I never like the matchup with NJ 'cause they run the same offense, only better thanks to Kidd.

But the fan in me is hoping for some mini-camp magic.

Is this where I'm suppose to say the Wiz and over?

I also like what thebigc said. NJ owns us because they do what we try to do. That being said, I have a gut feeling that we compete in this one, maybe even pull it out.

On a related note, look for the team to win this one while Haywood puts up a 7 point, 8 rebound effort.  This will let me start spouting stats like "the wizards are 0-3 when Brendan Haywood puts up a double-double.  The are undefeated when he doesn't.  Phone it in, Brendan!"

I have spent the entire week constructing a dataset on blogroll link patterns.  Start expecting a lot of statistical humor from me in the coming weeks as I slowly go completely unhinged.

The Wizards: Ready to Jack Up a Contested Jumper (That's the new team motto, right?...)

Has anyone noticed the records of the teams we've played so far?  Pacers, 3-1, Celtics, 3-0, Magic, 4-1, and now Nets 3-1.  OK, OK, I know this is a dubious statistic to be pulling out at this part of the season, but it helps just a little, right?

Steve Buckhantz, you are a master of words.

p.s. I was the yokel.
p.p.s. N. Young's move at the end of the quarter was simply amazing.

I like the motion on offense so far tonight, and great to see Gil hitting his shots.

DS: F-, In the NBA, shooting guards who can't shoot don't last long.

CB: B+, 7 steals is amazing and his jumper and free throws were reliable, but he also jacked 2 3s unnecessarily at pivotal times.

AJ: A, he must have heard me call him a schuckster. Great game from Jamison, but for every one of these, we'll also get a 6-20 debacle.

BH: D, his lay-up was exciting, but other than that, his bid for the all-star team died against the Nets.

AD: C-, his 3 was nice, but he played hack-a-Vince 40 feet from the hoop entirely too much.

Blatche: B-, I like his high-post game. He takes it strong. The team just seems to have more energy when he's out there.

Songaila: C, he helped some in the paint, but Boki Nachbar ate him alive.

Nick Young: C, that reverse lay-up at the end of Q1 was the most athletic move the Wiz have made all year. That air-ball was the worst play the Wiz have made all year.

Roger Mason: F, for a guy who hangs his hat on his 3-point marksmanship, missing 3 3s in a row doesn't bode well. Roger, Tim Legler's very disappointed in you.

There's also a thing called missing, fouling, and hoping they miss one of two free throws for a game-tying three.

The thought process that down by 2, you hold to take the last shot is one of the stupdiest things in the history of basketball. Tie the game and go from there. You don't wait until it's too late to put back up an offensive rebound.

Where did you learn about basketball?

Im sorry, but there is no coach in their right mind that waits for the last shot when down by 2. You don't do it. Why handcuff yourself to only one opportunity?

You hold til the last shot when you are TIED and you do not want to give the opponent a shot at squaring it back up. When you are down, you attempt to score as quickly as possible to give your team as many possessions as possible to tie it. It's common sense and I can't believe anyone would attempt to argue the merit of the opposite based on the thought process of 'if u score too quick' you give the other team a chance to score after you. STOP SOMEONE! If you aren't shooting 60% or better, the simple percentages call for you to give yourself enough time for more then one opportunity.

The only reason to hold for a last shot is because you have become addicted to hitting the buzzer beater and you want to be on sportscenter. that play was all Gilbert's ego and the entire wizards brass basically said the same thing after the game in pseudo-defending Gil's decision.

to paraphrase ernie 'we trust gilberts decision whether to go for it with 12 seconds left or to wait until 3 seconds and we'll trust him with that decision everytime'. you don't see the meaning between the lines?

As for the predictions in my sig, you got me. i miscalculated. congrats on figuring that out.