Game Links
SportzWiz checking in…I know it is only preseason, but yesterday was another outstanding performance from the team as they moved to 3-1 in the preseason. How dominant was the effort by the Wizards yesterday? Washington led by double digits for the entire second half of the game, the closest the Hawks got was 11 at 80-69 and Washington quickly answered that with an 8-0 run.
It is hard to pinpoint just a few players on this night, but Nick Young had a tremendous game, scoring 24 points. His confidence seemed to improve in the second half of the Chicago loss and that carried over to yesterday’s game. For more on Nick’s game check out his interview below.
Of course JaVale McGee was a difference maker on the inside scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. John Wall once again did a very nice job of scoring in the open court and distributing the ball on his way to a 19 point, 7 assist night.
One of the biggest stats of the night didn’t come from an individual player, but rather the entire team. After getting outrebounded in each of their first three games and badly outrebounded vs. Chicago, the Wizards attacked the glass last night and convincingly won the rebounding edge.
The Wizards will return to the practice court and we will have video from today’s practice later today.
DAVE JOHNSON POSTGAME REPORT
Game Recap
Photo Gallery
Box Score
Video Highlights
Saunders Postgame Presser
John Wall Postgame Interview
Nick Young Postgame Interview
Trevor Booker Postgame Interview
Posted: October 13th, 2010 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from crozby
Time October 13, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Thanks for the Gil interview. It’s good to see Gil smiling again. I knew that the serious look could only last for so long. It’s hard to stay so serious when you’re winning. Gil (like everyone) sees the potential in this team and he seems more like his old self, which is good for him, as well as the entire team.
My pick for starting would be:
1. Wall (backup Hudson)
2. Gil (backup Hinrich)
3. Young (backup Thornton) (until Howard comes back) (Then Howard- backup Young)
4. Blatche (backup Yi)
5. McGee (backup Armstrong)
However, you could also just rotate Blatche, McGee, and Yi around at the 4 & 5, as long as everyone gets rest. For instance, if Blatche goes out, Yi comes in. Then, if McGee goes out, Blatche comes back in. Keep rotating the three of them and that way we keep at least two very good big men on the floor at all times. That would probably be best.
And lastly, it is clear that Nick Young can take over a game way better that Thornton. Their defense is about the same, but Nick is a better outside shooter. Give Nick a chance. The boy can shoot.
Comment from Dunked
Time October 13, 2010 at 10:52 AM
ATL is a good match-up for us, I expect better rebounding numbers against them, against other teams, not so much.
Nick is at his best as a starter, he needs to get into the flow of the game with the starters, ask him to come-off the bench and you never know which Nick your’re gonna get. Nick Young, streak-shooter 
Seraphin, where is he? If our #1 pick is that-raw then…..
Comment from AUNDRA
Time October 13, 2010 at 11:33 AM
The role of the” Energy Guy” . What is and who fits the mode. First off the energy guy brings energy to the game at a critical junction whether its hussle,intense defense or quick burst of scoring. Next the energy guy is like a enforcer in that he stops the other teams energy whether its scoring or toughness when the big physical teams like Orlando,Boston are pushing us around! I have some candidates that fit the criteria and they are: Booker,Cartier Martin and Al Thorton when healthy. Lester Hudson has no conscience from three range when he is in rhythm and his defense is very tough also. I believe all these guys should make the team!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 13, 2010 at 12:11 PM
That was a great youtube interview w/ Gil — he seems relaxed, confident, himself! So good to see that!
Comment from dlts20
Time October 13, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Alot of people are upset over the Gil stuff. This worries me for 3 reasons.
1 is that I dont care at all but I know others will use this to paint him as something bad so that sucks.
2 is that its very possible that Flip wouldve started NY yesterday anyways but I guess he would play more without Gil.
3 is that I think Gil had been feeling good and was becoming more aggessive on the court but with how well we played yesterday, I think he will try to fit in again and go back to being a role player which sucks. Again, I dont want Gil chucking and I love us to be an all around unselfish passing team but we need him to score when the season starts and we need him to stay aggressive.
The funniest thing about this is you dont even know whats true. Gil couldve truly just sat out as a vet wanting to miss one Preseason game and said that he did it for NY just to play around but everyone will take it serious. You dont know what to believe with Gil but I think its harmless, atleast in the Preseason. I just fear the media & fans ripping him for undermining the Coach & Orginization which will make Gil go back to playing like a role player again and I dont want that at all
Comment from reddog271
Time October 13, 2010 at 12:26 PM
what Gil interview are you all talking about?
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 13, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Everytime I try to soften to Gilbert he says or does something stupid again.
ITS THE ONLY WAY HE CAN GET THE HEADLINE AWAY FROM JOHN WALL. haha
Just Gilbert being stupd Gilbert. I guess……..
Let’s see how Owner Ted handles a player lying to his Coach.
Ted preaches Character (maybe except for Gilbert).
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 13, 2010 at 12:45 PM
I love the improved Nick Young.
It looks like we have an improved:
Javale
Nick
Yi
Chicago’s players are already saying that they can notice Kirk Hinrich’s absense.
Especially Derrick Rose.
DJ and Glen on the radio asked:
Who would you rather have- Kirk Hinrich or Keith Bogans?
No Brainer. Kirk Hinrich hands down.
The only reason Chicago traded Kirk was to take a homerun shot at Lebron. It didn’t work.
Thank you Chicago
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 13, 2010 at 1:08 PM
Yi starting at Center has really had me thinking.
If you had a starting lineup of Wall, Gilbert, Hinrich, Blatch and Yi and then you brought in off the bench:
Javale- center
Booker- pf
Hudson
Nick
That would be a heck of change of pace. Leave Wall in, and I could argue, would have the fastest change of pace team in the NBA.
The speed of Hudson, Wall, Booker, Javale and Nick would be absolutely awesome.
That would be a great change of pace.
Maybe that is what Flip could be thinking.
Comment from dlts20
Time October 13, 2010 at 1:26 PM
Is Wall A Lock For ROY?
Everyone seems to assume this and I still pick him but he’s going to have a hard fight with 2 guys in particular. Cousins looks very good and has been beasting cats. I think everyone was aware of him but the 1 guy everyone keeps forgetting about is Griffin. He’s still up for the award since he didnt play last year and he looks like a man child out there. This will be a great 3 headed race all year but it should be Wall’s to lose
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 13, 2010 at 1:48 PM
Okay, Gil is trying to get kicked off the team or what??? Okay buy him out and move on, this aint gonna get any better. I mean really, when do people REALLY learn around here? Now that’s some ignorant stuff, right there!!!!
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 13, 2010 at 1:51 PM
At this stage of Gils life, Ted aint’ teaching gil a —- thing…lol…maybe one of the kids can be taught, but Gil needs a shrink
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 13, 2010 at 1:55 PM
@Dunked, unless our #17 pick becomes a beast in the next five years, it’s another pick down the drain
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 13, 2010 at 2:18 PM
How did 26 teams pass on Jordan Crawford?
Dang. That kid can play.
Wow!
Comment from dayle
Time October 13, 2010 at 2:26 PM
where do we get this interview? Did read the paper..
he does need to have his head examined.
Comment from millie mill
Time October 13, 2010 at 2:44 PM
WASHINGTON — Gilbert Arenas has been fined for faking an injury to keep from playing in the Washington Wizards home preseason opener.
Coach Flip Saunders said Wednesday that Arenas was fined an undisclosed amount by the team for claiming to have a sore knee before the Wizards’ game against Atlanta on Tuesday night…..
Comment from millie mill
Time October 13, 2010 at 2:51 PM
Well they got to do what they got to do.
I think it’s a little harsh, and I see Gil’s point. Nick Young would have never got a chance otherwise. Like Gil said in his interview some players are good a some things and some are good at other. Nick is good at shooting and a little defense. If you give him too many plays to run he can’t handle it. But if he is one on one he can get his man most of the time.
Comment from Rick
Time October 13, 2010 at 2:59 PM
arenas is bi-polar.
gilbert, it’s fine if you want to take a pre-season game off, whatever your motivation. but don’t lie to the coaches and then tell the truth to the media. that is just foolish.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 13, 2010 at 3:08 PM
people are going to bash gil all day every day he did something for another player he gets bashed its freaking pre season its not like he did this in the playoffs for god sake.. its just stupid that Gil had to say his knee was sore to make flip a better coach!
Comment from gray16
Time October 13, 2010 at 3:13 PM
lol, gilbert faked an injury in preseason to help his friend and teammate get some confidence…
gilbertology is back lol
for me, no harm, no foul. bad to lie to your coach, but if there is any time i would forgive it, this is clearly a moment that i would.
you could look at it two ways.
a) gilbert lied to management and faked an injury
b) gilbert sacrificed minutes to help a teammate grow confidence
me, i have no problem with it. of course though, i’m not a coach and i wasn’t lied to. i just got to see nick young get some confidence while gil got some rest. my pov differs from others though.
Comment from dayle
Time October 13, 2010 at 3:13 PM
I’m Gil’s #1 supporter but you don’t lie to your coach
and if you do, you don’t tell everyone you did, for
Heaven’s sake!
Comment from gray16
Time October 13, 2010 at 3:23 PM
i will have to say gilbert admitting it to the media doesn’t make sense… unless he wants to get in trouble. either that or he’s just that dumb. or he doesn’t care. or he thought it would be funny.
yep, a clear case of gilbertology
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 13, 2010 at 3:31 PM
Flip is a wimp.
Blatche got to refuse to go in a game last year and he was rewarded by starting the next game.
A player flat out lies to him and he gets fine cookie money.
Flip needs to grow some. (and probably Ted too for letting Gilbert get away with this. He is now the owner so I can blame him for being a wimp with Gilbert)
I love Ted, as the Caps owner. Apparently, it does not transfer to the NBA.
Gilbert, apparently, still owns the team. At least I know it now.
GRAY16, You are right man! Ho…Hum….
Comment from draftazoid
Time October 13, 2010 at 3:43 PM
Gilbert: get me 23 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds a game and play 76 games from the Big guard spot and ALL is forgiven. Also hit 5 game winner buzzer beaters also.
(and when John Wall does something great try not to upstage him all the time so the Wiz can move some Jerseys and get on Sportscenter). Lol
Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time October 13, 2010 at 3:51 PM
Gilbert always finds a way to grab attention, even when he is trying to give it to someone else.
Comment from gray16
Time October 13, 2010 at 4:00 PM
i doubt flip handles suspensions or fines. so the amount charged to gil probably isn’t his decision.
the blatche situation seemed to be a misunderstanding. they seemed to work it out before any other games and blatche didn’t act up again. i don’t flip did any wrong there either.
gilbert’s just weird lol. but nothing bad came from this, except the usual wizard and gil bashing from the media. if you are like me though, you have grown num to this.
that said, still stupid of gil to tell the media. ah well, fine him and move on.
Comment from crozby
Time October 13, 2010 at 4:28 PM
The point is, if Gil lies about something like this, who’s to say he won’t lie about something else down the road. I believe in integrity on a team (or any job) and this just shows that he is still immature in a lot of ways. If he had a good relationship with Flip, he could have easily talked to him in private about letting Nick play more (instead of him), and who knows, Flip may have agreed. It’s always ways to get things done, if you have the right relationship with the boss.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time October 13, 2010 at 6:01 PM
Man we are working a list of tempest-in-a-teapot stories!
Comment from neal
Time October 13, 2010 at 7:07 PM
I’m only irritated at Gil, not really angry. He’s still an individualist who goes his own way. I’m just glad he’s not a captain. And I hope he turns out to be all-world as a SG and some GM offers us the world for him.
Comment from dcbutler357
Time October 13, 2010 at 7:57 PM
As the world turns….win, and you can act any way you want and get away with it…..lose, and everyone acts like you smacked their mama or something…..what have you done for me lately gil? that’s the world you live in, so why not care, you are paid? If he’s still here once/if the team starts winning again, he will get away with it once again…..but right now, ain’t nobody paying 20 mill a year for his “off the rocker” antics. If injury/jail time don’t change you, if having kids that have to live down your name/antics don’t change you, folks fasten your seat belts, cuz this ride may get a lil bumpy, it’s all up to Gil.
And he’s like our number 1 or 2 player right now….whew!!!
Comment from dayle
Time October 13, 2010 at 8:04 PM
there is a plus here.. his knee is okay.
Flip said “it’s like dealing with your kids….
you don’t love them any less.”
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Comment from Mr. Know it All
Time October 13, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Glad to see the team do well yesterday especially Javale & Nick. The only thing that kills me about Nick is he only focuses on shooting and not trying to develop other aspects of his game.(rebs., asts. stls., blks., & just overall hustle on defense) if he ever realizes there’s more to basketball than just scoring he could really be a good player!!!