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Only 60 more games to go

Only 60 more games to go.

Only 60 more games to go.

Only 60 more games to go.

Only 60 more games to go.

Only 60 more games to go.

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Remember

when Dixon and DerMarr Johnson were fighting for the last spot on the roster, and we all assumed it wouldn’t matter anyway?

I miss those days.

by Jon L on Dec 15, 2008 9:34 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Wait, I'm confused

How many games do we have left?

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by JakeTheSnake on Dec 15, 2008 9:41 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

That looks suspiciously like . . .

“REDRUM” “REDRUM” “REDRUM”

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Dec 15, 2008 9:58 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Losing by 20 to the Pacers?

This team is a joke right now — and very tough to watch. And it pains me to say that.

by Matt K. on Dec 15, 2008 10:11 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Turd Nuggets

I’ve updated my schedule breakdown FanPost to reflect current reality.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 15, 2008 10:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

mike

come friday, ill be more than willing to cheer you up by taking your mind of the wizards and talking about the redskins instead.

oh wait

by joshp on Dec 15, 2008 10:33 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

So what do we do now?

Hope for a high draft pick.?….great…..this just happens to be one of those years without a standout. To be honest, I’d rather take Rubio at this point….kid at least seems to be pass first. Could you imagine someone like him to get the offense going?

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Truth About It on Dec 15, 2008 10:40 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I want Griffin.

That kid plays MEAN. We need mean. Mean Juice.

by Romans12 on Dec 15, 2008 11:36 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

We need Blake

by DT711 on Dec 16, 2008 10:09 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Isn't it still possible that he come out?

Draft Express still has him mocked at #2.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Truth About It on Dec 16, 2008 9:13 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Trade.

Let’s trade our big three for Cleveland’s big three, straight up. In other words, Arenas/Butler/Jamison for Lebron.

I hate the crybaby, but he’s damn good.

by se7en on Dec 15, 2008 10:57 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

His defense

His defense is reportedly also good, which might be all I care about right now.

by Jon L on Dec 16, 2008 1:32 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

58 Points in the Paint Given Up to the Pacers

And you want to take a PG? Great, that will solve a lot. Who needs big men? Let’s just trade Brendan while we are at it for a wing defender, then we’ll be really good defensively.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 16, 2008 7:49 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Sorry

That came off as way too harsh. I’m just really frustrated right now with the matador defense.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 16, 2008 7:51 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

A lot of those points

came because TJ Ford and Marquis Daniels were blowing by their defenders (usually Stevenson and Dixon). Perimeter defense is just as much a problem for the Wizards as interior defense, possibly an even greater problem.

by Jon L on Dec 16, 2008 11:10 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

On One of Those Plays

TJ Ford got Juan Dixon up in the air on a pump fake, then passed to a wide-open player (either Troy Murphy or Jeff Foster, can’t remember which) right underneath the basket for an easy bucket. Inexcusable. On the replay, you can see Andray Blatche standing at the free-throw line, guarding nobody, watching the play, and looking completely lost. If we had more bangers who can defend the paint and play smart defense, we wouldn’t have to worry so much about our perimeter defense. Most of the reason why our perimeter defense is so poor is because we have to constantly rotate wing defenders into the post to double-team. If Brendan Haywood was still healthy, I promise you a lot of those plays wouldn’t have happened.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 16, 2008 11:28 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I completely remember that play

Rewound it and watched it several times. Blatche did look totally lost on that play, opting to switch off at the FT line instead of getting back to his man under the basket. I think he thought Butler was going to switch with him, which was a dumb thing to think.

When people call for certain players to get PT, maybe they aren’t remembering plays like that. I’m not just talking about AB. It reminds me of a terrible hitting shortstop whose great defense takes away an extra few hits per game. Sometimes the guys who win games aren’t only the ones who hit shots.

by MR on Dec 16, 2008 11:46 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Can You Remember Who Blatched Switched to Cover?

I remember Phil Chenier breaking down the play on replay, and I don’t remember any Pacers player within 4 feet of Blatche. I could be misremembering, though.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 16, 2008 12:05 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't remember who it was specifically

but Blatche was doubling the weakside man. I’m willing to give him some benefit of the doubt on this one, because I still think the defensive scheme has caused a lot of confusion, not just among the young players, but in retrospect it’s easy to see that Blatche should’ve stayed with Foster.

As someone who called for Blatche to get more PT, I didn’t forget plays like that. But he’s clearly offering more than Etan Thomas or arguably Songaila, and McGee was getting into too much early foul trouble as a starter and ended up sitting for too long (he sat for too long last night as well, but that’s a different argument). The larger point is that sometimes you have to let young players make mistakes so that they can learn from them. Hopefully in the future Blatche can be more decisive in who he covers and have greater recognition of where the ball is headed (yeah yeah, I know it’s Blatche, that’s why I said hopefully). There’s also a good chance that Blake Griffin would’ve done the same thing as a rookie or second-year player.

As for the perimeter defense, you mentioned one play. I didn’t even keep track of how many times Daniels or Ford would blow by their man even though the defender was three feet off of him, and get either a layup or pass to the open man. As Truth says below, the Wizards need help everywhere. They don’t have the luxury of passing on a player like Rubio just because he’s not a big man.

by Jon L on Dec 16, 2008 12:16 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I think

The problem was that Blatche made the wrong switch (understandable/forgivable) but then he stayed there and didn’t recognize the problem for like 2 more seconds as the play developed. That’s from my memory, so I could have it wrong. In any case it was bad enough that I wanted to see it again, and it also stuck in cj’s mind…and Phil’s.

BTW, I was not only talking about AB with the shortstop metaphor…there are a lot of guys not making the small plays, as Taps has already been pointing out. Really it’s the whole team

by MR on Dec 16, 2008 12:23 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm Losing Faith in Blatche

He has had plenty of playing time in his four full seasons in the NBA and he’s just not learning how to play defense. Plus, he seems allergic to physical contact, opting instead to play along the perimeter like a guard. That’s great if we have other guys filling the role of inside presence, but unfortunately we only have Brendan, so we need more guys who are able and willing to get dirty in the low-post. Perhaps a new coach like Tom Thibadeaux can install a new defense that will make Blatche look a lot better, but I’m not holding my breath.

Also, like MR, I don’t want to single Blatche out. Honestly, overall, he probably plays defense just as well as Antawn. But the problem is neither is up to par. JaVale may get better as he fills out, but he’s still too weak and skinny to hold his ground. I really admire Songaila’s play on defense, but he is simply not tall enough to be as effective as the Wizards need their C/PF to be.

As for the perimeter defense, you mentioned one play. I didn’t even keep track of how many times Daniels or Ford would blow by their man even though the defender was three feet off of him, and get either a layup or pass to the open man.

I’m not going to say that this is acceptable, but I remember several plays last season where this would happen and Brendan would ultimately block or alter the shot anyway. We just don’t have anybody else like Brendan, and I sincerely believe that is hurting this team the most.

As Truth says below, the Wizards need help everywhere. They don’t have the luxury of passing on a player like Rubio just because he’s not a big man.

I partially agree, but as I said below, if the best player available doesn’t fill our biggest need, we could always try and package him in a deal to a team that actually needs a scoring PG in order to get back the players we are looking for. Remember that Boston had a high draft pick in 2007, but didn’t keep their pick and instead used it to get what they really wanted. If Rubio is that good, then we should be able to fetch at least one really good player in exchange for his rights.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 16, 2008 12:36 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Ford and Jack

Dixon was awful on the defensive end. TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack blew past him every time they had the ball. I thought that was the root cause of all those points in the paint.
Daniels pretty much had his way with Stevenson and Butler also. And Granger completely embarrassed Songaila on that dunk.
Pretty much a team effort.

by hotplate on Dec 16, 2008 3:40 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I feel ya....

Problem is, we need everything.

Some sort of selection would obviously be contingent on what Arenas can do…..but after seeing Griffin play a couple times, he doesn’t wow me….and what other big is there? Guy from UCONN? For some reason, he reminds me of Chris Taft.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Truth About It on Dec 16, 2008 9:16 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

True

If Blake Griffin isn’t a defensive stud, then we are wasting our time there too. What about simply taking the best player available (Rubio or whoever) and then using him in a package for several guys who could patch several different needs? He may even help us to get rid of Etan, who according to Ivan Carter is practically untradeable right now.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 16, 2008 9:25 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Griffin is Young and Improving

I think he has the potential to be a defensive stud, he just need to fill out and mature. He has insane strength/athletiscm/intensity combo, and is smart and super driven. Given team needs, I really think he’d be a no brainer section if we are fortunate enough to have our choice. Give Griffin another shot around tournament time, that’s when the lottery shapes up anyhow…. I can’t see how he won’t go #1 unless something crazy happens.

Not that we need him but I think Harden is the #2 overall prospect coming out, if Rubio doesn’t declare until 2010. He is just a winner who’s willing to do whatever it takes.

by DT711 on Dec 16, 2008 10:30 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

on the bright side

there’s not as much anger on the board anymore. personally, i’m glad to see that.

by DarrellWalkerFan on Dec 16, 2008 12:13 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Why be angry

At this point the Wizards make laugh. It’s the darkest of dark comedy right now. I thought Rubio was going to be draft eligible this season?

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Dec 16, 2008 12:43 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

If this were Dwayne Wade or Kobe Bryant or Lebron James team playing this poorly when he was out for the season, wouldn’t you expect them to show offcourt leadership or at least express the desire to get back on the court ASAP? Where has Arenas been? He’s running from the Wizards’ mess as though maybe people will forget that he’s the face of this rock-bottom franchise. What a coward

by morethesamewiz on Dec 16, 2008 1:27 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

This is dumb

On the one hand, he’s criticized last year for wanting to rush back from his injury. Now, the complaint is he’s waiting too long even though it’s the organization that is barring him from playing?

Arenas has nothing to do with this.

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

by Mike Prada on Dec 16, 2008 2:37 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

What If

I just threw away a post about Arenas, because it was again way too harsh. I’m just not feeling good about the Wizards right now. My biggest problem with Arenas is that he seemed too careless with his rehab, and now it seems he is in a perpetual state of being 2-4 months away from being healthy. Remember, he originally injured his knee 20 months ago. Had he done the right things and listened to the team doctors and the trainers, he would be back right now 100% healthy. But rehashing all of this is moot.

What I want to know is what do we do if he is never again the same player? Has anyone considered that after three surgeries on his knee, he might never be able to do what he once did before the injury? Can we trade a Steve Francis/Stephon Marbury/Allan Houston type contract attached to a has-been star with a bum knee? Has Ernie Grunfeld just hand-cuffed this franchise for the next 6 seasons?

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Dec 16, 2008 9:49 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I mean, it's obviously a concern

But it’s one we won’t be able to figure out until he plays again.

My feeling is it’s not worth the energy of speculating about it until he comes back.

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

by Mike Prada on Dec 16, 2008 12:46 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I hope he returns....

Really, the only reasons to keep watching this train wreck of a team is to:

1. see how the young guys develop (ahem….. Note to Ed Tapscott, when your team is out of contention, play the youngsters more – develop their talent so that they’ll be better for next year’s run)

2. See how much better (or worse) they get when Arenas returns… (perhaps forever shutting up all the detractors that said the Wizards are a better team without Arenas)….

3. see if Arenas can return to pre-injury form or if he’s permanently lost his quickness (perhaps making the point of all the detractors that said a damaged Arenas was not worth $111 Million)…

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Dec 16, 2008 7:15 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Um...

Last year Wade quit with 21 games to go due to soreness in his knee, then went on to play in the Olympics.

by MR on Dec 16, 2008 6:41 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

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