[Editor's Note: From the diaries. Because anytime a community member gets third row seats, it's a big deal, even if we all want to forget this game. Pictures coming later (maybe?). -Pradamaster]

The Shot

Bosh Abuse Ruffin

In order to give all BF fans a true sense of my emotional state on Friday night, I have to inform everyone that the last 2 Wizards' games I have attended in person were the Damon Jones Game 6 killer and the Gil game winner against the Jazz this season. Both games left me leaving the Phone Booth immediately seeking booze for very polar opposite reasons.

Yet again, I exited VC in pure disbelief of what had just transpired.

My friend hooked me up with 3rd row seats on the court, free throw line, directly across from the Wizard's bench and of course, about 10-15 feet from Mo Pete's prayer shot!! I have a clip of the shot that I will try to upload or paste a YouTube link. I have several pictures too.

The Wiz had that game won several times, up 4 with 8 secs left and you lose?

Here are some random thoughts of the game:

Eddie's subbing patterns are just as frustrating in person as watching them on TV. I tried my best to yell at Eddie across the way several times. I am going to write another diary topic on my new theory about his puzzling coaching decisions.

I have never sat that close to a NBA game and the level of athletic ability is seriously off the charts. They are truly the greatest athletes on the planet. I knew Gil was unguardable but his quickness is purely unbelievable. TJ Ford could not stay in front of him and Ford is one of the quickest guards in the league!

Gil's scowl was in full effect in the first half. The intensity he displays on the court is nowhere near the jovial persona he exemplifies off of it. I could just sense he knew this was a big game and did not want to lose.  His defense is not good and I screamed at him several times to, "D Up." He totally heard me and continued to let Ford drive by him.

I never saw Butler favor his knee once and maybe he is 100 percent healthy now. I am starting to agree with Prada that his injury was more mental than physical.

Deshawn, the best dressed Wizard according to a Jumbotron segment, played well. I stood up and gave him his facial cheer several times.  It was awesome.

AD had great energy and is a good teammate. He is always the first one off the bench, congratulating his teammates. He is a true professional.

Haywood is an awful teammate. I understand his frustration with EJ and he had barely been in when EJ yanked him in the 4th quarter. I do not even mind him displaying some anger and it shows he cares. However, he sulked at the end of the bench and pouted the rest of the game. Not once did he cheer or congratulate any of his teammates. He was barely in the huddle. This is unacceptable in a team sport.  I am glad that one of the Wizards was upset as I was about his behavior. I still believe that Haywood needs to be a solid contributor for the Wiz to have a successful playoff run but his child like actions warrant serious repercussions from the coaching staff.

Songalia reminds me of the prototypical Euro player: hgh basketball IQ, solid passer, good shooter for his size, weak D and soft on the glass. His conditioning needs improving but he will be a key player in the playoffs.

Two guys sitting next to me groaned loudly when Arvis Hayes checked in. Enough said.

The view of the Wizard's dance team was disappointing. My favorite dancer looked like she had put on a few lbs and a few others might sleep in tanning beds. Most had tight bodies but looks, just average.  

Last and always least, Michael Ruffin or as I have panned him on BF, Eddie's Pet. Plain and simple, he is afraid of the basketball. He wants no part of ever touching the ball. Once he grabbed an offensive rebound, had no one near him and instead of turning around and shooting a lay up, he kicked it out. Mark Madsen, Brian Scalbrine, or fill in your blank NBA stiff would have shot or dunked the ball.  Not Eddie's Pet.  Later, he missed a point blank tip in lay up.  Numerous occasions on offense, a Wiz player beats his man, Ruffin's man helps out, ball goes to Ruffin and he just holds it, stalling the offense. This happens repeatedly and it is counter effective to the Wiz's running their true offense.  

How has this guy played 10 years in the league? I do not get it. Some on the Wiz Insider commented on how great Ruffin's defense was against Bosh. I missed the first part 3rd quarter, having some halftime adult refreshments in the Johnny Walker Club bar and maybe this is when Ruff clamped down on Bosh. All I remember is Bosh abusing him in the 4th Qtr and OT. To Ruffin's defense, no one on the wiz could stop Bosh all game.  Blatche could have really helped out with his length.

I have no words to describe Mo Pete's shot. I attended the University of Iowa and was about 15 feet from the Northwestern St shot that upset my Hawkeye's in last year's tournament at the Palace of Auburn Hills.  Afterwards, I had similar feelings, fortunately this time I was not stuck in Detroit. Stunned in 8 mile