Open Thread: Regular season game 16 vs. Portland Trailblazers
Portland Trail Blazers at Washington Wizards, Dec 3, 2008 7:00 PM EST
RIP Kevin.
Tonight's a real test, folks. Portland's playing really well and we're on the second game of a back to back. So are they, but they have more depth.
There's a lot of excitement about Ed Tapscott's coaching record so far, which includes two blowout wins, but tonight, like the Atlanta game, is going to test how far we've come. Portland is an outstanding three-point shooting team and they're also leading the league in offensive rebound percentage. Greg Oden has been playing well for them, so this will be a test for JaVale McGee. Ditto for DeShawn Stevenson and Brandon Roy. Stevenson held Vince Carter in check, but Roy's a tougher challenge.
I guarantee you our thread will include several Blazers Edge guests. Be nice. They're mostly civil people and are here simply to learn. We're having a pretty good discussion about Antawn Jamison as a Trailblazer here.
Game's at 7. GO WIZARDS!
[UPDATE: Also check: Blogger Q&A: Rip City Project - Portland Trail Blazer Blog]
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Good luck
Should be a highly entertaining game, But actually Im just here to learn,,,,,,,,,
Go Blazers
Actually, I'm here to educate...
And to look through the spectacles of Bullets Fans for the first time this year. BTW, who’s this Kevin Pritchard fella you guys had on your roster back in the 90s?
when i get sad, i stop being sad & become awesome again. true story.
Should be a good game!
I’m a Blazer fan, but have heard a lot of good things about JaVale McGee so I’m excited to see him play.
Go Blazers!
Go Wizards!
looks around
'he nails an open three from the corner....just like you and me, this one was made by penetration' - Truthaboutit - Round 1 Game 5 Recap
Caron Butler pulls down BRoy and injures his groin...
I haven’t forgotten Caron grabbing BRoy in the air and pullling him down to the floor last year in Portland. Let’s hope we don’t see any ‘questionable’ plays from Caron tonight, I’d hate for him to build a ‘reputation’.
This was not the case
It was an accident contingent on an awkward facet of Butler’s follow-through on his shot.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
Blazers-Wiz will be a good game
McGee-Oden alone makes it worth the price of admission.
It's pretty
much not a game the Wizards can win, I predict Steve Blake will torch his former team. Go Wizards, don’t lose be double digits!
The defense
Seems like the Wizards are playing more straight up man to man defense. I’m not noticing the usual double teaming and frantic rush to reach the open 3 point shooter.
I have to say
I love what I’m seeing from Dee Brown. He’s pushing the ball and playing pretty good perimeter defense. The ball movement was also outstanding in the 1st quarter.
So many empty seats
for having a pretty reputable team. You guys are playing well the 1st half!
when i get sad, i stop being sad & become awesome again. true story.
3 - 12 + no arenas
= lack of buzz for the wiz
by little stevie colter on Dec 3, 2008 7:43 PM EST up reply actions
I've missed some games this season...
But all I have seen have been available in HD. Anybody know if thats the case for the whole season?
Picked up an early foul on Oden.
Plus, his stamina is still building so Tapscott has been playing him in spurts early so he’s there at the end.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
Doesn't Tap know
We need him to play more if he’s gonna back up all the hype you started on BE?
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
what about butler?
his knee look ok?
by little stevie colter on Dec 3, 2008 7:46 PM EST reply actions
they must lead the league
in missed dunks
by little stevie colter on Dec 3, 2008 7:58 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I'm quibbling
only because I know he can do better. He makes 2 wow plays then 1 boneheaded play. I’m not mad – he’s still learning just how good NBA players are and what he can and can’t get away with. But if there’s one thing I’ve noticed about McGee so far it’s that he is a quick learner.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 8:06 PM EST up reply actions
I'm willing to bet
one reason the Blazers get so much scoring from their bench is because they start Steve Blake.
Dear Andray Blatche
You gliding to the rim = beautiful.
You spotting up for mid-to-long jumpers = frowny-face.
Sincerely,
Everyone
Also frownie-face
Throwing passes into the stands.
Standing around on defense.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 8:42 PM EST up reply actions
Blatche has lost Aldridge on three straight possessions
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Got our work cut out
It’s winnable though. We really need to bring it on defense.
Getting buckets since 2003.
That was the issue against New Jersey too
It’s probably a byproduct of moving the ball more offensively, at least in the short term. Long-term, Butler needs to figure out how to get to the line while still playing within himself.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Ugh
Why did DeShawn gamble on Sergio? Why did Nick let Rudy go backdoor?
We had been doing pretty well until that stretch.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
My question is
Why did Tap put in NY essentially as a defensive replacement? He couldn’t’ve been surprised with the result.
I was wondering the same thing....
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 8:51 PM EST up reply actions
What's good?
I just got my English project finished so now I can enjoy the last quarter of the game.
Did I miss any good alleys?
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
Writing a blog about blogging
In hindsight, I probably should’ve come up with a better idea. Oh well.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by Jake Whitacre on Dec 3, 2008 8:52 PM EST up reply actions
McGuire again creating extra posssessions
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
His pass after the rebound was nice too
McGuire has a high turnover rate, but it’s not because he throws bad passes.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by Jake Whitacre on Dec 3, 2008 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
This is our time to move
None of Portland’s Big 3 are in.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Now if he could teach that to the rest of the team
we’d be all set
And that was just named a "pivotal play"
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
I don't want to take anything away from us
But Portland really hurt themselves by going to a lineup with none of their Big 3. They had no scorers in the game and they didn’t capitalize on what they gained at the end of the quarter.
Bad coaching, Nate.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Not a huge fan of this lineup
It’s tough to ask Caron or D-Mac to guard Aldridge. I’d put Songaila or JaVale in.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Butler needs to take that shot
Too passive. Looked like the 07/08 Caron.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
can't be called a collapse
given that we were down 5 coming into the quarter.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
Baargh
JaVale didn’t get back to Oden quick enough. Of course, if DeShawn could stay in front of Blake…
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
See how Roy draws contact?
No one on the Wizards is doing that right now. Everything seems to be fading away from the basket.
those misses hurt
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 9:05 PM EST up reply actions
When he makes his free throws.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by Jake Whitacre on Dec 3, 2008 9:05 PM EST up reply actions
I miss Gilbert
Caron’s move was definitely weak.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
There we go!
Not free throws, but it works.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
And
It looks like JaVale is going into Kill Mode.
We need all the cheese we can get.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by Jake Whitacre on Dec 3, 2008 9:09 PM EST up reply actions
Roy's quite good
Very impressed by him.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Nobody can guard Caron on the Blazers
He needs to do that every single time. Like to see Jamison more involved, though. He’s been huge for us tonight, let’s not ignore him.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Isn't Roy guarding Butler though?
Roy guards Butler, but Butler doesn’t have to guard Roy. Should bode well.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Wow
Heckuva play by Rudy Fernandez.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
Seriously, this is odd
He’s always very good from the line.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Ewwwww
Butler’s gotta go inside to Jamison there.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Just like that.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by Jake Whitacre on Dec 3, 2008 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
Nice adjustment by Portland
They didn’t send a screen, which made it more difficult to help.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
SONGAILA!
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
I'd like to see
Taser now
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
Dear Santa
For christmas, I’d like a defensive stop.
Signed,
-Some jewish dude
They ran the exact same play that won them Game 5 against Cleveland
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Blake fouled.
Hit them both of course. Down 4 w/ 12 seconds to go and the ball.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
Why was Songaila guarding Blake?
And yeah, put Taser in as long as they’re going small.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
This is the time
Jamison needs to go into Clipper Killer mode.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
Are you really going to criticize a decision from four years ago?
We got Daniels instead. I’ll take that trade off.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Because then we foul
If they hit both we are down only 3 with 5 or 6 seconds to go
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
The three probably did make the most sense
But even if we go for 2, we don’t go for two like THAT. We drive to the hoop and look for a three-point play.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I know what you're saying
I wasn’t a fan of that particular shot. I still think you drive to the basket.
Well yeah
Driving would have been a lot better. I still would look for the three first – but I guess there was still a possibility they could miss a FT and give us a chance at the buzzer.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
Even if he hit
we have to foul and then hope blake or roy misses one, then no time left for anything but one more. Bad strategy.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
Wow
That was a really dumb shot.
Antawn was open for three. Why didn’t he shoot it?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Yeah, I agree
If you’re going to shoot a contested jump shot, it might as well be a 3 in that situation. Only go for 2 if you’re going to drive or draw some contact.
Oh well
On the whole, still pretty happy. We were right there against arguably the fifth-best team in the league.
Just need a little more defense.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Agreed
Another tough, close loss, but I think this was closer than a lot of people expected.
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by Jake Whitacre on Dec 3, 2008 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
Good effort.
But I don’t know if i liked D-Song being in there on the most important defensive possession of the game.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 9:24 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I wasn't feeling that either
He was responsible for the breakdown too. Why not McGuire on Roy?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Yeah
But on this team that translates into “we need a little more Taser”, esp on that last D possession
Minutes Watch
Jamison played 41 minutes
Butler played just under 39 minutes
Stevenson played 31 and a half minutes
Blatche played 21 minutes
Daniels and NY each played 20 minutes
Songaila and McGee each played just under 18 minutes
Dee Brown played 16 minutes
Taser played 12 minutes
Thomas played just under 4 minutes
Dixon got another DNP-CD
Jeez
Butler and Jamison are going to wear down soon, but I don’t see how we can do it any other way.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
We could tank
And play Taser, Dee Brown and Blatche more, at least we’ll have a year without injuries to the big three.
I have the feeling our captains have too much pride for that
Jamison for sure
That's not tanking.
All three of those players have things to contribute, and each could’ve arguably helped the Wizards win tonight with more PT.
More Blatche
Tonight, anyway. He barely played in the 4th, but he had a good game overall. 5-8 shooting, only two fouls.
GG Washington fans
Our team looked tired out there in that 2nd half. Perhaps you seen fatigue in your team as well?
The Blazers definitely ‘Dodged a Bullet’ in this one. See you in Portland.
when i get sad, i stop being sad & become awesome again. true story.
yeah feel ok about this one - strong opponent
but it’s tough to lose when you shoot 50% and only have 11 TOs.
by little stevie colter on Dec 3, 2008 9:35 PM EST reply actions
Can we please
stop deluding ourselves that Stevenson is a defensive stopper? I haven’t seen much evidence that’s he’s any good defensively.
yeah I think if you read the comments on this board
You’ll see that most people here don’t have much faith in his defensive abilities – especially this year. He’s been pretty bad one-on-one.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Dec 3, 2008 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
In the past, he's been decent
Not stopper-quality, but decent enough to bother a lot of people. Not the case this year.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
OKAY...
I know nobody will probably even read this, but I feel like an outcast to this “online community” because I always watch the games on TiVo, later in the night. I just don’t have the time to watch a live game… I’ll try and catch up with you all next time, by the end of the 4th or something…
Just finished watching. It’s frustrating, but then again, I thought they played decently, plus or minus a few annoyances.
I watch them all late too. Even days late on occasion.
by MR on Dec 4, 2008 7:43 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I'm Also Part of the TiVo Club
Which is why I so rarely post in the game threads. The kids have to be in bed by 8:00, and then I usually have things to do before I can sit down and watch. It’s nice being able to fast-forward through timeouts, quarter breaks, and halftime. And when things get really ugly, I can simply fast-forward to the end to see what the final score was.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

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