SB Nation - Washington Wizards

Briefing: Bucking the trends

JakeTheSnake — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:30:43 -0000

Wizards 109, Bucks 97 - Mike Jones, Outlet

Arenas -- who jumpstarted tonight with 13 first quarter points and finished with 18 and nine assists -- was injured just before that game-changing run when he drove the lane and collided with two Bucks players and was called for a charge although he went crashing to the court. He suffered a bruised left thigh on the play. "I got kneed by two big men. I just ran into knees. I thought, 'This hurts way more htan it should.' I was a little tired anyways, so I figured I would just sit. Since I was sitting, they went on a run and there was no point in me going back in. Tonight was a great night for Earl. This was the second night in a row that the team won the game. Earl came in tonight and finished where I left off earlier in the game. That's what we needed." During the collision, Arenas suffered a bruised left thigh and when he tumbled to the floor, he knocked out his left front tooth. Arenas said his Christmas Eve will be spent seeing a dentist, and also celebrating his daughter's birthday.

Washington Wizards defeat Milwaukee Bucks, 109-97 - Michael Lee, Washington Post

"If anybody knows how to deal with injuries and adversity, we do. We saw one of our keys go down and we turned it up a notch," said Butler, the Wisconsin native who led the Wizards with 25 points and 10 rebounds and ignited the game-changing 9-0 fourth-quarter run with a baseline jumper immediately after Arenas went down. "We stepped up and made the way. Everybody." Jamison had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Boykins had 12 of his 15 in the final period -- with nine coming after Arenas was forced to sit with 7 minutes 12 seconds remaining -- as the Wizards won consecutive games for just the third time this season. The Wizards (10-17) also snapped a three-game losing streak at Bradley Center.

Instant Analysis: Wizards-Bucks - Brian Jackson, CSN Washington

While Michael Redd had his way with the Wizards, Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut were almost non-factors. Both players were in foul trouble throughout the second half and spent time on the bench. Washington was fortunate in keeping Jennings to just seven points, the lowest he has scored in his young career. Jennings played just 16 minutes and finished with only two assists, another career-low. Andrew Bogut battled the entire game with center Brendan Haywood. As a result both players each had five personal fouls. The former number one pick did have nine rebounds but finished with only 12 points in 29 minutes. In two games vs. the Bucks this year Brendan Haywood has defended Bogut well, he is averaging just 10 points and 8 rebounds per game against the Wizards this season.

Wizards Win Second Straight, Top Bucks - Dave Johnson, CSN Washington

More than Boykins’ points, he seemed to settle the Wizards down after they were rattled by a stretch of four turnovers in a span of 2:39 early in the fourth quarter. It was during this time the Bucks grabbed their first lead sine 2-0 when they pulled ahead at 86-84. It would be the Bucks last lead. "You have to learn how to close games out in this league," said Boykins who is now in his 11th season. "I understand how to close games out. We did get erratic in the fourth quarter. I was telling the guys, just because it is the fourth quarter we have to relax and concentrate"

Why Earl Boykins is the Best and Worst Thing to Happen to the Washington Wizards - Jarrett Carter, Stet Sports Blog

And therein lies the rub. The Wizards were visionary enough to go get him, but with their struggles, can ill afford to be free of him. Size be damned; Boykins has already proven himself a valuable commodity through 10 years and almost as many teams in that time. No one will doubt his ability to play. But they can ill afford their $111 million dollar man not taking the shots or creating them for the other players upon which the franchise’s marketing and league-wide appeal are built. Can you imagine the TNT plug for the next Wizards-Cavs nationally televised game? "Watch Gilbert Arenas and Earl Boykins take on LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal in a battle of bitter Eastern Conference rivals."

Wizards' Butler gets happy homecoming - Mike Jones, Washington Times

Caron Butler finally had a happy homecoming. After experiencing either serious injury or losses in trips to his home state of Wisconsin since 2007, Butler on Wednesday night left Bradley Center with both a victory and his health.

Wizards finish with Arenas, Top the Bucks - William Yoder, Agent Dagger

Antawn Jamison rebounded from a rough night against Philadelphia on Tuesday to lead the Wizards in scoring with 25 on the night. Jamison shot 7-12 from the field, and 10-11 from the line. Jamison also grabbed 10 rebounds on the night and had a plus/minus of +20.

Wizards 109, Bucks 97 [UPDATED] - Michael Lee, Wizards Insider

Jamison was pleased with how the Wizards have responded since returning from the West Coast and explained what happened the night before against Philadelphia, when he was visibly frustrated when Saunders benched the starters in the third quarter. "As long as I win it doesn't matter," Jamison said. "I think last night was a case of the ball not coming my way, and you're going to have times where you don't see the ball. Tonight I had to work for it, and I was able to get some free throws down. But Gil got it going early, Caron got it going middle of the game and myself and Earl were able to finish it off at the end. There are going to be times when you struggle, but the thing about it is your teammates have to carry the load and when you do struggle you've got to bring something else to the table. But it was nice to get things going a little bit."

Recap: Wizards 109, Bucks 97 - Frank Madden, Brew Hoop

1. The Wizards nearly missed becoming just the second team to be held without an offensive rebound, as Brendan Haywood grabbed their first offensive board with just two minutes remaining. `The Bucks fared much better with 14, but the fact that MIlwaukee had only a 40-39 total rebound edge says a lot about the teams' relative shooting percentages.

What Was Worse Wednesday?: Wizards 109 – Bucks 97 - Jeremy, Bucksketball

Washington was going right at Jennings all night, whoever he was guarding took over point guard duties if they had in both Foye and Arenas. And in the fourth quarter, Boykins went to work showing Jennings how a little man can get off shots in the paint. Jennings shining moment was brief and swift when he blocked one of Boykins shots with ferocity (though he appears to have been incorrectly credited with a steal for the play). While it wasn’t just Jennings that struggled on a night the Bucks allowed the Wizards to shoot over 50 percent, he certainly did not help matters. The Wizards "attack Jennings" game plan also left Jennings battling foul trouble all night long and sat him for all but 6:33 in the second half.

Recap: Wizards 109, Bucks 97

Frank Madden — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:03:04 -0000

More photos » by Morry Gash - AP

Jennings once again struggled to hang with the Little General

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Box Score

The BC had kind of a retro feel Saturday night. To be clear, this wasn't a real retro feel--sadly, the crowd that braved the bilzzard wasn't treated to a '71 Bucks-type performance. It was more like 2006 or 2007 retro. You know, when Mike Redd was creating tons of offense, Charlie Bell still played some point guard, Andrew Bogut left you wanting more, and Brandon Jennings played like a high schooler...because he was.

And the feeling held for the Wizards, too. Gilbert Arenas was manhandling smaller point guards (18 pts, nine assists), Caron Butler (23/10) was making the Lakers feel like fools for trading him, and Antawn Jamison (25 on just 12 shots with 10 rebounds) was doing his inside/outside thing. And, oh yeah, the Wizards (still just 10-17) were a better team than the Bucks (12-15).

The outcome of this one was essentially foreshadowed by the first quarter, when the Bucks got a big start from MIchael Redd (13 points) but showed neither the shot-making nor defensive intensity to hang with a more focused Wizards team. Arenas set a physical tone by bullying Brandon Jennings to the bench, which is where the rookie spent much of his night thanks to an unfortunate combination of foul trouble and amateurish play. Luke Ridnour didn't fair any better with two quick fouls of his own, forcing Charlie Bell into the role of primary ballhandler.

The Bucks' reserves did their darndest to keep the Bucks in it, but most of the game seemed an uphill battle in spite of the Bucks slowly chipping away at the Washington lead. The 10-point first quarter lead was down to five at half, but the lead was still six after three. However, Bell scored six in a 9-0 run to start the third, as the Wizards started settling for long twos and also turned it over twice. The second came on a charge by Arenas, who slumped to the ground with a bum thigh that forced Earl Boykins (15 points on seven shots) back into action with seven minutes remaining. The Bucks suddenly had a three point lead and the Wizards were without their floor leader, but given what Boykins did to them three weeks ago, they probably should have known what was about to happen.

Trailing 86-84, the Wizards took the lead for good with a 9-0 run of their own, as Jamison scored five straight before Butler ripped a long jumper and Boykins stuck a mid-ranger in Jennings' face. Bogut was a spectator for all of it, as he let the Wizards goad him into foul trouble for much of the second half.

Immediately thereafter the Bucks ironically started getting to the line and taking full advantage (they made all six freebies on three straight possessions thereafter) but this time it was their defense that let them down. Jamison rose uncontested to bank in a short jumper and Boykins waltzed in for a layup shortly thereafter--and what had been a close game throughout fell well out of reach as the Bucks spent the final two minutes hoisting wayward threes.

Three Bucks

Michael Redd: 32 pts, 8/21 fg, 1/5 threes, 15/15 ft, 6 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl, 1 to
Redd went cold from the field after a 5/5 start, but that made his ability to draw fouls (and actually, you know, make them) so much more important. And even when Redd was hitting shots it wasn't generally because of his jump-shooting--he was in attack mode all night long, terrorizing Randy Foye and Nick Young with dribble penetration. The Wizards may not be a great defensive team, but ti was great to see Redd taking it to the rack and creating offense all on his own. Welcome back, Mike. Now keep it up.

Charlie Bell: 14 pts, 6/15 fg, 0/4 threes, 2/2 ft, 1 reb, 0 ast, 1 stl, 0 to
Bell's box score ended up fairly non-descript, but in truth he was the only point guard who looked deserving of playing time. For starters, he didn't let Arenas walk all over him--a nice contrast to Jennings and Ridnour. And while he wasn't creating much for teammates (hence the zero assists) he had a nice stretch in the second half of the third and beginning of the fourth where he made 5/8 shots, effectively attacking the heart of the Wizards defense for buckets. Considering most of the Bucks' offensive weapons were watching from the bench at that point, I'll take it.

Luc Mbah a Moute: 11 pts, 3/6 fg, 5/8 ft, 5 rebs, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk, 0 to
Another night with a little bit of everything from Luc. He couldn't be the Bucks' savior on defense--though Skiles did use him on Arenas, Butler and Jamison at various points--but his energy and aggressiveness (hence the eight free throws and three offensive rebs) alone made him stand out from his other teammates.

Three Numbers

.529/.600/.886. Let's just lump the Wizards' superior scoring efficiency all into one. Blame it on good jumpshooting if you like, but the truth was the Bucks also had no ability to contain the Wizards penetration either and seemed a step slow rotating on help defense.

1. The Wizards nearly missed becoming just the second team to be held without an offensive rebound, as Brendan Haywood grabbed their first offensive board with just two minutes remaining. `The Bucks fared much better with 14, but the fact that MIlwaukee had only a 40-39 total rebound edge says a lot about the teams' relative shooting percentages.

15. Two nights after his free throw shooting demons nearly cost the Bucks a victory, Redd rebounded in style with a huge and perfect response.

Three Good

Redd rebounds. It didn't end up as a great shooting night for Redd, but the hop in his step was an extremely encouraging sign for the longer term.

Jesse White Tumblers. Always a halftime treat.

Seniorgee. The second of two acts that provided infinitely more satisfying performances than the Bucks. Old people dancing: one standing ovation. Bucks playing basketball for 48 minutes: no standing ovations. Not a good sign for the main event.

Three Bad

Starting frontcourt. Delfino and Ilyasova continued the poor play that started in Indiana, as they combined for a horrid 2/15 shooting. While he still looks to be working hard, Ilyasova has made just one field goal each of the past two games and his usual semi-wreckless, "bend but don't break" style of defense has been closer to "bend and snap in two." While Hakim Warrick wasn't much better in his meager 11 minutes, you have to think he's feeling pretty demoralized that he's playing so little even as Ilyasova struggles.

And then there's Bogut. It wasn't quite as bad as the 4/14 night he put up against Brendan Haywood last month, but he was again mostly ineffective offensively with a 5/13, 12 point night in 28 foul-plagued minutes. Unlike Roy Hibbert, Haywood didn't let Bogut back him down or get especially deep catches, forcing Bogut into too many of those 10 foot hooks which are a foot or two out of his range.

Though he had just five points and looked hilariously clueless on the two post moves he tried, Haywood made up for it with nine boards and excellent defense in the paint, swatting six shots including at least a couple of Bogut hooks. Bogut did add nine boards and his now-customary two blocks, but there were also a couple plays where he basically watched the Wizards make layups.

Jennings. This loss probably represents a new low for the Bucks, and the same is certainly true of Jennings. The rookie was held to a season-low seven points, three rebounds, two assists and three turnovers in 16 minutes--the kind of performance you might have expected a lot of before the season started. Arenas looked like the older brother toying with his younger sibling in the driveway in the first quarter, backing the smaller Jennings down with ease before a second foul sent him to the pine. I'm surprised we haven't seen more of this, but that may be something to look forward to going forward.

But as it turns out, Jennings didn't fare any better against one of the few PGs in the league he does have a size advantage on. In the fourth quarter Boykins toasted him for the second time in a month, as the mighty mite scored 10 in the decisive period to embarrass the Bucks in front of their home fans. More and more we're seeing Jennings' defense exposed, and it's forcing Skiles into gimmicky reactions--like running Bell at the point or having Mbah a Moute guard the 1.

Wake up. For the first time in a few weeks the Bucks had no excuses; this game wasn't about free throws or referees. No, this was about playing flat against a team you're supposed to beat, one that was finishing a back-to-back no less. The Wizards are talented and should certainly be better than their record suggests, but a poor road team like the Bucks simply can't give away games at home like this. The loss now puts them at three straight at home, a worrying sign that leaves us still wondering what this team is really about.

(Late) Briefing: Flip the bench, Flip the script

JakeTheSnake — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:10:20 -0000

More photos » by Evan Vucci - AP

"What?!? I have a worse contract that Gilbert Arenas?"

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Game Hub | Boxscore | Game Flow

After the Wizards gave up a 9-3 run to start the second half, Flip Saunders decided to pull a page out of the playbook of a college coach who works at a university that rhymes with "puke." Normally, these are just desperate ploys that show just how bad things have gotten; it's rare that you ever see a full swap have any actual impact on the game being played. Typically the bench can hold serve against the other team, so long as they are not left out there too long. Typically, it does not make the game any closer, as was the case last night as the second team was outscored by three in their time on the floor.

Usually, the hope is that the benching will fire up the starters to play better when they are re-inserted and that the added passion they play with will make up for the time they have lost while riding the pine. Last night, the ploy payed off in spades. It was an unconventional move from a conventional coach, but it worked. As Mike has already mentioned, the move lit a fire under Caron and Gilbert, which carried them through the final quarter toward the victory.

Wizards Down Sixers, End Home Slide - Dave Johnson, CSN Washington

While the Wizards bench could not reclaim the lead, it was clearly the answer. In just six minutes of the third, McGuire grabbed four rebounds while Young and Boykins each added eight points to help limit the damage from a quarter in which the Wizards were outscored 35-25. "We knew we were messing up," Butler said of the mass substitution. "We needed a boost and they (bench players) provided a boost. It was about energy and effort. Nick was making shots and Dom was giving the energy."

Flip Saunders’ Wholesale Third Quarter Substitution: Wizards Top Sixers 105-98 - Kyle Weidie, Truth About It

Saunders’ motivational tactic worked, but he didn’t like the fact that he needed to use it. The starters returned to the court to start the fourth and the Wizards went on to outscore Philadelphia 33-19 in the final 12 minutes. Washington only had a 26-24 advantage in points in the paint after three periods. They finished the game with a 44-28 advantage. And much of that can be credited to the persistent driving of Arenas. Philadelphia’s defense is pretty bad, but that shouldn’t take away from how relentless Arenas was. Totaling 31 for the game, ten of Arenas’ 12 fourth quarter points came in the paint. The other two came from the free-throw line, also courtesy of penetration into the lane. Caron Butler’s emphatic dunk on two Sixers to put the Wizards up 96-90 was the result of a Gilbert drive.

Last Night's Action: Line Change - Aaron Morrissey, DCist

There's changes, and then there's changes -- and just like David Bowie, Wizards head coach Flip Saunders obviously felt like engaging in some strange fascination, fascinating everyone on Tuesday night at the Verizon Center. Saunders grew tired of his starting five's performance after the Sixers took their first lead of the game midway through the third quarter, and proceeded to substitute them all. At once. Saunders wanted to fire up his regulars; and it seemed to work, as subs Earl Boykins and Nick Young brought a spark. "Guys were pissed, mad. I said, 'you can be mad at me, but you aren't half as mad as I was with the effort,'" Saunders said he told his players. "That got the biggest applause of the night, taking [the starters] out."

Wizards 105, 76ers 98 - Michael Lee, Wizards Insider

Arenas and Butler combined to score 22 points in the fourth quarter, but the Wizards were perhaps rescued by earlier efforts off the bench, which contributed 42 points. Boykins had 18, Young had 13 and Blatche 10. After the game, Young sounded as if he was a bit fired up about Saunders's decision not to give him back the starting shooting guard job. "We had to step up," Young said about Saunders's third quarter move. "I just got to bring it every game. I can't be considered as a streaky player. The young guys went out there to prove a point. We are somebody on this team and we can step up at any time. It shows a lot of confidence in the coaching staff to take out all the main guys and put in the young guys. It showed that we're a team and we got a lot of weapons."

Instant Analysis: Sixers-Wizards - Brian Jackson - CSN Washington

Arenas missed practice Monday with a sore hip but he showed no ill effects against the Sixers. Agent Zero picked up right where he left off on the west coast, opening the game on a personal 7-0 run, finishing with 15 in the first quarter. After going nearly silent in the second and third quarters (4 points), he came back to life in the fourth pouring in 12 of his game high 31 points. It’s amazing that he was able to top the thirty-point mark while only attempting two free throws. While he did knock down three of six from downtown it was his aggressiveness attacking the basket that gave the Wizards a 44-28 advantage in points in the paint. Over the last five games he’s averaging 29.4 points, 6.6 assists and 5 rebounds.

Bench sparks Wizards to comeback win - Mike Fratto, Washington Times

"I just kept the confidence that I had going coming from the West Coast," Arenas said. "All it takes is a couple games to get somebody going. I found it out west, and hopefully I keep it going." It was a much-needed win for the Wizards, who had lost seven of eight - including three of four on the West Coast trip - and immediately returned to the road for a three-game trip that starts Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

Wizards 105, Sixers 98: Bench and response - Craig Stouffer, Pick and Roll

Antawn Jamison, who let’s face it, had a bad game, didn’t comment on the benching, but he did talk about a collision with Haywood for a fourth-quarter defensive rebound that had him dragging down the court well behind the rest of the team: "I’m used to it by now. We’ve played 30 games. Out of 30 games, he’s found a way to tweak my shoulder in 25 of them. It’s just him being aggressive, going for the rebound. He said he didn’t know it was me, but it’s a good excuse. It’s him being aggressive. I like it. He was going for the rebound, but I’m going to have to find a way to counteract it, find a way to prevent that from happening again."

76ers fall to Wizards - Kate Fagan, Philadelphia Inquirer

"We had a horrible defensive fourth quarter," a frustrated Jordan said after his team's record dipped to 7-21. "Horrible, horrible. . . . I mismanaged one possession. I called for a foul when we were down three with a 10-second differential. I made a mistake there, too, but overall, horrible fourth-quarter defense." The stat sheet for the quarter displayed some ugly numbers: The Wizards scored 33 points. The Sixers scored 19, none in transition; committed seven turnovers; and received a grand total of zero field goals from their starting lineup.

This is not over - Caron Butler, Hoops Hype

Even though my numbers are a little down this season, I know I can be an effective player for the Wizards and do whatever I’m asked for. I still can give you 20 points, 7 rebounds and some assists while guarding some of the best players in the league. I know I can do that. I’m not concerned about the trade rumors. I’ve been traded a couple of times before in my career. That did nothing but give me extra motivation. Look at my track record… Every time I was dealt, I had better years with my new team than I had with the old one. You don’t want to get traded, but you can turn it into a positive. I know I did.

Best of Twitterville

Twitter / Michael Lee
David Falk's protest of Verizon Center (he was upset over Pollin not bringing back Jordan as GM) is over. He's watching Elton Brand

Twitter / George V. Panagakos
Blacthe spins and gets bounce on shot .. a no no no yes shot

Twitter / Craig Stouffer
Last week, Arenas said he needed to get away from Verizon, breathe a little bit. How's the air 2night? He hits his 1st three shots.

Twitter / Mike Prada
Apparently the cure to the #Wizards' offensive woes is playing an Eddie Jordan defense. Overkill? I haven't even gotten going yet.

Twitter / calloni
Flip the squad! Saunders just changed the starting five of the #wizards because they were simply crap in third quarter! #comeonman

Twitter / Jamar Short
@Truth_About_It - @Wale is a Cavs fan but he's always at #Wizards games. I think he's a lowkey Wiz fan but ashamed 2 say it cuz we r losing

Twitter / Mike Fratto
It may have taken til 4:25 left, but that Butler facial was well worth the wait for the first dunk of the game!

Twitter / Bobby Oler
you know your fans are devoted when they chant "dont blow the lead!" #Wizards

Twitter / John Schuhmann
#DumbPlayAlert Willie Green fouls with 35 seconds left and the Sixers down 3. ??? Caron Butler goes to the line and hits both.

Twitter / Truth_About_It
Wiz get a much needed win, but it's only a baby step. 105-98 over Sixers.

Twitter / wizznutzz
Jupiter McGwire as gravity grave!!!! Agent Sedgwick as the closer!!! Nick Young as cousin Oliver!!!! WIZ WIN!!!!

Game 27: Wizards/Bucks

Frank Madden — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:23:33 -0000

2009/2010 NBA Season
	@
9-17 (4-10 road)		12-14 (9-5 home)
December 23, 2009
Bradley Center
7:00 PM
Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FSN Wisconsin
Probable starters:
Gilbert Arenas	PG	Brandon Jennings
Randy Foye	SG	Michael Redd
Caron Butler	SF	Delfino (LRMaM?)
Antawn Jamison	PF	Ersan Ilyasova
Brendan Haywood	C	Andrew Bogut

104.6 (23rd) - OFFENSE - 103.0 (25th)
108.6 (20th) - DEFENSE - 102.3 (4th)
94.1 (9th) - PACE 93.3 (10th)

Linkage:

Bullets Forever / Truth About It

News/notes after the jump

Free Throw Line Blues. The Bucks' mind-boggling 0/7 finish from the line in Indy left a strangely bitter aftertaste to what was a crucial road win. The Bucks' problems at the line aren't anything new of course, but they've taken it to new ~~heights~~ lows of late, as free throws were key ingredients of the Bucks' losses to both the Lakers and Kings last week. Charles Gardner spoke to the prime suspects, and the Bucks offered the cliched responses you expect:

"For me, it's just getting back into a rhythm of playing basketball, shooting my free throws," said Redd, who stayed after practice Tuesday to work on his foul shots with coaches Joe Wolf and Bill Peterson. "My first two looked good last night; my last two looked terrible.

"I'm going to get back to that; it's just a matter of time. Our team will as well. How you correct that is by practicing it. You don't want to shoot 500 free throws but shoot certain sets, put yourself in situations where there may be some pressure."

Bogut also termed the problem a "mental" one, but whatever the origin I'm not sure any of us are expecting sudden improvements from the Big Aussie. With the exception of 07/08 (when he improved by 1% over 06/07), Bogut's free throw percentage has fallen every season since his final season at Utah. He's down to a career-low 53.7% after a combined 6/15 the past two games, so even a return to the modest 60% mark would be a welcome sign.

Guarded optimism. You probably remember the Bucks' visit to the MCI Center last month as the Revenge of Lil' Earl. Boykins was the man down the stretch, scoring 11 of his 13 points (3/5 fg, 7/10 ft) in the last 10 minutes, and capping it off by drawing a foul on Jennings and stroking the clinching free throws. He scored 18 in last night's home win over the Sixers, though he'd managed just 11 points combined in his previous four.

But as scary as Earl may be, Gilbert Arenas is still the guy worth losing sleep over. Despite a sore hip that caused him to miss practice on Monday, Arenas has dropped 30+ in three of his last four games, including 31 last night and 45 against the Warriors (surprised?). In other words, he's finally looking like the Gilbert of '05-'07.

Redd watch. With the exception of the Lakers game a week ago, we haven't been able to say the same thing about Michael Redd. But Redd did show some positive signs in Indianapolis (5/12 fg, 2/3 3fg, 14 pts)---before leaving the aforementioned two free throws well short with the Bucks protecting their narrow lead in the final minute. An 84% career shooter from the line, Redd is now shooting just 55% from the line, 35% from the field and 31% from deep. He also committed a couple cheap fouls down the stretch, but the sloppy defense is at least something we're more used to. Despite all that, Redd still somehow managed to log a game-high and season-high 41 minutes. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me that Redd would see so much burn--for fitness as well as production reasons--but I'll give Skiles the benefit of the doubt for now.

Foye starting? Randy Foye's started the past two games next to Arenas, but the once-balleyhooed lottery pick in Minnesota has struggled to make an impact in Washington. Mike Prada at Bullets Forever writes that Foye has been slow to adjust to a new reality:

In Minnesota, they desperately pumped his psyche up and started him all the time, hoping that he would be a cornerstone like the guy they traded him for, Brandon Roy. They tried him at point guard and shooting guard, but they always gave him his guaranteed 35 minutes. They even gave him the ball with the game on the line, asking him to make the winning plays. In short, he was treated like a much bigger star than he was. Now, he comes to Washington, and he learns the ballad all reserve players learn. Life isn't fair.

Prada goes on to note that Foye is starting in the injured Mike Miller's spot mostly to keep Nick Young in his usual backup role. It's perhaps not surprising then that Young has played more minutes even in Foye's past two starts.

Small forward. Carlos Delfino remained in the starting lineup against the Pacers, shifting over to SF to make room for Redd, but it didn't seem like Skiles particularly wanted him on the court. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute got the call to replace Delfino less than three minutes into both the first and third quarters, as Delfino ended up scoreless on three shots. That's a far cry from Saturday night, when he led the Bucks with 17, including 11 in the fourth.

Delfino has started all 24 games he's played in this season, but given a) Mbah a Moute was significantly better than him against Indy b) the Wizards have the potent Butler/Jamison duo at the forward spots and c) Redd's presence *should* mitigate the need for a fourth three point threat in the starting lineup, Mbah a Moute seems the better lineup fit. Many of us have been rooting for a Mbah a Moute/Ilyasova starting forward combo since the summer, and Skiles was using that lineup before Redd was reinserted into the starting lineup. Stay tuned.

Game in Exclusive Pictures: Suns vs Wizards (guy love between two guys)

Phoenix Stan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:24:03 -0000

With all these home games coming fast and furious (!) we'll combine the Caption Contest (no prize) with the Game in Exclusive Pictures (hardly a prize).

Remember that a caption does not always have to include dialog.

The Game in Exclusive Pictures (aka The GiEP)

Before the contest began, Gilbert Arenas had a game plan that he shared with the referee.

The leading all-star vote getter for Western Conference Centers was putting on a show.

But as always seems to happen, a few whistles didn't go the way the Suns' young Slovenian guard was hoping. This time, he had enough and wasn't going to take it anymore.

By half time, there were some signs that Gilbert's plan wasn't working.

The Wizards Caron Butler had a different opinion, however.

With the huge lead, the Suns bench took over for the fourth quarter. Naturally, there was some confusion at times.

But after a sweet lob pass from Goran to Robin, all was well between them.

Full Game Gallery brought to you by Max "Not Contract" Simbron

NBA: Washington Wizards at Phoenix Suns 121909 - Images by Max Simbron

Keys to the Palace: Go west, young men

JakeTheSnake — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:14:07 -0000

More photos » by Gus Ruelas - AP

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As the D.C. area was bombarded with snow this week, the Wizards were out enjoying sixty degree weather out on the West Coast. Unfortunately, they didn't make the most of their time inside the climate-controlled domes, going 1-3 on the week. What makes the performance this week even sadder is that all four of Washington's opponents missed the playoffs last season.

Of course, Phoenix was the victim of an extremely deep Western Conference. The Kings, Clippers, and Warriors on the other hand, would have been bottom feeders in any conference last season, just like the Wizards last season. With the exception of the Warriors, all of the teams I have mentioned, including the Wizards, have improved since last season.

While the Suns, Kings, and Clippers have developed thanks to the acquisition and development of young talent, the Wizards went the veteran route, figuring that it would take less time to integrate veteran players into the team than a raw talent. Yet as you look at the standings, the Suns are right back in the thick of the Western Conference battle, the Kings and Clippers are hovering around .500, and Washington is the one struggling to win one-third of their games. If this year has shown anything, it's that rebuilding can be faster than remodeling.

As the Palace undergoes renovations, who deserves keys inside? Follow me after the jump to see who goes in and who stays out.

Gilbert Arenas

#0 / Guard / Washington Wizards

This Week

@ Los Angeles - 16 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals in 34 minutes (+11)
@ Sacramento - 33 points 6 assists, 4 rebounds in 38 minutes (+4)
@ Golden State - 45 points, 13 assists, 3 rebounds in 43 minutes (+17)
@ Phoenix - 22 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds in 24 minutes (-21)

Gilbert bookended the week with two clunker performances. But like an Oreo, the middle of the week was sweet. We will see if the swagger Gilbert gained out West will travel with him as the team heads back to D.C. In the meantime, enjoy some highlights from Gilbert and Stephen Curry's performance on Friday.

Final Verdict

Andray Blatche

#7 / Forward / Washington Wizards

This Week

@ Los Angeles - 3 points, 3 rebounds in 13 minutes (-11)
@ Sacramento - 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks in 18 minutes (-8)
@ Golden State - 8 points, 6 rebounds in 22 minutes (-12)
@ Phoenix - 7 points, 9 rebounds in 21 minutes (-9)

The bench was a weak point all week, and Blatche was one of the big culprits. The good news is that while Blatche has slumped as of late, he isn't hitting the dizzyling lows that he reached earlier in his career.

Final Verdict

Earl Boykins

#12 / Guard / Washington Wizards

This Week

@ Los Angeles - 1 assist, 1 rebound in 13 minutes (-13)
@ Sacramento - 8 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds in 15 minutes (-11)
@ Golden State - 2 points, 1 rebound in 4 minutes (-8)
@ Phoenix - 1 point, 2 assists in 14 minutes

Earl was the other big culprit in the bench's woes this weekend. 11 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds is decent output for one game, not four.

Final Verdict

Caron Butler

#3 / Forward / Washington Wizards

This Week

@ Los Angeles - 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals in 39 minutes (+16)
@ Sacramento - 16 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist in 39 minutes (+3)
@ Golden State - 28 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals in 46 minutes (+13)
@ Phoenix - 10 points, 4 rebonds, 3 assists in 28 minutes (-18)

On the whole, Caron had a solid week. His shot selection improved, but as Kyle pointed out in this excellent post, Caron still has inefficient tendencies he needs to rid himself of. He summed it up best when he said, "why must Caron always find himself facing up further away from the basket than from where he started?"

Final Verdict

Javaris Crittenton

#8 / Guard / Washington Wizards

This Week

@ Los Angeles - DNP - Injured
@ Sacramento - DNP - Injured
@ Golden State - DNP - Injured
@ Phoenix - DNP - Injured

Just when it looked like Javaris was turning the corner, it looks like his ankle has flared up again. Why can't this guy catch a break?

Final Verdict

Randy Foye

#15 / Guard / Washington Wizards

This Week

@ Los Angeles - 4 points, 1 rebound in 4 minutes (-5)
@ Sacramento - 0 points, 1 rebound in 5 minutes (-3)
@ Golden State - 2 points in 4 minutes (-5)
@ Phoenix - 13 points, 4 assists, 1 rebound in 19 minutes (-3)

Foye logged 19 minutes on Saturday, the first time he's played over 15 minutes since he November 24th against Philadelphia. His performance, albeit mostly in garbage time, might be enough to earn back some minutes that he has lost to Earl Boykins.

Final Verdict

Brendan Haywood

#33 / Center / Washington Wizards

This Week

@ Los Angeles - 12 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 blocks in 41 minutes (+4)
@ Sacramento - 9 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks in 35 minutes (+1)
@ Golden State - 15 points, 12 rebounds in 33 minutes (+14)
@ Phoenix - 3 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist in 27 minutes (-17)

After three strong performances this week, Brendan had his worst outing of the season against the Suns. It's one thing to have season-lows in points and rebounds, but against Channing Frye? Seriously? It's a good thing his other three games were solid as usual.

Final Verdict

Mike James

#13 / Guard / Washington Wizards

This Week

@ Los Angeles - DNP - Injured
@ Sacramento - DNP - Injured
@ Golden State - DNP - Injured
@ Phoenix - DNP - Injured

This exchange between Mike and Dan Steinberg of DC Sports Bog sums up everything.

This Week

@ Los Angeles - Lost 97-95
@ Sacramento - Lost 112-109
@ Golden State - Won 116-108
@ Phoenix - Lost 121-95

I'm not exactly sure when it clicked, but at some point this week Flip found out that he can't teach and motivate this team the same way he motivated the Pistons. Can he figure out a way to get through to this goofy squad? I don't doubt him, but he may have to take a page out of Eddie Jordan's playbook on how to balance the team's many quirky personalities.

Final Verdict

Briefing: Wizards blown out to finish road trip

JakeTheSnake — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:52:50 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

Browse more photos »

Game Hub | Boxscore | Game Flow

Dating back to the start of the 2007-08 season, the Wizards have been on eleven road trips of three games or more. The Wizards are 3-8 in the final game of those road trips, with five of those losses coming by ten points or more, including last night's 26 point loss to Phoenix.

You can't expect teams to play as well at the end of a road trip as they do during the middle of a nice home stretch. Even the elite teams lose a lot of games in these situations. However, the way in which the Wizards have lost the final games of their road trips has to make you wonder how bad this team wants to win. Every game is important, and when you see a team fold like the Wizards have time and time again over the last few years, it makes you wonder if the team needs a mentality makeover more than they need a roster makeover.

Then again, it may not be possible to get one without the other.

Suns 121, Wizards 95 - Michael Lee, Wizards Insider

The Suns improved to 10-0 by consistently proving over the entire 48 minutes that they were hungrier and more determined to win. It's easy to look at the boxscore and see that the Suns shot 51.6 percent from the floor and credit them with being hot, but several other categories were highly troubling. They outrebounded the Wizards, 53-41. They destroyed them with points in the paint, 60-26. And, they had 19 second-chance points, compared to just nine for the Wizards. The Wizards simply got manhandled. The Suns had scored at least 30 points in 15 of their first 36 quarters at home this season, just shy of two per game. They had three 30-point quarters against the Wizards on Saturday. It really was embarrassing.

Suns Trounce Wizards: Live by the Gilbert, Die by the Gilbert - Phoenix Stan, Bright Side Of The Sun

Thank you Gilbert Arenas. It was a pleasure watching a volume shooter in action. Last night you torched the Warriors for 45 points on 25 attempts. Tonight, 22 points on 21 attempts. Live by the Gilbert. Die by the Gilbert. This looked a lot like an undisciplined team which is exactly what Flip said about his squad, "I think we understand now that to be good we have to be disciplined in our approach both on the offensive end and the defensive end. And our guys have to understand that that means they have to sacrifice certain things...As I told them, I gave a lot of rope early to see where they were. Now we know."

Instant Analysis: Wizards vs. Suns - Chase Hughes, CSN Washington

This game was the last of a five-game Western Conference road trip for Washington and their fatigue surely showed. The Wizards had lost before the end of the third quarter, with both teams resting their starters by the start of the fourth. They played poorly on defense and made bad decisions shooting the ball. Gilbert Arenas led the Wizards with 22 points but made only six of his 21 shot attempts. The Wizards ended the game with a 36.4 field goal percentage, the Suns allow teams to shoot 48.5% on average. In another sign of road trip burn-out, the Wizards were out-rebounded 53-41.

Suns 121, Wizards 95 - Mike Jones, Outlet

The Suns pounced on Washington right away, and in the second quarter Gilbert Arenas tried to rekindle the magic of Friday night in Golden State. He jacked up 14 second-quarter shots. But there was no swag tonight. He made only four of those shots. And for the night as a whole, Arenas threw up 21 shots and made only six of them. The Wizards as a team made only 32 of 88 shots and 8 of 21 3-point attempts. They had only 14 assists. Steve Nash had 15 himself to lead a Suns team that had 25. The Wizards had 14 turnovers.

Another day at the office - Mike Schmitz, Valley of the Suns

The Suns on the other hand, were about as efficient as they always are when they take to the US Airways Center floor. Coming into the contest the Suns were averaging 116.1 points per game at home, a byproduct of 51.7 percent field-goal shooting and 48.3 percent three-point accuracy. Although the Suns weren’t as deadly from beyond the arc tonight, 7-of-21, they converted on 51.6 percent from the field. They built a big lead early, and actually held on, something they haven’t been able to say during the last couple of games. In three of the four games leading up to tonight’s contest, the Suns blew leads of 19, 17 and 15 — two of which resulted in losses.

Wizards' shooting goes cold in Phoenix - Mike Jones, Washington Times

Nick Young had 20 points off the bench for the Wizards, and Randy Foye whose playing time has been minimal in the last month recorded 13 points and a team-high four assists off the bench, with all of his points and all but one assist coming in the second half. But Foye said afterwards, "I'd rather watch from the bench and [see] us win than score a lot and us lose." Saunders was left once again to be frustrated over his players failing to execute the gameplan and as a result suffer another defeat.

Suns 121, Wizards 95: At least they didn't leave it late - Craig Stouffer, Pick and Roll

Washington would probably like to say that their four-game swing was incredibly difficult, given the circumstances (injuries, losing streak). But with they way the season is headed -- evidenced by how hard they had to fight for a win over one of the worst teams in the Western Conference on Friday -- there's no reason for them to think things will get any easier. Philadelphia comes to town Tuesday but it's the front end of a back-to-back with a road visit to Milwaukee. I'm not sure of the team's travel schedule, either, but they have to be in Minnesota three days later -- perhaps they should have a team retreat over Christmas somewhere in the back woods of Wisconsin.

Suns Rout Wizards - Dave Johnson, CSN Washington

The Suns, who were frustrated by a Thursday loss in Portland, were not tested by a Wizards team that had won the night before against Golden State. While certainly fatigued in playing the last game of a four game road trip, the Wizards did not have the proper response for the Suns. "I am extremely disappointed," said Wizards head coach Flip Saunders. "In this league you can always come up with an excuse every night whether it’s back to back or the end of an eight-day road trip. It was like the last thing we wanted tonight was to be out there as for playing and how we played."

Suns roll past Wizards to continue home dominance - Paul Coro, Arizona Republic

The Suns' real star of the game was their defense. Washington is just 8-17 and looked halfway home at the end of a West Coast trip. But Phoenix kept the Wizards out of the paint, limiting them to 36.4 percent shooting after they shot 39.1 percent in the teams' first meeting. A night after scoring 45 points against the Warriors, Washington's Gilbert Arenas shot 6 for 21. "We tried to take away all of the easy stuff early," Gentry said. "They got in late last night, and he (Arenas) played a lot of minutes (Friday). We wanted to make him beat us over the top."

Good news for one guard, bad news for another - Mike Jones, Outlet

Meanwhile, backup point guard Javaris Crittenton has been hoping to get back on the court in the near future and has been gradually ramping up his activity. But Friday night in the locker room at Golden State he looked like he had lost his best friend. I asked him what was wrong and he said the intense pain in his left ankle and foot had flared back up again and he was back to struggling to push off the foot. He was obviously frustrated because this has dragged on since training camp, he underwent what he viewed as a useless exploratory surgery, and now things haven't gotten any better.

Best of Twitterville

Twitter / Mike Prada
So I don't know if this is on purpose, but Gil has barely called for any plays tonight. No set plays, just pick and roll and shoot.

Twitter / Mike Jones
Ok scoreboard can NOT be right. .. RIGHT? 100-69? Daaaaaaaaang.

Twitter / Michael Lee
Clear the bench. The starters don't have it 2night. No way this group can come back from 25-down against PHX. Play Foye, McGee, Young, etc.

Twitter / wizznutzz
HOLY CRAP. this game is a poo-poo platter. we turnin in2 CAPZZNUTZZ

Suns Trounce Wizards: Live by the Gilbert, Die by the Gilbert

Phoenix Stan — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 06:20:09 -0000

Gilbert Arenas had 22 points on 21 shot attempts and wasn't able to lead his team to a competitive game as the Suns rolled over the Wizards 121-95. (Photo by Max Simbron)

View full size photo »

I'm not going to lie. I totally predicted a blow out tonight. Which isn't saying all that much because what Suns/NBA fan didn't see this one coming?

What with the Wiz generally playing poor anyway and having played the night before in Golden State and barely edging out the Warriors at the end of that game.

But Wizards head coach Flip Saunders wanted none of that, "You can come up with excuses every night why not to play...It's almost as though the last thing we wanted to do was to be out there tonight. It's pretty much unacceptable."

Unacceptable, unless your name is Gilbert Arenas and bombing away is your game.

Agent "Double O" Zero was deadly tonight but to the wrong side. He put up 17 shots only connecting on 5 of them in the first half "leading" his team to an overall shooting percentage of 37.5% through the first 24 minutes. But fortunately for the Wizards he got it together in the locker room at half time and only jacked up four more in the first 6 minutes of third quarter as the Suns dropped 39 points on a Wizards team that visibly gave up playing defense.

Thank you Gilbert Arenas. It was a pleasure watching a volume shooter in action. Last night you torched the Warriors for 45 points on 25 attempts. Tonight, 22 points on 21 attempts.

Live by the Gilbert. Die by the Gilbert.

This looked a lot like an undisciplined team which is exactly what Flip said about his squad, "I think we understand now that to be good we have to be disciplined in our approach both on the offensive end and the defensive end. And our guys have to understand that that means they have to sacrifice certain things...As I told them, I gave a lot of rope early to see where they were. Now we know."

As for the home team, they did pretty well and were happy about that. Not so much happy as satisfied. They took care of business and they knew they were playing a team that didn't have their hearts in the game. As Steve Nash pointed out, "There was a point in the game tonight where you could feel the air going out of their, uh, their attack."

Nash had 15 assists in three quarters of play (29 min) which was one more than the entire Wizards team.

Amare had his fifth 20 and 10 game of the season and his fourth double-double in the last five games. And aside for a few moments, didn't look particularly engaged.

In fact, other than Jason Richardson and Goran Dragic, the Suns didn't seem to have much fire at all. Perhaps this was their new plan to avoid big let downs. Slow and steady wins the race and in this case the race was over by about half way through the third period when the Suns extended their 16 point lead to 25 points and then put the pedal down to pull away for good.

Speaking of Goran, he had another impressive game. His defense on Gilbert in the first half was outstanding and as Gentry said, he ran the team well in the fourth quarter. He finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists and looked really really good.

Steve Nash had this to say about young "Frosty" Dragic as compared to Leandro Barbosa, "Leandro is an explosive scorer where as Goran's more of a point guard."

I asked Steve specifically if he thought that Goran was a point guard and he said that he is but that he can still improve his passing. Nash said it is always easier to play the two guard position for a young player but that he sees Goran as a point guard.

For those interested Nash's take on the "Can Goran be a Point Guard" debate (and you know who I am talking about) you can listen to what Nash had to say. I think his opinion might carry some weight on the matter:

Nash audio edited 121909

Other Game Notes taken in real time as events occurred:

1st Qtr

Suns 1st offensive possession. Hill iso? So much for ball movement
Neither team playing much D to start game. 6-6 after 2 minutes
Wizards offense consists of Gilbert Arenas doing whatever he feels like
Crowd dead. Team flat. Coincidence?
Earl BOYkins is small
Wizards court chemistry looks like a 6th grade science class for the blind
JRich outside shot not falling but still playing hard getting to rim and attacking glass
Wiz put Nick Young on Nash and Boykins on Dragic. Suns didn't go to Dragic once. Shame

2nd Qtr

Dragic playing solid D on Gilbert. Stayed in front of him keeping him from getting shot of and then pressure hard on the perimeter
Suns D more engaged to start 2nd quarter up 38-23 at 9:00 mark. Let down?
Dragic gets whistled for a lot of bogus calls but is looking solid driving to the rim
Dragic forcing D to respect his drive attracting more help so he dishes to Lou for an easy dunk. Goran is a better passer on the move than LB and a far better defender
Suns up 14 with 5:37 to go. Nash hasn't played in the 2nd quarter at all
Nash back in. Lead down to 11. Trade him. Bench him. Whatever...
The Wizards just shoot anything, anytime. I see why Flip is pissed

3rd Qtr

Suns start quarter on 6-0 run. Wizards call time out. Maybe that TO will cool off Gilberts shot attempts. 18 and counting (only 5 makes)
Amare making some lazy plays on defense...and he knows it
JaVale McGee getting minutes with the Wiz down 25
This game is making me sleepy
Amare with 14 points and 5 rebounds in the 3rd
Suns up 31. Tacos early. Wizards playing possum. Playing really good possum. Too good perhaps

4th Qtr

Up 30. Does it really matter?
Suns start 4th with Lopez, Amundson, Dudley, Tucker and Dragic
No Clark?
Lopez fouls people. Hard.
I really have no idea how but Frosty dribbled through two defenders and hit a nice floating layup
Clark in with about 8 min to play. Suns up 30...ish
I like Nick Young
Robin with a SICK up fake on McGee and drove right by him for the slam
and Goran inside lob to Robin for another slam...nice

Game Links:

Preview: Suns vs Gilbert Arenas

Phoenix Stan — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:51:58 -0000

More photos » by Steve Helber - AP

That's some family tree Gilbert has right there.

Browse more photos »

Coming off what Coach Gentry called the most disappointing loss of the season, the Suns had the day off Friday and a shoot around this morning in preparation for their 10th home game of the season.

And in case you've not been paying attention the Suns are undefeated at home this season. And they are mad. And they are playing the Wizards who lost six straight (including defeats to the Clippers, Pacers and Kings) before beating up on the lowly Warriors last night. And did I mention the Wizards played last night in Oakland and Arenas and Butler played 40+ minutes and Jamison logged 36 despite suffering a shoulder stinger (no idea what that is but it sound stingy).

The good folks over at Bullets Forever seem excited that Gilbert is back stating their case quite simply:

It's the Warriors, but welcome back, Gilbert Arenas!!

Gilbert had 45 points and 13 assist and Butler chipped in 28 and 10 of his own. But of course, just like Jenning's double-nickle it comes against the Warriors who basically played a combination of 4 guards (Ellis, Curry, Marrow and Watson) a small forward (Maggette) an undersized and underage power forward (Randolph) and got 16 minutes from an expiring contract (Radmonovic). And the Wiz still struggled to win only pulling away for good in the final few minutes.

Forgive me if I don't run and hide based on the Wizards results against that group.

That's not to say the Wizards can't beat the Suns but they shouldn't and if they do it will come from the inside play of Haywood and Blatche.

Jason Richardson will reportedly start tonight after missing Thursday game with a sprained right hand.

RECAP: Warriors 109 Wizards 118 - GSoM Holiday Party 2!

R Dizzle — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:33:13 -0000

Betcha didn't know Monta was a professional wrestler too!

Open Thread | Wizards vs Warriors boxscore | Warriors Web Links

Hooray another loss.

Hooray Gilbert came in and showed us why it was his arena.

Hooray we suck.

I'm not even going to justify that game.

Instead I'll give you guys another story!

Final - 12.18.2009	1	2	3	4	Total
Washington Wizards	39	21	29	29	118
Golden State Warriors	31	28	23	27	109

Complete Coverage >

Walking up the Roarcle

R Dizzle - Man, it feels good to be back the Bay - beautiful skies, sunny days, and best of all - I get to see my Warriors!

Killa Shom - Yeah man, good to have you back.

R Dizzle - Word, but hey, where are all the people?

Killa Shom - Are you serious? This is a Warriors game...nobody comes anymore. ESPECIALLY against the Wizards.

R Dizzle - The reality of that statement irks me. Stupid Cohan and Rowell...

The Game

R Dizzle - YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!! The whole GSoM crew is here! WADDUP!

Atma Brother #1 - What's goin on man? Help yourself to the food - hella good stuff all around.

R Dizzle - Nice...Killa Shom - go do your thing. Just save me some of Nellie's favorite - Bud Light!

Poor Man's Commish - What's up man? I gotta ask you...are you guys related?

R Dizzle - Ha ha ha. Yes, that would be my older brother. And yes, I'm the young'n of the group. Doesn't that come out in all of my writing?

Poor Man's Commish - True true. To be honest man, I'm a little scared of writing my first recap.

R Dizzle - Are you kidding? It'll be dope! That piece dropped about Jeremy Lin was OFF THE CHAIN!

Poor Man's Commish - Thanks man, but still...

R Dizzle - Ok look, if you ever have any trouble writing something real, just do what I do.

Poor Man's Commish - What's that?

R Dizzle - WRITE A RECAP ABOUT NOTHING.

Poor Man's Commish - Ha.

Sometime during the game

R Dizzle - JAE! Wassup man? Good to meet you.

JAE - Nice to meet you too.

R Dizzle - I really love your stuff on the main page, great statistical analysis and everything. Puts my "work" to shame.

JAE - No no, don't say that. Not everything's full of numbers. I managed to pull my last recap without a single stat.

R Dizzle - True true, I was impressed man. I gotta ask you, with all these trade rumors and what not, what are your thoughts about Anthony Randolph?

JAE - Guy has talent, he just needs to play within his game. FOR EXAMPLE, look he's got the ball now, top of the key. He never makes this shot but he always pull that elbow jumper.

R Dizzle - Right, so?

JAE - So I'm saying, he should not...WHY ARE YOU SHOOTING THE BALL?!?!

R Dizzle - That was kinda ugly.

JAE - Point being, he should know his limits.

R Dizzle - Agreed. Now he's got the ball again...dribbling up...

JAE - STOP SHOOTING THE BALL!!!!

R Dizzle - Right.

Later in the game

R Dizzle - My main man Tony! Good to see you and your lovely wife.

Tony.psd - Good to see you again homie.

R Dizzle - How come you don't have any signs at tonight's game?

Tony.psd - They wouldn't let me.

R Dizzle - What do you mean?

Tony.psd - They won't let me in with "We Suck" signs or anything about the front office.

R Dizzle - That's ridiculous man.

Tony.psd - I know, how are they going to hate on artist?

R Dizzle - Agreed. HOW ARE THEY GOING TO HATE ON AN ARTIST. WE DO SUCK.

Just to keep things short, here are the next 20 minutes of the game as a collective whole.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!"

"Gilbert's on fire!"

"Who's going to stop Heyward?"

"Caron Butler's the man - Maggs for Butler straight up!"

"Why is he shooting it?"

"Monta with another turnover."

"WHYYYYYY?!?!?!"

Halftime

R Dizzle - Hooray for Halftime show at the Roarcle! Since this a nationally televised game, there's gotta be a good show, right?

Killa Shom - Right.

5 minutes later...

R Dizzle - There's no halftime show. What the hell man.

Killa Shom - Right.

R Dizzle - I hate our front office.

3rd Quarter

R Dizzle - GO DJ! Cause that's my DJ!

DJ Fuzzy Logic - Waddup man! Enjoying the snow?

R Dizzle - Ha ha ha. You were there for 4 years before me fool.

DJ Fuzzy Logic - Yeah yeah, but now I'm back in Cali spittin in on the 1's and 2's.

R Dizzle - Word. So what are your thoughts about Randolph?

DJ Fuzzy Logic - I'm good with the man, he just needs to stop trippin.

R Dizzle - Trippin? What's he trippin about?

DJ Fuzzy Logic - No like, literally trippin. Falling. Somehow he manages to end up on the ground every game.

R Dizzle - No he doesn't....

DJ Fuzzy Logic - Yes he does. Look right now!

R Dizzle - Man, that faceplant into the court must have hurt. Maybe he should start wearing a helmet or something.

DJ Fuzzy Logic - Yeah maybe...

Later in the game

R Dizzle - Fantasy Junkie...been too long man.

Fantasy Junkie - Definetly. Enjoying being back at home and at the Roaracle?

R Dizzle - I mean, I'm loving being back at home...but I don't know about this game....

Fantasy Junkie - Why's that?

R Dizzle - This straight sucks man. We're losing to the Wizards!

Fantasy Junkie - Right, but you can't come to games wanting to watch the Warriors. You have to appreciate the other team.

R Dizzle - What?

Fantasy Junkie - Yeah so when I went to the Magic game I wanted to see Dwight Howard and Vince Carter.

R Dizzle - Oh I get it, so tonight, I should be appreciating GILBERT ARENAS' ALMOST 50 POINT PERFORMANCE.

Fantasy Junkie - Exactly.

Even later in the game

R Dizzle - Olympic Mike! Great to meet you man and I'm really glad to have you a part of the GSoM team!

Olympic Mike - Thanks man, great to be around.

R Dizzle - So I gotta ask you, I'm doing the recap tonight. Any suggestions of what to write about this so called "game?"

Olympic Mike - Hmm...I read your stuff enough to know your style. How bout another CONVERSATION RECAP?

R Dizzle - Good idea. I'll start committing things to memory right now.

Some random amount of time later

R Dizzle - Feltbot! Another new edition to the crew!

Feltbot - Nice to meet you, R Dizzle.

R Dizzle - Good to meet you too. So I hear you're a professional poker player.

Feltbot - That's right. Do you play?

R Dizzle - Of course! I'm just as good at poker as I am with writing Warriors recaps!

Feltbot - Oh ya? I've read a few of your things....so let me ask you this, what do you do if you're playing Texas Hold 'Em and you get a 7-2 off suite?

R Dizzle - Go all in!

Feltbot - You're right. You're just as good at poker as you are with writing Warriors recaps.

End of the game

R Dizzle - Glad we got this whole thing to happen man....good to be back home.

Atma Brother # 1 - Of course. Good to have you back. Any idea with what you're going to do with the recap?

R Dizzle - Oh probably something extremely silly and pointless like always.

Atma Brother #1 - Good man. You gonna mention how Arenas and Heyward destroyed us?

R Dizzle - Naw, no need for that.

Atma Brother #1 - How about how Monta had those turnovers? Randolph had moments that showed his potential? Curry had the hot hand at points in the game?

R Dizzle - Naw, again no need for that. I will say that Curry is the man and I would love to get his jersey as a birthday present. (HINT HINT!)

Atma Brother #1 -Then what are you going to do?

R Dizzle - I dunno...I think I'll have something quick in the morning. I mean let's be real - who wants to remember this game anyway?

NOT ME.

To us, the Golden State of Mind CREW!

Poll

SB Nation - Washington Wizards

Briefing: Bucking the trends

Recap: Wizards 109, Bucks 97

(Late) Briefing: Flip the bench, Flip the script

Best of Twitterville

Game 27: Wizards/Bucks

Game in Exclusive Pictures: Suns vs Wizards (guy love between two guys)

Keys to the Palace: Go west, young men

#0 / Guard / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#7 / Forward / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#12 / Guard / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#3 / Forward / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#8 / Guard / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#15 / Guard / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#33 / Center / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#13 / Guard / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#4 / Forward / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#34 / Center / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#5 / Forward / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#6 / Guard / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#21 / Forward / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#2 / Guard / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

#1 / Guard / Washington Wizards

Final Verdict

Final Verdict

Briefing: Wizards blown out to finish road trip

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