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

1. Arenas/Young/Butler/Oberto/Haywood
2. Arenas/Young/Butler/Blatche/Haywood
3. Arenas/Foye/Butler/Blatche/Haywood $
   
4. Foye/Stevenson/Butler/Blatche/Haywood

   2nd Q
   

5. Foye/Stevenson/Butler/Blatche/Oberto
6. Foye/Stevenson/Butler/Blatche/McGee
7. Foye/Arenas/Stevenson/McGuire/McGee
8. Foye/Arenas/Stevenson/McGuire/Haywood
9. James/Arenas/Butler/McGuire/Haywood
10. James/Foye/Arenas/Butler/Haywood #

    3rd Q
    

11. James/Foye/Arenas/Butler/Haywood #
    
12. Foye/Arenas/Stevenson/Butler/Oberto
13. Foye/Arenas/Stevenson/Blatche/Oberto
14. Foye/Arenas/Stevenson/Blatche/Haywood

    4th Q
    

15. James/Foye/Stevenson/Blatche/Haywood
16. James/Foye/Butler/Blatche/Haywood
17. James/Arenas/Butler/Blatche/Haywood
18. Foye/Arenas/Butler/Blatche/Haywood $
19. Foye/Arenas/Young/Butler/Haywood
20. James/Foye/Young/McGee/Davis
21. James/Young/McGuire/McGee/Davis

Random Posts

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Caron will have his work cut out for him in trying to guard Danny Granger tonight. And the best way to combat a guy averaging 23 points per game (tied for 16th in the NBA)? Attack, attack, and attack him on offense.

Granger has been mad lately. He evidently stormed off without talking to the media after the Pacers lost to the Nuggets on Tuesday. The next night, he came back and scored 21 points on 7-18 from the field in win against the Knicks.

But things still aren’t all that great for last year’s Most Improved Player. He’s been struggling with an injury to his right heel (bone bruise), and some say he hasn’t been able to get good lift on his jumper … this is evident by his 40.3% from the field and a True Shooting Percentage (TS%) of .534 in four games this season.

Caron Butler, as we know, isn’t faring much better on offense. He’s shooting 39.6% from the field (.473 TS%). He missed the Wizards’ home opener against the Nets (and most of the previous game in Atlanta) because of a bruised knee-cap, but his struggles aren’t believed to be of a physical derivation.

So what’s the deal with Tuff Juice? Why has he been getting caught “watching the show,” as he says?

It’s hard to put a finger on it. When Butler is trying to be aggressive on offense, he tends to pound the ball into the floor, stagnating ball movement and not creating for his teammates as they watch. Other times, Caron simply hasn’t inserted himself into the offensive rhythm, electing to observe while Gilbert Arenas tries to do his thing.

Butler’s best effort on the season came in the first nine minutes of the Cavs game where he scored 13 points on 4-5 shooting and 4-4 from the free-throw line. His only miss was a tough catch and layup attempt in transition. Otherwise, here’s how those four makes went:

• 7:18: Butler works from left corner off  a Haywood left block screen, heading to the opposite block. LeBron goes over Haywood screen ball side. Caron waits for him at the right block, then uses an Oberto FT line pick. When LeBron gets entrenched in the paint, Caron springs free at the top of the key, receives a pass from Arenas and nails the jumper.
• 6:32: Butler again starts in the left corner with a Haywood left block pick in his sights. This time, LeBron goes under the Haywood screen. Instead of cutting to opposite block, Caron cuts to top of three point line, receives the pass from Gil, and nails the three.
• 5:46: Butler receives the ball on the left wing at the 3-point line, Haywood sets a ball screen, Butler takes one dribble left, nails open jumper.
• 5:24: LeBron jumps with no where to go, Miller finds a steal then finds a breaking Butler for a dunk.

Aside from the fast break dunk, notice anything about these shots? Butler is moving off the ball for two makes, and he’s limiting his dribbles, running directly off a ball screen for the third.

He’s not watching Arenas dribble around in hope of the defense collapsing on him so he can be open for a spot up jumper. No, plays are being run specifically for Caron … and they are efficient plays, not isolation looks.

And you know what happened right after that breakaway dunk at the 5:24 mark? Caron again received the ball in the left corner. This time, Cleveland felt the need to double him, which ended up springing Arenas (with the help of a double pick) with an open lane for a drive and a bucket.

Might it behoove the Wizards to get Butler going early and work the offense off of him? Perhaps. But Caron also has to want it early … evidently.

When asked about Butler after the Heat game, Gilbert Arenas, as he curiously pumped the handle of his mini designer bag on wheels up and down,  said, “I mean, shoot the open shot. Caron’s a rhythm player. So, in the old system he had enough time to get into his ‘mojo’ and shoot those shots. In this system, you have to get a lot of catch and shoots. So the first initial shot he has he doesn’t usually take it and then everything just closes up from there. He just better get used to catching and shooting.”

You can listen to Gil’s Quote Here:

Gilbert Arenas on Caron Butler -- Post Nov. 4th Miami Heat Game

There’s a lot of buzz about Butler today. Michael Lee has a piece in the Washington Post, ‘We have to get into the flow as a team’, and Mike Prada of Bullets Forever comes with ‘Five possible ways to get Caron Butler’s game going’.

Whatever Butler needs to do, it’s clear that he plays just as much of an integral role to the team as the return of Gilbert Arenas, the health of Antawn Jamison (and the issue of limited scoring out of the front court), the “arrival” (finally) of Andray Blatche, and the integration of newcomers.

I mean, we already know Butler is very important … but just assumed he would be the Wizards’ rock … that he, out of anyone on the team, would pose the least amount of concern regarding challenges to team success. But here we are, talking about the need for Tuff Juice to pack more punch.

It may take some time, but there’s no reason to not have confidence that Butler will get the job done. After all, his path to the NBA from 15 arrests before the age of 15 is much more of a ‘Zero to Hero’ story than that of his teammate.

Tonight:

Look for Saunders to get Butler involved in his offense early by running him off picks and getting him open looks from the mid-range … Caron’s bread-and-butter opportunities.

Caron even said he’ll try to adapt his game to Flip’s style in a blog post he made today.

Gil said earlier this week that I needed to be more of a catch-and-shoot player in this system with Flip Saunders now in town. You know what? I’m going to adapt to any situation. If it’s about coming off screens, catching and shooting now, I’ll do that.

If those possessions I outlined from the Cleveland game are any indication, he’ll do just fine.

Notes:

>> Nick Young will start tonight … hopefully this will build some confidence for the kid.

>> Once again I will be taking part in ESPN.com’s Daily Dime Friday night chat. Stop by to talk Wizards with me or with the whole ESPN gang about the NBA in general.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Questioning Antawn Jamison
• The Basketball Gods Strike: Heat Burn Wiz 93-89
• Wizards Practice Video, Must-Read Links and An Appearance By Sleepy Floyd
• Report from Thursday’s Wizards Practice: Flip Saunders, Brendan Haywood & Caron Butler

Lackluster Wizards, lackluster Verizon Center … I’m not sure which bred which, but the result was an absolutely ugly opening for the Washington basketball squad. Down 31-17 after a first quarter where the Wizards shot 29.2% and committed seven turnovers (five personal and two shot clock violations), three courtesy of Caron Butler, Flip Saunders’ team found themselves trying to claw their way back into the game. And they eventually did.

With the ball, game tied at 89, and under a minute left, the Wizards offensively followed with: Caron Butler getting his show blocked by Wade, a steal with Stevenson getting fouled while out of control on a fast break, but missing both free-throws, and three missed Gilbert Arenas interior shots … once down 91-89, once down 92-89, and finally down 93-89, which was the final score. On the first occasion Arenas probably got fouled, on the second, one of his charted “shots” was really a lob to Haywood that hit rim not hands, and on the final occasion, Arenas simply missed a layup.

Anyway you slice it, the Wizards finished the final minute of the game in a sloppy manner like a team fractured on offense. But Flip Saunders remembers it differently. “I remember the first minute, falling behind by 19, not coming out with the energy that we have played previously in all the games,” said Saunders. “The basketball gods will get you and you can’t cheat the game in a lot of situations.”

But what did the Wizards do to wrong the basketball gods in the first place?

When Brendan Haywood was asked to explain the early 19-point deficit, he paused for a several seconds in thought and uttered, “I’m not sure … I just …. I’m not sure. Things weren’t working well out early. I think we started pressing a little bit. Dwyane really had it going all game long and the combination of the two put us down 18, 19 points early.”

Arenas wasn’t sure either. When asked about the early goings-ons, Gil responded, “I have no idea. The way we finished the game in Cleveland is, I guess, the way we started the game tonight.”

Wade, who scored an absolutely efficient 40 points on 26 shots (14 made field-goals and 10-13 from the free-throw line), is going to get his. Watching him tonight really reminded me of his greatness as a player. As the game continued, it was evident that the Wizards were playing against Wade and a bunch of other guys. In the final quarter, Wade scored nine points and created eight points for his teammates, touching the ball on 14 out of Miami’s last 15 possessions of the game.*

But back to the beginning. Part of the early struggles seemed to arise with both the Mike Miller-Dwyane Wade and Fabricio Oberto-Michael Beasley matchups. Beasley scored four points in the first five minutes on jumpers when Oberto couldn’t really play him close on the perimeter. However, Beasley didn’t do much after that, telling Rashad Mobley of Hoops Addict, “Just remember I told you before the game, that it’s going to be a good night for me.” He only ended up with 10 points on 5-10 shooting, but it didn’t seem like the Heat went to him much to take advantage of the mismatch.

Wade drew two fouls on Miller in the game’s first 1:50, forcing the Wizards’ starting two guard to sit. And from there, Wade continued on his roll, scoring 11 points by the 5:11 mark. His ease in getting to the hoop likely contributed to Caron Butler losing track of Quentin Richardson on a handful of possessions. The Heat’s game high 19-point lead was built by the 3:30 mark in the first thanks to back-to-back threes by Richardson. Q-Rich netted 10 points on Butler in the first … and yes, this was the same Quentin Richardson who torched the Wizards for 34 points on 7-13 from deep as a Knick last season. The guy can shoot … allowing him to go missing on defense is not recommended.

Between talk of basketball gods and matchups … maybe Dwyane Wade is a basketball god. But more likely, instead of worshiping false idols, the Wizards need to get comfortable with each other fast. Leaders need to lead. And just because one third of the big three is out doesn’t mean the team has to turn into The Artist Formerly Known As Agent Zero and his band of uninspired revolutionaries. Caron Butler needs to be more assertive on offense (more to come on that), and the remaining cast needs to step up as a cohesive unit.

It’s just game five, but a home loss against Miami, who was also coming off a loss the previous night, is one of those soul-searching, look in the mirror defeats. A 3-2 record is something to build upon, but 2-3 poses to question, ‘What is going on and how do we correct it?’

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Flip and Gil Got This: Wizards Take Mavs 102-91
• Flip’s Well-Oiled 3rd Quarter Offense: Wizards 109 – Cavaliers 104
• Wizards v. Grizzlies: Leftover Table Scraps & Pictures
• Unheard and Unseen Cuts from Wizards Media Day

Well, it’s not the end of the world, but it isn’t exactly what Wizards fans want to hear either … especially after a loss.

Miller originally injured his left, non-shooting shoulder less than a minute into the third quarter and looked to be in a lot of pain. He sat on the bench for a couple minutes while being looked at by a trainer and eventually made his way back into the locker room. Early reports indicated that it was a mild shoulder sprain and that Miller would return.

With 3:50 left in the third, Miller checked back in. He seemed to slightly favor the shoulder, but looked okay as he played through. Unfortunately, just under three minutes into the fourth quarter, he injured it again on a hard drive to the basket. Scoring the hoop and the harm, Miller stayed in the game and made the And1 free-throw, which didn’t give the Wizards a chance to call a timeout.

This time, Miller was clearly heavily favoring the shoulder. The Heat subsequently went down the court and Quentin Richardson missed a three pointer. However, the Wizards did not call a timeout to get Miller off the court. On the next offensive possession, the ball actually ended up in Miller’s hands, or hand, as he caught it and only dribbled with his right hand. And then the most amazing part which got Miller a standing ovation, he zipped a pass to Andray Blatche right under the basket for a dunk and his third assist of the game.

The Heat then called a timeout and Stevenson was able to check in for Miller who went straight to the locker room where he would be declared out for the rest of the night. In his post-game presser, Flip Saunders said that Miller would be out for 7-10 days with a “mild 1 sprain of his shoulder.”

You can read the AP story here via ESPN.

Here are the reactions of Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, and Mike Miller himself from the locker room after the game.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• The Basketball Gods Strike: Heat Burn Wiz 93-89
• Quick Thoughts: Hawks Air Out Wizards 100-89
• Screen Shots From Dallas and The Magical Calming Powers of Oberto
• Flip and Gil Got This: Wizards Take Mavs 102-91

8:10:21 PM: Live from the Verizon Center … not the best crowd on hand, guess the Wizards have a way to go before they can win back DC sports fans.

8:11:01 PM: Not even D-Wade and the hometown boy Michael Beasley could get the house packed.

8:15:24 PM: 1:40 into the game, the Mike Miller on D-Wade mismatch leads to two Miller fouls, 3 D-Wade points, and Randy Foye off the bench.

8:17:32 PM: Wade proceeds to take Foye in the post, Flip already looks frustrated. Wade has 7 of 9 Heat pts – Beasley has other 2 on Oberto. 9-4 Heat.

8:24:39 PM: Wiz down 15-6. Flip takes 2nd T.O. 5:35 into game. Wiz w 2 consec. TOs. Brief boos from very sparse/late arriving crowd. Not looking good.

8:33:48 PM: Hopefully McGee will bring some energy to this place, joins Arenas, Butler, Blatche & DeShawn. Wiz down 27-10. VERY lackadaisical so far.

8:41:05 PM: Wiz down 31-17 after 1. D-Wade on pace 4 52 pts (esp. w Miller/Foye on him) DeShawn gave up 2. Wiz R lifeless, need some1 2 get angry & play

8:55:04 PM: Back-to-Back 3s from T-Wolves newcomers get fans going, Wiz cut Miami lead to 37-31. Heat timeout & standing O from awakened Verizon crowd.

9:29:26 PM: Wiz down 50-41 @ half, outscored Heat 17-10 w Foye & Miller in the game in 2nd Q. Time to start 3rd.

9:30:25 PM: Same starters 2 begin 3rd … Miller on Wade, Oberto on Beasley.

9:32:57 PM: Uh oh – Mike Mller is hurt, didn’t see what happened. He’s holding his left shoulder, sitting on bench, not going back to locker room yet.

9:39:50 PM: Beasley easily drives on Oberto, Fab draws a flop offensive foul off the ball the next time down the court, Beasley gets him back w a J.

9:52:10 PM: Miller checks back in w bandages on shoulder. Heat up 60-59. Arenas has 6 in 3rd. Caron still out of sync offensively.

10:00:02 PM: Arenas trying 2 do evrythg himself, & he is, but teammates barely involved on O. Wiz score 25 in 3rd, Gil 11 of those on 5/6 FTs. Tied @ 66.

10:06:39 PM: Caron needs to put lowjack on Quentin Richardson. He’s got 16 on 4 3s, doesn’t he always kill the Wiz? Heat up 73-68, 9:30 left in 4th.

10:09:33 PM: Miller hurt left shoulder again on hard drive, Makes And1 stays in game, makes amazing ast 2 Blatche, Heat t-out, Miller back 2 locker room.

10:33:53 PM: Wiz R N the game thanks 2 Gil -32 pts. Noting doing for others on O. Arenas drives for a very tuff layup, puts Wiz up 89-87 w 1:30 left.

10:38:42 PM: Wiz down 91-89 w ball & 24.6 secs left. D-Wade just hit a 2, before, DeShawn missed 2 FTs. He might B most hated in Cleve & DC after that.

10:44:29 PM: The game started w a yawn & will end w a [?]. Down 3 w 8 secs left, Gil tried a lob 2 Haywood on the run, Haywood thought it was a shot.

10:45:38 PM: Wizards lose a stinker 93-89 – couldn’t get anything to go their way at the end. Bumbled looks, in & out balls. Look like a fractured team.

11:12:37 PM: Mike Miller out 7-10 days w a sprained shoulder. (Via Flip Saunders)

11:25:13 PM: Brendan Haywood’s reaction upon hearing that Miller will be out 7-10: “Damn.”

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Wizards Game 3 Home Opener vs. New Jersey Nets Live Twitter Blog
• Wizards – Mavericks Preseason Game 2 Live Twitter
• Wizards – Grizzlies Preseason Game 1 Live Twitter
• Gilbert and JaVale Go To Target

{flickr/Keith Allison}

Both teams lost last night … the Wizards, of course, to the Cavs and the Heat to the Suns in Miami. So, each squad will come out wanting a redemptive win. And while the game is certainly very important to players on each side, being between division rivals and all, it’s probably more crucial that the Wizards get the win.

Miami is 3-1 and will go back home for five straight games after tonight. The Wizards stand at 2-2 and will be on the road for four of the next seven (on the road at Indiana, Miami, San Antonio & Oklahoma City vs. Phoenix, Detroit & Cleveland at home).

Something has also got to give.
Last season, the Heat swept the Wizards 4-0, returning the favor as the Wizards did the same to Miami in 07-08.

What to watch ….

Running The O

Simply put, the Wizards need to have faith in Saunders’ system and run it … and of course it starts with Arenas setting the tone by creating for others by creating for himself (driving the lane and forcing Miami to help, etc.).

They were doing well in the first quarter against the Cavs when Caron Butler scored 13 points in the first 8.5 minutes of the game.

Mike Prada of Bullets Forever writes:

Caron Butler, after an excellent offensive first quarter where he did a great job of running LeBron James off picks and tiring him out, didn’t do the same in the third quarter.  When he did get the ball in the second half, the offensive flow just stopped as we waited for Butler to size up his defender, jab step, then either shoot or drive.  Those types of things hurt your offensive flow, even if the play is designed to get Butler isolated somewhere.

In tracking the first quarter offense, the Wizards were really effective when Caron started in the left corner and came off a Haywood left block screen, flashing to the ball in a variety of ways. He was also effective on some pull-up jumpers off straight a ball screen against LeBron. With Quentin Richardson on him, look for the Wizards to get Caron going on offense again.

Stopping Dwyane Wade

Dude is doing things like this:

The Heat start a backcourt of Wade and Mario Chalmers. Arenas likely matches up with Chalmers. Does that mean Mike Miller guards Wade? He’s got his work cut out for him … as would anyone in the league.

Wade On D [via Elias Sports Bureau]:

Watch Dwyane Wade defend the shooter in the late stages of a close game.  Last season, Wade led the NBA with 24 blocked shots in the last five minutes of games when the margin was 10 points or less.  Dwight Howard was the runner-up (22) and Yao Ming ranked third (20).

Also watch both Wade and Chalmers when it comes to thefts. Chalmers has 10 steals in four games, tied for fourth in the league. Wade is not too far behind him with seven takeaways in four.

Positions Three to Five

Quentin Richardson, Michael Beasley and Jermaine O’Neal

vs.

Caron Butler, Fabricio Oberto and Brendan Haywood

Again, this could pose matchup problems for the Wizards. If it were simply a case of ‘Big vs. Small’, it would be easy for the Wizards to bang the Heat in the paint … but Haywood, and especially Oberto, aren’t huge offensive threats.

Haywood has more of a post game that Oberto and could use his size to get position on O’Neal. Both Wizards big men should as be active in setting good screens for pick-and-rolls.

However, on defense, a Beasley-Oberto matchup could lead to more fouls and the spacing (via the need to play more help defense) that Heat coach Erik Spoelsta desires.

Preview Links:

• Wizards Insider [Washington Post]
• Hot Hot Hoops [ESPN TrueHoop Heat Blog]
• The Peninsula Is Mightier [SB Nation Heat Blog]

7 Day Dray

I spoke with Blatche before in the locker room … in terms of his quote in the Times about sticking together as a team, Blatche said he’s trying to be more vocal because he’s comfortable in the “family” environment around the team. But in terms of who’s the first to keep the team together on the court, he said Arenas and Haywood are both vocal, but the person it comes from the most is Antawn Jamison. Unfortunately, ‘Twan is not on the court right now. The Wizards could have used his court leadership and abilities as a player last night.

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As Tuesday night got later and later, I found myself less and less wanting to write a blog about the Wizards-Cavs game. It’s not that I was particularly distraught about the loss … I just preferred to put it behind me, have a short memory as they say in sports.

Dwyane Wade and the Heat are in D.C. tonight for a game that I will be covering/reporting from … and I’d rather focus my energy on hoping the Wiz take care of business at home.

Plus, I predicted a Cavs win because of what I thought would be a Cleveland home court advantage (ahem … whistles). And well, that pretty much held true. In the first half, the Wizards’ four big men were whistled for a total of 12 fouls — Haywood (3), Blatche (3), McGee (4), and Oberto (2).

Most of the fouls were just, some not so much … and ultimately this threw the Wizards out of sync on both ends of the court.

On defense, bigs were worried about picking up fouls. And a Shaq versus JaVale McGee matchup, simply in appearance much less game flow, was like choosing between a simple salad and a bacon cheeseburger from Five Guys … when you’re six beers into a six hour empty stomach. Which one do you think will prevail?

Still, despite some very questionable calls, this one wasn’t on the refs

The Wiz put up 31 points in the 1st Q, diminished that total by 25.8% in the 2nd Q, diminished the second’s total by 17.4% in the 3rd Q, and finally, diminished the third’s total by 10.5% in the 4th Q.

The Wizards are going to pick up fouls … and Brendan Haywood’s back can only hold so much. Teams will start recognizing how the Wiz struggle without Haywood (they likely already have) and will start to attack, attack, attack him.

So … one key/obvious concern occurs when Haywood is not in the game, which it then becomes evident that the Wizards might not have the personnel to deal with the cream of the crop in the East (Shaq, Dwight Howard & Garnett/Perkins/Wallace). To backup the championship aspirations of Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, a trade might needed … but Grunfeld shouldn’t jump the gun just yet. And we all know that he won’t.

But the concern greater than frontcourt dearth is offensive stagnation and the inability to stay together without folding under the pressure when beasts come knocking at the door.

The first part is contingent on Gilbert Arenas … who is still getting a feel for the game after missing so much time. The second derives from the continued development of a rapport between new players, a new coach, and a new system.

I’m not sure how long this excuse can be used as a crutch, but for now it’s an acceptable reason. Patience. The season is still young and this team has shown the ability to bounce back after poor showings. I expect the Wizards to beat Miami  107-89.

Big Man Fouls

FOUL #1: Ticky-Tack/Questionable: 10:56 1st Q: Mo Williams, guarded by Butler, came off a Varejao screen, dipped his shoulder into Oberto’s hip and slightly wrapped his arm around the small of Fab’s back to get past. Oberto moved his feet, so there was contact … but the brunt of said contact was initiated by Williams dropping his shoulder — smart play I guess. Oberto Foul #1.

FOUL #2: Complete B.S.: 4:39: 1st Q: Let’s illustrate in pictures. Haywood Foul #1.

Here Haywood is practicing decent blocking out technique. Sure, his stance could be a little bit wider, but he clearly has position on Shaq.

What is this we see? Shaq’s entire forearm is engrossing Haywood’s shoulder … which means there’s about 40 pounds coming down on Brendan, likely making it pretty hard for him to jump. What’s worse is that the ref appears to be staring right at this transgression.

Ok, so with Haywood unable to jump, Shaq easily goes up over him and grabs the rebound with two hands. Brendan does manage to get one clean hand on the ball.

Shaq turns his body in a fight for the ball while Haywood keeps that one clean hand on the ball. It’s 100% clear from this screen shot that Haywood is not into Shaq’s body … and it’s probably 99% clear that he’s not grabbing Shaq’s arm. Yet, a foul was called. Good job non-replacement ref.

FOUL #3: Completely Legit: 3:56 1st Q: Mo Williams runs a P&R with Ilgauskas. Haywood helps contain Mo, but neither he nor Arenas work to get their hands in the passing lane, ball goes to Z on the roll, Oberto comes to help, commits a foul. Oberto Foul #2.

FOUL #4: Ticky-Tack/Stupid: 0:35 1st Q: On the left wing, LeBron cuts across the lane off a Hickson pick. Blatche makes slight contact chucking LeBron off his path. The contact is very minimal, but the refs are always watching LeBron … so if this must be called “legit”, then so be it. Blatche Foul #1.

FOUL #5: Completely Legit: 10:54 2nd Q: Shaq backs down Blatche on left block, Andray loses ground quicker than levees in New Orleans, Blatche seems to purposely hack the crap out of Shaq. Blatche Foul #2.

FOUL #6: Legit: 10:16 2nd Q: McGee doesn’t set the most fundamentally sound pick in the world, trips and fouls Anthony Parker. McGee Foul #1.

FOUL #7: Legit, but Questionable: 8:47 2nd Q: Blatche tries to front deny Ilguaskas, who simply grabs Andray’s arm when posting. It’s kinda funny/dirty, but not something the refs will call … but that’s not to say that they shouldn’t.

So, Big Z is like, “Throw lob pass. I’ll toss arm. I’ll push other arm with other hand. I’ll catch ball.” … At which point Z pump fakes and Blatche runs into him. Blatche Foul #3. Let’s go to the pictures …

Arm Grab.

Off arm push off.

“Dude, I know you see him grabbing me!!”

FOUL #8: Fairly Legit: 7:56 2nd Q: With Shaq running down the court at Haywood to gain position, and Haywood’s back to the basket, Brendan bumps into Shaq in an attempt to slow him down. Shaq sells the foul further but jumping back like he just ran into a wall. Veteran salesmanship by Shaq … but yea, the refs are going to call that. Haywood Foul #2.

FOUL #9: B.S.: 7:50 2nd Q: Shaq is famous for using that chicken wing spin move. Posting up on the right block, Haywood has one open palm on Shaq’s back, which he can do, trying to hold his ground.

As Shaq spins and throws that big shoulder into Haywood, Brendan’s arm collapses, while still trying to hold the position he’s entitled to.

But when Shaq’s big meaty chicken wing comes out, Haywood has no chance.
Haywood Foul #3.

That is one big chicken wing.

FOUL #10: Legit: 6:42 2nd Q: With McGee, Oberto, Miller, Stevenson & Foye vs. Gibson, West, Williams, LeBron & Shaq (seems like a bad matchup for the Wiz), Washington struggles with the matchup zone (it was spread out with a ton of gaps). Cleveland works the ball around until LeBron has a lane, he drives and is fouled by JaVale. McGee Foul #2.

FOUL #11: Legit: 4:29 2nd Q: Shaq plows his way against a visibly winded McGee, Shaq gets hacked. McGee Foul #3.

FOUL #12: Legit: 3:48: 2nd Q: LeBron drives hard, McGee grabs him. McGee Foul #4.

Tid-Bit from the Elias Sports Bureau:

• Washington led the Cavaliers, 37-19, just over two minutes into the second quarter last night before dropping a 102-90 decision at Quicken Loans Arena. It was the first time that the Cavaliers trailed by more than 15 points in any of Cleveland’s last 60 regular-season home games. That had been the longest current streak of that sort in the NBA.
• Washington has scored only 10.3 points per game off turnovers this season, the second-lowest average in the NBA (ahead of New Orleans, 9.3) and more than six points below the league average (16.7). Washington opponents have averaged a league-low 10.5 turnovers per game.
• Gilbert Arenas has had nine of his field-goal attempts blocked this season, tying him with Chris Bosh for the second-most for any NBA player, behind Gerald Wallace (11).
• Andray Blatche leads the NBA with 70 points off the bench this season, four more than New York’s Al Harrington (66). Blatche ranks seventh in the league in rebounds off the bench (27) and tonight he’ll likely be battling the league leader in bench rebounds, Udonis Haslem (43).

Links:

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

And Andray Blatche said the Wizards stopped trusting each other when they fell under distress, even discounting foul troubles as the key stumbling block.

“That’s not one of our bigger problems,” 7-Day-Dray said. “We have to play more as a team, fight through things as a team. We’ve got to stick together, no matter what. Everybody has to trust everybody. Fouls are going to come, but you have to fight through that. After a while, everybody tried to make their own plays when we got down. We stopped sticking to the things we were doing. That kind of messed our rhythm up.”

[Mike Prada - Bullets Forever]

Still, it’s kind of frustrating how this game turned. Fouls hurt, and bad calls hurt, but it shouldn’t completely swing the entire momentum of the game like that.

[Michael Lee - Wizards Insider, Washington Post]

This game played out almost like it did in Atlanta on Friday, when the Wizards jumped out to an early 10-point lead on the road against the Hawks and lost steam the rest of the way. Once the Hawks punched back, the Wizards didn’t know how to counter. And when the Cavaliers fought back — mainly with the crushing blow that O’Neal levied on DeShawn Stevenson that truly turned around the game — the Wizards were dazed and confused.

Other Links:

• I thought the Cavs don’t care about D.C.? [DC Sports Bog]
• Yes, LeBron: The Wizards Are Your Rivals [Stet Sports]

Other Side:

[Brian Windhorst - Cavs Beat Blog, The Plain Dealer]

There was a special energy in the Cavs locker room after their 102-90 victory over the Washington Wizards. And it had nothing to do with their owner dancing in the halls after Issue 3 passed in Ohio and cleared the way for him to building two casinos.

[John Krolik - Cavs: The Blog]

Maybe the best news of the night: The Cavs were +7 in the 12 minutes LeBron was on the bench tonight, including an amazing +10 run in the 4 minutes LeBron sat in the 2nd quarter. And guess who started the 2nd quarter on the floor? Shaq. Was that really rocket science?

[DP Diesel - Waiting For Next Year]

The other big difference between the first quarter and most of the second half was that the Cavs stopped letting Gilbert Arenas into the lane. Arenas was 4-of-6 in the first quarter, and three of those were from inside 12 feet. The rest of the game? 3-of-12, and only one made basket from inside 19 feet. And that’s the other great thing about Shaq’s game last night: he finally is starting to look like he gets the defense a bit. It didn’t feel, to me at least, that Brown had Shaq showing on high picks as much as he was early (or as much as Z does).

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Quick Thoughts: Hawks Air Out Wizards 100-89
• Observations & Screen Shot Lessons In Defensive Fundamentals From Philly
• Wizards – Mavericks Preseason Game 2 Live Twitter
• Tim Legler Wants To Proudly Wear His Old Wizards Jersey

{flickr/Keith Allison}

On Sunday, Mike Prada of Bullets and I recorded a podcast about the Wizards-Cavaliers rivalry with a couple “rival” bloggers.

On Monday, four Wizards (Haywood, Butler, Foye & Stevenson), talked about the rivalry after practice before heading to Cleveland.

The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg wrote about this rivalry talk as did the Washington Times’ Mike Jones. A Cleveland writer likened the rivalry to the Browns and Steelers (ouch).

On Tuesday, Cavs guard Delonte West was indicted on weapons charges (two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, two counts of carrying a handgun, two counts of transporting a handgun, one count of reckless driving and one count of negligent driving) in PG County, Maryland.

In other arrest news, former Wizard Popeye Jones was arrested on drunk driving charges in Dallas on Sunday.

Also on Tuesday, I wrote a piece for Hardwood Paroxysm entitled, ‘Wizards-Cavaliers: A Rivalry Greater Than Individuals?‘ — Go read it.

TONIGHT

I will be amongst those taking part in ESPN.com’s Live Dime mass NBA chat. I’ll be commenting on the game and will try to take as many questions as possible.

I’m ready, Andray Blatche is ready … are YOU ready?

{via DC Fab}

Other Links:

• Exclusive Nick Young Interview: On His Role Before Being Benched [DC Landing Strip]
• Foye Starting To Get Comfortable [Hoops Addict]
• The problem with not signing Randy Foye to a contract extension now [Bullets Forever]
• Flip Saunders pays homage to Bullets past [DC Sports Bog]
• Tommy Sheppard, Wizards VP of Basketball Admin., Win NBA’s Splaver/McHugh “Tribute to Excellence” Award [Dallas Morning News]

Random Posts

• Segment From Wizards-Bulls Play-By-Play Summary Representative of Woeful Season
• Washington Wizards Game Day: Bucking The History
• Eddie Jordan: Washington Wizards Evaluation
• Snap Reaction to the Mike Miller/Randy Foye Trade

After Monday’s practice, before setting off for hostile territory in Ohio, Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler, Randy Foye and DeShawn Stevenson are prodded to talk about the rivarly/history between the Wizards and the Cavaliers.

Other practice coverage links:

• New look Wiz get ready for Cleveland rivalry [DC Sports Bog]
• Butler expeced to play vs. Cleveland [Wizards Outlet]
• Foye is fine about not getting an extension [Wizards Insider]

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Observations & Screen Shot Lessons In Defensive Fundamentals From Philly
• Wizards v. Nets: Post Game 3 Video & Best Web Cuts
• Back In The ATL Already? Wizards-Hawks Game 2 Preview; Team Exercises Options On Young & McGee
• Wizards Practice Video, Must-Read Links and An Appearance By Sleepy Floyd

Episode two of ‘The Dagger Report’, a Washington Wizards podcast is out. This week, Mike Prada of Bullets Forever and I discuss the Wizards-Cavaliers rivalry (if you want to call it that, I do).

And to get a perspective from both sides, a couple “rival” bloggers join us. John Krolik of Cavs: The Blog (part of the ESPN TrueHoop Network), and Andrew Schnitkey (aka RockKing) of the general Cleveland sports blog, Waiting For Next Year, were kind enough to take part.

In addition to rivalry talk, we’ll also talk about what exactly has been going on with the Cavs so far this season.

Click below to listen.

Episode 2: The Dagger Report – Washington Wizards podcast

Or click here to subscribe via iTunes.

Random Posts

• Gilbert Arenas and Antonio Daniels: Sweet Like Bear Meat
• Previewing Wizards Killing Hawks With Clubs
• Washington Wizards vs Atlanta Hawks: The 07-08 History
• Live Game 38 Blog: Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks

Remember this commercial?

It was filmed in August 2007 and released later that year on November 5th.

At the time of filming, Arenas was battling back from his first knee surgery resulting from the original injury that occurred on April 4, 2007. He would appear in the Wizards’ first eight games of the 07-08 season before shutting it down for a second surgery on November 21st.

Young, starting his second NFL season, was benched for the Titans’ preseason opener against the Redskins because he left the team’s hotel the night before the game. He had an okay 2007 season, helping guide the Titans to a 10-6 record and a playoff appearance. Tennessee lost to the San Diego Chargers in the wild card game.

Trouble came to a head for Young in late 2008. In a span of a week in mid-September, he was booed by his hometown fans in the season opener, injured his knee, disappeared with rumors of suicide contemplation, and was ultimately relegated to the bench. Titans coach Jeff Fisher named Kerry Collins the starter for the rest of the season.

During the same time period, Arenas’ struggles to return to the court continued and culminated with his third knee surgery on September 17, 2008. He would make a brief two game return to the court in the Spring of 2009, but really wasn’t “back.”

It’s worth mentioning that without Young in the lineup, the Titans went 13-3. Without Arenas, the Wizards had a 19-win season, tying the worst 82-game slate in franchise history.

Fast forward to Fall 2009. Arenas has made a triumphant, ’so far, so good’ return to the court averaging 28 points on 50% FG shooting and 6.7 assists through three games. And on Sunday, Young made his first NFL start in over 60 weeks, leading a previously winless Titans team to their first victory of the season.

The paths of their respective careers still are on different levels. Arenas simply wants to play basketball and guide his team to wins. He is entrenched as the leader of the Wizards and a return to basketball relevancy looks likely as long as he stays healthy.

Young, on the other hand, is playing for his career. He has a long way to go before he can prove himself as a reliable quarterback to fans, teammates and coaches. He has a steeper hill to climb than Arenas.

The parallel paths of these two players is ironically tied through their joint appearance in Spalding’s ‘Never Flat’  commercial. A sports ball that’s not supposed to lose air.

When the campaign was in the concept stages in early 2007, Arenas was coming off his third NBA All-Star game appearance, surpassing Vince Carter late in the voting process to earn his first starting nod. Young was coming off winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and being named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Phillip Rivers.

But by the time the commercial came to public view, their careers began to deflate. Not exactly good timing for the Spalding marketing department. Now, almost two years later, both are having a fresh breath of life blown into their careers.

Link Sources:

• WinstanleyAssociates: Behind the Scenes of the New Spalding NEVER FLAT Commercial
• Gilbert Arenas Injury Timeline -- The Washington Times

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Arenas The Entertainer Makes A Cameo Commercial Appearance
• Wizards at Pacers >> What To Watch For: The Caron Butler vs. Danny Granger Show
• The Basketball Gods Strike: Heat Burn Wiz 93-89
• Wizards v. Nets: Post Game 3 Video & Best Web Cuts

{Post Game Locker Room Video}

{Best Web Cuts}

There’s so much out there on the web … to filter through it all, I provide the best web cuts from the Wizards-Nets game:

[Mike Jones - Wizards Outlet, Washington Times]

Andray Blatche was feeling good tonight, and for good reason. After the game he got dressed in a snazy suit and tie, accented by giant diamond studs and to top it off, a pair of dark shades. He playfully strutted through the locker room and joked that he didn’t feel like doing an interview, then bust into a laugh and sat down and said, “Alright, let me get for real. What’s up, y’all?”

[Jake Whitacre - Bullets Forever]

That was the Andray Blatche that we’ve been waiting for all of these years.  Those glimpses of talent that have kept us patient through the boneheaded passes, the clumsy attempts at running a fast break, and the run-ins with the law are finally coming together and we’re starting to see the whole package come together.  It’s a beautiful thing to watch, especially if you’ve watched since the early days and how he’s progressed over time.

[Matt Kremnitzer - Krem's Sports Blog]

Again, it’s obviously too early to know if Blatche can keep this level of play going, but it is acceptable to look at his performance last night and wonder exactly how good he can be. According to Basketball-Reference.com, since 1986-1987 only 11 players have had games where they shot better than 83.0 percent on at least 18 field goal attempts while also recording six rebounds and two assists. Some of those players include Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler, Carlos Boozer, Shaquille O’Neal, Rashard Lewis, Shawn Marion, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Kevin McHale. That’s certainly not a bad group of players to be associated with, although Willie Anderson and Loy Vaught also accomplished that feat within the same timeframe, so take that for what it’s worth.

[Mike Prada - Bullets Forever]

It becomes easy to see how Foye’s and Miller’s ability to pass, handle and shoot makes life easier for Arenas.  On several occasions, it was Foye or Miller who dribbled the ball up the court and initiated the offense, not Arenas.  Arenas did usually get the ball at some point, but he didn’t have to do everything.

[Rashad Mobley - Hoops Addict]

One fun exchange happened in the last 20 seconds of the first quarter. During an inbounds play, Arenas was whistled for a offensive foul, and he was so upset that he ran down to the other side of the court, and complained to the referee. Just a few seconds later, as time expired in the quarter, Arenas hit a three point shot from just inside the half court line. As he walked back to the bench, he calmly glared at the referee.

[Tyler Green - Agent Dagger]

Gilbert Arenas, no longer acts like Agent Zero. It appears that he truly has dropped the act and that is completely focused on ascending the basketball mountain. After draining the half-courter to end the first quarter, Arenas didn’t even crack a smile. He simply sauntered to the bench and took a seat.

[John Mitchell - NBA.com]

Perhaps the biggest question concerning the Washington Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas coming into this season was how his thrice surgically repaired left knee would handle the rigors of back-to-back games.

For now, it appears they have their answer.

[George Panagakos - Examiner.com]

The Nets’ pick-up point guard Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston created some early problems for Washington in their home court debut, scoring 8 points for the Nets in the first quarter. Gilbert Arenas began the first Wizards’ possession with a turnover, in what seemed to be a carry-over from a turnover-filled Friday night loss to Atlanta. However, Arenas pushed the call away, focused, and matched Alston’s momentum. Unlike Friday night, Arenas did not stumble through turnover situations as he did against the Hawks, and an amazing half court shot at the buzzer gave Arenas 11 first quarter points, the end all to the “he’s back” remarks on the season.

Recommended Link: Four Factors Box Score [Bullets Forever]

{The Other Side}

[Al Iannazzone - The Nets Insider]

The fans who came to the arena on Halloween night were given Gilbert Arenas masks. The Nets probably wished they were guarding the imposter. They couldn’t stop the real Agent Zero or anyone on the Wizards for that matter.

[Dave D'Alessandro - The Star-Ledger]

The rest was target practice. Put it this way: The Wizards’ field-goal accuracy went up in every quarter – from 50 percent to 63 percent to 73 percent before they got bored and went 10-for-16 in the fourth period.

As Alston put it, “We’re giving them everything – free throw game, layups, dunks, lobs.”

“You think about everything we try to stand for,” Frank said. “No middle team — they got middle a bunch. No paint — they got paint all night. Blatche, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an NBA line of 15-for-18, no free throws, no threes, 30. Guys are driving. It was just a total defensive breakdown. Both individually and collectively, our inability to protect the paint, front the post, pressure the ball, it was a very, very dismal defensive performance.”

[Nets Daily]

Lawrence Frank called the defense “pitiful” while CDR was angry that none of his teammates retaliated for Javale McGee’s hard hit on him after a particularly good run. In both his post-game interview and his Twitter page, Douglas-Roberts demanded the team change its attitude. “We have to protect each other,” he said. “We have to send messages. We have to develop that culture. If not, we won’t be a good team.”

[Sebastian Pruiti - Nets Are Scorching]

The game didn’t start off too bad defensively, as the Nets held the Wizards to 28 points (should have been 25 – Gilbert Arenas drilled a 40 footer) that quarter and were only down four. On the offensive end, the Nets started off solid as well, with Rafer easily getting into the lane for a lay-up, Yi looked as if he was going to continue his hot shooting as he nailed a 20 footer, and CDR got to the foul line for the first time this season. The Nets had a 6-5 lead, and it looked as if this game was going to be competitive the whole way through. I was way off.

{Highlights}

And to close, a little bit of this …

And a little bit of THAT!

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Wizards Practice Video Report: Players On Rivalry With Cleveland
• Wizards v. Grizzlies: Leftover Table Scraps & Pictures
• Wizards 101 -- Grizzlies 92: Preseason Game 1 Recap & Thoughts
• Wizards Fodder For Thought

Andray Blatche looked more comfortable than he ever has in a Wizards uniform en route to a new career high 30 points and a Wizards 123-104 win against New Jersey. Sure, he had Yi Jianlian and Eduardo Najera guarding him. But Wiz fans are used to Blatche being his own worst enemy, and not necessarily a Halloween nightmare to whomever is guarding him.

After the game, Flip Saunders praised Blatche for his methodical offensive movement, his ability to read the defense, and overall, his consistency to this point of the season. But no one is going to get too excited over the Blatche they’ve seen so far.

“As a player you have to understand that every game is a building block. I hope he continues to give us that consistency offensively but more importantly defensively,” said Saunders. When asked about the visions of Blatche that people haven’t seen before, Saunders responded, “He hadn’t seen it either.”

On media day, Blatche spoke first and foremost (and second-most) about a summertime concentration on his jump shot. One couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Is that really what he should be talking about?’

Evidently so. With the fluidity and smoothness seen in his jumper on Saturday night, it’s easy to understand why he was bragging so much about the work he’s put in.

But as great as Blatche looked, the efficiency of the Wizards’ offense can be credited to Gilbert Arenas. He drained threes, got midrange looks within the flow, and got to the free-throw line with authority. With his team up 62-51 at half and shooting a scorching 55.8% from the field, Arenas wouldn’t allow them to take their foot off the pedal.

Playing off the ball several times alongside Randy Foye and DeShawn Stevenson, Arenas managed to score 12 points (thanks to 6-7 FTs), and drop three dimes to zero turnovers in the third period as the Wiz outscored New Jersey 37-28.

“He let’s those other guys bring their game and play with him,” said Saunders (referring to Arenas in the starting lineup with Foye and Mike Miller). “It helps him when you have Randy on the floor, [he] can handle the ball some and take some pressure off of him.”

Whatever works. This shows Coach Saunders’ willingness to adjust as necessary.

Sure the Nets are bad … and sure they were without Devin Harris. But the Wizards were also without both Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison. An easy win, even against a sub par opponent, shows this team is serious  as they continue to come together as a unit.

There’s a reason to get excited about NBA basketball in DC. So far, Gilbert Arenas has been curbing his own enthusiasm. But who cares if he’s not ‘Gil The Entertainer’ anymore. What matters is that he’s happy on the court and leading his team to victory.

Random Posts

• Washington Wizards at New Orleans: Game 30 in Pictures
• DeShawn Stevenson’s New Tattoos and Abe Lincoln
• Being Ernie Grunfeld
• Wanna Meet Gilbert Arenas Tomorrow?

7:11:42 PM: DC’s own Ginuwine just sang the National Anthem here @ the Verizon Center … Wiz starting lineup: Arenas, Foye, Miller, Oberto, Haywood.

7:13:40 PM: RT @BulletsForever [before the game] Flip Saunders also praised Gilbert Arenas’ defense … yeah, you heard that right.

7:15:02 PM: The Wizards have a huge fire-spitting logo over their bench … now it’s rising into the rafters.

7:15:38 PM: Big cheers for the Return of Gilbert Arenas … decent crowed, but surely as not as packed as you would expect it to be.

7:26:03 PM: 6:26 left in first, Nets up 12-10. Wizards don’t look crisp on offens. Perhaps they are thinking about the plays too much; poor spacing.

7:33:51 PM: Well, Rafer Alston hasn’t lost a step, his shot, or his desire 2 play. Getting where he wants so far: 7 points, 4 assists. Wiz up 21-19.

7:39:28 PM: Andray Blatche is dazzling this crowd … he looks sooo comfortable in every offensive move he makes. 8 points, 4-4 FGs, Wiz up 25-22.

7:42:32 PM: Arenas hits a LONG running three at the 1st Q buzzer (2 steps inside half court) — Wakes up entire Verizon Center. Wiz up 28-24 after 1Q

7:49:46 PM: JaVale McGee does two things great: Dunk and Try To Block Shots. He just picked up his 3rd foul in 5 mins. trying 2 do the latter.

7:58:46 PM: Andray Blatche might be the new Zero 2 Hero: 12 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts, 1 blk, 0 TO, 0 PF -Gets mini standing O as he checks out. 47-35 Wiz.

8:11:24 PM: Arenas is looking more comfortable getting his buckets within the offense tonight. 20 pts, 4 ast, 2 TO. Wiz up 58-45, 1:37 left in 2nd Q.

8:18:04 PM: Stevenson uses his functional ball handling skills 2 drive length of court & score last sec layup 2 end half. Wiz up 62-51.

8:32:52 PM: You prob already knew Devin Harris was out tonight. The prob is a sore groin — there goes his social life.

8:33:48 PM: Wiz shot a scorching 55.8% from the field in the 1st half — glad they had that fire during player intros.

8:47:41 PM: Arenas approaching offense in diverse manner tonight: 3s (3-3), midrange, attacking (8-9 FTs). Wiz up 79-61. Gil & Blatche lead Wiz w +18

8:53:30 PM: Blatche has Najera on skates – behind the back dribble and pull up J in his face. 16 pts. 4 Dray. Wiz up 86-70, 3:44 left in 3rd.

8:59:09 PM: RT @MrMichaelLee Blatche trying to take a charge? I think I know what his Halloween costume is today. A baller.

9:06:40 PM: Wiz up 99-79 after 3Qs. Arenas sparked offense — attempted 7 FTs (made 6), had 3 assists & 0 turnovers in quarter, 12 points.

9:10:31 PM: Dare I say that Blatche is in the zone? Or is it just Najera guarding him? Who cares, he’s got 24 pts, 12-15 FGs. Wiz=61.5 FG%, Nets=45.3

9:14:36 PM: With a dunk, Andray Blatche sets a new career high w 28 points (previous was 26 vs. Philly on Nov. 20, 2007 – 7 Day Dray in FULL EFFECT!

9:26:54 PM: Paul Davis sighting … looks like he’s the Wizards’ version of a human victory cigar — D.C. up 121-94 with 3 minutes left.

9:31:50 PM: Wizards send Nets packing … 123-104 is the final.

9:54:34 PM: Andray Blatche is big time tonight … Doing an interview w NBA TV before the other media folk.

11:01:14 PM: Sam Cassell just called Foye “Randy Watson” … Just like Coming To America.

11:14:36 PM: Gilbert Arenas compared Oberto to Luke Walton in terms of being able to do the little things.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Wizards Game 5 vs. Miami Live Twitter Blog
• Wizards – Mavericks Preseason Game 2 Live Twitter
• Wizards – Grizzlies Preseason Game 1 Live Twitter
• Gilbert and JaVale Go To Target

Ok, Halloween Night, at the Verizon, ready for the Wiz to make up for last night’s loss in Atlanta. Unfortunately, the Wizards didn’t just lose the game, but they lost Caron Butler too.

Butler had an MRI and X-Ray today that revealed no structural damage; the diagnosis was a bruised kneecap. Before the game, Flip Saunders said he expected Butler to be back in the lineup against the Cavs in Cleveland on Tuesday. The official injury report is that he’s day-to-day.

In Caron’s place, Randy Foye will start; Mike Miller will move to the three-spot. Arenas obviously still starts at the point and Fabricio Oberto and Brendan Haywood will hold down the front court.

I spoke to Foye before the game. He said it will be a little bit different on out the court with the starters, but he will have the same mindset to play his game … be aggressive on offense, execute plays, and play hard on defense.

Foye will likely matchup against New Jersey’s Courtney Lee. He said he played against Lee last year and knows he’s a slasher who also likes to shot the corner three. His main goal, as with most any defensive assignment, is to make it tough on Lee before he gets to ball so that he can’t get in a good position to score.

In terms of the matchup tonight, Foye said the Nets like to run the pick-and-roll much like the Mavericks (as opposed to the Hawks who work mostly off an isolation offense in letting Joe Johnson try to work into the paint to create for himself or others).

For a solid effort, both Foye and Mike Miller need to be aggressive on offense to make up for the absence of Butler and Jamison. But in order to do that, Arenas will need to set the tone with the offensive flow we saw in Dallas, not in Atlanta.

Ok … tip off is getting close. More to come ….

Here are some pics:

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Success of the Wizards is contingent upon the court leadership of Gilbert Arenas. This is not a ground-breaking concept. Despite looking “back” in Dallas, he’s still rusty, and he and the team have a good deal of the development “process” to go.

Nothing could have more exemplified this than the first quarter in Atlanta. As I wrote in the previous game post, Arenas had eight points, one turnover in the game’s first 6:20 and one point, five turnovers in the remainder of the first half. When the offense started to get sloppy, Arenas did not exert control on this situation to calm his team down.

Mike Prada did a good job of breaking this down on Bullets Forever:

A large part of the problem was that Arenas was breaking a lot of plays to drive to the basket.  Yes, it’s true that you want Arenas to be aggressive, in particular because it would wear down Joe Johnson.  However, that has to come more in the flow of the offense than it did tonight.  Arenas kept calling his own number instead of letting the offense run itself and then dumping the ball to another scorer.  The rest of the players were often not prepared for Arenas’ decisions and didn’t get in position to defend in transition.

The strive to achieve more balance is new to Arenas. It’s gonna take some time. All Wizards fans can do is have faith that the experience of Flip Saunders will work to correct these issues and the desire of Arenas to be a better player will make him wholly receptive to the process.

Let’s also be glad that Sam Cassell is around to put some flavor in Arenas’ ear.

DEFENSIVE SCREEN SHOTS >>

I wish I had more time to breakdown the Hawks game via screen shots … but I don’t and I have to run out the door to get to the Verizon Center for the game. Damn back-to-backs.

{1st Bucket of The Game}

Bibby starts in the left corner and goes baseline … a screen by Al Horford on Gilbert Arenas offers little resistance. Arenas easily gets past Horford … but as you can see below, he pauses for a second right under the rim. Why? I’m not sure … but Bibby keeps moving. What Bibby is gaining here is known as separation.

Bibby ’sorta’ sets a pick on Fabricio Oberto, but this is more of a distraction. Arenas hangs back to prevent the lob to Josh Smith … but with Caron Butler also watching from the weak side and Bibby’s screen offering little resistance for Oberto, Gil is still not really in position to keep up with Bibby once he breaks free.

Bibby breaks free … Oberto opens up and allows a lane for Arenas to follow … Josh Smith is not a threat … there is still a bit too much separation between Gil and Mike.

Bibby continues his curl and Horford steps out to screen Arenas. The separation doesn’t allow Arenas to keep up, possibly putting himself in the passing lane to get a steal or at least in position to dissuade Johnson from passing to Bibby.

Bibby receives the pass and Arenas tries to go under the screen … but with the previous separation and the change of course (from trying to go over the screen to trying to go under), it was much too late. Easy bucket.

Maybe Arenas’ teammates could have helped him more … maybe Arenas could have applied more effort on defense. I suppose I’m not the one to judge.

{Transition Defense}

Josh Smith gets a rebound and pushes the ball up the court himself, giving the Hawks a 4-on-2 advantage with two Wizards coming to catch up.

The thing about transition defense is you want to make the other team pass the ball as many times as possible. The more passes, the more chances there are for the offense to mess up … turn the ball over, allow the defense to catch up negating the advantage, etc.

To do this, the idea is that one person stops the ball and his teammate covers the first pass (and the first guy falls back to get the second pass, and so on) … this requires communication.

Here, you see Caron Butler and DeShawn Stevenson stuck in the lane. Neither goes to stop Josh Smith … and remember, Smith has been dribbling for the entire length of the court.

With no forced action from the Wizards, Smith just takes the ball all the way to the hoop himself with very little resistance.

The little things.

{Flava In Ya Ear -- Remix}

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Quick Thoughts: Hawks Air Out Wizards 100-89
• Screen Shots From Dallas and The Magical Calming Powers of Oberto
• Wizards Survive Themselves, Beat Philly 90-89
• Unheard and Unseen Cuts from Wizards Media Day

Just as holistically in-sync the Wizards looked on Tuesday in Dallas, they looked about the exact opposite on Friday in Atlanta. What gives?

Sure, the team came on late behind some yesteryear Hibachi appetizers and a little Epic Vale pogo-stick length. But when Agent Zero goes from eight points and one turnover in the game’s first 6:20 to Agent Turnover with one point and five giveaways in the first half’s remaining 17:40, the team is digging itself a hole.

Gil likes to listen to Jay-Z before games … I wonder if he was listening to track #12 off ‘Kingdom Come’ pregame at the Phillips Arena.

Not to discredit the Hawks, they are a good team. But it was less of them beating the Wizards and more of the Wizards beating themselves. Oh … and well, Atlanta was also 31-34 from the free-throw line while the Wizards shot 14-22. The disparity seems dramatic, but the Wizards migrated between trying to carelessly attack the basket and settling for jumpers. So in that regard, the Wiz really don’t have anyone to blame but themselves … but I’ll also credit Atlanta’s defense just a tad.

Looking for areas to pin blame? Point guard play and poor initiation/stewardship of the offense stand out to me. To others, it was the defensive presence of Haywood (minus-11, tied with Arenas for the second worst plus/minus) and Blatche (team worst minus-17), and their inability to contain Al Horford and Josh Smith.

There were a couple positives … a bit of sun shining on the hound dog’s ass through a cloudy Georgia day if you will.

If Tim Duncan is the ‘Big Fundamental’, then Mike Miller is the ‘Blond Fundamental’ (7 points, 2 steals, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, 10 rebounds). The more I watch Miller, the more I’m impressed. Sure, building upon the stigma he gained last year in Minnesota, we all want him to be more assertive on offense. But with everything else he does so well (pass, communicate, play defense, rebound with extended arms and two hands, etc.), and with him being on an offensively potent team, perhaps the Wizards don’t always need him to be looking for a shot. Rather, he can be the glue guy for a team that’s really looking to come together with so many new pieces.

Then again, with Antawn Jamison (and later Caron Butler, due to a bruised knee) being out … you can connect the offensive dots. The Wiz need more of ‘em. Also, at one point early in the fourth quarter, Miller drove the lane and was just about at the rim, but then kicked it out to Andray Blatche around the arc. If I were a cartoon, this would have left me with a thought cloud containing a ‘WTF’ encapsulated by question marks followed by a ‘Zoinks!?’

I also liked Oberto … I always like me some Oberto on the court. I remember him at one point hustling to contest a shot and then flashing down the court for a fastbreak bucket. Sure, Fab let Josh Smith out-quick him on a drive once (maybe more, I can’t remember). But due to his hustle and intelligence, I can’t imagine a time when I’ll never not like Oberto.

Otherwise, JaVale McGee looked nice. Epic Vale is exponentially athletic. And he’s got some hustle spark to boot. The guy is starting to make me believe that he’s never met a shot he didn’t like. But hey, can’t exactly knock him for having confidence in limited minutes.

There’s not much more I care to say now (hence, I’m not touching Nick Young’s bad night) … I might have screen shots later, I might not.

What I do know is that I’ll be reporting en vivo from the Verizon Center tomorrow for the All Hallows’ Eve home opener versus the New Jers Nets. Nothing like the tail end of a back-to-back for a chance at redemption.

Until then, I’m Wailin’…

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Flip and Gil Got This: Wizards Take Mavs 102-91
• Wizards v. Grizzlies: Leftover Table Scraps & Pictures
• 10 Questions for the 2009-10 Wizards
• The Basketball Gods Strike: Heat Burn Wiz 93-89

Just released: Team President Ernie Grunfeld announced that the Wizards would exercise the contract options on Nick Young and JaVale McGee. Young will be retained for his fourth season (2010-11) for an estimated $2,630,503, and McGee for his third season (also 10-11) for an estimated $1,601,040. [Salary Source: HoopsHype]

Now on to the preview of tonight’s game … back to the ATL already?

The Wizards were in Atlanta just over 10 days ago for a preseason game that was disappointing … to put it simply. Of course, they were without Gilbert Arenas and Mike Miller due to the flu, and Antawn Jamison due to a shoulder subluxation. Still, lack of effort is lack of effort.

Part of me wonders if tonight the players will be more motivated because of such a languid effort against a full Hawks squad last time. The other part of me says the past shouldn’t matter. Games now count, the effort should be present regardless.

I’m pumped for the game. Many say the Hawks and Wiz will be battling for that last home court playoff spot in the East … so this could be a potential first round matchup. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s going to be a long season. And right now, the “coulds” are at about 98%. That will be reduced to about 54% by January and will show exponential decay as the season progresses further.

Here are some story-lines for tonight:

>> Centers

Al Horford got his man with 24 and 16 in Atlanta’s opener against the Pacers. He also ‘got his man’ going against the likes of Roy ‘The Robot’ Hibbert and Jeff Foster. Brendan Haywood is a different story … hopefully (Brendan Todd has also been watching film on Alfred Joel).

Note #1: In four matchups against each other, Al Horford has gotten the best of Haywood (although in more minutes of action). Stat averages below:

Note #2: Al’s paw, Tito, played three games with the Bullets in 93-94. I think I might have gotten his autograph as a young boy … I’ll have to check my archives.

>> Backcourt

Each team has a ton of talent in the backcourt … but how will they match up on defense? I’ve heard whispers of Joe Johnson guarding Gilbert Arenas and Mike Bibby on Mike Miller (assuming Miller starts … I don’t see why he wouldn’t). This seems a bit absurd. Sure, Johnson is the longer, stronger (that’s what she said) defender. But I think Arenas still gets where he wants against either. And if the 6′2″ Bibby is on the 6′8″ Miller, I have confidence that Flip Saunders has something in his playbook to take advantage of that height mismatch.

Part of me suspects that whomever catches fire more between Jamal Crawford and Randy Foye, two of the supposed primary scorers off each team’s respective bench, will have a medium to high impact on the outcome. Crawford only had 3 points on 1-3 FGs, 3 assists, and 4 fouls in 11:32 off the bench against the Pacers. We know the story of Randy Foye (19 points in 30 minutes off the bench) … now we just have to get the guy a good nickname.

>> Butler Bounce Back

Against Dallas, Tuff Juice didn’t have a particularly bad game … he didn’t have a particularly good game either. He also sat out during a key stretch in the 4th quarter (from 7:36 to 2:48) during which the Wiz went on an 11-7 run to hold off the Mavs. Mike Prada of Bullets Forever did a good job breaking down this and subsequent comments regarding Butler by Coach Saunders:

I thought Flip Saunders displayed some masterful psychology in the post-game press conference when he went out of his way to say Caron Butler was “Mr. Steady.” This was not a particularly strong game for Butler. He shot just 6/17 and he allowed Shawn Marion to have a solid game against him, a game that, if Dallas gave Marion more touches, would have been better. More importantly, he didn’t play in crunch time when the Wizards really extended their lead, which I’m sure wasn’t exactly what Butler had in mind (or anyone else). Butler certainly didn’t play like a “Mr. Steady” tonight. But Saunders knows it’s a long season, and he has to keep one of his stars in good spirits. By praising him, Saunders is indirectly saying, “Yes, I went away from you in crunch time, but it wasn’t because of anything you did wrong. It was because the combination we had out there was playing great. I didn’t bench you because you made any mistakes.” That’s great management by Saunders. It eliminates any possibility of Butler getting annoyed for not playing in crunch time, because his contributions were recognized, and it allows Saunders the luxury of not playing the starting five if they aren’t the most effective lineup.

I agree with this assessment, but am not going to make much of the goings-ons … other than to suspect that Caron will have a good night against Marvin Williams and Maurice Evans.

>> Defending Josh Smith

Smith isn’t the most dynamic scorer in the world. Him making bad decisions and hanging out on the perimeter is defense enough against him in the half-court. But defending Smith involves much more than stopping him when the ball is in his hands. Keeping up with Smith in transition and watching out for him attacking on the offensive boards requires athleticism and focus. Oberto has the focus, just not the feet quickness. Although Blatche doesn’t match Smith’s athleticism, he comes closer than Oberto … but his focus is still developing … or it’s “A Process” as Flip Saunders and Ernie Grunfeld would say.

I’m interested to see how Smith will be addressed. The Hawks actually pose a unique chance for the Wizards to play a smaller lineup such as Arenas, Foye/Stevenson, Miller, Butler and Blatche/Haywood. Any one of those combinations could be exciting to watch as they implement Saunders’ offensive philosophy.

>> Specs

Game Time: 7:30 EST
TV: Comcast Sports Net DC (Fox Sports South in Atlanta)
Wen:As I did on Tuesday, Bullets Forever’s Mike Prada will be chatting on CSNWashington.com tonight.
Radio: 106.7 The Fan (790 AM in Atlanta)
Links: Wizards Insider: The Other Side

>> Relevant ATL Music: Goodie Mob -- Thought Process

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Observations & Screen Shot Lessons In Defensive Fundamentals From Philly
• Wizards 101 -- Grizzlies 92: Preseason Game 1 Recap & Thoughts
• 10 Questions for the 2009-10 Wizards
• Quick Thoughts: Hawks Air Out Wizards 100-89

Flip Saunders talks about the opening night win against the Mavericks and looks to Friday’s game against the Hawks in Atlanta. He also praises JaVale McGee for a hard practice and relates how his rotation can always change if players want to earn time.

Jamison talks about his shoulder feeling good, shooting for the first time, and being a cheerleader in Dallas.

Also, NBC 4’s Lindsay Czarniak sat down with Irene Pollin to talk about her involvement in professional sports with her husband Abe.

[Link to embedded video]

{Other Links}

Mike Prada reports from Thursday’s Wizards practice. [via Bullets Forever]

Javaris Crittenton’s injury saga [via Wizards Outlet, Washington Times] -- Also remember, he’s previously worn a boot three times since getting injured in a ProAm game in July. See my previous post from training camp: The Competitive Nature of Javaris Crittenton’s Injury

Caps/Mystics owner (and Wizards minority ownership partner), Ted Leonsis, runs into Gilbert Arenas, calls him a panther. [via Ted's Take]

Bill Simmons has a section on the contrasting styles of Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes in his new book on the NBA. [via The Washington Times] — I previously covered the dynamic of the two great Bullets in a late-September post: Elvin Hayes versus Wes Unseld

The Wizards still have swag, the video. [via DC Sports Bog]

Caron Butler loves O.J. and salmon. [via Complex.com]

Someone outside of D.C., much less anywhere, picks the Wizards to win the East. [via Daily Egyptian - the student-run newspaper of Southern Illinois]

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Links, Commentary, Notes From The Dallas Game and Caron Butler With A Clown
• Blatche Makes Cupcakes, LaVar Arrington Posts Up Arenas, and Training Camp Day 1
• Caron Butler Chews Straws at the Cheesecake Factory
• Screen Shots From Dallas and The Magical Calming Powers of Oberto

Like the sound of Andray Blatche calling up Sam Cassell late at night so he can get in some extra shots? Yea, me too.

In the video below, ‘Dray also talks about:

• Building on his strong effort from the season opener,
• How easy it is to play with Gilbert Arenas,
• The Verizon Center being scary at night, and
• Guarding Dirk Nowitzki.

Other reads from Truth About It:

• Wizards -- Mavericks Preseason Game 2 Live Twitter
• Blatche Makes Cupcakes, LaVar Arrington Posts Up Arenas, and Training Camp Day 1
• Wizards Vegas Summer League Media Dump
• Wizards Summer League Game 1 Twitter Recap