent Scapegoat” last year and that didn’t catch on either. Maybe you will have better luck.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:07 PM
here we go gang
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:08 PM
LET’s go wizards! No video for me today :p
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:09 PM
and we should see booker morrison etc
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:11 PM
welcome datonypony
Comment from bullets'78
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:12 PM
Lets go wizards! Show me something tonite
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:13 PM
Cheers! Back for another overseas fan season! 
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:13 PM
I HOPE GIL CAN STAY AND RETIRE HERE DESPITE WHAT HE SAID
Comment from fishercob
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Fishercob checking in. What’s up DJ and Coach Consor?
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:18 PM
that is the one
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:19 PM
welcome fishercob
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:21 PM
arenas back in attack mode
Comment from reddog271
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:21 PM
let’s go blog….. checking in
Comment from fishercob
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:23 PM
DJ, who would win a beard-growing contest between you and GC?
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Hello all 
, let’s sustain the effort from the first game
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:24 PM
The nba.com’s boxscore isn’t working… 
And I don’t have video.
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:26 PM
And the fan isn’t allowing access for me from New Zealand XD
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:27 PM
adam morrison is in
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:27 PM
booker in and already makes a play
Comment from reddog271
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:28 PM
let’s us know how Morrison is looking on D. we know he can score
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:28 PM
we shouldnt have too many long scoring droubts with the tools we have this season
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:29 PM
Shot definitely not falling today!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:30 PM
booker is just getting after it
Comment from reddog271
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Morrison can really be an asset. But Yi was be our new AJ…. I see a lot of pick and role with him and Gil
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM
i will look into that for next game datonypony
Comment from neal
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM
I agree that Hinrich is a better player than Thornton, but do we suffer for rebounds? How did we do as a team on Tuesday?
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM
Excited about the season, but really hyped about the possible uniform changes (red\white\blue) and maybe going back to the Bullets…..Please Ted, Please yes thank you!
Comment from reddog271
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:33 PM
with a username of jeffmalone.. I’m so suprised you’d want to go back to the bullets name. lol
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:35 PM
I am totally lost — Comcast sports net is showing a *replay* of Tuesday’s game. Not tonight’s game???
Why? What’s up with that?????
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:36 PM
I guess the refs love Booker, lol
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Tom, according to my knowledge, there is no T.V broadcast.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:40 PM
game is not on tv…it is just us on radio or online
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Two charge calls on booker huh.
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Put seraphin in! Come on flip!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:45 PM
seraphin will get in
booker one charge calls….one illegal screen
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:46 PM
Hey Dave and Glenn thank you for the shout!
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:46 PM
shooting this poor and losing the rebounds, yet only down by 2… we are going to win
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:46 PM
Yi has really looked good again…….
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:47 PM
we know the seoasn is back with you here
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:47 PM
now all nick needs is 10 more of those 3s to make up for the other nite
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:47 PM
wizards back in with better rebounding
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:50 PM
sersaphin now in
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Like to see post up seeing as our jump shots are bad at the moment anyway!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:51 PM
defense and rebounding sounds like it is improving
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:51 PM
Haha first travel….
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:55 PM
yi wont start but will probly get more minutes than javale
Comment from vitality08
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:55 PM
is the game not on tv tonight? CSN is replaying Tuesday’s game.
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:55 PM
I like the way you say that Dave, “Yi for three”…I could really get use to that
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:57 PM
@AJfromVA-you think Yi will get more minutes than McGee when the season starts?
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:57 PM
yea blatch, mcgee and yi will rotate but yi can get minutes at the 3 as well
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:59 PM
wall struggling to find rythtym oh for 7
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:00 PM
Wall struggling, but this is a learning process. Just stay calm, pass when it’s available. Don’t force things.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:01 PM
the way yi can shoot i might say that
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:01 PM
gil is doing exactly what we need when wall is down and hinrich just puts icing on the cake when he’s in
Comment from fishercob
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:03 PM
DJ, have Arenas and Hinrich played together yet in these first two games?
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:04 PM
@Fishercob.
yes they have. Quite a bit during the first game!
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Can’t buy a bucket right now.
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Something that hasn’t been pointed out so far is Wall’s low turnovers… unless I’m not aware him having any
Comment from bullets'78
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:07 PM
I agree. It would be nice to see the name change to bullets. We’ll see though
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:07 PM
wall wahat ablock
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:08 PM
It was pointed out last game.
But today he is really struggling. Is to be expected though. Everyone having a bad shooting performance today.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:12 PM
great call from aj…interview with marc stein frome spn.com…just paid some nice compliments and said the wizards could sneak into thje 7th or 8th playoff spot
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:13 PM
It was a much needed half-time haha. We are getting out rebounded by 11. Heaps of adjustments to make.
But this is learning that John Wall will need to go through, I think we’ll see him performing better 2nd half.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:17 PM
this was not a great half…a lot of out of rythym jump shots for both teams
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:20 PM
and fishercob we will see flip continue to experiment with arenas hinrich and wall together
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:22 PM
yeah the reboundign actually got better at the end of half…but needs to be better all a round
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:24 PM
hinrich wall and arenas still together
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:24 PM
non-wiz fans laugh when i say this but i think flip can run his offense thru blathe like he did with garnett @ T-Wolves
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:26 PM
arenas playigng well
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:26 PM
okc is no longer a sleeper after last year….and we need to pick up the energy on both ends.
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:26 PM
flip got on my nerves with those quick t.o.’s last season
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:28 PM
Defensive boards guys…
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:28 PM
boards still a problem
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:30 PM
wall with another block
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:30 PM
Wow Wall! Showing his athleticism!
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:32 PM
walll will learn from this game
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:32 PM
my radio must have a delay bcuz i’m just now hearing the wall block
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:32 PM
I’d like to see some extended minutes with a team of Wall, Gil, Yi, ‘Dray and McGee.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:34 PM
If okc is a sleeper, every other team is unconscious. The league knows what okc can do.
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:35 PM
sounds like hickson mite be winning that blatche battle
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:40 PM
Hickson is a really nice player; bu let’s see how the Hickson/Blatche battle looks at the end.
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:41 PM
I don’t know about that, Blatche isn’t going to back down.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:42 PM
Wall 1 for 10. That shouldn’t happen very often.
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:42 PM
John wall first points in this game!
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:43 PM
It’s not over yet between Hickson and Blatche, but my $ is on AB.
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:44 PM
@Gabbo
It should happen a few more times this season, but I expect him to be up for it.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:45 PM
yes slight edge
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:46 PM
We’re playing poorly against a bad team, but I believe a lot of our poor play can be attributed to the fact that Flip wants to see a lot of different combinations which really disrupts the continuity
Comment from AgentZeroismyHero
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:46 PM
Our depth is going to be suspect this year…but I’m excited about runnin’ and gunnin’!!!
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Shooting percentages must be horrible for both teams.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:50 PM
DJ, do you have the fga?
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:52 PM
I’d like to see Gil lead the team inscoring tonight.
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:52 PM
Gilbert has 11 points.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:53 PM
28 percent for the cavs 36 for the wizards
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:54 PM
Figured. Thanks DJ
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:54 PM
arenas 13 pints 5 rebounds
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:55 PM
It’s like a grade school game. Nobody can put the ball in the basket. Whoa…way to go Slick.
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:55 PM
Wall 6 points 8 assists.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:56 PM
nine asist for wall depsite bad shootting our big men can run
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:56 PM
I’m sorry make that 9 assists for wall.
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:56 PM
oragami (nevermind my spelling if its wrong) is the new slogan lol
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:56 PM
The fat lady is getting dressed.
Comment from AgentZeroismyHero
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:56 PM
I know you guys can work in a limerick!!!
Comment from fishercob
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:56 PM
DJ, what’s your favorite pre-season memory of your career?
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:57 PM
Good defence and then fast breaking. This is winning basketball.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:58 PM
She is putting on the horned helmet.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:59 PM
She is trying to decide if the short skirt make her look fat.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 8:59 PM
Sorry make/makes
Comment from tyrone2000
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Wizards defense has been impressive
Comment from AgentZeroismyHero
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Maybe a Kirk Hinrich limerick!
Man, I’m such an Arenas fan that I forget that John Wall is probably going to be better…I can’t wait for the season to start!!!
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:01 PM
John Wall is starting to play.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:02 PM
inddedd wall with 9 assists
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:03 PM
I just saw the spirit of Red Auerbach take the cigar out of his pocket (row AA, seat 12).
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Ah that was a bad turnover. Suddenly Wall has 4.
Comment from aznzero
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:04 PM
hey dave/bloggers,
Just got out from class. Sounds like the Wizards are playing well. I know it is preseason and all, but it’s great to hear the Wizards are blowing out the Cavs =)
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:05 PM
@Aznzero.
it was probably good that you were in class. The first half and some of the 3rd quarter was pretty horrible haha.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:06 PM
If you can win while playing poorly, you are way ahead in the NBA. We let a bad team stay with us for a long time. We have to get over that type of play if we want to be successful this year.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:08 PM
The Fat Lady just picked up that stupid staff that she uses to keep herself upright.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:11 PM
Security has escorted the spirit of Red Aurebach for smoking.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:12 PM
wizard smuch beter in fourth
Comment from aznzero
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:12 PM
@datonypony
haha thanks. well i guess i came at a good time. Yi is looking like a great pick up which we gave up nothing.
Comment from AgentZeroismyHero
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:14 PM
I think the Wizards could possibly be better than most people believe. We may be a tough team to play against because of our youth, speed, and creativity.
Comment from AJfromVA
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:15 PM
took the though of thorton being forgotten rite out my head
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:17 PM
the blog once again has to be one of the highlights of being a fan!
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Wizards ran away with this game in the 3rd and 4th qtrs
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:18 PM
aznzero glad you got out of class…. woizards played better with you here
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:19 PM
mustakes havge been made but havge played hard
Comment from gilbertology101
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:20 PM
Hopefully they can carry it into the regular season.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:20 PM
kevin great spin move
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:22 PM
The Fat Lay has entered the arena
Comment from fishercob
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:22 PM
DJ — is Seraphin bigger than Ruland was?
Comment from gilbertology101
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:23 PM
Is AJ ok, he has not played tonight
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:24 PM
……TAAAAAAAA DAAAAAAAA. Even though her voice is terrible, I hope we hear it frequently this year.
Comment from aznzero
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:24 PM
Thanks guys. I started listening to the radio at the start of the 4th on the way home and got on the blog as soon as I can.
I believe I predicted the score to be 93-84 wizards on facebook. Pretty darn close now haha
Comment from tyrone2000
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:24 PM
Still have not seen Kevin play
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:25 PM
DJ, do you know what is the deal with Jamison? Is he hurt or just didn’t want to play aganst the Wiz?
Comment from AgentZeroismyHero
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:25 PM
Dick Bavetta is like the Morgan Freeman of the NBA…he’s been old forever but he’s always looked the same!
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:26 PM
Thanks DJ and Glen. Nite all.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:27 PM
thans gang,…see you tomorow in chic
Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:29 PM
great call Dave and Glenn…….
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:47 PM
That’s great when two of your primary scorers are 11 for 32 and you win by 14. I’ll take that every time. We got out-rebounded at every starting position except the SG. The starting 5 spot got killed. That’s not going to work in the long run.
We need more inside/out scoring. We had zero assist from the starting 4 and 5.
I reaLLY hope that Flip is not so focused on “his” guard position that he loses focus on where games are won/lost – SF/PF/C.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:57 PM
I think we play tomorrow in Chicago. It will be very interesting to see if they let Gil play on a back to back but its Preseason so they may just sit guys anyways. I think they will want to see Wall vs Rose, McGee vs Noah, and Kirk against his former team moreso than anything else
Comment from dlts20
Time October 7, 2010 at 9:58 PM
Its hard to judge rebounding like that. We got outrebounded by 11 but we took alot more shots than them. I think you moreso have to look at the Offensive boards. We got 14 and they got 15 so the rebounding was pretty even if you look at it like that. Still, we should rebound better if Howard is healthy and we start him over Kirk or whatever but Kirk is playing well
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:07 PM
What are the chances that you might STOP focusing the very vast majority of photos on John Wall. THIS IS A TEAM. Please try to treat it as such with your photos.
@dlts20 – a rebound is a rebound. It was not a criticism. It was advice.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:15 PM
Dang! Sounded like a strange game, but I still would have *loved* to see it.
@Gotabig — we did get outrebounded at all starting positions, it’s true. But JaVale only played <13 minutes and had 6 boards and a steal. Can't ask for better than that. And Dray had 7 boards in 24minutes — again, that's fine even tho Hickson had 8. Dray didn't shoot well, but I put that down to still getting into game shape.
Need to bottle whatever Yi has come up with — whoa!!! And *hi* had 4 assists from the PF/C position.
Sounded like Booker had an impact (in more ways than one? ). Gil seems to have played well again. Ditto Hinrich. The teeny bit of highlights I'm seeing include Morrison being beaten easily off the dribble by… don't remember whom — someone's grandmother maybe?
Win on the road when you aren't really playing well? That's nice!
Comment from dlts20
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:19 PM
No doubt. You definitely wont win in this league if you cant atleast come close to breaking even on the glass but I do think there are some cases where maybe it didnt seem as bad as the numbers suggest. maybe it was though and thats one downfall of running the lineup we have. Most thought we would be in big trouble on the boards and that was without us starting Kirk at the 3
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:21 PM
dlts20 — no, rebounding wasn’t even. Why look only at offensive boards? What’s the point of explaining away a weakness — does that help?
What we *did* do to make up for the rebounding deficiency is force turnovers and get steals. We did those things much better than the Cavs and that made up for the weak rebounding.
Think of rebounds plus steals minus turnovers as a composite stat called “net possessions” — extra possessions you get for your team. In that *composite* we were ahead of the Cavs.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:23 PM
@dlts20 — btw, it’s not how many shots you *took* it’s how many shots you *missed*. There are only rebounds on *missed shots.*
We missed 1 more shot than the Cavs, so the rebound *opportunities* were @ even. They just got 11 more than we did.
Comment from Babakism
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:29 PM
I think it will be very interesting to see us do this 3 guard lineup into the regular season
Yi is starting to look alot better than alot of us thought he would.
I saw the highlight of that Blatche slam on Ryan Hollins……………….nice lol to bad it wasn’t on Jamison lol
Comment from Babakism
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:31 PM
@Tom – Maple Bacon Ice Cream sounds like a precursor to Bacon Wings lol
Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 7, 2010 at 10:45 PM
gabbo im also trying to figure out who the you is you are referring to.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 7, 2010 at 11:20 PM
I’m officially on the Yi bandwagon. Another solid game from him. He led us in scoring… tied for the lead in rebounding… had 4 assists….a blocked shot… and no turnovers. I don’t know what they are putting in his corn flakes but keep putting it in there
After having a horrible game most rookies don’t come back in the latter part of the 3rd quarter and dominate the 4th quarter. John Wall did. What he did in the 4th quarter was amazing. We got a real winner in that kid
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 7, 2010 at 11:35 PM
It was nice to see Kevin and Trevor get some minutes tonight. I think the two early fouls on Booker slowed him down a little, but, he still had a very respectable line. Kevin only got 10 minutes but pulled down 4 rebounds (3 offensive) and blocked a shot. Not to bad for his first minutes on an NBA court.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 7, 2010 at 11:38 PM
Gabbo… been meaning to say this
I waited ALL SUMMER waiting to read those words…. BIG THUMBS UP FOR DRAY
I know when Dave Johnson gets back on the blog and you say those famous 5 words…. IT’S BASKETBALL TIME AGAIN
Comment from datonypony
Time October 7, 2010 at 11:46 PM
So today, Wall started 0-9, but then he went 5-7.
What can we learn from this?
He’s still a rookie, but I’m sure he plays hard and is a willing learner.
Comment from bullets_fusion
Time October 8, 2010 at 12:34 AM
Ramon Sessions almost had a triple double tonight for the Cavaliers. Unacceptable – even in preseason.
Saunders has also been impressed by Wall’s composure and poise at such a tender age. He has been everything the Wizards hoped.
“I don’t think anyone expected his leadership ability,” Saunders said. “He’s a great leader and he has a very high basketball intelligence of understanding what we want to do. He understands our offense as well or better than anybody.”
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 8, 2010 at 1:27 AM
OMG this is soo funny you guys should check it out its from McGee’s Youtube page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5qaNOz_VsA
Comment from MakRapLifestyle
Time October 8, 2010 at 3:14 AM
Can’t tell much from watching the highlights, but I’m glad that we won.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 5:52 AM
Hmmmm, looking at the last few posts, i would think that we lost that game. Sometimes you have to win ugly, without looking like we “dominated” every category in the stat sheet. The kids are learning and the team is gelling (hopefully).
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:11 AM
I’m finding Yi’s productivity really interesting. Trying to understand how a guy who produces these kinds of results in his first two games — preseason, ok, but still NBA — has been so unproductive in his first two stops in the league.
I guess we just keep watching and see whether he keeps it up? Sure hope so.
Comment from Jaba
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:35 AM
Al Thornton played well, which makes me very happy!!
SportzWiz – what’s up with Hilton’s shoulder? Will he play tonight?
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:39 AM
lol….i REFUSE to stir the pot, no matter how tempting….lol
Comment from Jaba
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:43 AM
Oh, and I definitely like the fact that 3 of the 4 rebounds Kevin Seraphin got while playing 9 minutes came off the offensive board.
Comment from Jaba
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:50 AM
On the other hand, Cartier Martin didn’t get one minute of playing time, whereas Flip had AM out there for almost 17 minutes.
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 8:42 AM
@GrifonRacing – Yep, when we give the thumbs up, it is b-ball time.
The you to whom I referred is whoever it is who takes the photos at the games fo posting on the Wizards web site. For every 40 photos, there are 30 of John Wall. I understand that the PR departmnt wants to put our #1 pick out front, but there are other players on the team.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Ok, the pot is stirred…as if that needed splaining (ricky ricardo voice)…lol
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Check out one of the game notes from Cleveland on last nights game:
“Browns fullback Lawrence Vickers attended the game”
Now that is star power. We get the President and Cleveland now gets their horrible football teams fullback listed on the Game Notes. Lol
Comment from SportzWiz
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:33 AM
Gabbo a lot of it has nothing to do with the PR or site.
When it comes to photos from games, photographers put shots up on a server where the team can download them and put up photo galleries. In regards to last night’s game we had 1 photos that were up (I know I created it ).
Every photo that we had access to was posted. We do not choose the photos, just post the ones that we have. Hope that makes sense.
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:36 AM
Look like Yi has established himself to be the first PF/C off the bench. That is great news.
Bad news for Palmer and Ndaye. Both have not gotten in either game so far. Really bad for these young guys if they do not get off the pine tonight.
Listening last night I thought DJ said that Morrison came in playing the 4 and Booker played the 3. I could not catch the rest of the broadcast. How did it sound lke they did playing those spots? I loved Bookers Box Score. 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 5 fouls (aggressive-energy for a first game).
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 8, 2010 at 9:48 AM
The last two spots up for grabs:
1. Lester Hudson leading the way for spot #1.
2. Cartier Martin battling Adam Morrison for spot #2.
3. Palmer, Ndaye and Marks in the cold.
*Marks is the wild card because he is a very experienced BIG. The Wiz might end up taking Hudson and Marks and leave everyone else out.
Big night tonight. Watch who plays more significant minutes (and plays better) between Martin and Morrison.
Just my take.
Comment from millie mill
Time October 8, 2010 at 10:20 AM
@ Tom
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 7:11 AM
I’m finding Yi’s productivity really interesting. Trying to understand how a guy who produces these kinds of results in his first two games — preseason, ok, but still NBA — has been so unproductive in his first two stops in the league.
I guess we just keep watching and see whether he keeps it up? Sure hope so.
Yi is pumped about playing in Chinatown!!! LOL
Comment from Gotabigboyoffense
Time October 8, 2010 at 11:21 AM
maggicman/SportzWiz – According to the Bulls web site, the game will be televised on WGN. DirecTV has WGN on channel 307. The DirecTV guide doesn’t indicate that the game will be televised, but that’s not unusual for pre-season. They may not have updated the guide listing.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 8, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Thanks Gabbo
I’m hoping now that at 8pm when I turn on 307 I see a basketball court and not the new adventures of old Christine LOL.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 8, 2010 at 2:15 PM
WGN?? I don’t get WGN!! Two games in a row that I can’t watch!! What’s this some kind of conspiracy??
Oh wait a minute… my friend has directTV; maybe I can at least get him to record it for me…
Write a comment
You need to login to post comments!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 7, 2010 at 7:59 AM
Should get a nice long look at Booker and Seraphin tonight, as I’m assuming Dray and Yi will get limited minutes.
I think as well that Nick and Al will get substantial minutes. Hoping for a little redemption for Nick and some impact from Al.
Maybe some Kevin Palmer as well — he was a very effective player in college with the one problem that he turned the ball over *a lot.* Everything else excellent, and he looks very talented on the floor.