Open thread: Regular season game 42

by Mike Prada on Jan 29, 2008 2:52 PM EST in Game Threads

More later, I promise. Last night was a particularly long night at the newspaper, so I need a nap.

Lines are Wizards by 1.5 and 195 on the total points.

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Wiz, over

I could go either way with either pick here. It's gonna be a close game. I just don't really have a feel for this one.

The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.

by mamemimo on Jan 29, 2008 2:58 PM EST reply actions

It really pains me to pick against the Wiz but I haven't been happy with the bench play the last couple of games and I think when we beat Toronto at Verizon, they were without Chris Bosh. Hopefully, I'll be proven wrong.

by ooba on Jan 29, 2008 3:50 PM EST reply actions

Picks

Wiz, under.

The Raptors are a bit of a puzzle this season. They're underacheiving this season, I feel, but haven't gotten much press next to the extremely disappointing Bulls and Heat. They were such an "it" team last year. Barniani's been disappointing and Ford's injury help explain it I guess.

by Aldo on Jan 29, 2008 3:51 PM EST reply actions

They underachived to start the year......

Much like us they underachieved to start the year but really turned it aroudn, theyve been winning alot of late and had some real impressive wins since they spanked San Antonio.

Theyre much like us with the 0-5 start and 23-13 stretch afterwards, also like Cleveland in the same boat (Cleveland is a bit different though in that theyre 24-13 with Lebron and 0-6 without him), but still theyve turned it around too and are the good team that they really are now.......

Toronto has won like 7 of 9 so theyre on point now as the very good team that they actually are, just like us and Cleveland as well.

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 7:23 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, T-Dot's been fine

Calderon has been outstanding, and while they aren't rolling over the East, they're solidly in the middle of the pack.

Bargnani has been the problem...he's regressed this year.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jan 29, 2008 7:25 PM EST up reply actions

I got a bad feeling

No picks from me, but I just can't shake the feeling that something bad's coming.

"Now, obviously individual production does not unilaterally equal better team production, but there's a high level of causation."

by Vanilla Gorilla on Jan 29, 2008 4:46 PM EST reply actions

Abstaining from picks

No idea how this one is going to turn out. Someone's probably going to say that Calderon is underrated at some point though.

Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by Jake Whitacre on Jan 29, 2008 5:20 PM EST reply actions

Ok....Eff it.

Damn, no one has a good feeling, including me.

I'm taking the Wiz...and the under.

I'm tired of hearing about Calderon....at this point, only those who don't read about the NBA on a daily basis would not know that he's currently "rated"

The feeling that I'm going to make myself get? A return to the effort level of the Dallas game for the Wiz.

See you in the funny pages.

www.truthaboutit.net

by Kyle Weidie on Jan 29, 2008 5:34 PM EST reply actions

So sad.

The Wizards looked like they just lacked any intensity during the Bucks game. The bench rotation looked off and I expect more Pech and Blatche this game to give the Raps a bunch of different looks.

Wizards, over.

by Craig @ Bullets Forever on Jan 29, 2008 6:19 PM EST reply actions

Great

So now seeing that Caron is out for tonight's game and possibly tomorrow's, I have to revise my pick to Raps, under. I'm a bad fan. :(

by Craig @ Bullets Forever on Jan 29, 2008 6:51 PM EST up reply actions

Butler out

The link to Mike Jones had a item that Caron will be out tonight due to a hip flexor.
Not good!

by hotplate on Jan 29, 2008 6:26 PM EST reply actions

Yep -

Comcast just confirmed this. We are sunk

by ooba on Jan 29, 2008 6:49 PM EST up reply actions

Wiz, under

The team's bench really steps up when we need and WE NEED IT. I expect big games from Mason and Daniels. I

by finkad01 on Jan 29, 2008 6:54 PM EST reply actions

Raps - Under

Only b/c of Caron. He's been the catalyst for every big win of late...I don't think anyone has forgotten how this team looks w/o both Caron AND Gil.

I've been known to be right.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 29, 2008 7:01 PM EST reply actions

No 1 forgot but theres a few positive differences

Few positive differences in this years team compared to last years, it is a different year and a different team

Randy Ayers
Same thing but our defense

3)Emergence of Blatche

Nick Young
Chemistry
Toughness through adversity and 100% effort (Just a grittier different type of team this year, it starts with our defense too)
Jamison is even better this year imho
Haywoods better this year on most nights
Pecherov and Mason
Deshawn and AD are better right now too

So there are some things that could be good for us when compared to last years team without Caron AND Gil (Which we would all like to forget but never ever will.)

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 8:29 PM EST up reply actions

Wiz, under

Need a big night from Andray

I knew Manute Bol, and you sir are no Manute Bol!

by houserocker on Jan 29, 2008 7:02 PM EST reply actions

Yep

its all about what andray can do. I'm hopeful but doubtful

I've been known to be right.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 29, 2008 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

No Caron, No win..... no watch

No chance.

Picks

Raptors (by at least 15)
Under

Ive been very disapointed in our bench and our attitude (Cocky, lacksadaisical) of late (Just recently, for about the last week).......

Without Caron I cant bear to watch, I dont want to be more dissapointed than I was the other night vs Milwaukee (Most dissapointed Ive been in a wiz team since the MJ years, easily.)........

DAMMIT........ Nick Young relaly needs to step up tonight, alot of guys do but especially him and the bench and Haywood and Deshawn and AD.......

God dammit. Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch Caron.. ouch.

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 7:13 PM EST reply actions

fail

by Aldo on Jan 29, 2008 9:53 PM EST up reply actions

Probably no Caron tomorrow either -

Steve and Phil just said on the broadcast that Eddie Jordan has already said Caron won't play tomorrow night either. Too depressing.

by ooba on Jan 29, 2008 7:17 PM EST reply actions

Seriously?

That is terrible.

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 7:55 PM EST up reply actions

If we do win though...........

It would be HUGE and a huge watershed game for the season, maybe even bigger than the wins over the Mavs and Celtics in what it could do for our confidence and understanding that we can be an elite team if we bring it with 100% effort (No matter who the opponent is) every night.

So it could be huge for us, understanding that we can win without Gil, and with Caron back we can be an elite team....... and once Gil is back and fit in we can be EVEN BETTER than that to be really at a high level.

Could be big, I'll watch just for that. Im a good fan, gotta keep the faith......

Just was extremely dissapointed in the lack of effort against Milwaukee.

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 7:17 PM EST reply actions

I do like the big frontcourt though.

I wish we played a Daniels/Butler/Jamison/Blatche/Haywood lineup more often........ and once Gil is back him in that lineup instead of AD.

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 7:19 PM EST reply actions

Some 1stQtr comments:

Bosh has maybe the worst hair in the league.

Stevenson is a ... firecracker??

AB made some niiice moves. I like.

We still can't guard the three.

I've been known to be right.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 29, 2008 7:37 PM EST reply actions

Blatche looks good but........

how do we give up 7 offensive boards with the biggest frontcourt we've had all yar? We sould be dominating the glass if we dominate anything tonight.

Also, we didnt do a good job on guarding the 3 so far but we can get it done if we just put a little more effort into rotations and help each other out a bit quicker....... we are capable, we'll get it done.

Hopefully we steal one of these 2 games with Caron out.

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 7:58 PM EST reply actions

Still cant get over it........

I still cant believe we lost to Milwaukee with that terrible effort.......

Thats why you dont want to sleepwalk through a game and miss an opportunity. We couldve went to 24-18 and that was huge, sure we didnt know Caron would get hurt and miss the next game(s), but thats the point....... you never know what could happen so you need to take advantage of opportunities and beat teh teams that you should, you have to play hard to do it though (Unless youre the Celtics/Spurs/Pistons or Suns, which we are not)...... dammit that is so dissapointing.

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 8:02 PM EST reply actions

Andray is kickin' butt. Woo hoo

by ooba on Jan 29, 2008 8:29 PM EST reply actions

Dominic

9 rebounds and counting. Welcome to the NBA son.

by bronco6778 on Jan 29, 2008 9:11 PM EST reply actions

Cue the chant

"Wizards Are Better Without Butler!"

Oh, and Dominic McGuire's having a coming out party tonight. Everyone's invited.

Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by Jake Whitacre on Jan 29, 2008 9:16 PM EST reply actions

All because Caron Butler went to the locker room..

..with 1.2 left.

(Just kidding, that had no effect on the game)

But still, why did he do that?!?!

www.truthaboutit.net

by Kyle Weidie on Jan 29, 2008 9:29 PM EST reply actions

Nooooo! It's not possible!

I'm devastated, but that is an instant Buckhantz classic.

by Aldo on Jan 29, 2008 9:30 PM EST reply actions

Between the "noooooooooooooooo"

and comparing DS to a firecracker (shades of "flamethrower" anyone?) this was a definitely a Buckhantz classic. At least he got to throw a "daggerrrrrr!" in there after DS nailed that crucial three. I count this game as payback for the Mo Pete debacle.

I've been known to be right.

by Icantfeelmyface on Jan 29, 2008 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

"The Call" on SC

Steve Buckhantz's call made it on SportsCenter at least 3 times, including the number 1 play. Okay, some Toronto fans might say that Anthony Parker's shot, and not Buckhantz's call, made it on SportsCenter, but this is clearly wrong.

I didn't realize it at the time, but Buckhantz made almost the exact same call on last year's crazy Raptor last second desperation 3.

Compare March 30 2007 Toronto at Washington:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cw_Y85Mi7Tg

with January 29 2008 Toronto at Washington:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Lf8l_96x5dc

Eerie.

by Aldo on Jan 30, 2008 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

Back on the bench now, huh Caron?

www.truthaboutit.net

by Kyle Weidie on Jan 29, 2008 9:31 PM EST reply actions

THANK GOD THAT RULE ONLY APPLIES TO BLOGGERS HUH?

Like he said...... cuz Caron did the same exact thing as a few of us did the other night in thinking that it was over and then coming back.

Like Jake said....... it dont apply for players I guess....... LOL!

Great win, crazy game, Im proud of our team tonight. Bigtime. That effort on a nightly basis with Caron and Gilbert included makes for a contender, just with either/or of Caron or Gilbert would be a 50 game winner IMHO with that effort night in and night out. Awesome stuff, lets hope we see all effort like this from here on out (Especially against lesser teams, no let-downs, and especially once Caron is back in a few games, and ESPECIALLY when Gilbert is back on top of that.) and that we dont have to see a Milwaukee game-level effort ever again.........

Im so pumped, awesome win guys.... awesome!

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

My least favorite NBA rule

I hate the rule that you can advance the ball to half court just by calling a time out. Wish they'd repeal it.

by hotplate on Jan 29, 2008 9:34 PM EST reply actions

True, that was a classic Steve Buck call.

I wish I could have seen his face.

www.truthaboutit.net

by Kyle Weidie on Jan 29, 2008 9:40 PM EST reply actions

wow

Easily the craziest consecutive games ever. I need a drink.

by Aldo on Jan 29, 2008 9:47 PM EST reply actions

Great team effort!!!!!! IM VERY PROUD OF OUR GUYS!

Hey jake, thank god that rule only applies to "dumb bloggers" and not to players, huh? Because Caron did the exact same thing tonight that you did the other night in the Milwaukee game thinking that it was all over(Except Caron did it thinking we won and you did it as you thought we lost). LoL.

We beat a very good team tonight.

If we played with this effort against Milwauekee we would have won by 50, this is how we were playing every night not long ago and up through the Dallas game, glad to see it back (Look how much fun they have while theyre doing it)..... playing good ball on both ends, playing very together.

Hopefully we see this every single night from here on out, especially with Caron back and especially with Gilbert back and especially agianst the bad teams where we cant have letdowns, I swear we could win 50 games if we did. I know we could.

We are a very good team, we're not Boston, Detroit, Phoenix or San Antonio but we're very good just like the Cavs, Magic, Raptors, Rockets, Blazers, Warriors, Nuggets, Jazz, etc etc etc etc..... we're very good and could make some noise this year come that time really, especially with Gil back and fit in.

Mason, Mcguire, JAMISON, BLATCHE, STEVENSON, Daniels, Songaila, Haywood, and Young all contributed tonight...... everybody contributed tonight. Im very proud of this, just as proud tonight as I was dissapointed the other night against Milwaukee........

Damn, I had my fingers crossed a few times though :)

Blatche has a VERY bright future as well. Ive said it before and i'll say it again on that one.

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 9:52 PM EST reply actions

Hell Yeah!!

What a win. We exorcised the demons from last year's Mo Pete nightmare. Taser was awesome. Hope he can see some more time. Great effort!

by LoDawg31 on Jan 29, 2008 9:53 PM EST reply actions

GASP... pant pant pant

Okay, I'm out of breath. What a game. Couple of brief thoughts:

-We're gonna get wrecked tomorrow night. This was one of those rising-in-the-face-of-adversity games that lots of teams have on the first night without their lead player.

-TASER!

-Great game from Blatche. He positively took the game over for part of the third. Huge growth. Also liked his defense on Bosh with five fouls toward the end. Stuck with the guy, made life difficult.

-Stevenson. Locksmith. Firecracker. Better than JCN.

-Antawn Jamison is an all-star. I don't care if Turkoglu hit a buzzer-beater against the Garnett-less Celtics. 24 and 20, none bigger than that last one. How many forwards can post 20 boards? How many players in this league can hit those little floaters like he was doing all night?

-Hope we get Caron back soon.

-HELL of a win. Just one hell of a quality win.

by sierradave on Jan 29, 2008 9:54 PM EST reply actions

Yeah im convinced

i dont need to see any more, Jamison is an allstar PF just as much as Bosh is IMHO...... what he does for this team is just awesome. 20 and 10, mark it down, inside, outside.... leadership..... damn I love you Antawn!

When you see Blatche do those things at 7 feet tall and just be absolutely stunning like that you realize just how smart Grunfeld is and just how good Blatche will be if he works hard and wants it. He could be a Chris Bosh down the road, and could be a Lamarcus Aldridge with better passing and lowpost game sooner than we may think......

Either way the future is bright for Blatche, and in turn for us because any time you have a 7footer that can do all that on your team and he's 22 years old with a bright future, than in turn your team has a very bright future.

Nick Young has a bright future as a 2guard too.

Antawn and Caron are allstars, period.

by billy332 on Jan 29, 2008 10:02 PM EST reply actions