Comment from Jaba
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:46 AM

First road win tonight!!! Let’s do it!

GO WIZARDS!!!!!!!!!

Comment from neal
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:31 AM

Grifon, wish you’d talk to my wife. She thinks my sense of humor is just dumb.

wiz87, I’m also in favor of continuity but IMO u go too far. Nothing will be done until the GM/owner knows whether we can trade Lewis. Most likely we can’t, so there’s no need for another aging veteran (Howard) at the same position. Then, our FA’s won’t be signed until we know who we’re getting in the draft. Don’t want to be overloaded in one position and thin in another.

Comment from HardCoreFan
Time January 5, 2011 at 11:50 AM

Apparently, Javale McGee in the dunk contest – hopefully he will be pumped up for the game tonight.

Comment from crozby
Time January 5, 2011 at 1:24 PM

Right now guys, we need to be considering a trade (or two). Believe it or not, we are still only about 5 games or so from being in playoff contention. With everyone else also losing in the east, it is still possible to make the playoffs, if we make a couple of changes.

My take is to get rid of Dray for a more complete PF, who is a solid powerful offensive low-post player and one who plays hard contantly on defense in the paint. He should also be able to block shots, something that Dray never does.

Then, Flip should work on settling down Wall to run the offense more mature and become a better outside shooter. Many times, Wall often tries to do too much on offense by himself, which causes turnovers. He needs to be more patient.

Then, work Javale McGee heavily on his post-play (footwork, etc.) to get him better at scoring underneath the basket.

Then, play Cartier Martin more for his much needed outside shooting, to help spread the defense.

Then, when it’s all said and done, we should be able to win some games and hopefully slip into the playoffs (at least). Just making it to the playoffs would be a big inspiration for this young team. A few more changes this summer would near complete the overhaul.

Comment from millie mill
Time January 5, 2011 at 2:24 PM

The Wizards next six games:
-Philadelphia
-New Jersey
-Charlotte
-Sacramento
-Minnesota
-Toronto

The Wizards might win three in a row.

Comment from crozby
Time January 5, 2011 at 3:44 PM

If they get their act together, we can win all six of these games.

Gets us a little closer to that 50-win season I predicted…lol

Comment from maggicman11
Time January 5, 2011 at 4:06 PM

Hardcorefan

Yes. McGee, Blake Griffin (the favorite), Brandon Jennings, and Ibaka are in this years Dunk contest

Comment from maggicman11
Time January 5, 2011 at 4:11 PM

I think McGee will surprise some people in this years dunk contest who dont know how athletic of a 7 footer he is. but i dont think anyone will get pass Blake. that guy is sick!

As for tonights game, we should be able to pull it out. we have played better since they trade. Gil was holding this young team back, and they were holding him back. nice trade. but we still play better with Kirk running the offense than Wall. Hopefully Wall can get his game together along with his jump shot because when he is playing good we are hard to beat.

Comment from maggicman11
Time January 5, 2011 at 4:23 PM

Wizards waived Lester Hudson for the second time this season

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 5, 2011 at 4:26 PM

Go Wizards, lets get that first road win. If we take it one game at a time things will turn around. I am very excited about the all star weekend with Mcgee dunking and John playing in the Rookie-Sophmore game. The last few All-star weekends have been empty without wizards players.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 5, 2011 at 4:26 PM

Our point guards better stay healthy if we are going to keep letting Lester go.

Comment from dlts20
Time January 5, 2011 at 4:50 PM

Damn, IDK why but for some reason I was thinking this game was at home. Oh welll, we’re still relatively healthy and due for a good road win. Wall usually bounces back with big games & low turnovers after a couple of bad ones. He should have the rust off now and was flying around at practice so I expect good things but Holliday is pretty good also. Philly is looking alot better of late so it should be interesting. I think the key guy could be Lewis. He’s due for a hot night and he could cause matchup problems if he ever gets on track. I say the few days of practice helps and he shoots very well.

As for the dunk contest, I actually thought McGee may be in it. The funny thing is that no one in the NBA ever wants to participate but NY has volunteered every year and never gets a call, probably because he isnt good enough. Now though he’s starting and putting up big numbers. Just invite 5 guys and let NY get in.

I will say this though, this is by far the best group theyve had in years. We all know what Javale & Blake can do but for those who dont know, Jennings gets up for a lil dude and Ibaka has springs in his legs. Should be good comp

Comment from maggicman11
Time January 5, 2011 at 5:11 PM

im hearing John Wall might get an invite to the skills challenge during all-star weekend also. I was also hoping to Amare and DRose in the dunk contest. but id settle to see Wall, Rose, Rondo, and Westbrook in the skills challenge.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 5, 2011 at 5:25 PM

John Wall is the undisputed fasted player in the league and I’m glad he is a Wizard. lol

Comment from millie mill
Time January 5, 2011 at 5:52 PM

I’m glad to see McGee in the Dunk Contest. Maybe next year NBA 2K12 will have him rated better in dunking.

Comment from Arthritic
Time January 5, 2011 at 5:57 PM

i dont think westbrook would be as good as the others in the skills challenge. i dont think his passing ability is as good as the other guys

Comment from proofofconcept
Time January 5, 2011 at 6:39 PM

so, we left a spot open on the roster…..making moves?

Comment from HardCoreFan
Time January 5, 2011 at 6:51 PM

Magicman11 – you’re right – Griffin is really talented. He will likely win the dunk contest but it’s good to see the Wizards get a guy in there.

Come on Wizards get a win tonight.

Comment from gray16
Time January 5, 2011 at 7:21 PM

proof, wouldn’t be surprised by it, i think we are ready to make some moves involving some of our trading pieces and/or blatche

i would like to see the wizards try to trade for caron, trying to trade rashard especially for him. the mavericks probably would still like to make a run at this thing, and rashard is a guy that could help them. plus we would be getting rid of rashard’s contract for an expiring one.

Comment from proofofconcept
Time January 5, 2011 at 7:24 PM

wow, that’s a thought. Everyone on this team besides JWall is available at this point. the only thing thats getting better at this point is the end of the season….

Comment from dlts20
Time January 5, 2011 at 7:57 PM

is howard playing tonight?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:05 PM

:02 PM EST..Dave and Glenn checking… we are underway….starters are in…Wizards will have Wall and Young,….Lewis and Blatche and McGee…Hinrich will come off the bench…Sixers wll have Holiday and Meeks ….Brand Nocioni and Hawes

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:06 PM

Howard will play

Martin and Ndiaye are inactive

Comment from gray16
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:16 PM

man, we sure treat our bench players like crap…

we’ve seen multiple players go from getting good playing time one game to being innactive the next, while some of our starters continue to get heavy minutes even during struggles. not hating on the later, but the former, although i do understand we have a lot of sfs on the team.

Comment from Babakism
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:18 PM

good call with Caron Gray, However I think Caron makes about 5-7 mil less than Rashard and we might have to take another contract back.

I just got back from my Christmas Vacation to Guatemala and its nice to still see some optimism on the blog.

Crozby is still hoping for playoffs, which are still attainable. However, at this point we might be better off playing all of our young talent so it can develop into a top lottery pick like that kid from Baylor or Harrison Barnes lol

Very nice to see Nick Young playing at such a high level for so long since the Gil trade. Besides scoring he is playing D and diving and hustling for loose balls too.

Congrats to McGee on making the dunk contest, Now if he can just get acknowledged for an actual basketball skill………………lol either way it is a good accomplishment

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:19 PM

mcgee promises something special i am sure

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:21 PM

sixes 6 for 6 so far

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:23 PM

biota tuner and wall in

Comment from gray16
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:30 PM

you can tell rashard is not used to being the main guy after all that time in orlando. he was pretty much spoiled playing with all that talent, and now while he shows he can still score well, when the defense tightens on him, he looks to pass instead of continue attacking, due to that mentality he had in orlando. as soon as the shooting went from him to blatche, we started stuggling.

at least this is my opinion on it

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:34 PM

seraphim soft hand but now 2 fouls

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:40 PM

seraphim can really set screens

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:45 PM

need to get blkatche in rhythm.. rushing shots

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:46 PM

difference in this game is on the free throw line

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:49 PM

too many paint scores for the sixers

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:53 PM

defensive rotations out of synch no help on that play

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:55 PM

wall now six assists

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 8:58 PM

better by blatche under control as he drove to the basket

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:01 PM

14-7 run wiz

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:03 PM

six turnovers sixes in 2nd

Comment from Babakism
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:13 PM

I can’t understand how we can end a half like that with Nick Young on the court. The way he has been playing he should always be our number 1 offensive option. He is knocking down 3s, driving to the bucket, scoring off screens in the mid range, and I even watched him score in the low post with his back to the basket today. He should be getting the ball in position to score like his name is Kobe Bryant.

Very pleased to see Seraphin getting some playing time. There is no reason Hilton Armstrong should see more time than him this year. We need to find a way to get Trevor Booker in the game. As bad as Dray is playing today I’d rather see Booker than him in the game.

Comment from Mr. Know it All
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:14 PM

Looking good so far, maybe we’ll get that 1st road win tonight!!!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:18 PM

sixes 8 turnovers 12 wizards points…got us back in the game

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:19 PM

welcome mr know it all….we showed sigsn of life in second quarter

Comment from Babakism
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:20 PM

I love how whenever Dray starts out a game on fire making like 6-7 in the first quarter he won’t take a single shot in the second quarter but then on a day like today where he is struggling he took 14 shots in the first half.

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:25 PM

blatche has recovered from por shooting start

Comment from gray16
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:26 PM

dang javale got taken out quick after taking that all the way…

Comment from Mr. Know it All
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:27 PM

Thanks 4 the shout out D.J.!!!

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:27 PM

josh howard out sore left knee

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:29 PM

seraphim has done well

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:33 PM

wizards have allowed the sixes back in this one

Comment from gray16
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:40 PM

john wall is having a great game

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:47 PM

hinrich terriofic

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 9:57 PM

hinrich showing signs of fatigue

Comment from nucipete
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:03 PM

whats up with the sound on comcast tonite?

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:04 PM

holiday putting on show

Comment from dlts20
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:06 PM

I called this Josh Howard crap all offseason. I was the #1 guy for resigning him and then times that by 10 when I heard the price. I thought he could be the perfect fit and the guy to put us over the hump. Everything was going smoothly and then I hear that same Gilbert Arenas crap.

“Josh Howard is a million years ahead of schedule”. I immediatly said that they are rushing him too fast and I wouldnt be shocked if his knee doesnt heal properly. All last year they said he wont be ready until almost the new year but sure enough you start getting word about how hard he’s working, how great he looks, how he looks like he can play right now, and how he looks like he may start in the seson opener.

Then like typical Wizards clockwork, you start to hear how now they will still keep him out until almost the new year and how they are pulling him back. I said I bet its too late. It was so clear when the reports came out before camp that he had done too much too soon and then later they try to put the breaks on.

That crap doesnt work. He looked like Arenas out there tonight. Like dead weight. Couldnt move at all. On top of that he’s been hurting lately, missed one practice, then only did a little something yesterday and they bring him back tonight. If you just read the stuff, you could tell that he shouldnt have played tonight. I hate our medical staff.

Hopefully its just normal wear & tear and he’ll be ok but I seriously dont trust it. I wouldnt be shocked to soon hear about him getting another MRI and that he has another slight tear and is out for the year. Thats our Wiz. If that happens then Ted should fire that whole staff immediatly

Comment from gray16
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:07 PM

wow, mcgee is in the game here towards the end, good to see

Comment from gray16
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:09 PM

woops, spoke too soon, there goes mcgee…

Comment from gray16
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:17 PM

man, we may never win a road game this season… has that ever happened before?

Comment from dlts20
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:17 PM

Kirk was terrible on both ends in the 4th. I still dont get benching McGee for him. Is this going to be the case every game from Flip? Thats the part I hate

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:20 PM

defense has improved but tonight could not stop the guards

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:20 PM

defensive intensity not there

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:21 PM

wizards shooting 48 percet and lose…about defense

Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:23 PM

post game 1 800 636 1067

Comment from dlts20
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:29 PM

Look at the FT line numbers. Even with Wall penetrating like crazy, we still dont get nothing from anyone else but jumpers. 33% is players, 66% is the system. Then our 1 guy who may could do something about it besides Wall is Howard and he will probably be gimpy the rest of the year. If I see numbers at the FT line like I do tonight, I usually say we were jobbed by the refs but the truth is that all we do is shoot J’s. The Pistons fans said the exact same thing about Flip’s system. Its just a jump shooting system and thats why he sucks in the playoffs.

With that being said, guys like NY & Dray have way too much skill to never get to the FT line. Thats just playing soft. Even when NY is playing great, he still settles too much. He’s one of the most athletic guys in the leauge and has the complete package Offensively. There is no way in hell that he shouldnt get to the line alot. With that being said, I do thnk Flip’s system does hold him back some. Its predicated alot on catch & shoot. When NY drove some last week, Flip got mad and said that “when he was playing great, he did more of catch & shoot but now he wants to handle & drive”. Whats wrong with that?

Then when guys do drive, its like the whole defense can see it coming so we get charges or still have to pull up for the J or just swing it again. Then you have a guy like Dray with very good post skills but is never on the low block. Which is it more of? Is it more of Dray coasting on the perimiter or is he right about how most of the plays have him setting screens outside so he cant get on the block. Probably both are right which means we lose either way. Im tired of that same crap

Comment from neal
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:45 PM

I don’t get that we have good D. Our interior D sucks. We must be leading the league in % of opponents’ field goals scored in the paint.

It is REALLY irritating to see our guys routinely pass up 3-point attempts, take a step inside the line and make a 2-point attempt.

Blatche’s overall slump is working on his mind. He’s living in fear of screwing up, so he does.

We’re on pace to win 20 games. Watching is no longer fun for me so I’m done for a while.

Comment from gray16
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:47 PM

alright, we are @ charlotte saturday… we stand a chance then to get a road win… man i just want them to win one, but we have to do something different, we can’t keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting to win

Comment from dlts20
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:48 PM

Neal, dont blame it all on the interior. The fact is that both Wall & Kirk get roasted alot more then people want to give them credit for but yeah, our interior sucks at the rim also

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:53 PM

C’mon wizards, I’m sticking by this young team but we have to win games on the road. 0-41 is not that far off, Maybe Wall should get more aggressive on offense, we lack a go to scorer and blatche still looks out of it to me. Wall needs to work on his pick and roll defense they were cutting up or d in the fourth quarter tonight.

Comment from dlts20
Time January 5, 2011 at 10:54 PM

How funny is it that its a week into the new year and we still havent gotten a road win this season while at the same time we have also lost 13 of 15 with our only 2 wins coming once when Flip didnt coach and the other against a coach who was just fired in Larry Brown. Laughing stock

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 5, 2011 at 11:10 PM

We got to 10 wins last year 27 games in when we were garbage, we are 33 games in and don’t have 9 wins best record throughout past seasons- 08-09: 1-5
09-10: 1-0
10-11: 1-2

After a week we go on vacation for the rest of the season. Straight up losing tradition and garbage. Fire Flip, I actually like him but someone needs to go and something needs to change. Please trade Blatche for anyone who can play basketball.

Comment from WE WANT A WINNER
Time January 5, 2011 at 11:12 PM

Youtube comment from a random person last year:”Damn, Washington must be real bad. I was just sitting here thinking “who is Washington?” Thought for 30 seconds, and said; oh yeah the? Wizards.”

Nothing has changed.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 6, 2011 at 12:14 AM

It was a good game until the players playing big minutes (again) just ran out of steam. Shard playing almost 40 minutes? He is 13 years in the league. Give the guy some rest during the game coach. Same with Kirk. Those two looked dead on their feet at the end.

Seraphin came in in the first half and played well, except for picking up the two quick fouls. I guess after that they told him to go take in a movie or something? Where was he the rest of the game? Where was Booker T? Crozby much earlier said he wants to trade Andray and get a better 4 that will play inside. How about if “that” guys is already on our roster? If we don’t play Mr. Booker we aren’t going to know if he is or not. In limited minutes this year and given his career at Clemson it’s time to give him his shot. Especially while Andray is in his slump. Also wouldn’t be a bad thing to spell Lewis a little more.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 6, 2011 at 12:18 AM

POC… I’m right with you. Why would we release Hudson out of the blue? There has to be a reason we created an open roster spot. interesting.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 6, 2011 at 12:22 AM

Neal… I have always gotten and enjoyed your humorous posts. We seem to have similar senses of humor as my wife has told me mine is dumb too… she usually laughs before she says it though (in poker that would be considered a tell lol). I blame my father who was a large Marx Brothers fan. I grew up with them, the three stooges, and Bugs Bunny. No wonder I’m as warped as I am

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 6, 2011 at 12:31 AM

When will we just blow this thing up and truly rebuild? I mean what’s the excuse tonight?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 6, 2011 at 12:31 AM

Oh and I’ll gladly take a 14 to 1 assist to turnover ratio from Mr. Wall most any day

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 6, 2011 at 12:34 AM

Jeff we seem to play the old(er) guys too many minutes. I have NO IDEA why. At the end of the game they are truely spent and can’t help the team do much of anything. I don’t understand why, when you have so much youthful talent on your bench you would play a guy that has been in the league 13 years almost 40 minutes.. also asking to play Center along the way. It makes no sense.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 6, 2011 at 12:38 AM

@Grif-again when is enough is enough?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 6, 2011 at 12:40 AM

I hear ya Bud. I’m just afraid of the Tapscott thing. It happened once and I have no reason to think with the same man at the helm it wouldn’t again. If I knew it would be Randy or Sam I’d agree…. but it could again be Ed. I’d have to turn into a Clippers fan if that happens again

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time January 6, 2011 at 12:43 AM

@Grif-I am watching the Clippers game as I type ,still a Wizards fan but time for a change

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 6, 2011 at 12:44 AM

Yes… but, hopefully this time… a “positive” change

Go Clippers lol

Comment from neal
Time January 6, 2011 at 1:36 AM

The only reason I can figure for continuing to give Blatche so many minutes (and Seraphin and Booker T and Yi so few) is that it wouldn’t look good to prospective trade partners to make a change. Remember Arenas continued to get a lot more minutes than Young, who was playing better, before Arenas was finally traded.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 6, 2011 at 2:10 AM

Neal.. with the Wizards opening up a roster spot by releasing Lester I have to assume there is a trade in the works. A 1 for 2… or a 2 for 3… or maybe even a 3 for 4 makes sense. To me it’s the only possible reason to play Rashard and Kirk that much.

Should be an interesting next few days?

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 6, 2011 at 2:14 AM

Given the press… Andray is a given.

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time January 6, 2011 at 2:22 AM

Andray has a lot of skills. Doesn’t use them much but he has them. I think Ernie is trying to package Andray and Rashard. Or maybe Andray, Rashard, and Kirk?

I wish him all the best, at what seems to be his forte…. trades.

IF… Ernie accomplishes what I “think” he is trying to do we are going to be “the” team of the immediate future with a lot of talented young guys and extra draft picks… maybe even a trade exemption thrown in for good measure

Comment from proofofconcept
Time January 6, 2011 at 4:09 AM

LOL….Just as well call this the last hurrah, this definitely is about to end. when you lose to lower echelon teams, you know you stink. also charlotte was on a win streak since silas took over, so it won’t be a “pushover”. especially since our coach makes NO adjustments when he coaches.

Comment from proofofconcept
Time January 6, 2011 at 7:42 AM

I have no more faith in Ernie to build a championship team, as I do in Gil learning to keep his mouth shut. He hasn’t been able to bring anything here besides the big three, and that’s been what five years or so?

To have Etan and Haywood fighting over the center position (like crabs in a barrel), should go down as a low point in this franchise’s history….lol…especially when neither one would have started on another NBA team…..

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time January 6, 2011 at 8:51 AM

I don’t think releasing Lester Hudson had anything to do with a trade.

I mentioned a few days ago that this week was the one for releasing guys with non-guaranteed contracts that you didn’t want to guarantee. If we need a 15th guy, Lester will be picked up on a 10-day (can do that starting 1/10), assuming he goes through waivers wch he very likely will.

I don’t know that you usually play a guy *heavy* minutes that you are about to trade — what if he gets injured? I feel certain we would trade Dray if we could get any value for him, so to me it looks like so far there are no interested parties. Starting to look like giving him a 5-year extension was an error.

Of course we would trade Rashard — and I think we expect to trade him but probably not this quickly.

In other words, it’s hard to see any roster changes in the offing. Of course with Ernie it often happens when you don’t see it coming.