Truth About It - Washington Wizards Blog

Wizards vs. Thunder in Six Frames

Truth About It — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:03:08 +0000

From my perspective, the killer against OKC was missed free-throws (19-27, 70.4%) and turnovers (20 for 25 Thunder points) … in addition to uninspired defense of course, namely by the prominent triumvirate that’s supposed to be leading the team.

But enough of that. I’ll have some screen shot breakdowns of the OKC game later, but tonight, the Wizards have to concentrate on the Spurs. Fabricio Oberto will make a homecoming, but his fellow Argentine, Manu Ginobili won’t be available (groin). Tony Parker is also day-to-day (missed Thursday’s game with an ankle).

The Wizards will take all the help they can get, especially as it’s been almost 10 years since they last won a regular season game in San Antonio. During that last win in the Alamodome, Mitch Richmond led all scorers with 31 points. Overall, the Wiz have lost seven in a row to the Spurs, last beating them at home in November ‘05 thanks to 43 points from Gilbert Arenas on 15-20 FGs.

No room for moral victories tonight, this team needs a win.

{6 frames, wizards v. thunder}

{best web cuts}

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

Flip Saunders has tried for the most part this season to draw some positives out of everything. But not tonight. The coach came out of the locker room for his post-game presser and said point blank that the Wizards regressing rather improving.

—–

This is a veteran team so they shouldn’t forget everything they’ve learned just because the last two days they worked on offense instead of defense, right?

“You’d hope so. But they haven’t shown the ability to carry over. That’s what’s most disappointing tonight,” the coach said, sounding eerily similar to Antawn Jamison last season talking about his young teammates who couldn’t seem to learn.

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

Saunders said that every time his coaching staff focuses on one weakness, the team forgets everything else that it has learned. After training camp, the team focused on rebounding and became a better rebounding team. They focused on defense and became a better defensive team through the first 10 games. But the past few practices, the Wizards tried to address their offensive woes, then decided not to play defense against the young and exciting Thunder. So much for that carryover from the big win against the Cavaliers.

“We focused on offense and we forgot all of our defensive concepts,” Saunders said. “We have not evolved to be a total team, where we can grasp everything.”

[Mike Prada - Bullets Forever]

It’s how the Wizards lost to Oklahoma City that bugs me the most. The Thunder are not a good offensive team. Understand? They are not a good offensive team. They have one great player and a bunch of jump-shooters. For them to score 127 points in a 99-possession game is just unacceptable. Sure, they’re athletic, but they haven’t really been able to translate that athleticism offensively yet this season (though they have played some good teams). For them to score that many points, it means your defense basically did everything wrong. And it did.

[Brian Jackson - CSNWashington.com]

The Wizards only turned the ball over 5 more times than OKC (20-15), but it was what happened following the turnovers that did them in. The Thunder scored 25 points off those turnovers, many of which came via the fast break where OKC won that battle 28-10. Those easy opportunities led to good looks from three point range and the Thunder knocked down 11-of-21 (52.4 %).

[Craig Stouffer - Washington Examiner]

Washington simply couldn’t match OKC’s offensive explosiveness, but the 20 turnovers didn’t help. Even Mike Miller coughed the ball up three times. Again limited by his shoulder, he took only four shots and finished with five points. Randy Foye was also a goat, with one point, one assist and two turnovers in 11 and a half minutes. He’s still not sharp coming off the ankle injury. But Miller is the bigger concern. Until he plays a game without looking like a one-armed man, it’s time to start questioning whether he should be playing at all.

[Matt Kremnitzer - Krem's Sports Blog]

Unfortunately, the bench didn’t play particularly well in this game. The starters played big minutes — all were on the floor for at least 35 minutes — so there weren’t a whole lot of minutes to go around. Still, Earl Boykins got a bench-high 17 minutes (more on Boykins below), Andray Blatche played 15, and DeShawn Stevenson and Randy Foye each had 12. Blatche was relatively ineffective, scoring only six points and taking a few ill-advised jump shots instead of knocking down open ones like in previous games. Blatche shot fine (3-7 from the field), but he only grabbed one rebound and had a lazy turnover in the second half that looked like the old Blatche (dribbling behind his back in traffic for no apparent reason). Foye only took two shots and scored one point; is his ankle still bothering him?

{other side}

[Joe - Daily Thunder]

The score isn’t really indicative of the game though as the Wiz did pull even at 32 apiece to start the second quarter. Later the Wiz were just down 1 at 65-66, but for most of the game the Thunder seemed to have a lead that vacillated between 5 and 10 points. Grant Long said it well tonight when he was talking about the Wiz when he said something along the lines of the Wiz having all the talent a team could want, but for whatever the reason the pieces don’t seem to fit. I see his point.

[Darnell Mayberry - The Oklahoman]

The players pointed to how the team is now coming together.

“We didn’t back into a corner once they made a run,” said Durant. “Once they made a run we kind of fought back. Guys made big plays and made big shots. We got stops when we needed to and we helped each other out on both ends.”

After watching the Wizards control the game’s rebounding for three quarters, the Thunder countered by outrebounding Washington 13-6 in the fourth quarter. OKC held the Wizards without an offensive rebound after Washington pulled down 16 through three periods. The Thunder took a nine-point lead into the fourth quarter but outscored the Wizards 32-22 in the final frame.

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Wizards Game 11 at Oklahoma City: What You Need To Know & Questionable Journalism From Denver

Truth About It — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:47:20 +0000

The Wizards play the Thunder at 8 pm tonight in Oklahoma City. I’ll be Twittering and perhaps chatting a bit on ESPN’s Daily Dime.

We’ll see if the Wiz have the consistency, energy and focus it takes to win. Word out of Oklahoma is that the Thunder practiced their zone offense at shoot-around today.

Watch out for that Thabo Sefolosha cat. His on-ball defense is something to get excited about … when not playing the Wizards, obviously. It won’t be easy for Mike Miller or Caron Butler, whomever Thabo is guarding. That means … no dribbling around and trying to force things, Caron.

Brendan Haywood will also being going against his old buddy, Etan ‘The Poet’ Thomas. Wizards Insider has more on the game’s matchup.

Finally, it’s Zero vs. Zero tonight, as my fellow ESPN TrueHoop Network blog, Daily Thunder, points out. Russell Westbrook vs. Gilbert Arenas … hopefully it will be fun to watch (and Gil’s not throwing up stink bombs from deep).

Keep scrolling for what you need to know …

{flickr/Keith Allison}

Brendan Todd

Haywood is a key player for the Wizards who is having a damn fine season … he might even be besting the recognition of ‘Top Five Center In The East” I’ve been giving him since the offseason. Really, how could this guy be left off the All-Star ballot? The selecting panel of six should be ashamed of themselves.

Today, Michael Lee has a good profile of Haywood in the Washington Post:

Haywood said his increased rebounding, scoring and shot-blocking numbers this season are a direct correlation to playing a career-best 33.8 minutes. “That’s big because it helps me from a mental aspect. If I go out there and I know I’m going to play 30 minutes, it gives you confidence, because you feel your coach has confidence in you. You don’t have to go out there pressing,” said Haywood, who is averaging 10.9 points.

“Not trying to speak negatively about anyone, but in previous years, I was playing like I had to make something happen. If it didn’t happen in the first five minutes I felt like I had to do something or I might not play in the second half. That’s a tough way to play.”

Some have criticized that Big Ol’ Meanie Eddie Jordan for doing Haywood so, so wrong (your facetious meter should be going off) … but I don’t always buy the “I need a certain amount of time so I can be good” argument. Players, in my opinion, should be mentally strong enough and ready to play hard, smart basketball no matter how long they are in the game.

Clearly this current situation is working for Haywood, so everybody wins. The man deserves over 30 minutes so give him over 30 minutes. In other news, Haywood is heavy on Drake and listens to him to get pumped before games.

Agent Twitter

Gilbert Arenas technically “tweeted” but still isn’t “tweeting” as far as actually writing them. Mike Jones of the Washington Times has the scoop.

Evidently, JaVale McGee took footage from earlier this summer of Arenas whipping/belting Nick Young (which is odd in itself … is it a connotation that Arenas is Young’s daddy?), and added some voice-overs about Twitter (which invoke the name “Shaq” — intentional or unintentional symbolism slightly broaching a subject in Arenas’ personal life that has been covered by gossip rags. Mention Shaq and you will get whipped?).

The end result was the below homemade video posted to Arenas’ Twitter account.

Interesting.

The DC Sports Bog’s Dan Steinberg has more on Arenas and Twitter.

Irresponsible Journalism Makes Haywood A Denver Target

I don’t like having to call people out. But when a situation, or suggestion, arrives that’s so absurd and baseless … and it involves the Washington Wizards … for the sake of accuracy and justice, it can’t be allowed to slide.

Garrett Olsen currently has an article up on InDenverTimes.com (a site which was started by 30 former Rocky Mountain News journalists last March after the paper stopped publishing) called, ‘Nuggets should target Wizards’ Haywood’.

Olsen starts out innocently enough, depicting the rebounding woes of the Nuggets and how they need another big man. But he somehow nails down Haywood as a target. How does he come to the conclusion that Haywood is available in the first place?

Olsen writes:

With Antawn Jamison locked in for three more years at $15 million, and youngsters Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee looking to cash in once they are eligible for free agency, that leaves the older Haywood the odd man out.

Makes absolutely no sense. But please, continue …

Jamison is back from his injury, and the Wizards are expecting to start Blatche at center, with Jamison at power forward, and McGee and Haywood coming off the bench.

Uh … to rebut this simply, f*ck no. Haywood has been the starter all along. Jamison’s injury has nothing to do with his playing time. No one is expecting Blatche to start.

But I’ll let Olsen continue with his “ideas”:

The deal for Haywood sounds complicated, and it is, but it could be done. Would Washington bite on such a deal? I don’t know, but NBA.com had a blurb that Washington may be shopping Haywood now that Jamison is back from injury.

With 99.9% certainty, I can say that this is a flat-out lie. For one, Olsen doesn’t link this mysterious NBA.com blurb that does not come up in multiple searches.

Two, there is absolutely no way the Wizards are shopping Haywood. If this clown did any research, he’d know that the Wizards have a dearth in the front-court and are not looking to trade a big for … oh yea, you have to hear Olsen’s proposed deal, sheer comedy. But I’ll get to that in a second.

Back to the point of Haywood being on the trade block. I could send a text to a Wizards PR guy in search of an “official” response from the team that they are not looking to move Brendan. But doing so would lend a shred of credence to Olsen’s lie … and it’d just make me look silly for even checking.

I can say with 100% certainty, even though there is a risk the Wizards lose Haywood, an unrestricted free-agent, at the end of this year, Ernie Grunfeld is not looking to move him, especially not 10 games into the season.

Again, the Wizards don’t have a lot of front court depth, Haywood is valuable, and someone the Wizards likely want to keep this season and beyond. And remember, Haywood likes money. Holding his Larry Bird rights, the Wizards will be able to offer him more than any other team.

Ok, back to Olsen and how he thinks Denver can trade for Haywood.

The scenario I’ve come up with would have Denver trading the $3.6 million TPE to Cleveland in a sign-and-trade for Wally Szczerbiak. Denver then would send a second-round pick in a mini deal for a D-leaguer, who would then be cut.

Ummm … okay.

With that move, Denver would have a $3.6 million contract with Szczerbiak. Denver could then offer Szczerbiak ($3.6 million), Balkman ($2.2 million), Allen ($1.3 million), a first- and second-round pick to Washington for Haywood.

So the Wizards, in exchange for their number one center, who is second in the NBA in blocks per game and sixth in rebounds per game, …

Get …

The cadaverous Malik Allen who, in eight games this season, has a PER of 0.4 … ZERO POINT FOUR. Allen’s $1.3 million comes off the books after this season.
Renaldo Balkman, and undersized PF who can’t shoot or dribble and is owed $5 million over the next three seasons. (Uh, we already have Dominic McGuire, we like him much better).
Wally Effing Shizzleback. Has this Olsen dude even seen the Wizards lineup? The Wizards have no need for Szczerbiak, he wouldn’t get off the bench.
And a late first round pick and a second rounder that the Wizards would give away for cash.

Here’s the kicker from Olsen:

Szczerbiak brings another veteran leader for Washington and an insurance policy for Caron Butler, who is injury-prone. If Washington wants to make a serious run in the playoffs this year, it needs to add another player behind Butler for depth.

So … to make a “serious” run, the Wizards need to add the former Cro-Magnon known as Szczerbiak to an already crowded perimeter contingent while losing their starting center. WTF?

There’s a reason no team has picked up Wally World … not to mention that if he was traded from Cleveland to Denver, the Nuggets would have to keep him for two months before trading him again (if he’s part of a package in the second trade that includes multiple players — a window that could possibly be longer considering that Olsen’s proposal involves an initial sign-and-trade of Szczerbiak).

Face palm smack.

Was it really worth me using all these words to call out such a questionable piece of writing … such an idiotic theory? Well, of course … debunking the preposterously absurd is therapeutic for me. The internet has a plethora of information. Mr. Olsen, please … check the stats, do the research, put out an intelligent piece. That’s all I ask.

And Finally … LeBron

(I just gotta mention him, don’t I?)

Michael Jordan on Bron’s idea to change his number and retire #23? No thanks brah. And the best part is that Jordan suggests LeBron might be trying to sell more jerseys.

Stephien Rules wonders if LeBron has actually filed a number change request (via Hardwood Paroxysm). Matt Moore of HP writes:

Stepien’s Rules points out an interesting quirk to this ridiculous retiring of the number nonsense. If James files, that’s an indicator he at least THINKS he’ll be in Cleveland next year. If he doesn’t file, either he doesn’t really care about the number thing, or… you know…

Lastly, Comcast’s Ivan Carter weighs in with some knocks on LeBron:

Another word on James, who is a great player but also a bit of a phony in my book: Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey is not buying LeBron’s take that he’d make a good NFL player. Via twitter, Shockey said James wouldn’t even make a good “practice squad” player. I agree. The dude can’t even keep from holding his lip every time someone barely touches him on a basketball court. Again, he is a heck of a basketball player though. Give him that. One more thing: LeBron, before you demand that no NBA player should wear number 23 in honor of MJ simply because you think it’s a good idea (not to mention a good marketing ploy right? I mean, how many number 6 jerseys did you plan on selling just in time for X-mas with that stunt?) why not win, oh, maybe one ring first? Just a thought.

{flickr/Keith Allison}

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Washington Wizards On Wale and Pregame Music

Truth About It — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:13:13 +0000

As it’s becoming apparent, this Wale/Wizards thing has become a pet project. I “exchanged” tweets with Wale once (more like baited him into responding), sending a reply when he tweeted his support for the Cavaliers during the playoffs last May.

Recently, Wale confessed in an interview on Passion of the Weiss that he doesn’t root for his hometown team.

Yeah, but I gotta be honest, I’m not the biggest Wizards fan. I usually root for the Nuggets and the Cavs.

Since the initial exchange, he’s answered nary a baiting tweet from @Truth_About_It

Wale can root for whomever he wants. That doesn’t mean he’s any less of a lyricist … and he’s a damn good lyricist. And his fandom regarding the Wizards doesn’t affect my fandom of his music. Still, if you’re going to rep D.C., might as well go all out and get behind the Wizards.

But if Wale is not rooting for the Wiz, I naturally wanted to see if any of the players rooted for him. I was able to ask three in the locker room before the Cleveland game; one who recently turned 23, one who turns 30 soon, and one who turned 34 this past summer.

Subject A:

Got the new Wale CD yet?

Who?

Wale …

Nah.

He’s the rapper ….

Yea, I know who he is, I just never got into him like that.

Why’s that? Is it because he’s from D.C., but roots for the Cavs?

I didn’t even know he did that. He’s not my style of rapper. I like Drake, Jay-Z … Wale’s a little different feel.

Ok, so what’s on your pregame playlist … what gets you jacked up?

Right now I’m heavy on Drake … ummm Lil’ Wayne, anything Lil’ Wayne, Drake, T.I., Jay-Z. Those are the main four. If I’m real angry, I’ll go old school 2 Pac. But I got to be angry though … real angry.

You’re not angry tonight? 2 Pac is not going to get you up? It’s the Cavs, right?

It’s against the Cavs in November. I’m going to go with some Drake. But hey, if we see them late April or May, might have to be Pac.

Subject B:

Who’s on your pregame playlist, who do you usually get hype to?

Ok, I do ’shuffle’ and right now, Arrested Development, “Tennessee” is on. And then, when I go to the next song, it’s Jay-Z, “Thank You”.

How big is your playlist?

It’s 756 songs. Then it’s Donnie McClurkin, “That’s What I Believe” … then it’s The Brat, “That’s What I’m Looking For” … but I’ll probably fast-forward that one, I probably wouldn’t listen to that one.

What about some of the new stuff … like Wale?

Who?

Wale.

No. Oh … “Things Done Changed”, Notorious B.I.G.

Wale is the rapper from DC. Everyone is talking about him because he’s the first hip-hop artist to rep the city.

No, I don’t know who Wale is.

Subject C:

Who’s on the pregame playlist? Who’s getting you hype tonight?

I’m going to tell you honestly who the best rapper out right now is … The best rapper alive is 50 Cent. Hate ‘em or Love ‘em, Underdog on Top … 50 Cent, Gucci Mayne … anything, still maintaining. But my mind is already straight, got my 5-Hour drink (Blatche chugs a 5-Hour energy drink) … I need to get paid for that advertisement.

But the label is off of it.

You’re right.

What about Wale, the guy representing DC … have you checked him out?

Yea, Wale is good. Me and him are kind of cool. He lives by me, so …

He says he roots for the Cavs and the Nuggets, and that he’s not really a fan of the Wizards.

He’s a fan of the Wizards … don’t let him fool you.

Are you going to convince him to turn (his fandom) around?

Alright listen, we’re going to let his decision be based on after this game.

Who is who? The results are below.

Subject A: Brendan Haywood

Subject B: Mike James

Subject C: Andray Blatche

So Seven Day Dray laid down the challenge and the Wizards won. Your move Wale.

And now …

{choice cuts from dc v. cleveland}

[Mike Prada - Bullets Forever]

Excitement? Sure, anytime you beat Cleveland, you’re excited. LeBron James bugs me more and more every time these two teams play. From all the whining to the officials, the self-promotion, the way he freezes out his teammates (ok, that’s a good thing for us, but it’s frustrating as a basketball fan), he’s just not fun to watch. The guy might be the nicest dude away from the cameras and the media, but he’s so aggravating in those settings that I find him hard to appreciate. I’m not dense enough to make a personality judgment simply from soundbytes and on-court play, but anytime the Wizards beat his team, it makes me very excited.

[Jarrett Carter - Stet Sports]

Caution yourself against classifying this win as “season-saving.” Yes, the rotations were better for Flip Saunders, the defensive commitment in the second half was more noticeably solid, and there was fun to be had on the floor even in tense moments. But there are miles to go before the Eastern Conference can be called out for sleeping on the Wizards; specifically within a Wizards west coast road trip with games against Oklahoma City and San Antonio over the next few days. They still have injuries, they still have trust issues, they still have quite a few problems.

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

The Wizards will continue to need a complete team effort, because it’s obvious that Arenas is not ready to carry the team as he once did — not yet. He is still fighting with his mind, which is telling him that he can still dominate, while his body is saying otherwise. He seemed to really get stubborn in the third quarter, when he decided that he was going to shoot himself out his funk, no matter how many missed shots it took. Coach Flip Saunders said afterward that Arenas is still trying to regain his form and that it might take a few months before he truly resembles the old Gil. Arenas admitted the same after the game.

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

Arenas also is aware that his shot selection is pretty bad. Only problem is, he doesn’t realize it until after the shot’s taken.

“That’s been my problem. I’m just not getting in there easy,” Gil said. “These halves when I go through these droughts, I don’t know if I’m settling for the jump shot, or what. I’ve been watching a lot of highlight tapes. Coach gave me a long 45-minute one of me just getting buckets, so I’m just trying to look at the game again to see what I used to do.”

[Aaron Kaplowitz - SLAM]

With 10:30 to play, Earl Boykins blurred toward Mo Williams, spun away, and nailed the long jumper to the crowd’s delight. Three minutes later, he sneaked past Williams and scooped in a lefty finger-roll to push Washington’s lead to 92-78. On the following possession, Boykins drove down the lane before hitting a short pull-up while getting fouled. His free throw pushed the lead to 19, allowing the Wizards relative peace of mind over the final six minutes.

“People don’t realize because of my size that I always have an advantage,“ said the diminutive Boykins. “I never have to change the way I play basketball, and everyone has to adjust to me.”

[Kelly Dwyer - Ball Don't Lie]

After watching Antawn Jamison in this win, I’m convinced that every player should develop a cold after deeming themselves ready to return to action. That way, you don’t feel as if you’re coming right off the shelf, rather, you feel as if you’ve been waylaid by something else (a cold) that is easily overcome. Jamison fit right in, in his first game of the season, only turning the ball over two times in 38 minutes, pouring in 31 points in various styles and pulling in 10 rebounds (six offensive).

[Rashad Mobley - Hoops Addict]

After about eight or nine minutes of Jamison’s press conference had gone by, I began looking around the locker room for someone else to interview. I felt like I had gotten all the quotes from him that I needed and now wanted to look for Caron Butler, so I could wrap up the night and begin writing my game notes. As I began to walk away, I heard someone ask Jamison if this big victory would springboard the Wizards into a more successful season.

At first I casually listened, and then I heard something that reinforced my decision to go talk to him in the first place.

“I’m not going to say everything is fixed. We did what we set out to do and we defended our home court, ” Jamison cautioned. “Now we got two pretty teams that play well at home (Oklahoma City on Friday, San Antonio on Saturday) that play well at home, so now we have to find a way to get it done on the road…but let’s not kid ourselves, we gotta lot of room for improvement.”

Spoken like a true leader. Welcome back, Mr. Jamison.

[Dan Steinberg - DC Sports Bog]

And to be serious for a second, the thing about LeBron that drives so many of us crazy is the self-importance, the lack of self-awareness, the uber-grandiosity with which he conducts himself. That’s why Gilbert’s recent heel turn into an angry, pouting, churlish recluse was so disappointing. If that was D.C.’s standard-bearer, how could we really complain?

Well, look. Gilbert’s smiling again.

{other side}

[Brian Windhorst - Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Being in the building, I felt the whole game turned on LeBron getting out of his game totally by trying to show up DeShawn Stevenson. It seemed obvious to me how he stopped moving the ball and tried to just score right in Stevenson’s face. It could have worked and, in fact, it did work for a minute when LeBron hit a couple 3s. But that actually made it worse, because LeBron kept going to it.

[RockKing - Waiting For Next Year]

In addition to holding a severe edge in rebounding, the Wizards also managed to get to the free throw line 35 times compared to just 15 for the Cavaliers. It would be easy to assume this was a function of poor officiating, but the truth is the Cavaliers simply weren’t attacking the rim at all in this game. It’s tough to shoot a lot of FTs when you’re just sitting back and shooting jump shots. The Wizards, meanwhile, were able to get to FT line frequently as a result of their ability to get offensive rebounds and attempt to go back up for 2nd chance points. The Cavalier defense was generally out of position and reduced to fouling the Wizards in lieu of giving up the easy basket inside.

[John Krolik - Cavs: The Blog]

Then there’s the free throw disparity. Please, let’s not make it about the refs. Yes, the Stevenson jump-ball should’ve been a foul. But that’s one call. You know how many layups the Cavs missed in the second half, according to the play-by-play data I have? One. If the refs were letting the Wiz get away with hacks, there would’ve been more missed shots at the basket. In reality, there just weren’t shots at the basket. The Cavs lived by jumpers off of ball movement early, and died by jumpers off the dribble as the game went on.

[Rashad Mobley - Hoops Addict]

I tried to talk to Delonte West prior to the game, and told me he really didn’t want to talk at length. He said he was handling his legal issues and right now he wanted it to be all about basketball. The journalist in me wanted to probe deeper and ask him more pointed questions, but it just didn’t seem like the time nor the place. People from Michael Wilbon to Lisa Salters (from ESPN) were coming up to him and offering words of encouragement. For me to do anything to the contrary just would have been irresponsible. I’m sure I’ll wrestle with that decision later. As I walked away, West stopped me and said, “No hard feelings man, we’re cool right?”. I said of course, shook his hand and walked away. There’s a world class article to be had with Mr. West, and I hope to one day nab it.

{highlights}

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Don’t Call It A Statement, Call It A Rivalry: Wizards Spank Cavs 108-91

Truth About It — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:17:49 +0000

Don’t want to call it a rivalry? There are too many coincidences in the series surrounding these two teams not too. With a Wizards six game losing streak that began in Cleveland and ended against the same team in D.C., there’s a certain symmetry displayed that you just don’t get in your usual Wednesday night matchup between most other NBA teams.

And how many teams does LeBron get so frustrated against that he decides dunk a ball so meaninglessly hard that he hurts his wrist? I don’t know.

This time, however, the injury shoe was on the other foot. There shouldn’t be a single Cavs fan out there saying, ‘We were without Shaq and Varejao.’ They’ve had no qualms about disassembling the Wizards’ bandwagon when it was down a couple wheels. LeBron likes to whine but he’s not Eva Perón, no one in Wizards Nation is going to cry for him, his team, or his city because of injuries.

LeBron was as much of a proponent for his team as he was a detriment to their efforts last night. This will be explained further below.

The game won’t go down as a classic in the Wiz-Cavs rivalry … they don’t all have to be. Overall, it was a great win for the Wizards, vital on several levels. But a “statement” game? (as goes the question at least one reporter always seems to ask a coach, player, etc.) — No.

“I’ll tell ya in June,” said Flip Saunders.

Statements come in the win and loss column. A 2-7 team bumping to 3-7 is not much of a statement. Let’s see if this team stays together on a tough two game road trip to Oklahoma City and San Antonio and beyond before making any statements.

{flickr/Keith Allison}

{STORY LINES}

A Gentlemanly Effort From A Returning Vet

{flickr/Keith Allison}

The Gentleman Jamison eschewed his gentlemanly suit and pocket square and took the court to show the young kids how it’s done. And he did what he does best, score and rebound. The key being him kicking the game off with much needed energy and 13 first quarter points (which were especially needed to combat Cleveland’s hot 32 point first). Jamison also had six offensive rebounds for the game. Cleveland had six offensive rebounds as a team.

Good to have the number one court leader back in uniform … despite his sub par defense. He seemed a bit slow to rotate and out of position at times. But this is nothing new and you take the good and bad with Jamison. The good is much better.

Inside/Outside, Court-Spreading Jamison:

Inside 10 Feet: AJ was 8-11 on FG, drawing four fouls and going 5-6 from the FT line, scoring 21 points.
Outside 10 Feet: AJ was 4-11, scoring 10 points (2-7 from three-point land).
via ESPN Stats and Information

Seven Day Dray, The Quiet Storm

Maybe Andray Blatche’s numbers weren’t “there” (17 mins, 6 pts, 1-1 FG, 2 stls, 1 to, 0 rebs, 0 blks), but the young fella had a good game. He limited mistakes, did some little things, and was aware on defense. The guy is finally turning the corner when you notice his positive contributions that don’t up the box score.

DeShawn: From Mr. Fifty to Mr. Meat ‘n’ Taters

{flickr/Keith Allison}

One person the media didn’t really get a chance to speak with after the game is DeShawn Stevenson. You never know how many players are jetting out the locker room during Flip Saunders’ press conference. And tonight, he was one of the early departures.

Stevenson was a defensive catalyst for the Wizards at the right moment, quelling what could have very well been a LeBronsian takeover. And it’s not like LeBron didn’t get his when Stevenson came in at the 5:55 mark of the third. He had 15 points on 4-7 from the field and 4-5 from the free-throw line in the quarter. But the problem for Cleveland was what their offense did when LeBron wasn’t scoring — missed shots and stagnant ball movement. LeBron’s teammates were 3-10 from the field and the only two Cleveland assists in the quarter were achieved by him.

“I’m sure [DeShawn] wasn’t happy he didn’t play in the first half, but to his credit, he came in very professional and played “Meat and Potato” basketball. He didn’t give them any antics.” -Flip Saunders

Or Bangers & Mash Stevenson via the WizzNutzz.

A Cleveland-Washington game sans DeShawn antics? Really? Really.

It’s almost like DeShawn knew that his usual “Can’t Feel My Face” shenanigans would have fueled LeBron into a basket-scoring rage. When Stevenson simply played him straight up on defense, LeBron turned into a basket-missing ball hogger. He threw a wrench in Cleveland’s offensive machine by trying to out-macho DeShawn and failed.

More On LeBron’s “Takeover”

The Cavs certainly played well in the first quarter, but the game has four quarters … which was lost on LeBron as he went away from his creating and his passing. And give the Wizards credit, they stopped running so many lax double teams that allowed LeBron to use his great passing skills to easily pick apart the coverage and find holes in the rotation.

LeBron’s Passing:

1st Quarter: He totaled 7 assists and his passing created 17 points on 7-9 FGs (3-4 threes) for his teammates.
2nd -- 4th Quarters: He totaled 2 assists; his passing only created 4 points on 2-4 FGs (0-1 from deep).
via ESPN Stats and Information

Gil’s Fourth Quarter Absence

Arenas recently that he’d rather take shots than turn the ball over … and he adhered to that principle last night. He had eight assists to only two turnovers, but just couldn’t get his shot to fall, scoring 18 points on 22 shots (making six). He did come on in the third quarter, scoring 14 points on 5-13 from the field (1-5 on threes) … but hey, sometimes you just have bad shooting nights. As long as he manages the game and doesn’t get reckless, which he didn’t.

Flip Saunders said he tried to get Arenas back in the game during the fourth quarter, but Boykins was playing so well that Arenas displayed leadership and told Flip to let Boykins play the game out (according to Saunders). Although Flip did get Gilbert off the bench after a James dunk capped a two-minute 11-3 Cleveland run that cut the Wizards’ lead to 12 with 2:27 left. But back-to-back buckets by Butler and Jamison gave the Wizards a 108-91 cushion that turned out to be the final score.

Don’t get Gilbert wrong, he doesn’t want to sit out an entire fourth quarter. He’s not supposed to be sitting.

But a 2-7 team will take what they can get … and if that’s in the form of a 5′5″ tiny general leading the way, then so be it. Plus, Arenas is a smart guy … he knows if he speaks out on playing time, the waves of criticism would come crashing.

Gil wants to win at any cost and part of that involves maintaining a good relationship with his coach, and knowing when to delegate. He’s still trying to figure it all out, but look for him to be the ‘man’ down the stretch in the future.

{Quote-ables}

Flip On Defense:

“It probably helped that we (the Wizards’ defense) were in front of our bench. Our bench helped out a lot with players and assistant coaches letting guys know what plays were coming, what coverages we’re in. We changed some coverages, we didn’t stay with the same coverages on pick and rolls. So we changed some things up to try to keep them a little off balance.”

Flip On Patience:

“I’m not a very patient person usually … I told that to the guys. I have high demands on the players, myself … everybody. Those demands aren’t going to stop, because I think you have to demand things in order for our players to understand how hard they have to play, how consistent they have to play … everything they have to do to get where we want to get. But I’ll have to bite my lip … my assistant coaches have said to me many times, ‘You’ve got to be patient.’”

White Mike

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Mr. ‘It Is What It Is’, Mike Miller.

At one point, I think Mike Prada of Bullets Forever, Mike Jones of the Washington Times, the Washington Post’s Michael Lee, Michael Wilbon and Mike Wise, and even Mike Brown, coach of the Cavaliers, were all remarking gushing over the universal game of Mike Miller.

Here are some pics of his hustle swag via Keith Allison (flickr):

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Wizards Game 10 vs. Cavs – Rivalry Rehashed: What You Need To Know

Truth About It — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:45:49 +0000

I’ll be reporting from the game tonight with a Live Twitter Blog (hopefully, if the wordpress plugin works), and will also be checking in on ESPN.com’s Daily Dime chat. Until then, here’s what you need to know …

(and oh yea, GO WIZARDS!)

{Quoteable}

“It will take a little while to blend together, but I think the guys are looking forward to playing a good team with the best player in the league, and it’s always a very exciting game when these two teams meet.” -Flip Saunders

{Need To Know}

The Cavs come to D.C. with a five game win streak; they’ve been outscored in the fourth quarter of each of those games.
The Wizards have won their last four against the Cavs in D.C., and eight of the last nine … nine being the number of games the Wizards have currently played on the season.
The Wizards have started 2-7 or worse five other times in franchise history. Three such instances came in successive years (99-00 to 01-02) and under three different coaches (Gar Heard, Leonard Hamilton and Doug Collins).
2-7 is the worst nine game start ever for Flip Saunders as an NBA coach. 4-5 was the previous worst, which he has done three times.
The Wizards have played the toughest NBA schedule to this point of the season. Their opponents winning percentage is .636.
When Gilbert Arenas turned the ball over 12 times against the Heat, he joined only three other active players who have accomplished the same feat (12 or more) — Jason Kidd, Paul Pierce, and Dwyane Wade.
In addition to Arenas, only three other players are averaging at least 20 points and 6 assists on the year: LeBron James, Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

What Youth?

The Wizards are the 5th oldest team in the league.

Spurs 29.2
Mavericks 29.2
Magic 28.7
Celtics 28.4
Wizards 28.2

Notes via ESPN and the Elias Sports Bureau, Inc.

{Web Hits}

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

The Wizards’ core group is finally intact for the first time since the regular season began. “Ooh, it felt good,” Foye said of the mood in practice. “You could see the bounce and the pep in everybody¹s step, like, ‘Here we go. Everybody’s healthy. Let’s go now.’ “

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

Flip Saunders said his players went through a spirited practice today and looked nothing like a down-trodden team that had lost six straight. He’s expecting a highly motivated squad to show up tomorrow as well as the Wizards try to hit the re-set button on their season.

[Jake Whitacre - Bullets Forever]

Given how quickly the “new” Gilbert Arenas seems to have reverted back to Agent Zero, it has to make you wonder how committed Gilbert was to turning a new leaf. My theory: this whole facade was part of a “New Coke” strategy from Gilbert. He knew that people were fed up with his Gilbert’s persona, so he came out with a new personality that no one in the media or the locker room liked. Once everyone started to realize how good they had it with the old product, they begged Gilbert to bring back Agent Zero, just like everyone begged Coca-Cola to bring back the original Coca-Cola after they had a taste of New Coke.

[Matt Moore - Hardwood Paroxysm]

I kind of feel like this reeks of desperation. This isn’t Batman coming out of retirement, it’s like Garth Brooks crawling out of Chris Gaines’ chest to sing “I Got Friends (In Low Places). ” At some point, if he wants to be relevant again, the guy’s got to be playing great basketball for a good team. Gimmicks only go so far. That said, first game he lights up the Hibachi we’ll of course be falling over ourselves, so maybe we should just let the dude do what he wants.

[Dan Steinberg - DC Sports Bog]

So the new thing now is that “Gilbert Arenas” is somehow failing, and that “Agent Zero,” represented as a Lil Penny-esque bobblehead in the above video from Gil’s Web site, needs to return to save the day.

“Man, you’re just gonna disrespect your boss after I made you a superstar, boy?” Agent Zero asks Gilbert in the video. “You’re just lame without Agent Zero, you understand me? Regular Gilbert is about as entertaining as a plant….Need I remind you that it was I, Agent Zero, who was hitting all those game-winning shots?”

And so on. I don’t know about all that, but at least one therapist somewhere in the D.C. area better be making a killing off this stuff. Also, it sure is tough to capture the past, isn’t it?

The Origin of Gilbert Arenas’ Twitter Revelation

Truth About It — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:36:44 +0000

Resulting from multiple knee surgeries, absence from the court, and subsequent intake of criticism, Gilbert Arenas turned silent … most notably when he stopped blogging, the last entry occurring on November 15, 2008.

By February ‘09, Gilbert had entered a full-on Hikikomori (Japanese term for a withdrawal from social life BTW), by not speaking to the media and wearing a hotel ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign around his neck at the Wizards’ practice facility. This happened shortly before he began secretly practicing.

By the end of March, Arenas was telling the media he would no longer talk and subsequently announced his retirement from blogging.

Time passed. Silence … deafening silence. Not a word. Not so much of a peep from Gilbert Arenas.

September comes around and OMG! … It’s Mike Jones of the Washington Times with an ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ piece on the elusive target. Jones had people buzzing and congratulating him about his story for weeks.

Media Day 2009:

“When I was entertaining and playing, all you guys focused on was my words, now I’d rather you just focus on my basketball … you know, put the gimmick out and just play basketball.”

“I don’t want to entertain anymore, I just want to go out there and play.”

It was thusly proclaimed that Agent Zero, the Hibachi, Gilbert Arenas the Entertainer would be …. no more.

Seemed like a plausible story. But behind the scenes … in the press lounge, coffee shops and blog comment sections, no one really believed Gilbert. He wouldn’t be able to help himself. The entertainer would come crawling back … or rather, find a way to burst on the scene.

October brought training camp in Richmond. There was ‘Gilbert Arenas Limp Gate‘ which caused a bit of a stir … and was not aided or quelled by Arenas’ refusal to speak with the media.

Days passed and the $25,000 thousand fine came, leaving us with Agent Funeral.

Arenas still had done a cameo appearance with Dwight Schrute in a corny TNT commercial, relaunched a new website on Halloween night, and sent invitations to score like him. The spotlight might have been dimmed, but the entertainer was still selling himself.

Then came the Nones of November, basketball gods struck the Wizards. Loss number two in the current streak of six that started in Cleveland came in the Phone Booth at the hands of the Heat.

“The basketball gods will get you and you can’t cheat the game in a lot of situations,” said Flip Saunders … a fitting quote if basketball were The Wire, but perhaps better applied to general instances of cheating in real life.

Life got real and the Agent seemed to have no need for the act any more. He started being himself. A regular guy. The fun guy. The return of the mythical Zero, partially inspired by a 5′5″ earthling who last performed his on court magic in a foreign land.

The rebirth of slick is also reflected in Gilbert’s marketing arena. His new website presented a new video on November 17, the timely eve of a matchup with a rival — Classic product placement with Arenas serving as the wares and his name brand the push.

Agent Zero Pilot from Gilbert Arenas vs Agent Zero on Vimeo.

But as some have pointed out, The ‘Gilbert Arenas vs. Agent Zero’ battle has been raging since 7:53 pm on October 30th, a night of mischief, and the night before the pre-planned launch of the website anyway.

Others smell a repackaged Lil’ Penny, here to sway the pendulum of Arenas’ inability to stay medium. Bullets Forever’s Jake Whitacre dubs Gil ‘Coke Classic’, highlighting the idea of Arenas adhering to the Cubanian theory of leading the media like a ring master. The same media he’s previously accused of being lazy puppet masters of his words.

Then, in a veiled act of grass roots market research via Twitter, the word was spread that Arenas would give the masses conditional samples of his marketing drug in 140 character doses … just like the brief instances of his two upward-facing palms miming ignition of the Hibachi on the hardwood. But with terms of the condition set at one million followers, this could take awhile … unless he makes another promotional tour in the Philippines.

The tipping point occurred when Arenas’ Target shopping buddy, JaVale McGee aka @bigdaddywookie, threw a couple hype anchors, then released the perceived exclusive:

So he wanted me to tell the Twitter world to follow @gilbertarenas and to get him up to a million and he’ll tweet, follow @bigdaddywookie 2

Dave McMenamin, former keyboardologist for Arenas’ NBA.com blog, Agent Zero: The Blog File, got in on the Twitter promotion too. Word spread like a California wildfire. Mike Jones arrived with text message confirmation of Arenas’ bait:

traded texts w @gilbertarenas. yes, he’ll tweet if a mil follow. but he won’t bring back blogging on the relaunched gilbertarenas.com.

Did the Twitter return of the prodigal son of fun originate with Arenas’ request to a top twittering teammate and a call to a basketball writer for hire?

A curiosity struck on who, exactly, was first to Tweet this breaking news. A quick search indicated that the first Tweet mentioning the ‘@gilbertarenas’ account came from @PrancersWorld. Judging from the associated MySpace page, Prancer is “Prancer of VH1″ … whomever that is. An even further search revealed that “Prancer,” or Mercedes Clausen, has appeared on admirable shows such as VH1’s “I Love Money 2″ and “Flavor of Love 3.” Seems like we have a modern day muse helping with the marketing campaign’s initiation.

With the sudden push, one can’t help but feel like much of Agent 180’s somber schtick has been a “Syke! I was just playing” moment. Well … not the 2-7 record. You can’t necessarily blame that on Arenas’ off court marketing efforts.

Whatever the rhyme or reason behind Arenas’ persistent quirkiness, it’s easy to be encapsulated by this ongoing tale that relates one of the most unique characters of basketball in the last three decades. If you’re not, you’re probably the type who watches Twilight.

In winning or losing, Arenas is here to take Wizards faithful on a wild ride, a circus of twists and turns. Just look at Wednesday night, you have the cavalry riding in on their horses, but likely sans acts from the 325 pound pink elephant in the room and Bozo the Clown. The game between rivals will be just as impassioned nonetheless.

Be glad a better personality is back. Yes, Arenas is rolling the dice on the table of public perception. But he has nothing to lose … well, except for more games, supporters, and a city’s confidence in local pro sports.

But whether the ship is going down or about to embark, you want the band to be playing. If you’re going to go out, might as well have fun.

At the end of last season’s exit interviews, Arenas said:

“It’s all smoke and mirrors with me.”

and

“I’m controlled chaos.”

If releasing the built up tension of withholding his personality from the outside world 140 characters at a time is what’s needed for Arenas to clear the smoke in his point guard head and control the chaos, then so be it. So what are you waiting for? Go follow @gilbertarenas already.

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In losing to the Pistons, at least Gilbert Arenas is more relaxed, more of a “fun guy”

Truth About It — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:28:43 +0000

Here I am to finally write a post about Saturday night’s 106-103 loss to the Pistons. Seems a bit tedious to do at this point. But I have a story to tell, so might as well get it out.

I like to think of myself as a pretty optimist … well, “guarded optimism” was the term I often used prior to the season. Guess I threw that ‘guarded’ part into the wind when I predicted 55 wins. Really? What was I thinking? … but that’s neither here nor there at this juncture. To put it plainly, early in the fourth quarter, when the game had become a back-and-forth battle, I caught myself thinking that the Wizards would find a way to lose. And they did. From predicting 55 wins to the point of reasonable doubt … boy did that escalate quickly.

Flip Saunders used a slightly different term after the game, saying, “It’s like we’re inventing ways to put ourselves in a hole.” This was his response was to a question about DeShawn Stevenson’s ‘away from the play’ foul with 16 seconds left, giving the Pistons a single free-throw and the ball. Ben Gordon, one of the best FT shooters in the league (sixth best percentage among active players), easily sealed the game’s fate, putting Detroit up four with 14.4 seconds left. But Saunders also cited Brendan Haywood’s ‘moment of confusion’ travel at the 2:35 mark of the fourth as another invention of wizardry … among other items of note; 20 Pistons points off 16 Wizards turnovers sounds like it’d fit.

And “inventing” is probably the more apt term to use. “Finding” something can be left completely to chance if you are not looking. You “find” a penny on heads, or rather in the Wizards’ case, a fly in the ointment. An invention is left to your own creation, a self-inflicted device. Sure, inventions can be accidental, but I guess those would be more like “discoveries.”

The Wizards certainly didn’t mean to commit such game influencing gaffes … or score only one meaningless field goal in the game’s final five minutes. The mental lapses, the game slippage as many coaches like to call it, created an environment conducive to loss-inducing invention. It wasn’t an instance of the Wizards “finding” themselves in a hole, they were handing out shovels to each other for digging.

With 25 assists to 16 turnovers, the Wizards certainly shared to ball more than usual. But something is clearly amiss between Arenas and Caron Butler. Both Michael Lee of the Post and Mike Jones of the Times have commentary on the rift between Butler and Arenas. Make what you will from the decoded, ‘read between the lines’ words that have been coming from the two players. But the on court, it’s apparent. According to 82games.com, seven out of the Wizards’ top ten ‘five man units’ feature Arenas and Butler together on the court. The three lineups which don’t involve the duo rank first, second and third in plus/minus and win-percentage.

Is the honeymoon over? Do Arenas and Butler need to call it a divorce and go their separate ways? It’s seems odd to say they suddenly don’t work on the court together. It also seems odd to blame the their woes on the absence of Antawn Jamison. Sure, call The Gentleman a glue guy … but he’s not expected to play 48 minutes. The same case with Mike Miller. Even when the team is operating on all healthy cylinders, Butler and Arenas will have to work together. The Wizards simply cannot get into a lull when other offensive cultivators go to the bench.

Ok, calm down. These are all talented, intelligent basketball players. Good people. They can pull it together. The season is only nine games young … but at this point, it kinda feels like nine games old.

Unlike Mike Miller’s favorite phrase in the whole wide world, “It is what it is,” the Wizards are what Gilbert Arenas is … Arenas is “IT.”

It’s on him to find a way to get the team rolling. It’s great that there are multiple leaders … mainly Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. But Arenas is the point guard, Mr. Eight Percent. Gil is like the team’s wheel or the sliced bread, speaking in invention terms.

As he struggles to find his way personality-wise (as I previously wrote, he seemed to cast aside Agent Aloof after the Phoenix Suns game and it was even more evident after the Pistons game), Arenas is also struggling to find his way on the court. He goes between talk of trying to force assists, (that being the “true point guard” issue), and trying to assert his offensive will on the game, making the likes of DeShawn Stevenson upset when he takes only three fourth quarter shots (he actually drew a trip to the FT line on a shooting foul, which doesn’t count as a FG attempt … and the last shot he took, a 3-point make with 1.9 seconds left, was inconsequential).

Arenas needs to be the player who creates for others with his offense AND passing. It’s not trying to do one or the other, they should be synonymous efforts. Finding that balance is eluding him, but he knows it’s there. He just needs to reinvent himself. The likelihood that Arenas is capable of doing so is the $111 million question. If he does, the title of leader becomes valid. If he doesn’t, he’s labeled as another ball-hogging chucker.

Hey, but at least for now, the “fun guy” is back. A gloomy Gilbert Arenas is fine and dandy when winning, but that attitude benefits no one when trying to overcome losing.

{Game Links}

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

You can talk all you want about missing Antawn Jamison again, or the absence of Randy Foye, but the Pistons were shorthanded as well. They didn’t have Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince, two of the cogs from their championship teams.

The Wizards, on the other hand, had Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Mike Miller and newcomer Earl Boykins, yet they were only able to get one field goal in the final 5 minutes, 4 seconds of the game — a meaningless Arenas three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining — and watched Ben Gordon completely take over the game down the stretch. Gordon scored eight of his game-high 29 points after the game was tied at 96.

Where was Arenas down the stretch? Before the game, he claimed that he was back to being Agent Zero and he goes and takes just three shots in the fourth quarter, which drew the ire of teammateDeShawn Stevenson.

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

The spark from Boykins and Arenas’ big shot carried over into the third quarter. Washington outscored Detroit 33-23 behind nine points from Andray Blatche and eight apiece from Arenas and Butler.

But they suddenly ran out of gas. Up 10 (76-66) with three minutes left, Washington fell asleep, and Detroit came to life. WillBynum single-handedly closed out the third on a 9-2 run that left the Wizards clinging to an 80-78 lead, which isn’t what good teams do, Mike Miller said.

“The third quarter was where we lost it,” said Miller, who had 20 points with three rebounds and three assists. “I think we were up 10 with a minute and a half to go, and a good team would have pushed it to 14 or 16. I think it came down to four. That’s tough. But at the same time, we brought a lot of energy in the second half and played a lot better than we have been playing.”

[Rashad Mobley - Hoops Addict]

But during a crucial point towards the end of the game, at the 2:34 mark of the fourth quarter, Miller was removed from the lineup with the Wizards up two points. During the next two minutes of the game while Miller was out, and the lineup of Butler, Blatche, Haywood, Arenas andBoykins were in the game, the absence of Miller was noticeable. On two separate occasions the floor spacing was terrible, and both Boykins and Arenas took contested, rushed shots. The lead disappeared with Miller on the bench, and the Pistons went up by two point. With 48 seconds left, Miller returned, but the Wizards never led again.

[Mike Prada - Bullets Forever]

But the really frustrating thing about tonight’s game is that the Wizards actually did a lot of really, really good things. The offense awoke against a pretty good defensive team (at least this season), particularly in the third quarter, when the Wizards dropped 25 points in about six minutes. Mike Miller had a truly outstanding game, and EarlBoykins provided an unexpected spark, to say the least. And yet, even with all of that happening, the Wizards lost to a Pistons team playing on the road while missing two big parts themselves.

[George Panagakos - Examiner.com]

Miller looked absolutely great, however, his still injured left shoulder fell victim to collision once or twice during the game, after which Miller grimaced. A pre-game statement suggested his shoulder was only 30% healed going in, but his shot was definitely there last night, despite any pain he played through.

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Sam Cassell vs. Nick Young: The Practice 1-on-1 Battle

Truth About It — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:52:25 +0000

On Thursday, the members of the media were treated to a spirited match of one-on-one between Sam Cassell and Nick Young … well, “spirited” only really reflects one side of the battle, obviously coming from the entertaining Sam I Am.

I didn’t see every possession, but as it’s been reported before, the old man still has it.

The game of one-on-one was of the casual variety that you usually see pro or college basketball players play … mostly jump shots induced by a variety of moves that serve no real purpose of ‘getting to the basket’ productivity.

Young did get his shot to fall a couple times. But for the most part, Cassell was getting the best of the kid with some veteran trickery, craftily adjusting his shot near the basket and using some below the waist leverage to gain an advantage on defense, especially when Young was trying to go up for a shot.

Not only was Cassell talking smack to Young, but he managed to get Brendan Haywood involved as well. At point point after a Young miss, Cassell said something in Haywood’s direction to the effect of “Can’t finish … This is the Wizards … Good first half team, but can’t finish.”

The whole scene left the entire media contingent in stitches and the newly acquired Earl Boykins smiling and shaking his head at the antics of Cassell as he and Gilbert Arenas left the practice court.

The brief video I took really doesn’t give the game justice. Part of it was just deciding to watch and not shoot with my Flip camera (bad move on my part). And part of the missed footage was due to me waiting in the hallway outside of the practice court for Flip Saunders to speak.

So, unfortunately most of what you see are missed shots. When I wasn’t filming, each player was getting some sweet buckets, son.

And I didn’t see the very end of the contest, but I know Young went running off the court as Cassell yelled after him … so I can imagine that Nick hit some lucky shot and decided to end on a high note when, for the most part, the soon-to-be 40-year old (November 18th) was getting the better of him.

Reports From Friday’s Practice

[Mike Jones - Washington Times]

Antawn Jamison did not practice today. He was out sick again with what Flip Saunders described as some type of virus, but not the flu.

The coach said that Jamison had a fever and headache, but the fever had broken last night and that he was going to get checked out by his doctor. Flip said he won’t know if Jamison is playing tomorrow until after tomorrow’sshootaround, and the same goes for Miller.

“Our biggest thing we want to make sure we put in him a situation and he’s not going to hurt htat thing any more,” Saunders said. “There’s a difference between being hurt and injured. So now that he did that and got hit a few times, we’ll see how he reacts tomorrow and what kind of soreness he has. We have to make sure from a soreness standpoint that he can do it, and have the doctor evaluation basically saying no matter what happens he’s not going to hurt it anymore.”

[Michael Lee - Washington Post]

Miller admitted that his shoulder is still in pain but said he wants to play and had grown bored sitting at home while his teammates struggled. He said he doesn’t have the patience to rest any longer because of the team’s five-game losing streak. “We need a win,” he said. “I’ll be all right. I’m not going to put myself in any jeopardy. I’ll be fine.”

“I told Flip that I’ll be ready to play,” Miller said. “If he feels I’m hurting the team, take me out. If not, I’ll be ready to play. My job is to play basketball. If they pay me to play basketball, that’s what they should expect. They should expect me to go out there and play. Until they tell me not to play, I’m going to do it.”

[Craig Stouffer - Washington Examiner]

The more pressing concern for Saunders, however, is snapping Washington’s five-game skid, and all the better if he can do it versus the Pistons.

“Our main thing is we need to make some shots to get our confidence going offensively so hopefully we’ll be able to do that,” he said. “… Right now I’m more concerned about what we’re going to do than what they’re going to do. I worried about them two years ago. I don’t have to worry about them anymore.”

Saunders said his former point guard, Chauncey Billups, called him last night: “We were talking, and he said that sometimes it takes some time to understand everything because it’s acounterpunching type of offense. You have to kind of take what they give you, and if you force things, you put yourselves in bad spots. You just have to let it kind of come. Right now we want to do the right thing, we’re trying to force things a little we’re just not letting things flow so it takes some time.”

[Michael Lee - Washington Post]

If you haven’t had a chance to see Dwyane Wade’s dunk on Anderson Varejao, then you missed out on probably the most emasculating dunk in recent memory, even more than Baron Davis’s elbow-to-the-face andka-boom over Andrei Kirilenko in the 2007 playoffs.

Caron Butler said he was getting a massage while watching the Heat-Cavaliers game last night. When he saw Wade send Varejao sprawling to the ground, he shot up and nearly knocked over his masseuse. Then, he decided to relax. “I got to keep myself calm. I got to play him next week,” he said.

After practice, I overheard someone else put it best: “If they can retire Jordan’s jersey in Miami, they should also put a chalk outline on the floor ofVarejao.”

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The Dagger Report, Washington Wizards Podcast – Episode 3: Early Season Struggles

Truth About It — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:15:06 +0000

In this week’s Dagger Report, Mike Prada of Bullets Forever and I talk about the Wizards’ early season struggles, and how they derive from the sub par play of Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, the arrival of Earl Boykins … and of course, injuries.

And since the Wizards play the Detroit Pistons in D.C. tomorrow night, we caught up with Brian Packey of the SB Nation Pistons blog, Motown String Music. Brian, who evidently attended high school with JaVale McGee, drops some Pistons knowledge on us, reveals Epic Vale’s old nickname, and gives us some insight on the Pistons’ coaching situation past and present.

Enjoy.

Episode 3: The Dagger Report – Washington Wizards podcast

Or click here to subscribe via iTunes.

Previous Dagger Reports:

Music used:

Dr. John – Right Place, Wrong Time
Bill Withers – Use Me
Notorious B.I.G. – Story to Tell
Bel Biv DeVoe – Poison
The Pharcyde – It’s All Good
Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come
Nas – One Love
Wale – Pretty Girls

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Report from Wizards Practice: Earl Boykins’ First Day

Truth About It — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:20:29 +0000

Sure the Wizards could have gone with a younger guy, perhaps a promising prospect, or even a hard worker from the D-League … but little Earl Boykins is what the Wizards get, a move that clearly has the words ‘offense’ and ‘veteran’ in mind.

Flip Saunders and Boykins go back to the old days in Cleveland, where both were born and raised (not together of course, Saunders is 54 and Boykins is 33). Saunders also saw him play a lot when he coached in Minnesota and Boykins played for the divisional foe Denver Nuggets. Flip said that the 5′5″ guard gives the Wizards something different than what’s currently on the roster, has the ability to pick up things fast, and with his quickness, is a tough matchup for any team.

Saunders also praised Boykins for his floor effectiveness, especially in the fourth quarter, and for his ability to shoot free-throws. Boykins is a career .879 from the charity stripe and finished in the NBA’s top ten from ‘03-04 to ‘06-07. And free-throw shooting is something the Wizards definitely need.

Boykins wasn’t shipped all the way from Italy, where he spent last season playing. He was hanging out in Denver, Colorado, training in the high altitude, confident some team would need him and come calling … and Washington did. Sort of unfortunate for the Wizards because of injuries resulting in the need to sign someone, but certainly fortunate for Boykins.

When asked about the backcourt injuries his team is facing, going from seven deep in training camp to an available three (Arenas, Stevenson, and Young) with four down (Miller, Crittenton, James, and Foye ), Flip Saunders said, “Maybe I had this kiss of death when I said ‘those things always work themselves’ out … unfortunately they did.”

Boykins said that he’d been contacted by some other teams, but wouldn’t divulge whom. “I’m here, it doesn’t matter,” he said. And “here” is in Washington for a team that not only needs his services for depth, but needs them now … as in playing time against Detroit this Saturday. Saunders even indicated that a backcourt lineup of Boykins and Arenas is a possibility because:

They played alongside each other briefly in Golden State (in ‘02-03 when Arenas was named NBA Most Improved Player),
Detroit sometimes plays a small lineup (the combo of Will Bynum, Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon are the first and second Piston lineups ranked by plus/minus), and
As Saunders said, “When you down on numbers as we are, you play a lot of combinations.”

Perhaps the most important aspect that could instill the confidence of Wizards fans in the decision to go with Boykins over another player was a quote from Saunders that piggy-backed off something said by Boykins, “We needed someone to come in, as what Earl said, that they can adjust to our players. Find out what our other guys can do and help those guys play to their strengths, and not to have to go through a teaching phrase with a perimeter young guard.”

Boykins Highlights From Italy

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The Surprise of Gilbert Arenas Burned By The Heat

Truth About It — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:02:35 +0000

{The Quick Run Down}

In steps Earl Boykins, out goes Paul Davis … height history has been made in Washington, DC.
Brendan Haywood has curiously been left off the All-Star game ballot.
Fans in Minnesota are still discovering the wonders of Oleksiy Pecherov.
Mr. Irrelevant brings you the ultimate DC sports Twitter list.
And finally, congrats to Mike Prada of Bullets Forever for his very cool profile in Washingtonian Magazine.

{Back To Miami}

There was a minor Twitter flurry just before the Wizards game in Miami on Tuesday night. In a flash, reports of Gilbert Arenas’ demise (at least for that evening) spread throughout the web; hyped by yours truly. A sore left calf was the case that they gave him. Bury it with the ghosts of injury past and present, I thought … currently Mike James’ finger, Javaris Crittenton’s foot, the left shoulder of Mike Miller, and the right shoulder of Antawn Jamison … and as we would later find out, Randy Foye’s ankle.

Thoughts of distraught that I won’t repeat conjured in my mind as I rode the late bus home … to make a drink (or two) and watch a DVR delay of the Wizards-Heat game in hopes of catching up by the end. But knowing that without Arenas and the aforementioned others, the Wizards wouldn’t stand a chance.

I arrived home to bond with my television and discover the pleasant surprise of Arenas at the starting gate. Screw whatever was plaguing the team, the Wizards were ready to play.

Containing Dwyane Wade, displaying an in-sync offense — these things weren’t just done for a quarter, they were done for the entire first half. And all with a starting lineup of Arenas, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler, Andray Blatche, and Brendan Haywood. It just had to be the night the Wizards would finally end their four game skid. I could feel it, so I thought.

Maybe Blatche got beat in an unacceptable way by the dunking Michael Beasley on the first play of the game, and perhaps Stevenson had trouble with staying close to Wade when he curled off screens … but the help defense was there. Wade was held to 12 points on 5-13 from the field in the first half. Seven Day Dray was compensating in the passing department in place of the ousted Fabricio Oberto, and guys were diving on the floor for the ball.

Unfortunately a microcosm of the entire game was reflected by a play in which Stevenson got a deflection, Butler dived to keep a loose ball alive, which was gathered by Oberto, who passed to a hustling and cutting Butler, who pushed the rock on a 3-on-1 fast break … which resulted in a missed Arenas jumper from 13-feet. Not very text book.

As soon as the Wizards became comfortable with an 11 point lead was as soon as the third quarter came, specifically, a Miami run that commenced with an Arenas turnover, his fourth of the game, at the 7:30 mark and ended with a 20-6 Heat advantage to end the period. Arenas finished with seven turnovers in the third and 12 for the game, a franchise record. For the fourth time in eight games, the Wizards totaled more turnovers than assists, 22 to 16.

Lost in the midst of the positive idea that a roster spot should always be saved for Dominic McGuire, and the unexplained in the form of an errant pass fired by Arenas to Blatche in the waning minutes, is the issue of free-throws.

Add 14-21 from the line, including a 4-8 effort from Arenas, to the laundry list of problems that includes a stagnant offense and unforced turnovers. Sure, the ‘ultimate’ difference in the game didn’t come from the charity stripe, but shooting .722 on the year, 24th in the NBA (Arenas is 50-68, .735, from the FT line), and you have a potential straw the camel’s back cannot withstand.

Dwyane Wade and the Heat once again, for the sixth time in a row, got the best of the Wizards and the Wizards got the best of themselves. It’s this year’s Groundhog Day. This time, it’s a reoccurring theme of playing the opposite way of that which was played before … in the same game.

If the most recently fallen Randy Foye has been associated with Randy Watson, the performer who once appeared as Joe the Policeman in the ‘What’s Goin’ Down’ episode of That’s My Mama, then just call me Reverend Brown … I’m just trying to keep hope alive.

{A Good Play}

Caron Butler starts on the left block and heads to the right block off an Oberto screen as DeShawn Stevenson crosses from the opposite corner.

When Butler gets to Haywood’s down screen on the right block, he has a choice to use it or go back left, reusing Oberto for another screen — If you recall, we saw Randy Foye run through a similar option in Dallas.

Butler heads up top, but Quentin Richardson over-plays him. As a result, Caron seals Q-Rich and cuts to the open lane via good team floor spacing.

Receiving the ball in such a great position gives Butler an easy chance to score … as opposed to him getting the ball on the perimeter and trying to dribble his way to success.

{LINKS}

[Mike Jones - Washington Times]

Gilbert Arenas gave the Washington Wizards a scare about an hour before Tuesday night’s game against the Miami Heat. After running through pregame warmups, the guard and team trainers informed coach Flip Saunders that the sore right calf that had kept Arenas out of Monday’s practice was too tight for him to play.

Saunders, who already had four other injured players, had to come up with a new starting lineup. But 10 minutes before tipoff, Arenas changed his mind.

[William Yoder - Agent Dagger]

Gilbert Arenas brings a whole new meaning to the term “game-time decision” after he is initially scratched only to be placed back in the starting line up literally seconds before they are announced in American Airlines Arena. I’m sure we’ll get more of an ‘explination’ on that in the post game.

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

I’m still not seeing why [Gilbert Arenas] feels like his role as closer should be different now, but nothing with this Wizards team makes much sense right now. It doesn’t make sense that Caron Butler has been such a non-factor this season. It doesn’t make sense how this team turns the ball over left and right. Doesn’t make sense that they can’t for the life of them stay healthy!

[Kelly Dwyer - Ball Don't Lie]

Gilbert Arenas had 21 points, five rebounds, eight assists, and three steals on Tuesday night. He also missed 13 of 20 shots, and turned it over 12 times. 12 TIMES. Shawn Kemp-styled, stuff.

(The Miami Heat also had 12 turnovers, total, while we’re at it.)

[Mike Prada - Bullets Forever]

Speaking of mystifying, I’m shocked JaVale McGee didn’t get any playing time tonight. This game was screaming for someone who could provide a jolt of energy to a tired team. Miami’s bigs are not very mobile and aren’t really post-up threats. With the game starting to slip away late in the third and early in the fourth, McGee should have been in there. I don’t think he’s played at all since the last Miami game, which is a shame.

[Brian Jackson - CSNWashington.com]

In head-to-head matches Wade is now 16-0 against Arenas. For the second time in less than a week Wade hung at least 40 points on his Southeast division foes. Flash only shot 14-29 from the field but he got five steals and most of which led to easy breakaways. Once again he single handedly willed his team to victory.

[Matt Buser - Noah's Arc, Yahoo! Sports]

Caron Butler did not record an assist for the fourth time in six games, this time despite logging 45 minutes of playing time. He now has four assists in 261 minutes, good for a per-48 minute average of 0.7 (his per-48 average over the past four seasons was 4.7). Clearly something is off, but it’s still early, he’s adjusting to a new offensive system, and he’s missing his buddy Antawn Jamison. Let’s give it a few games after Jamison’s return before we assume his assist-to-turnover ratio will remain around 0.2:1 for the entire season.

[Craig Stouffer - Washington Examiner]

If Arenas had shown the same kind of focus and intensity that he had arguing calls with referee Dan Crawford after the game had already been decided – enough to earn himself a dumb technical foul – back during his 7-turnover third period, perhaps he might not have rung up the most dubious of double-doubles: 21 points, a career-high 12 turnovers.

[Patrick Cassidy - Dime Magazine]

Gilbert Arenas’s comments in the locker room after last night’s disappointing loss to the Miami Heat were almost as deflating as his 12 turnovers. “I don’t know what the hell is going on around here,” he told reporters. “I don’t know if some old player put a curse on us back in the day. I have no idea.”

Yes, Washington is dealing with some disappointing injuries right now (including Randy Foye spraining his ankle in the first half last night), but they are clearly are feeling sorry for themselves and it’s turning into losses. Quickly. And if Gilbert and Caron Butler don’t put a stop to it ASAP, a once-promising season will be over before it even gets a chance to start.

[George Panagakos - Examiner.com]

It was risky putting Andray Blatche in at starter; fans have been wanting Blatche there after his early season success, but who would have imagined Foye would get injured. The Wizards remaining bench, Fabricio Oberto, Nick Young, and and Dominic McGuire, is sort of like a who does not belong as a non-scorer? Young is going to need to step up his O-game somehow.

[The Miz - Fight For Old D.C.]

What can you say about the past week for the Wizards? They’ve been blown out by one of the NBA’s worst teams in the Indiana Pacers, chewed out by their injured leader Antawn Jamison, and seem downright lost out on the court. Needless to say it was a pretty rough week for the boys in blue. Let’s jump a little further into the misery that is 2-6 (a.k.a. Redskin Land).

[DolPhanDave - The Peninsula is Mightier]

The Heat started the 4th quarter up by 3 and with a very odd lineup. Anthony, Haslem, Beasley, Wright and Arroyo. Really…? The lead was gone in under two minutes as that lineup missed their first four shots. After that, both teams began scoring at will and there were six lead changes spanning just seven possessions. With the game tied at 71 half way through the 4th quarter, this game of runs was going to come down to which team could close with the better one. With Dwyane Wade leading the way, the Heat finished the game on a 19-3 run.

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Gilbert Arenas’ Seven 3rd Quarter Turnovers in Pictures and Words

Truth About It — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:21:19 +0000

Seven third quarter Gilbert Arenas turnovers led to eight Dwyane Wade points on five total shots … evidently Arenas said wasn’t getting calls from the refs, or something like that.

Arenas also said:

“I’m always upset when I have turnovers. I’d rather just shoot the ball and get the attempts than get the turnovers.”

Arenas’ 12 total turnovers for the game broke a franchise record that has stood for over 20 years (regular season or playoffs, on either participating team).

Bob Dandridge committed 11 turnovers against the Golden State Warriors (Arenas’ first team) on February 7, 1978 … which also happens to be Juwan Howard’s birthday.

The most turnovers Howard ever had in a Washington Bullets uniform occurred on December 19, 1995 against the Los Angeles Clippers. December 19th is also Tom Gugliotta’s birthday.

That night, Howard had nine turnovers (Gilbert’s previous career high, which has occurred on four occasions – Mar. 16, 2004, Dec. 10, 2005, Nov. 28, 2006, and Feb. 22, 2007).

For the hell of it, let’s dissect each of Arenas’ seven turnovers in the third quarter.

Welcome to Turnover City, U.S.A.

A driving Gilbert falls victim to the long arm of Mario Chalmers … Dwyane Wade gets a dunk going the other way.

Gilbert jumps to pass, trying to squeeze the ball between two Miami defenders to an open Andray Blatche. But Michael Beasley is watching the ball, with his hands ready, and is in position to easily pick off the pass. Arenas purposely fouls Wade with the ball in transition, Jermaine O’Neal would miss a subsequent hook shot.

A driving Arenas plows into Quentin Richardson … his feet were set. Wade returns the favor by hitting a layup.

Arenas intends to pass to Caron Butler posting up Richardson … but Wade is a sneaky/smart dude. Dwyane gets a poke steal for Miami, but misses a jumper on the other end.

It’s always the passer’s fault.

Not sure what happened here … a miscommunication in the least. Blatche looks like he intends to set a pick, but instead seems to slip the screen with Beasley out of position to guard him.

Arenas evidently thinks that Blatche will pop out to receive a pass … not quite sure why that would happen. In any case, Arenas bobbles the ball away and Dwyane Wade gets a dunk on the other end.

Blatche losses handle of the ball on the wing and Arenas goes to his rescue. But when Gilbert procures the ball, he’s already lost track of the sideline and accidentally steps on it. Wade hits a turnaround jumper on Miami’s subsequent possession.

After an inbound pass teetering on the cusp of danger, Arenas simply loses control of the ball near the halfcourt line, resulting in a backcourt violation. Beasley turned the ball over on Miami’s resulting possession.

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The Wizards-Heat Game In Four Frames

Truth About It — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:14:20 +0000

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Wizards Game #8 at Miami: What You Need To Know

Truth About It — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:49:13 +0000

{flickr/Coast Guard BM}

The Wizards are in Miami tonight for a rematch with Dwyane Wade and the rest of whomever he plays with.

The sense of urgency is elevated. Yea, yea … it’s early. But considering where things stand, tonight’s game and how the Wizards respond to their self-induced and injury-induced adversity is much more important at a record of 2-5 than if the Wizards were, say, 4-3 and still learning how to play with each other.

Tonight’s Goals:

#1: Activate the offense.

Whether it be moving the ball more, making the extra pass, not being hesitant on initial open jumpers, limiting extra dribbles, or just finishing close shots … someone has to crack that glow-stick, shake things up, and start lighting up the scoreboard.

#2: Stop (/Contain) Dwyane Wade.

Not going to be easy … clearly. It’s hard for any team to stop Wade.

Of course, no one else has allowed Wade to score 40 points on .538 from the field this year. In the five games Wade hasn’t played against the Wizards, he’s averaging 25.6 ppg on .421 FG%. Four of those games were Miami wins with their sole loss coming at home against the red hot Phoenix Suns.

All of this leads one to wonder … What starting lineup will Flip Saunders use?

Will he use Randy “Catch-22″ Foye who might/might not provide consistency on offense, but will most likely get abused by Wade in the post? (And if it’s not Foye on Wade, it’s Arenas … which is almost just as bad.)

Or does DeShawn Stevenson start and give Wade more trouble, while leaving a lot to be desired on the offensive end?

Could a lineup of Arenas, Stevenson, Butler, Blatche and Haywood provide offensive capability while allowing for defensive maintenance?

I understand the need to keep Blatche adjusted to his role of coming off the bench (and the need to monitor his limited stamina) … and I understand that Oberto is much more adept at guarding screen and rolls (although it’s tough for him to keep up with someone like Michael Beasley on dribble penetration, an area Miami didn’t really exploit the last game) … but an alternative solution to the season’s problems might need to be considered.

To halt the speculation, let’s take a look at how four different lineup combinations have fared so far this season using stats from 82games.com. Each involves Arenas, Butler and Haywood starting, with some combination of Foye or Stevenson at the other guard spot, and Oberto or Blatche at the four spot. But first, he’s a glossary:

Min = the total minutes the unit was on the floor.
+/- = the team net points for the unit.
eFG = the effective shooting percentage, adjusted for the value of 3-point shots.
eFGA = the effective shooting percentage allowed to opponents.
Close = the percentage of shots taken from close range.
dClose = the percentage of opponents’ shots taken from close range.
Reb = the rebound percentage for the unit, based on chances.
T/O = the net turnover percentage for the unit based on opponent turnovers minus unit turnovers.

Off the bat, the inclination is to throw out lineups two and three. Both have negative plus/minuses. Both are anemic on offense, shooting below 37% eFG with an inability to get close shots and the propensity to turn the ball over. Not only that, each of these two lineups also allow opponents to shoot an eFG over 50% and have a poor rebounding percentage in comparison to lineups one and four.

Before moving on, here are the lineup combinations:

#1) Arenas – Stevenson – Butler – Blatche – Haywood
#2) Arenas – Foye – Butler – Oberto – Haywood
#3) Arenas – Foye – Butler – Blatche – Haywood
#4) Arenas – Stevenson – Butler – Oberto – Haywood

Seems rather elementary, don’t start a combination of Arenas, Foye and Butler on the perimeter. It’s hurting the team, statistically speaking.

The Stevenson-Oberto combination reads a bit better than the Stevenson-Blatche combo … so, whatever is clever.

It will be interesting to see what lineup adjustments, if any, Flip Saunders makes.

Jamison & Miller Back?

Everyone seems jazzed about a ‘Tweet’ Ric Bucher posted late Monday evening/Tuesday morning about the possibility of Jamison and Miller returning against the Pistons this Saturday: “Also, look for Antawn Jamison, and maybe even Mike Miller, to be back for the Wizards on Saturday vs. Pistons.”

Bucher surely has contacts/sources with the Wizards organization, but this tweet is really nothing different than what Mike Jones reported after practice on Monday afternoon:

A team insider says it’s unlikely that the Wizards will make any moves, however, because they expect reinforcements to arrive as soon as the end of this week asAntawn Jamison will return to full practice on Thursday. And Mike Miller, who was shooting one-handed free throws today, could return shortly there after.

Seems like Bucher just added a ‘maybe’ and a specific game, which happens to fall under the realm of “the end of this week”.

Wale Drops Debut

There are internet claims that Wale’s new (and “official” first) album, Attention Deficit, is a monument for D.C. And while I like Wale, and will certainly pick up his debut, he’s significantly falling short when it comes to ‘putting on for his city’ in one specific area: local sports team loyalty.

Wale puts on for his Skins, and often wears a Nats. But when it comes to the Wizards? NOPE.

In a recent interview, Wale said:

Yeah, but I gotta be honest, I’m not the biggest Wizards fan. I usually root for the Nuggets and the Cavs.

He went on to say he’s “definitely” a big fan of LeBron … BLASPHEMY! I’d never really knock Wale for being a fan of LeBron. The guy is really, really good at basketball … but to flat-out not root for the Wizards?

Disappointing to say the least … for a D.C. hip-hop monument and all.

I’m not quite sure why Wale has decided to pull a ‘LeBron James’ and root for a team outside of the region he claims to represent (in case I haven’t written it before, LeBron, the self-proclaimed “King of Ohio”, grew up rooting for the Cowboys, Yankees and Bulls). Wale once twittered that he’s had “run ins” with (some of) the Wizards.

So, make what you will about all of this … but as a prideful D.C. resident and sports fan, I can’t help but have a bad taste in my mouth as a result.

{flickr/Keith Allison}

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Etan Thomas, Subtly Firing Shots at the Wizards Medical Staff

Truth About It — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:54:35 +0000

{flickr/ragesoss}

It’s as if we’re forced to admire or respect the outspoken views of Etan Thomas just because, well, they are outspoken. The mere fact that he’s a rare beacon of political activism amongst professional athletes somehow lends more credibility to his point of view.

Kind of ironic when you think about it. Because he plays in a capitalism-fueled league that he’s at times criticized, Thomas’ soap box (via the Huffington Post, et al.) has been amplified more than your average Joe (except if “The Plumber” follows ‘Joe’ I suppose). When you consider the privileges athletes receive because of their status in society, no one ever thinks about such perks including a higher platform for activism. But as Thomas points out in his blogging debut on HoopsHype, there are plenty of NBA players who have been politically (or more accurately, socially) conscious. It’s just that not all of them opine on a regular basis like Thomas.

A vocal Etan Thomas isn’t a bad thing. He’s done an admirable job in his attempt to push ‘need to be discussed’ topics to the forefront. But I won’t always pay attention to or agree with all of Thomas’ utterances. As I alluded to, the fact that he’s an athlete doesn’t lend him any sort of credibility in my mind. Then again, Thomas is no more or less credible than the oodles of political pundits out there on CNN, Fox News, and the what-not … the types John Stewart so often rips down with reason and comedy on the Daily Show (Which is, by the way, my ’source’ for news … just kidding, kinda. Would you blame me if, at times, I’d rather digest current events with heavy doses satire via a self-proclaimed “fake news”?)

Ok, I’m digressing and speaking in generalities. This post is not meant to be of a political nature. Rather, how Etan Thomas’ recent blog entry of “questions” applies to the Wizards.

#1 – Etan Calls Out Reporters (again)

Would it be possible for the NBA to instill a rule for which reporters covering the league would be fined if they misreport, contort facts or simply write blatant lies? Are the fans not deserving of accurate, factual reporting, instead of articles laced with anonymous sources, embellishments and overall inaccuracies?

This is nothing new. Etan’s back-and-forth with former Wizards beat writer Ivan Carter (currently host of Washington Post Live on Comcast) over the coverage of Thomas’ heart condition has been well documented.

I mean, we all have to assume Etan is beating that dead horse of an issue again. The previous ‘call out’ instance involved Etan mentioning the situation in rhyme. Now he’s writing about it, again. He seems to be on a never ending crusade on a matter which is more “he said, he said” than misconstrued facts.

I’m not exactly sure how such a fine system would work since reporters don’t work for the NBA. The most they could really do is revoke credentials. If Etan really feels the facts around his case were misreported, why wouldn’t he just file a defamation/vilification lawsuit? (If, in fact, he’s talking about his own case. He could be coming to the rescue of someone else, but he really wouldn’t have the grounds to speak out in that regard … seeing how he wouldn’t be directly involved.)

But I suppose I should be somewhat conscious of these issues myself since I’m now covering the Wizards under media credentials. Although … I really don’t consider myself a “reporter” and have yet to gather a bevy of people that I can use as unnamed sources (not sure if I ever will). Still, an awareness is, and should be, duly noted.

#2 – Etan Calls Out The Washington Wizards’ Medical Staff

While on the subject of team trainers and doctors, is it possible to impose a fine or forced firing when a team trainer or doctor consistently misdiagnoses numerous players? Not to call out any names but certain teams (not here with the Oklahoma City Thunder) employ trainers and doctors who regularly make medical mishaps (if that’s a politically correct way of saying it).

One must wonder if the reason Etan is so passionately calling out medical staffs is because he has direct experience. Again, he certainly wouldn’t speculate about another team or another player without firsthand knowledge from both sides, would he? Seems like that would be pretty hypocritical. Kind of like a reporter relaying speculation from an anonymous source.

Ok, so Etan doesn’t name the Wizards … but he might as well. Thomas has “officially” been with four NBA teams, but never saw the court for the team that drafted him (Dallas) or the team to which he was traded from D.C. (Minnesota). And since he makes a point to eliminate the Thunder … Exactly.

If Thomas wants the call out the Washington Wizards medial staff, he can. But what’s the point of being an out-spoken activist if you selectively do so only when it’s convenient? He’s not going to advance his stance/question with nameless accusations.

Thomas is adamant in his opinion about how things should “go down” in the world, but when it comes to following through, this time he’s falling short. Being a cryptic critic with rhetorical questions ends up being rather pointless.

So, for the record, the medical staff of the Wizards has been called out by one current player and one former player in the span of less than two months.

What’s a team currently dealing with two shoulder injuries (Antawn Jamison and Mike Miller), one of which was possibly made worse when one player returned in the same game after initially injuring his shoulder, a broken finger (Mike James), and a guy who’s been in a walking boot four times since originally injuring his foot in July (Javaris Crittenton) to do?

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Gilbert Arenas’ Mood, Caron Butler’s Addiction & Links

Truth About It — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:42:18 +0000

{flickr/Keith Allison}

One thing I didn’t to mention in my post-game write-up … and I’m not sure if it had a proper place there anyway … was the “mood” of Gilbert Arenas after the Suns game.

I’ve only been around the new, media unfriendly Arenas at media day, practices, and home games. And he’s only talked once after a practice (to my knowledge), the first one after he got fined. I also haven’t been to every practice, but his routine usually has been to say, “They said I don’t have to talk to you guys today … only on game nights.”

Most are still getting acclimated to the melancholy, aloof Gilbert Arenas … the one who has become so jaded by the media that he started putting on a rendition of himself that’s a far cry from the entertaining Arenas of old. A seemingly 180-degree turn, but still 100% quirky.

If you ask his teammates, he’s still the same Gilbert. Maybe he’s not pulling the pranks he has in the past, but he’s certainly not putting on a terse facade with them. The media has witnessed Arenas joking around with others, only to see his alter ego take effect when “official” media time commences. I’ve found myself wondering if Arenas’ “act” causes him internal strife, in the sense that it takes energy to suppress part of his being. Or, is the whole charade something he enjoys?

I suspect a little of column A, a little of column B. Instances of Arenas being asked to remove his hood before speaking with the media after the opening night win against the Nets, or his incessant pumping of the handle on his designer roll-away bag after the Heat game seemed to indicate that he certainly wasn’t enjoying having to talk to the media.

On the other hand, when a reporter was asking Mike James a couple questions in the locker room prior to the Suns game, Arenas appeared as if he couldn’t help himself, snickering at the two man scene as he walked by. I can’t speculate what about the sight of Mike James and a reporter talking brought a smile to Arenas’ face, but I nonetheless dubbed it Arenas’ first media-induced smile of the season.

Back to after Sunday’s game … I’m not going to proclaim some type of dramatic change from Arenas, nor will I purport it to be permanent. But he seemed to shelf his “act” just a bit when speaking with the media. Gone were the completely somber, one word answers. Gone was the hesitancy to look up or make eye contact. Now, Arenas didn’t wax poetic about the game of basketball, captivating the media corps. After all, it was after a loss. He did, however, answer questions in a straight forward manner without coming across like he was forced to talk.

Again, all of this could mean nothing … but it was just something I noticed and felt it was worth mentioning.

Caron Butler haves some fun with his Mountain Dew addiction

Wizards-Suns Links & Quotes

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

The Wizards’ margin for error is rather slim without their full arsenal of firepower (haven’t I written that before? Like, 63 times last season).

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

Jamison might not be the best player, but it is becoming obvious that he is someone that the team really needs on the floor. Not just because he can get 20 points and 10 rebounds without holding the ball for long stretches, but also because of his leadership. He also provides the bridge for Butler and Arenas, who are not in sync offensively.

[Tom Knott - Washington Times]

They are not a pretty sight, whether it is Caron Butler missing three shots at the rim or Randy Foye, inexplicably, making an ill-advised move to the basket before halftime that allowed the Suns enough time to sink a 3-pointer.

The latter prompted assistant coach Sam Cassell to give Foye a quickie lesson in time management as the players made their way to the locker room.

That snapshot is emblematic of a team that is exhibiting a low basketball IQ and lacks a sense of urgency.

[Rashad Mobley - Hoops Addict]

The offense, which was supposed to be the one area that Coach Saunders specialized in, has been struggling the last several games, and no one seems to have the answer as to why. Saunders said after the game that his players didn’t trust the system or each other. Brendan Haywood thinks that when the offensive sets break down, there are too many one-on-one and isolation plays. Arenas thinks that the absence of both Jamison and Miller are the key, because of how they can spread the floor and make things easier for everyone. From my vantage point, it is all of the above, plus the fact that the Wizards are simply missing shots that they were hitting in their victories. In fact, the Wizards have not looked fluid on offense since the first half of their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

[Brian Jackson - CSNWashington.com]

Without Antawn Jamison and Mike Miller still out at least another week the Wizards have to find a way to stay afloat. The offense is struggling in a big way and their absences are a big reason why. Both Jamison and Miller have the ability to stretch defenses because they are a threat from beyond the arc. No offense toFabrico Oberto and DeShawn Stevenson but they don’t get that same type of respect from opposing defenses. In over 25 minutes of play against Phoenix, Oberto only attempted one shot and Stevenson is shooting a putrid 14 percent from 3-point range so far. Right now teams are just sagging in the lane and making it difficult for the likes of Arenas and Butler to get any decent looks. That has a lot to do with players forcing shots and not making that extra pass.

[Mike Prada - Bullets Forever]

For the Wizards’ sake, that grinding can’t take too much more time. We’re only seven games into the season, but already, other Eastern Conference teams like Atlanta and Miami have started stronger than the Wizards. The longer it takes for the Wizards to pick up Flip Saunders’ ball-movement-heavy system, the more ground they will have to make up to avoid being a bottom-rung playoff team. And being a bottom-rung playoff team couldn’t have been what ErnieGrunfeld and company had in mind this season.

Also see:

Other Side

[Wil Cantrell - The Bright Side of The Sun]

Jason Richardson again played a strong game, posting up a variety of Wizard defenders which eventually led to the Wiz double teaming him. Richardson had his head up to feed the open man for a basket. It’s refreshing to see Richardson play a complete game this season after last year saw him focusing too much on three pointers.

[Paul Coro - The Arizona Republic]

The Suns are considered flawed defenders and rebounders. But their defense limited Washington to 39 percent shooting Sunday, as stars Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas shot 14 for 42. The Suns’rebounders scored on second chances as often as the Wizards, and each frontcourt starter recorded double-digit rebounds.

The Suns were not fast or sharp offensively early for the 11 a.m. start (Arizona time). Washington started small guards, prompting the Suns to post up Jason Richardson often. It was successful, but it also led to the Suns turning stagnant.

Also see:

Suns 102, Wizards 90 — Takin’ care of business -- Mike Schmitz, Valley of the Suns

{flickr/Keith Allison}

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Wanted: Time & Trust – Suns Set Wizards Down 102-90

Truth About It — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:34:45 +0000

Well, the Wizards certainly played better against the Suns than they did against Indiana last Friday. But this time, they simply lost to a better team. It’s another day, another loss … the Wizards’ fourth in a row with their record now standing at 2-5. One would hope that this doesn’t become routine, but that didn’t keep members of the media from groaning “feels like last year” as they made their way to the media room to wait for Flip Saunders’ press conference.

Of course, I wasn’t operating under an “official” media capacity last season, but I can imagine letting out a sigh, shrugging my shoulders, and wondering what to ask Saunders as I did on Sunday. But this isn’t like last year. There isn’t a sense that losing is inevitable. This team conveys a strong belief that everything will come together with time, health … and more trust on offense.

The Wizards started against Phoenix not necessarily lacking energy, but were plagued by defensive mismatch problems … a theme that’s not unique to this one game. While Fabricio Oberto concentrated on Amar’e Stoudemire, Brendan Haywood had to worry about Channing Frye and his three-point shooting, spreading the court ways. Frye finished 4-8 from deep.

Haywood seemed to have trouble moving his feet fast enough to cover all the offensive looks from the Suns. At times, the spinning and turning Haywood was doing on defense looked to be some sort of interpretive dance in the paint. The Wizards center was curiously limited to 11 and a half minutes in the first half, but finished the game as a rebounding (10) and shot blocking (5) presence in his 32 total minutes.

Many of the issues can also be attributed how tough it is to guard Steve Nash. Often, it wasn’t the guy setting the screen and rolling who caused trouble for the Wizards. Rather, it was the secondary cutter who broke free as the Washington help defense became focused on Nash and the screener. Nash finished with 17 assists, two more than the Wizards’ team total … which became a primary topic of discussion after the game.

Randy Foye, whom Sauders said he started because of his offensive consistency, was an immediate target of the Suns’ offense. Jason Richardson scored the game’s first four points in the post against Foye. Grant Hill also got in on the action and there wasn’t much the 6′4″ guard could do. After the game, Flip called playing Foye a “Catch-22″. What’s a coach to do when he needs to get the offense going?

And therein lies the unexpected problem, the offense. With the Wizards holding the Suns to 102 points, forcing 21 turnovers and getting 23 points off them, the defense became a secondary issue. What exactly do the Wizards need to do to, in Gilbert Arenas’ words, “put the ball in the basket”?

“It’s a never ending thing here lately, our offense has been stagnant. And we’re struggling offensively, which is putting a lot of undue pressure on us defensively,” said Saunders. “The ball was sticking too much at times. Guys are seeing guys struggling and somebody comes in and tries to do it on their own sometimes, and try to do a little bit too much instead of trusting other teammates.”

Missing shooters like Mike Miller and Antawn Jamison hurts, and it didn’t go unmentioned during post-game interviews. But also on Sunday, some very make-able shots were not falling. Caron Butler missed several easy shots at the rim, and many key jumpers just didn’t seem to go down as the Wizards shot 39.1% from the field as the team, their fourth consecutive game under forty-percent.

A lot of the offensive stagnancy results from the Wizards’ simply not trusting the system and each other to make plays … the word “trust” becoming a prevailing theme. It’s partly due to the time it takes for teammates to learn how to play with each other and develop a comfort level. But part of it is also finding a way to get everyone on the same page. This starts with the coach and his point guard. Arenas seems to want his teammates to be more decisive and shoot the ball quickly. Saunders, on the other hand, wants more ball movement.

“We’re not there as far as moving the ball. We don’t make that one extra pass. Again, we’re taking too many contested shots. When you’re taking contested shots, it usually means that you probably put the ball on the floor and you’re trying to take a shot on your own instead of creating a shot for someone else. If we were a hockey team, we’d have no hockey assists. You know, the pass that leads to the pass that leads to the score,” said Saunders.

Time and trust. It’s the assumption that ball movement and offensive flow will happen once the former goes by leading to the latter’s ability to develop. When will this happen? The clichéd response is ‘only time will tell’. I guess Wizards fans just have to trust that it will.

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Wizards-Suns Game 7 Live Twitter Blog

Truth About It — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:11:04 +0000

2:02:59 PM: Your Wizards starters: Arenas, Foye, Butler, Oberto & Haywood vs. Nash, Richardson, Hill, Frye & Stoudemire for Phoenix.

2:06:08 PM: Flip Saunders said he’s starting Randy Foye for his “offensive consistency” – [insert jabs at Nick Young here]

2:08:09 PM: Thunder Dan Majerle was wearing cargo shorts during the Suns’ early pregame warmup — just thought you might want to know.

2:09:03 PM: Will the Wizards come out with Energy today? The 1 pm game time makes it more of a challenge to do so.

2:10:58 PM: @craigstouffer advises to get the fruit plate ready in his pregame write-up http://tinyurl.com/y86uabz

2:11:40 PM: RT @DCWIZ DSteve rockin a straw ala Butler

2:14:11 PM: Wizards start 0-2 on jumpers, Jason Richardson starts 2-2 in the post vs. Foye — Haywood is on Frye, Oberto on Stoudemire.

2:16:41 PM: One ref wanted to call a block on Nash, the other called a charge on Butler. The result: a double foul is called and a jump ball.

2:20:43 PM: The Suns’ offense is going at Randy Foye in the post like it’s going out of style. 11-10 Phoenix, 6:30 left in 1st.

2:22:36 PM: DeShawn Stevenson checks in for Foye, Blatche follows for Oberto soon after.

2:24:16 PM: Uh oh … Arenas said there would be no Hibachi, but he just did his ‘hand warm up’ move after hitting a jumper on Nash.

2:31:06 PM: RT @MrMichaelLee DeShawn hit a jumper to give him career point No. 5,000. He is now 5,000 away from 10,000.

2:34:52 PM: Blatche just hit his first 3-pointer of the year. 24-21 Suns, 2:00 left in 1st. The Wiz are hustling 2, diving on the floor 4 loose balls.

2:39:30 PM: Well Redskins fans, the Hibachi is heating up. Arenas has 12 points & the Wizards are up 29-26 after 1 quarter.

2:43:49 PM: Wiz R certainly hustling after loose balls 2day. Stevenson is even going after errant passes that would clearly be out of bounds on Phoenix.

2:51:36 PM: Randy Foye is attacking the basket hard on the break. 6 points in the 2nd Q already. 39-36 Wizards, 7:19 left in 1st half.

2:56:58 PM: Dom McGuire sighting — joins Foye, Arenas, Blatche & Oberto.

2:57:34 PM: Jason Richardson just got called for a Crab Dribble.

2:59:23 PM: Looks like Dominic “The Taser” McGuire is just what the Wizards needed to stop Jason Richardson.

3:10:03 PM: Phoenix hits a three right at the end of the half to go into the locker room up 56-51. Caron Butler has 7 points on 3-8 shooting.

3:11:39 PM: Wiz are playing decent defense though, Suns have 15 turnovers. Oberto is playing a ton for his P&R defense, Haywood only played 11 minutes.

3:25:44 PM: Oberto leads the Wizard with 5 assists at the half. Haywood was able to get 3 off. boards (no def. rebounds) in his limited time.

3:27:07 PM: The second half begins, same starters for the Wizards. Boy, the Redskins are an effin’ mess, aren’t they?

3:29:16 PM: Arenas is playing more off the ball to begin 2nd half. Gil is also trying to guard J-Rich instead of Foye.

3:35:22 PM: Wizards come lagging a bit on both ends to start the 3rd. PHO getting a lot of action in the paint & are active on O-boards.

3:36:14 PM: A Caron Butler dunk, then subsequent drive, and a Blatche And1 awakens to DC crowd. 70-64 Suns.

3:41:49 PM: Louis Amundson and Leandro Barbosa elect to hug it out on the Verizon Center Kiss Cam.

3:48:44 PM: Blatche sets an illegal screen and Flip Saunders shows his displeasure with an emphatic hand clap.

3:50:46 PM: Gil Arenas & Caron Butler are a combined 12-30 from the field. Wiz shooting too many jumpers, have only attempted 13 FTs.

3:51:46 PM: Entering the 4th Q, Phoenix up 80-71. Wizards had 5 turnovers in the 3rd, Suns did not have any.

3:53:48 PM: Foye, Stevenson, Butler, Blatche & Oberto start the 4th for the Wiz.

3:51:46 PM: Entering the 4th Q, Phoenix up 80-71. Wizards had 5 turnovers in the 3rd, Suns did not have any.

3:53:48 PM: Foye, Stevenson, Butler, Blatche & Oberto start the 4th for the Wiz.

4:06:18 PM: A baby hook by Blatche pulls the Wizards to within 6. Dom McGuire is the J-Rich stopper. @BulletsForever wonders why he doesn’t play more.

4:12:20 PM: Wizards just can’t make key shots. After an Amar’e Stoudemire dunk, the Suns suddenly push a 6 point lead to 11. 4:34 left in 4th Q.

4:15:25 PM: When Steve Nash crab dribbles, it must be okay … probably a Canadian thing.

4:18:53 PM: Grant Hill hits a tough layup to put the Suns up 99-86 with 2:20 … and that would be your dagger.

4:49:33 PM: Flip Saunders: “If we were a hockey team, we would have no hockey assists.”

5:25:00 PM: The big issue with the Wizards’ offense: trust & guys trying to take things into their own hands too much.
3:56:36 PM: Ladies & Gentlemen, Happy 40th B-Day to SAM CASSELL! This has 2 B a good sign 4 the Wiz, right?

3:57:24 PM: In other news, White Chocolate turns 34 today.

4:00:08 PM: Len Bias would have been 46 today.

4:30:59 PM: RT @dcsportsbog: “Like that, Bron Bron?” RT @BRAatDC more regional rap shots at lebron. 0:50 seconds in http://bit.ly/3dCGyc

4:41:19 PM: @chaddukes on @1067thefandc “Rasheed Wallace would get thrown out for what LeBron James does.” (RE: crying)

4:42:55 PM: Wiz beat reporter @MikeJonesTWT is about to appear on @1067thefandc with @chaddukes and @lavararrington

5:45:50 PM: New TAI post: Wizards Game 10 vs. Cavs – Rivalry Rehashed: What You Need To Know http://bit.ly/2OpgKV

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Wizards Game 7 vs. Phoenix Suns: What You Need To Know

Truth About It — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:48:16 +0000

Reporting today from the Verizon Center for a 1 pm start between the Wizards and the Suns. So … I’ll be missing out on the Redskins-Falcons game … not sure if that’s a good thing or not. Considering I’m a Wizards fan first and foremost (and the Redskins are likely to lose), it’s probably a good thing. However, confidence in this Wizards team is a bit waning right now. How they respond after a horrid, horrid effort in Indiana will be extremely key.

Things you need to know:

The last time the Wizards beat the Suns was on December 22, 2006 in Phoenix — the night that Gilbert Arenas put up 54 points.
Randy Foye and Fabrico Oberto will start today … along with Arenas, Butler and Haywood.
In reference to Foye, Saunders said he was looking for “offensive consistency”, i.e., what Nick Young does not provide.
Before the game Saunders said Oberto is an excellent pick-and-roll defender — so, it will be interesting to see if Fab matches up against Amar’e Stoudemire while Haywood chases the 3-point shooting Channing Frye around the perimeter.
ENERGY! – The Wizards need a heavy dose of it. When I asked Flip how, aside from Antawn Jamison speeches/tirades, this team gets themselves going today, he essentially said, “We’ll have to wait and see.” He went on to express concern about this being an afternoon game saying that NBA players always have trouble with day games where they have to wake up and play without the normal routine.
Gilbert Arenas surpassed 10,000 career points against the Pacers — Today, DeShawn Stevenson needs two points to surpass 5,000 career points.
In terms of Caron Butler’s game against Indy (24 points, 8-21 FGs) where he seemed more aggressive, but not particularly effective, Saunders was asked if that was the “balance” he was looking for out of Tuff Juice. Flip simply answered, “I didn’t like anything I saw on Friday night.”
The Suns are 5-1, beating the T-Wolves and Warriors at home and the Clippers, Heat, and Celtics on the road. Their one loss was at the hands of the Magic in Orlando.
Final Quote, Flip on Friday’s Pacers game: “I was searching, I was searching for a lot of things. Couldn’t find anything, but I was searching.”

That’s about all I got … I’m going to go to the media room and refill my soda and then get ready to watch the Gilbert Arenas and Steve Nash show.

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Random Posts

Pacers Vroom Past Gasless Wizards 102-86: Screenshot Game Faces & Flip’s Lineups

Truth About It — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:55:42 +0000

It’s baffling how for the second game in a row the Wizards came out flat and lacking energy. You’d think that with the sour taste of a 19-win season still fresh, this team would play like they have something to prove. Guess not. Against the Pacers, the poor effort continued for the duration of the game as the Wizards fell 102-86.

So what is the reason? Is it still a matter of everyone getting used to their roles and flow in a new offensive system? Is it still a “process”?

The effort part is clearly on the players, evident by the strewn candy dishes and honeydew melon that resulted from Antawn Jamison’s post game tirade.

Flip Saunders seemed to be as confused about how to maneuver his team as anyone (which immediately conjured up images of Charlie in “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” in my mind — just see seconds 15-18 in the clip below).

Flip played 11 players and tried 13 different lineup combinations* … and that was just through three quarters. Nothing ever gave the Wizards a spark.

Saunders said after the game, “I was just trying to get someone to play hard. I told those guys at halftime, ‘I can’t coach effort. You’ve got to come out, you’ve got to be prepared and play hard.’”

So does this mean that Saunders is not a motivator? Or should grown men be responsible for themselves? Probably a lot of the latter and a bit of the former.

Perhaps the Wizards still need to be deprogrammed from the offensive freedom which was allow into the past, mostly from the free-flowing Eddie Jordan era and partly from the lame-duck Ed Tapscott era when Wes Unseld, Jr. called the plays.

“Whenever we try to just play, we’re not very good. We need to play direction-oriented basketball … we need to get into spots, execute sets that we need to execute and play off that … instead of just trying to create on our own,” said Saunders. “I mean Gil has the ability to do that, but other players … that’s just not really their forte.”

Nick Young was given an opportunity with a start in Indy … but he came up way short, looking like the same old Nick. He hit his first shot of the game, a left corner three which was created off an Oberto baseline drive. But after that, Young took ill-advised shots before getting the hook at the 4:31 mark of the first quarter, not to return until 7:34 left in the game — garbage time.

[Young's other 1st Q shots included:

Receiving the ball from Arenas while cutting off an Oberto screen on the right elbow, mishandling the ball, pulling it out with Granger defending, and then shooting a fading jumper just inside the three-point line with 12 seconds on the shot clock. He missed short and to the right, the direction in which he was fading.
Coming off a baseline screen and catching the ball in the left corner, giving a weak jab step on Brandon Rush and then taking a very contested fading shot and missing.
Young also had a moment where he should have been wide open in the short corner, but opted to back up towards to three point line, watching Haywood's pass to where he should have been sail out of bounds.]

But Nick wasn’t the only one playing out of the offensive flow. There were plenty of players trying to take care of things themselves … such as Caron Butler once trying to dribble-split a double team (something he should not be doing), and turning the ball over.

Perhaps the most astute observation came from the WaTimes’ Mike Jones and his thoughts on the ‘So Goes Gil, So Goes The Team’ mantra:

It’s becoming obvious that with Jamison out, the Wizards need Gilbert to be more than a leader by example when it comes to preparation. They need someone who will set the tone for them, jumpstart them and step on some toes if needs be.

Arenas failed to set the pace for the Wizards, and his teammates followed suit. Rather than coming out aggressive — not just scoring, even if it was driving and kicking, just attacking in some way or form — the Wizards would have responded to that energy. Instead, he came out passive, and there was no one to light the fire.

Something’s gotta give and it must happen fast. This isn’t on the injuries. And it isn’t really about coaching schemes. It’s about the Wizards getting out there and playing hardworking basketball like they mean it.

Faces of the Game

I could do some screen shots of Blatche trying to guard Oberto’s man (along with Oberto), or Blatche losing track of Hansbrough in transition … when they are running right next to each other. Or shots of Butler opting to go under screens instead of over, electing not to fight hard on defense against a good three-point shooter in Danny Granger. Or Butler and Arenas looking confused about how to guard a 2-on-2 fast break … But I won’t.

Instead, here are the faces of the game (all captured in the 2nd half).

*Wizards Lineup Combinations

(in order of appearance — 19 of out these 21 lineups are different — so, Saunders only used two lineups more than once)

1st Q

Arenas/Young/Butler/Oberto/Haywood
Arenas/Young/Butler/Blatche/Haywood
Arenas/Foye/Butler/Blatche/Haywood $
Foye/Stevenson/Butler/Blatche/Haywood
2nd Q
Foye/Stevenson/Butler/Blatche/Oberto
Foye/Stevenson/Butler/Blatche/McGee
Foye/Arenas/Stevenson/McGuire/McGee
Foye/Arenas/Stevenson/McGuire/Haywood
James/Arenas/Butler/McGuire/Haywood
James/Foye/Arenas/Butler/Haywood #
3rd Q
James/Foye/Arenas/Butler/Haywood #
Foye/Arenas/Stevenson/Butler/Oberto
Foye/Arenas/Stevenson/Blatche/Oberto
Foye/Arenas/Stevenson/Blatche/Haywood
4th Q
James/Foye/Stevenson/Blatche/Haywood
James/Foye/Butler/Blatche/Haywood
James/Arenas/Butler/Blatche/Haywood
Foye/Arenas/Butler/Blatche/Haywood $
Foye/Arenas/Young/Butler/Haywood
James/Foye/Young/McGee/Davis
James/Young/McGuire/McGee/Davis

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Truth About It - Washington Wizards Blog

Wizards vs. Thunder in Six Frames

{6 frames, wizards v. thunder}

{best web cuts}

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

[Mike Prada - Bullets Forever]

[Brian Jackson - CSNWashington.com]

[Craig Stouffer - Washington Examiner]

[Matt Kremnitzer - Krem's Sports Blog]

{other side}

[Joe - Daily Thunder]

[Darnell Mayberry - The Oklahoman]

Other reads from Truth About It:

Wizards Game 11 at Oklahoma City: What You Need To Know & Questionable Journalism From Denver

Brendan Todd

Agent Twitter

Irresponsible Journalism Makes Haywood A Denver Target

Get …

And Finally … LeBron

Other reads from Truth About It:

Washington Wizards On Wale and Pregame Music

Subject A:

Subject B:

Subject C:

Who is who? The results are below.

Subject A: Brendan Haywood

Subject B: Mike James

Subject C: Andray Blatche

{choice cuts from dc v. cleveland}

[Mike Prada - Bullets Forever]

[Jarrett Carter - Stet Sports]

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

[Aaron Kaplowitz - SLAM]

[Kelly Dwyer - Ball Don't Lie]

[Rashad Mobley - Hoops Addict]

[Dan Steinberg - DC Sports Bog]

{other side}

[Brian Windhorst - Cleveland Plain Dealer]

[RockKing - Waiting For Next Year]

[John Krolik - Cavs: The Blog]

[Rashad Mobley - Hoops Addict]

{highlights}

Other reads from Truth About It:

Don’t Call It A Statement, Call It A Rivalry: Wizards Spank Cavs 108-91

{STORY LINES}

A Gentlemanly Effort From A Returning Vet

Seven Day Dray, The Quiet Storm

DeShawn: From Mr. Fifty to Mr. Meat ‘n’ Taters

More On LeBron’s “Takeover”

Gil’s Fourth Quarter Absence

{Quote-ables}

Flip On Defense:

Flip On Patience:

White Mike

Other reads from Truth About It:

Wizards Game 10 vs. Cavs – Rivalry Rehashed: What You Need To Know

{Quoteable}

{Need To Know}

What Youth?

{Web Hits}

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

[Jake Whitacre - Bullets Forever]

[Matt Moore - Hardwood Paroxysm]

[Dan Steinberg - DC Sports Bog]

Other Links:

[via The Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Random Posts

The Origin of Gilbert Arenas’ Twitter Revelation

Media Day 2009:

Random Posts

In losing to the Pistons, at least Gilbert Arenas is more relaxed, more of a “fun guy”

{Game Links}

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

[Rashad Mobley - Hoops Addict]

[Mike Prada - Bullets Forever]

[George Panagakos - Examiner.com]